NHS Summer School Course Descriptions

A+ Tutoring (Hybrid - JR/SR only)

ACT Prep 

Art Appreciation

Art Foundations 

Driver's Ed (Hybrid)

English Credit Recovery

Employment Internship (Virtual - JR/SR only)

Health (Virtual)

High School 101 (9th ONLY)

Mathematics Credit Recovery

Personal Finance (Hybrid - JR/SR only)

Personal Finance (Virtual - JR/SR only)

Physical Education 

Physical Education (Virtual)

Registered Youth Apprenticeship (Hybrid - JR/SR only)

Science Credit Recovery

Social Studies Credit Recovery

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ACT Prep

Grade Level: 10-12

Elective Credit

This course will emphasize ACT test-taking strategies, specifically math skills, language skills, reading skills, and science-reasoning skills. Students will study and practice listening and note-taking techniques, test-taking strategies, questioning and thinking skills, information retrieval, pre-ACT test practice, memory technique, reading in the content
areas, and vocabulary development. All four ACT subjects will be reviewed: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning.

Any student who successfully completes the ACT Prep summer school course will be reimbursed for an ACT taken in 2026. Once the ACT is completed, please reach out to Ashley Finley at ashleyfinley@nixaschools.net to proceed with the reimbursement process.

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A+ Tutoring

Grade Level: 11-12

Elective Credit 

This course is designed to help students perform the 50 hours of school-based mentoring/tutoring needed for A+ Scholarship eligibility. Students work with other students in a tutoring or mentoring capacity within Nixa Public Schools and learn improved study skills, responsibilities, and the ability to work with others. If tutoring is performed off the high school campus, a student must provide his/her own transportation.

Prerequisites: Teacher permission/approval by the A+ Office

Pass/Fail Class

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Art Foundations

Grade Level: 9-12

Fine Arts Credit (may take both blocks for 1 credit)

Introduces the elements and principles of design as used in two and three-dimensional design. Areas of study include drawing, painting, graphics, silk-screen, clay, sculpture, etc. This course is a prerequisite for all other art courses.

Prerequisites: 1st block must be successfully completed to take 2nd block 

Freshman Option

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Art Appreciation

Grade Level: 10-12

Fine Arts Credit (may take both blocks for 1 credit)

Blocks Offered: 1st Block and/or 2nd Block

Art Appreciation introduces students to the fundamental language of art and the history of human creativity. The first semester begins with the basic elements of design and the origins of art in the ancient world. Students will explore how early civilizations used art and architecture to express their values, religious beliefs, and definitions of beauty. Students study art movements chronologically from prehistory through the revolutionary techniques and symbolism of the Renaissance. In the second semester, the focus shifts to the modern era and the dramatic ways artists began to break traditional rules. Students study art movements chronologically from post renaissance through Impressionism and into contemporary art. Students do not need any prior art experience to succeed in this class, and there are no prerequisites for enrollment. This course does not meet the prerequisite requirement for advanced studio classes.

Prerequisites: None

Virtual Course

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Driver's Education

Grade Level: 10-12

Elective Credit

The goal of Drivers’ Education is to prepare young drivers to operate motor vehicles legally, safely, and responsibly. Students will learn about safe driving techniques and the proper attitude and driving behaviors necessary to operate an automobile safely through in-class discussions, lectures, simulations, and guest speakers. In the car training is a part of this course, and is available for students ages 15 years and above. Students who took the course during the regular school year may take it again in the summer, but must complete the entire course including class time.

NOTE: This class will meet in person on the 1st day of summer school to schedule 18 hours of drive time. The rest of the course will be completed online. 

Hybrid Course

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Employment Internship

Grade Level: 11-12

Practical Art Credit (may only be taken one block)

This virtual summer course provides students with the opportunity to earn high school credit through real-world work experience. Students must secure approved employment prior to the start of the course and will log work hours while completing assigned career readiness activities. This program is a collaboration between the student, teacher, and employer and is designed to help students develop essential workplace skills, professionalism, and career awareness. Through this supervised experience, students will gain hands-on insight into workplace expectations and professional growth. Students must work an average of 20 hours per week throughout the duration of summer school.

Prerequisite:  Students must obtain an approved job (on their own) before the first day of summer school, maintain employment for the duration of the summer session, and be 16 years or older. Students who do not meet the required work hours will receive a letter grade of “F”.

Virtual Course

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English Credit Recovery

Grade Level: 10-12

English Credit (may take both blocks for 1 credit)

This class is designed for students who have previously failed an English class. Students will improve skills relating to reading and writing. Areas of study will include research, literature, grammar, nonfiction, and composition.

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Fictional Literature

Grade Level: 12th ONLY

English Credit

Independent Novel Study is an individualized and independent reading class. Student will read novels and novel-length nonfiction of their own choice (with instructor’s approval). Students will complete five reading journals and write an analytical essay. Students who failed a senior English course should sign up for English CR.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English III 

Hybrid Course

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Health

Grade Level: 9-12

Health Credit

Includes physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human health. The goal is to express health education as a process to acquire information, skills and values for making positive decisions about students’ own health.

Freshman Option

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Health Virtual

Grade Level: 10-12

Health Credit

Includes physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human health. The goal is to express health education as a process to acquire information, skills and values for making positive decisions about students’ own health.

Virtual Course 

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High School 101 (Incoming Freshman Only)

Grade Level: 9

Elective Credit

This class will prepare students to begin their high school career by acclimating students to the building and helping them develop study and technology skills.

Freshman Option

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Mathematics Credit Recovery

Grade Level: 10-12

Math Credit (may take both blocks for 1 credit) 

This class is for students who failed Pre-Algebra – Algebra II. Students failing a course above Algebra II in the math sequence may not take this course.

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Personal Finance (11th & 12th Grade Only)

Grade Level: 11-12

Personal Finance Credit

This curriculum consists of four major categories: income, money management, spending and credit, and saving and investing. The hybrid component is that students will meet in person for approximately 50% of the classes (2 times a week) with the remaining course work delivered virtually. The final meeting times will be given to students closer to the time of the class.

Hybrid Course

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Personal Finance Virtual (11th & 12th Grade Only)

Grade Level: 11-12

Personal Finance Credit

This curriculum consists of four major categories: income, money management, spending and credit, and saving and investing. Students must be highly self-motivated and able to navigate the course without meeting in-person.

Virtual Course 

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Physical Education

Grade Level: 9-12

P.E. Credit (may be taken both blocks for 1 credit) 

This course is a study of the strategies and techniques involved in teaching selected physical education activities for individual, dual, and team sports. It includes demonstrated competencies in specified motor skills, ability to communicate proper instruction, and proficiency in writing appropriate lessons and units. Activities may include two-base, wiffle ball, basketball, badminton, tennis, and football. In addition to organized games, the students will participate in fitness training such as cardiovascular exercises and agilities. This class is designed to provide the knowledge students will need to achieve a lifetime of fitness. This course may NOT be taken with Virtual P.E.

Freshman Option

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Physical Education Virtual

Grade Level: 9 -12

P.E. Credit (1/2 credit)

This course is the study of physical fitness for individuals. Activities may include online assignments, tutorials, quizzes, and tests. In addition, students will participate in cardiovascular fitness training while monitoring heart rate with a wearable heart rate monitoring device. This class will utilize both online instruction and personalized aerobic workout sessions that will encourage students to achieve a lifetime of fitness. This course may NOT be taken with Seated P.E.

Virtual Course 

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Registered Youth Aprenticeship

Grade Level: 11-12

Nixa RYA is a course offering that will connect workforce industry needs within the Nixa community with Junior/Senior-level students. These students will apply to participate in a paid Youth Apprenticeship through the Department of Labor and approved employers in the Nixa RYA program. Apprenticeships offer students an Industry Approved Certification or credential upon completion of specific competencies and hours as determined by the Department of Labor and the Employer. The employer will determine if the student is hired and approved to be in their position. If students do not fulfill the expectations of the employer, the youth apprentice will be fired and will be dropped from summer school. No credit will be earned. Pre-approved scheduling is required by the Nixa RYA coordinator after the employer application and interview process are approved. A student receiving release time in Nixa RYA who is fired by the employer or quits during summer school will be dropped from summer school, therefore not receiving credit.

Prerequisites: Required courses are specific to each apprenticeship program. RYA coordinator approval is required. Must be 16 years of age and have reliable transportation, 2.5 GPA and 90% attendance.

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Science Credit Recovery

Grade Level: 10-12

Science Credit (may take both blocks for 1 credit)

This class is designed for students who have previously failed Physical Science or Biology I.

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Social Studies Credit Recovery

Grade Level: 10-12

Social Studies Credit (may take both blocks for 1 credit)

This class is designed for students who have previously failed a History class. Students will study various history curriculum related to American History and American Government.

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