Principal's Message

From the Desk of Jason Gorst

6-12 Principal

While next school year may seem a long way off, we have actually completed our course registrations for next year and we are very excited to offer new and improved opportunities for our students.   We pride ourselves in being able to offer a small school atmosphere while still proving a multitude of course options for our students.  While many students have not chosen their future profession, it is important to continue to work with students to help them choose classes that will positively impact them as they prepare for life after high school.  No two students are alike and that is why we avoid putting all of our eggs in one basket when it comes to our course offerings.  Below is an update of some of the innovative and unique opportunities that we provide in Spencer.

                Our CTE department is made up of business, agriculture, family & consumer science and technical education courses.  In business ed students have the opportunity to learn about marketing, personal finance, web design, coding, accounting and entrepreneurship.  In our agriculture courses students might focus and plant, animal, or food science or maybe a little bit of each.  Our family and consumer science department is highlighted by our very popular culinary arts program along with sewing, interior design and parents and children classes also being offered.  Finally our tech ed program provides pathways in woods and metals with additional opportunities in construction, engineering, small engines and Computer Automated Design.  Brand new next year we will be offering construction geometry to seniors.  In this class students will have the opportunity to learn and apply math right out in our shop as they build various structures.  They will have the ability to earn both tech ed and math credit as the course will be co-taught by our tech ed and math instructors. 

            There is a fair amount of variety in our core subject classes that can appeal to varying student interests and aptitudes.  After learning about the basics of biology, chemistry and physics, students may choose to advance in any of those areas, or get more specific with environmental science, astronomy, or
body structure and function.  Students who excel in English may advance to AP English or participate in written communication where technical college credit can be earned.  Our social studies department offers a wide array of elective requirements including America at war, psychology, sociology, sports psychology and AP psychology.  Math students can take the challenging path of advanced math and AP calculus or receive instruction in consumer math or statistics and probability in which they are learning math that can be applied to everyday life. 

            Spencer is a school that prides itself in the arts and our course offerings most certainly reflect that appreciation.  Many students participate in our English handbell program as well as our concert band and concert choir.  Within those several elective opportunities such as the Cabaret, Madrigal, jazz band and solo and ensemble exist for our students.   Our art program provides opportunities in drawing, ceramics, digital art, sculpture, yearbook, and painting.

            With the new physical education facility up and running we are able to offer a wider variety of courses with more slots open throughout the day.  The following is an overview of our courses:  Tactical games (team sports)- Students will utilize previously learned skills and concepts while engaging in game play activities; strength and performance 1 for students who are looking to improve their athletic ability by improving their strength, speed, quickness, and mobility; strength and performance 2 is an advanced course designed for students who are looking to take their athletic and physical performance over the top; and lifetime fitness as an introduction to general fitness principles and techniques that the student can take with them through life.

            It is no secret that there is a teaching shortage that our nation is facing.  Next year we are planning to offer a foundations of education course to upperclassmen who are interested in becoming a teacher.  This class will pair with a new student organization that will go by the name of Educators Rising.  If anyone is interested in becoming an educator at any point in their life please reach out to me and I can certainly point you in the right direction.