TOHS Electives 2026-2027

AP Art History is an introductory college-level course built to help students discover art from across the world created over the last 30,000 years. The curriculum focuses on visual analysis, historical context, and class discussion. Students will analyze 250 artworks from diverse cultures and time periods, focusing on how context, purpose, and technique shape artistic expression. The class is based around historical research, tasking students with discovering the most important information about the artworks and then presenting their findings to their peers. You are not required to memorize the artwork's we learn about. Instead, you will help solve the mysterious meanings hidden in artwork from humanities past using visual context clues you discover in your own research, which will be presented to the class regularly as we help uncover the past together. We will build a library of context clues that will help us understand the artworks in the curriculum, but the same clues can be applied universally to any artwork from history. All students are welcome!

This advanced second year chemistry course is open to all students that have completed a year of chemistry honors who wish to take part in a rigorous and academically challenging course. The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of a first year general chemistry college course so expect a fast pace and 3-4 labs a month. Students who are planning a career in anything related to the medical field should definitely take AP Chemistry before they graduate.

Think of this Advanced Placement Drawing classroom as your own private art studio! AP Drawing is considered to be a college-level course. Students have the freedom to create art at their own pace, and are encouraged to experiment, create studies of their choice, challenge themselves through personal inquiry about their art, and to be intentional in their practice. The goal is to build a professional portfolio throughout the course, and collect tips on how to create museum-quality art. Students are given the opportunity to send their portfolios to the AP College Board in Canada to be scored by professionals. Multiple colleges offer credits for passing scores. Even if one's particular college of choice doesn't offer credits, receiving a passing score from the AP College Board is still seen as a major achievement worthy of adding to college applications. These portfolios can also be submitted alongside college applications.

Each month we have lively peer critiques, as well as art workshops in which students decide what they would like to learn more about, and they get a follow-up crash course on the topics/styles/tools they're personally interested in. In addition to this, there are official AP Portfolio building workshops embedded throughout the course to help one mold and tailor their portfolio into an intentional, professional study and exploration of the artist's choice. The class is what one makes of it, and can be as challenging or relaxing as one would like it to be. The ultimate goal here is to build a portfolio that can be used to professionally share one's work in the future. Guest speakers and advisors from top Art schools will pop by throughout the school year to assist students with their portfolios, as well as showcase their programs, and opportunities to our students.

AP Environmental Science

The goal of APES is to provide you with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.

Why should you take AP Environmental Science?

• It is FUN & Interesting!

• Hands-On Learning: This class has been designed to teach through hands-on labs and field trips.

• Potential College Credit: You will have the opportunity to take the APES test. With a high enough test score you will likely receive college credit for this course.

• Variety: intertwines all of the sciences into one.

• Practical Applications: offers "down to Earth" ways to be more environmentally friendly and more sustainable with your lifestyle. Applicable to everyday life

• Career Opportunities: Environmental science is the foundation for tons of careers. Almost any career path you are thinking of going into can benefit from environmental science.

• Less math than other classes ☺ - come take a math break

• Try an AP - Never taken an AP class before? – this one is a great one to try out. Don’t let the “AP” scare you.

• Guest Speakers

• Butterflies - You get to raise Butterflies!

Topics Covered:

• Environmental Problems & Causes

• Sustainability, Ecosystems & Biodiversity

• Human Population, Impact, Health & Hazards

• Climate & Saving Species

• Food Production & Water Resources

• Non Renewable & Renewable Energy

• Air Pollution & Urbanization

• Solid & Hazardous Waste

• Economics, Politics, Worldviews, & Ethics

• Current Events…

After you take APES you have the opportunity to then take Honors Environmental Field Studies during your senior year!

AP HUG is a unique opportunity for freshman to jumpstart their academic pursuits at Thousand Oaks High School. It is a rigorous course designed to help prepare students for the AP test in May. Passing this test ultimately gives them an opportunity to earn college credit as freshman in high school! The course also helps prepare students for the scope and pace of life in the Center for Advanced Studies. Having prior experience with AP classes, along with what it takes to be successful as an AP student, will prove to be a big advantage as students take on the challenge of the Center. Even if they don’t decide the Center is for them, they’ll be ready for anything TOHS has to throw at them.

Beyond the benefits to college and the Center, the content of the class is also extremely relevant to life in the 21st century. It is a survey course in all things globalization. We study population, migration, global economics, pop culture, global food, politics…endless topics that will help students feel more connected as global citizens. As students will likely spend their future as a piece of the global economy, expanding their horizons with AP HUG can provide an excellent springboard into understanding the world around them.

Art Media is a beginner's level course that introduces students to basic design fundamentals of art. Students will study famous artists and their histories, and will create everything from still life paintings and hyper-realistic portraits to clay sculptures, collages, enlarged grid drawings to showcase their drawing skills, to dazzling pastel pieces, and intricate scratch art. Students will also get to participate in an outdoor watercolor unit and learn how to paint a landscape! Students will try out a variety of artistic styles, tools, and mediums to build their artistic skills. For those who already habitually make art in their free time, this is the place to hone-in on the talent the student already has! Students will close the school year with a final project that involves creating and illustrating their own children's book, comic book, or graphic novel. Guest speakers from top Art schools will pop by throughout the school year to showcase their programs to our students and help inspire them. All are welcome to join Art Media at any grade level. No experience is required.

The ASB leadership class is responsible for coordinating campus-wide student activities (Homecoming, Dances, Talent Show, Rallies, Assemblies and Clubs), preparing budgets, and formulating school policies. The class consists of ASB Officers, Commissioners, and the President and Vice-President of each grade level. Student leaders from ASB participate in School Site Council, Student District Advisory Council, Thousand Oaks Youth Commission, and other community leadership programs. ASB Leadership is an exciting and rewarding experience for all students who are involved. ASB Applications are due April 23rd, 2021 and are available now at the following link: https://forms.gle/rjxfgPdY6nwQJ49S6

Please email Mrs. Ehret if you have any questions: kellieehret@conejousd.org

College readiness elective for students in grades 9-12. This year-long A-G elective for determined students focuses on study skills, time management, organization, and planning for college. Additionally, there are college field trips, guest speakers, and plenty of fun activities, too! Academic support is provided through weekly collaborative tutorial groups to prepare students to run college study groups down the road. For more information, visit AVID @ TOHS or email Mrs. Modolo, AP of Activities (jmodolo@conejousd.org) or Mrs. Scott, AVID Counselor (dscott@conejousd.org).

Band Video

Concert Bands (Full Year)

Wind Ensemble Honors (Advanced Musicians)

Wind Symphony (Intermediate to Advanced Musicians)

Symphonic Band (Novice to Intermediate Musicians)

Thousand Oaks High School Instrumental Music Department features three concert performance ensembles: Wind Ensemble Honors, Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. Placement into these ensembles is determined by placement audition.

Jazz Bands

AM Jazz (Advanced Musicians), (Full Year)

PM Jazz (Novice to Intermediate Musicians), (2nd Semester)

Thousand Oaks High School includes two jazz ensembles: the AM Jazz Band and PM Jazz Bands, and many smaller ensembles are formed as needed. Placement into these ensembles is determined by audition. Both Jazz Ensembles perform for school activities, concerts and in various Jazz Festivals in the spring.

Percussion Ensembles

Concert Band Ensembles (see Concert Band)

Percussion Techniques Class (Offered depending on Size of Enrollment)

MB Drum Line (Section of the Marching Band – Optional, 1st Semester Only)

Drum Line (Performance Ensemble of Percussion Only, 2nd Semester – Optional)

These ensembles are open to percussionists who have already participated in Concert Band at the Middle School or High School Leve. It is also open to Drummers and Pianists who have not participated in a school band program. Students are placed into a Concert Band based on their experience and can be members of the Drumline, a section of our Marching Band (Semester 1) and Drum Line (Semester 2).

In the fall semester, the Drumline performs as one section of the Marching Band. We are one large ensemble and perform at Football games, marching band competitions, pep rallies, and various other community events. In the spring semester, the Drumline performs in their own competitions throughout Southern California. We perform indoors on basketball courts and get to compete and see other drumlines from the area. In addition, like the fall semester, the drumline continues to perform at pep rallies and other community events.

Marching Band P.E. Credit

Our Nationally Ranked Marching Band is a Semester 1, Period 8 sport/performance class that meets during the 1st Semester from August Band Camp to Thanksgiving Break.

The Horns, Color Guard (flags, rifles and visual), Pit (stationary percussion) and Battery (marching percussion) work together to produce a dazzling fall field spectacular. Rehearsals begin in the summer which lead to our August Band Camp.

The show is rehearsed and perfected in weekday afternoon practices after school until the season ends in late November. Full participation at all rehearsals and at Friday and Saturday performances is required for the success of the program.

When you join one or more of the choirs at Thousand Oaks High School, you become a part of an awesome group of people who love to sing and have fun. We believe in giving students as many opportunities to sing as possible, both with the choirs and as a soloist, and we strive together to be the best musicians and performers we can be. All choir members have the opportunity to participate in solo/small ensemble showcase, workshop, honor choir, and/or adjudicated festival experiences throughout the year.

Our program offers something for everyone: one non – auditioned Mixed Choir (for all voices) and three auditioned choirs: Treble Choir (for soprano/alto singers only), Concert Choir (for all voices), and Vocal Ensemble Honors (for all voices, pre-requisites required).

To learn more and see past performances, visit our website at www.tohschoir.org

Color Guard performs as the visual ensemble for the award winning TOHS Lancer Band. Color Guard performers learn dance, flag rifle and saber skills participate in field and indoor performances. In the fall, the Color Guard performs with the Lancer Marching Band in a field presentation lasting about 7-8 minutes. Fall performances include home football games, rallies and field show competitions. In the winter and spring the Color Guard moves indoors to develop a winter guard show – a routine about 4-5 minutes long performed to a pre-recorded soundtrack. Guard members perform this show at competitions throughout Southern California. The TOHS Winter Guard is a member of the Winter Guard Association of Southern California. More information about the Color Guard program is available prior to our auditions in May. We offer several clinics prior to the audition and we’ll teach you everything you need to know. All you need to bring is enthusiasm, a willingness to learn. Both girls and boys are welcome, and no previous experience is needed.

Did you know that TOHS is the only Construction Technology program with a licensed general contractor as our teacher in all of Ventura County?

We have two entry points to our Building & Construction Pathway which include Woodwork Principles and Construction Technology. In the Construction Tech pathway, you will explore design and construction principles through projects that build skills in drafting, hand tools, power tools, machines and industry safety standards. We also have a Construction Team that you can join to compete in your design and building skills. Our Construction Technology Program takes field trips, hosts guest speakers from the construction industry, and provides daily hands on skill development that will support your future career or home ownership goals. All of our students are offered the opportunity to earn their OSHA-10 certification to demonstrate their knowledge and make them career-ready!

The construction industry is one of the fastest growing industry sectors in Ventura County. These skills are a great way to enter a profitable, rewarding and in-demand career.

If you or someone you know is interested in helping us grow our program to meet the needs of our county, please contact Daniel Bell (805) 495-7491 ex 2022

Have you ever wanted to know what lies in the galaxies way up high?

How did all these things form – have you ever wondered why?

Maybe you want to know why the Earth rumbles beneath your feet,

Or you want to discover how to be more sustainable with what you eat.

All of things and MORE can be discovered in Environmental Earth Science.

Together we can work together to form a better Earth alliance!

This senior only course focuses on introducing students to financial topics they will encounter throughout life. We will cover the habits of the wealthy and what that means. Students will learn topics such as budgeting, investing, loans, stocks, taxes and passive income. Throughout this course, students will learn theories, vocabulary, and applications of finance pertaining to each topic. The goal of this course is to educate and prepare students for the financial life ahead.

Life Drawing is an intermediate course in which students will get to dive deeper into their craft and create artwork with more advanced tools and methods. Students will work with charcoal, gouache, a variety of pastel tools, alcohol-based markers, acrylic paint pens, advanced illustration tools, fine colored pencils, a wider range of scratch art tools, printmaking, intricate fabric-based mosaics, and advanced drawing/graphite tools. Units will cover two-point perspective, how to draw architecture, drapes/fabric, metal, glass, stone, water, microscopic subjects, aerial pieces, Still Life drawings, and illustration lessons intended for graphic novels/comic books, and more. Guest speakers from top Art schools will pop by throughout the school year to showcase their programs to our students, and help them discover potential careers in Art. All are welcome to enroll in this course!

Medical Terminology is an online hybrid year long course that is articulated with Moorpark College to give students the opportunity to earn dual credit (high school and college credit at the same time). Medical Terminology is the first course in the two-course patient care pathway with Sports Medicine being the second. Students may choose just to take Medical Terminology and not Sports Medicine however, both are required to complete the patient care pathway. Medical Terminology is a class designed to facilitate learning and comprehension of the basics of medical terminology in relation to each system of the body. Students will learn the basic anatomy and physiology of each body system. Students will also learn to use proper terminology to describe the human body and its systems including its components, processes, conditions affecting it, and procedures performed upon it. This course will acknowledge student interest in the medical field and offer them a head start in all aspects involved in pursuing a career in the medical field including but not limited to: Physician, Physician Assistant, Nurse, Physical Therapist, Dentist, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Dietician, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, and Pharmacist.

Dive into a class where questioning everything is the goal. Philosophy tackles the big questions: What is real? How should I act? Does God exist? Explore ethics, logic, and ancient wisdom to build critical thinking skills, sharpen arguments, and challenge your own worldviews.

Course Highlights:

• The "So What?" Factor: Apply ethics to real-life moral dilemmas.
• Meet the Thinkers: Explore foundational ideas from Socrates, Plato, and modern thinkers.
• Debate Everything: Engage in lively classroom discussions.

Why Take It?

To stop just memorizing facts and start analyzing the ideas that shape our world. Develop skills in critical thinking, logic, and communication that are essential for college and beyond.

Are you ready to think about thinking? Sign up for Philosophy and Comparative Religions.

AP and CP Physics: If you want a class that will impress colleges as well as teach you about the physical world, CP or AP Physics is the class to take. Learn about Electricity and Magnetism, Sound, Light, Collisions, Rotational Motion and Projectile Motion.

Honors Physiology

"Want to prepare yourself for the most rewarding and financially secure careers? Want to make a difference in the world? Interested in understanding the human body and how it works to keep you healthy?” If yes, then make sure you register for Honors Physiology this year. Throughout the course, you will learn and apply problem solving and lab skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 1.9 million new jobs: https://www.bls.gov/home.htm

Course Purpose: This course is designed for students planning a health/medicine related career and will introduce them to the body’s organ systems, their functions and investigate the various diseases and disorders associated with them.

Course Description: Physiology Honors is a college level course that engages you in an interesting and fun way through hands-on labs, inquiry, and problem-solving activities. This high-level course prepares you for the undergraduate level coursework, premed, careers in health, medicine, research, genetics, kinesiology, sports, physiotherapy, consulting, pharmacy, and much more..."

Throughout the year, students will investigate the human body and its systems on a chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, and system level.

The goal of the class is to explore the anatomy and physiology of the human body systems through virtual and real dissections, designing and conducting inquiry experiments and gathering and analyzing experimental data. After students complete the study of different systems, they will be conducting a fetal pig dissection to understand the interactions between different body systems and maintenance of homeostasis in the human body.

AP Psychology: Are you interested in learning about how the brain works, the benefit of all the class work you’ve done over the years, the difference between stress and anxiety, or answers to any of the other questions you might have regarding the human experience? Whether you want to learn about the content or want to finally get that elusive score of a 5 on the AP test (we get more than anyone!), AP Psych is the place for you!

Sport Medicine is the second course in the two-course patient care pathway with Medical Terminology being the first. Students may choose just to take Sports Medicine and not Medical Terminology however, both are required to complete the patient care pathway. Sports medicine is the field of medicine concerned with injuries sustained in athletic endeavors, including their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The study of sports medicine involves applying medical and scientific principles to sports, exercise, and the ability of the body to perform physically. This course will acknowledge student interest in medical and sports related fields of study and offer them a head start in all aspects involved in the sports medicine field including but not limited to: injury prevention, recognition and care, injury evaluation, career opportunities, anatomy and physiology, sports psychology, sports nutrition, fitness instruction, and strength and conditioning.

Ever wonder how Netflix knows exactly what you'll binge next? Or how sports analysts predict the next MVP? Statistics is the backstage pass to the modern world. Whether you're looking to boost your GPA or earn college credit in AP Stats or gain practical life skills in CP Stats, this course moves beyond the "solve for x" grind and into the art of making sense of data. Master the math that actually runs the economy, healthcare, medical research, marketing, political science, and tech industries. Don't just follow the trends — learn the math behind how to predict them. Join us and turn information into influence!

American Sign Language

Did you know ASL is the third most used language in the United States? It’s a unique language; unlike spoken languages, it uses the visuospatial modality. By the end of your first year, you will have full-length conversations with your peers on various topics. Continue with the program to develop your skills and have the foundations to be a life-long learner and user of ASL. Join us and learn why ASL is unlike English. Learn about the rich history, linguistic diversity, and uniqueness of the American Deaf Community.

• Level 1: Learn about the ear, deafness, and an introduction to what culture is.
• Level 2: Compare your experiences and learn about Deaf education. Also, what you didn't learn in history: explore Deaf history, spanning over 2000 years of the Deaf experience.
• Level 3: Dive into De’VIA, the Deaf Art movement that started in 1989 and expand your horizons into Deaf Cinema and the field of linguistics.

Learn more about the program through Dr. Asperillia-Zhu's website and YouTube page.

• Website: https://www.gasperillia.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Asperillia_ASL

French

Interested in improving your verbal communication skills? Want to be able to communicate with others when traveling? Learn French! The class is fun, incredibly useful, and not as difficult as you might think. (ask others who are taking it!). The French program covers levels 1, 2, 3, and AP.

Japanese

Fascinated by Japanese culture? Want to try some thing new? Japanese is a great choice. Students find the class fun and rewarding.

Spanish

Hola! Want to be a bilingual global citizen and communicate with people within the US and more than 20 other countries? Start with Spanish classes at TOHS! We offer Spanish 1CP, 2CP, 3CP, 4CP, AP, 5CP as well as Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1CP and 2CP. Earn you California State Seal of Biliteracy as well!

Spanish for Spanish Speakers

¿Hablas español hasta que te toca decir una palabra that you don’t know how to say in Spanish?

Do you wonder why some words in Spanish have accents and some don’t? Do you want to earn the Seal of Biliteracy from the State of California?

These are the classes for you!

Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1CP

For students who have NOT studied the Spanish language as an academic subject. In this class, students will enhance vocabulary as well as reading and writing skills. This class is taught primarily in Spanish and students are to use Spanish as their only means of communication.

For the best placement, advising is suggested. Please contact Ms. Martínez at smartinez@conejousd.org