English 9

Students will continue to build upon skills previously learned in earlier grades. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. In fiction texts, students will apply knowledge of literary terms and analyze a variety of genres. There will be an increased emphasis on nonfiction reading, and students will make inferences and draw conclusions using explicit and implied textual evidence.

Students will continue to expand vocabulary using the structural analysis of roots and affixes to understand complex words.

Students will plan, draft, revise, and edit while writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on analysis and persuasion while defending a position using counterclaims, reasons, and evidence from credible sources. The student will apply research techniques to analyze information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions and possible bias, citing both quoted and paraphrased information using MLA style. Writing will encompass narrative, expository, and persuasive forms for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Students will demonstrate the correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking.

English 10

Tenth-grade students will analyze and synthesize information from nonfiction texts to solve problems, answer questions, and generate new knowledge. Students will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations, idioms, classical allusions, and figurative language. They will continue to use the writing process to write/compose with an emphasis on persuasion and analysis while showing relationships among claims, reasons, and evidence from reliable sources. Students will create media messages and analyze the cause-and-effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. They will continue to use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in small groups. Students will continue to build research skills by presenting information gathered from diverse sources and identifying misconceptions and possible bias while crediting sources using MLA format. They will continue to become skilled communicators, working both independently and in collaborative groups while presenting alternate views and working toward common goals. Students will develop skills in using online resources to access information and to properly credit sources of ideas used in their writing.

English 11

The English 11 course is designed to follow the development of American literature from its early beginnings to the contemporary era, including sermons, diaries, speeches, short stories, poetry, novels, and journalism. Students explore American writers within the context of biographical, historical, and cultural contexts, including the performing and visual arts. As students work their way through this chronological survey, they will explore various literary movements to analyze and evaluate the evolution of the American identity. Each module contains a writing focus and a rhetorical focus; literature within each module will be examined according to those focuses. The writing focus of this course will be on persuasive writing, and outlines will be used for all major essays. Students will compose a research paper in MLA format. Other assignments and lessons will be implemented as determined by the needs of the students.

English 12

The English 12 course prepares students for future academic and vocational success. Students write informative, expository, and persuasive/argumentative papers. Additionally, they produce a well-documented research paper. During the writing process, students demonstrate their understanding of grammatical conventions and practice techniques for improving their writing style and fluency. A survey of British literature helps the students relate to the political, social, and philosophical perspectives of each historical period. As students preview the social, historical, and literary elements of each time period, they begin to see how the British and their language have influenced the lives and literature of many people.

World History and Geography to 1500 a.d. (c.e.)

These standards will enable students to explore the historical development of people, places, and patterns of life from ancient times until 1500 a.d. (c.e.) in terms of the impact on Western civilization. The study of history rests on knowledge of dates, names, places, events, and ideas. Historical understanding, however, requires students to engage in historical thinking, raise questions, and marshal evidence in support of their answers. Students engaged in historical thinking draw upon chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretation, historical research, and decision making. These skills are developed through the study of significant historical substance from the era or society being studied.

World History and Geography: 1500 a.d. (c.e.) to the Present

These standards enable students to examine history and geography from 1500 a.d. (c.e.) to the present, with emphasis on development of the modern world. Geographic influences on history will continue to be explored, but increasing attention will be given to political boundaries that developed with the evolution of nations. Significant attention will be given to the ways in which scientific and technological revolutions created new economic conditions that in turn produced social and political changes. Noteworthy people and events of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries will be emphasized for their strong connections to contemporary issues.

Although the study of history rests on knowledge of dates, names, places, events, and ideas, historical understanding requires students to engage in historical thinking, raise questions, and marshal evidence in support of their answers. Students engaged in historical thinking draw upon chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretation, historical research, and decision making. Students will apply these social science skills to engage in their exploration of the global challenges of the twenty-first century.

Virginia and United States History

The standards for Virginia and United States History expand upon the foundational knowledge and skills previously introduced to include the historical development of American ideas and institutions from the Age of Exploration to the present. While continuing to focus on political, geographic, and economic history, the standards provide students with a basic knowledge of American culture through a chronological survey of major issues, movements, people, and events in Virginia and United States history. As a foundation to develop historical thinking skills, students will apply social science skills to understand the challenges facing the development of the United States. These skills will support the investigation and evaluation of the fundamental political principles, events, people, and ideas that developed and fostered our American identity and led to our country’s prominence in world affairs.

The study of history must emphasize the historical thinking skills required for responsible citizenship, geographic analysis, and economic decision making. Students will continue to develop and apply these skills as they extend their understanding of the essential knowledge defined by the standards for history and social science.

Virginia and United States Government

Standards for Virginia and United States Government define the knowledge that enables citizens to participate effectively in civic and economic life. Students will apply social science skills as a foundation to examine fundamental constitutional principles, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, the political culture, the policy-making process at each level of government, and the characteristics of the United States economy. The standards emphasize an understanding of the duties and responsibilities that facilitate thoughtful and effective participation in the civic life of an increasingly diverse democratic society. The standards also reflect the evolving political and economic roles of Virginia and the United States in the global community.

Civic education also must emphasize the intellectual skills required for responsible citizenship. Students will apply these skills as they extend their understanding of the essential knowledge defined by the standards for Virginia and United States Government.

• Algebra 1

• Geometry

• Algebra II

• Algebra Functions and Data Analysis

• Precalculus

• A.P. Calculus

• A.P. Statistics

Biology

The Biology standards are designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of living systems. Emphasis continues to be placed on the skills necessary to examine alternative scientific explanations, actively conduct controlled experiments, analyze and communicate information, and gather and use information in scientific literature. The history of biological thought and the evidence that supports it are explored, providing the foundation for investigating biochemical life processes, cellular organization, mechanisms of inheritance, dynamic relationships among organisms, and the change in organisms through time. The importance of scientific research that validates or challenges ideas is emphasized at this level. All students are expected to achieve the content of the biology standards.

The Biology standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science. This scientific view defines the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are consistent with observational, inferential, and experimental evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence. The nature of science includes the concept that science can provide explanations about nature and can predict potential consequences of actions, but cannot be used to answer all questions.

Chemistry

The Chemistry standards are designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of the interaction of matter and energy. This interaction is investigated through the use of laboratory techniques, manipulation of chemical quantities, and problem-solving applications. Scientific methodology is employed in experimental and analytical investigations, and concepts are illustrated with current practical applications that should include examples from environmental, nuclear, organic, and biochemistry content areas.

Technology, including graphing calculators, computers, and probeware, are employed where feasible. Students will understand and use safety precautions with chemicals and equipment. The standards emphasize qualitative and quantitative study of substances and the changes that occur in them. In meeting the chemistry standards, students will be encouraged to share their ideas, use the language of chemistry, discuss problem-solving techniques, and communicate effectively.

The Chemistry standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science. This scientific view defines the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are consistent with observational, inferential, and experimental evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence. The nature of science includes the concept that science can provide explanations about nature and can predict potential consequences of actions, but cannot be used to answer all questions.

Earth Science

The Earth Science standards connect the study of Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and history; its atmosphere, fresh water, and oceans; and its environment in space. The standards emphasize historical contributions in the development of scientific thought about Earth and space. The standards stress the interpretation of maps, charts, tables, and profiles; the use of technology to collect, analyze, and report data; and the utilization of science skills in systematic investigation. Problem solving and decision making are an integral part of the standards, especially as they relate to the costs and benefits of utilizing Earth’s resources. Major topics of study include plate tectonics, the rock cycle, Earth history, the oceans, the atmosphere, weather and climate, and the solar system and universe.

The Earth Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science. This scientific view defines the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are consistent with observational, inferential, and experimental evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence. The nature of science includes the concept that science can provide explanations about nature and can predict potential consequences of actions, but cannot be used to answer all questions.

Physics

The Physics standards emphasize a more complex understanding of experimentation, the analysis of data, and the use of reasoning and logic to evaluate evidence. The use of mathematics, including algebra and trigonometry, is important, but conceptual understanding of physical systems remains a primary concern. Students build on basic physical science principles by exploring in-depth the nature and characteristics of energy and its dynamic interaction with matter. Key areas covered by the standards include force and motion, energy transformations, wave phenomena and the electromagnetic spectrum, electricity, fields, and non-Newtonian physics. The standards stress the practical application of physics in other areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The effects of physics on our world are investigated through the study of critical, contemporary global topics.

The Physics standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science. This scientific view defines the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are consistent with observational, inferential, and experimental evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence. The nature of science includes the concept that science can provide explanations about nature and can predict potential consequences of actions, but cannot be used to answer all questions.

Health & PE

• Health and PE 9

• Health and PE 10 (Not Driver Ed.)

Computer Science

• 3185 AP CS A

• 6641 Introduction to Game Design & Development

• CS Foundations

• CS Principles

• CS Programming

Fine Arts

• 9151 AP Art History

• World Mythology

• Creative Writing

• Psychology

• Foreign Languages: French (I, II, III, IV), Latin (I, II, III, IV), and Spanish (I, II, III, IV)