Multi-Disciplinary

These Multi-Disciplinary courses at Northern Highlands fosters a broad range of skills that prepare students for success in an interconnected and dynamic world. Our courses blend diverse disciplines such as climate change, public speaking, design thinking, artificial intelligence, and media literacy, emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Through experiential learning and inquiry-based research, students are equipped with the tools to navigate complex challenges and make informed decisions. By cultivating adaptability, critical thinking, and effective communication, our program empowers students to become well-rounded, innovative leaders ready to excel in both academic and professional environments.

Freshman Seminar     Grade 9 

Freshman Seminar is the springboard course for our students’ future success at Northern Highlands. Embracing cutting-edge best practices and a robust, integrative curriculum, the course exposes students to the fundamentals of climate change, design thinking, coding, research skills, public speaking and communication skills as well as media literacy. Student choice is embedded into exciting projects that enhance problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills. is a required multidisciplinary course for all ninth grade students. This course is designed to launch students’ high school education by introducing numerous literacies in a dynamic, complex, and interconnected world. Students will develop their reading, writing, and speaking skills to communicate a message to a particular audience, and will apply their understanding of various technological applications to interpret, analyze, evaluate, and create information using multiple media. This course will cultivate 21st century skills, such as inquiry, research, collaboration, problem solving, and citizenship through an interdisciplinary lens. 

Learning Lab     Grades 9-12 

Students receive individual and small group assistance in their current math and/or English course through direct instruction and with the use of technology. Learning Lab teachers are in contact with the students’ teachers to help support daily lessons and assessment preparation. Students learn note taking skills, study skills, and techniques to improve their foundational skills in math, reading and writing. One additional goal is to prepare students for state mandated assessments and graduation requirements. Students receive five credits per year and a grade of a pass or fail. 

Public Speaking     Grades 9-12 

Communication is the bedrock of all human relations. Regardless of a future career, all students will need to speak effectively to an audience of interested people with and without technology. This performance-based semester course is aimed at building confidence, competency, and pride in public speaking, while emphasizing the practical skills, including techniques to lessen speaker anxiety and the use of visual aids to enhance speaker presentations. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Seminar   Grades 11-12 

This course is part of a two year AP Capstone program which engages students in inquiry-based research and in the analysis and creation of strong arguments. Students should be committed to mastering the synthesis of research, writing, collaboration, and oral presentations, and must be independent in their studies and capable of self-paced work. Students will analyze articles, research studies, and a variety of other written and visual texts. They will develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. This course prepares qualified juniors for AP Research, but seniors are also welcome to take it. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Seminar exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite: A grade of “90” or better in an Honors course and teacher recommendation. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Research   Grade 12 

In the second year of the two-year program, students deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students will be able to draw on the mastery skills acquired in AP Seminar and design, plan, and implement a year-long study of their own research questions. Students will also build on the research skills in AP Seminar while furthering their study of methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students will reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. In accordance with the College Board, the course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. With scores of three (3) or better in each Capstone course, along with scores of three (3) or more four (4) other AP courses, students are awarded an AP Capstone 42 Diploma. 

Prerequisite: AP Seminar and teacher recommendation.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

Honors Artificial Intelligence (The Coding School)   Grades 10-12 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will change the world as we know it, shaping how business is done, how people connect, and how society functions. It will affect every industry and sector, making it critical that all members of the future workforce have an understanding of AI and its implications. So whether students plan on pursuing careers in politics, business, or healthcare, they all need to learn about AI. This course is a continuation of the partnership with The Coding School. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) is designed for high school students to gain cutting-edge knowledge and skills in AI with a focus on Machine Learning (ML). This course is offered virtually with live instruction by a Harvard researcher. Throughout the course, students will work on real-world AI projects, culminating in a capstone project; hear from leading experts in AI from industry and academia; and join a national cohort of future AI leaders.  While students are scheduled for this class during an instructional period, this course is predominantly self-paced and virtual with a faculty member as a facilitator. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry. 

Note: Students interested in taking Honors Artificial Intelligence should let their counselor know during scheduling and also complete the Advancement and/or Enrichment application on the Career & Academic Pathways website.