Curriculum

List of 6 items.

• English

  • In Honors courses, summative assessments offer more choice in writing prompts and formative assessments are typically longer. At the 10th grade level, Honors students have summer reading, additional texts to read during the school year, and are expected to have stronger analytical skills that they display in class discussions and in written work.
  • AP students move at a much faster rate through the material, have more timed assessments in preparation for the exam, and are expected to have stronger analytical skills. 
  • Summer reading is only assigned to Honors and AP students.

• Fine Arts

  • Visual Arts – AP and Honors students are expected to produce artwork at an increased rate and spend more time conducting independent research to develop their practice. In the Photography course and Drawing and Painting courses, students are expected to submit to exhibition opportunities throughout the year. In all advanced Visual Arts courses, students participate in critiques throughout the year, giving feedback to their peers and engaging in consistent dialogue with the group/teacher to advance their work. 
  • Performing Arts – Honors Band students perform in multiple competitions and are expected to attend practice outside of class to develop their skills. Students focus on their individual instruments while the instructor guides and teaches in a workshop-style environment.

• Humanities

  • AP and Honors courses cover more material, move at a faster pace, involve more-difficult texts, and have a more-rigorous writing expectation. AP assessments tend to be formal tests and essays with a few projects, while College Prep courses allow more room for creative assessments.
  • In AP courses specifically, students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time.

• Mathematics

  • Advanced and Honors courses are not accelerated, but dive into the curriculum in greater depth.
  • Advanced and Honors math courses are for the motivated mathematician who enjoys critically thinking, problem-solving, and exploring various concepts.

• Science

  • AP and Honors courses are faster paced and students are expected to pick up the material quickly. Students are also expected to be more independent in their learning and, if something doesn't make sense, students should be proactive about finding answers on their own. 
  • Course material is more complex in AP and Honors courses; not only is the pace faster, but the abstract and complex ideas are a more central theme to the class.

• World Languages

  • AP and Honors courses are only available in language after level 3.
  • Latin – Latin IV Honors serves the dual purpose of preparing students for the rigor and attention-to-detail required to be well prepared for the AP Latin course as well as providing an enrichment course for those who prefer to pursue further Latin study without the restrictions of the AP Latin exam. AP Latin prepares students for the AP Latin Caesar/Vergil exam.
  • Spanish –
    • Spanish IV Honors focuses on helping students master proficiency in the Spanish language and develop critical thinking skills. The students are able to communicate more effectively in Spanish within personal and professional settings and gain a better understanding of the Hispanic culture. It also prepares students for the rigor needed to take the AP Spanish Language & Culture course and exam.

  • • AP Spanish Language & Culture prepares students for the AP Spanish Language & Culture exam.
    • Spanish V Honors focuses on analyzing Spanish literature, comparing literary texts and arts in Spanish, engaging in discussions about literary texts completely in Spanish. The course is the same as the AP Spanish Literature and Culture class without the restrictions of the AP Spanish Literature & Culture exam.
    • AP Spanish Literature & Culture prepares students for the AP Spanish Literature & Culture exam.