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Beaufort Academy Upper School Course Descriptions
TheMissionof BeaufortAcademy
BeaufortAcademy isanindependent coeducational college preparatory school serving age 2
through 12th
grade. The goal is to instill in students the intellectual curiosity and strength of
character for success in all aspects of their lives. The school is committed to developing the
whole person within the framework of its rigorous academic environment, core values and the
Judeo-Christian tradition. Beaufort Academy seeks to inspire in each student a sense of
responsibility to one’s self, the community, and the environment, so that our students are
positive contributors and leaders in the future.
CoreValues of Beaufort Academy At BeaufortAcademy, students will findthemselvesimmersedin a professionallearning
environment grounded in the foundations ofthe Judeo‐Christian traditions where faculty,
parents, andstudentsstrive toward the embodiment ofthe core valuesofintellect, respect,
integrity, leadership, and pride.
Intellect – Intellectual curiosity is the centerpiece of the capacity to gain knowledge.
Students are exposed to multiple learning styles and gain the confidence to succeed
wherever they go in the future.
Respect – An environment for success should be characterized by respect for one’s
self and others. The faculty and staff reinforce and model the positive impact of
being respectful to others in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.
Integrity – Integrity is synonymous with honesty and fairness. The staff, faculty,
and student body work as a team to help students understand that personal integrity
goes to the core of who they are and what they do. Students through observation and
practice understand that integrity counts in all matters, big and small.
Leadership – Students learn the importance of leadership in classrooms and on
fields, courts, and stages. The curriculum is designed to offer students the
opportunities and tools to identify and develop their unique talents and abilities.
Pride – The school promotes a sense of pride through celebration of personal and
team accomplishments, intellectual achievement, and leadership with a deep
appreciation for the unique teaching and learning potential in all of us.
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UPPERSCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSANDCLASSPLACEMENT Asacollegepreparatoryschool,itistheschool’sresponsibilitytopreparestudentsintermsofstudyhabi
tsandcriticalthinking skills aswell asfundamentalsofcore academic subjectareas which will be
ofusein collegeandbeyond.Each studentwill be required tocompletea minimum of 20 core
courses while enrolled in the Upper School.Inaddition,a year ofart electives,a semester
ofPublic Speaking,anda year of Physical Education are also required for graduation.
Core courses shouldconsist of:
English—fourcredits
Math—fourcredits, includingAlgebraI, AlgebraII, andGeometry
History—a minimum ofthree credits, including U.S.History and Government &
Economics
Science—aminimum ofthree credits, includingBiology, Chemistry, anda third labclass
Foreignlanguage—a minimumofthreecredits
Fine Arts- a minimum of 1 credit
Physical Education- a minimum of 1 credit (Each sports season counts as a 1/3 of a credit)
Electives such as Computer Coding, Leadership/Public Speaking, Drama, Creative
Writing
Additional credits from either any ofthe core subject areasor anyAP course (e.g. AP
Psychology or APEuropeanHistory)
Eachsemester studentsmustparticipate in five
courses selected from the five core disciplines.
A sixthcourse is expected; coursework may
include additional core courses, noncore courses,
and online courses. Thegeneral intent ofa sixth
courseistosupportthestudent’slearning
experienceandroundouthis or her transcript in
preparationforcollege.
Toenable transfer studentstomeet typical
graduationrequirements, schedules will be
created ona case-by-case basis, determined by
previouscourses takenandany relevant placement
tests.However, due tothe differencesinquality
ofinstruction,curriculum, andcourse
weightingthatexist from schoolto
school,BeaufortAcademy doesnotinclude any
course taken at other institutionsonthe official
transcript,nor willthese courses countin the
computationofthestudent’sGPA.Inaddition,nocoursetakenintheMiddleSchoolat
BeaufortAcademyorelsewherewillappearonthestudent’sUpperSchooltranscript,be
countedtowardUpper School graduationrequirements, norcomputedin the Upper School
student’sGPA.CertaincoursestakeninMiddleSchool,inconjunctionwithgradesreceivedandassessm
ent testing, canbe usedin determining Upper Schoolplacement levels.
English
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BeaufortAcademy requires studentsto participate successfully in fourconsecutive years of
English coursework.With guidance andinstructionfrom faculty, studentsare offered gain
confidence in their role asa writerandtake responsibility forthequality of their compositions.
Thefouryear sequence prepares studentsforcollege levelcourse work while also preparing
themfor college entrance exams.Studentsdemonstrating high intellect, excellent work habits,
and high gradeswillbe encouragedtoenrollinhonorslevel and AdvancedPlacement coursework.
Beaufort Academyimplementsthe Six Traits of Effective Writing.TheSixTraits
areusedschoolwide and students learn to focus on one trait at a time.This systematic approach
gives teachers and students a common vocabulary for talking and thinking about writing. This
framework also allows writers to be more critical of their own work and make improvements in
the quality of their writing. TheSixTraits approachis outlined at the endof this document.
EnglishI, GenreStudies
English Istudentswill delve deeperintoa variety ofliterary styles, authors,andgenres.
Studentswillgain confidence in themselves asreaders, writers, andcreative thinkers.The
focusofthis courseistwo-fold: gain a more advanced understandingofthe various formsand
componentsofliterature andwrite towarda higher level ofacademic writing. Studentswill
readandanalyze shortstories, novellas, novels, drama, poetry, andnonfiction.Studentswillwrite in
a numberofanalytical writing formats; suchas, expository, persuasive, narrative andthesis driven
composition.
Fullyearcourse; typically during the9th
grade year
EnglishII, British Literature
English II students will readandgain insightinto the key texts withinBritish Literature aswell
asestablish anunderstandingofthe key historical events which led toand shapedsome ofthe great
literature thatemerged from the IslandNation.Studentswill read andanalyze Shakespeare,
Chaucer,andmany other classic textswhile alsolooking at more modernpoems andstories.
Studentswill write in a number of analytical andcreative writing formats. In addition,
criticalreadingactivities and vocabulary exercises will provide opportunities for students to
strengthenskillsand act asSATpreparation. Fullyearcourse; typically during the10th
grade year
EnglishIII- American Literature
English III studentswork todiscoverhowwriters have portrayedthe AmericanExperience
throughan extensiveexamination ofclassic andmodernAmerican literature. Studentswill explore
a varietyofliterary styles, authors,and genrestogain greaterconfidence ascritical
readersandanalytical thinkers.Inaddition,students will utilize the 6 Traits of Writing as an
assessment tool to reflect on their own writing and others as well as strengthen reading and
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vocabulary skills for SAT preparation.Fullyearcourse; typically during the11th
grade year
EnglishIII (H), Honors American Literature
English 11honors students will pursueaninterdisciplinary survey ofAmerican literature with a
special emphasisonthe symbiotic relationshipbetween Americanliterature and American history.
Thesurvey begins with works written asearly as the 17th c. andtravels all the way tothe twentieth
century.The coursealsoprepares studentstotake the APEnglish Languageand Compositiontest in
May.Thus, mastering the craft andrapid execution ofanalyticalreading andessay writing
areprimary learning objectives.Thepace ofhonorscourse work is accelerated,andstudentsare
expected toindependently seek andapply feedback throughout the writing process.Inaddition,
there aretests aswell asweeklyvocabulary exercises, quizzes, andSATpreparation.Fullyearcourse;
Spring APExam; typically duringthe11th
grade year
EnglishIV,WorldLiterature
English IV students will delve intoa broadspectrum ofliterature from acrossthe globe.
Studentswillexplore differentculturesthroughliterature andexaminehow eachcountry’s
uniqueideasaboutculture arerepresentedin literature.Studentswill read andanalyzea significant
selection ofpoetry, short stories, plays, andnovels. Studentswillwrite in a numberofanalytical
and creative writingformats. Inaddition, critical readingandwritingactivities and
vocabularyexerciseswill provide opportunities for studentsto strengthen skillsaswell
asSATpreparation.Fullyearcourse; typically during the12th
grade year
Advanced PlacementEnglishIV (AP)
English IVAPstudentswill be challenged by a college-levelcourse with anemphasison analysis
andpreparationfor the AP exam.The studyis bothchronological andthematic, beginningwiththe
earliest writings andprogressing tomodern worldliterature.Thepace ofAP course work is
accelerated, andstudentsare expected toindependentlyseek andapply feedbackthroughoutthe
writing process.Inaddition,studentscomplete a vocabulary review in
conjunctionwithSATpreparation.Entering studentsmusthave a college level commandof analysis
andcomposition skills.Fullyearcourse AP course; Spring Exam; typically duringthe 12th
grade
year
Leadership/PublicSpeaking
The Leadership course provides a pathway to building awareness of effective leadership both in
the school, the community, and the world. Students must assess their own abilities and analyze
their strengths and weaknesses, focusing on what personal characteristics they want to cultivate
and develop. The program will build upon strengthening intrapersonal relationships and
appreciation of what traits determine a successful leader. It provides a foundation for critical life
skills and assists the student to develop oral communication skills through persuasive,
informative, and extemporaneous structures. Students will leave the course with the tools needed
to become a productive leader. Semester course, typically during the 9th
grade.
History
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BeaufortAcademy requires students to successfully pursue three creditsofhistory coursework
including United Stateshistory and United StatesGovernmentandEconomics.With guidance
andinstructionfrom faculty,students gain confidence intheir role ascritical reader
andwriterswhich may alsoassist withSATpreparation.
ModernWorldHistory
Thestudyofworld history continueswith a survey treating the period from the Enlightenment
tothe presentday.Majorthemes ofthe course are revolutionsinscience, technology, politics
andeconomics aswell asthe ideas andideologies thatshapedtheir era andcontinueto influence
ustothis day.During the secondhalfofthe year,studentswill researchanddevelop a significant
topicrelatedtoa clearly defined aspect ofmodernhistory.Instructionin research andwriting
will be provided. Also, studentswill develop criticalreading,thinking, andwriting skillsin
alignment with SATpreparation.
Fullyearcourse; typically during the9th
grade year
UnitedStates Government and Economics
This course provides studentswith anoverview ofmajortopics related tothe study of
Government.Students will explorethe organization, workings andtheory behindcompeting
formsofgovernmentwithanemphasis ondemocracy.The class willalso engage in debates
overcurrent andrelevant issues at the local, state, national, andinternational levels.It is the
expectationthatstudentswhocompletethis course will understandthe importance of being informed
andwill become active participantsin all levels andaspects ofourpolitical system. Inaddition,
students will studymicroandmacro economics, as well asthe history and evolutionofeconomic
thought.Attention will alsobe given topersonal finance andinvesting in order
topreparestudentstomake soundeconomic decisions.
Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 10th
grade year
UnitedStates History
United StatesHistory is a college preparation course
thatcovers roughly 500 years ofhistory from the earliest
natives throughthemodernUnited
States.Studentswillstudythe major social, political,
diplomatic, economic, andintellectual
movementsthatshaped our countryandits
citizenstoday.Studentswillpractice critical thinkingskills
andconvey knowledge throughprojects, presentations,class
discussionsandwithin analytical and expository writing.
Fullyearcourse; typically during the11th
grade year
Advanced PlacementUnitedStates History (AP)
Thegoal ofthis course is toprepare the studenttopassthe AP exam with a score of3
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orhigher.Inorder to accomplish this goal, the successfulstudentwill needto have botha
commandofthe factsof United States history, andthe abilitytointerpret the evidence
ofhistoryand communicate their ideasin concise andcoherentessays.Thetime frame
ofthiscourse is from discoverytothe present.Emphasiswillbe placed on major eventsofU.S.
History with special focusonpublic policy, political history, intellectual history, foreign
affairs, andeconomic andsocial development.Fullyearcourse AP course; SpringAPExam;
typically duringthe 11th
grade year
Advanced Placement EuropeanHistory (AP)
ThestudyofEuropeanhistory since 1450 introduces studentstocultural, economic,political,
andsocial developmentsthatplayeda fundamental role in shapingthe world in which they live.
Withoutthis knowledge, they wouldlack the context for understandingthe development of
contemporary institutions, the role ofcontinuityandchange in present-day societyandpolitics,
andthe evolutionofcurrent formsofartistic expressionandintellectual discourse. In addition
toproviding a basic narrative ofevents andmovements, thegoals ofthe AP program in
EuropeanHistory are todevelop (a)anunderstandingofsome ofthe principal themes in
modernEuropeanHistory, (b) anability toanalyze historicalevidence andhistorical
interpretation,and(c)anabilitytoexpresshistorical understandingin writing.Fullyearcourse AP
course; Spring APExam; typically duringthe 12th
grade year
Advanced Placement Psychology (AP)
Thiscourse isa college level courseemploying acollege-leveltext andistaughtin conformity with
the College Board topicsfor the Advanced Placement IntroductoryPsychology Examination.Itis
designed tointroduce studentstothe systematic andscientific studyofthe behavior andmental
process ofhumanbeings andother animals. Studentsare exposedtothe psychological facts,
principles, andphenomenaassociated with psychology.They also learn aboutthe
ethicsattendanttopsychological practice.The coursecovers the following topics: methods,
approachesandhistory ofpsychology asa science,biological basesofbehavior,
sensationandperception, statesof consciousness,learning, cognition, motivation andemotion,
development psychology, personality, testing andindividual differences, abnormalpsychology,
treatment ofpsychology disorder andsocial psychology.Course Objectives:1.Studentswill
prepare todoacceptable work onAP Psychology examination.2.Studentswillstudy the major core
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conceptsandtheories ofpsychology. They will be abletodefine key terms andusethem in their
everyday vocabulary. 3.Studentswilllearnthe basic skills ofpsychological researchandbe able
toapply psychological conceptstotheir ownlives.4.Studentswill develop critical thinking
skills.Fullyearcourse AP course; Spring APExam; typically during the 10th
or 12th
grade year
Math
BeaufortAcademy requires studentsto successfully participate in fourconsecutive years of math
coursework. Theprincipal sequencewill prepare studentsforthe PSAT, SAT and ACT.Students
demonstrating high intellect, excellent work
habits, andhighgrades will be
encouragedtoenrollinAdvancedPlacement
coursework.The focus of each course is not
memorization, but to develop a lasting and
comprehensive understanding of mathematical
concepts. While manipulation and computational
skills are important outcomes, a wide array of
mathematical topics allows students to more fully
investigate and connect mathematical ideas as he/she
encounters progressively complicated topics.
Algebra I
Algebra I buildsuponpre-algebraic concepts and
provides the foundationforhigher level
mathematicsthroughthe
emphasisonproperties,operations, andsolving
equationswithreal numbers necessary to
master concepts ofinequalities,systems ofequations,exponential equations, polynomials, radical
and rational equations.It also introduces relations, graphing and probability. Inaddition,students
will engage withSAT practice questionsandgainstrategytips for SATpreparation.
Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 8th
or 9th
grade year
Geometry
Geometry isa yearlong courseemphasizing both plane andsolid geometricapproaches.
Emphasisisalsoplaced ondeductive andinductive
reasoningaswell aslogic. Includedin this course isan
introductiontoright triangle trigonometric concepts.In
addition, studentswillengage withSATpracticequestions
andgainstrategytips for SATpreparation.
Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 9th
or10th
grade year Algebra 2
Algebra 2 containsanin-depthstudyoffunctions,patterns, relations,and conceptsofnumber
systems. Thisincludeslinear, quadratic, exponential, absolute value, radical, andrational
functions.Conicsections are also addressed. A handheld graphingcalculator is requiredaspart
ofinstructionandassessment. The TI NSpire CASis strongly recommended.Inaddition,
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studentswill engage in practice questionsand gain strategytips for SAT
preparation.Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 10th
or11th
grade year
Pre-Calculus Honors
An emphasisonpolynomial andrational functionscomplementedwith the theory andconcept
building strategies necessary for understandingthe exponential andlogarithmic, circular, and
trigonometric functions.Verbal, analytical, numerical, andgraphical (assisted with graphing
technology) approachestoproblem solving are consistently utilizedtoenhance student
understandingofpre-calculusconcepts.
Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 10th
or11th
grade year
Calculus
Thestudent’slearningopportunitieswillenforceconceptstaughtinpreviousmathematics classes.
Students will alsodevelop anunderstandingofthe basic conceptsofintroductorycalculus, such
aslimits, continuity, derivatives andtheir applications,andintegrals.Studentsinthis class will
notbe expectedtotakethe AP calculus test asthe expectationsofthe class are not at the AP level
ofunderstanding.Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 11th
or 12th
grade year
Advanced PlacementCalculus AB (AP)
Themain focusofthisclassistoprepare studentstoperform well onthe advancedplacement
calculusexam.Indoingso,thestudent’slearningopportunities willenforceconceptstaughtin
previousmathematics classes aswell asdevelopanunderstandingofthebasic conceptsof
introductorycalculus, suchaslimits, continuity, derivatives andtheir applications,andintegrals.
Fullyearcourse AP course; SpringExam; typically during the 11th
or 12th
grade year
Statistics
Thiscourse provides an elementary introductiontoprobability andstatistics with applications.
Topics include: basic probability models; combinatorics; random variables; discreteand
continuousprobability distributions; statisticalestimationandtesting; confidence intervals; and
anintroductiontolinear regression.
Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 11th
or 12th
grade year
Science
BeaufortAcademy requires students to successfully pursuea minimumofthree credits of science
coursework including Biology, Chemistry, anda third lab class.Additional science course
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work ishighly recommendedaswell
aspreferredbymanycolleges. With guidance
andinstruction from faculty, studentsare offered
the opportunitytoexplore complex concepts,
investigate abstract ideas,gain confidence inthe
process ofscientific inquiry, anddevelop
enthusiasm forscienceinnovation.
Biology I
Biology I isanintroductory instructional program
designed forbiology studentsat all ability levels.
Thetext, supportingmaterials, andlabwork
provide the flexibility tomotivate studentsto
inquire aboutthe natural world, look at nature
carefully, andbuildproficiency in critical
thinking, creative thinking,andproblem
solving.Full yearcourse; typically during
the9thgrade year
HonorsBiology
This is anintroductoryinstructional program tailored specifically for biology students whohave
maintaineda90 or aboveaverage in their 8th
grade sciencecourse.Thepace is
acceleratedandassessmentsare designed forthe advancedlearner.Thetext,its supporting materials,
andsignificantlab work will introducestudentstothe nature ofscience.Students will learntousethe
intellectual tools ofinquiry foraskingquestionsaboutthe natural world. Fullyearcourse; typically
during the9th
grade year
Chemistry
Thepurposeofthiscourse is tointroduce andsurvey generalchemistry conceptswithin a
contentofproblem solving, laboratory work, anddescription.The centraltheme is thatthe
propertiesofmatter area consequenceofitsstructure.Principles ofstructure, matter-energy
relationships,the mole concept, thermodynamics, andchemical equilibrium are presented from
the familiartothemore complex.Fullyearcourse; typically during the10th
grade year
Honors Chemistry
Thepurposeofthiscourse is tointroduce andsurvey
generalchemistry concepts within a
contentofproblem solving, laboratory work,
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anddescription. Properties ofmatter andthe
consequence ofitsstructureare the central themes.
Principles ofstructure,matter-energy
relationships,the mole concept, thermodynamics,
andchemical equilibrium are presented from the
familiar tothe more complex.Inthe honors level
coursethe material is taughtat anacceleratedpace
with additional higher-order problem
solvingskills infusedintothe curriculum.
Studentsinthis course are expectedto have
strongmathematical problem solving
skills.Fullyearcourse; typically duringthe 10th
grade year
Marine Science
Marine Scienceis anintroductorylevel course in marine andenvironmental biology.It
familiarizes studentsnotonly with the basic principles ofbiology, butwith the physical sciences
andthe methodsandassumptionsofmodernscience aswell.Labwork exploresandreinforces the
biological principlesandecological implications.The course adoptsa global view ofthe world
oceanwith anemphasis onour local environment.This global andlocal view forcesusto consider
notjustthe organismsliving closest toourownshore, butall ofthose inhabiting the
oneoceanthatsomuchinfluencesourlives.Basic ecological principlesthatgovernthe marine
environmentare explored aswell asthe effectsofhumanactivities onthe marine environment.
Emphasisisplacedonstudentsassessingtheir place within this system andconsidering waysto
reducetheirimpact onthe marine environment.Full yearcourse; typically during the
11th
or12th
gradeyear
Anatomy &Physiology
Anatomy and Physiologyis an
introductorycourse designed for
studentslearning about human structure and
function for the first
time.Thetextbook,supporting materials
andlab work are usedto introduceandclarify
key concepts. Emphasisis
onmaterialrequiredfor entry intomore
advancedcourses.Fullyearcourse;
typicallyduring the
11th
or 12th
grade year
Advanced PlacementBiology (AP)
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TheAPBiology course is designed tobe the equivalentofa college introductory biology course
usually taken by biologymajorsduring their first year.It correlates tothosetopics regularly
coveredin acollege biology coursefor biology majors.It differssignificantly from the usualfirst
high school course in biology with respect tothe kind oftextbook, the range anddepthof
topicscovered, the kind oflaboratory work, andthe amountoftime andeffort required of
students.Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 11th
or12th
grade year
Honors Physics
Honorsphysics is designed togive the studenta backgroundin mechanics, heat, waves, light,
electricity, andmagnetism toenable them tocompete at ahigher levelin college.Labwork explores
andreinforcesthe principles ofphysical science andpractical implications.
Physics isa mathbasedscience, andonly thosestudentswilling andable towork at a challenging
level ofmathshouldenroll. Algebra is usedtosolve many physics problems, andall enrolled
shouldbe familiar with basic trigonometry.Successfulcompletionof Pre-calculusis highly
recommended.Fullyearcourse; typicallyduring the 11th
or12th
grade year
ForeignLanguage
BeaufortAcademy requiresthe studyofSpanishforthree consecutive years.Thethree year
sequence ofcourse work, withthe optionforadditional honorslevel work,preparesstudents
forcollegelevel Spanish course work while also priming students for the language
componentof the college admission process. In recent years, faculty increased the time spent
on foundational skills and places a stronger emphasis on communication including
conversation and listening skills. While students demonstrate exceptional fluency at the
honors level, students may explore options to pursue AP Exams in the spring.
SpanishI
Thiscourse introducesstudentstothe basic skills oflistening,reading, grammar, andwriting in
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Spanish.Studentswill be exposed toculture in the Spanish -speaking world through music,
geography, art andhistory.A strongemphasisisplacedondeveloping conversationand listening
skills,andaninteractive approachpromotesmore direct anddaily useofthe language
skills.Fullyearcourse; typically during the9th
grade year
Spanish II
Thisis the secondcourse in the Spanish sequence.SuccessfulcompletionofSpanish Iis a
prerequisite.Inthiscourse, studentswill buildon the basics learnedin the previousyear and develop
a more complexunderstandingofgrammar structures.The course activitieswill require
studentstoincorporate writingin a more developed manner andexpandtheir speaking
skillsthrough greater participationingroupand individual conversational forums.Exposureto
culturalnorms andtraditions inSpanish – speaking communitiesthroughouttheworld will
continueto be woven intoreading andwritinglessons.Fullyearcourse; typically during
the10th
grade year
SpanishIII (CP)
Thiscollege preparatorycourse buildsonthe foundationsofvocabulary, conversation, and grammar
fromSpanish I andII.SuccessfulcompletionofSpanishIIis a prerequisite.By the end ofthiscourse,
studentswill have been introducedtoalmost all verb tenses andmajorgrammar pointsof the
language.One ofthe primarypointsofemphasis willbe communication. Sentences generated bythe
studentswill become more complex throughutilization ofa variety oftenses, subordinate clauses,
andmore extensive vocabulary.Therelationshipof culture to the language is
alsostudied.Fullyearcourse; typically during the11th
grade year
SpanishIII (H)
At the honors level, studentsshouldfeel moreconfidentin their ability touse Spanishbeyond
theschoolpremises.Finalgrades of―B‖ orbetterinlevelsIand II willbeusedasaguidelinefor
considerationofplacement in this course.Spanish III His a prerequisite for SpanishIVH.
Studentswillimprove their ability tolisten, read,write andspeak Spanish.Aswith both preceding
levels, the primaryemphasis will be uponcommunication.Studentswill utilize a
varietyoftensesanda wider vocabulary whengenerating
sentencesand/orcompositions.Fullyearcourse; typically during the11th
grade year
SpanishIV(H)
TheSpanishIVhonors course is anelectedyear oflanguage studyafter the required sequence
ofSpanishI– III.Successfulcompletionofthoseyears is a prerequisite forthiscourse. Students in
thiscourse will have the opportunity todevelop their Spanishlanguage skills toa higher level
ofcompetency thatincludes honing pronunciation,expandingwriting skills andthe study of
Spanishliterature. Students should expect toconverse daily inthe targetlanguage and complete
weekly reading assignments outsideof class.Inaddition, studentswilldemonstrate language
mastery throughteaching younger or less accomplished language learners.Fullyearcourse;
typically during the12th
grade year
Introduction to Latin
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The Introduction to Latin course is an alternative to a fourth year of Spanish. It focuses on the
works of the Roman poet Ovid through his Metamorphosis, which tells the mythological stories
of the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. The students are introduced to the Latin language
through vocabulary, grammar, culture, and translations of Ovid’s works. Each chapter presents
in-depth etymology – English words which are formed from the Latin vocabulary in that chapter.
Students must translate and analyze the passage within the story, citing the grammar and rich
language of the Roman poet. Enrichment activities such as Roman plays and puppet shows
accompany the program. Full year course: typically during the 12th
grade.
Art Studio Art/Art Appreciation
The StudioArt/ Art Appreciation course provides anin-depthstudyandhands-onapproachof
variousmedia, techniques, and processes in the art class.The course offers twoandthree
dimensional projectsaswell as explorationandconceptual experiences in the Fine Arts.Historical
relevance is included in the courseofstudytoreinforceart’simportanceinthepastandpresent.
Art History
This course introduces the student to the history of world art and architecture from the antiquity
through modern times. It includes the study of materials and production, as well as an
introductionto the often specialized vocabulary related to ancient art. Students will learn to think
and speak critically about visual and textual materials from critical periods in history as well as
about the cultures that produced them.
Digital Journalism
Thepurposeofthiscourse is tointroduce studentstothe productionofa schoolyearbook and
school publications. Studentswillwork together toproduce all aspects ofthe
publications,including copy andcaptionwriting, photographic composition, layoutdesign, peer
editing, deadline preparation,budgeting, marketing, andfundraising.
Computer Coding
The computer coding course is designed to give students an introduction to the
understanding and use of HTML, the language of the World Wide Web, as well as other web
design scripts. Students will create web pages that include images, links, forms, tables and
other HTML elements. Students will also learn how to control the appearance, or display
properties, of web pages, using CSS scripts.Semester course, typically in 9th
grade.
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Creative Writing
Thiscourse isdesigned togive studentsexperience writing ina variety ofgenres, thus learning to
assess their own personal form as well as that of published authors.Students will
discussandlearn the formal techniquesofcreative writingthrough analysis of poetry, essays, and
short fiction.Throughoutthe year, students will discussthe works ofbothpublishedauthors
andthe writings ofthe class participants. Full yearcourse; typicallyduring the 10th
, 11th
or 12th
gradeyear
Dramatic Arts This course will give students an introduction to the creative elements of theater through the
design of scenery, stage lighting and sound, and acting all while preparing and practicing for the
annual school play. Students in this class will have the opportunity to explore and analyze a
variety of productions while engaging in creative work throughout the semester. Students
enrolled in this course, who also participate as actors in the school play, are required to attend
rehearsals outside of this class time.Semester course; typically during the 10th
, 11th
or 12th
grade
year.