Kalon Academics

In partnership with Alexandria Martial Arts. Students will begin their quest to learn the basic fundamentals of martial arts. Students will earn their white belt after successfully completing the second class. By the end of the term, students will be able to demonstrate basic fundamental martial arts skills, apply them to life skills, and test out for their new rank to orange belt.

Want to make a difference in the community? This class will provide opportunities to give back to others in a variety of creative ways. Students will serve others directly (ex. Volunteering at an elementary school or nursing home), indirectly by identifying an area of need and providing solutions (ex. landscaping a public park or collecting food or clothing for disadvantaged families) or advocacy using your time and voice to identify and raise public awareness of problems.

*This course will take up 2 blocks.
*Limited Enrollment

Students, do you like to prepare food or are you interested in learning how to prepare your favorite dishes or bake your favorite desserts? The Kalon Kitchen will teach and apply the skills necessary for basic food preparation and every Friday students will be serving the entire Kalon family. Safety standards will be adhered to and students will be expected to wear gloves and either wear their hair back or adorn a hat during food prep. Students will be required to set up and clean up which may require a time commitment outside of class time. Based upon the number of interested students, there may be an interview and/or selection process to be enrolled in this class.

This class is for those who want to establish healthy habits by challenging themselves to be better mentally, emotionally, and physically. A change of clothes, workout shoes, and a positive attitude are a must. There will be a daily classroom lesson, followed by a physical workout. Some of the classroom topics covered will include nutrition basics, healthy relationships, emotional wellness, disease prevention, weight management, sports nutrition, and injury care and prevention.

*Graduation Requirement

Students build a solid knowledge base about how money works, establish good financial habits, and enter adulthood with confidence about how to manage their money. Guest speakers and experts in the field will enhance this course. Once the basics are taught, students will create a vision for their financial future and a plan to achieve it. The “more” part of the course may include creating business plans, consulting with entrepreneurs and tours.

*Indicates Art Credit

Courses in this classification provide students with an understanding of photographic media, techniques and processes. With a focus on development of photographic compositions through manipulation of the fundamental processes of artistic expression, students may learn to make meaningful visual statements with an emphasis on personal creative expression to communicate ideas, feelings or values. Students will engage in critiques of their photographic images, the works of other students, and those by professional photographers for the purpose of reflecting on and refining work.

This course focuses on the study of human behavior. As an introduction to the field of psychology, this course includes consideration of psychological principles, terminology, major theories, careers, methods of experimentation, and practical applications. Special topics include personality development, problem-solving, group dynamics, and motivation.

* Indicates art credit.

Studio courses will develop visual art skills through personal project planning. Students are expected to set personal goals and plan their own studio projects. Each project may focus on a different skill or several projects may focus on a particular medium, subject, or skill investigation. Goals for each project will be planned and monitored by the student and teacher for grading. This course is specifically designed for students who consider themselves artists or have taken multiple high school art courses in the past.

Are you interested in a career that involves working with students/children/adults with special needs? Become educated about: different career opportunities, various disabilities, how to work with people who have different needs. This course will include an experiential component at AIM (Autism In Motion) and Productive Alternatives. There will also be a peer support opportunity.

This elective is going to focus on students playing board games that involve using strategy to win. The students will work on creating a strategy, executing it, working as a team with one or more partners, and good sportsmanship. Some examples of games that will be played are Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, Carbles, and Betrayal at House on the Hill. Students will be allowed to suggest games or bring some in from home if approved by the teacher.

*Indicates Art Credit

Video Production an introduction to video/film/audio production. The goal is for the student to find the ability to capture great video images and audio. Then, students will edit those two elements together to tell a story. Our production studio is equipped with editing bays, a green room, video cameras, studio lighting and audio equipment. Students are able to write scripts, act, direct, edit and have fun. Students will film and edit multiple projects.

Learn about America's past conflicts through literary texts, guest speakers, and feature films. Students' knowledge of course content will be assessed through interactive notes, group projects, short essays, and quizzes.

*Disclaimer: This is not a class for those who may be sensitive to graphic content. The feature films will contain very realistic war conditions, graphic violence, etc.

In this course, Students will develop personalized plans for their individual health goals. Students will learn that health is not a “one size fits all” program to follow, but a lifestyle. We will shatter what society says it means to be “fit” and ”healthy” and take time to learn what our individual bodies need for exercise and nutrition. Students will grow in their confidence while learning to be advocates for their health, as well as, gain an understanding of how our body and mind work together for optimal health. Topics of study include: dating, mental health, social media, breast and reproductive systems, nutrition, exercise and self defense/safety. 

Students will develop personalized plans for their individual health goals. Experts in the region will assist in teaching material and leading fitness activities.

*Indicates Art Credit

Do you enjoy writing and want more time to do so? This class offers you an opportunity to experiment with a variety of creative genres and hone your writing skills in the hopes of helping you produce quality written work. You will also get the chance to  read and examine the work of successful authors to identify what skills and techniques have made them powerful writers. Ultimately, though, the heart of this class is student work and workshopping, a system by which an author (you) can receive informed, constructive feedback from a group of peers. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to express yourself creatively through writing.

*Qualifying seniors only

Work Release students are concurrently enrolled in senior REACH. Seniors who have a job are allowed to be released from school Monday through Thursday for a portion of the school day. Typically, Work Release students work 10-20 hours a week to meet class requirements. Kalon staff partners with local employers to provide a personalized educational work experience. Students will be observed in their work environments throughout the year and provide teachers with proof of employment in addition to attending REACH daily.