Class Descriptions

High School Core Classes

To be placed on the waiting list for a class, just register for the class, even if it is full. You will be notified that you are on the waiting list; we will contact you if space opens up for your student. You will not pay tuition for the class unless your student is placed in it.

Cluster A courses: geared toward grades 9-10

World History:  taught by Ms. Christy Kellner  

Texts: All Ye Lands, Catholic Schools Textbook Project, 2011, 

Christ the King Lord of History, by Anne W. Carroll, 1994, 

World History is a survey of the major civilizations of the world since prehistoric times.  This includes: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Europe (Middle Ages through Age of Discovery), China, Japan, India, Africa and Russia.  We will use the texts: All Ye Lands by Catholic Textbook Project, Christ the King Lord of History  by Anne W. Carroll as well as supplemental materials.  

The World History Class will include weekly reading assignments, worksheets, and projects for the students to complete.  Tests and exams will be given throughout the year

All student assignments as well as supplemental materials will be available on google classroom.

Students will need to submit an email for which google classroom access will be granted. All grades will be kept in the google classroom. Grades will be calculated at the end of each semester.

There is a limit of 20 students in this class.  

Ancient Literature: taught by Mrs. Patricia (Tish) Shefcik

Ancient western literature contains some of the richest, most dramatic stories the world has ever

known – including the stories that deal with timeless truths as well as the underpinnings universal to our culture and identity. In this challenging course, students enter that richness and drama; we will read, study, and discuss specifically the works of ancient Greece and Rome. 

A significant amount of at-home reading is required in addition to any written homework.

Students also are expected to participate in Socratic dialogue centered on the reading. Periodic

quizzes on reading and vocabulary class matters ensure that students stay on top of homework. 

Tests will be given mainly at the completion of a book. Secondarily, writing instruction will come

through compositions focusing on literary analysis of the readings. Also, in-class note-taking by

hand is expected, and students are expected to improve in note-taking skills through the course.

Finally, students, to the extent instructed, are expected to keep abreast of assignments, materials, and grades through google classroom.

Please purchase the translations of the books listed below as they correspond to the study guides and audio resources we will be using.

The Iliad by Homer, Translated by Samuel Butler, ISBN 9781547702404

The Odyssey, by Homer, Translated by Samuel Butler, ISBN 9781547703425

The Three Theban Plays, by Sophocles, Translated by Robert Fagles, ISBN 978014044425

 The Aeneid, by Virgil, Translated by J. W. MacKail, ISBN 9781505575460

The City of God, by St. Augustine, Translated by Walsh, Zema, Monahan, Honan 

Note: We will do excerpts from this book.

The Oresteian Trilogy, by Aeschylus, Translated by Philip Vellacott, ISBN 0-14-04406-7-4

Medea and Other Plays, by Euripides, Translated by Philip Vellacott, ISBN 978-0-140-44129-1

Each student should have a binder with tab dividers for this class, as well as paper for note-taking.

Additionally, we will read and discuss shorter works such as Aesop’s Fables, and excerpts from the writings of Aristotle, Plato, Ovid, Marcus Aurelius and others. These materials will be sent for the students to print and read.

There is a limit of 18 students in this class.

Biology :  taught by Mr. Wendell Hull

High school course to deepen knowledge and love of biological topics, including cell structure and chemistry, life processes, and ecology, taught from a Catholic design perspective.  Emphasis will be on understanding terms, applying concepts, and connecting them to the world around us.  The text is substantial, with many new terms and concepts in each chapter.  Class work includes lecture, several dissections and labs, and at least two required presentations.

There is a limit of 18 students in this class

This class is full please register to be placed on the waitlist. 

Intro to  Literature: taught by Mrs. Anna Paulus

The aim of this course is to acquaint students with classic works of literature as well as the terms and techniques of literary analysis while teaching students how to write a well crafted essay. We will begin with poetry, essays, and short stories and move on to longer works. Students will be expected to read one outside novel of their choosing per semester. This novel choice must be approved by both the parents and the teacher. Weekly reading logs and short

essays will be due 9:00 am on Wednesday mornings via Google Classroom. Additional assignments will include poetry memorization, at least one longer essay per term, and a final exam at the end of each term. Unless otherwise stated, all work is to be handwritten and then typed, with electronic versions of both submitted on Wednesdays and hard copies of both submitted on Fridays. This requirement aims to develop critical thinking skills (the brain

functions differently when composing using a pencil versus a keyboard), penmanship, and keyboarding.

Required Booklist:

To be determined by the end of June.

There is a limit of 16 students in this class. 

Cluster C courses: geared toward grades 11-12

Chemistry: taught by Dr. Andy Mann

There is a limit of 18 students in this class.

British Literature: taught by Mrs. Anna Paulus

The aim of this course is to acquaint students with classic works of British literature as well as

the distinguishing features of the major literary movements from which they arose. Students will

learn terms and techniques of literary analysis as well as how to craft critical essays to engage

the works they have read. In addition to readings, assignments will likely include weekly reading

logs or quizzes, poetry memorization, an Author/Literary Movement presentation, short essays,

and a final 2500 word essay of critical literary analysis, as well as a final exam each term. Class

time will be devoted to seminar-style discussions and presentations. Weekly assignments will

be due 9:00 am on Thursday mornings via Google Classroom. Unless otherwise stated, all work

is to be handwritten and then typed, with electronic versions of both submitted on Thursdays

and hard copies of both submitted on Fridays.

Required Booklist:

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Students must have a copy of the above listed works that they can bring to class. It is

recommended that students own their own copy for annotating, if possible. All titles, with the

exception of A Modest Proposal, are available in Dover Thrift Study Editions which have helpful

notes, summaries, background information, etc., and are inexpensive.

Most poetry selections will be taken from The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist. This

book is not required but would make a helpful resource if you are looking for one.

In addition to the above listed works, students will be required to choose one novel from the

following list to read and research for their final paper. A library copy of this book is completely

acceptable. If a student has already read all the novels in this list, an alternative selection must

be approved by both the teacher and the parents.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

Vanity Fair by William Thackeray

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton

There is a limit of 16 students in this class.  

World Geography: taught by Ms. Christy Kellner 

Geography is the study of the Earth's places, environments, and how humans relate and interact with the world around them.  This year in world geography, we will be studying different types of maps, learning how to find, give and follow geographical and location directions. We will study Catholic and secular traditions around the globe.  Students will find, discover, locate, and memorize  continents, countries, states, cities, bodies of water, and landforms.  We will explore orienteering, learn to use a compass, create and plan virtual vacations and pilgrimages, and create geographical projects.  There will not be a text book assigned however the class fee will cover materials needed for the class.  

There is a limit of 20 students in this class.  

Electives

See descriptions for grade levels.

Theology:  taught by Miss Jillian Leonard

1st Semester:

Church History 

In this class, we will explore the Catholic faith from its beginning onward. We will learn about how the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ, the roots of where we came from, and our line of popes and early church fathers. We will explore different councils and heresies that existed throughout the church.

Textbook needed: The History of the Church: Revised Standard Edition: Semester Edition, Peter V. Armenio TEXTBOOK LINK

2nd Semester:

In this semester, we will do a deep dive in Theology of the Body. The teaching about how our bodies are scared and reveal the divine mysteries. We will cover topics like human dignity, marriage and sexuality, and our destiny as human beings, body and soul, meant for eternal life in heaven. We will learn about how we are created by love, for love...and how to be a gift to others around us. 

Textbook: TBD 

There is a limit of 18 students in this class.  

Art: taught by Ms. Veronica Iezzoni (open to grades 8-12).   We recommend parents award .5 credits.

The art course will begin with an introduction to color theory, composition, portrait and figure drawing. In addition, students will explore and apply classic art techniques while learning about various art styles and the Master Artists in art history, with emphasis on sacred art. Projects will include a variety of mediums, including charcoal drawing, painting, sculpture and beyond!

The course will conclude with an art show and exhibit of student's art created in class.

This class is limited to 18 students.  

 Theater: taught by Mr. Jay Muldoon (Fall Semester ) (open to grades 9-12).  

This is not a graded class. We recommend parents award .5 credits on a pass/fail basis. The semester and production date are TBA.

 My Theatre Mission: Theatre is an adventure in storytelling. Of course like everything else, Jesus is our great example. He used his parables to teach the world about His (our) heavenly Father, and the life we must live to be in relationship with the Holy Trinity. Heeding also the example of St. John Paul II and the advice of Pope Benedict XVI Emeritus, I will employ and teach theatre in order to instill a confident and purposeful voice in our youth, so they can spread the Good News.

How the class works: Students will study, create and perform different aspects of theatre. Although we don’t spend a great deal of time with the technical or design aspect of theatre, the students will witness and learn what goes into creating sets, costumes and other visual facets of theatre. Each year we end this class with a theatre production that showcases the student learning. 

Enrollment process: This Theatre program intends to support the students of ASSG first. Thank you for your understanding!!

1. Families should go ahead and register any students they wish to have in Theatre class, grades 9-12.

2. The Theatre roster will be set after two weeks of registration have passed. 

3. Returning Theatre students from 2025-2026 will be admitted first.

4. New students enrolling in other ASSG classes will be placed next, beginning with 12th graders, working down to 9th.

5. There is a limit of 25 students in the class. 

6. Once the roster is set, it will only be adjusted if a student drops- then another student can be moved in from the waiting list. 

Attendance:

 A significant student absentee rate makes our theatre program difficult to implement successfully. Mr. Muldoon will ask all students to notify him at the beginning of the semester of any planned absences. Of course, students will need to notify Mr. Muldoon of any other absences before they occur. Production week rehearsals are mandatory. 

Students who cannot fulfill the commitment to the Theatre program with good attendance will have to give up their place in the class. Roles will be adjusted according to the discretion of the teacher.

There is a limit of 25 students in this class. Often a few students who enroll need to drop the class due to schedule conflicts. A waiting list will be kept.