Course Catalog Details

Level: 11, 12
1 semester
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Students need to have taken Animal Science

There will be a course fee for this class. 

Advanced Animal Science is a semester-long program emphasizing inquiry-based learning and technical skill development. This course provides an in-depth examination of veterinary science, focusing on the interplay of factors affecting animal health. Through structured inquiry activities, projects, and problems, students address practical challenges, fostering critical thinking and an understanding of the intricate relationships between animal health and care.

The central focus of the curriculum is to cultivate technical skills crucial for effective animal health care. Proficiency in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment techniques will be achieved through hands-on skill practice. Integrating knowledge into CASE Study Problems will further develop problem-solving abilities and provide insight into the practical implications of veterinary science across diverse contexts.

Level: 11, 12
1 semester
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Students need to have taken Farm to Fork and a Biology or Physical Science-based class

There will be a course fee for this class. 

This course is designed to provide engaging and practical opportunities for students to explore science through the lens of food. Students will explore how chemistry, biology, and physics apply to the foods we eat and how they are prepared, answering questions like "Why does bread rise?" and "How does moisture affect food spoilage?" This class will have a significant amount of inquiry-based lab work in both the kitchen and the science lab. Specific units of instruction may include sensory science, chemical & physical changes in food, microbiology in food, water, lipids, sugars, starches, and pH.

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: Introduction to Horticulture
Credits: 2 (1 for related classwork and 1 for Supervised Ag Experience Program)

This course can be repeated for 11 and 12 grades. This course may be offered in a blended format. There will be a fee for this course.

In this course, the student will become familiar with the costs of materials, ordering, costs of production, and determining the selling prices. In the spring semester, the student will become familiar with the installation and maintenance of different landscapes around the school grounds and possibly in the community. Each student will make drawings of residential/commercial housing with complete landscape recommendations. Students will have a chance to use a computer landscape design program to design these projects. This two-semester course will include various aspects of identification, selection, and care of perennial flowers, flowering shrubs and trees, and turf grass. We will spend time in the school greenhouse working with annuals, perennials, and vegetables to prepare for the Spring Community Bedding Plant Sale. The area of floral design will teach skills that will give the student some background in floral design and sales, so one may see the possibilities in this field of work. There is a course fee.
 

Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Intro to AFNR, BSAA, Horticulture, Ag Mechanics, or Instructor recommendation
Credit: 1/2

This course fulfills a student's Consumer Economics requirement for graduation.
This class may be offered in a blended format.

This course will develop students’ understanding of the agricultural industry relating to the United States and the World marketplace. Instructional units include budgeting, checking, savings, taxes, insurance, and the basics of being a consumer. Student skills will be enhanced in math, reading comprehension, and writing through agribusiness applications. Employability skills will be developed with resume writing and interview techniques to gain employment. Post-secondary education will be explored at agricultural colleges and universities. Improving computer and workplace skills will be a focus. Students who participate in FFA student organization activities and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects can earn extra credit. This is an integral course component for leadership development, career exploration, and reinforcement of academic concepts.
 

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 1 (this course has a blended option)
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1/2

This is an NCAA approved class.
This class may be offered in a blended format.

The purpose of this course is to help students improve their public speaking abilities. Throughout the course, students will practice and develop various academic and real-world presentations while relating them to the agriculture industry and the FFA. Students in this course will gain their speech requirement for graduation while being in an Agriculture environment that they are comfortable with.

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: Intro to AFNR & PSA or BSAA or recommendation from Instructor, Department Chair, or Counselor
Credit: 1 

There is a fee for this course.

This mechanics portion of the course will provide students with hands-on activities in arc welding, oxy-acetylene welding, MIG welding, and small gasoline engines. The construction portion of the class is related to agricultural construction, agricultural surveying, and agricultural electricity. Also included in the course are agriculture technologies including GPS, GIS, and UAV operation.

Level: 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: Ag Mechanics I, or recommendation from Instructor, Department Chair, or Counselor
Credit: 1

There is a fee for this course.

Students will take the basics that they learned in Ag Mechanics and construction and work with staff and community members to develop products that fit their needs. Products that are produced can be metal or wooden. Students will go through the entire budget process, research and gathering of materials, construction of the product, and a presentation of the final product.

Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Agricultural Business, or recommendation from Instructor or Counselor. Must meet placement requirements for Kishwaukee College.
Credit: SHS (1/2) + Kishwaukee College (1) 

Dual Credit Opportunity (College credit towards AGT 100 class at Kishwaukee College)
There is a $50 tuition fee to be paid to Kishwaukee College. This class may be offered in a blended format.

Students will participate in a real-world experience during this 18-week course. The Career Academy will be 9 weeks with an in-class portion and for 9 weeks we will be touring and interacting with the Ag Business community. During this time students will experience 9 different Agriculture Career options including but not limited to: animal health care, horticulture, agriculture engineering/manufacturing, farming, trading/marketing, agronomy, insurance, banking, and processing/manufacturing. More details to come!
 

Levels: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Intro to AFNR and Biology or BSAA with a B- or higher, recommendation from an Instructor, Department Chair, or Counselor
Credits: 1/2 per Semester

This is an NCAA approved class. This class may be offered in a blended format.
There is a fee for this class.

This one-semester course is designed to reinforce and extend students' understanding of science by associating scientific principles and concepts with relevant applications in agriculture. Students will examine major phases of animal agriculture and specific biological science concepts that govern management decisions in the animal industry. Topics include animal safety, handling, health, nutrition, and reproduction.

Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1

This class may be offered during Zero Hour. Transportation will not be provided.
This is an NCAA approved course.
Counts as a Science Credit to fulfill SHS graduation requirements.
Counts as a lab science credit at most four-year universities.

Biological Science Applications in Agriculture - animal, soil, and plant science is a course designed to reinforce and extend students' understanding of science by associating scientific principles and concepts with relevant applications in agriculture. Students will examine major phases of animal, soil, and plant agriculture and specific biological science concepts that govern management decisions in the animal, soil, and plant industries. Some of the major areas of study include cells, cell cycles, macromolecules, photosynthesis, cell respiration, protein synthesis, genetics, genetic engineering, a deep dive into animal systems (including several dissections), and evolution. This one-year course will deepen student’s understanding of science as content and as a process through the use of numerous laboratory exercises and experiments. Students can also establish a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program and participate in agricultural science activities of the FFA.

Level: 12
Semesters: 2 
Credits: 2 credits (1 for class and 1 for work)

This course will have a blended option. This will be offered during Zero Hour. Transportation will not be offered.

This course provides senior-level high school students with practical, real-world work experience in local businesses, non-profits, or public service organizations. Students will dedicate a set number of hours per week to an approved, supervised work placement, applying skills learned in the classroom while developing essential career readiness competencies. This program is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional life, fostering independence, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of various career pathways.

Level: 11, 12 (10 with an Instructor, Department Chair, or Counselor recommendation)
Semesters: 1 semester
Prerequisites: An application needs to be submitted with a request to take the course. Student will also be interviewed. Both the application and the interview will be considered when determining if a student is allowed to take the class. 
Credit: 1/2

Can be taken with Hands-on Leadership to complete 1 full year. There is a fee for this course.

This introductory course provides an opportunity for students to learn about the industry of Food Science. In this class, students will learn how to prepare, store, and properly cook their own food. Units of instruction include food safety, principles of food preservation, food processing, food selection, and consumer health. The students enrolling in this class would be providing mentorship to students with special education needs in life skills. The general education students will learn how to appropriately interact with students with diverse learning styles and educational backgrounds while learning about the food science industry.

Included in the course is a supervised agricultural experience project (SAEP). Students have the option to start or develop an SAEP Project by January 1. Students will be introduced to leadership, cooperation, and citizenship skills through the FFA. 

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Intro to AFNR or BSAA or PSA or Instructor, Department Chair, or Counselor recommendation
Credit: 1/2

There is a fee for this course. This course may be taken 1st semester or 2nd semester.

The world of food is ever-changing and more diverse than ever. This class will look at the meals that founded some of our most basic home staples. Furthermore, we will explore how the products that we enjoy on a daily basis are produced on both a small and large scale. The basics of the class will cover the origins of food, fundamentals of measuring and cutting, reading recipe cards, understanding proper cooking temperatures, creating meal plans, and proper presentation.

Level: 11, 12 (10 with an instructor or counselor recommendation)
Semesters: 1 semester
Prerequisites: An application needs to be submitted with a request to take the course. Student will also be interviewed. Both the application and the interview will be considered when determining if a student is allowed to take the class. 
Credit: 1/2

Can be taken with Culinary Leadership to complete 1 full year. There is a fee for this course.

This introductory course provides an opportunity for students to learn about the industry of manufacturing. In this class, students will learn how to properly handle, maintain, and store tools, along with the basics of everyday routine processes that can be used as employability skills. Units include Woodworking and Small Engines. During alternating years, students may apply life skills by working with live plants in the greenhouse and with floral design.

The students enrolling in this class would be providing mentorship to students with special education needs in life skills. The general education students will learn how to appropriately interact with students with diverse learning styles and educational backgrounds while learning about the manufacturing industry.

Included in the course is a supervised agricultural experience project (SAEP). Students have the option to start or develop an SAEP Project by January 1. Students will be introduced to leadership, cooperation, and citizenship skills through the FFA.
 

Level: 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisites: Horticulture or recommendation from an instructor or counselor. 
Credit: 1/2

Students must meet with the Ag Department Chair and be approved to be eligible for this credit.
Runs January through August.
Transportation is not provided for this course.

Students will work independently with individual maintenance staff or principals at schools around the district (5 elementary, 1 middle school, and 1 high school). They will do regular landscape maintenance and care of shrubs, trees, flowers, and flower beds. New projects may be developed by the administration, and students will take on those projects as well. This does not include mowing. Students will work through the summer months to get the credit. Compensation may be given for summer hours (if available).
 

Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1

This is an NCAA approved class.
There is a course fee for this course.

This introductory course provides an opportunity for students to learn how the agricultural industry is organized, its major components, the economic influence of agriculture at state and national levels, and the scope and types of job opportunities in the agricultural field. Agricultural jobs account for 21% of all jobs in Illinois and 22% on the National Level. Applications are presented in Agribusiness, Ag Mechanics, and Animal Science. The course will focus on basic concepts and introduce and develop basic skills in animal science, agricultural careers, life skills, leadership/goal setting, and agricultural mechanics such as welding, electricity, woodworking, and engines. Included in the course is a supervised agricultural experience project (SAEP). Students are required to start or develop an SAEP Project by January 1. Students will be introduced to leadership, cooperation, and citizenship skills through the FFA.

Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: Intro to AFNR or recommendation from an Instructor, Department Chair, or Counselor
Credit: 1

This is an NCAA approved class.
This course can be repeated.
There is a fee for this course.

This course is designed to develop student interest in the field of horticulture. The different areas of study include greenhouse work, leadership, and job survival skills. It is intended to help the individual become more acquainted with the environmental requirements of plants for best growth, to teach the student how plants are used and maintained in different areas, and to develop personal skills needed for everyday life. This two-semester course will include various aspects of identification, selection, and care of annual and perennial flowers, potted flowering and foliage crops, and flowering shrubs and trees. The student will also have experience in solving problems on heating and cooling, watering, insects and diseases, and merchandising greenhouse products. Students will work through the basics of floral design, landscaping, and greenhouse management.
 

Level: 9,10,11,12
Semesters: 1
Prerequisite: Enrolled in an agriculture class, FFA and has an active recordbook.
Credits: 1/2

Students must meet with the Ag Department Chair and be approved to be eligible for this credit.

A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a student-led, hands-on learning opportunity outside of the classroom that applies agricultural education concepts to real-world situations. These experiences are required for students in an agricultural education program and can involve activities like starting a business, working at a farm or business, conducting research, or completing foundational exploration. The primary goal is to help students develop technical skills, career readiness, and a deeper understanding of agriculture, food, and natural resources industries through a formal, documented project and accurate recordkeeping.

Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semesters: 2
Prerequisites: None
Credit: 1

This is an NCAA approved class.
This counts as science credit to fulfill SHS graduation requirements.
There is a fee for this course.

This course exposes students to mechanical, power, technology, and career options in the world of agriculture. Students will experience mechanical and engineering concepts with hands-on activities including 2-3 labs per week. Students will acquire the basic skills to operate, repair, engineer, and design agricultural tools and equipment.

Level: Preferred 11, 12; (10 with teacher approval)
Semesters: 2 (this course has a blended option)
Prerequisites: Intro to AFNR, Ag Mechanics, PSA, BSAA, or recommendation from an instructor or counselor
Credit: 1

There is a fee for this course.

Students will be learning the basics of welding techniques and metal fabrication such as MIG, TIG, and STICK welding and Plasma cutting, Oxy-Fuel, and CNC cutting techniques. The students in the class will get the basics of welding during the first nine weeks, and then the students will have a chance to create projects based on their design and fabrication plans. The goal of the class is for students to understand the basic concepts of welding that would make them marketable in a welding program at a technical school or in the work industry.