Choice Programs

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    Students who are interested should contact their counselor regarding the process for enrolling in these courses or contact Dr. Jennifer Stanfill, Director of Choice Programs at jstanfill@parkwayschools.net or 314.415.8450.

     

    Spark! provides high school students in the Parkway and Rockwood School District with dynamic, immersion-based student learning experiences to ensure students can understand and respond to an ever-changing world.  To accomplish this task, the districts actively engage and work collaboratively with business partners, community service and educational leaders to design and develop mutually beneficial learning experiences based on the interests of students and stakeholders. Spark! serves students from Parkway North, Parkway South, Parkway West, Parkway Central, Fern Ridge, Eureka, Marquette, Rockwood Summit, and Lafayette High Schools.  Spark! is an example of how business, community and public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of the future, especially in high skill, high demand jobs. Click here for a brief, informational video. Please visit parkwayspark.com to apply.  Applications open December 1, 2023.  The deadline to apply for Spark! is February 4, 2024.

    Students who are interested should contact their counselor regarding the process for enrolling in these courses or contact Dr. Jennifer Stanfill, Director of Choice Programs at jstanfill@parkwayschools.net or 314.415.8450. For more information on Choice Programs visit https://www.parkwayschools.net/Page/3036

     

    207491 & 207492 (Elective)

    SPARK! BIOSCIENCE

    Grades: 11-12

    2 Elective credits

    Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

     

    Want to learn more about living organisms through regular interactions with academic and business experts and trips to local institutions?  Try out Spark! Bioscience.  This program provides students with a passion for the biological sciences the opportunity to work with experts in the field.  If your interests lie with the micro or macro, with plants, animals, or humans, this experience will provide opportunities for research, inquiry, and project based learning. 

     

    207511 & 207512 (CTE)

    SPARK! DIGITAL MEDIA

    Grades 11-12

    2 CTE credits

    Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing

     

    For independent juniors and seniors who want to deliver real products to clients outside of school, using a wide array of digital assets (graphic design, photography, animation, video and audio), Spark! Digital Media is a course that provides time, resources, and professional connections. 

    Spark! Digital Media is designed as a small multimedia agency that promotes companies, people and products. Students enrolled develop the communication, project management and professional skills necessary to succeed in today’s creative business environment. In addition to delivering products to clients, students meet with and learn from professionals who hold different roles and careers within the creative industry.

     

    207531 & 207532 (CTE)

    +SPARK! ENGINEERING

    Grades: 11-12

    2 CTE credits

    Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

     

    Spark! Engineering is modeled after cutting-edge engineering schools like MIT School of Engineering, Olin College of Engineering, Stanford School of Engineering, Purdue University, inspired by Project Lead the Way, and endorsed by local universities. The course is designed for students who are interested in engineering and manufacturing fundamentals, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Immerse yourself with engineers and manufacturers using state-of-the-art tools and software to create and test 3D prototypes solving complex problems. Apply lean manufacturing processes that create value for customers and drive out the waste in production. Students experience hands-on, active learning with full immersion in real-world projects sponsored by business partners.  Students work in multi-disciplinary teams to provide innovative solutions to a company's real-world problems. Engineering projects are tailored to student interest in the fields of chemical, electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental, software/computer, architectural, advanced manufacturing, robotics, biological, and environmental.

     

    207481 & 207482 (CTE)

    SPARK! INCUBATOR

    Grades: 11-12

    2 CTE credits

    Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

     

    The Incubator is a business incubator where students will learn the skill sets necessary to move an idea from light bulb to launch.  They will live and learn stages of ideation, business development, perfect pitch proposals and business implementation.  They will be part of a team and use critical thinking to grow ideas to the next level.  The Incubator will support students in the development of a start-up company, social enterprise or nonprofit organization. Dual credit is available through Maryville University and Lindenwood University.

     

    207441 & 207442 (CTE)

    SPARK! PRE-PROFESSIONAL HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMY

    Grade: 12

    2 CTE credits

    Prerequisite: Senior standing

     

    Spark! Health Sciences is an engaging experience that examines the dynamic and diverse field of medicine and healthcare. During this experience, students will be exposed to the variety of opportunities and benefits of careers related to health sciences.  Spark! Health Sciences participants will expand upon principles of human physiology, develop fluency in basic medical terminology, formulate treatment plans for patients and engage in First Aid and CPR training.  Students will receive essential foundational knowledge based on industry demand, while also participating in clinical experiences across the continuum of care that may consist of job shadows, group projects, service learning and individualized mentorship.  Diverse healthcare professionals will serve as guest lecturers and outside learning experiences will involve site visits to a variety of medical and healthcare facilities. Articulated credit is available through St. Louis Community College.

     

    207541 & 207542 (Elective)

    SPARK! SPORTS MEDICINE

    Grades: 11-12

    2 Elective credits

    Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

     

    Spark! Sports Medicine is designed for students interested in professions in sports medicine such as athletic training, physical therapy, orthopedics, and sports performance.  In this program, students will gain a fundamental understanding of the human body, human performance, and human movement.  Students will acquire skills to prevent, evaluate, and treat sports injuries.  In addition, students will understand current trends in the  healthcare industry and the importance of interprofessional collaboration to improve patient care.  

     

    Relevant industry topics such as sports medicine principles, anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and therapeutic modalities will also be discussed.  Throughout the Spark! Sports Medicine experience, students will connect with expert healthcare professionals and engage in fieldwork, simulations, case studies, and internship experiences for authentic observation and skill application.

     

    207551/207552 (CTE)

    SPARK! TEACHING & LEARNING

    Grades: 11-12

    2 CTE credits

    Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

     

    Spark! Teaching and Learning immerses students in teaching and learning.  Students will understand learning styles, teaching methodologies, technology integration, cultural responsiveness and a focus on data-driven decision making in the schooling system.  Students will engage in a collaborative relationship between teachers, administrators, students and families.  This experience will focus on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching; the basic principles of educational psychology; the art of teaching; the planning and administration of educational activities; school safety and health issues; and the social foundations of education. Students will experience the true essence of the teaching and learning process through observation, interaction and teaching. Dual credit is available for this course.

     

    207501/207502 (CTE)

    SPARK! TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

    Grades: 11-12

    2 CTE credits

    Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing

     

    For independent juniors and seniors who want to solve problems with digital technologies, Spark! Technology Solutions is a course that provides time, resources, and professional connections. Unlike a typical class, students determine what skills they focus on and deeply learn. Students may pursue passions in app development, cybersecurity, web development, data analytics, game design, geospatial technologies and more.During first semester, students apply their learning to team projects sponsored by industry partners, and, in second semester, to micro-internships with local and remote businesses. At least one year of successful technical coursework or equivalent experience is highly recommended.

    Visit http://parkwayspark.com to apply for Spark! Experiences.

     

     

     

    In partnership with St. Louis Community College at Wildwood and St. Louis Community College at Meramec 

     

    What is the Parkway Early College Partnership?

    The Early College Partnership (ECP) is a full-immersion, early entrance to college program located on the campus of St. Louis Community College (STLCC) at Wildwood or St. Louis Community College (STLCC) at Meramec.  Students attend the ECP for two years, replacing the junior and senior years of traditional high school.  While in the ECP, students engage in a curriculum consisting of all college coursework taught by professors at STLCC.  Upon successful completion, students earn an Associate of Arts degree, as well as a high school diploma.  

     

    CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE!

     

    What resources are provided to students participating in the ECP?

    • Students will have access to a full-time counselor and college advisor
    • Students will have access to the STLCC Student Resource Center, Library, and Computer Labs, as well as student clubs and campus activities
    •  

    Why should my son/daughter participate in the ECP?

    This is a unique and innovative opportunity for students to join a cohort of high school students who are studying in a non-traditional setting on the campus of a community college.  This experience provides schedule flexibility and an associates degree upon completion of the program.

     

    What are the requirements for admissions into the ECP?

     

    How are students selected for the ECP?

    A committee of administrators and counselors will review:

    • Classroom performance for courses taken in 9th and 10th grade
    • Attendance
    • Academic potential
    • Academic engagement
    • Time-management skills
    • Access to post-secondary learning
    • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher*
      • *Students with a GPA below 2.5 may apply but will require one recommendation from a Parkway staff member
    • Discipline history
    • Student responses to application prompts

     

    How many students will be accepted?

    For the 2024-2025 school year, each high school will be allotted 7 spots for rising Juniors for a total cohort of 28 students.

     

    What is the deadline for applying to the ECP?

    The online application must be submitted by February 4, 2024.  Students will be informed of acceptance to the program by March 1, 2024.  All accepted students will attend an Orientation at STLCC in the spring.

     

    What calendar will my child follow?

    Students will follow the STLCC academic calendar and are required to be in attendance for all classes.

     

    Can my child take classes at his/her high school?

    This program is designed to take all classes on the campus of the STLCC-Wildwood or STLCC-Meramec; however, in rare cases, a high school course may be approved by the Director of Choice Programs and Principal.  

     

    Can my child participate in extracurricular activities at his/her high school?

    Yes, students may return to their home high school for extracurricular activities and sports.

     

    Will students with IEPs or 504s be eligible for participation in ECP?

    Yes.  Students will have the opportunity to visit the Access office at STLCC for support, as well as their high school counselor, IEP case manager, and ECP coordinator.

     

    Should my student continue participating in the A+ Schools Program?

    Yes, we recommend students continue with the A+ Schools Program for the following reasons:

    • There may be opportunities for access to benefits at 4-year colleges and universities
    • A+ funds may be utilized for additional STLCC courses beyond the associate's degree
    • If a student decides to opt out of the ECP program at any time, they can continue working on A+ eligibility requirements

     

    Will all the STLCC credits transfer to a 4-year institution?

    Students who are planning to attend a public, 4-year institution in Missouri will benefit from the CORE 42.  The purpose of CORE 42 is to facilitate the seamless transfer of academic credits. The completion of the CORE 42 at any public institution of higher education will transfer to every other public institution of higher education in the state and substitute for the receiving institution’s general education requirement. 

     

    Many out-of-state and/or private colleges also accept the majority of credits earned through the ECP program. 

     

    Who pays for the ECP?

    • The Parkway School District will cover the costs of tuition and fees of college classes for up to sixty (60) total credits.  Students are required to maintain passing grades (C or better) in all classes.
    • Students are responsible for the cost of books.

     

    How will students receive high school credit?

    All STLCC grades will be posted on the Parkway Schools transcript and will count towards graduation.  Courses taken at STLCC are not weighted on the Parkway transcript since a college GPA and transcript will ultimately override the high school transcript when applying to colleges.

     

    Fern Ridge serves as an extension of Parkway’s four traditional high schools. Designed for students in grades 10 through 12 who prefer a small and personalized school setting, the program provides individual, small group, and whole group learning opportunities.  Teachers utilize Parkway curriculum and students receive Parkway credit.  Transportation is provided.

    Admission is based not only on the program’s ability to meet a student’s academic, social, and emotional needs, but also on a student’s desire and level of commitment to be successful.  Applications and additional information about the program are located at https://www.parkwayschools.net/Domain/32.  

    Attending Fern Ridge is a privilege and space is limited to 100 students. 

     

     

    Students in the Parkway School District have a number of virtual learning options available to them.  See below for details on each of these options:

    St. Louis Virtual Campus

    St. Louis Virtual Campus partners with St. Louis County school districts to provide an option for students who wish to access their learning virtually. St. Louis Virtual Campus allows students to access specialized and upper-level, asynchronous, online courses.  Students will access their courses utilizing Schoology, St. Louis Virtual Campus’s learning management system.  Communication with the instructor and other students is done primarily via electronic communication (email, chats, discussion boards, etc.). Teachers may schedule online meetings (via Zoom or Google Meet), if needed.  

    St. Louis Virtual Campus allows students a flexible, online alternative to extend and enrich learning, as well as complete a portion of their high school course work.  Classes will be designed to meet a variety of learning styles and needs.  

     To enroll in these courses, Parkway students should request them in Infinite Campus during the course registration process.

    Course Name

    Course Description

    Prerequisite

    Accounting 1

    Course Number:

    037111V/037112V

    Accounting 1 is a year long course for students interested in learning how businesses operate, students interested in accounting or business as a major in college, and students interested in learning about keeping the financial records for their own business in the future, can all benefit from taking Accounting I. Students will learn financial accounting concepts including the accounting equation, the accounting cycle, entering transactions, posting to ledgers, preparing financial statements and payroll systems. Students will learn to utilize spreadsheet programs and automated accounting software to perform accounting procedures. Connections between accounting principles, the business world, as well as career opportunities in Accounting are provided. 

    None

    American Sign Language

    Course Number:

    067511V/067512V

    American Sign Language (ASL) 1 is an introduction to the most widely used sign language in the United States. Students will study the basic vocabulary, structure, syntax and grammar of ASL. Students will focus on mastering the basics of finger spelling, facial grammar and sentence structure; and will also learn conversational/cultural behaviors necessary to hold a beginning-level conversation in ASL with deaf/hard-of-hearing native users of the language. Introductory information about deaf culture will also be presented to provide students with a broad picture of language and culture. This course is intended for students that have little to no experience with ASL. Subsequent levels of this course will be dependent on student enrollment.

    None

    AP Art History

    Course Number:

    029560V/029570V

    The AP Art History course welcomes students into the global art world to engage with its forms and content as they research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art. By investigating specific course content of 250 works of art characterized by diverse artistic traditions, students develop an in-depth, holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Focus will also be placed on significant historical events, art periods/styles, specific artworks/artists, and issues and themes that connect the artworks. Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of art forms, developing understanding of individual works and interconnections across history. AP Art History is the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university art history survey course. (This course does not qualify for NCAA eligibility.)

    None

    AP Music Theory

    Course Number: 129701V/129702V

    AP Music Theory is a year-long course that provides a solid foundation in intervals, scales, chords, metric/rhythmic patterns, and the terms used to describe these elements of music as related to the major-minor tonal system. With this foundation, the course progression includes more complicated tasks, such as the following: dictation of melodic and harmonic materials; the analysis of music, including the study of motivic treatment and the rhythmic and melodic interaction between voices; harmonic analysis of a functional chord passage; and the realization of figured bass. The course provides students with the opportunity to develop, practice, and master music theory skills essential to success in post-secondary music theory course work. This course will prepare students to take the AP Music Theory College Board exam.

    Ability to read and write musical notation and basic voice or instrument performance skills

    AP Physics C: Mechanics

    Course Number: 139320V

    AP Physics C: Mechanics is a one-semester course. It is the first of a two-course sequence that is equivalent to a first-semester college course in the calculus-based physics sequence taken by science and engineering students at most colleges and universities. Course topics include kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation, gravitation, and oscillation. Students who enroll in this class may receive college credit through successful performance on the AP Physics C: Mechanics College Board examination. This course is offered through St. Louis Virtual Campus.

    You should have taken calculus or be taking calculus at the same time as this course

    AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

    Course Number: 139330V

    AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a one-semester course. It is the second of a two-course sequence that is equivalent to a first-semester college course in calculus-based physics sequence taken by science and engineering students at most colleges and universities. Course topics include conductors, capacitors and dielectrics, electric circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetism. Students who enroll in this class may receive college credit through successful performance on the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism College Board examination. This course is offered through St. Louis Virtual Campus.

    You should have taken calculus or be taking calculus at the same time as this course.

    Chinese 1

    Course Number:

    067611V/067612V

    Chinese 1 will introduce students to the basic components of Mandarin Chinese through theme-based content and activities. Pinyin Romanization, simplified forms of Chinese characters and basic grammar patterns, as well as functional everyday expressions will be taught within the living context of Chinese culture. This course is designed for students who wish to develop skills in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Mandarin Chinese. Topics will start from self-introduction and develop to students' immediate surroundings such as school, family and daily life. Cultural components will be taught through movies, videos, songs, crafts, festival celebrations and geographic context.

    None

    Chinese 2

    Course Number:

    067621V/067622V

    Chinese 2 is the second year of the Chinese language program. It is designed for those who successfully completed Chinese 1. In this course, students will continue to develop their basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through the use of authentic materials. Students will develop their cultural understanding and appreciation through comparisons of different regions in China as well as between China and the United States of America. By the end of the year, students are expected to be able to engage in basic daily conversation using accurate tones and pronunciation, read simple texts, and write for daily needs.

    Chinese 1

    Honors Accounting 2

    Course Number: 038121V/038122V

    Accounting 2 gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge from Accounting I by mastering advanced accounting activities and concepts. The topics included are departmentalized accounting, inventory planning, depreciation, notes, accrued expenses and revenues, stocks, bonds, and dividends. Students will continue to utilize spreadsheet programs and automated accounting software to perform accounting procedures. Accounting II provides the foundation of skills and knowledge with which to pursue study in college or enter the work world. This course is offered through St. Louis Virtual Campus.

    Accounting 1

    Honors Calculus III

    Course Number: 118761V/118762V

    Calculus III is a continuation of the material covered in AP Calculus BC. The course emphasizes a multi-representational approach to calculus through the exploration of limits, differentiation, integration, series, parametric functions, polar functions and many applications within these areas. In this course, students will study in depth situations involving change and accumulation using descriptive, analytical, numerical and graphical approaches. This course prepares students to take the College Board AP Calculus BC examination, which fulfills the requirements for Calculus I and Calculus II and follows the syllabus approved by the AP Audit. This course is offered through St. Louis Virtual Campus.

    Calculus BC

    Honors Differential Equations

    Course Number:

    118771V/118772V

    Differential Equations introduces methods of solving ordinary differential equations, which are used to model and describe a wide range of physical phenomena. Topics included are first order differential equations, higher order differential equations, LaPlace transform methods, systems of differential equations, and applications. Studying differential equations provides students with a versatile and powerful set of tools for understanding, modeling, and solving problems in a wide range of scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields.

    Calculus 3

     

    The Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) has developed a catalog of virtual online courses for students. Parkway students are able to take an entire course from any Internet-connected computer, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MOCAP's mission is to offer Missouri students equal access to a wide range of high-quality courses, flexibility in scheduling, and interactive online learning. Credits earned from these courses will count toward Parkway graduation requirements.

    The state-approved course catalog and approved vendor list are available HERE.  

    FULL-TIME MOCAP ENROLLMENT WITH A HOSTED PROVIDER

    Following the approval of MO HB 1552, the Parkway School District has updated the full-time virtual enrollment procedures to meet the provisions of the law. In accordance with the new law, all Parkway families seeking full-time virtual enrollment with a hosted MOCAP program will be required to unenroll from Parkway and enroll in the host school district. This means that the student will no longer be a Parkway student.

     

     

    FULL TIME ENROLLMENT WITH A NON- HOSTED PROVIDER

    All Parkway families seeking full-time virtual enrollment with a non-hosted provider will be required to seek approval from Parkway School District. Parkway administrators and counselors must agree that the full-time enrollment is in the student's best educational interest. The school-based team can deny a request.  Students will complete the application available HERE.




    PART-TIME MOCAP ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

    For students who wish to take a course through the MOCAP program, we encourage families to consider our preferred, third-party, online vendor, Launch. If students wish to access a different course through another MOCAP provider, they are welcome to do so.

    The application for MOCAP courses for the 2024-2025 school year is available HERE.

    Once an application has been submitted, a school team (or IEP/504 team) will review the request and make a “best educational interest” determination by evaluating the following:

    (1) Student has the pre-requisite for the requested course

    (2) Student has been successful in previous online coursework

    (3) Student will have access to academic supports that he/she has previously utilized and benefited from

    (4) Student course request(s) will meet special education and/or 504 needs

    (5) Student course requests will not exceed 7 scheduled classes

    If the request is approved, the student will be enrolled with the requested MOCAP vendor.

    Students requesting Missouri Course Access (MOCAP) courses must do so within the district enrollment period, which ends 10-days after the start of each semester. Students requesting a course after the enrollment period may result in a denial of the request since it may not be in the best educational interest of a student to begin a MOCAP course mid-semester. The student may be approved to enroll in the same course during the following semester's enrollment period.


    For any questions regarding virtual learning in Parkway, please visit parkwayschools.net/Page/11608 or contact Dr. Jennifer Stanfill at jstanfill@parkwayschools.net or (314) 415-8450.

     

     

    South Tech provides juniors and seniors with real-world experiences, real-world skills, and engaging, hands-on learning to prepare them for college and careers. We celebrate the pursuit of their passion and help them find the right pathway to their own success. Our partial-day schedules keep students engaged in their home high school academics and activities while they enjoy experiential learning in Tech's elective courses. 

    Our tuition-free, career and technical education (CTE) majors allow students to explore their career interests before graduation while earning industry certifications, college and high school credits, and skills that will last a lifetime. We work with an impressive list of business and industry partners that provide our students with mentorship, internships, apprenticeships, part-time employment, scholarships, and full-time employment offers after high school. Our students are in demand. 

     

    Students planning to attend Tech in the fall of their junior year can begin applying as early as the beginning of their sophomore year.  Students are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as they have decided they want to attend Tech as space is limited. 

    Click HERE for a video of South Tech.   

     

    More information and the application can be found at: www.southtechnical.org