Besides being the traditional “middle day” of the week, Wednesdays are fun days for Father Allouez Catholic School’s middle grade students. In a unique elective program occurring each Wednesday for the past three years at Father Allouez, students in grades five through eight set aside their daily schedule of core content classes and participate in elective classes. These courses are designed to boost students’ growth, academic success and future planning. The elective classes enable the middle schoolers the opportunity to explore their interests, develop a wide range of skills and build confidence. These Wednesday experiences may have a lasting impact on their educational journey and overall development.
Needless to say, many students claim that this is their favorite day of the week. Quinn, a current middle school student shares, “I really like having an elective day because it gives us a break from the regular school schedule while we still get to learn about more topics that we usually wouldn’t be able to learn about. One of my favorite electives is cooking class. I like that one the most because it’s so different from what I usually learn, but so fun at the same time.”
Students can choose four classes each trimester and the classes change from one trimester to the next. Some of the courses that have been offered are:
Middle school is a crucial time for students to explore their interests and discover their passions. Elective classes can help students discover their strengths and guide their career choices. The offerings are a diverse range of subjects from the arts, technology, religion, literature, theater, life skills, math and science. This allows students to choose subjects that align with their learning styles and interests, making learning more engaging and relevant.
One student, Aubrey, relates her excitement about the program, “I love elective day because you get to choose a class you are interested in. It is so much fun! I especially love musicals because I love to perform.”
Electives help develop a student’s social competencies because the class brings together students with similar interests and can help form friendships with those in other grade levels. Success in these classes can also boost self-esteem and confidence.
Father Allouez Catholic School will indeed continue to offer elective classes for the middle school students. These classes provide a well-rounded education that includes not only core academic subjects but also opportunities for personal growth and development that nurtures students’ physical, emotional, social and cognitive developments.
The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System consists of nine schools. We focus on the development of each student grounded in our foundation of Catholic faith for grades PK3-10.
Our mission continues to evolve in these unique times as we embrace new technologies, deliver innovative teaching and learning strategies, and hire exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to the vocation of education. Our current GRACE Strategic Plan outlines action steps in the areas of faith, academics, vitality and experience that have assisted us to enjoy enrollment growth over the past five years.
Please know you are always welcome to visit our schools to learn more about our offerings and the culture that makes each of our GRACE schools unique. The rewards of a Catholic education are endless. The gift of a Catholic education prepares your child and will remain with them throughout their life. Learn more about us here.
