Elective Courses
ART
Art is an amazing elective! Art is a great way to express your feelings and keeps you entertained. There are multiple things you are going to be able to do - projects such as drawings, paintings, sculptures and other artwork that will be memorable. You may also be given the opportunity to paint a mural on the school wall. Each mural has been painted by students and all of them have different meanings. There are murals about famous authors, athletes and Renaissance artists and they will be painting additional murals in the future. Art is one of the most fun electives at Portola Middle School and anyone can join.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), is a program that helps students prepare for college. Our AVID instructors are positive role-models to our students and continue to lead our students in the right path toward college. Our AVID program helps students to achieve academic and personal goals. The AVID program assists students to maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher by having small-group tutoring group sessions twice a week and teaching students how to be organized. Our AVID program also includes field trips to local colleges, college and career activities, and guest speakers.
Leadership (ASB)
ASB (Associated Student Body) is a very fun and educational class where you will learn leadership skills and learn to become more responsible. The ASB students organize the school dances, spirit days, pep rallies, fundraisers, and manage the school’s money. There are different positions in ASB such as, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, dance commissioner, and commissioner of pep. ASB students also help with things around the school such as open house, parent teacher conferences, family math, and science night. If you would like to take part in any of these activities please consider joining ASB.
Music - Band/Orchestra/Guitar
Our instrumental music department refines students through a high-quality music program as part of a well-rounded public education. We strive to help students enrich their talents and express themselves while fostering a lifelong appreciation for music. Our comprehensive music department offers String Orchestra (beginning and advanced), Band (beginning and advanced), and Guitar (beginning and advanced). Our hard-working music director, Mr. Rodriguez, leads our students through performances in our Winter and Spring concerts, pep rallies, Olympic Day, and in front of audiences at our local elementary and high schools and on stage at Knott’s Berry Farm in the Spring. Every student has the potential to succeed and grow their musical abilities and our program is always open to any student ready to take on the challenge of working hard and performing in our ensembles!
Spanish
Our Spanish program gives students the opportunity to learn the Spanish language and prepare them for future foreign language study in a fun, engaging environment. Our Spanish program includes Spanish 1A, Spanish 1B, and Spanish for Spanish Speakers. Partnered with Orange High School, any Portola student who completes both Spanish 1A and Spanish 1B or 1 year of Spanish for Spanish Speakers will fulfill their one year high school foreign language requirement at Orange High School
STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math)
Student will learn more about everyday technologies in STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math). The STEAM lab helps students explore the many technological opportunities available in today’s global economy. The premise of the STEAM lab is to cultivate and capture the students’ creativity and imagination and then use hands-on experiences to apply it to real-life situations. This class will help students expand their knowledge of computers, programming, engineering, design, flight simulators, and other areas. Students will also learn about STEAM related careers such as foley artists, programmers, and architectural and engineering management. STEAM lab will help prepare students for an ever changing technology filled world.
Yearbook
The yearbook class produces Portola’s annual yearbook. Students learn photo composition, basic rules of journalism, and how to create visually interesting page layouts in the school’s yearbook. Students also learn how to work in teams, which promotes the school’s motto: Matador Might! Yearbook students demonstrate Motivation, Imagination, Grit, Honor, and Teamwork in yearbook on a daily basis. Students do this by taking hundreds of photographs, and then sorting through them for the best ones to create the school’s only permanent record for the school year. If this sounds like a fun class, it's because it is!! Please consider enrolling in this interesting elective.