Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
The English I curriculum is designed to introduce the skills necessary for the student to become proficient in a high school language arts program. These skills include the areas of listening, speaking, collaborating, reading, writing, analyzing literature, and researching. Literature will be presented through thematic units that include works from different genres, including the short story, the novel, poetry, drama, and nonfiction. Students will write an I-search paper in the spring semester. The process approach to writing will be emphasized.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
The English I Honors curriculum is designed to introduce the skills necessary for the student to become proficient in the honors track of the high school language arts program. These skills include the areas of listening, speaking, reading, analyzing, researching and writing. Higher order thinking skills will be expected. Students will read and analyze selected works from all genres: short story, novel, poetry, drama and nonfiction. The process approach to writing will be emphasized.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: English I
Term: Full Year
The English II curriculum is designed to reinforce the learning from English I and to introduce a more sophisticated approach to literature and to writing. The process approach to writing will also be emphasized with particular attention to writing for different audiences, analytic and comparative writing, and self-editing. The research paper in its entirety will be taught in this course.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: English I
Term: Full Year
The English II Honors curriculum is designed to reinforce the learning from English I and to introduce a more sophisticated approach to literature and to writing. The process approach to writing will also be emphasized with particular attention to writing for different audiences, analytic and comparative writing, and self-editing. The research paper in its entirety will be taught in this course. Students will be expected to read independently and extensively.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course satisfies 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement and must be taken in conjunction with a Selective English course.
English III is a study of the various genres of American literature using a thematic approach. The curriculum is designed to reinforce learning from English II and to introduce a more sophisticated approach to literature and to writing. The process approach to writing will continue to be emphasized with particular attention to analytic and comparative writing, style, and self-editing. Research skills will be reviewed with particular attention to the incorporation of literary criticism into student writing.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course satisfies 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement and must be taken in conjunction with a Selective English course.
The English III Honors curriculum is designed to reinforce the learnings from English II Honors and to introduce a more sophisticated approach to literature and to writing. The literature will be that of American authors. It will be studied chronologically. Selections will be chosen from colonial authors through contemporary authors. The process approach to writing will continue to be emphasized with particular attention to analytic and comparative writing, style, and self-editing. Research skills will be reviewed, and each student will complete several research assignments.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: English III
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course satisfies 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement and must be taken in conjunction with a Selective English course.
The English IV CP Curriculum is divided into two semesters, both of which address the theme of identity. In the first semester, students will examine works from a range of sources, and varied genres. Through short stories, film, novels, memoir, and drama, the students will consider how one’s identity is formed and informed by one’s environment. Those environments include diverse cultures, but touch on universal questions of how one sees oneself in relation to others. In the second semester, students will read works of both fiction and nonfiction, as well as poetry, speeches, and essays, by black and African American writers. Through analysis of varied works, the students will become more informed about the experiences of people of color in the United States. Varied activities include close textual analysis, Socratic seminars, research, and both written and oral presentations.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: English II
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The AP English Language and Composition curriculum is designed to prepare students for the advanced placement examination, which is given in May. The course follows a thematic approach with an emphasis on American literature. Students will focus on complex fiction, essays, letters, and documents, from a variety of disciplines, time periods, and rhetorical modes, to determine, among other things, a writer's purpose and manipulation of the subtleties of language. The course will create writers adept at addressing many writing challenges. Students must take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: English II
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The AP English Literature and Composition curriculum is designed to prepare students for the advanced placement examination, which is given in May. The emphasis of the course is the in-depth study of fiction and poetry. The focus of the course will be on British literature, although some American works and world literature will be studied. The process approach to writing will again be emphasized with particular attention to writing for different audiences, analytic and comparative writing, and self-editing and revision. Students will be expected to complete several independent, analytical reading and writing assignments. Students must take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: English III
Term: Semester
Dual Enrollment: Opportunity to earn 3 credits through Syracuse University Project Advance
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy the VHS English requirement in conjunction with a Selective English course.
This course focuses on the genre of creative nonfiction. Students explore varieties of creative nonfiction, such as memoir; biography; the personal essay; travel, science, and food writing; and “new journalism.” As its name suggests, creative nonfiction borrows elements from fiction and poetry (e.g., description, scene construction, dialogue, etc.) yet still aims to tell the truth. For a writer to “tell it slant,” however, is to acknowledge the ways in which one’s subjective viewpoint shapes what counts as “the truth” in telling a story about one’s own or another’s experiences. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with style, genre, and subject in a writing studio environment and to read varied examples of contemporary creative nonfiction (e.g., Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, George Saunders’ The Braindead Megaphone, etc.). Students will craft and workshop their own creative nonfiction compositions. This is a college course offered through Syracuse University, and students paying the (discounted) fee for SU credit will receive a Syracuse University transcript.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: English III
Term: Semester
Dual Enrollment: Opportunity to earn 3 credits through Syracuse University Project Advance
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy the VHS English requirement in conjunction with a Selective English course.
Gender & Literary Texts explores the construction and representation of ‘gender,’ especially as it affects the production and reception of literary and other cultural texts. The course foregrounds readers’ interpretive practices, i.e., how we read and make meaning in texts, particularly if we interpret them using the premise that gender is a social construct—rather than a natural, ahistorical “essence” that somehow “expresses” our true “selves.” To examine the ways in which literature participates in the social reproduction of gender, as well as the difference that gender makes in the production and reception of literary texts, students will practice extensive close reading, evidence-based analysis and argumentation, and independent- inquiry. Raising awareness of how meanings are created through acts of critical reading, students will thus learn to analyze the ways texts construct categories of difference, including differences of gender, race and social class.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Public Speaking is a half-year course that focuses on the art of rhetoric and how effective communication often combines the art of speaking with the art of writing. Students will read and study exemplary models of effective speeches, such as informative, persuasive, instructional, and entertaining/interpretive. After studying a specific style of speech, students will compose and present original speeches. Class members will develop and demonstrate effective listening skills.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Journalism is a half-year course designed primarily to familiarize students with all aspects of journalistic writing, and to study the role of the media historically and currently. Students will learn the inverted pyramid style of straight news writing in order to make their writing more focused and concise. They will also analyze and write in most of the styles one would find in a daily newspaper including features, editorials, and reviews.
Latino Literature
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
This course will cover an exploration of Latino identity through stereotypes, gender roles, and the immigrant experience. topics to be discussed include the construction of identity in terms of race, gender, sexuality, and class; bilingualism and code-switching; the experiences of immigrants;
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Down these Mean Streets by Piri Thomas
Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quiñonez
Selected short stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Isabel Allende, and Junot Diaz
True Crime: A Study of the Nonfiction Fiction Genre
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
In this semester course, we will be looking at the burgeoning true-crime genre. The horrific murder of an innocent Kansas family in 1959 sparked the writing of the first true crime masterpiece: In Cold Blood. Author Truman Capote called his book a “nonfiction novel” and in so doing may have created a new genre. Breaking new ground, he completely changed the way people wrote, particularly about murder, combining factual reporting with imaginative storytelling. In the ensuing decades, true crime’s popularity as a genre has become undeniable, measurable in the proliferation of books, films, television, and podcasts on the subject.
Along with the reading of In Cold Blood, other true crime works that may be covered, through reading and viewing, in this course include: The Devil in the White City (which incorporated the story of Chicago World Fair’s famous serial killer, H. H. Holmes), I’ll Be Gone in the Dark (Golden State Killer), Zodiac ( Zodiac Killer), The Stranger Beside Me (Ted Bundy) and Mindhunter, (which explores the FBI’s adoption of psychological profiling as an investigative technique). True crime podcasts will also be part of the course.
From Page to Screen
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
From classic literary masterpieces to contemporary works, students will examine how filmmakers interpret and reinterpret narratives, characters, and themes. The course will be divided into two parts - the first, a study of how classic literature, like Frankenstein and Shakespeare, has been reinvented for the big screen. In the second part of the course, students will delve into popular fiction of the modern age. Through a diverse selection of novels, short stories, and plays that have been masterfully translated onto the silver screen, students will gain a deep understanding of the transformative power of storytelling across different mediums. By the end of this course, you’ll find yourself saying, "the book really was better than the movie!”
The Art of Laughing: Humor in Literature
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
Imagine a world where simply reading text on a page can get you to snort, chuckle, or perhaps even laugh. I don’t want to shock you, but take a look around: you’re in that world, and books can be funny. The course starts with a brief look at the history of comedy on the stage and screen, familiarizing ourselves with stock characters who have been making us laugh out loud for over four hundred years. Then, we dive into books intent on getting us to see the humor in topics ranging from modern medical science to personal tragedy. Examine, analyze, and evaluate what exactly makes something “funny,” how talented authors have mastered the art of the joke without saying anything out loud, and how to bring humor to your own writing. After all, the funniest thing we can do is take comedy too seriously.
Power of the Pen: Reading Banned Books
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
From the past to the present day, many books have been, and continue to be, banned. A number of them are books that have a place in the literary canon. In this course, we will consider the reasons books have been banned, and examine both why they have been banned, and why they still have value. We will ask the question, “what might be learned about literature and society through an examination of these texts?”
Monsters in Literature
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
Monsters haunt literature and art across time periods, cultures and genres. This course will focus on the critical reading of novels, short stories, and poetry that explore the concept of monsters and what monsters reveal about humanity. The writing element of this course will include analysis of literary monsters as a reflection of the desires, fears, and values of society. Students will also practice and develop speaking and listening skills through large and small group discussions, including Socratic Seminars.
Creative Writing
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
This course will focus on expressive writing in many different forms. Students will be exposed to several different types of writing pieces, including poetry and prose, as well as responding to literature, art mediums, quotes, and music. Originality and writing that shows thought and personal voice will be emphasized. Strategies, such as quick-write prompts, or stream of consciousness practice, to avoid writer’s block and new ways to uncover ideas for writing will be part of the course. Whole class sharing, peer reviews, and workshopping ideas are essential elements to this course.
Students will be expected to participate in-class writing exercises, group writing, workshop critique, technique-specific practices, reading and group discussion with the aim of creating a collection of creative work (e.g. one complete short story, one act of a dramatic work, a nonfiction essay, and several poems) that will be the result of in-class practice, workshop, homework, discussion, and revision.
Sports in Literature
Credits 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
This course explores the intersection of sports and literature, delving into how athletics reflect and shape cultural values, personal identity, and societal change. Students will read a diverse selection of works, including fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, and poetry, to analyze themes such as perseverance, teamwork, competition, and the human spirit. Discussions will address the universal lessons sports provide and their impact on history, race, gender, and ethics. Through writing assignments, creative projects, and critical analysis, students will develop a deeper understanding of how sports serve as both a mirror to and a catalyst for personal and social transformation.
The Power of Story in Popular Literature
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Term: Semester
Core Requirement: This course may be used to satisfy 2.5 credits of the VHS English requirement.
The Power of Story in Popular Literature Course is a semester-long course designed to provide students the opportunity to read, analyze, and discuss current social issues and events as they are represented in popular literature and media. The course is discussion-based and will include opportunities for student choice of stories to read and discuss. The instructor will also choose stories for the class to read and discuss including fiction, nonfiction, podcasts, music, film, and plays. Students will write to analyze stories, craft creative writing work, and explore questions emerging from research on how and why specific texts resonate with a diverse population of readers. Students will identify points of inquiry for authentic project-based learning throughout the course: after identifying a popular text, students will research the topic of the text in-depth and design an action-based project to address the issue in the community.
Introduction to Film
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
This full-year course is designed to be an accessible yet challenging elective that pushes students’ skills in the areas of analysis, observation, critical thinking, and verbal expression through the screening of various culturally and thematically impactful films. The units of study will range from a broad introduction to film and then move to a more in-depth look at film as an entertainment medium. Throughout the course, students will learn a variety of film terms, explore the various film genres, read and write critical reviews, and explore the impact of various films on society as a whole. A variety of classroom activities will be utilized throughout the course with a focus on building the students’ speaking and listening skills. The students will have opportunities to write and formulate opinions about film and appreciate film as an interpretive art. Assessments will primarily be project based. Ultimately, this course will move the students from passive viewer to active “reviewers and thinkers” about film.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
The major focus of this course is to expand awareness and critical thinking while increasing knowledge about the modern world. The class scope will encompass world activities from the Renaissance epoch to the late 20th century. The course will promote world citizenship with a study of historical, geographical, political, social, and economic aspects of life around the world. By reading about world histories and cultures, students will learn to recognize and analyze patterns of continuity and change. This course places an emphasis upon challenging activities and questions that promote critical thinking.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
The major focus of this course is to expand awareness and critical thinking while increasing knowledge about the modern world. The class scope will encompass world activities from the Renaissance epoch to the late 20th century. The course will attempt to promote world citizenship with a study of historical, geographical, political, social, and economic aspects of life around the world. By reading about world histories and cultures, students will learn to recognize and analyze patterns of continuity and change. This course places an emphasis upon challenging activities and questions that promote critical thinking. Emphasis will be placed upon scholarly readings and work from advanced texts.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The focus of the AP World History course is on developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about world history from approximately 8000 BCE to the present and apply historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. Five themes of equal importance: focusing on the environment, cultures, state-building, economic systems, and social structures, provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation throughout the course. AP World History encompasses the history of the five major geographical regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with special focus on historical developments and processes that cross multiple regions. Students MUST take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Modern World History
Term: Full Year
A study of United States History from the Pre-Colonial period through Reconstruction concentrating on the following general themes: the European-American heritage, the Native-American heritage, African-American heritage, the role of women in American history, the Colonial Period, the American Revolution, the Constitutional Era, Jacksonian Democracy, the Reform Era, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Multi-cultural contributions to developing American society will be stressed.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Modern World History
Term: Full Year
A study of United States History from the Pre-Colonial period through Reconstruction concentrating on the following themes: the European-American heritage, the Native-American heritage, African-American heritage, the role of women in American history, the Colonial Period, the American Revolution, the Constitutional Era, Jacksonian Democracy, the Reform Era, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Multi-cultural contributions to developing American society will be stressed. Emphasis will be placed upon scholarly readings and work from advanced college texts.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: United States History I
Term: Full Year
This course is a continuation of U.S. History I and the content includes a study of United States history from Industrialization (circa 1860) to the present concentrating on the following general themes: Industrial America. Protest Movements, Imperialism, the Progressive Movement, the First World War, the Great Depression, F.D.R. and the New Deal, the Second World War, the Cold War, the Kennedy-Johnson years, the Vietnam War, Post-Watergate foreign and domestic affairs, and contemporary America. Multi-cultural contributions to American society will be stressed.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: United States History I
Term: Full Year
This course is a continuation of U.S. History I and the content includes a study of United States history from Industrialization (circa 1860) to the present concentrating on the following general themes: Industrial America. Protest Movements, Imperialism, the Progressive Movement, the First World War, the Great Depression, F.D.R. and the New Deal, the Second World War, the Cold War, the Kennedy-Johnson years, the Vietnam War, Post-Watergate foreign and domestic affairs, and contemporary America. Multi-cultural contributions to American society will be stressed. Emphasis will be placed upon scholarly readings and work from advanced college texts.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: United States History I
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The AP United States History course is a continuation of Honors U.S. History I. The content includes a study of United States history from Industrialization (circa 1860) to the present concentrating on the following general themes: Industrial America, Protest Movements, Imperialism, the Progressive Movement, the First World War, the Great Depression, F.D.R. and the New Deal, the Second World War, the Cold War, the Kennedy-Johnson years, the Vietnam War, Post-Watergate foreign and domestic affairs, and contemporary America. Emphasis will be placed upon scholarly readings and work from advanced college level texts. Multi-cultural contributions to American society will be stressed. The purpose of this course is to prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement U.S. History examination. Consequently, all instruction and learning is built around the form of the national Advanced Placement examination. Students MUST take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: United States History I
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The AP United States Government & Politics course is designed to educate students about the American government and its role within society and their everyday lives. In addition, students will be expected to express and develop their individual thoughts and ideas as well as begin to shape their own individual viewpoints. Students will begin their study of government by analyzing the various political philosophies that have been proposed throughout the ages. Students will determine how these various philosophies have impacted the development of the representative democracy found within the United States. Students will continue their governmental studies through the intense examination of the American government. This examination will include the study of the three governmental branches as well as their overall powers and functions. Finally, students will analyze the individual rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States as well as discuss the overall limits to our freedoms. Students MUST take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The study of AP European History since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of AP European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principle themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing. Students MUST take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The AP Human Geography course is equivalent to an introductory college-level course in human geography. The course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. Students MUST take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas. Students must take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and possess basic mathematics and graphing skills
Graduation Requirement: This course may be utilized to satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career Skills graduation requirement. A course can never simultaneously satisfy two graduation requirements. However, if a student takes this course, it may satisfy the 21st Century Life & Careers requirement so long as that course is not already fulfilling a separate requirement.
AP Microeconomics gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and possess basic mathematics and graphing skills.
Graduation Requirement: This course may be utilized to satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career Skills graduation requirement. A course can never simultaneously satisfy two graduation requirements. However, if a student takes this course, it may satisfy the 21st Century Life & Careers requirement so long as that course is not already fulfilling a separate requirement.
AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination; it also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This is a one semester course whose focus is designed to familiarize students with the basic concepts and vocabulary of the modern American legal system. Topics include the overall criminal justice system, juvenile justice system, civil law, contract law, consumer law, juvenile law, family law, and Constitutional law. Activities include familiarization with the trial process through the use of mock trial simulations, the analysis of major U.S. court cases, and interviewing guest speakers (i.e., lawyers, judges and members of the law enforcement community).
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This semester-long course will explore the development of Constitutional and Civil Rights law in the United States. Students will learn how to interpret and apply United States Supreme Court decisions in an effort to understand the historical and modern legal environments. Students will actively participate in moot court exercises that explore some of the greatest legal questions of our time. Students will then apply Federal and state statute, rules of evidence, and trial procedure to given scenarios during mock trial exercises. The course will include expert guest speakers from the legal field.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This one semester course examines “historical” commercial films as they are presented to modern moviegoers. Students will learn to question what they see on the screen. Sorting through the hype for the accurate historical content and assessing the value of a film will be done through critical movie viewing, and research and analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
In this one semester elective course, students will examine various dynamic issues facing today’s world, whether as a citizen of the United States or as a member of the world community at large. This examination will enable them to discover their values and responsibilities as citizens in that society. Major historical, social, cultural, political, and economic issues in contemporary United States history will be highlighted in this course.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Holocaust and Genocide focuses on the impact of inhumanity throughout the history of the world. This one semester course will trace the history of Genocide in Modern Society and the impact these events have had on policy and overall societal tolerance. The course will have a primary focus on the inhumane behavior displayed in Nazi Germany before and during World War II. The class will initially study the roots of anti-Semitism in Europe. This will be followed by a study of the philosophy, literature, propaganda and economic circumstances that conditioned the German populace for acceptance of Anti-Semitic policies. After intensive study of this event, the course will demonstrate that genocide has occurred in multiple places throughout the world in the modern era. The course will explore genocides such as the Armenian genocide, the genocide of American Indians and the Rwandan Genocide. The class will conclude by discussing if it is possible to eliminate events such as these or if this type of behavior is implicit within human society.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Sports psychology and health psychology are vibrant branches of the larger psychological discipline. Health psychology is an area that focuses on how biology, psychology, behavior, and social factors influence health and illness. Sport psychology is the branch of psychology which deals with the study and application of the psychological principles that enhance both physical and mental performance. Studying these disciplines while exploring the foundations of psychology, students will gain a unique combination of depth and breadth that will allow them to use psychology to help them live a healthier and happier life. This course is designed to introduce students to the major themes, issues, and theories of this discipline, as well as how those ideas affect both health and sports professionals.
Abnormal Psychology
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a more in-depth look at abnormal and clinical psychology. Broadly, we will study psychological dysfunction that is associated with distress or impaired functioning in a manner that is not typical, or expected, based on cultural and societal norms. Content will be organized in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The course will look at the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that contribute to mental health disorders as well as major symptoms and treatment of mental health disorders. Our hope is to include guest speakers currently practicing in the field to provide students with an overview of potential career options.
Credits: 2.5 or 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester or Full Year
Scheduling Note: Administrative Approval Required for Enrollment
Students may be enrolled in this supplemental instruction course to assist in building foundational math skills necessary for future math success.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
In this course students have the opportunity to develop a solid foundation in Algebra. Students will learn how to utilize and analyze algebraic concepts leading to a deeper understanding of mathematics and stronger critical thinking skills. Topics for this course include Number Sense and Operations, Algebraic Expressions, Linear Functions, Linear Equations and Inequalities, Non-Linear Relationships and Data and Statistical Analysis.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
In this course students have the opportunity to develop a solid foundation in Algebra. Students will learn how to utilize and analyze algebraic concepts leading to a deeper understanding of mathematics and stronger critical thinking skills. Topics for this course include Number Sense and Operations, Algebraic Expressions, Linear Functions, Linear Equations and Inequalities, Non-Linear Relationships and Data and Statistical Analysis.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Term: Full Year
This course is designed to enhance students’ prior knowledge of geometric topics. This course will deepen student understanding of geometric concepts leading to the ability to prove geometric theorems. Topics for this course include: Properties of Geometric Figures, Congruence, Proofs, Constructions, Similarity, Right Triangles and Trigonometry, Circles, Expressing Geometric Properties with Equations, Geometric Measurement and Dimension, and Geometric Modeling. The course is designed to promote inquiry learning in which students have the ability to discover geometric concepts.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Term: Full Year
This course is designed to enhance and enrich students’ prior knowledge of geometric topics. This course will deepen student understanding of geometric concepts leading to the ability to prove geometric theorems. Topics for this course include: Properties of Geometric Figures, Congruence, Proofs, Constructions, Similarity, Right Triangles and Trigonometry, Circles, Expressing Geometric Properties with Equations, Geometric Measurement and Dimension, and Geometric Modeling. The course is designed to promote inquiry learning in which students have the ability to discover geometric concepts.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Geometry
Term: Full Year
This course is designed to enhance the concepts developed in Algebra I College Prep and Geometry College Prep. Students will continue to improve their ability to model situations and solve a variety of equations including linear, quadratic, rational and radical. Topics for this course include: Polynomial, Rational and Radical Relationships, Trigonometric Functions, and Conics. Students must provide their own TI NSpire or TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; these will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: Successful completion of Geometry Honors; course is intended for students that would like to continue math sequence with Precalculus and Calculus.
This course is designed to enrich the concepts developed in Honors Algebra I and Honors Geometry. Students will continue to improve their ability to model situations and solve a variety of equations including linear, quadratic, rational and radical. Topics for this course include: Polynomials, Rational and Radical Relationships, Trigonometric Functions, and Conics. Students must provide their own TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; this will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Term: Full Year
This course is designed to enhance students’ preparation for Calculus in high school or college. The course will focus on improving students’ knowledge of trigonometric and other types of functions, including polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. Other topics include: Function Operations, Polynomial Functions, Analytic Trigonometry, Applications of Trigonometry, and Sequences and Series. Much of this course involves real-world applications and mathematical modeling. Students must provide their own TI NSpire or TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; these will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: Successful completion of Algebra II Honors
This course is designed to enhance students’ preparation for AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles or any college-level course. The course will focus on improving students’ knowledge of trigonometric and other types of functions, including polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. Other topics include: Analytic Trigonometry, Applications of Trigonometry, Sequences and Series, Conic Sections, Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Limits. Much of this course involves real-world applications and mathematical modeling. Students must provide their own TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; these will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: Successful completion of Precalculus Honors; AP Potential score of 50% for AB.
Recommendation from College Board: Previous study of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions. These functions include linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-defined functions. In particular, before studying calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the composition of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and descriptors such as increasing and decreasing). Students should also know how the sine and cosine functions are defined from the unit circle and know the values of the trigonometric functions at the numbers 0, π/6, π/4, π/3, π/2, and their multiples.
This is a college-level course which follows the College Board’s AP Calculus AB Course Description. Two central concepts are introduced: the Derivative, and the Integral. Through these concepts the course unites and generalizes the student’s prior four years of study Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry. AP Calculus AB is equivalent to a college Calculus I course. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May to earn course credit. A score of 4 or 5 on the exam will generally earn the student one course of college credit and placement into a college Calculus II course. The course is particularly well-suited for students who wish to study college-level Calculus in high school, but whose expected undergraduate course of study may not require Calculus II. Students must provide their own TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; these will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction. Students must take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: Successful completion of Precalculus Honors; AP Potential score of 70% for AB.
Recommendation from College Board: Previous study of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions. These functions include linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-defined functions. In particular, before studying calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the composition of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and descriptors such as increasing and decreasing). Students should also know how the sine and cosine functions are defined from the unit circle and know the values of the trigonometric functions at the numbers 0, π/6, π/4, π/3, π/2, and their multiples. Students who take AP Calculus BC should have basic familiarity with sequences and series, as well as some exposure to parametric and polar equations
This is a college-level course which follows the College Board’s AP Calculus BC Course Description. Two central concepts are introduced: the Derivative, and the Integral. Additional topics which extend the AP Calculus AB course are also studied. The course unites and generalizes the student’s prior four years of study Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, and is equivalent to Calculus I and Calculus II in college. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May to earn course credit. A score of 4 or 5 on the exam will generally earn the student two courses of college credit and placement into a college Calculus III (Multivariate Calculus) course. The course is particularly well-suited for students who wish to study college-level Calculus in high school, and whose expected undergraduate course of study requires Calculus I and Calculus II. Examples of such courses of study are: Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biological Sciences. Students must provide their own TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; these will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction. Students must take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course
Recommendation from College Board: This course is recommended for students who possess sufficient mathematical maturity and quantitative reasoning ability. Because second-year algebra is the prerequisite course, AP Statistics is usually taken in either the junior or senior year.
Recommendation from College Board: This course is recommended for students who possess sufficient mathematical maturity and quantitative reasoning ability. Because second-year algebra is the prerequisite course, AP Statistics is usually taken in either the junior or senior year.
This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Statistics Exam. This course is for students that have completed Algebra II and possess sufficient mathematical maturity and quantitative reasoning-ability. The topics for this course have been organized into four conceptual themes: Exploring Data, Sampling and Experimentation, Anticipating Patterns, and Statistical Inference. Students must provide their own TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; these will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction. Students must take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Term: Semester
This course is designed to provide instruction in statistical applications and an understanding of the fundamental ideas that underlie decisions that are reached by exploring data, planning a study, producing models and determining their significance. This course is recommended to be taken as a fourth year math elective in conjunction with another semester math elective. Students must provide their own TI NSpire or TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; these will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Term: Semester
This course is designed to teach students how to effectively make decisions using non-traditional discrete mathematics topics. These topics will include probability, game strategies, voting/fair decision methods, optimization, and network analysis. Other topics such as cryptology and fractals may be introduced. This course is recommended to be taken as a fourth year math elective in conjunction with another semester math elective. Students must provide their own TI NSpire or TI NSpire CAS graphing calculator; these will be an important tool that will routinely be used in instruction.
Fundamentals of Computer Science
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Explore the Fundamentals of Computer Science by learning to code in Python, studying the design and operation of computing systems and the Internet, and analyzing the purpose and impact of technology on society. Students design, write, test, and debug code to solve a variety of problems, such as analyzing or visualizing large datasets, simulating a real-world process, and constructing an interactive game. Students master standard software design patterns for storing data, making decisions, performing repetition, and interacting with people. Students practice program design principles, including developing algorithms and breaking large problems into smaller pieces. Fundamentals of Computer Science can be taken as a standalone course or as a preparatory course for AP Computer Science Principles. It satisfies the prerequisite requirement for AP Computer Science A.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Algebra I or Fundamentals of Computer Science
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course.
Recommendation from College Board: It is recommended that students in the AP Computer Science Principles course have successfully completed a first-year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions, composition of functions, and problem-solving strategies that require multiple approaches and collaborative efforts. In addition, students should be able to use a Cartesian (x, y) coordinate system to represent points on a plane. It is important that students and their advisers understand that any significant computer science course builds upon a foundation of mathematical reasoning that should be acquired before attempting such a course. Prior computer science experience is not required to take this course.
Graduation Requirement: This course may be utilized to satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career Skills or towards the Math graduation requirement. A course can never simultaneously satisfy two graduation requirements. However, if a student takes this course, it may satisfy the 21st Century Life & Careers requirement so long as that course is not already fulfilling a separate requirement.
AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. With a unique focus on creative problem solving and real-world applications, AP Computer Science Principles prepares students for college and career, featuring topics such as Creative Development, Data and Information, Algorithms and Programming, Networks and The Internet, and the Global and Societal Impact of Computing. This course is aligned with the College Board’s Advanced Placement examination and is the equivalent of a college-level general education course in Computer Science. This course may precede or follow AP Computer Science A. Students must take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Fundamentals of Computer Science, or AP Computer Science Principles, or Geometry
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course; Successful completion of Geometry Honors
Recommendation from College Board: It is recommended that students have successfully completed a first year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions, composition of functions, and problem-solving strategies that require multiple approaches and collaborative efforts. In addition, students should be able to use a Cartesian (x, y) coordinate system to represent points on a plane. It is important that students and their advisers understand that any significant computer science course builds upon a foundation of mathematical reasoning that should be acquired before attempting such a course. Prior computer science experience is not required to take this course.
Graduation Requirement: This course may be utilized to satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career Skills or towards the Math graduation requirement. A course can never simultaneously satisfy two graduation requirements. However, if a student takes this course, it may satisfy the 21st Century Life & Careers requirement so long as that course is not already fulfilling a separate requirement.
Students learn object-oriented programming in the Java programming language with a concentration on problem solving and algorithm development. This course is aligned with the College Board’s Advanced Placement Computer Science A course and examination and is the equivalent of a first-semester college-level course in Computer Science. Students design, write, test and debug object-oriented software, develop and select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve problems, and learn to design, code, read and understand large programs consisting of many software components. This course may precede or follow AP Computer Science Principles. Students must take the AP exam to earn AP course credit.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Graduation Requirement: This course may be utilized to satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career Skills graduation requirement. A course can never simultaneously satisfy two graduation requirements. However, if a student takes this course, it may satisfy the 21st Century Life & Careers requirement so long as that course is not already fulfilling a separate requirement.
Video games are all around us. They are on our computers, our phones, and our TVs. There are many aspects to designing and developing games and this course aims to discuss as many of them as possible. Would you like to Learn how to program games? Would you like to create your own video game characters? Would you like to create your own video game music? Would you like to create your own video game story? If you answered yes to any of those questions then this course has something for you! Whether you are into computer science, graphic arts, music production or creative writing you can find enjoyment in creating video games. The course will utilize Game Maker Studio (GMS) for video game programming and character creation (graphic arts and animation). GMS can also import music and sounds that you have written or made. While the majority of the course instruction will target making game events and characters to interact with, students are encouraged to spend time on other elements of the design and development process (sound design, character/game story, etc.) and time will be built into the course to allow students to do this. By the end of the course students, in groups or individually, should be able to create their own video game and share it with others!
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
This course is designed to satisfy the benchmarks set forth by the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science. Biology is the study of living organisms using an inquiry approach. Through the use of laboratory techniques, class discussions, cooperative learning, current events and independent work, the student will develop an appreciation and understanding of the following modern biological concepts: microscopy, biochemistry, genetics, evolution, microbiology, physiology, and ecology.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
This course is designed to exceed the benchmarks set forth by New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science. The Honors Biology program is designed to introduce students to the ever changing, complex, and fascinating principles of biology. Students are expected to demonstrate an outstanding work ethic and solid performance in the comprehension of scientific reading material, analysis of data, and performance of laboratory experiments. The student will develop an appreciation and understanding of the following modern biological concepts: microscopy, biochemistry, genetics, evolution, microbiology, physiology, and ecology.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology; Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course; Successful completion of Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors
Recommendation from College Board: Students should have successfully completed high school courses in biology and chemistry.
AP Biology is a course designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course which is usually taken by biology majors during their first year in college. A major goal is to provide the students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and laboratory experience that will enhance their understanding of biological principles. AP students must possess an extraordinary work ethic and solid performance in the comprehension of scientific reading material such as published articles, text, and laboratory protocols. The course given at VHS follows the syllabus of the AP Biology Committee of the College Board. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Term: Full Year
The purpose of the course is to prepare students who plan to pursue non-science careers for college level chemistry. This course analyzes the important role that chemistry will play in their personal and professional lives. Students will learn to use principles of chemistry to think more intelligently about current issues involving science and technology. The course emphasizes basic chemical principles, develops basic laboratory skills, and has the students learn problem solving methods. The course stands alone as a basic study, but serves as a foundation for future science courses.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Term: Full Year
The Honors level of Chemistry is a faster paced, more math-intensive version of the Chemistry course. The students will learn facts, formulas and principles of chemistry as well as how to apply them to their world. They will come to understand the reason why the facts, formulas and principles exist as they continue to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, for use in chemistry, science and life.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course; Successful completion of Chemistry Honors.
Recommendation from College Board: Students should have successfully completed a general high school Chemistry course and Algebra II.
AP Chemistry exposes students to college level Chemistry curriculum. The course moves at a very fast, demanding pace and is very math intensive. The students are challenged with complex problems on a variety of topics, both in the laboratory and in the classroom. The course is designed to maximize the students' chances to pass the AP Chemistry examination; passing this test can earn students up to 8 college credits toward General Chemistry, fulfilling a core college requirement. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Geometry
Term: Full Year
This course presents the basic concepts of physics in a logical sequence. The organization of the text and the style of the writing are designed to meet the needs of today's students without compromising content. A fully integrated laboratory sequence follows the course so that the students engage in scientific discovery through their own experiments. Physics satisfies the requirements for a college preparatory program.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Term: Full Year
This course presents the concepts and the mathematics of physics in a logical sequence. The organization of the text and the style of the writing are designed to meet the needs of today's student without compromising precision or content. A fully integrated laboratory sequence follows the course so that the students engage in scientific discovery through their own experiments. Physics Honors satisfies the requirements for a college preparatory program.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chemistry and Algebra II
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course; Successful completion of Algebra II Honors
Recommendation from College Board: Students should have completed Geometry and be concurrently taking Algebra II or an equivalent course. Although the Physics 1 course includes basic use of trigonometric functions, this understanding can be gained either in the concurrent math course or in the AP Physics 1 course itself.
AP Physics I is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Students must take the AP Exam in order to receive AP course credit. Due to curricular overlap between Physics Honors and AP Physics 1 students who have completed Honors Physics are ineligible to take AP Physics 1.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Precalculus and Honors Physics
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course; Successful completion of Precalculus Honors and Physics Honors or AP Physics 1
Recommendation from College Board: Students should have taken or be concurrently taking Calculus
This course provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of physics and emphasizes the development of conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability using Trigonometry and Calculus. This course focuses on a wide range of topics including: Kinetics; Newton’s Law of Motion; Work, Energy and Power; Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum; Circular Motion and Rotation; and Oscillations and Gravitation. The course given at VHS follows the syllabus of AP Physics C as prescribed by the College Board. Students must take the AP Exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology
Term: Full Year
Environmental Science carefully analyzes the various interactions that are taking place between modern humans and their environment. Special emphasis is placed on our need for and use of energy and mineral resources. The course develops the ecosystem concept and the basic laws that govern energy/resources use. It examines our traditional energy sources and consumption patterns and then analyzes our current supply-demand situation. Finally, our alternatives for the future are carefully considered. In addition, the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of large-scale energy development and mineral use are examined. The role played by government, industry, international policies and the individual in the energy/resource/environmental system are all considered. Emphasis is placed on direct student involvement in specially designed and classroom tested lab-type activities.
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry
Term: Full Year
Recommendation for Success: AP Potential score of 50% for this course; Successful completion of Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors
Recommendation from College Board: Students should have completed two years of high school laboratory science—one year of life science (recommended Biology) and one year of physical science (recommended Chemistry). Due to the quantitative analysis required in the course, students should also have taken at least one year of Algebra.
This course provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. The “Big Ideas” of AP Environmental Science are: Science is a process, Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes, The Earth itself is one interconnected system, Humans alter natural systems, Environmental problems have a cultural and social context, Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. The course given at VHS follows the syllabus of AP Environmental Science as prescribed by the College Board. Students must take the AP Exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Biology
Term: Semester
This semester course is a hands-on, lab-oriented class designed for those students interested in medicine. To be successful, students should have a strong understanding of the concepts covered in Biology; such as Body Systems, Cell Biology, and Genetics. Students will learn through simulations, case studies and many hands-on investigations. This course will emphasize scientific and critical thinking coupled with exposure to technical writing and effective communication of research findings. The lessons in this course encourage students to think about the relationships among knowledge, choice, behavior, and human health. The semester will be divided into two units of study: 1) Infectious Disease and Immunology, and 2) Biochemistry and Nutrition.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Term: Semester
Data science is a broad term that applies to acquiring, exploring, analyzing, and interpreting data in order to gain insight to answer questions and/or make decisions. Even though it is referred to as data “science,” there is just as much data in psychology, politics, and economics as there is in biology, chemistry, and physics. Introduction to Data Science is a project-based course where students have the freedom of choice to explore data in any of the above fields. Through their own topics of interest, students will learn how to analyze data using Google Sheets and Python and make presentations to communicate results and analysis using Google Slides. Students will not only have choice over the data and topics they analyze, but also the depth they wish to explore these data and topics. Each project will have two levels of depth so that both beginners with no background in spreadsheets or computer programming and programming veterans can proceed with learning at an appropriate level.
Verona High School strongly recommends students complete at least two years of consecutive study in World Language. This recommendation is in line with the VHS goal of having students be able to achieve the NJ State Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation.
Many colleges/universities prefer and/or recommend students have three years of consecutive study in one World Language. It may be to a student’s advantage in the college application process to have completed three years of study in a World Language. Again, it is the strong recommendation of the VHS counseling staff that all students complete at least two years of study in a World Language.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
This course is an introduction to the French language and culture, emphasizing the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The language is presented within the context of the contemporary French-speaking world and its culture. In addition to a textbook, authentic materials and various media sources will be used to enhance the topics covered. Students will learn to perform a variety of language functions: to list, to ask questions, to describe, to give and follow directions, to narrate and to express opinions. The strong emphasis is made on vocabulary acquisition and verb conjugation in present tense. These functions will be incorporated in a variety of contexts, for example, at home, in school, at work, when traveling, while shopping and playing. Students will be able to perform these tasks with an appropriate level of accuracy using interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: French I
Term: Full Year
This course will continue to emphasize the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing which were begun in Level I. Constant re-entry of past lessons will be part of each new lesson. Technology and authentic sources will be used to enhance the topics covered. Themes covered in this course include household items, entertainment, sports and health, weekend activities, physical and character description of others and oneself. The use of past, present, and future tenses are reinforced throughout the year. Many of the class activities incorporate cooperative practice and critical thinking, as well as, opportunities to develop multicultural awareness through the study of the regions of France and French speaking countries.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: French II
Term: Full Year
This course will continue to encourage students to develop fluency in the language by maintaining their focus on the message being communicated utilizing the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. In addition to structure, the course affords the student the opportunity to compare Francophone and American cultures through the study of the geography and customs of the French speaking African countries. Topics covered in this course include house and home, clothes and accessories, travel and vacations. Several new tenses will be learned including the conditional and future. Students will begin to hold extended conversations and speeches on a variety of topics. Many of the class activities incorporate group work and critical thinking, as well as, opportunities to practice reading comprehension skills through the use of authentic short stories.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: French III
Term: Full Year
This course provides a continuing study of the French language and culture presented within the context of the contemporary French-speaking world. Attainment of proficiency of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are emphasized with materials including a textbook, a twentieth century novel and a variety of authentic sources. Topics covered in this course include physical descriptions of people and objects, the environment and its protection, shopping and services provided at various establishments, national and international travel, occupations and education, health issues and how they are being addressed in different French speaking countries. Students will continue to hold extended conversations and express their opinions using idiomatic expressions as well as past, present, and future tenses; expand on their use of the subjunctive and conditional moods and be able to recognize and comprehend the written past tense in literary works. Critical thinking skills will be reinforced through the reading of the novel “Le Petit Prince” par Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and studying the impressionist movement and its artists.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of French IV Honors. In the case of native or heritage speakers, there may be a different pathway of study leading to this course.
Term: Full Year
AP French Language & Culture provides a continuing study of the French language and culture presented within the context of the contemporary French-speaking world. Attainment of proficiency of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are emphasized throughout the year and students learn language structures in context and focus on the development of fluency to convey meaning. The course is based on the six themes outlined by the College Board: Global challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary life, Personal and Public Identities, Families and Communities, Beauty and Aesthetics. This course is designed to allow students to gain deeper insight into the nature of the French language and modern life of the French speaking countries. Students use several primary textbooks and other authentic materials and resources that are in accordance with those suggested by the College Board. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Conversational Spanish
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
A practical class for beginners with no previous background or minimal exposure to Spanish, whose goal is basic communication in the language and an introduction to culture. This course covers basic vocabulary, conversation, pronunciation and frequently used expressions. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are developed with a particular emphasis on speaking and understanding with the purpose of developing everyday communicative language with some exposure to the culture and customs of the Spanish speaking world. This course supports Spanish production with increased use of visuals and other modalities to demonstrate comprehension.
Scheduling Note: This course is designed for students with no previous world language experience and may be scheduled in sequence with Spanish I. Requires administrative approval for enrollment.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
This course is an introduction to the Spanish language and culture, emphasizing the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The language is presented within the context of the contemporary Spanish-speaking world and its culture. In addition to a textbook, technology will be used to enhance the topics covered. Students will learn to perform a variety of language functions: to list, to ask questions, to describe, to give and follow directions, to narrate and to express opinions. These functions will be incorporated in a variety of contexts, for example, at home, in school, at work, when traveling, while shopping and playing. Students will be able to perform these tasks with an appropriate level of accuracy using interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Spanish I
Term: Full Year
This course will continue to emphasize the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing which were begun in Level I. Constant re-entry of past lessons will be part of each new lesson. Technology will be used to enhance the topics covered. Students will learn to perform a variety of language functions: Discuss leisure time, comment on travel, comment on food, talk about the past, discuss fine art, express activity preferences, and to ask for and give information. These functions will be performed in a variety of contexts for example, at home, in school, at work, when traveling, while shopping and playing. Students will be able to perform these tasks with an appropriate level of accuracy using interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Spanish II
Term: Full Year
This course will continue to encourage students to develop fluency in the language by maintaining their focus on Communication utilizing the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Technology will be used to enhance the topics covered. Students will learn to perform a variety of language functions: Describe childhood experiences, narrate in the past, talk about present and past activities in progress, talk about daily routine, tell someone what to do, express plans for the future, and make recommendations and suggestions. Students will be able to perform and apply all language skills tasks with an appropriate level of accuracy using interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes of communication. Writing continues to be presented as a process that develops writing skills along a competency continuum that moves them into a cohesive essay stage. The use of authentic resources motivates students to use their critical thinking skills and to make cross-cultural comparisons.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Spanish III
Term: Full Year
A content based approach to teaching advanced level Spanish. The course provides multiple levels of authentic comprehensible input through literary and journalistic readings, videos, and audio recordings. Learning activities are designed to motivate students and to foster the use of critical thinking skills. The development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills accommodates students' different learning styles. Students will learn to perform a variety of language functions: Talk about families and communities, give advice, express emotions, talk about travel, persuade and make suggestions to others, make future plans, talk about how to solve a problem, and talk about nature and the environment. Students will be able to perform these tasks with an appropriate level of accuracy using interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes of communication. Writing and speaking continues to be presented as a process that develops skills along a competency continuum, moving students into a cohesive essay stage and allowing productive discussion and conversations to take place. There is an active discovery of culture using critical thinking to compare and contrast, predict and question. People and events are described in the context of the past, the present, and the future so students not only gain insight into Hispanic cultures and civilizations, but also achieve a more global understanding of the issues these people and their countries face now and in the future. The course is conducted almost entirely in Spanish.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish IV Honors. In the case of native or heritage speakers, there may be a different pathway of study leading to this course.
Term: Full Year
AP Spanish Language & Culture will use a content-based approach to teaching advanced level Spanish. The course provides students the tools to develop a strong command of the language in all language skills in order to communicate with native speakers at a natural pace, with a variety of regional pronunciations, in both informal and formal contexts. Students are exposed to global topics by using a variety of authentic level appropriate readings, audio visuals, and realia. Students are required to express themselves with reasonable and sustained fluency in oral and written expression utilizing strategies learned. Learning activities are designed to motivate students, to foster the use of critical thinking skills, and to promote mastering of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. All four skills are combined in order to demonstrate understanding of authentic Spanish-language source materials. There is an active discovery of culture using critical thinking to compare and contrast target cultural products, practices and perspectives to students’ own cultural experiences. Learning activities closely reflect the format of the AP language exam. The Advanced Placement Program prepares students to take the AP Spanish language examination as a possible means of obtaining advanced standings or credit at the college level. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
This course focuses on developing a working vocabulary as well as the ability to create meaningful communication for students who are non-native speakers with minimal or no background in Mandarin Chinese. Role-plays, skits, celebrations of holidays, and collages are just some of the activities and projects that will be utilized within this course to improve their skills. The aim of this course is for the student to develop skills in the three communicative language modes (interpretive, interpersonal and presentational communication) by being able to understand, converse, interact, and present in Mandarin through both oral and written communication. Opportunities to learn and explore Chinese culture are also emphasized throughout the course. The majority of vocabulary learned will pertain to the student’s immediate world, whether through their family, school or daily life, before integrating other idioms and content. While there will be some written work, the majority of communication will be done through speaking.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Mandarin I
Term: Full Year
This course takes a real life communication task as its starting point. The goals of this course are to continue to develop the ability to communicate in Mandarin in a meaningful way, particularly in language fluency. Through the improvement of their language, their appreciation for Chinese culture will grow deeper and stronger. Students will develop a good strategy to negotiate meaning by relying on their previous knowledge, and by analyzing and discovering cues from the communicative context. Students will be able to converse, interact and present in Mandarin through oral and written means. Grammar and vocabulary learned in Mandarin I will be briefly reviewed early in the semester and will continue to be built upon as the year progresses. Many helpful online resources will be introduced and students are encouraged to utilize them. Character recognition will be implemented throughout this course, transitioning the student’s emphasis of communication from oral to written forms.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Mandarin II
Term: Full Year
Mandarin III continues to develop the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational, but at a much higher level. The use of audiovisual aids, classroom activities, projects and texts continues to strengthen understanding, speaking and the knowledge of grammatical structures. Students will learn thematic vocabulary relevant to practical everyday life situations. Customs and culture are reflected in festivals and culture-related activities. Many helpful online resources will be introduced and students are encouraged to utilize them. Through their online resources and frequent access to computers, students will be expected to use the computer to type Chinese characters.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Mandarin III
Term: Full Year
Mandarin IV Honors continues to emphasize the student development of the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Students are expected to be able to complete assignments using more complex diction. Students will be expected to participate in oral presentations, class discussions, and forums. In addition, character writing and recognition becomes a greater discipline through increased practice and drills. This will allow the students to maintain greater responsibility and connection to the language when expressions and vocabulary come more easily. Explored topics are relevant to the different aspects within the student lives. A more critical comparison of American and Chinese cultures is created to help students understand the differences of both ethnicities. Many helpful online resources will be introduced and students are encouraged to utilize them. Students will continually use their online resources to complete written assignments.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Mandarin IV Honors. In the case of native or heritage speakers, there may be a different pathway of study leading to this course.
Term: Full Year
AP Chinese Language & Culture is designed to provide the student with an intellectual challenge through the advanced study of language. While literature is included in the course, the emphasis is on composition and conversation. This increases individual responsibility to practice the language outside of the classroom. Since this is highly conversational, daily practice is not only recommended but necessary in being successful in this course. This course is comparable in both content and difficulty to a college-level introductory Mandarin language course. The course seeks to develop language skills that can be applied to various activities and disciplines rather than the mastery of any specific subject matter. The history of China will be explored, through the usage of authentic materials. Students will also be expected to develop and convey their personal opinions on certain issues or topics. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit.
All courses listed in the Visual & Performing Arts department may be utilized to satisfy the Visual & Performing Arts graduation requirement. These courses also may be utilized to satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career Skills graduation requirement. A course can never simultaneously satisfy two graduation requirements. However, if a student takes one of the courses below, it may satisfy the 21st Century Life & Careers requirement so long as that course is not already fulfilling a separate requirement.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This introductory level class is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore art history and art making through the use of various media, tools, and techniques. Emphasis is placed on basic art techniques that incorporate the elements of art. Hands-on projects provide the opportunity to experiment with both two-dimensional and three-dimensional media. After learning about specific art forms or artist styles, students are encouraged to develop creative problem-solving solutions when creating original artwork.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Exploring Studio Art (Can be waived through a to-be-developed application process or teacher recommendation)
Term: Semester
This studio course will help students to develop their skills of visual observation, and their drawing and painting skills as a means of personal expression and communication and will also encourage them to focus on the use of a wide variety of media to develop a more imaginative approach to image making. Students will keep a personal sketchbook/journal and will work in a variety of media: pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, tempera paint, etc. Students will apply critical thinking skills to produce a variety of studio projects that grow out of their study of the elements and principles of design, visual culture and art history. Found images, photographs, cut paper, and non traditional materials will be layered to create a complex and rich background for painted and drawn images. Relief printmaking techniques such as block printing may be included. Students will use mixed media to interpret familiar themes in new and imaginative ways.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Drawing, Painting & Collage I
Term: Semester
This course is a continuation of Drawing, Painting, and Collage I. It is designed for students who wish to further their skills in a variety of styles and media. The curriculum includes historical and contemporary issues in drawing, painting, and collage. Students will continue to keep a sketchbook/journal and work both traditionally and non traditionally with a variety of drawing, painting, and collage media.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Drawing, Painting & Collage II
Term: Semester
Intermediate Studio Art is a continuation course for students interested in art as a major course of study. Students will further investigate and experience various 2-D and 3-D media in greater detail. Students will be required to keep an artist's sketchbook. Art history, aesthetics, and art criticism will continue to be emphasized and explored.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Intermediate Studio Art
Term: Semester
This course is designed for those students preparing artist portfolios for college entry or career planning. Students will create larger and more extensive projects incorporating new skills in addition to theory and techniques previously learned. There will be a continuation of study of art criticism and aesthetics. Students will be expected to familiarize themselves with contemporary artists. Sketchbooks will also be assigned with self-directed entries.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Exploring Studio Art (Can be waived through a to-be-developed application process or teacher recommendation)
Term: Semester
This studio course will give students the opportunity to learn the basic techniques and processes of Ceramics and Mosaics. In Ceramics, students will create functional and/or decorative clay pieces using hand building techniques. They will also decorate and glaze these pieces for firing. Possible projects include mugs, bowls, plates, vases, tiles, and sculptures. In Mosaics, students will learn how to cut and arrange small pieces of colored glass, china and mirror into designs and patterns on a wooden support. Grouting and finishing techniques will be demonstrated. Historical Ceramic and Mosaic works of art will be studied.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Ceramics & Mosaics I
Term: Semester
This course is a continuation of Ceramics and Mosaics I. It is an opportunity for students to further explore these two areas. Students will be able to develop mastery of the materials through advanced projects. Historical works of art will be studied.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: 15 credits of studio or digital art coursework
Term: Full Year
Recommendation from College Board: Prior experiences in studio art courses that address conceptual, technical, and critical thinking skills can support student success in the AP Studio Art Program.
In AP Art and Design course, you’ll develop the skills that artists and designers use and create a portfolio of work you’ll submit for an AP score. This course is a good choice for students interested in pursuing art after high school as a career or lifelong passion. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit. Students will focus on one of three areas:
● AP 2-D Art and Design Portfolio
● AP Drawing Portfolio
● AP 3-D Art and Design Portfolio
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This introductory level class is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore digital art. Emphasis is placed on basic digital art techniques. After learning about specific digital art forms or styles, students are encouraged to develop creative problem-solving solutions when creating original artwork.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Exploring Digital Art (Can be waived through a to-be-developed application process or teacher recommendation)
Term: Semester
Students will learn to use Adobe Illustrator, an industry-standard for designers and illustrators. You will learn about the possibilities and limitations of Adobe Illustrator. Projects will include creating original illustrations, cartoons, logo design, typography and layout.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Exploring Digital Art (Can be waived through a to-be-developed application process or teacher recommendation)
Term: Semester
Students will learn the art of image manipulation and creation. They will also explore the limitless possibilities that Adobe Photoshop offers. Projects will include creating original illustrations, correcting damaged photos and developing original imagery.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Graphic Design: Digital Illustration
Term: Semester
Students will learn Adobe InDesign, an industry-standard tool for creating page layouts for print and digital publications. Students will design layouts for posters, flyers, brochures, as well as content suited for magazine, newspaper, and book publication.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Exploring Digital Art (Can be waived through a to-be-developed application process or teacher recommendation)
Term: Semester
The digital photography course is a class designed to introduce students to the basic foundation of DSLR camera operation and Adobe Photoshop enhancement. Students will learn about composition, elements of art and principles of design as they relate to photography. Students will learn about famous photographers and reflect on images that impress them. Students will use Adobe Photoshop to enhance images and create new designs from their original image. When appropriate, an awareness of the topic relevance to business and/or industrial applications is provided for each student.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Digital Photography I
Term: Semester
This course will help students to transition from Digital Photography I to a more advanced level of photography. Students will learn advanced camera operations and digital editing techniques. Students will be introduced to trade and photography business situations in the form of cooperative group projects. This course is designed to help every student pursue their own interests in photography. Students will explore technical, artistic, and commercial aspects of photography. The course will include creative digital darkroom techniques with the use of Lightroom and Photoshop software. Class time will enable students to work on independent and cooperative explorations.
Sports Media
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Digital Photography I & II (or Prerequisite Waiver Form)
This course will help students to transition from Digital Photography I to a more advanced level of photography. Students will learn advanced camera operations and digital editing techniques. Students will be introduced to trade and photography business situations in the form of cooperative group projects. This course is designed to help every student pursue their own interests in photography. Students will explore technical, artistic, and commercial aspects of photography. The course will include creative digital darkroom techniques with the use of Lightroom and Photoshop software. Class time will enable students to work on independent and cooperative explorations.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Exploring Digital Art (Can be waived through a to-be-developed application process or teacher recommendation)
Term: Semester
This course will introduce students to the creative world of digital animation using the computer as a tool. Students will learn how to produce their own unique animation productions. Students will incorporate music and sound effects. This course will expose the students to a wide range of animation techniques. Students will explore the history and evolution of early animation. Emphasis will be on the processes involved in creation of animations. Students will learn essential animation skills including character concept and design. Study basic animation and motion concepts. Students will create their own motion capture animations. Intro to Animation is project based designed to expose students to the animation process and the principles of art behind them.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Graphic Design: Digital Illustration
Term: Semester
In this class, students will learn the basics of fashion illustrations, creating mood boards, design research and history of fashion designers and styles.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Fashion Design I
Term: Semester
Fashion Design II continues to explore the world of fashion in more detail. Students will identify fashion trends and silhouettes in recent history, theories and principles of fashion movement and garment analysis. Fashion illustration and design take on more dimensions when studying and applying the elements of pattern and texture. Concentration on how to illustrate specific fabrics (taffeta, satin, wool, lace). How to achieve a specific look for your illustrations. Emphasis on heavy sketching practice, basic principles of proportion of the fashion figure. Understand proportions including hands in fashion, feet and shoes, face, makeup and hair. Introduction to color mediums and techniques. The business of fashion is introduced and students are exposed to the concepts of merchandising and marketing.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Graphic Design: Digital Illustration or Graphic Design: Image Development
Term: Semester
Adobe After Effects allows you to create videos containing animation and special effects for graphics-related projects. You can use After Effects to animate, alter, and composite media using various tools and optional plug-ins. The program is widely used by motion-graphics professionals, website designers, and visual effect artists for post-production on digital films, DVD, video, and the web.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Graphic Design: Image Development
Term: Full Year
In this course, students increase their understanding of all aspects involved in publishing a yearbook and other school publications. Independent work and application of learned skills are the objectives of this course, which produces the high school yearbook and other school publications.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Requirement: Students enrolled in Band must participate in Marching Band and Concert Band
This course is designed to broaden the students' concept and knowledge of music by developing the skills to perform in various ensembles (i.e.: marching, jazz and concert bands). A constant striving toward excellence in technical and musical skills will be valuable long after the final performance. In addition to the skills needed for a good performance, the students should know the general and historical setting of the composition; notice and understand the rhythmic, melodic, harmonic and design principles used by the composer. They should also be able to relate the style of each composition to that of the works that they have heard or played.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Concert Choir is a non-auditioned ensemble. This ensemble is ideal for students who have limited or no previous experience in a choral setting and want to learn about basic choral singing through performance. Students sing in unison, 2 part, and 3 part harmony with a focus on basic vocal technique including blend, balance, intonation, range, diction, and musicality. A variety of musical styles and periods are explored. Students are introduced to basic music theory, sight reading skills (rhythmic and tonal) and basic stage presence and performance skills. All choir members are required to perform concerts as an integral part of their learning experience. These performances are scheduled outside of the regular school day. Additional performance opportunities are scheduled when possible based on the availability of the group members. The student’s evaluation (grade) will be largely determined by his/her development of ensemble skills during daily rehearsals along with the completion of written theory assignments, attendance and improvement at lessons, and successful participation in required performances.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Audition and teacher placement
Term: Full Year
Scheduling Note: Course runs during Zero Period and Lunch
Chamber Choir is an audition- based, advanced ensemble. This ensemble is ideal for students who want to explore advanced choral singing through performance. Students will sing in 3 part, 4 part, and 5 part harmony with focus on advanced vocal technique including blend, balance, intonation, range, diction, and musicality. A variety of musical styles and periods are explored. Students will continue to study advanced level music theory, sight reading skills (rhythmic and tonal) and stage presence and performance skills. Students will have the opportunity to partake in various clinic/festival choral formats with other school choral departments and perform for community functions as available. All choir members are required to perform as an integral part of their learning experience. These performances are scheduled outside of the regular school day. Additional performance opportunities are scheduled when possible based on the availability of the group members. The student’s evaluation (grade) will be largely determined by his/her development of ensemble skills during daily rehearsals along with the completion of written theory assignments, attendance and improvement at lessons, and successful participation in required performances.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Have you ever wanted to produce your own music? This is an introductory course to the world of recording practices and music production. Students will use music technology, specifically web and iOS based programs, to experience developing, and recording their own music. This will include recording and layering tracks and the development of their own music as a culminating project for the course. As students discover their own voice and opinions on music, they will be involved in active study and discussion of how music describes and encapsulates who we are as human beings. Study will include various elements of music such as: timbre, pitch dynamics, voices, instruments, rhythm, melody, harmony, and musical form. There is emphasis on the elements of music, the characteristic styles of major historical periods, and the lives and works of key composers within the musical tradition. This course will acquaint the student with traditional and twentieth century music literature, emphasizing the relationship music has as an art form with man and society. Students will discover the many connections between Music & Art, Music & History, Music & Culture, Music & literature etc. as we relate music to other disciplines through cross-curricular collaboration.
Music Theory
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
This course is designed to be the basis of a beginning theory program with no prerequisites other than demonstrable performance skill on an instrument and a serious interest in learning more about the nature of music. The course moves from the basic properties and notation of tone through two or three voice combinations to four-part harmonic writing. An important part of the course is learning to write music from dictation and reading notation using the solfeggio system.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Theory. (Can be waived using Prerequisite Waiver Form)
Term: Full Year
Recommendation from College Board: Prospective students should be able to read and write musical notation and have basic performance skills with voice or an instrument.
AP Music Theory is a course designed for the potential music major or any musician wishing an in depth exploration of the harmonic, rhythmic and melodic components of music. The curriculum is similar to that of the Music Theory course, but with more emphasis on listening, dictation and sight singing skills. Instruction is geared to the successful completion of the AP exam given in May. Students must take the AP exam in order to receive AP course credit.
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Term: Full Year
This course is for Junior and Senior students who are interested in pursuing post-secondary opportunities in music. Students who take this course are planning to major in some sort of music program and have exhausted much of the music curriculum offerings at VHS. The course is designed to prepare students for auditions and/or composition portfolios for next level aspects based on their current proficiency.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Drama is an introductory course that familiarizes students with basic acting, directing, and writing techniques for the theater. Students will explore the building blocks of theater and dramatic convention through a variety of classic and contemporary texts. Students will leave the class with an expanded critical vocabulary, improved communication skills, and greater confidence in public speaking and/or performing.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Theater Arts is an introductory course that approaches theater from a broad, practical perspective. Students will explore the basics of performance, design, production, and composition of theater arts through a variety of engaging texts and creative, hands-on projects. The course will culminate in the creation of a complete theatrical production, scaled down to “toy theater” size, for which the students will design and construct the theater space, set, script, costumes, and sound of a short play.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Write, produce, and star in student films while learning the basics of film production and design. From writing stellar screenplays to learning digital video production tools, students will have a chance to see their story come to life on the big screen. Students will learn skills that reach beyond the script, like storyboarding, shot scheduling, production management, videography, and film performance.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
For the student focused on performance, this class will introduce them to a variety of acting styles while learning about the history of the craft. Starting with the first thespians of ancient Greece, students will work through time, text, and technique in order to develop their performance toolbox. We will cover improvisational, presentational, mime, Shakespearean, commedia dell’arte, method (and its associated styles), film, and musical theater acting styles.
Credits: 3.75
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
This required course is designed to help students develop skills, attitudes and knowledge in physical fitness, wellness and problem solving. Units of instruction in the principles of individual and team activities are the means for conveying the course objective. Students will learn concepts and methods of assessment for their fitness needs, weight control and nutrition. Fitness evaluations are conducted each year to provide students with an individual needs assessment and achievement towards national fitness standards.
Credits: 1.25
Prerequisite: None
Term: Marking Period
Ninth grade health is scheduled during the 4th marking period and is designed so that our young people are given the opportunity to acquire accurate health information. The emphasis will be to develop healthful behavior. The decision-making process will teach the necessary skills to examine, analyze and evaluate information to which they are exposed in their daily lives, understanding that decisions made today have a strong impact on their well-being. Students must pass Health Education to meet the Physical Education & Health graduation requirement.
Credits: 1.25
Prerequisite: None
Term: Marking Period
The Driver Education program is scheduled during the 1st marking period during Grade 10 and is designed to develop a basic knowledge of the rules and regulations governing driving behavior. This includes the development of a corresponding attitude of respect for the dangers that are present in the ownership and operation of a motor vehicle. A major part of the course is devoted to learning the New Jersey motor vehicle laws and regulations for the class administered state driver examination. Students must pass Drivers Education to meet the Physical Education & Health graduation requirement.
Credits: 1.25
Prerequisite: None
Term: Marking Period
Eleventh grade health is scheduled during the 3rd marking period and presents the basic guidelines for first aid. Priorities and appropriate actions will be explained and techniques for handling common emergency situations are delineated. The students will be given an opportunity to learn and practice CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. In addition, the students will be provided with current relevant health information in the areas of substance abuse, addictions, and diseases so that they may make informed intelligent decisions regarding their own life. Students must pass Health Education to meet the Physical Education & Health graduation requirement.
Credits: 1.25
Prerequisite: None
Term: Marking Period
Twelfth grade health is scheduled during the 2nd marking period and is designed to help teenagers develop the skills they need to make successful transition from adolescence into adulthood, marriage and family life. Students are taught to critically evaluate and seek correct health information. Students must pass Family Living to meet the Physical Education & Health graduation requirement.
All courses listed in the Business department may be utilized to satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career Skills graduation requirement. A course can never simultaneously satisfy two graduation requirements. However, if a student takes one of the courses below, it may satisfy the 21st Century Life & Careers requirement so long as that course is not already fulfilling a separate requirement.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This course encompasses the financial literacy skills that are essential in the development of 21st century scholars. Financial literacy topics include Money Management, Borrowing, Earning Power, Investing, Financial Services and Insurance.
Personal Finance
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
The full year Personal Finance course is designed to help students understand the impact of personal choices on future earnings, financial stability, and earning potential. A variety of topics are covered throughout the year, including: banking, exploring job and career choices, maintaining a budget, and being a “smart” shopper. Students will participate in simulated real-life scenarios and activities that provide hands-on learning. By the end of the course, students will understand that managing personal finances are key to one’s future financial success.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This course is for those interested in pursuing a career in marketing, advertising, market research, sales or general business management. It is designed to develop an understanding of the concepts and strategies needed to create an effective marketing effort for a product or service. In addition to the development of a marketing plan, students will plan, create and produce advertising campaigns which will include all major media including television, print and digital/social channels.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Social Media Marketing is designed to give students a general background in social media marketing and an introduction to the rapidly growing and evolving career field. The course will investigate how the marketing community measures success in the new world of social media. Students will understand techniques for gaining customer and consumer buy-in to achieve marketing goals, and properly select social media platforms to engage consumers and monitor and measure the results of these efforts.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This is an introductory course intended to provide students with a solid foundation and understanding of the vital role played by entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in the 21st century global economy. During the course, we will assess, explore, critique, and celebrate the phenomenon of entrepreneurship, including its role in society, its process nature, and its ethical dilemmas. Our emphasis is on entrepreneurship as a manageable process that can be applied in virtually any organizational setting, and our primary focus will be on the creation of new ventures, the ways that they come into being, and the factors associated with their success. This course integrates a number of different disciplines, ranging from sociology and psychology to economics, finance, marketing, and human resource management. It also mixes theory and practice, and students will be challenged to apply principles, concepts, and frameworks to real world situations.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intro to Financial Literacy
Term: Semester
This course encompasses equity markets (stocks), fixed income (bond) markets, and currency markets. Students will learn about stock picking and company fundamentals, implications of debt, interest rates, and credit and an introduction to alternative investments such as real estate, commodities, and cryptocurrency. Simulations and group research activities are woven throughout the course.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Term: Semester
This course introduces students to financial accounting concepts that aid entrepreneurs, managers, and investors in planning, operating, and analyzing a business. Through its emphasis on interpreting financial statements, this class provides a foundation for managing a business as well as for making personal investment decisions. Students are required to complete a comprehensive project that demonstrates their ability to analyze the financial statements of publicly traded companies and make an informed investment decision based on the analysis.
Life Skills
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Full Year
Scheduling Note: Requires administrative approval for enrollment
The Life Skills course integrates activities that prepare students for vocational realities and independent living. Key components include development of adult living goals, achievement of daily living skills, community experiences, and job sampling.
All courses listed in the Technology, Engineering & Design department may be utilized to satisfy the 21st Century Life & Career Skills graduation requirement.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
STEM is the first half of a suggested STEM/STEAM full year course. This course teaches professional communication, design skills, and combines concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through research, design and iterative project based learning. In STEM, the fabrication room is a laboratory rather than a traditional workshop, where emphasis is placed on experimentation, observation, reflection. This course is intended for any student interested in taking additional Technology courses at VHS. Computer aided design, traditional and digital fabrication including a laser cutter or 3D printer may be utilized. Projects may include (but not limited to): Notecard Tower, Spinning Tops, Bridge Design, Ultimate CO2 Racer, Electromagnetic Sculpture.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: STEM
Term: Semester
The second half of the STEM/STEAM full year course infuses science, technology, engineering and math concepts with Art and Design. Students must not only understand complex academic principles, but they apply these principles to make real world devices with the primary function to delight & entertain. Computer aided design, traditional and digital fabrication including a laser cutter or 3D printer may be utilized. Projects may include (but not limited to): Material Science & Fasteners/Defy Gravity Sculpture, Kinetic Sculpture & the Mobile, & Boomerang.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
This pre-engineering and pre-architectural course is designed to provide students with both hand drafting and computer skills. This course will guide students from basic perspective, orthogonal, and isometric drawing to complex 3-dimensional modeling and design. The software used in this class is the same utilized by professionals in the fields of Engineering and Architecture. The bulk of this course utilizes extended drawing and computer time. Projects may include (but not limited to): 5 Methods of Displaying Depth by Hand Drawing, CAD Cartoon Illustrations, Multiview and Isometric Engineering Drawings, Puzzle Me This 3D Puzzle Competition, Craftsman Bungalow Project.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: CAD I
Term: Semester
This course is the continuation of CAD I and is recommended for students interested in Architecture, Interior Design, Drafting, Engineering, or Construction. Students learn how to design Dwelling spaces through concept driven methods with an emphasis on building function, structure and aesthetics, while maintaining important building code standards. Students use industry-standard software that aids their understanding through 2D and 3D computer aided design. The bulk of this course utilizes extended drawing and computer time. Projects may include (but not limited to): Living Cube, Tree House, & Dream House.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: STEM
Term: Semester
Fabrication and Design 1 is for students interested in all aspects of woodworking and fabrication. Students learn about the properties of wood, the safe use of tools, and the procedures necessary to design and build their own projects. Projects may include (but not limited to): Falling Blocks (Jacob’s Ladder), 5 Wood Joints, Recycled Furniture, & Catapult.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: Fabrication & Design I
Term: Semester
This course builds upon the woodworking skills learned in Fabrication & Design I and incorporates advanced project planning, digital fabrication, and community based design. This curriculum is project based and the instruction is split between a Design/CAD lab to research and generate solutions and a Fabrication lab to test hypotheses. Projects vary greatly in scale and a variety of materials are used including: wood, metal, plastic & concrete. This course is recommended for any student interested in the study/practice of Woodworking, Carpentry, Industrial Engineering, or Product Design after high school. Projects may include (but not limited to): Pattern Language Lamp, Speaker Design, Design our Shop Project, Electric Guitar, Concrete Casting, Cardboard Boat, Independent Projects.
Credits: 2.5 or 5
Prerequisite: 10 credits of TE&D coursework and teacher recommendation through Application.
Term: Semester or Full Year
Students select a Student Driven area of interest for an independent research, design, or fabrication project under the guidance of the instructor. Space for the Capstone Course is limited and students are admitted on a competitive basis. Proposals for any Capstone projects are due at least 1 month prior to the start of the course. Projects may include but not limited to: Student Design Competitions, Green Building Design, Kickstarter Projects, Filing of a Patent, Designing/Building an Outdoor Classroom, Catapult, Custom Furniture, Speaker Design, Musical Instrument Design, Robotics, Sumo Bot, Reactive Environments, School/Community Improvement, MOOCS/Online Coursework from Top Universities, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Remediation.
Credits: 2.5
Prerequisite: None
Term: Semester
Through the use of technology, engineering and robotics, the course stresses problem solving skills in a real-world setting. Students will be given tasks and will need to design and construct various projects. Students will work independently as well as in pairs, small groups and large groups. Both verbal and written communication of ideas will be emphasized. The course is designed to motivate the students of all ability levels to participate in real world scenarios utilizing engineering and robotic concepts to problem solve through hand on activities. Robotics encompasses STEAM principles in a variety of in class and out of class learning activities designed to teach the student about careers in technology, engineering, robotics, art (as related to STEM) and science.