Libertas Selectives
Course Descriptions
The Libertas Selective classes for 2025-26 meet for the entire school year and are broken down into two categories:
3 Day Selectives & 2 Day Selectives
3 Day Selectives meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the school year from 12:45 – 1:20pm. 2 Day Selectives meet at the same time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When signing up for Libertas Selectives, students will be asked to give their first and second choices for both categories, and sometimes a third choice is required. We will make our best effort to accommodate each student with his first choice, but there are limits to the class size per selective. Some selectives are only open to particular grades, and some courses may require an audition to demonstrate proficiency with a particular instrument.
Students are discouraged from changing selectives once the school year begins. If an exception must be made, these are the requirements for requesting a selective change:
1) A student must request a Change of Selective Form from the Head of School
2) The form must be filled out by the student and signed by a parent and the desired selective teacher
3) The form must be returned to the Head of School for final approval
If you have a question regarding the Libertas Selectives program, please email Mr. Hoff at alex.hoff@westernacademy.net.
3 Day Selectives
Art of War
It has often been said that "history is written by the victors." In the Art of War, students will explore the truth of this maxim by investigating how great generals achieved victory on the battlefield throughout history and the impact this had on their age and our own. Special attention will paid to how generals studied their enemy, trained and supplied their own men, assembled them into battle formations, mastered the terrain of the battlefield, deployed cutting-edge weapons, invented ingenious tactics, and inspired their men to glory. Students can expect to do some light military reading, study and recreate battle maps, and play military board games as part of the course.
Chess & Strategy
Whether a general in battle, a lawyer in courtroom, a quarterback on the field, or a statesman in the assembly, success in action or persuasion depends on clear and logical thinking. In Chess & Strategy, students will develop and hone the logical and strategic thinking necessary to navigate the many complex and fluid situations of life. Students will also have fun solving logical puzzles, playing challenging strategy games, and learning the art of chess.
Farm & Garden
Did you enjoy your Lower School Natural History classes and wish you could continue contemplating the beauty and wonder of the natural world? Do you love animals? Do you think it would be fun to raise chicks, fly homing pigeons, or enjoy eating a whole meal from plants that you grew, eggs and honey that you harvested, and perhaps even meat that you helped raise? This Libertas Selective includes an emphasis on animal husbandry (the proper care and feeding of animals), basic wildlife management, cultivating a vegetable garden, maintaining a pollinator garden (for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds), and basic homesteading skills. Our hands-on practical work will be complimented with short readings pertaining to farming, gardening, and nature.
Jazz Band
The jazz band is open to students that have at least 2 years of experience on their instrument and can make the commitment to take private lessons during the school year. The band will learn many of the music styles associated with jazz including early 20th century swing, blues, latin styles, funk/rock, and more traditional jazz repertoire. Western’s jazz band will have numerous performance opportunities throughout the year to bring the power and sonic range of a band to the school’s many outdoor events and Festival Days. The class is also open to students by audition or by permission from the instructor. Invited instruments include:
Rhythm section: drums, bass (upright or electric), piano, electric guitar
Lead instruments: trumpet, trombone, sax
Other invited instruments: violin, flute, banjo
Silent Study
The Silent Study period is designed for students who would benefit from a period of intense work that is proctored by a teacher. Students may do homework, study for tests, work on projects, or perform any other school related activity during this period. The Silent Study period is split into three different grade level classrooms with a teacher available in each room to answer questions about schoolwork.
Theater
Building upon the bard tradition of Western Academy's festival days, Theater offers students a rich immersion in the history of theater as they mature in their acting craft and hone their public speaking skills. In this class, students will learn various acting techniques and perform them through different scenes on stage. They will put these skills on display during a live performance for their families and peers. Students in the theater class will also increase their chances of landing a role in the annual Spring Show at the end of the year.
Woodworking (7th and 8th Grade)
Woodworking is both an art and a craft which requires an incredible attention to detail. When done well, woodworking is truly a marvel to behold. In Woodworking class, students will carefully handcraft a variety of wooden objects. With prudence, diligence, and precision, both wood and virtue will be carved out in this hands-on selective.
2 Day Selectives
Advanced Acoustic Guitar
Designed for guitarists that have already taken a 5th grade or 6th grade ukulele/guitar class or studied in private lessons, this course seeks to further the development of guitarists that currently have a basic grasp of reading music, performing in class (solo or with an ensemble), and playing in time. As students continue studying the acoustic guitar, the class will include a richer exploration of applied Western music styles including jazz, country blues, pop/rock, and the guitar's historical roots in the medieval, baroque, classical, and romantic era arts. The class is also open to students by audition or by permission from the instructor. Note: Students are asked to provide their own guitar, clip-on tuner, guitar picks, and 3 sets of guitar strings. The anticipated expense is about $140 per student for all needed items including the instrument.
Chess & Strategy
Whether a general in battle, a lawyer in courtroom, a quarterback on the field, or a statesman in the assembly, success in action or persuasion depends on clear and logical thinking. In Chess & Strategy, students will develop and hone the logical and strategic thinking necessary to navigate the many complex and fluid situations of life. Students will also have fun solving logical puzzles, playing challenging strategy games, and learning the art of chess.
Lords & Lore of Middle Earth
Ever long to escape to some other world? A world of elves, dwarves, dragons and orcs? A world of swords and sorcery? Look no further: a portal to Middle Earth has been opened. Every Tuesday and Thursday you will get to discover the spectacularly vivid world of J.R.R. Tolkien. Famous passages from The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and The Hobbit will be studied and relished throughout the year. Outside reading will be encouraged, but not mandatory. Boys will build elvish blades, dwarven axes, and the sturdy bucklers so often used by men. They will use these same weapons in live, outdoor imaginative play. Middle Earth awaits!
Silent Study
The Silent Study period is designed for students who would benefit from a period of intense work that is proctored by a teacher. Students may do homework, study for tests, work on projects, or perform any other school related activity during this period. The Silent Study period is split into three different grade level classrooms with a teacher available in each room to answer questions about schoolwork.
Theater
Building upon the bard tradition of Western Academy's festival days, Theater offers students a rich immersion in the history of theater as they mature in their acting craft and hone their public speaking skills. In this class, students will learn various acting techniques and perform them through different scenes on stage. They will put these skills on display during a live performance for their families and peers. Students in the theater class will also increase their chances of landing a role in the annual Spring Show at the end of the year.
Woodworking (7th and 8th Grade)
Woodworking is both an art and a craft which requires an incredible attention to detail. When done well, woodworking is truly a marvel to behold. In Woodworking class, students will carefully handcraft a variety of wooden objects. With prudence, diligence, and precision, both wood and virtue will be carved out in this hands-on selective.