Foothill Learning Academy
K-12 Homeschool Enrichment Program
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS CLASSES
High School Literature
Grades 9-12
$210 per semester (one voucher)
Studying, analyzing, and discussing literature is an invaluable high school experience. Engaging literature has the ability to draw students in, develop critical thinking, expand vocabulary, and improve both writing and communication skills. In this class we will read, discuss, and analyze two high school level novels. Each week the students will read and annotate, focusing on various aspects of the novel including mood, theme, characters, conflict, literary devices, and personal and real world connections. There is homework students complete to prepare them for discussion, increase their critical thinking skills, and satisfy state a-g curriculum requirements. All books will be provided and are included in the class tuition. Fall semester we will be reading A Separate Peace by John Knowles and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
This class is aligned with state a-g curriculum standards and when taken alongside the high school writing class will satisfy most of the semester’s High School English Language Arts curriculum requirements.
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916.990.3494
website: writeon4kids.com
High School Writing
Grades 9-12
$210 per semester (one voucher)
This class works in combination with the High School Literature class and will focus on writing projects, essays, and responses centered around the novels studied. All work and projects are designed to meet a-g curriculum requirements. This semester, student writing assignments will focus on literary response, research and source citing, argument and expository writing.
This class must be taken in combination with the High School Literature class.
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916.990.3494
website: writeon4kids.com
MATH
High School Trigonometry and Geometry Genius
Grades: 9-12
$195 per semester
This is a class with an emphasis on highschool Geometry and and introduction to Trigonometry. Any
students interested in general math help, as well as those who’d like to learn more about concepts in
Geometry are welcome to join!
How do you find the perimeter of complex shapes? What is circumference? How do you find the area of
shapes such as a hexagon? Geometry can be thought of as the study of lines and shapes. It is a branch of
mathematics that gets covered extensively in high school, and these topics are also seen again in Calculus.
What better way to get prepared for the high school level course than by participating in a class that covers
all the basics! Area, volume, angles and Geometry theorems are some of the many concepts that will be
covered in detail, and homework will be provided to help with student comprehension. Anyone interested in
Geometry help is encouraged to join!
Teacher: Joe Vargas
Email: YourFirstChoiceTutoring@gmail.com
Phone/text: 916-805-7333
Website: www.FirstChoiceTutoring.com
Statistics in Sports - Decoding Sports Data
Grades: 7-12
$195 per semester
Welcome to Statistics in Sports, a course where homeschool students become statisticians for the
sports they love. This course is designed to turn the excitement of sports into a fascinating
educational journey, appealing to both curious minds and passionate sports fans.
● Engaging Content: Explore major sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, and a sport of choice) through
statistics, discovering the stories numbers tell about legendary athletes like Michael Jordan
and LeBron James.
● Educational Benefits: Develop skills in data collection, statistical analysis (mean, median,
mode, range), and critical thinking, all while engaging in lively debates on sports' greatest
athletes.
● Interactive Learning: Enjoy a mix of lectures, hands-on projects, and presentations,
culminating in student-led debates that showcase their understanding and analytical skills.
● For Sports Fans: Tailored for sports fans, this course makes learning math fun by applying it
to real-world sports scenarios, fostering a deeper connection between academic concepts
and personal interests.
Designed with homeschooling families in mind, this course promises to make math exciting and
accessible by showing how it shapes the sports world. It's the perfect pitch for students eager to
combine their love for sports with educational growth.
*Student laptop recommended but not required*
Teacher: Joe Vargas
Email: YourFirstChoiceTutoring@gmail.com
Phone/text: 916-805-7333
Website: www.FirstChoiceTutoring.com
SCIENCE
High School Anatomy
Grades: 9-12
$200 per semester
This class will align with a-g requirements. Description coming soon.
Teacher: Aisling Cannon
email: oakandoilcontact@gmail.com
phone: 916-879-0295
High School Biology with Labs: EDH
Grades: 9-12
$250 per semester
This course is a year long course divided into two semesters. This course introduces students to the scientific study of living organisms. Students will investigate biological concepts including chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, plant and animal structure, metabolism, reproduction, genetics biological diversity classification and ecology. This class has a lecture and lab component each class. Class fee includes lab activities. This class will align with a-g requirements.
Teacher: Ashlee Powers
email: ashberrywraps@yahoo.com
phone: 707-853-8908
High School Biology with Labs: Placerville
Grades: 9-12
$250 per semester
This course is a year long course divided into two semesters. This course introduces students to the scientific study of living organisms. Students will investigate biological concepts including chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, plant and animal structure, metabolism, reproduction, genetics biological diversity classification and ecology. This class has a lecture and lab component each class. Class fee includes lab activities. This class will align with a-g requirements.
Teacher: Aisling Cannon
email: oakandoilcontact@gmail.com
phone: 916-879-0295
High School Physical Science
Grades: 9-12
$220 per semester
Physical Science is a course that explores the relationship between matter and energy. Students will investigate forces and motion, the chemical and physical properties of matter, the ways in which matter and energy interact within the natural world and the forms and properties of energy. This is a year long class broken into two semesters, that provides a-g requirements for high school graduation.
Teacher: Ashlee Powers
email: ashberrywraps@yahoo.com
phone: 707-853-8908
SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HISTORY
US Government: The Election Process
Grade 6-8, 9-12
$195 per semester (Fall)
Students will explore the election and voting process in the United States. Activities will be used to familiarize students with the terminology, practices, and traditions of American Elections. Particular attention will be paid to what the Constitution says about elections and voting. Additionally, various types of elections and the history of political parties will be explored. During the class, students will create their own personalized “textbook” by adding handouts, notes, and other material to a journal. (Fall semester)
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: MrsChiappe@gmail.com
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
US Government: Principals of American Democracy
Grades 6-8, 9-12
$195 per semester (Spring)
This course focuses on the fundamental principles and moral values of American democracy as expressed in the US Constitution and the foundational documents of freedom. Students will study the documents and ideas that are the basis of the American experience, beginning with the Magna Carta & Mayflower Compact. Particular emphasis is given to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Through the examination of primary source documents, students will gain a deeper understanding of the rights of responsibilities of American citizenship. (Spring Semester)
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: MrsChiappe@gmail.com
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
ART
Advanced Art
Grades 7-12
$205 including supplies
Develop fine art techniques of drawing and shading, and learn painting techniques for both realism and expressive artworks. Students will work at their own pace allowing for multiple days on a single art project as needed. The emphasis for this semester will be portraits and still life of everyday objects. Portrait drawing will be made easy through starting with the foundational basics for proper proportions then building on that to achieve a likeness of the person you are drawing. The still life projects are designed to both bring out students' creativity and personal expression and provide opportunity to develop observation skills and realism drawing and painting. Ideally students will spend a few hours a week outside of class continuing to work on the art projects. A variety of media will be used including graphite, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic.
Teacher: Jennifer Rowe
email: jenniferrowestudio@gmail.com
phone: 916.212.3282
website: jenniferrowestudio.com
Capture It! Journals, Calendars and Vision Boards
Grades 7-12
$205 per semester
In this exciting class students will learn how to journal for self-reflection and goal-setting, master calendar management techniques to stay organized, visualize their dreams and capture what is meaningful through vision boards and other creative projects...all with an artistic flair! Students will make their own journal and create their own papers with marbling techniques and stamping, learn beautiful lettering, expressively paint with mixed media as they capture memories, goals, and dreams and turn aspirations into reality.
Teacher: Jennifer Rowe
email: jenniferrowestudio@gmail.com
phone: 916.212.3282
website: jenniferrowestudio.com
ENRICHMENT
American Sign Language (ASL)
Grades 6-8, 7-12
$ per semester
In this full-year course, students will learn basic conversation skills, grammar, and vocabulary through expressive and receptive practice in American Sign Language (ASL). Students will develop fundamental skills in ASL vocabulary and grammar to meet basic communication needs. In addition to learning the language, students will focus on aspects of the Deaf community and the development of cultural awareness necessary for communication and interaction. The purpose of ASL I is to provide a foundation of signing production and comprehension. The first-year students will be able to communicate and interact within the context of a variety of everyday situations such as family, school life, eating, shopping, and traveling.
**If you choose to use this ASL 1 class for a high school equivalent world language, you will be required to do extra work outside of class to meet the state standards.
Teacher: Jaime Layton
email: philandjaime@gmail.com
phone/text: 530-306-0786
Mock Trial
Grades 6-8, 9-12
$190 per semester
Mock trials have proven to be an effective learning tool for students of all grade levels. It helps them understand the law, practice critical thinking, and gain greater confidence with public speaking by assuming the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a fictional criminal or civil trial. Students experience first-hand the difficulties that judges, lawyers and juries face in determining which facts are relevant and what legal arguments are effective. This class is taught by Mrs. Chiappe, a former practicing California Attorney.
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: MrsChiappe@gmail.com
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
Sr. Musical Theater - 2 hour class
Grades 4-12
$360 per semester
Become a part of a musical theater production! Each child will have a chance to participate as we rehearse and produce a Broadway Musical Kids production. Every week children learn their parts. We practice stage presence, singing, and dancing. Simple costumes and props will be necessary. Some provided and some sourced from participants. 2-3 extra rehearsals and a performance outside of assigned class time are required for this class. The Musical Theater class will be doing the production Elf Jr in the Fall.
$360 per student (two hour class session. Only available at El Dorado Hills 4th and 5th period)
Teacher: Rachel Wattson
email: rachelwattsonfit@gmail.com
phone: 760-716-2793
T-Shirt Tycoons
Grades: 6-8, 7-12
$205 per semester
Step into the world of t-shirt design and e-commerce with "T-Shirt Tycoons" a comprehensive course that
bridges the gap between artistic creativity and e-commerce. This unique class offers students a hands-on
approach to the t-shirt design process, from conceptualization to real-world production, as students design
and create multiple t-shirts!
Course highlights include:
● Digital Design Skills: Students will dive into the world of digital art creation using Canva, a
user-friendly graphic design tool that turns ideas into stunning visuals fit for print.
● From Concept to Creation: Students will explore the journey of a t-shirt's life cycle, understanding
how to translate digital designs into physical products using professional print providers.
● Collaborative Projects: Students will work alongside peers to critique designs, share ideas, and
navigate the creative process, fostering a community of support and creativity.
● A Custom T-Shirt: Students will proudly wear t-shirts they've designed by the end of the course, a
true testament to their creativity and new-found design skills.
This course is ideal for students with a flair for creativity and a passion for seeing their ideas materialize.
Whether they're interested in the aesthetics of design, the thrill of creation, or simply the joy of wearing
custom t-shirts, "T-Shirt Tycoons" offers a comprehensive introduction to the exciting process of t-shirt
creation.
*Two t-shirts per student, t-shirts run true to size, please select t-shit size accordingly*
*Student laptop recommended but not required*
Teacher: Joe Vargas
Email: YourFirstChoiceTutoring@gmail.com
Phone/text: 916-805-7333
Website: www.FirstChoiceTutoring.com
Yearbook
Grades 7-12
$190 per semester
In this course students gain useful, real-world skills in time management, marketing, teamwork, and design principles. Collaboratively, the students will produce a creative, innovative yearbook recording Foothill Learning Academy memories and events. Students learn page design, publishing techniques, copywriting, editing and photography. A laptop computer is required for this class.
Teacher: Rachel Wattson
email: rachelwattsonfit@gmail.com
phone: 760-716-2793
COMPUTER SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
Building Apps and Games
Grades 6-8, 7-12
$250 per semester (one voucher)
Students learn coding by building web apps and games using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. All learning is self-paced, guided by our online project-based curriculum:
https://www.mrcodeswildride.com/curriculum
Note that this is not a lecture-based class, all learning is very hands-on. Students are expected to work on their projects throughout class. The instructor and teaching assistants will be very proactive in helping students build projects, but students are expected to put in the effort each and every class.
The class will have about a 6-to-1 student-instructor ratio to ensure that all students can get individualized help and guidance. Laptops provided for in-class use.
Teacher: Mr. Code's Wild Ride
email: kellerdb@gmail.com
phone/text:(916) 439-0991
website: www.mrcodeswildride.com