Curriculum

In Grammar School II students train and exercise in the use of grammar as a learning tool to identify and define the fundamental elements of Literature and Composition II, Greek/Jewish History, Physical Science, Pre-Algebra, and Geography.

In Grammar School III, students utilize and refine the grammar skills they have acquired by studying Literature and Composition III, Roman/Christian History, Geology/Astronomy, Algebra I, and Latin I.

Grades 9-10

Freshmen are trained to use logic to order and relate the pieces of knowledge they have and are acquiring as they continue their studies with Medieval Literature, Medieval History, Biology, Algebra II, and Latin II.

Sophomores are trained to use rhetoric [aka dialogue] to probe and test the soundness of the logic in the complex thoughts presented to them in European Literature, European History, Chemistry, Geometry, and Greek.

Our hope is that by this point [roughly age 16], students have reached the milestone of a secondary education which we call dialectical maturity [which the faculty recognizes by awarding a Northfield Liberal Arts Certificate] ... which will give them the confidence to step forward and begin the final and longest leg of their educational journey ... personal and professional development via study and work opportunities at Northfield, Friends University or anywhere else they desire to go.

Grades 11-12

Collectively called Graduates, Northfield Juniors and Seniors are expected to use the trivium learning tools to delve deeply into subjects like American Literature, American History, Great Books, Advanced Biology, and Trigonometry ... whether they are studying at Northfield or at Friends University. We begin to treat them as intellectual peers from whom we can learn ... and to watch to see where their intellectual interests [no longer their Northfield teachers] begin to take them in their educational journey.

They have broad opportunities to determine their own course of study, including a year-long Graduate Project of their choice. They grow in confidence as they employ the capabilities and skills developed over their Northfield years in such classes as Capstone Literature, Capstone History, Advanced Chemistry, and Algebra III.

Via our Northfield@Friends program, students can earn college credit by taking dual credit courses at Northfield as well as guest courses at Friends in subjects of their choosing including American History 140, American History 150, Political Science 100, Exploring Theatre 120, Personal Finance 120, Religion 120, Philosophy 100, and English Composition 201.

With planning and diligence during the Northfield years, a student can economically earn two years of college credit at Friends which can be transferred almost anywhere if the student should wish to do so.

To receive a Northfield High School Diploma, students must successfully complete 144 hours, receive 306 credits, and have at least a 1.5 GPA. Students must successfully complete two years of science, including Biology and Chemistry; two years of math, including Algebra II and Geometry; three years of history; three years of Literature, Rhetoric and Composition; three years of languages; and three years of music.

We work with many other schools and institutions to recognize dual credit towards a diploma wherever it can be justified. The important thing is learning ... not where it happens.

Northfield Learning Pathways for 2016-2017