Courses
Social Studies Courses
8th Grade US History: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course is designed to emphasize historic events from the age of exploration to reconstruction and the western movement. Topics covered will include to, the age of exploration, colonization, revolutionary war, national period, constitutional issues, civil war, reconstruction, and the western movement. May be offered as honors credit.
World Geography/Ancient World Civilization: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course is designed to introduce students to the world of geographic study. All people, places, significant events, cultures, and environments studies have locations. Students will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the geographic (spatial) perspective, and apply geographic tools and techniques to the five themes of geography, additionally; students will demonstrate how human activities affect the earth through population patterns, diverse cultures, cooperation or conflict and economical resources. May be offered as honors credit.
World History: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course allows students to understand and appreciate the history of diverse peoples and cultures of the world. It is broad and integrative, and will examine and analyze the commonalities and differences of human experiences in at least six spheres of human activity: social, scientific/ technological, economic, religious/ philosophical, geographic and political. May be offered as honors credit.
US History: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course emphasizes the history of the United States, through the study of basic geographic, economical, social, political and historical developments in the United States following reconstruction and the western movement. Particular emphasis is placed on the constitution, the American system of government and law-related/citizenship education. Students will identify ways to solve problems, make decisions, and participate as a responsible citizen of the United States, while developing basic tools of historical interpretation, research and analysis. May be offered as honors credit.
US Government: Required Core Course for 0.5 Credit
This course will provide students with a general understanding of the governmental, political and legal systems of the United States. Partial learning skills will be combined with outside recourse persons and varied instructional activities which will enable students to learn about law and the legal system of the nation. May be offered as honors credit.
Economics: Elective Course for 0.5 Credit
The course focuses on the study of economic problems and the methods by which societies solve them. Characteristics of the market economy of the United States and its function in the world and methods of applying economics to ones life will be explored. May be offered as honors credit.
Psychology: Elective Course for 0.5 or 1.0 Credit
This course introduces the study of the behavior of individuals. It emphasizes the manner in which the individual can apply various psychological theories and concepts to better understand self, personal motives, and relationship with other people. May be offered as honors credit.
Science Courses
7th Grade Integrated Science: Required Core Course
This course focuses on the theme of "structure." students will note examples of structure in the world around them by learning concepts and principles of science that illustrate them. They will recognize that all substances are made of smaller component parts that work together in order to become larger wholes. May be offered as honors credit.
8th Grade Integrated Science: Required Core Course
This course focuses on the theme of "change." Students will learn that there is observable evidence which illustrates earth's systems and the gradual changes in the earth's system overtime. This evidence will be shown by combining the study of earth, space, motion, and energy. They will learn that these principles are involved in the operation of many systems and the fundamental essence of science. May be offered as honors credit.
Earth Science: Elective Course for 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on the theme of earth systems. Students will learn that there is observable evidence which illustrates Earth's system and the gradual changes in the earth's system over time. This evidence will be shown by combining the study of earth, space, physical and life sciences. May be offered as honors credit.
9th Grade Physical Science: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on three main topics: matter, motion and energy. Students will gain an understanding of the basic laws that govern matter, motion, and energy. They will learn that these principles are involved in the operation of many systems and the fundamentals essence of science. May be offered as honors credit.
Biology: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on the biological aspects of science, as well as the background and tools necessary to study these aspects. It is a functional study of science, rather than a structural study. May be offered as honors credit.
Environmental Science: Elective Course for 1.0 Credit
In this course students will learn that there is observable evidence which illustrates Earth's system, the gradual change in Earth's system over time, and how the systems interact. The course further emphasizes the relationship between the human population and the ecological systems of the earth. May be offered as honors credit.
Chemistry: Elective Course for 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on the chemical nature of both inorganic materials. It illustrates the structure, properties and the basic function of these materials. May be offered as honors credit.
Physics: Elective Course for 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on several aspects of energy, its transfer through systems and objects; motion of particles, both micro and macroscopic; mechanisms and Newtonian physics; matter and quantum physics; projectiles, reflection and refraction. May be offered as honors credit.
Anatomy and Physiology: Elective Course for 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on the biological processes of the human body, and how the processes of other organisms relate to the human body. Human anatomical structures, themselves, are learned as a means of understanding how human physiology functions work. May be offered as honors credit.
Mathematics Courses
7th Grade Math: Required Core Course
This course focuses on applying math to life. Students learn logical reasoning strategies, that numbers have multiple representation, number system and theories, computation and estimation, functional relationships and patterns, probability, and measurement within the context of real life. May be offered as honors credit.
Pre-Algebra: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on developing skills in problem solving, number systems and theory, computation and estimation, patterns and functions, and statistics and probability. Additionally, the course introduces algebra concepts to build a strong foundation for the subsequent formal study of algebra. Such informal explorations include physical models, numerical representations, and graphing models, rather than an emphasis on the algebraic representation in isolation. May be offered as honors credit.
Algebra I: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
Students explore a mathematical model for the real number system involving the study of straight lines and numerical relationships. The properties of the real number system are used to solve linear equations and inequalities. Simple operations with polynomials are introduced and the laws of exponents are studied. May be offered as honors credit.
Geometry: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
The major postulates and theorems of Euclidean geometry form the basis of this course. Logical structures are investigated. Geometric constructions and coordinate geometry are studied and non-Euclidean geometries are introduced. Students should be able to investigate these geometry concepts using technology as well as pencil and paper. Trigonometry concepts are applied to appropriate geometry concepts. May be offered as honors credit.
Algebra II: Elective Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course in algebra is an extension of the elementary algebraic concept involving a study of the quadric relations and their graphs. Systems of equations are solved, logarithmic functions are briefly studied, real number exponents and complex numbers are investigated, and proficiency with the algebra of polynomials and rational functions is developed. Trigonometry, probability, statistics, and discrete mathematics topics are topics for discussion and application. May be offered as honors credit.
Consumer Math: Elective Course for 1.0 Credit
This course prepares students to understand the values, needs wants, goals, and resources that enable people to make wise decisions based mathematical concepts. Financial resources management, including consumer rights and responsibilities, are discussed. This course also provides the student with a basic understanding of essential mathematical concepts, as well as background of business information that will relate directly to the consumer world. May be offered as honors credit.
Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus: Elective Course for 1.0 Credit
This course is an extensive of intermediate algebra and geometry. The major emphasis is with algebraic functions, theory of equations, and inequalities. Trigonometry topics are completed along with the continued development of the binomial expansion, probability, statistics, analytic geometry, and discrete mathematics. The students should gain a sense of the structure of mathematics as the fundamental concepts of calculus are developed. May be offered as honors credit.
Calculus: Elective Course for 1.0 Credit
This course consist do a full academic year of work in calculus and related topics comparable to courses in colleges and universities. Students may take the advanced placement exam upon completion of the course. May be offered as honors credit.
English Courses
7th Grade English: Required Core Course
This course provides intensive formal instruction in reading comprehension strategies as well as comprehensive instruction in the writing process. It also fosters the development of listening and speaking skills in formal situations and introduces limited formal speech. May be offered as honors credit.
8th Grade English: Required Core Course
This course continues to focus on reading comprehension and the writing process as well as listening and speaking skills in both informal and formal situations. Added from the seventh grade curriculum is a unit on drama and American folktales. May be offered as honors credit.
9th Grade English: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
In this course, thought reading comprehension skills remain an important focus, a more intensive emphasis is placed on the writing process and, in particular, the important skills of informational and persuasive writing. The course continues to support the development if listening and speaking skills in informal situations, and introduces informational and persuasive formal speech. Grammar is also an emphasis. Literature in this course covers epic and ancient Greek poems, a study a Jewish heritage and culture, Greek mythology, a short stories unit, a Shakespeare unit, a poetry unit, and the call of the wild and Great Expectations. May be offered as honors credit.
10th Grade English: Required Core Course for 1.0 Credit
This course continues to focus on the informational and persuasive writing process. Grammar as well as listening and speaking skills in informal and formal speech are also vital to this course. Literature read in this course include works such as Lord of the flies, Cyrano de Bergerac, The joy luck club, The Great Gatsby, Macbeth, and a short stories unit. May be offered as honors credit.
11th Grade English (American Literature): Required Core Course 1.0 Credit
This course teaches grammar and writing skills within the context of life and business skills. Students begin to learn how to apply the skills they have learned to life and the world of business. There is a strong SAT preparatory emphasis in the course. The literature read in this class focuses on specific time periods and the impact the literature had on people and society. The class starts with Native American Poetry and ends with modern day American writers such as Amy Tan and J.K. Rowling. May be offered as honors credit.
12th Grade English (British Literature): Required Core Course 1.0 Credit
This course continues to emphasize the transition into the world of life, college, and business. Grammar and writing are still vital, but are taught specific to the needs of the world. SAT preparation is continued during the first semester of this course. The literature read in this class spans from the Anglo-Saxon period through the Elizabethan Age, the seventeenth and eighteenth century, the Victorian age and into modern era. The course looks at the different mediums of communication as well as the different avenues by which people choose to express themselves. May be offered as honors credit.
Creative Writing: Required Course for 0.5 Credit
This course is designed for students who plan to pursue collegiate study in English and who are interested in an academic elective. Intense instruction in writing skills and editing is offered. May be offered as honors credit.
Educational Technology Courses
Computer Technology: Required Course for 0.5 Credit
In this course, students develop advanced applications competencies of word processing. Improved productivity in the most efficient, timesaving way of producing documents using word processing software is stressed. An integral part of this course is continued instructions and practice in formatting and editing and the creation of business documents through the use of functions such as merge. Graphics are also introduced. Additionally, the course provides students with an introduction to the internet. Students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the internet and its tools through the use of e-mail, search engines and browsers. HTML and web publishing software will be used to create, format, illustrate, design, edit, and publish web pages. Emphasis will be placed on the application of the internet in business. May be offered as honors credit.
Keyboarding: Elective Course for 0.5 Credit
This course emphasizes the development of speed and accuracy for personal and business use. Skills for preparing reports, business letter, complex tables, and business forms will be developed. Business communication composition will be integrated throughout the course. A short business stimulation for skill application and reinforcement will conclude the course. May be offered as honors credit.
Applied Technology Education Courses
Career Exploration/ Internship: Elective Course for 0.5 Credit
This course consists of structured career development and Guidance activities designed to foster the basic job skills and self-awareness needed to successfully match an individual's potential and interests with today's work environment. Topics include work success, critical thinking, quality control, applied math, safety, workplace economics, and computer literacy. May be offered as honors credit.
Adult Roles and Responsibility: Elective Course for 0.5 Credit
This course prepares students to understand the nature, function, and significance of the interpersonal relationships of individuals and families. Topics such as family living, parenting, household and money management, decision-making skills, communication skills, self-awareness, crisis management, and the individual's roles and responsibilities within the family and community are discussed. Emphasis is placed on basic cooking, cleaning, shopping, sewing, and budgeting skills. May be offered as honors credit.
SAT Preparations and Transition to college: Elective Course for 0.5 Credit
This course helps students prepare for the transition to college. It helps prepare them to take the SAT by teaching them test taking skills and reviewing directions and strategies for approaching each sub-section. Additionally, the course walks the students through the steps of deciding which colleges to apply to, requesting and completing applications, writing the college essay, applying for financial aid and scholarship, visiting colleges, choosing the right college, and transitioning to college life. May be offered as honors credit.
Healthy Lifestyle Courses
Physical Education: Required Course for 1.0 Credit
This course helps students adopt a personal lifestyle that will achieve physical fitness. Specifically, students will identify and understand all of the components of fitness, such as cardio-vascular fitness, strength, flexibility, endurance, weight control, nutrition, and stress management.
Dance/Aerobics: Required Course for 1.0 Credit
This course provides experience in dance technique and the development of such things as physical strength, flexibility, cardio-vascular endurance, coordination and total fitness. Students expand their dance vocabulary and skills, and develop their creative abilities through improvisation, choreography, and performance.
Health Education: Required Course for 0.5 Credit
This course focuses on establishing patterns of behavior that will assist a person in achieving complete health. Complete health is accomplished be having a balance of physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In class, students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge, incorporate process and life skills, and develop positive attitudes about life. Development of healthy body and a healthy mind are emphasized.
Fine Arts Courses
Foundation of Art: Required Course for 1.0 Credit
This course emphasizes drawing, color, and design concepts. Basic vocabulary, aesthetics, higher level thinking skills, divergent production, and art criticism activities are for each objective. May be offered as honors credit.
Foundation of Art II: Required Course for 1.0 Credit
This course builds on the concepts learned in foundations I and gives the student more advanced practice in specific mediums of art. Students also begin to develop or refine their art portfolios. May be offered as honors credit.
Foreign Language
Spanish 1:
This course introduces students to Spanish culture and language through a combination of text and tapes. Equal emphasis is placed upon developing skills in areas of grammar, reading and speaking this increasingly important language. May be offered as honors credit.
After completing the course, students will be able to:
- Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
- Understand and interpret written and spoken Spanish on a variety of topics.
- Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the practices and perspectives of the Spanish and Hispanic cultures, and make comparisons between these cultures and your own.
Spanish 2:
This course continues a program of introducing students to Spanish culture and language through a combination of text and tapes. Equal emphasis is placed upon improving skills in areas of grammar, reading and speaking this increasingly important language. May be offered as honors credit.
After completing the course, students will be able to:
- Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
- Understand and interpret written and spoken Spanish on a variety of topics.
- Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the practices and perspectives of the Spanish and Hispanic cultures, and make comparisons between these cultures and your own.
Spanish 3:
Spanish 3 offers the advanced student a concise but thorough review of Spanish grammar. Discussion is carried on in Spanish. Considerable emphasis is placed upon an expanded Spanish vocabulary, fluency of speech and accuracy of writing. The student is exposed to examples of the literature of the Spanish-speaking people, including plays, short stories and/or full-length novels. May be offered as honors credit.
