The goal of the World Language Diploma Program is to broaden students’ global and cultural views and to provide a different lens through which to see the world, while imparting a passion and an appreciation for the study of modern languages. It is an immersive program, primarily conducted in target languages and grounded in the demonstration of a high level of oral and written proficiency. Students are tasked with discovering culture and language through readings, music, film, technology, travel, community service and/or outreach to speakers of the target language within the school and within the communities of the greater New York City area. In anticipation of students’ completion of the Diploma Program, they will demonstrate their language proficiency by taking part in an external assessment for professional recognition (for example, the UN Language Proficiency Exam). Furthermore, students will actively investigate how the study of their language engages with other disciplines, identifying connections which exist among their other academic classes and exploring imaginative ways in which disciplines can even further interrelate. Using an interdisciplinary approach, students will identify areas of interest, whether it be in the arts, social sciences or STEM, and will design a path of study that inspires their own passions and directs their own learning. Students may also choose to reach an intermediate level of proficiency through the study of an additional modern language. Students wishing to develop a cross-disciplinary specialization in World Language or attain proficiency in two or more modern languages may pursue the World Language Diploma. Fulfillment of this program requires the following: 

• 8 semesters of language study in a Target Language (with a minimum grade of B+)* 

• Participation in community service in the target language for 2 semesters or or at least one summer immersion experience. It could be an internship or community service, preferably with a homestead experience in a country where the language of study is spoken.** 

• The completion of any combination of three extracurricular research projects and/or WL advanced electives in the target language or Classics program and/or fields of connected interest*** 

• OR either 1 Advanced Elective in the target language or an extracurricular research project in combination with a Junior Thesis focusing on a topic arranged in conjunction with the World Language Faculty.

• A Presentation of Learning in the Target Language at the end of student’s senior year 

*Comparable combinations of modern language courses may, at the discretion of the faculty, fulfill the language requirements. 

**Subject to be approved by the World Language Faculty 

***Elective or core courses from the 10th-12th grade years and from any field. For example, students could design a Spanish qualifying capstone project within an Environmental Science class. Students should consult with the World Language faculty in their course selection and project design.

Our Diploma Programs are designed to support student inquiry across academic fields. Students should consult with a program coordinator (below) as they select courses and consider projects and classes that may count toward Diploma Program requirements.

The aim of the Classics Diploma Program is to instill in students a love and appreciation for the language, culture, and historical importance of the Greeks and Romans. Robust programs of study are constructed around core language classes: the foundation of each student’s learning is rooted in demonstrating a mastery of both reading and writing in the target language, as well as a facility for interpreting ancient sources, posing meaningful questions, and generating unique ideas. This learning will also serve to identify promise in students who might be interested in pursuing Classics at the collegiate level. Furthermore, students will actively investigate how the study of their language engages with other disciplines, identifying connections which exist across their academic classes and exploring imaginative ways in which disciplines can even further interrelate. In anticipation of students’ completion of the Classics Diploma Program, they will demonstrate their language proficiency by taking part in an external assessment for professional recognition (for example, the UN Language Proficiency Exam). 

In addition to their language(s) study, students will supplement their learning with an individualized track of focus: part of having a well-rounded classical education involves a heightened awareness of antiquity’s role in such fields of study as history, science, art, and politics. Students will identify areas of interest and design a curriculum that inspires their own passions and guides their own learning. 

Students wishing to develop an interdisciplinary specialization in classics may pursue the Classics Diploma. Fulfillment of this diploma program requires the following: 

• 8 semesters of language study (with a minimum grade of B+); this is most readily achieved by showing evidence of mastery in either Latin or Greek and a proficiency in the other language.* 

• Advanced Composition Course (1 Year)

• The completion of either 3 additional semester credits of advanced learning from courses in the classics program and/or fields of connected interest** 

• OR 1 semester course credit in combination with a Junior Thesis focusing on a topic arranged in conjunction with the Classics. 

*Comparable combinations of Latin/Greek courses may, at the discretion of the faculty, fulfill the language requirements. 

**Elective or core courses from the 10th-12th grade years and from any field. For example, students could design a Classics qualifying capstone project within a Physics class. Students should consult with Classics faculty in their course selection and project design.

Our Diploma Programs are designed to support student inquiry across academic fields. Students should consult with a program coordinator (below) as they select courses and consider projects and classes that may count toward Diploma Program requirements.

Students who are passionate about the arts may elect to pursue a Performing & Visual Arts Diploma. The aim of this program is to help young artists and musicians develop mastery of their craft through robust study which reflects Country Day’s interdisciplinary approach to student agency. This is an immersive program whose foundation of learning is demonstrated through exhibitions and performances which display musical and artistic proficiency. This learning will also serve to identify promise in students who might be interested in pursuing the performing and/or visual arts at a collegiate level, be it an art and design college or music/dance conservatory. This diploma allows the recipient to explore in-depth their particular area of interest: visual artists may select 2D or 3D work; musical pathways include an emphasis on vocal or instrumental performance, music technology or musical theater; dancers may focus on ballet, jazz or contemporary genres.

In anticipation of their completion of this specialized diploma, students will be expected to participate in external assessment that offers professional recognition (ie. Scholastic Art Awards for visual artists, CMEA All-State Ensemble for vocalists/instrumentalists, National High School Musical Theater Awards for musical theater students, NHSDA for dancers). Furthermore, students will examine the connections between music, art, dance and other disciplines, identifying connections which exist among their other academic classes and exploring additional ways that these disciplines might intersect. The diploma candidate will design a path of study that inspires their own passions and directs their own learning. 

Performing Arts Diploma Requirements

Instrumental (Strings, Band)

• 4 semesters (minimum) of beginner ensembles

• 2 semesters (minimum) of advanced ensembles

  • Junior or Senior internship should be related to the student’s field in the arts

  • Complete course in Music Theory (or music theory exam equivalent) 

  • Audition and participation in CMEA All-State Ensemble for vocalists/instrumentalists or other honors ensembles

Vocal (Chorus)

• 4 semesters (minimum) of Concert Choir

• 2 semesters (minimum) of Tiger Tones or Advanced Voice

  • Junior or Senior internship should be related to the student’s field in the arts

  • Complete course in Music Theory (or music theory exam equivalent)

  • Audition and participation in CMEA All-State Ensemble for vocalists/instrumentalists or other honors ensembles (National or Regional ACDA or OAKE-Kodaly choirs)

Music Technology

• 4 semesters (minimum) of beginner Music Technology

• 2 semesters (minimum) of advanced Music Technology

  • Junior or Senior internship should be related to the student’s field in the arts

  • Complete course in Music Theory (or music theory exam equivalent)

  • 2 Presentations of Music Media or Composition showing evidence of work

Dance 

While many variations are possible and each student’s pathway is unique, fulfillment of this diploma requires the highest standard of physical expression, along with:

• 8 Semesters of three out of seven dance styles: Theater Jazz, Modern, Tap, Contemporary Funk, Hip Hop, Ballet Technique and Pointe

• Intense focus on technical training (Freshman & Sophomore year), collaborative choreography (Junior year) and solo performance (Senior year)

• Knowledge of Dance History & Dance Terminology (Sophomore/Junior years)

• Dynamic Execution (Junior and Senior year)

Dancers develop as whole artists/athletes; well rounded, culturally aware and fully engaged-mind, body and spirit. Recipients must be dedicated and emotionally invested to their craft. Recipients of the Performing & Visual Arts Diploma (with a focus on Dance) are current, innovative, multifaceted, empowered, and unique.

Theatre Arts (Performing)

• 2 Semesters of Acting courses (Acting I and Acting II)

• 1 Semester of Playwrighting 

• 1 Semester of Musical Theatre Workshop (Independent Study in Theatre)

• 4 Main Stage Productions (at least 1 straight play and one musical to be included)

• Junior Thesis or Senior Internship should be related to the student’s field in the arts -- to be pre-approved by the program coordinator

• Participation in an adjudicated performing arts event (recommended)

Visual Arts Diploma Requirements

• At least 6 semester credits in the Visual Arts, including both 2D and 3D study. One course must be Portfolio Development taken senior year.

• An additional 4 semesters of arts related coursework. This coursework can be fulfilled in any of the following combinations:

• Additional courses in the Arts (or Arts related courses) as approved by Visual Arts Faculty and/or 

• Summer or Intersession coursework/travel experiences as approved by Visual Arts Faculty and/or

• Completion of a Junior thesis on a topic arranged in conjunction with the Visual Arts Faculty

• A Visual Arts Digital Portfolio which includes the following:

• 6 artworks that demonstrate mastery in any areas of the visual arts

• 10 artworks that are thematically connected and demonstrate sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision 

• An Artist’s Statement

A student exhibition of at least six artworks and a Written Reflection of the exhibited artwork.

Addendum

The goal of the final product for all Performing & Visual Arts pathways, be it the junior thesis, production, or other agreed upon project, should contain elements of innovative thought, artistic ingenuity, skill development and research seeking evidence for a question devised by the student. The discovery process should include the gathering of knowledge, interdisciplinary thinking, intellectual stimuli and real-world issues with the intent of bringing those elements into the folds of the final presentation.

*To be completed prior to first semester of senior year in preparation for College auditions and placement process

1. Performance or Exhibition: Final presentation that best represents the body of work.

2. Narrative: Narrative during the performance or exhibition

3. Written: Written summary, journal or program notes showing discovery process

*In consultation with their Diploma Coordinator, students may apply their diploma work to elective or core courses from the 10th-12th grade years and from any field. For example, students could design an Arts qualifying capstone project within a Physics class. Students should consult with Arts faculty in their course selection and project design.

**For students entering the Upper School after the 9th grade, accommodations will be made for students interested in pursuing the Arts Diploma Pathway, and credit for previous courses will be considered towards the requirements.

Our Diploma Programs are designed to support student inquiry across academic fields. Students should consult with a program coordinator (below) as they select courses and consider projects and classes that may count toward Diploma Program requirements.