Encore and Electives - Downingtown Area School District

Downingtown Area School District's instructional vision is characterized by an emphasis on rigorous, challenging curriculum and instruction, engaging learning activities that are relevant and applicable for students, empowering students to take an active role in choosing what and how they learn (agency).

DASD offers a wide variety of elective and encore courses, which provide secondary students opportunities and experiences to extend their interests and explore possible career paths.

To view full course descriptions, course progressions, graduation requirements, course selection worksheets, and more, view the Programs of Study. To learn more about course selection, visit your school's Course Selection webpage. Questions? Contact your school counselor.

Student in blue sweatshirt sitting next to student in gray t-shirt writing on a piece of paper with pen

view the DHS (East and west) Program of Studies

East course selection webpage

West Course selection webpage

STEM course selection webpage

Downingtown Cyber Academy

Art

Description
Courses

Description

The DASD Visual Arts program provides students with a comprehensive course of study emphasizing artistic production through self-expression, composition and design skill, as well as critical response and historical context. This program aims at preparing students to utilize the visual arts as a tool for communication, while strengthening their skill set with regard to process, technique, craftsmanship, and presentation. Students will engage in an explorative practice incorporating creative problem solving, collaboration, introspection and critical thinking within the context of the visual image. They will learn to investigate and interpret the visual culture that surrounds them utilizing a blend of traditional techniques along with 21st Century skills, while also discovering their place in a global society as they contribute to that visual culture in their own unique way.

Courses

Art Year 1: Grades 9-12

Art Major 1 (6 pds/cycle)
Drawing & Painting 1 (3 pds/cycle)
Digital Design 1 (3 pds/cycle)
Ceramics & Sculpture 1 (3 pds/cycle)
Jewelry & Metals (3 pds/cycle)
Textiles & Fashion (3 pds/cycle)

Art Year 2: Grades 10-12

Art Major 2 (6 pds/cycle)
Drawing & Painting 2 (3 pds/cycle)
Digital Design 2 (3 pds/cycle)
Ceramics & Sculpture 2 (3 pds/cycle)
Wearable Art (3 pds/cycle)

Art Year 3: Grades 11-12

Art Major 3 (6 pds/cycle)
AP Studio Art Drawing OR AP Studio Art 2D (3 pds/cycle)
Ceramics & Sculpture 3 (3 pds/cycle)
AP Studio Art 3D (3 pds/cycle)

Business

Description
Courses

Description

The Business and Computer Science Department offers a number of comprehensive career and college-oriented business classes allowing students the opportunity to begin evaluating business career options and to prepare for collegiate coursework. As computer science skills are needed in every industry, the department also offers challenging computer science courses to develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed for success in a rapidly changing 21st century. All students are encouraged to participate in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competition club, the Mock Trial Team, and the Junior Achievement program.

Courses

Grade 9

Introduction to Business
Business Management in Entertainment & Sport
Marketing
Personal Finance & Career Planning
Public Speaking & Business Etiquette
Web Design & Development

Grade 10

Accounting
Business & Personal Law
Business Management in Entertainment & Sport
Entrepreneurship
Finance & Investment
Marketing
Personal Finance & Career Planning
Public Speaking & Business Etiquette
Web Design & Development

Grade 11

Accounting
Business & Personal Law Business
Management in Entertainment & Sport
Entrepreneurship
Finance & Investment
Marketing
Personal Finance & Career Planning
Public Speaking & Business Etiquette
Web Design & Development

Grade 12

DASD Sports Business Academy
Accounting
Business & Personal Law
Business Management in Entertainment & Sport
Entrepreneurship
Finance & Investment
Marketing
Personal Finance & Career Planning
Public Speaking & Business Etiquette
Web Design & Development

Computer Science

Description
Courses

Description

The Business and Computer Science Department offers a number of comprehensive career and college-oriented business classes allowing students the opportunity to begin evaluating business career options and to prepare for collegiate coursework. As computer science skills are needed in every industry, the department also offers challenging computer science courses to develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed for success in a rapidly changing 21st century. All students are encouraged to participate in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competition club, the Mock Trial Team, and the Junior Achievement program.

Courses

Below is a list of the Computer Science courses offered. Please note, there are three course progression options available to students interested in computer science.

AP Computer Science Principles
Web Design and Development
Introduction to Computer Programming
AP Computer Science
Honors Game Design and Structures
Project Lead the Way CYBERSECURITY

To view the progression options, visit the Program of Studies.

Family & Consumer Science

Program Description
Courses

Program Description

Family and Consumer Sciences Education aims to empower individuals and families to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse global society. Our unique focus is on families, work, and their interrelationships. It is a comprehensive activity-based program that focuses on providing opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors needed for balancing personal, family and work/community lives. Students enrolled in sewing courses are expected to purchase materials for individual projects at various times throughout the year.

Courses

Music

Band, Chorus, Orchestra

Description
Courses

Description

Students are given the opportunity to experience music in a wide array of courses and ensembles. Areas of study include Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and Music Theory. In-context training, mastery of skills, and rehearsal and performance experiences will engage students’ imagination and understanding of the world around them. Emphasis is placed on creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and personal expression through creation and performance. From this experience, students will acquire and develop skills in traditional and contemporary processes necessary to compose, perform, analyze, appreciate, and advocate for musical creations. When students are included, committed, and invested in the learning process, they will retain the knowledge gained through interactive instruction and will better master their skills and musical knowledge.

Courses

Technology & Engineering

Description
Courses

Description

Technology Education in the Downingtown Areas School District is the study of technology, in which students “learn about the processes and knowledge related to technology”. As a field of study, it incorporates a broad spectrum of technology, which is any innovation, change, or modification of the natural environment to satisfy perceived human needs and wants, and how technology accomplishes this through the interrelated disciplines of math, science, engineering, and others. Based in the design process, students gather, question, and evaluate information; draw conclusions; and act responsibly on the results as they impact on the students’ environment. Technology Education is an integral part of the education of each student.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

PLTW is a college-recognized program designed to introduce students to the career of engineering. This program prepares students for the types of engineering classes they will be taking in college. All students can benefit by completing the entire program, or by taking a few of the classes. Students can also qualify for college credit by successfully completing the PLTW core courses and the final exam.

Courses

Grades 9-12

Honors Introduction to Engineering*
Honors Principles of Engineering*
CAD I
Residential Architecture I
Electronics I
Graphic Arts I
Wood Technology I
Digital Photography I
Video Applications I
TV Studio

Grades 10-12

Honors Computer Integrated Manufacturing*
Honors Aerospace Engineering*
Honors Civil Engineering and Architecture*
Design Architecture
Electronics II
Graphic Arts II
Wood Technology II
Digital Photography II
Video Applications II
Engineering the Guitar*

Grades 11-12

Capstone: Honors Engineering Design and Development*
Electronics III
Graphic Arts III
Wood Technology III
Digital Photography III

Grade 12

Graphic Arts IV
Wood Technology IV
Digital Photography IV

*Project Lead the Way (PLTW)