Electives & Student Clubs

Elective Wheel

For 6th grade students not enrolled in a music class, the Elective Wheel is a course that features a different subject each trimester. Subjects may include art, garden, ceramics, study skills, and more.

Beginning Band

For 6th grade students interested in learning an instrument, or building on their skills learned in elementary. No experience is required. This is a year long course with two evening performances.

Strings

Experience required, either through private lessons or an elementary school music program. This is a year long course with two evening performances. 

Music Connection Instrument Rentals

While our 6th grade students focus on an Exploratory Wheel where they explore different elective courses, our 7th and 8th grade students choose one, year-long elective course. 

 

Advanced Band / Strings / Choir

Students in these courses must commit to three evening performances and one Saturday performance. Lack of participation may affect a student's grade in the music program.

Students must have been enrolled in Beginning Band to take Advanced Band their 7th grade year. (Or equivalent music program if transferring from outside NVUSD.) No experience is necessary for Strings or Choir. 

Musical theatre

Students in this course must commit to after school and evening rehearsals, as well as weekend performances. Students learn about multiple aspects of stage performance, including set design, props, and more! Lack of participation may affect a student's grade. 

Dance

This class is a performance-based course for all dance levels. The Dance Course provides an active environment where students can learn and express themselves in a positive and safe atmosphere while gaining confidence and improving upon dance skills.  

AVID

Requires an interview with a Redwood AVID teacher. AVID places students on the college track. To support them in the rigorous coursework, AVID students learn organizational and study skills, develop critical thinking, learn to ask probing questions, and receive and participate in enrichment and motivational activities to make their college dreams a reality.

AVID is a nationwide program intended to support students who may be the first in their family to attend college, and are from groups typically underrepresented in higher education.

Student Leadership

Application required. Students in this course are responsible for student governance and activities. This class will build leadership abilities and skills. Students are required to commit to a number of evening and sometimes weekend events. (*)

Yearbook

Students in this course are responsible for creating the Redwood Middle School yearbook. Students may be required to attend events after school, evenings, or weekends, in order to photograph events for the yearbook. (*)

Fine Art

Our Fine Art course focuses on the basics of art and art history. Student art is featured in our Main Office throughout the school year.

Video Production

In addition to individual video projects, students in Video Production create a weekly video bulletin regarding Redwood news and events that is shared with the school. (*)

Student Tutor

Students enrolled in this program work with our staff to tutor 6th and 7th grade peers. Student tutors provide academic assistance and help to teach organizational skills to other students. 

Student tutors must maintain good attendance and behavior records. They must be proficient in English and Math, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher with no Ds or Fs. We encourage our bilingual students to take this course, as it will build on their own leadership skills and community service experience by tutoring students who are multi-language learners and are receiving extra support in our Peer Tutoring program.

 

* Leadership, Yearbook, and Video Production are popular classes that have limited space as there is only one period that these classes are offered. Students will be required to meet and maintain certain requirements in areas of grades, attendance, and behavior to keep their placement in these classes. 

While our 6th grade students focus on an Exploratory Wheel where they explore different elective courses, our 7th and 8th grade students choose one, year-long elective course. 

In addition to the electives offered to 7th grade students, our 8th grade students have the additional elective choice of Teaching Assistant.

Teaching Assistant

Students who request to be a teaching assistant are placed in one of three areas; the Main Office, the Wellness Center, or a specific classroom. TAs must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 with no Fs on their 7th grade 3rd trimester report card, and must maintain that GPA throughout their 8th grade year. Students requesting to be a TA must have and maintain good attendance and behavior records.

Advanced Band / Strings / Choir

Students in these courses must commit to three evening performances and one Saturday performance. Lack of participation may affect a student's grade in the music program. 

Students must have been enrolled in Beginning Band or Advanced Band program to be in the Advanced Band their 8th grade year. (Or equivalent music program if transferring from outside NVUSD.) No experience is necessary for Strings or Choir.

Musical theatre

Students in this course must commit to after school and evening rehearsals, as well as weekend performances. Lack of participation may affect a student's grade. 

Dance

This class is a performance-based course for all dance levels. The Dance Course provides an active environment where students can learn and express themselves in a positive and safe atmosphere while gaining confidence and improving upon dance skills. 

AVID

Requires an interview with a Redwood AVID teacher. AVID places students on the college track. To support them in the rigorous coursework, AVID students learn organizational and study skills, develop critical thinking, learn to ask probing questions, and receive and participate in enrichment and motivational activities to make their college dreams a reality.

AVID is a nationwide program intended to support students who may be the first in their family to attend college, and are from groups typically underrepresented in higher education.

Student Leadership

Application required. Students in this course are responsible for student governance and activities. This class will build leadership abilities and skills. Students are required to commit to a number of evening and sometimes weekend events. (*)

Yearbook

Students in this course are responsible for creating the Redwood Middle School yearbook. Students may be required to attend events after school, evenings, or weekends, in order to photograph events for the yearbook. (*)

Fine Art

Our Fine Art course focuses on the basics of art and art history. Student art is featured in our Main Office throughout the school year.

Video Production

In addition to individual video projects, students in Video Production create a weekly video bulletin regarding Redwood news and events that is shared with the school. (*)

Student Tutor

Students enrolled in this program work with our staff to tutor 6th and 7th grade peers. Student tutors provide academic assistance and help to teach organizational skills to other students. 

Student tutors must maintain good attendance and behavior records. They must be proficient in English and Math, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher with no Ds or Fs. We encourage our bilingual students to take this course, as it will build on their own leadership skills and community service experience by tutoring students who are multi-language learners and are receiving extra support in our Peer Tutoring program.

 

* Leadership, Yearbook, and Video Production are popular classes that have limited space as there is only one period that these classes are offered. Students will be required to meet and maintain certain requirements in areas of grades, attendance, and behavior to keep their placement in these classes. 

English Language Development (ELD)

Our ELD classes support multilingual learners in developing English skills and proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking. This course may be assigned to students who have not achieved proficiency on the ELPAC exam or have not been redesignated as proficient.

Directed Studies

This class supports students with academic assignments from general education core classes. Students also receive support in learning organization and study skills. This course is intended to support students receiving other special education services, and may be assigned to students with IEPs