High School Curriculum

Take an epic journey to refine your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. You will dive into literary and informational texts to discover the tools authors use to achieve their purpose and voyage through classic and contemporary works to reach new limits of comprehension.

Discover how the human experience is the foundation of engaging and meaningful texts. Encounter new vocabulary, refine the grammar and mechanics of your writing, and engage in creative assessments.

In English 3, students delve deep into literary texts to uncover how literary elements enhance and add layers of meaning to an author’s message. By exploring and evaluating the unique styles of a diverse selection of writers and works, students develop the skills needed to write literary analyses that inform an audience and defend an author’s stylistic choices. Using essential reading skills, students tackle rigorous texts and evaluate the rhetoric and diction in selections that span from the Classical Period to the Contemporary Period. With a focus on publishing quality writing and presentations, students gain the necessary skills that will be beneficial in college and the workplace.

In English 4, students explore history’s impact on modern texts. By focusing on elements like universal theme, author’s purpose and perspective, and historic influence, students are able to see literary works as a whole and understand the deeper experiences that surround these texts. With a strong focus on writing, speaking, and presenting, students engage with their audience and explore elements of English that are highly applicable to both college and the workforce.

Ever wonder why more massive objects require more force to move? Perhaps you have questioned how new substances are made or how energy is involved in changes in matter? These are some of the concepts students will be exploring in Physical Science. This course teaches the foundational concepts of physics and chemistry. Students will use scientific inquiry, interactive experiences, higher order thinking, collaborative projects, and virtual labs to build and demonstrate an understanding of physical and chemical phenomena enabling them to apply these principles to their everyday lives.

The Biology course guides students through the study of living and non-living systems and how they interact with one another. Students explore the world they live in by posing questions and seeking answers through scientific inquiry. Discovery takes place through observation and data collection. The students will be introduced to the structure, function, diversity, and evolution of living matter. This is a course with real relevance. It encourages curiosity and provides opportunity for students to work on hands on lab activities and develop relationships through collaboratively learning. Engaging in the study of biological science broadens the picture of the world around us.

In this course, students will study of the foundations of chemistry, building on the concepts and scientific thinking developed in middle school science. Students use scientific inquiry and higher-order problem solving as they explore the composition, properties, and changes of matter and their applications through interactive simulations, engineering solutions, and virtual and hands-on experiences. The scientific process is fully used and documented in lab investigations, giving students the skills they need to analyze data and make inferences about natural phenomena. In addition, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are integrated throughout the course. Through phenomenon-based learning, students will be able to demonstrate a vast understanding of the importance of chemistry in the world, enabling them to apply these principles to their everyday lives and our global society.

In this course, students will be immersed in the contributions of scientific geniuses that have changed the way we observe and think about matter, forces, and energy in the universe. Starting with how matter moves, students will learn that all motion can be described, analyzed, and predicted. Then students will explore the causes of changing motion, forces! Energy is a fundamental property essential to human existence, and physics will take students through all the forms of it: electricity, light, sound, heat, and more. Discover how waves travel and interact with matter and the smallest particles in the universe. From tiny atoms to galaxies with millions of stars, the universal laws of physics are explained through real-world examples. Through laboratory activities, simulations, and graphical analysis, combined with rigorous mathematical efforts and problem solving, students follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s greatest thinkers and learn to process their world in a unique way.

Environmental Science discusses the environmental challenges that impact our future, such as land use, pollution, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. This course is centered around achieving global sustainability to meet the needs of a growing human population, while also maintaining natural resources and protecting Earth’s various systems. The short- and long-term consequences of our actions to human health and the environment are also a course focus. With the collaboration of the Guy Harvey Foundation and additional professional partners, this course highlights the research and field experiences of professors, scientists, conservationists, lawyers, and more, while sharing practical and sensible strategies for preserving the delicate balance between land, ocean, air, and life. In addition, this course creates a call to action for students by teaching them how to protect the world’s biodiversity and resources by adjusting the way they live, work, play, and govern in the future.

In this course students explore the organization of the human body and how it works. They will acquire knowledge necessary to understand what the body is doing and how they can help the body cope with many different situations. Body systems will be studied in order to understand how their structure, location, and function allow for interaction with other parts of the body.

Responsible citizenship, including civil and political participation, is essential to maintain a government that truly represents “We the People.” In this course, students examine the principles that inspired the Constitution and other founding documents of the United States. Students will study how these principles form the foundation of the U.S. federal government and distinguish it from those of other nations. They then examine the structures and functions of government to see how those principles are put into practice each day. This includes how the levels of government interact with one another. Finally, students extend these concepts to the role of the individual within U.S. civil society. They explore protections and limitations on individual rights protected through the Bill of Rights and acts of government over time. Students examine how, as individuals and as part of groups, citizens can influence public policy and help ensure the vitality of the constitutional republic.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION/MAINTENANCE

How did we get to where we are today? Join Ali and Soo-jin, our modern time travelers, as they journey through World History to take you on an adventure as you discover the interconnectedness of world events and eras. Grab your passport for the adventure of a lifetime.In Segment I, students will learn how the Roman Empire developed in two very distinct directions. Next, students will discover the great intellectual and cultural contributions of Islamic Empires. Journey through the Middle Ages of Europe and Japan to learn how knights and samurais lived. You will also investigate the rise and fall of some of the great kingdoms of the Americas and Africa and then travel back to the Europe of the Renaissance and Reformation era. Hang on tight, before you dive into the Age of Discovery when eastern and western hemispheric encounters created for some turbulent times.Segment II begins with a bang as students will learn about advancements in science and thought during the Age of Enlightenment and the social and political revolutions that followed as a result. As students meander through the 19th century, they will learn about the transformation from an agricultural to an industrial world and the many changes that resulted from that shift. Students will then learn about the interconnectedness of nationalism and colonialism and the two massive world wars were the end result. As students approach the finish line, they will learn about development in our modern world and the implications that historical events have on us today.

The United States began as an experiment in freedom and democracy. Since its establishment, the country and its people have endured social, political and economic revolutions. In this course, students will investigate the people, events and ideas that have shaped the United States from the end of the Civil War through today.Students are asked to analyze and evaluate decisions made by political, business and military leaders. Emphasis is placed on connections between events of the past and present. This course also gives students the opportunity to conduct research and apply their learning to current, real-world problems.

The AP® Human Geography course is designed to provide college level instruction on the patterns and processes that impact the way humans understand, use, and change Earth’s surface. Students use geographic models, methods, and tools to examine human social organization and its effect on the world in which we live. Students are challenged to use maps and geographical data to examine spatial patterns and processes and analyze the changing interconnections among people and places.

Economic decisions affect us every day of our lives. Understanding economics means thinking about how scarcity, or limited resources, requires us to make choices and evaluate one option against others. In this course, students will recognize examples of economics in your daily life. Students will see how the economic choices of larger groups, like businesses and governments, affect students and others. As students progress through the course, students will recognize that the costs and benefits of choices connect individuals and groups around the world. The purpose of this course is to help students become a smart consumer who understands the flow of an economy between individuals, businesses, governments, and the rest of the world.

Learning to make sound financial decisions is one of the most important lessons a student can learn. In this course, students will learn financial decision-making skills using real-life applications and data. The primary content for the course focuses on learning the ideas, concepts, knowledge, and skills that will enable students to implement beneficial personal decision-making choices; to become wise, successful, and knowledgeable consumers, savers, investors, users of credit and money managers; and to be participating members of a global workforce and society. Personal Financial Literacy is a half-credit (0.5) elective and offers an option for students to receive honors credit.

In Spanish I, students learn basic grammar and vocabulary skills to build fluency and language proficiency. Students explore the culture of Spanish-speaking countries through engaging interactive games, videos, and audio recordings and apply what they learn through written practice, listening, and speaking exercises. Students will be immersed in the beauty of the Spanish language and the richness of its diverse cultures throughout this course.

Get ready to embark on the next leg of your journey to Spanish fluency. In Spanish II students continue building listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as increasing their cultural awareness of Spanish-speaking countries through audio recordings, engaging images, interactive games, readings, and videos. Apply learning through written practices and listening and speaking exercises to take your Spanish language skills to the next level!

In Spanish III, students dive into the rich diversity of Hispanic culture across the globe by exploring the tastes, sights, and sounds of this dynamic language that reflects triumph, struggle, celebration, and so much more. During this cultural journey, students improve conversational, vocabulary, and writing skills through authentic tasks. Short of obtaining a passport, there is no better way to discover new lands, peoples, or experiences as students take their Spanish language abilities to the next level.

You interact with digital art every day, why not learn how to create it? In Digital Art Imaging 1, you will explore the fundamental concepts, tools, and techniques of digital imaging. You’ll learn how to use computers, digital cameras, editing software, and more to create digital artworks and use the critique process grow artistically as you evaluate and respond to your own work.

Get ready to elevate your music knowledge to the next level. In this course, you will learn about Global musical traditions as you explore the function of music in a multitude of cultures. You will examine the fundamentals, sound, and structure of music to understand how music is representative of the culture it was created in.

The human brain is fascinating. Where do thoughts and memories come from? What are emotions? And why do we behave the way we do? Above all, how do these factors influence our relationships with others? In Psychology I, you will begin to understand the human mind by exploring the research and theories of some of the most brilliant psychologists throughout history. Learn how psychology influences personality and development throughout the entire human lifespan, even from birth. Explore different psychological disorders and how they are treated according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. And learn psychological tips that you can use every day, like how to cope and reduce stress. So, are you ready to unlock the mysteries of the human brain?