ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Core Program

What makes Avenues unique is how we teach. In this course guide, you will find distinguishing differences of an Avenues education—the learning experiences that define a student’s journey through the upper grades at Avenues New York. Our program gives students the skills they need to thrive in a world where emphasis is placed on what you can do with what you know. We believe it is the strongest possible response to a future that we cannot yet imagine, but for which we can prepare. Students attending Avenues gain access to a highly enriching and stimulating curriculum and co-curricular experiences. Students are encouraged to think across and within traditional fields of study, as this approach invites them to practice the expansive thinking necessary to formulate innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

The upper grades program begins by establishing a shared foundation of integrated, interdisciplinary studies. Whenever possible, the intersections between subjects such as English, art and design, World Course and science are emphasized. This builds a base of essential content knowledge, develops key skills, and nurtures a mindset that favors an integrated view of the world that leans into complexity. Furthermore, intensive study in mathematics, world languages, Wellness and Movement, along with High-Intensity Practice in coding, writing, and math (HIP) and self-directed learning via Mastery practices round out the instructional core and foster habits that position students for both rigor and wellness.

As students progress through the upper grades program, they have more elective choices. Our course offerings provide a wide variety of learning opportunities, and we view decision-making during course selection as an important part of the learning process. Each grade level features required courses and opportunities to make choices that will define an individual student’s experience, as described below.

Advanced Electives (Grades 9–12)

The upper grades feature certain courses that require teacher approval to enroll in, as the workload, knowledge foundation and/or skills required are beyond what is generally expected at that grade level. These courses are designated as Advanced courses and are offered at specific grade levels as indicated in the Catalog section below. Once enrolled in an Advanced Elective, students should anticipate that homework may exceed that found in other courses in the same discipline and grade level. Advanced classes in grades 11–12 approach first-year university classes in their rigor and expectations for independent student work.

Mastery Learning System (Grades 10–11)

The Mastery Learning System (MLS) is a selective course of study at Avenues for students in grades 10 & 11 who desire an advanced level of challenge and rigor in their academics. Enrollment in the MLS requires a successful performance in Mastery Seminar: Intro to Mastery (9th grade)and a successful application to the Mastery Learning System.

MLS students explore the Avenues curriculum,exchanging traditional classes for time and space to work collaboratively through the design of complex, interdisciplinary projects and experiences. It is the ultimate in personalized learning, supported by a framework that ensures that students master the breadth of content in the Avenues World Elements (AWE) while vastly expanding depth of knowledge in their self-selected areas of concentration. Students who thrive in the MLS are agents of their learning. They are intensely curious about the world and have developed an admirable level of maturity for the freedom and independence that this experience provides.

The goal of the MLS is to develop the next generation of leading experts and polymaths who—per Avenues’ vision—are “uniquely equipped to understand and solve global-scale problems.” Students accepted into the MLS experience will have a portion of their class schedule selected for them, as described in the MLS information events & materials. Note that, due to the nature of this experience, there are a limited number of spaces available for the MLS.

Avenues Tutorials (Grades 11–12)

Avenues Tutorials are an adaptation of the Oxford tutorial model. Avenues Tutorial electives are designed so that students meet once per week in a small group with their teacher. On the other days of the week, the students work independently. The weekly meeting will set up, direct or build on the work students produce. This format is well suited for students who thrive in particularly small group settings, with intensive feedback from peers and instructors, and who enjoy working independently.

Certain courses that are offered in the Avenues Tutorial format will have both advanced and regular options.

Global Electives (Grades 10–12)

Global Electives are an online adaptation of the Oxford tutorial model, which enable students to learn at their own pace and at various levels of difficulty in a broad range of subjects, and connect with peers across the Avenues ecosystem. Student work in Global Electives is completed asynchronously and accompanied by office hours, optional group discussions, asynchronous feedback, and student-driven projects.

Global Electives are full-year, credit-bearing classes, which also afford ​​highly-motivated students an opportunity to complete their required coursework before the end of the academic year. 10th–12th grade students can take one Global Elective in place of a campus elective per academic year. Students who wish to take more than one Global Elective in place of campus electives in the same academic year should explore this decision in consultation with their dean.

Additionally, certain Global Electives may have Advanced options available for students who wish to go beyond the required skills, knowledge foundation and expectations for the class. Opting into the Advanced level can be done after enrolling in the course, contingent upon instructor approval and in consultation with the student’s dean.

Note that as with any class, Global Elective courses will need to meet a minimum enrollment in order to run.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES & COURSE SELECTION

Graduation Requirements for Upper Grades

The following upper grades (9–12) courses are required for graduation. Students are encouraged to discuss their course selection with their dean. Deans can advise students in light of their college goals. Standard, full-year courses earn a credit value of 1.0 and specific course credit is noted in the Catalog section below.

• English: 4 credits

• World Course: 3 credits

• Senior Seminar: 1 credit

• Math: 3 credits

• Science: 3 credits, which must include:

  • Integrated Science 1

  • Integrated Science 2

  • Biochemistry

• World Language: 4 credits

• Art and Design: 2 credits, among:

  • Performing Arts

  • Visual Arts

  • Design

• HIP Thinking: 2 credits*

• Mastery: 0.5 credits**

• Wellness + Movement (WAM): 4 credits in grades 9–12**

• 11–12 Electives: 3 credits

* Class of 2024: 1 credit

** Class of 2025 and beyond

*** Class of 2026 and beyond

Elective Scheduling & Modalities

Below, you will find the Upper Division Program of Studies, broken down by grade level. The sections that follow indicate the required courses, possible yearlong elective courses, and additional Avenues programs and modes of study available to students in each grade.

When choosing electives as part of their schedule, students should be mindful of the distinctions between different elective modes and options. Note that not all elective types will be available to students at all grade levels, as described in the grade-specific sections below, and individual elective course descriptions in the Catalog section of this Handbook.

Here is a summary of the different scheduling options and modalities for upper grades electives:

Campus-based Electives will meet during the school day in set schedule blocks. Students indicate their overall preferences as ranked-choice preferences, and every effort is made to accommodate student requests for these electives. It is not always possible to place students in their top choices, and the final course schedule is determined by the number of sections offered, and if course selections fit into a student's schedule.

Avenues Tutorials are campus-based electives that meet once per week in a small group with their teacher during the same schedule block times as other campus-based electives. On the other days of the week, the students work independently during the same schedule block.

Electives outside of the regular school day will meet during Z-Block. For example, Advanced Music is an extra elective offering that runs in the morning Z-Block.

Global Electives have both synchronous meetings and asynchronous components. Synchronous office hours may occur during any free blocks in the school day or outside of the regular school day to connect with students at other campuses. See the Global Electives overview section of this document for additional information on how Global Electives interact with the New York campus program and student schedule.

Grade-Specific Requirements and Course Options

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12