Students are highly encouraged to take a World Language while they are in High School. For those students planning on going to a four year University, it is required for admissions. Students must complete the 3-4 level of the Language for admission. If they start in the 3-4 level, they only need to take one year. However, if they start in the 1-2 level, two years will be required. Advanced levels are available up to the 4th year in French and the 5th year in Spanish.
Spanish 1: Spanish 1-2 is a beginning course in communication with skill building in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students are able to comprehend and express themselves in phrases, short sentences, and memorized material with the use of simple narratives, descriptions, and authentic materials on a variety of topics.
Spanish for Fluent Speakers 3-4: This course is designed for students who possess native speaker fluency. There will be continued refinement of speaking, reading, and writing skills in their native language as well as further discussion of various forms of literature, geography, history and culture from many different Spanish speaking countries.
Spanish 3-4: Spanish 3-4 is a continuation of Spanish 1-2. A greater emphasis is placed on oral and written comprehension through daily conversations and oral work in class and assigned written work on dialogues and short stories. Students continue their study of the history, geography and culture of Spanish speaking people and countries.
IB Spanish 3-4: IB Language B—Spanish courses prepare students to take the International Baccalaureate Language B exams at either the Subsidiary or Higher level. These courses focus on improving students’ accuracy and fluency in oral and written communication (usually in the students’ “second” language). Students preparing to take the Subsidiary level exam will be able to understand native speakers; students preparing for the Higher level exam will be able to communicate fluently at native speed.
French 1: French 1-2 is a beginning course in communications with skill building in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Grammar and vocabulary are emphasized.
IB French 3-4: IB Language B—French courses prepare students to take the International Baccalaureate Language B exams at either the Subsidiary or Higher level. These courses focus on improving students’ accuracy and fluency in oral and written communication (usually in the students’ “second” language). Students preparing to take the Subsidiary level exam will be able to understand native speakers; students preparing for the Higher level exam will be able to communicate fluently at native speed.
Our drama/theatre program provides nationally-recognized creative training that improves students ability to communicate effectively, understand the lives of other people, enriches empathy, explores dramatic literature and performance styles and, at advanced levels, provides students with preparation for college/university and conservatory programs in theatre. $25 class fee per year.
Our instrumental music program provides a variety of options for students at all levels of experience and skill. Concert Band, Percussion, and Strings/Orchestra are repeatable each of the 4 years of the program. Marching Band is a half-credit Fall Semester course that is repeatable all 4 years. Jazz Ensemble is a half-credit Spring Semester course that is repeatable all 4 years. Guitar and Piano are half-credit courses available as Guitar or Piano 1 in the Fall and Guitar or Piano 2 in the Spring. Students are encouraged to take the full year of Guitar and Piano to complete the 1-2 sequence. Color Guard is the non-instrumental part of the Marching Band and is available in Fall Semester only. IB Music Theory is the pathway course for students wishing to test in IB Music Theory.
Our vocal music program offers choral experiences for students with a variety of skill and experience levels. All courses are full-year and are repeatable. Advanced Mixed Choir, and Select Women’s Choir require audition. IB Music Theory is the pathway course for students wishing to test in IB Music Theory.
Our dance program provides a variety of options for students at all levels of experience and skill. This dance program also provides the students with a safe place to express themselves freely, connect with others around them and obtain skills/ tools that will help them in their future endeavors. There are three main focuses for this program: dance history, performance and exploring different styles of dance. All courses are a full year and, at the end of each semester, a performance is presented.
Our visual art program in the drawing/painting/studio art track offers students courses in a range of skill and experience levels.
Our visual art program in the ceramics track provides students with courses at a variety of skill and experience levels. The students will learn the basic handbuilding techniques and how to throw on the wheel. Each year the assignments become progressively more challenging as the student continues through the program. $60 class fee for each course level.
Photography students will learn how to use Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras in a variety of situation and for a variety of purposes; including nature, still-life, portrait, action and low light situation. Students will also learn the fundamentals of art and the history of photography.
Please see the CTE page on this site for course descriptions and course fees.
CTE classes can also be viewed here.
The freshman year of high school is a critical year in a student's academic life. This course is designed to guide and support a successful transition to high school. It will explore educational and career opportunities; promote school connectedness to the community; prepare students for the academic rigors of high school through organizational, time management, and study skills; and teach digital citizenship.
Our Film Study program provides students with an in- depth exploration of film history from early silent films through more modern films, through a variety of units focused on filmmaking techniques, screenwriting styles, and production and post-production elements. $15 class fee per year.
Psychology is the study of the human mind and behavior. Students gain an understanding of the complexities of people by studying the mysteries of the human brain and its functions. Topics include memory, IQ, sleeping and dreaming, hypnosis, meditation, drugs and their effects, intelligence, and parapsychology (ESP).
AP Psychology: This college-level survey course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Those subjects include: biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, sleep and dreams and other states of consciousness, motivation and emotion, learning, abnormal psychology and social psychology. Students enrolled in this class are expected to take the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exam. Exam scores, and each college/university, will determine eligibility for college credit.
Students elected to student government positions must take the Leadership: Student Government class. This course includes knowledge and use of parliamentary procedures, development of individual and group skills, improvement of communication skills, along with the development of budgeting and citizenship skills. Reading and writing requirements will vary from year to year to accommodate students repeating the class.
AVID is a program for students in the academic middle who are often under-represented and/or will be first generation college students. The intent is to prepare these students to take AP/ Honors courses and move on to be successful in college. The program provides support, academic monitoring and tutoring. The writing process, collaborative learning, inquiry questioning and reading critically are the core strategies of the program. The driving theory behind the AVID system is that students will succeed in rigorous courses and be college and career-ready if provided the proper support and access to rigor. See the AVID page on this site for more information.