Select a Department

General Ed

  • Athletic Coaching & Officiating

    Athletic Coaching & Officiating                                    
    Credit:  0.5                                                                           
    Offered to grades:  11-12
    Category:  Elective                                                                                                     Prerequisite:  None

    Students will gain an understanding of coaching ethics, coaching & officiating youth sports, practice planning, career opportunities in coaching & officiating, management and planning tasks required of coaches, education requirements and developing a coaching philosophy.

  • Basic & Advanced CNA

    Basic & Advanced CNA
    Credit: 0.5
    Offered to grades: 11-12, 2nd semester
    Category: Elective
    Prerequisite: 2.25 GPA or above and Application Approval

    In this course, students will be trained to earn Basic and Advanced CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certifications through a partnership with Health Tech Associates. Clinical hours beyond the class period will be required as part of the course, and students must be able to provide their own transportation. This class is designed to give students an understanding of the skills and training needed to work in various healthcare settings. It is highly recommended that students take Medical Terminology first semester to be best prepared for this course. Interested students must have at least a 2.25 cumulative GPA and must apply for enrollment into the course. Additional course fee is approximately $350-400 to cover the cost of scrubs, supplies, and state certification testing.

  • Foundations of Education

    Foundations of Education – (DMACC)                         
    Credit:  1.0                                                                           
    Offered to grades:  11-12
    Category:  Elective                                                                                                               Prerequisite:  Application Approval

    This course is designed to allow students to explore careers in the field of education. Semester 1, students will learn the foundations of education, childhood development, teaching strategies, classroom management, and instructional planning and assessment. Students will also observe and aid mentor teachers at the elementary and secondary levels for a total of 20 observation hours. Semester 2, students will work with a mentor teacher, plan and implement lessons/activities, and demonstrate cooperative skills when carrying out various activities with peers, teachers, and children. Students will complete 60 hours at a cooperating elementary or secondary school. Students enrolled in this course must be able to provide their own transportation to school sites.

  • Journalism+: News Media

    Journalism +:  News Media                                          
    Credit:  1.0                                                                          
    Offered to grades:  11-12
    Category:  Elective                                                              
    Prerequisite:  B or above in Journalism I

    In this year-long class, students are responsible for the production of the Dowling Catholic Post and Maroon News video production. Students will write articles, create multimedia features for www.dowlingcatholicpost.com, as well as create content and film videos for the Maroon News. The course content will build on the foundational skills from Journalism I. Students will learn mutlimedia platforms and the basics of video and photojournalism. This course is designed to give students opportunities to participate in a professional community, develop their portfolios, explore their own interests, and write for an authentic audience. (Details about the prerequisite course, Journalism I, may be found on page 11.)

  • Lifeguarding

    Lifeguarding                                                                    
    Credit:  0.5                                                                           
    Offered to grades:  9-12
    Category:  Elective                            
    Prerequisites:      at least 15 years of age, able to swim 300 yds continuously using each of the following strokes (crawl
    stroke, breaststroke, and sidestroke) for at least 100 yds each, surface dive to a minimum depth of 9 ft and bring a
    10 lb diving brick to the surface and swim to the side, and tread water for 2 minutes with no hands

    Upon satisfactory completion of this course, students will receive the Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification. They will also complete training in CPR, First Aid, and AED. Girls must wear 1-piece swimming suits. There is a $45 fee for this class, which covers certifications.

  • Medical Terminology

    Medical Terminology                                                    
    Credit:  0.5                                                    
    Offered to grades:  11-12, 1st semester
    Category:  Elective                                                         
    Prerequisite:  2.25 GPA or above

    In this course, students will be introduced to medical terminology and vocabulary used in a variety of healthcare settings. Emphasis will be placed on medical and clinical terminology along with an exploration of various health career options. This course is recommended for students planning to take the CNA course in the second semester. Students will have the chance to earn dual college credit through Loras College.

  • Debate

    Debate – (NCAA)                                                            
    Credit:  0.5                                                                            
    Offered to grades:  9-12
    Category:  Elective                                                                                                        Prerequisite:  Intro to Debate

    This course will be a continuation of Intro to Debate. Students will be required to be major contributors to and be highly involved in the Debate program. Students will be required to attend out-of-class debate tournaments each semester they are enrolled in this course. These events involve fees for attendance. Students may enroll each semester they are in attendance.

  • Dowling 101

    Dowling 101                                                                   
    Credit:  0.5                                                                                    
    Offered to grade:  9
    Category:  Required                                                                     
    Prerequisite:  None

    Dowling 101 is a first-year requirement for all freshman students. It is designed to develop and strengthen the academic, spiritual, social, and personal skills necessary for a successful transition into high school. Freshmen will learn about the history and charisms of Dowling Catholic High School and what it means to be a productive member of the Maroon family.   

  • Health I

    Health I                                                                           
    Credit:  0.5                                                      
    Offered to grades:  9-12, 1st semester
    Category:  Elective                                                                                
    Prerequisite:      None

    This comprehensive health education course will provide students with accurate, up-to-date information they can utilize to develop a healthy attitude and behavior patterns that promote a healthy lifestyle. Critical thinking and decision-making skills are essential for students to be empowered to choose behaviors that reduce health risks. Health I topics include health risks, diet and nutrition, healthy eating, individual wellness plans, fitness, and mental and social health. (Students enrolled in Health I who have not already completed a CPR course will also be taught CPR during the semester.)

  • Health II - S2

    Health II                                                                          
    Credit:  0.5                                                     
    Offered to grades:  9-12, 2nd semester
    Category:  Elective                                                                             
    Prerequisite:      None

    This comprehensive health education course will provide students with accurate, up-to-date information they can utilize to develop a healthy attitude and behavior patterns that promote a healthy lifestyle. Critical thinking and decision-making skills are essential for students to be empowered to choose behaviors that reduce health risks. Health II topics include mental health, substance abuse, individual wellness plans, fitness, and CPR. Please note that Health I does not need to be taken before Health II.

  • Intro Agriculture

    Intro to Agriculture                                                        
    Credit:  0.5                                                                            
    Offered to grades:  9-12
    Category:  Elective                                                                                       
    Prerequisite:  None

    Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) introduces students to agricultural opportunities and the pathways of study in agriculture. Science, mathematics, reading, and writing components are woven in the context of agriculture. Students participating in the Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources course experience hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Student experiences involve the study of communication, the science of agriculture, FFA, plants, animals, and natural resources. This course counts toward membership in FFA.

  • Intro Speech & Debate (RAI)

    Intro to Speech & Debate – (RAI, NCAA)
    Credit: 0.5
    Offered to grades: 9-12, 1st semester
    Category: Elective
    Prerequisite: None

    This course focuses on preparing students to communicate effectively and argue respectfully. Students compete in communication tournaments run using the rules of the National Speech and Debate Association. Students are expected to attend TWO out-of-class tournaments on weekends during the semester. There are fees for attendance at these tournaments.

  • Journalism+: Yearbook

    Journalism +:  Yearbook                                               
    Credit:  1.0                                                                          
    Offered to grades:  11-12
    Category:  Elective                                                                                           Prerequisite:  B or above in Journalism I or Graphic Design I

    This is a project-based class in which students are responsible for producing the school yearbook. Students are responsible for writing copy, taking photos, designing layouts, and editing pages. Students may apply for leadership positions as editors. (Details about the prerequisite course, Journalism I, may be found on page 11.)

  • Leadership

    Leadership – “Be an 11”                                                
    Credit:  0.5                                                                         
    Offered to grades:  10-11
    Category:  Elective                                                                                                   Prerequisite:  None

    On a scale of 1 to 10, this class will encourage students to be an 11. Students will develop leadership skills for their high school years as well as life-long skills. This class will focus on students’ self-image, motivation, attitude, goal setting, visualization, and skill development.

  • Nutrition

    Nutrition                                                                         
    Credit:  0.5                                                                                 
    Offered to grade:  12
    Category:  Elective                                                                                                          Prerequisite:  None

    The key focus for this course will be nutrition and its effects on the human body. Specific topics include macro/micronutrients, hydration, fad diets, performance effects, food insecurity, and sugar effects. Students will also learn the importance of keeping a food log, how to gain/lose weight in a healthy manner, how to read a nutrition label, and how to make better food choices at school lunch, grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants. (Students enrolled in Nutrition who have not already completed a CPR course will also be taught CPR during the semester.)

  • Speech & Debate+

    Speech & Debate + – (NCAA)
    Credit: 0.5
    Offered to grades: 9-12
    Category: Elective
    Prerequisite: Intro to Speech & Debate

    This course will be a continuation of Intro to Speech & Debate. Students will be required to be major contributors to and be highly
    involved in the competitive Speech & Debate program. Students will be required to attend out-of-class debate tournaments each
    semester they are enrolled in this course. These events involve fees for attendance. Students may enroll each semester they are in
    attendance.

  • The Art Of Service

    The “ART” of Service                                                     
    Credit:  0.5                                                                           
    Offered to grades:  9-12
    Category:  Elective                                                                                                       Prerequisite:  None

    Students in this class will use their time and talents through a variety of local, national, and international projects. This is a service-learning class focusing on the visual arts as a means to help others. Students will further develop their arts and crafts skills by creating items aiding organizations and individuals. This course will offer opportunities to fulfill Christian service hours for the semester in which the course is being taken and direct young artists toward potential art-related Christian service projects, careers in non-profits/charitable organizations, and creative fields. Students may enroll in this course each semester.

  • ACT Prep

    ACT Prep                                                                         
    Credit:  0.5                         
    Offered to grades:  11, 1st semester & 10, 2nd semester
    Category:  Elective                                                                                                     Prerequisite:  None

    In this course, students will prepare for college entrance tests with a primary focus on the ACT. It is designed to help students improve their skills to score well on the ACT and to familiarize them with the parts of the test. In addition to gaining practice in the four test areas (English, math, reading, and science), students will learn helpful test-taking and pacing strategies, ways to reduce test anxiety, and other tips for ACT success. Since Dowling Catholic requires all students to take the ACT in the spring of their junior year, this class was created to help improve our overall scores.

Department Faculty

Dowling Catholic High School

1400 Buffalo Rd.
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Main: 515-225-3000
Attendance: 515-222-1001
Dowling Catholic High School is committed to serving the Greater Des Moines Catholic community and embracing learners of all faiths. In an environment that is faithful, caring and dedicated, Dowling Catholic forms each student to become a Christ-centered leader.
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