VISTA DEL MAR TK-8

Open to all students with at least one year of playing experience on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students will perform concert band music as a large ensemble, as well as learn jazz and other small ensemble pieces, and collaborate with the Advanced Orchestra on Symphony Orchestra pieces. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day. 

 

Explore the thrill of technology and innovation with Robotics and Engineering, no experience required. A year-long program for 6th–8th graders that sparks creativity and teamwork through hands-on robotics and engineering. Students design, build, and program robots using VEX IQ, tackling challenges like race cars, rescue bots, and Battle Bot competitions. They’ll also explore coding with Python, 3D printing, game design, and drone flight. This immersive experience prepares students for high school course pathways and real-world innovation.

 

Open to all students with at least two years of playing experience on a string instrument.  Students will perform string orchestra music as a large ensemble, as well as form small ensembles, and collaborate with the Advanced Band on Symphony Orchestra pieces. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day. 

 

Art 7  

Art 7 strives to build a student’s drawing skills, working on basics like how to sketch and create interesting designs. This course is a journey through various mediums, techniques, and art movements, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse world of visual arts. Through hands-on projects, engaging discussions, and exposure to historical and contemporary art, students will develop their artistic skills, critical thinking abilities, and an appreciation for the power of self-expression. 

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)  

A national program focused on helping students become organized, confident, and successful in school and beyond. The AVID elective class provides explicit instruction in writing, inquiry,  collaboration, organization, and reading (WICOR) skills so that students can meet the expectations of rigorous academic courses. AVID students learn how to take notes in their academic classes, pay special attention to identifying points of confusion or curiosity, and resolve them through the tutorial process. College and career exploration are a strong focus - including an organized college campus visit. The AVID elective supports students in rigorous academic courses by building a community of peer support, providing academic help from peers and tutors, and participating in motivational activities to help students pursue and achieve their dreams. Application and Interview Required.  Application due Jan 23, 2026.

 

Students will work to provide teacher support for students in TK-5 classrooms at Vista del Mar.  This could include reading with students, helping with math, preparing resources for teachers and many other tasks. Application and Interview Required.

 

Get ready to explore, design, and invent as you learn how to turn ideas into real tech creations! This year-long elective teaches key 21st-century tech skills while exploring in-demand, high-paying careers. Students gain hands-on experience in areas such as 3-D design, graphic T-shirt creation, game design and coding, Adobe animation and Photoshop, video editing, and drone and robotics engineering. The course also offers a pathway to advanced high school classes eligible for college credit, preparing students for future education and careers in technology.

 

Open to all students with one year or less of playing experience on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Beginning students who wish to learn one of these instruments are encouraged to join as well. In this class, students have a wider variety of instruments to choose from than they did in elementary school. Also different from elementary school, students meet daily as a class, allowing them to continue to learn the full range of their instrument, along with more challenging pieces of music. A highlight of this class is performing the National Anthem at an Angels Baseball game. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day.

 

Open to all students with two years or less of playing experience on a string instrument (Violin,  Viola, Cello, and Bass). Beginning students who wish to learn one of these instruments are encouraged to join as well. Different from elementary school, students meet daily as a class,  allowing them to continue to learn the full range of their instrument, along with more challenging pieces of music. A highlight of this class is performing the National Anthem at an Angels Baseball game. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day.

The Leadership Team is comprised of two groups that work together to bring spirit and heart to  Vista. The Associated Student Body (ASB) is the “Spirit“ of the school, and they are responsible for the entire culture of the school. ASB is in charge of the following events: Welcome Back to  School rally, Step It Up Fundraiser, Budget meetings, Team Building Field trips, and CADA day,  Dances, Mako Market, Lunch Activities including Halloween Costume Contest and UGLY  sweater contest, Marvelous Mako Luncheon, New Student Luncheon, ASB Teacher  Ambassadors, Vista Tour Guides, and much more! PAL is the “heart” of the school. They are friends to all Makos. They are in charge of Red Ribbon Week, Kindness Week, and Mental  Health May. Application and interview required.  Application due Friday, Jan 16, 2026.

 

The Office Aides are an integral partner in the school office. They are the first to greet parents and students at the attendance window. They assist the office staff in delivering call slips, keeping logs of students who arrive tardy to school, and issue tardy slips. They help parents who drop off their students' forgotten items and assist teachers with copies and homework packets. They conduct tours for new students and deliver items to teachers and staff. If there is downtime, students are encouraged to work on homework or read. Application required. Application due Jan 23, 2026.

 

This course introduces students to the creative world of digital art and visual storytelling. Through hands‑on projects in photography, graphic design, digital art and yearbook production, students learn to plan, capture, and edit original content. They will work with industry‑standard tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Canva to build technical skills and develop their artistic voice. The class emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and confident use of digital media tools. Application required. Application due Jan 23, 2026.

 

This year-long course will allow students to perform in two musicals and a showcase each school year, as they learn to sing, speak, dance, and act on stage. A willingness to perform in front of others and get out of your comfort zone is a must for students in this class. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day.

Open to all students with at least one year of playing experience on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students will perform concert band music as a large ensemble, as well as learn jazz and other small ensemble pieces, and collaborate with the Advanced Orchestra on Symphony Orchestra pieces. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day. 

Explore the thrill of technology and innovation with Robotics and Engineering, no experience required. A year-long program for 6th–8th graders that sparks creativity and teamwork through hands-on robotics and engineering. Students design, build, and program robots using VEX IQ, tackling challenges like race cars, rescue bots, and Battle Bot competitions. They’ll also explore coding with Python, 3D printing, game design, and drone flight. This immersive experience prepares students for high school course pathways and real-world innovation.

 

Open to all students with at least two years of playing experience on a string instrument.  Students will perform string orchestra music as a large ensemble, as well as form small ensembles, and collaborate with the Advanced Band on Symphony Orchestra pieces. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day. 

 

Art 8  

Art 8 is a course that continues a student's education in the fundamentals of art. Experiences in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and fibers will progress students into more elaborate projects. This course offers a dynamic exploration of advanced techniques,  multimedia projects, and meaningful artistic concepts. Through hands-on experiences,  collaborative endeavors, and critical analysis, students will refine their artistic skills, build a comprehensive portfolio, and develop a profound understanding of the role of art in both personal and societal contexts. 

A national program focused on helping students become organized, confident, and successful in school and beyond. The AVID elective class provides explicit instruction in writing, inquiry,  collaboration, organization, and reading (WICOR) skills so that students can meet the expectations of rigorous academic courses. AVID students learn how to take notes in their academic classes, pay special attention to identifying points of confusion or curiosity, and resolve them through the tutorial process. College and career exploration are a strong focus - including an organized college campus visit. The AVID elective supports students in rigorous academic courses by building a community of peer support, providing academic help from peers and tutors, and participating in motivational activities to help students pursue and achieve their dreams. Application and Interview Required.  Application due Jan 23, 2026.

 

Get ready to explore, design, and invent as you learn how to turn ideas into real tech creations! This year-long elective teaches key 21st-century tech skills while exploring in-demand, high-paying careers. Students gain hands-on experience in areas such as 3-D design, graphic T-shirt creation, game design and coding, Adobe animation and Photoshop, video editing, and drone and robotics engineering. The course also offers a pathway to advanced high school classes eligible for college credit, preparing students for future education and careers in technology.

 

Open to all students with one year or less of playing experience on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Beginning students who wish to learn one of these instruments are encouraged to join as well. In this class, students have a wider variety of instruments to choose from than they did in elementary school. Also different from elementary school, students meet daily as a class, allowing them to continue to learn the full range of their instrument, along with more challenging pieces of music. A highlight of this class is performing the National Anthem at an Angels Baseball game. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day.

 

Open to all students with two years or less of playing experience on a string instrument (Violin,  Viola, Cello, and Bass). Beginning students who wish to learn one of these instruments are encouraged to join as well. Different from elementary school, students meet daily as a class,  allowing them to continue to learn the full range of their instrument, along with more challenging pieces of music. A highlight of this class is performing the National Anthem at an Angels Baseball game. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day.

The Leadership Team is comprised of two groups that work together to bring spirit and heart to  Vista. The Associated Student Body (ASB) is the “Spirit“ of the school, and they are responsible for the entire culture of the school. ASB is in charge of the following events: Welcome Back to  School rally, Step It Up Fundraiser, Budget meetings, Team Building Field trips, and CADA day,  Dances, Mako Market, Lunch Activities including Halloween Costume Contest and UGLY  sweater contest, Marvelous Mako Luncheon, New Student Luncheon, ASB Teacher  Ambassadors, Vista Tour Guides, and much more! PAL is the “heart” of the school. They are friends to all Makos. They are in charge of Red Ribbon Week, Kindness Week, and Mental  Health May. Application and interview required.  Application due Friday, Jan 16, 2026.

 

The Office Aides are an integral partner in the school office. They are the first to greet parents and students at the attendance window. They assist the office staff in delivering call slips, keeping logs of students who arrive tardy to school, and issue tardy slips. They help parents who drop off their students' forgotten items and assist teachers with copies and homework packets. They conduct tours for new students and deliver items to teachers and staff. If there is downtime, students are encouraged to work on homework or read. Application required. Application due Jan 23, 2026.

This course introduces students to the creative world of digital art and visual storytelling. Through hands‑on projects in photography, graphic design, digital art and yearbook production, students learn to plan, capture, and edit original content. They will work with industry‑standard tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Canva to build technical skills and develop their artistic voice. The class emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and confident use of digital media tools. Application required. Application due Jan 23, 2026.

 

This year-long course will allow students to perform in two musicals and a showcase each school year, as they learn to sing, speak, dance, and act on stage. A willingness to perform in front of others and get out of your comfort zone is a must for students in this class. Please note: this class has some required activities that are both off-campus and outside of the normal school day.

Cross-Age Tutor  

Students will work to provide teacher support for students in TK-5 classrooms at Vista del Mar.  This could include reading with students, helping with math, preparing resources for teachers and many other tasks. Application and Interview Required.

This is a full-year, high school equivalent class for 8th-grade students. Students will develop novice-level communication skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students who successfully complete Spanish 1 have the opportunity to enroll in Spanish 2 in 9th grade.  Spanish 1 counts as one year toward college entrance requirements in World Languages.