CHEC High School
8th/9th Grade - Opal Class
Two Day - Tuesday & Thursday
CHEC Opal class is comprised of 8th-9th graders. They follow the same 32-week school calendar as our Elementary and Junior High students attending their classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-3pm. Students wear their class t-shirt on Tuesdays and their professional uniform from Flynn O'Hara on Thursdays.
CHEC supports families in preparing for the college dual enrollment process by guiding students through the required prerequisites: English I, Algebra I, and two additional high school courses. Students may begin dual enrolling in 9th grade and all students are required to dual enroll by 10th grade as part of the CHEC high school program. At CHEC, students complete their high school science and history core classes, earning one high school credit per course on their transcript. These core classes are taught using a biblically based curriculum.
In addition to core classes, students can choose from a variety of electives, which rotate annually. CHEC high school electives are designed around four foundational pillars: Liberal Arts, STEM, Business, and Fine Arts, allowing students to earn the equivalent of two high school elective credits each year.
For Math and English, students may either continue with a home-based program of their choice or enroll in CHEC’s three-day program, which includes Math and English classes on Mondays.
Juniors and Seniors that have been enrolled in CHEC for at least 2 years will have a customized program created for them including on the job training, dual enrollment, internships, college visits, mentorship programs, participation in The Presidential Service Award volunteer programs, Bright Futures guidance, HS transcript assistance and more.
Core Classes
Science
High school students participate in a hands-on, science class covering a full biblically based curriculum for high school transcript credit. Students will complete chapter activities that include reading, written assignments, labs, quizzes, and tests. During the school year, Opal students could cycle through subjects such as Biology, Marine Science, oceanography, chemistry, and Physical Science. 1.5-2 hours of mandatory homework is required for this class. Class and lab materials are included in tuition.
History
High school students participate in an engaging, discussion based, history class covering a full Biblically based curriculum. Opal students will take courses such as U.S. History, Civics, World History, and more. There is 1.5-2 hours of mandatory homework for this class. Options are available for HS students to take a corresponding CLEP exam at the end of the year at Palm Beach State University.
Fine Arts Classes
L.I.F.E in Theatre
Learning Intentional Fun Exercises
Theater has been a part of the education process for thousands of years. Participation in theater improves self esteem, teaches empathy and teamwork, increases academic motivation and performance. Above all, it gives the students the chance to fail, get back up, and try again in a safe environment. Our students learn, study and perform in a full musical play in the spring session. They will learn all aspects of theater from sound, lighting, costuming, set design and more.
Art
A study done on Florida students that took in-school arts classes and/or private arts classes throughout their school career showed significantly higher scores on their college placement tests in the verbal and increased scores on their math. Hundreds, if not thousands, of years of evidence support the link between participating in arts programs and higher academic achievement, deeper appreciation of life, greater capacity to empathize, and problem solving abilities. Elementary students take an art class each week .
Photography
Students will explore modern photography techniques, including composition, lighting, texture, and focus. Using the Academy's DSLR cameras, students will capture key CHEC events, field trips, productions, and field days. They will also venture on photo field trips to local landmarks. Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to showcase their work at various CHEC events, gaining hands-on experience while honing their photography skills.
Music
Students learn to play the ukulele together while also studying music theory and classical composers. They have the opportunity to perform their newly learned songs at either the Christmas production or the end of the year production.
STEM Classes
Drones
In their STEM pillar of learning, HS students are introduced to drones and the world of drone piloting. They will hear about drone careers, learn the basics, and discover how they can use drones in their personal or professional lives.
Chess
CHEC loves Chess! Whereas most schools with a chess program don't begin until 2nd or 3rd grade, we begin in kindergarten. Children are taught the history, basics, and how to play a game without errors. As they improve, they are instructed on strategy. A pastime at CHEC, you will see CHEC kids playing chess together at meetups, parks, and other unusual places. Since the whole school learns how to play together, there's never a shortage of other people to play with at any CHEC event.
Cooking
Students learn culinary skills on commercial grade kitchen equipment. They will prepare full meals and desserts they get to take home all while they develop the skills necessary to complete them. From baking and marinating, to chopping and mixing, and everything else in between. Students also keep recipe books so they can cook their culinary creations at home.
Math Olympiads
CHEC High School students participate in Math Olympiads, an international program created in 1977 with nearly 170,000 students around the world participating annually. We strive to provide students experiences that are most valuable to their education in a group setting. While parents of CHEC students are responsible for their student’s core math education, CHEC’s Math Olympiads club teaches major strategies for problem solving, develops mathematical flexibility, strengthens mathematical intuitions, and prepares them for test taking strategies they can utilize on the ACT and SAT.
Financial Literacy
Students will develop essential financial skills by learning how to manage money, create budgets, and understand the basics of saving and investing. Topics include banking, credit, debt, and financial planning. Through practical exercises and real-life scenarios, students will gain the confidence to make informed financial decisions. This course prepares students for financial independence and responsible money management, empowering them with tools for future success.
Google Workspace
Students will master Google Workspace tools, such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive, to enhance their productivity and collaboration skills. Through hands-on exercises, students will learn how to effectively organize, create, and share documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. This course equips students with the skills necessary to use Google Workspace tools efficiently for school, work, and beyond.
Liberal Arts Classes
Debate
Constructing an argument is an art. Students will perform mock trials, debates, arguments, and more. They will learn to communicate effectively, develop public speaking skills, and consider different perspectives. Students love this class and learn the art of debate.
Writing
Studying and teaching everyday writing that pertains to our students is vital to helping them develop in today's world. They will learn writing etiquette, how to present oneself and privacy options across media platforms such as email, text and social media. As these students prepare for the world of online classes whether it be their HS language classes at FLVS or their dual enrollment classes, they will learn how to communicate with teachers/professors for effectively navigating through the online world of classes.
Public Speaking
Public speaking skills are taught in a fun, engaging class based on Toastmasters’ basics, which is a speaking program that has developed leaders in over 100 countries for almost a century. In the logic stage of the trivium, kids love to argue and debate. This class provides them with structured teaching on this process.
Latin
Students will spend one semester studying Latin, history of the language, root words, prefixes, suffixes, commonly used Latin words and what careers still use Latin.
Physical Education
Knowing that physical activity has a positive influence on concentration, academic performance, and classroom behavior, we strive to provide an environment that supports the relationship of physical activity to cognitive development. P.E. includes unstructured free play as well as organized games and sports instruction.
