MS/US Curriculum Guide 23-24

Curriculum and General Information Guide

2023-2024

Dear Students and Families,

This Curriculum Guide offers several new courses and programs for the 20232024 academic year. Our courses aptly reflect the many societal changes while complementing the established curriculum essential for success. Teachers at Brimmer equip students with the content, skills, and understanding they will need to be competent and contributing members of a global society.

The teachers who offer this rich and carefully developed curriculum do so in a small classroom environment. An average class size of 12 allows for personalized instruction and student-centered learning. With 79% of the faculty holding advanced degrees, the quality of instruction and the teachers’ ability to engage students make learning meaningful. Our faculty continually adjust their pedagogies and implement innovative ways to deliver an effective and personalized education.

Students can experiment with their ideas and develop their voices in faculty-curated learning environments. The myriad of electronic resources for learning and researching allows our students to use the School’s library collection and access information available to them through our extensive online resources. The skilled and supportive faculty and librarians guide their research and analysis. In addition, the STEAM Lab, Makerspace, science labs, and Innovation Space offer our students a learning environment where they engage in inventive projects, inquiry and research, and complex problems that need solving. The School’s Digital Media Center provides a state-of-the-art newsroom and journalism center for video production, writing, and editing. This provides students with a learning environment where they can experiment with their ideas and develop their voice.

Our vibrant arts program infuses the curriculum, and students explore and develop their creativity not only in their arts courses and programs but also throughout the general curriculum. The faculty encourages students to explore originality as they demonstrate understanding of the content being taught. Many of our students win local and national awards and recognition for their work.

Several of the programs expand learning beyond the classrooms. The co-curricular experiential learning programs and global studies enrich students’ global competence. Students experience the perspectives of other people and learn how culture, new technologies, and standards of living impact viewpoints. Using

what they have learned from an interdisciplinary-focused curriculum helps them understand the world from various points of view. Likewise, the School’s commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging is reflected in the courses taught and resources used. We take an active approach to using an antibias, anti-racist lens to select the texts, content, and materials we use.

I hope you enjoy reading about the curriculum and programs. Our objective is to develop informed, engaged, and ethical citizens and leaders in our diverse world.

Judith Guild Head of School

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

With Growth in Mind

The sixth, seventh, and eighth grade years are a time of transition; more importantly, these years are a time of significant growth. It is in these crucial years that students experience a broadening of their intellectual powers as they learn to think abstractly and to synthesize information and ideas.

Brimmer’s Middle School

Curriculum provides students with knowledge of historical contexts

and literary works, an appreciation of ancient and modern cultures, skills in computation and communication, techniques in problem-solving and reporting on scientific topics, proficiency in English grammar and writing skills, a solid foundation in a modern world language, and exposure to the arts. In addition, students participate in physical education or interscholastic sports, creative arts productions, and an Outdoor Education Program.

Distinctive Academic and Signature Programs

Middle School Clubs

On Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. in the fall and winter, students have an opportunity to participate in activities such as creative technology, math and science clubs, Makerspace Club, photography, dance, chess, book clubs, culture clubs, and others. Faculty leaders advise these groups, but students are encouraged to develop activities from among their interests, assume leadership roles, pursue personal interests, and explore new areas. Students can change their activity selection for each activity period. Participation in activities and clubs is optional.

Middle School Camp

Each year following the opening days, grades 6-8 spend two days at camp. Students are housed in cabins and spend the days getting to know their peers and their teachers as they participate in a variety of activities, including outdoor initiatives, ropes course elements, sporting events, field games, collaborative challenges, and class meetings. This is a time for individuals and classes to set goals for the upcoming year and to gain a level of comfort and familiarity with risk-taking and collaborative learning. Middle School faculty members chaperone the trip and the camp provides staffing.

The Middle School camp trip has several specific goals:

• To begin to build healthy, safe, and trusting relationships among students and between students and faculty;

• To provide students with an opportunity to take risks and challenge themselves in a supportive environment;

• To provide individual students and class groups with an opportunity to reflect upon their previous experiences and their hopes and expectations in order to set goals for the coming school year;

• To enjoy an active, fun, and unanxious start to the new school year for all Middle School students;

• To celebrate the eighth grade’s culmination of Middle School and to promote a sense of leadership, responsibility, and reflection in individuals and within the class.

Community Service

To nurture a sense of social responsibility and promote a commitment to others through service, Brimmer’s Middle School has Community Service Days throughout the academic year. The goal is to have students experience the joy and satisfaction of moving beyond their own personal, immediate needs to meeting the needs of others in their community and the world.

Providing our students with structured opportunities to be global citizens is essential in creating and maintaining a community service program in the School—one with depth and meaning is of utmost importance. Students work with charitable organizations including Cradles to Crayons and Birthday Wishes.

Grade 8 Honors Program

The 8th grade Honors Program is a program for our current 8th grade students. This program is designed to offer students an intellectual extension to the required classwork with additional focus on creative problem-solving, independent thinking, extended research skills, and application of learned content and is offered in Algebra, English, History, Science, and World Languages. The offerings require reading, projects, and the exploration of additional material. This work is done individually, and the teacher acts as a coach. To qualify, a student must have earned a B+ or higher in both the first and second quarters of this year. The student, their parent or guardian, and the teacher are all required to sign the enrollment form for each class in which the student plans to do Honors work. We recommend that students do not enroll in the Honors Program for more than two subjects, and we do not allow for more than three. This is an exciting opportunity for students to delve deeper into a subject, and it has proved to be a rewarding experience for our eighth graders in the past.

Grade 8 Independent Service Project

Each eighth grader is responsible and accountable for completing this project during the school year with enthusiasm and pride. The students showcase the true Brimmer spirit by displaying its very essence beyond our Brimmer community through service projects. The goal of the service project is to nurture a sense of social responsibility and promote a commitment to others.

The eighth graders’ objective is to serve the community outside of Brimmer, reflect on their experiences in writing, and then

share their projects with the community.

Each eighth grade student is required to complete eight hours of community service. Students choose an organization, contact the organization to schedule times to complete the service, perform their service, keep a journal and a log of their service, and, finally, prepare a presentation for community members. Faculty firmly believe eighth graders are ready and eager for this type of challenge. All students have a faculty member who acts as their “service advisor.” The faculty member oversees all aspects of the service project from start to finish and meets with their “service advisee” periodically to ensure all deadlines are met.

Exploration Week

Each year, during the week before Spring Break, when grade 7 is in Washington, D.C., the Middle School conducts Exploration Week for students in grades 6 and 8. Class time during this week may be dedicated to projects, workshops, interdisciplinary work, field trips, outdoor education, reading, and writing. Full school days may be scheduled for math, science, fine and performing arts, humanities, or language study. The goal of Exploration Week is to expose students to a variety of learning opportunities and experiences to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of their studies across disciplines.

Grade 7 Trip to Washington, D.C.

Each year, students in grade 7 Humanities study U.S. history and American literature. To augment their studies and provide them with an experiential learning opportunity, the School plans a four-day trip to Washington, D.C. Students explore the historical,

cultural, and social aspects of our nation’s capital in order to highlight many of the themes of the seventh grade humanities program. All students in the class attend this wonderful learning and social experience. In addition, four teacher chaperones accompany the students, and a tour guide provides insight into the city’s historical sites. The group flies from Boston to Baltimore, and the tour company provides a bus for transportation on the ground, as well as evening security guards at the hotel where the students and faculty stay. On recent trips students have visited the White House; the Senate; the House of Representatives; the Library of Congress; the Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, World War II, Vietnam War, and Korean War Memorials; the National Archives; the Smithsonian Institute museums; Ford’s Theater; the National Cathedral; the Kennedy Center; Arlington National Cemetery; Mount Vernon; Gettysburg; and the National Zoo. The trip presents students with an opportunity to learn about U.S. government and culture and to develop self-confidence and selfdiscipline during this unique group experience.

Grade 8 Trip to New York City

Beginning in 2023-2024, students in grade 8 will travel to New York City on a trip that augments their studies across content areas and provides another experiential learning opportunity. The trip, which serves as a culmination of students’ academic journey in the Middle School, includes experiences tied to all academic disciplines with visits to the Holocaust Museum (history), the American Museum of Natural History (science), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (art), as well as attending a Broadway show (drama). All students in the class attend this wonderful learning

and social experience. Five faculty chaperones will accompany students on the trip.

Inspirations

Inspirations is a presentation by every eighth grade student of a topic or person that inspires the student and creates passion in his or her life. Inspirations is a chance to come together as a community to celebrate the lives of the eighth graders, support the commitment to character education, and interact with the Core Values that we teach. Inspirations is a special experience for eighth graders as they move toward a more developed sense of identity. It allows for creativity, reflection on what is important to the individual, a structured public-speaking exercise, and an opportunity to showcase technology integration skills. Family members and the individual who is the subject of the Inspiration often attend. The supportive atmosphere created by the audience is uplifting and another example of how a sense of community is built in the Middle School.

Outdoor Education

The Middle School Outdoor Education Program has several goals: to provide students with personal and group challenges outside the classroom, to integrate fitness and problem-solving with outdoor educational experience, to provide students an alternate arena for appropriate and safe risk-taking, and to develop student leadership skills. The Outdoor Education Program commences with the trip to camp at the beginning of the year and continues throughout the year. One full school day three times a year is dedicated to activities that encompass either individual grades or the entire Middle School.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Activities include, but are not limited to, camping, canoeing, cycling (on and off road), hiking, orienteering, rafting, rock climbing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Social and Cultural Programs

Social and cultural programs are an integral part of the school year. Whether an activity takes place at Brimmer or is held elsewhere, students are expected to comply with the standards of Brimmer at all times. The Middle School Dean and the Middle School Student Life Director, with the Head of Middle School, promote and schedule appropriate social activities for Middle School students. The School provides chaperones for School-sponsored events. The Middle School Parents Committee, a sub-committee of the Parents Association, also organizes and supports social activities for Middle School students. Some activities offered include, but are not limited to, open gym nights, cultural events nights, astronomy nights, and dances.

Creative Arts Program

Middle School Creative Arts classes focus on exploration: developing individual skills, building self-confidence, and cultivating a creative voice. A wide variety of media and concepts are introduced and become vehicles for each student’s discovery and artistic growth. Students in grades 6 and 7 attend classes in Music, Drama, and Visual Art each week throughout the school year. Grade eight students concentrate in depth on one subject each quarter, preparing them for the rigor and engagement of Upper School arts classes. In all grades, collaboration within the arts and with other disciplines further enhances the curriculum.

May Chorale

May Chorale is a mixed-grade chorus, open to singers in grades 6 through 8. This ensemble is an elective course that has a yearlong commitment. May Chorale rehearses two to three times per week as an entire group and primarily performs threepart works. Singers develop vocal technique and study sightreading, solfege, and music theory. Performances include the Thanksgiving, Winter Holiday, and Spring Concerts, and appearances at several School functions. Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is required.

Students in grades 6 and 7 must participate in either May Chorale or the Middle School Instrumental Ensemble. See Middle School Instrumental Ensemble prerequisites below.

Middle School Instrumental Ensemble

Prerequisite: Students must be able to read music or currently be taking private instrument lessons.

The Middle School Instrumental Ensemble focuses on developing ensemble skills for those students committed to learning one of the standard band or orchestra instruments. Students learn and perform a wide range of pieces taken from the classical, jazz, and pop repertoires. The Instrumental Ensemble performs in a concert at the end of each semester, as well as in occasional in-School performances during the academic year.

Middle School Play

Within the first few weeks of each new year, students audition to participate in the fall play. Auditions are open to students in grades six, seven, and eight.

Each student who auditions is cast in a role that suits both their availability and the production’s needs. The rehearsal schedule is constructed not to conflict with Athletics and other after-school Brimmer opportunities. Students work with professional sound, lighting, and costume designers, and the opportunity to work backstage is available to students who show interest. The production is performed in early December.

Middle School Musical

At the end of January, students may choose to participate in the spring musical. Auditions are open to grades six, seven, and eight. Each student who auditions is cast in a role that suits both their availability and the production’s needs. Students who are interested in working backstage are given responsibilities commensurate with their experience and commitment. The rehearsal schedule begins after March break and is designed in coordination with the Athletic calendar and other Brimmer after-school opportunities. The production is performed in late May.

Grade 6 Course Listings

Humanities 6

In history, sixth graders study ancient civilizations of China, Mesopotamia, and Greece and the origins of the major world religions. Parallel themes across the different civilizations are emphasized throughout the year. The year culminates with an indepth unit on Ancient Greece. Throughout the course, students explore government structure, religion, and culture. Students also

examine how ancient civilizations have influenced modern society. Geography and map skills are emphasized throughout the year. Certain units of this class are integrated with English reading assignments, creative arts projects, science, and math. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to participate in a variety of exhibitions to demonstrate their mastery of content and skills.

In sixth grade, students begin to transform from passive readers enjoying a text into active, analytical readers who understand how writers create meaning in their work. Students explore texts across cultures and genres to appreciate not only the differences between styles of writing and the perspectives of authors but also what similarities unite them. Students read poetry, prose, and graphic novels whose authors reflect Brimmer’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. To develop personal agency, sixth graders select independent reading books for creative and analytical assignments. To build a strong foundation for later grades and beyond, classes also continue to develop their understanding of grammar and expand their vocabularies.

Texts include New Kid (Craft), One Crazy Summer (Williams-Garcia), Magnolia Sword (Thomas), and an adaptation of The Odyssey.

Creative Arts 6

In Drama 6, students work to recognize connections between theater and the world in which they live. Students use ensemble building, story creation, and elements of performance to practice collaboration and presentation skills and accomplish project-based learning assignments.

Students begin Music 6 by learning what makes a piece of music effective, answering the question “What are basic elements of a song?” Students learn to read Western musical notation through engaging activities designed to develop musical literacy. Students apply their skills, playing Orff instruments and learning several scales and pieces on the piano.

Art 6 provides creative opportunities for students to explore various media such as drawing, painting, print making, and sculpture. Projects are designed to introduce foundational skills and concepts in visual art to help each student find success in their own creativity and selfexpression.

Growth Education 6

All students in grade 6 take this course, which is designed to help with the transition to Middle School. Co-taught by the Director of Academic Services and the Middle School Dean, the course focuses on a variety of topics including using technology efficiently as a tool for learning, mastering organizational skills, practicing effective study strategies, and writing for better understanding. Students also focus on cultural literacy and collaborative learning environments, and they engage in the life skills needed for social and personal growth. Students also refine their decision-making skills related to important health topics.

Math 6

Students in Math 6 use the Illustrative Mathematics

Accelerated curriculum, which develops a deep understanding of important ideas and helps students grow in their ability to reason effectively. Math 6 provides ongoing practice and

assessment of important concepts, skills, and algorithms. The major topics developed are operations with fractions, decimals, and percent; factors and multiples; two-dimensional geometry and measurement; and pre-algebra. Collaboration and group work are highly emphasized.

Integrated Science 6

Science 6 explores the theme of rivers from the perspectives of earth, physical, and life sciences. The course begins with a unit on ecology, which explores river ecosystems, including microscopic aquatic organisms and the other animals that make rivers their home. The second unit focuses on the physics and engineering of bridges and includes a STEAM project where students design, build, and stress test a bridge. The final unit of the year explores geology, including soil formation, erosion, and the geomorphology of rivers. The geology unit culminates with a STEAM project, which requires students to design an erosion control system that they then build and test in a stream table model that replicates the complex processes of river erosion in the laboratory classroom. Throughout the course, students learn how to collect data using various laboratory and field techniques, explore data through charts and graphs, and make effective written and verbal evidence-based arguments.

Middle School World Languages

World Languages in 6th grade offers a survey course of all three languages offered at Brimmer: French, Mandarin, and Spanish. Students will take one quarter of each language in Quarters I-III and then have their choice of language for Quarter IV. Usually, this will be the language that they will continue to study as they move into 7th and 8th grades for the IA and IB courses, respectively. This program prepares students to begin the formal study of their selected language in grade 7.

6th Grade French: Topics in Culture and Communication

This course introduces students to the French language and Francophone cultures. The emphasis of the course is on developing listening, oral communication, reading, and writing skills on a basic level. Students learn greetings, introductions, and ways to describe themselves and others. Current events and cultural topics of interest in the target regions are introduced, explored, and reinforced. The course serves as a precursor to a more formalized study of the language, which will foster the development of writing skills in the following year.

6th Grade Mandarin: Topics in Culture and Communication

This is an introductory-level course of Chinese, which engages the students in the study of both the language and culture. The emphasis is on developing listening and oral communication skills at a novice level. This course uses the textbook Traveling in

China (Chinese in Focus) with supplementary materials. In addition to using the textbook, students will be exposed to some selected authentic materials such as songs, poems, rhymes, stories, cartoons, and movies to explore the language and culture. The course serves as a precursor to a more formalized study of the language, which will foster the development of writing skills in the following year.

6th Grade Spanish: Topics in Culture and Communication

Spanish 6 initiates students into the study of a new language. The course helps students develop a sense of the Spanish language in their initial studies, combining exposure to cultural topics with lessons on language mechanics. Course objectives seek for students to build a basic vocabulary, understand basic linguistic structures, and learn about and appreciate the culture of the countries where the target language is spoken. An equally important goal is the acquisition of the skills necessary for effective reading and writing in Spanish by learning about types of words. Student participation, both in and out of class, is emphasized.

English Language Support

This course provides students with a solid foundation for success in a mainstream classroom setting by developing their writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. The ELS teacher works closely with humanities teachers in particular to provide ELS students with the support to best understand,

organize, and follow through on assignments in the subject areas that are most difficult for nonnative speakers of English—history and English. As students become acclimated to approaching and successfully completing projects, the ELS classroom becomes a place for enrichment—where students read short stories and novels, usually with a cultural focus, and where regular writing practice, vocabulary skill-building, and grammar are stressed alongside active participation in discussions and the development of presentation skills. Students are strongly encouraged to use the Writing Center.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/SPORTS

6 Students in grade 6 participate in a PE class that meets weekly during the school day. Students are required to change into appropriate attire consisting of sneakers and the issued Brimmer shirt. Students in grade 6 also have the option but are not required to participate in the Middle School sports program for each of the three seasons (fall, winter, and spring). If students choose to participate in the Middle School sports program, they are required to attend practices and games. Practice is from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday through Friday throughout the season. Games are scheduled Tuesday through Friday, have various start and end times, and are played at a variety of locations.

2023-2024 Athletic Offerings for Grade 6

Fall soccer, cross country, volleyball, recreational tennis, fitness

Winter basketball, yoga, recreational skiing/snowboarding, fitness

Spring softball, baseball, recreational lacrosse, recreational running, ultimate frisbee, fitness

Students participating in interscholastic sports must commit to attend all practices and games and maintain good academic standing. Students must provide appropriate equipment (cleats, softball or baseball glove, basketball sneakers, etc.) for each interscholastic sport. Students may choose, but are not required, to participate in one, two, or three seasons of interscholastic sports.

Grade 7 Course Listings

Humanities 7

Students in English 7 work to develop the ability to access layers of meaning in texts across different genres and mediums. English is a living language, and the meanings of words, styles of literature, and conventions of communication change dramatically over time and vary greatly by context. With this understanding in mind, students explore texts collectively in class and through independent reading to understand the techniques writers use to affect their audiences. They also develop their voices as both analytical and creative writers.

In addition to creative writing assignments, students work on crafting thesis statements and incorporating textual evidence in analytical essays.

Texts include Brown Girl Dreaming (Woodson), Inside Out & Back Again (Lai), Coraline (Gaiman), American Born Chinese (Yang), and Nimona (Stevenson).

Students in History 7 explore the themes of democracy, citizenship and civics, freedom and oppression, justice and injustice, race and racism, individual and group identity, and activism through a series of case studies from American history. Students act as historians, analyzing primary and secondary sources, developing guiding research questions, and forming their own thesis statements, which they back up with textual evidence and cogent reasoning. They examine a variety of historical texts, working to hone their reading comprehension, active reading, annotating, research, and writing skills. Students keep a writing portfolio throughout the year, as they practice skills that will enable them to compose their own written, original historical analyses. They share their findings through several types of class discussions, individual and group projects, structured historical simulations, exhibitions, interdisciplinary work, and formal essays. Throughout the year, students explore the myriad links between history and other academic subjects, as they seek to understand how the world they live in has been and continues to be shaped. These connections help students think critically about the way they read and write history and the importance of considering multiple perspectives and voices left out of traditional narratives to improve our understanding of the past and strive for a better future.

Creative Arts 7

Drama 7 explores improvisation in all its forms. Students develop and hone basic drama skills, including risk-taking, listening, accepting, following, and initiating inside improvisational exercises. Shortand long-form improvisations are introduced as students expand their ensemble skills and learn to develop stories and characters in the moment and build upon their skills in cooperation, collaboration, and negotiation.

Music 7 sees students continue to explore the art form from a variety of perspectives. Students learn rhythm fundamentals by forming a bucket drumming ensemble and piano skills by taking up keyboards. Students are introduced to and explore many different music traditions including Western classical, Indian classical, qawwali, gagaku, and gamelan music. They also learn how the complex history of the United States shaped the development of jazz and hip-hop.

Art 7 continues to engage students with a variety of visual art media, techniques, and artistic styles. Students continue to develop and articulate their understanding of visual concepts through more advanced techniques. The emphasis of this course is to help each student to find success in their own creativity and selfexpression.

Growth Education 7

Growth Education 7 focuses on the ongoing transition from child to adolescent. The theme for the year is “Taking Sensible Action,” and students build upon problemsolving techniques to help them choose sensible actions. These problem-solving skills provide a context for the study of such topics as mental health and selfesteem; interpersonal and family

relationships; personal hygiene; community service; reproduction and sexuality; tobacco, alcohol, and drug use; abuse prevention; and first aid.

Math 7

Students in Math 7 utilize the Illustrative Mathematics Accelerated curriculum to prepare them for Algebra in grade 8. They explore various mathematical concepts, including patterns and functions, representing ideas in various ways, working with variables, and graphing. After a review of integers, students develop their skills at solving multi-step algebraic equations. Throughout the entire year, students are taught the skills to approach work in a disciplined manner and to collaborate effectively with peers.

Integrated Science 7

The seventh grade science course takes an inquiry-based approach to learning about the diversity of life in the natural world, as well as new frontiers of engineering design. Through a combination of hands-on experimentation and project-based learning, students engage topics such as the definition of life, evolution, genetics and inheritance, human body systems, and plants, while learning about the scientific method, lab techniques, and report writing. The course also includes a STEAM design unit using biomimicry to develop potential solutions to climate change, as well as a STEAM unit exploring the engineering design cycle and robotics with a student-designed EV3 Lego Mindstorms robot.

Middle School World Languages

Middle School students have three choices for modern language study: French, Mandarin, or Spanish. Students are placed in course levels and sections based on their assessed ability through placement testing and/ or previous study at Brimmer or another school. Within the first month of the academic year, students may be moved among the levels dependent upon their demonstrated ability within a course.

Middle School French 1A

MS French 1A serves as a formal introduction to the French language and Francophone cultures. Students learn to conjugate regular and irregular verbs, use more advanced vocabulary in a wide range of activities, and increase their listening and reading comprehension. Students also begin to learn helpful rules for pronunciation in French, to create sentences verbally and in written format, and to have simple conversations in French.

Middle School Mandarin 1A

Students enrolled in this course have already acquired a basic knowledge of Chinese language and culture. Students are exposed to new lexical fields such as countries and nationalities, food, clothes, daily routines, sports, and personal introductions. Through a range of activities, students use more advanced vocabulary to start forming complex sentences and improve their comprehension.

Middle School Spanish 1A

This course serves as a formal introduction to the study of the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Students build on basic structures, using more complicated grammar structures and developing an understanding of the natural rhythm of Spanish. Students expand their vocabulary and enhance their skills through daily oral and written interactive communicative activities.

English Language Support

This course provides students with a solid foundation for success in a mainstream classroom setting by developing their writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. The ELS teacher works closely with humanities teachers to provide ELS students with the support to best understand, organize, and follow through on assignments in the subject areas that are most difficult for nonnative speakers of English—history and English. As students become acclimated to approaching and successfully completing projects, the ELS classroom becomes a place for enrichment, where students read short stories and novels, usually with a cultural focus, and where regular writing practice, vocabulary skill-building, and grammar are stressed alongside active participation in discussions and the development of presentation skills. Students are strongly encouraged to use the Writing Center.

Team

Sports for Grades 7 & 8

The sports requirement for seventh and eighth grade is a minimum of one season of a team sport. If students play only one season of a team sport, they must choose an activity for the other two seasons. If they play two seasons of a team sport, they may take one season off.

The Middle School sports program requires practice from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday through Friday throughout the season, and participation in interscholastic games. Games are scheduled Tuesday through Friday, have various start and end times, and are played at a variety of locations.

Students participating in interscholastic sports must commit to attend all practices and games and maintain good academic standing. Students must provide appropriate equipment (cleats, softball or baseball glove, basketball sneakers, etc.) for each interscholastic sport.

2023-2024 Athletic Offerings

for Grades 7 & 8

Fall soccer, cross country, volleyball

Activities: recreational tennis, fitness

Winter

basketball

Activities: recreational skiing/ snowboarding, yoga, fitness

Spring lacrosse, softball, baseball, tennis (coed—tryouts are held in the fall)

Activities: ultimate frisbee, recreational running*, fitness *Programs must meet minimum enrollment to run.

Grade 8 Course Listings Humanities 8

The Humanities 8 curriculum focuses on essential questions concerning identity, othering, leadership, responsibility, and power dynamics. Using these questions as a guide, students explore the Holocaust, the Cultural Revolution in China, and the British Raj in India. Through these lenses, students examine how leaders of these events in history obtained, abused, and lost power; how the people in these societies reconciled who they were as individuals with the sociopolitical context in which they lived; and how power dynamics have impacted and continue to impact culture and history.

In English 8, students read texts such as Maus (Spiegelman) along with other pertinent novels, poems, and primary-source texts from Facing History and Ourselves. In addition, students further their growing awareness of language through contextual study of grammar and mechanics drawn from the editing of their own writing assignments and vocabulary pulled from the literature they read. Students also undertake various writing assignments that address the form and function of both expository and creative writing pursuits. Other texts, including The Poet X

(Acevedo) and Aristotle and Dante (Sáenz), continue the theme of exploring identity that is prominent throughout the Middle School English curriculum.

Students in History 8 use various resources to explore these historical time periods and make connections between present-day events and those that happened decades ago. Assessments, thesis-driven essays, and various discussion formats allow for opportunities to practice extracting pertinent themes from history and making connections between the events discussed.

The year’s culminating assessment is a multi-genre project in which students demonstrate skills gleaned from their year’s work to highlight an important social changemaker.

Creative Arts 8

Students in Drama 8 work to understand what makes a “good” story inspired by Aristotle’s Poetics. By exploring thought, diction, character, plot, melody, and spectacle design in various modalities, including performance and project-based learning, we can better understand ourselves and make important choices in performance. This work is also applied to the art of public speaking that culminates in the student’s Eighth Grade Inspiration Speech.

Students in Music 8 continue to strengthen their understanding of Western musical notation and apply their skills to more challenging piano exercises and compositions. Lessons also explore non-Western cultures and the central role that music plays in everyday life around the globe through hands-on activities and projects.

Students in Art 8 explore a variety of media and techniques with an emphasis on observation, exploration, and skill development. Diverse historical references, advanced visual concepts, and critiques provide the framework for each student’s development while preparing them for the Upper School. In the fourth quarter, the class explores cross-curricular collaboration.

Growth Education 8

In this course, students examine the challenges of their adolescence through the lens of ethical decision-making. Using the frameworks of the Ethical Literacy curriculum designed by the Institute for Global Ethics, students become familiar with the concept of universal values and how they inform the process of making good decisions. In addition, students learn the four ethical dilemma paradigms established by the Institute to develop a common vocabulary for addressing complex decisions. Students use their ethical training to explore the standard components of a health curriculum, including units on adolescent group dynamics, nutrition, substance abuse education, and the use of technology in the adolescent world.

Algebra I

Algebra I is the heart of the sequence of the School’s secondary mathematics curriculum. The curriculum follows a traditional course sequence of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus. The topics covered in Algebra I include solving equations and inequalities; graphing lines and inequalities; solving systems of equations; adding, subtracting and multiplying polynomials; and finding zeros of quadratic equations by factoring and using

the quadratic formula. Problemsolving techniques are also emphasized throughout the course through real-life applications and projects.

Integrated Science 8

Science 8 is the final year in a three-year sequence that integrates physical, life, and earth sciences. Students explore matter and energy, examining how these two phenomena help explain the universe across a range of scales from subatomic particles to the structure of planets and stars, and build on previous years through laboratory experiments, report writing, and STEAM projects. The year begins with a physical science unit that is a laboratory-based introduction to chemistry, in which students learn about the atomic theory of matter. The second unit explores the physics of several types of energy and culminates in a STEAM project that requires students to generate and measure renewable energy. The earth science unit builds on the material from the previous two units to examine how matter and energy help explain the composition of stars, the formation and internal structure of the earth, and plate tectonics. In each of the three units, students learn how to use laboratory equipment to conduct experiments and collect data that they analyze through graphs, charts, and written lab reports.

Innovation Hour

Eighth grade students spend regular time learning how to design for and use tools in the Makerspace. Students get an overview of how to design with the various tools, as well as create their projects. This includes using computer aided design (CAD) software to create designs for 3-D printing and laser cutting. Students are given an opportunity to cater

their designs to their own interests or relevant class projects.

Middle School World Languages

Middle School students have three choices for modern language study: French, Mandarin, or Spanish. Students are placed in course levels and sections based on their assessed ability through placement testing and/ or previous study at Brimmer or another school. Within the first month of the academic year, students may be moved among the levels dependent upon their demonstrated ability within a course.

Middle School French 1B

Students continue to hone and expand their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. Proficiency in speaking and writing is emphasized, and reading comprehension is further developed through dialogues and short cultural readings. Students who complete this course continue with Upper School French II.

Middle School Mandarin 1B

Students continue to hone and expand their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. Students learn how to ask the date, tell time, describe the position of things, and discuss clothing and shopping. Proficiency in speaking and writing is emphasized, and reading comprehension is further developed through dialogue and short cultural readings. Students who complete this course continue with Upper School Mandarin II.

Middle School Spanish 1B

Students deepen and strengthen their knowledge of the language, working to make their speech and writing more fluid. Exposed to a Spanish language environment in the classroom, students further develop their listening comprehension. Students expand their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and work to improve their proficiency with speaking and writing. Reading comprehension skills are developed via a short Spanish novel. Students who complete this course continue to Upper School Spanish II.

English Language Support

This course provides students with a solid foundation for success in a mainstream classroom setting by further developing writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. The ELS teacher works closely with humanities teachers to provide students with the support to best understand, organize, and follow through on assignments in the subject areas that are most difficult for nonnative speakers of English––history and English. As students become acclimated to approaching and successfully completing projects, the ELS classroom becomes a place for enrichment—where students read short stories and novels, usually with a cultural focus, and where regular writing practice, vocabulary skill-building, and grammar are stressed alongside active

participation in discussions and honing presentation skills. Students are strongly encouraged to use the Writing Center.

Team Sports for Grades 7 & 8

Please see listing at the end of the Grade 7 section.

Our Upper School program presents a challenging and engaging curriculum that balances specific course requirements with a wide range of electives and international travel experiences, which gives students increasing choices as they prepare for post-secondary study. The program offers ways for students to grow intellectually, focuses on local and global issues, and supports students’ growth as adolescents through Wellness offerings. Students are given an opportunity to pursue their interests and passions through courses, clubs and activities, and after-school programming such as athletics and theater productions.

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Fundamentals + Flexibility

Upper School students are expected to take the equivalent of five fullcredit academic courses each year. A total of 22 credits is required for graduation, although most students earn more.

The four-year course of study for students in grades 9 through 12 must include the following credits:

• English (4 credits)

• History (3 credits)

• Mathematics (3 credits)

• Science (3 credits)

• World Languages (3 consecutive credits)

• Creative Arts (2 credits)

• Technology (1 credit)

• Community Service (40 hours)

• Athletics/Physical Education (4 years)

An additional 3 credits are obtained by enrolling in classes (offered in various departments) that are above and beyond the required course of study.

A minimum number of students may be necessary for a course to be offered. Some courses have limited enrollment. Courses are subject to change by departmental decisions. If a course cannot be offered due to student enrollment, students may have the option to take a similar course through One Schoolhouse (refer to the One Schoolhouse section for more information).

Students who transfer into the Upper School after grade 9 may meet the requirements with comparable courses or may have proportionately reduced elective requirements.

Distinctive Academic and Signature Programs

CREATIVE ARTS DIPLOMA PROGRAM (CAP)

The Creative Arts Diploma Program provides students who demonstrate a determined interest in the arts with the opportunity to focus on a chosen art form, the tools to create a portfolio documenting their work, cultural connections to the Boston arts community, and a venue for participants to share their talents with the larger community. A minimum two-year commitment is required, including participation in the 12th Grade CAP Seminar. There is a field trip fee for this course.

The Creative Arts Diploma Program is composed of students in grades 10-12 who have a deep commitment to visual arts, music, dance, theater, video, or creative writing; have already developed considerable skill in that area (called a “concentration”); and have a strong inner drive to pursue further study.

Each Diploma student works out a personal program with the Creative Arts Chair and members of the Creative Arts Department on a yearly basis. These plans vary widely and are tailored to each student’s interests and needs.

Application Process

Upper School students may apply for admission to the CAP Program toward the end of their ninth or tenth grade year. The application materials are released shortly after Winter Break each year. Completed applications are due on the first Monday after Spring Break.

Application materials are reviewed by the Director of the CAP Diploma Program and members of the Creative Arts Department. Upon review, applicants are interviewed by the Director and appropriate members of the Creative Arts Department.

Program Requirements

All Creative Arts Diploma students must:

• maintain a minimum B average in all CAP-related courses.

• document a minimum of 7-10 hours a week of work in the chosen concentration, beyond school time, in their CAP journal. This can consist of lessons, practice time, rehearsal, studio time, research, viewing, reading, meeting with a mentor, journal keeping, etc. Bi-weekly CAP lunches are held to share and review journal progress with Creative Arts faculty and the CAP cohort.

• participate in all master classes and field trips arranged for CAP Diploma students, unless excused due to illness or other School commitments. This is approximately 12 events per year, distributed across all concentrations, both at Brimmer and in the Boston metropolitan area.

• prepare and participate in CAP juries each semester, outlining achievements and future goals in the chosen concentration and defending work to Creative Arts faculty and the CAP Director.

• participate in the yearlong 12th Grade CAP Seminar, culminating in planning for and performing in the CAP Exhibition in April.

• demonstrate a commitment to sharing work with the School community with increasing frequency and complexity as students move through the program. CAP students must

initiate and complete five hours of Community Connections each year they participate in the program. (See Concentrations below for suggestions.)

CAP Concentrations & Requirements

Students must select a concentration when applying to CAP. A concentration is a focus of study that can be individually tailored to suit specific student interests. Common concentrations are below:

Visual Arts Concentration

Required Courses:

• Drawing or Painting (1/2 credit)

• Graphic Art (1/2 credit)

• Advanced Drawing and Painting (1/2 credit)

• AP® Studio Art (1 credit)

Community Connection Suggestions:

• Curate an exhibit

• Review an exhibit

• Shadow an arts professional

• Participate in Admissions events

Photography Concentration

Required Courses:

• Drawing or Painting (1/2 credit)

• Darkoom Photography (1 credit)

• Digital Photography (1/2 credit)

• Social Justice Through Photography (1/2 credit)

• AP® 2-D Design (1 credit)

Community Connection Suggestions:

• Curate an exhibit

• Review an exhibit

• Shadow an arts professional

• Participate in Admissions events

Music Performance

Concentration

Required Courses:

• US Instrumental Ensemble or Greenline (2 credits)

• Two Music Electives (1 credit)

Strongly Encouraged:

• Weekly lessons

Community Connection

Suggestions:

• Organize and execute a recital or public performance

• Perform with an outside group

• Offer lessons

• Shadow an arts professional

• Participate in Admissions events

Theater Concentration

Required Courses:

• Digital Cinema (1/2 credit)

• Acting or Improvisation (1/2 credit)

• Stagecraft or Production (1/2 credit)

• Additional Theater Elective (1/2 credit)

• Participation in 2-3 US productions yearly

Community Connection

Suggestions:

• Direct Student Directed Play

• Perform with an outside group

• Offer lessons

• Shadow an arts professional

• Participate in Admissions events

Musical Theater Concentration

Required Courses:

• Greenline (2 credits)

• Acting or Improvisation (1/2 credit)

• Additional Music Elective (1/2 credit)

• Participation in US Musical and US choral concerts

Community Connection

Suggestions:

• Direct Student Directed Play

• Perform with an outside group

• Offer lessons

• Shadow an arts professional

• Participate in Admissions events

Digital Cinema Concentration

Required Courses:

• Digital Cinema I & II (1 credit)

• Darkoom Photography (1 credit)

• Acting or Improvisation (1/2 credit)

• Independent Study in Digital Cinema (1/2 credit)

Community Connection

Suggestions:

• Organize and execute a screening

• Attend a film festival

• Shadow an arts professional

• Participate in Admissions events

Requirements for Earning a Creative Arts Diploma with Distinction

In addition to completing the coursework required, students who seek to graduate from the program with distinction must demonstrate:

• Consistent grade of A in each grading period

• Proof of consistent leadership in the Creative Arts Department

• Participation above and beyond the program requirements

• Excellence in both performance/ execution and scholarship in chosen concentration

• Creative Arts Department faculty vote of earned distinction

GLOBAL STUDIES DIPLOMA PROGRAM

The Global Studies Program at Brimmer is specifically designed to prepare students to be informed, involved, and ethical citizens in a global society. The program entails concentrated and advanced coursework in world languages, history, geography, international relations, economics, culture, media, and science. Completion of the program leads to a special diploma in Global Studies, and students may work to earn this diploma with distinction.

Application Process

Upper School students may apply for admission to the Global Studies Program at the end of their ninth or tenth grade year. At this time, they submit an application and a plan of study for their tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade years. Applications are reviewed by the Global Studies Program Supervisory Board, which is composed of the Director of Global Studies, Assistant Head of Academic Affairs, and members of the Science, World Languages, and Humanities Departments. The Supervisory Board reviews student status in the program at the end of each year.

Program Requirements

Students must complete the following courses:

• World History I (1 credit)

• World History II (1 credit)

• U.S. History (1 credit)

Two of the following Foundations Electives (at least one should be outside of the chosen concentration):

• Global Diplomacy (1/2 credit)

• Global Art History (1/2 credit)

• Geographic Information Science (1/2 credit)

Sample Schedules for Global Studies Diploma Program

ECONOMICS GRADE 10

English II

World History II

Physics/Science Electives

GRADE 11

English Elective/AP® English

U.S. History

Chemistry/Science Electives

GRADE 12

English Elective/AP® English

AP® Economics

Science Electives

Math Math Statistics or Math Elective

World Language

Foundations Elective

Principles of Economics

Art or Tech Electives

POLITICAL GRADE 10

SCIENCE English II

World Language

AP® Economics

Foundations Elective

Art or Tech Electives

GRADE 11

English Elective/AP® English

World History II U.S. History

Physics/Science Electives

Chemistry/Science Electives

Math Math

World Language

Foundations Electives

SCIENCE GRADE 10

English II

World History II

Physics/Science Electives

World Language

Global Studies Pol. Electives

Art or Tech Electives

GRADE 11

English Elective/AP® English

U.S. History

Chemistry/Science Electives

World Language

Humanities Elective

Art or Tech Electives

GRADE 12

English Elective/AP® English

Global Studies Pol. Electives

Science Electives

Math Electives

World Language

Art or Tech Electives

GRADE 12

English Elective/AP® English

Global Studies Pol. Electives

Global Studies Science Course

Math Math Math: AP® Statistics

World Language

Foundations Electives

Art or Tech Electives

WORLD GRADE 10

LANGUAGES English II

World History II

Physics/Science Electives

Math

World Language 1

World Language 2

Foundations Electives

World Language

Global Studies Science Course

World Language

Art or Tech Electives

AP® Environmental Science

GRADE 11

English Elective/AP® English

U.S. History

Chemistry/Science Electives

Math

World Language 1

World Language 2

Art or Tech Electives

GRADE 12

English Elective/AP® English

Elective Course

Foundations Elective

Math Elective

World Language 1

World Language 2

• Global Social Justice (1/2 credit)

• Principles of Economics (1/2 credit)

• 4 years of study in one world language: Spanish, French, or Mandarin (4 credits). Exceptions may be made for international students who study English as a second language and take an additional language. Options for diversified coursework may be made for students who reach the AP® level of a language by eleventh grade and students who are language-exempt Students must select a concentration in economics, political science/history, science, or world languages. Students must complete at least 2.5 credits in their area of concentration in addition to the required courses listed above. If a student takes more than the two required Foundations eElectives above, those pertaining to their concentration may count towards their concentration credits. Students in the world languages concentration complete 3 concentration credits as all language courses are full-year courses.

Students must earn grades of B or higher or a score of 3 or higher in AP® exams in all Global Studies courses and must maintain an overall GPA of at least a 3.0 to be accepted and remain in the program. Students who do not meet these academic requirements may be placed on probation or may no longer be eligible for the program.

Coursework in Economics

Concentration (2.5 credits required):

• Principles of Economics (1/2 credit)

• AP® Macroeconomics (1 credit)

• AP® Microeconomics (1 credit)

• AP® Statistics or Calculus/ AP® Calculus (1 credit; recommended, not required)

Coursework in Political Science

Concentration (2.5 credits required):

• 20th Century: Resistance and Imprisonment (1/2 credit or 1 credit)

• The Cold War: Rivalries, Alliances, and the Quest for Global Dominance (1/2 credit)

• Current Events: Americans in the World (1/2 credit)

• Global Art History (1/2 credit)

• Global Diplomacy (1/2 credit)

• Global Social Justice (1/2 credit)

• Government (1/2 credit)

• International Relations (1 credit)

• Latin American History (1 credit)

• The Middle East and North Africa: Cultures and Viewpoints (1/2 credit)

• Popular Culture and Jewish American History (1/2 credit)

• Women’s Studies: A Global Perspective (1/2 credit)

Coursework in Science Concentration (2.5 credits required):

• Advanced Topics in Biotechnology (1 credit)

• AP® Environmental Science (1 credit)

• AP® Statistics (recommended, not required; 1 credit)

• Geographic Information Science (1/2 credit)

• Marine Science (1 credit)

Coursework in World Languages Concentration

• Three years in a second world language (3 credits) or two years (2 credits) and a summer course or immersion program

Additional Requirements

In addition to coursework, students must earn 650 credit points toward the Global Studies Diploma once accepted into the program. Credit points are required in the following categories:

• Global Action—200 credit points—global travel, service learning either internationally or domestically with a global focus, or other global activities (may include Winterim travel abroad, participation in Model UN, taking part in international exchange programs, volunteering with the local chapter of a global NGO, etc.)

• Cultural Engagement—200 credit points—experiences that are not necessarily service- or travelrelated but that contain a global focus (may include activities such as movies, museum exhibits, lectures, plays, etc.)

• Student Choice—200 credit points—may include community activities such as planning a trip, taking a leadership role in planning and running an assembly, taking Global Studies courses above and beyond their concentration requirements, completing Honors work in a Global Studies course, etc.

• 12th Grade Reflection Project (required for all 12th grade students before completing the program)—50 credit points

Point values earned for activities within the Global Action, Cultural Engagement, and Student Choice categories vary depending on the length of time involved, degree of student preparedness, and overall commitment level. Point values are determined and approved by the Global Studies Director and/or Global Studies Program Supervisory Board.

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Requirements for Earning a Global Studies Diploma with Distinction

In addition to completing the required coursework, students who seek to graduate from the program with distinction are required to earn at least 850 credit points. Distinction is considered for, but not limited to, the following options:

• Grade of A- or higher or a score of 4 or higher on AP® Exams in all Global Studies Program coursework

• Proof of consistent leadership in the Global Studies Program

• Participation above and beyond the program requirements

• Global Studies Program Supervisory Board vote of earned distinction

Once accepted into the program, students are assigned a Global Studies Program advisor who provides guidance and monitors progress throughout the program.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, AND MATH (STEAM) DIPLOMA PROGRAM

The STEAM Diploma Program provides students with the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary coursework, drawing together its five core subject areas. The primary objective of the program is to inspire students and prepare them for the rigor of following a demanding program in a STEAM field in college. Students are challenged to draw on their knowledge of all core disciplines and to synthesize innovative solutions to problems. Completion of the program leads to a special STEAM Diploma.

Application Process

Upper School students may apply for admission into the STEAM Program at the end of their ninth or tenth grade year. The application materials are released prior to March break each year. Applications are reviewed by the STEAM Diploma Supervisory Board, which is composed of the Director of the STEAM Diploma Program, the Director of Innovation and Design, and members of the Science, Technology, and Math Departments. The Supervisory Board reviews student status in the program at the end of each year. Students who do not meet these academic requirements may be placed on probation or may no longer be eligible for the program.

Program Requirements

Students must:

• maintain a B average in all STEAM-related courses.

• complete at least two AP® courses in science, technology, art, or mathematics.

• complete four years of science and math.

• achieve Honors or take an additional AP® class within the STEAM discipline.

• complete at least one engineering course.

• take STEAM Lab during twelfth grade.

• select a concentration in either Biomedical and Life Sciences, Architectural and Industrial Design, Technology and Robotics, or Engineering and Physical Sciences and complete at least 3 credits in the chosen concentration.

Coursework in Biomedical and Life Sciences Concentration (at least 3 credits required):

• AP® Biology (1 credit)

• AP® Environmental Science (1 credit)

• Anatomy & Physiology (1 credit)

• Biotechnology (1 credit)

• Chemistry (1 credit)

• Marine Science (1 credit)

• Neuropsychology (1 credit)

• Statistics or AP® Statistics (1 credit)

Coursework in Architectural and Industrial Design Concentration (at least 3 credits required):

• AP® 2-D Design (1 credit)

• AP® Studio Art (1 credit)

• Architectural CAD Modeling (1/2 credit)

• Advanced Architectural CAD Modeling (1/2 credit)

• Digital Fabrication (1/2 credit)

• Fashion Design (1/2 credit)

• Graphic Art (1/2 credit)

• Problem Solving Through Design I & II (1/2 credit each)

• Stagecraft or Production (1/2 credit)

Coursework in Technology and Robotics Concentration (at least 3 credits required):

• AP® Computer Science (1 credit)

• Computer Science: Web Design (1/2 credit)

• Computer Science: App Development (1/2 credit)

• Computer Science: Advanced App Development (1/2 credit)

• Computer Science: Programming I (1/2 credit)

• VEX Robotics Team (1/2 credit - non-transcript program credit) (after-school/weekend activity)

Sample Schedules for STEAM Diploma Program

BIOMEDICAL GRADE 10

& LIFE English II

SCIENCES World History II

Physics

Algebra II (Honors)

World Language

Digital Fabrication

Art or Tech Electives

ARCHITECTURE GRADE 10

& INDUSTRIAL English II

DESIGN World History II

Physics

Algebra II (Honors)

World Language

Digital Fabrication

Architectural CAD Modeling

TECHNOLOGY GRADE 10

& ROBOTICS English II

World History II

Physics (Advanced)

Algebra II (Honors)

World Language

AP® Computer Science

Art Elective

ENGINEERING GRADE 10

& PHYSICAL English II

SCIENCES World History II

Physics (Advanced)

Algebra II (Honors)

World Language

Digital Fabrication

GRADE 11

English Elective/AP® English

U.S. History

Chemistry (Honors)

Precalculus

World Language

Anatomy & Physiology

Art or Tech Electives

GRADE 12

English Elective/AP® English

Marine Science

AP® Biology

AP® Statistics

World Language

STEAM Lab

GRADE 11

GRADE 12

English Elective/AP® English English Elective/AP® English

U.S. History

Chemistry/Science Electives

Precalculus

World Language

Problem Solving I & II

AP® 2-D Design

Science Electives

AP® Calculus

World Language

STEAM Lab

GRADE 11

English Elective/AP® English

U.S. History

Chemistry/Science Electives

Precalculus

World Language

Web Design

Advanced Web Design

GRADE 11

GRADE 12

English Elective/AP® English

Elective Course

AP® Physics 2

AP® Calculus

World Language

App Development

STEAM Lab

GRADE 12

English Elective/AP® English English Elective/AP® English

U.S. History

Chemistry (Honors)

Precalculus

World Language

Engineering I

Art or Tech Elective Art or Tech Elective

Elective Course

AP® Physics 2

AP® Calculus

World Language

STEAM Lab

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Coursework in Engineering and Physical Sciences Concentration (at least 3 credits required):

• AP® Calculus (1 credit)

• AP® Physics 2 (1 credit)

• Architectural CAD Modeling (1/2 credit)

• Advanced Architectural CAD Modeling (1/2 credit)

• Chemistry (1 credit)

• Digital Fabrication (1/2 credit)

• Engineering I (1/2 credit)

• Engineering II (1/2 credit)

Additional Requirements

• Students must complete one college-level online course within their STEAM concentration. It must be approved by the Director of the STEAM Diploma Program.

• Students must complete one internship (40 hours minimum) in a STEAM field. It is strongly recommended that students do an internship in the summer prior to their twelfth grade. It must be approved by the Director of the STEAM Diploma Program.

• Students must participate in Admissions events specific to the STEAM Diploma Program.

HONORS PROGRAM

The Honors Program is designed to offer students an intellectual extension to the required classwork with an additional focus on creative problem-solving, independent thinking, extended research skills, and the application of learned content and skills. The teachers offering this program do not offer one-on-one instructional support and expect students not to engage a tutor to complete the work assigned.

Each teacher participating in the Honors Program requires quarterly projects and additional material for

the students to learn. Honors work may differ across departments, but students should expect a similar experience within a specific academic department. The quarterly Honors work correlates to approximately 8-10 hours of additional work outside of the regular class, which is just over an hour of additional work weekly.

Qualifications

A student must have earned a grade of B or higher in the previous year’s course or gained the permission of the instructor in order to enroll in the Honors Program for a chosen discipline. In addition, the student must demonstrate a high level of independence in accomplishing assignments and classwork outside of the scheduled class time.

Throughout the year, students must achieve a B or above in the required coursework and a B or above in the Honors work for the semester. Semester grades that meet this grading standard are required in order to receive Honors distinction for the course. Honors status is indicated on a student’s transcript at the conclusion of the school year. Withdrawing from the Honors Program incurs no penalty at any time; no partial distinction is conferred. Honors Program information is shared during the spring course sign-up and at the start of each school year.

Program Supervision

The Honors Program is overseen by the Head of Upper School.

SCHOLAR SOCIETY

The Scholar Society comprises twelfth graders who have maintained a high academic average (3.5 cumulative weighted GPA or higher) and are actively involved in the life of the School.

Students who apply to the Scholar Society are evaluated on their academic achievement, their contributions to the School, and how they embody Brimmer’s Core Values. Members are determined by a vote of the Scholar Committee, which is made up of faculty and administrators. Academically eligible students are identified by the evaluating committee and are invited to apply in February of eleventh grade and/ or September of twelfth grade. Students who transfer to Brimmer in eleventh grade are eligible to apply during September of twelfth grade.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Each year Brimmer recognizes exceptional student work in the academic program, athletic program, and creative arts program. Faculty nominate and determine academic and community involvement honors to be awarded at Honors Convocation and Commencement. These include endowed scholarships; University and College Book Awards such as the Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Williams Book Awards; and Brimmer Departmental Awards. Student-athletes are recognized during end-of-season and end-ofyear Athletic awards assemblies. Athletic awards are determined by coaches, faculty, and the Athletic Department. Creative Arts awardees are nominated by the Creative Arts Department and honored during the annual Brimmer Academy Awards. Student awards are determined by members of the Brimmer Academy, which comprises faculty, staff, parents, and students who have attended the specified performances.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

1/2 CREDIT PER SEMESTER

Independent Study is available to eleventh and twelfth graders in specific subject areas. A student who is interested in pursuing such a project should discuss the proposal with the appropriate member of the faculty and then present a written proposal of the plan to the Head of Upper School for consideration. Students with GPAs of 3.33 or higher and a B+ average in the discipline of the proposed independent study are given the greatest consideration in their applications. Students may choose to do an online class for a course that is not offered at Brimmer. This must be approved by the Department Chair and Head of Upper School.

One Schoolhouse/Online Course Opportunities

Brimmer has developed a relationship with an online school, One Schoolhouse, to provide asynchronous classes. Students may enroll in a One Schoolhouse course through Brimmer in the following ways:

• Interest in an additional course that is not offered at Brimmer. There is a course fee associated with this option.

• A Brimmer course is unable to run due to low enrollment and the One Schoolhouse course is provided as an option for students who require the course for specific diploma program or graduation requirement. Depending on the circumstances, the School may cover the cost of the course in this case.

If a student drops a course that has been paid for by the School, they may be required to pay for course fees that cannot be refunded.

Completion of a One Schoolhouse course is reflected on a student’s Brimmer transcript.

COURSE-LOAD RESTRICTIONS

The goal of our program is to support students in their academic pursuits. Students have a significant amount of choice in their courses of study, and the advisor program helps students determine which courses meet their needs during their Brimmer academic career.

In order to promote student success, the School has established certain requirements to ensure that students are fully focused on their courses while supporting their overall wellness. For this reason, students may not take more than a total of seven academic and elective courses in any given semester. For students pursuing AP® coursework, the School recommends that students take up to a total of five AP® courses during their eleventh and twelfth grade years. The College Counselors provide this information to colleges in order to provide a clear understanding of the School’s objectives and policies, which seek to reduce student pressure to take on too much academically. Additionally, the number of academic courses a student takes may be restricted based on the number of AP® courses they are enrolled in in a given year. If a student would like to petition to take an additional AP® course, they must meet with the Head of Upper School to discuss their request.

12TH GRADE THESIS DEFENSE

In the late winter and early spring, twelfth graders not in the Global Studies Program research an author’s writing in English electives and AP® English classes. Students form their own theses based on individual research and write papers in which they present evidence for their theses from both primary and secondary

sources. Students in the Global Studies Program focus on a topic, complete research, and present theses in their areas of concentration in Global Studies.

After completing their research papers, all twelfth grade students present their semester’s work to four faculty members and two students, each of whom have read the paper. During a 20-minute presentation period, the panel assesses each student’s thesis defense according to a preestablished rubric. In this time, students explain their theses, support their arguments with the evidence found during the research process, and leave time for questions from the panel. Students are graded in their respective courses for their work on both the written and oral portions of this task.

12TH GRADE PROJECT

During the final four weeks of the second semester, twelfth graders participate in the 12th Grade Project. Students have the option to develop an independent project or secure an internship that allows them to explore occupational fields of interest. They work for 25 hours a week under the direction of an on-site supervisor and are also monitored by faculty advisors. The 12th Grade Projects are also monitored by the 12th Grade Project Director. Students return to campus regularly for meetings with their advisors, and they are required to share their work experiences at a special exhibition at the end of the project period.

WINTERIM

Winterim is an Upper School program that takes place every other year (odd years) during March and gives students the opportunity to travel both abroad and domestically and learn about

people, cultures, customs, history, language, science, and the environment. Students may choose to participate in School programs to places such as China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, and Spain. Domestic program offerings have included visits to Los Angeles, the American Southwest, and Puerto Rico; a week of local day trips in Boston is always offered as well. All programs offer a variety of activities that enhance students’ learning from several angles, whether they be from a multidisciplinary examination of a theme, a service-learning program, or an opportunity to help them attain goals toward graduation or Diploma program requirements. All Upper School students are required to participate in a Winterim program.

UPPER SCHOOL CAMP

Upper School students spend two days at the beginning of each academic year at an outdoor camp. This overnight trip allows Upper School students and faculty to get to know each other, learn how to work together effectively, and have some fun. The School trips provide an excellent introduction to the school year. The programming for the camp is designed by student leaders with the support of the Dean of Students and Head of Upper School. The camp experience is a tradition at Brimmer and is designed to facilitate community building. (In years when religious or other holidays fall during the annual camp trip, alternate programming may be scheduled.) The Upper School goes to Camp WingateKirkland on Cape Cod, where students spend time bicycling, kayaking, swimming, exploring the beach, playing field games, paddle boarding, etc. All Upper School students are required to attend camp.

WELLNESS PROGRAM

Upper School students participate in wellness programs geared to support their social, emotional, and physical well-being. Brimmer strives to develop students who go on to be successful in the world and educate them in areas that allow them to be prepared to make informed decisions when faced with challenging situations. Ninth and 11th grade students participate in the monthlong Sexual Health and Education program with the EducaHealth curriculum. Ninth-12th grade students participate in work with the Wellness Collaborative over the course of a month to learn about stress management techniques and substance use and abuse. Ninth and 10th grade students take 9th Grade Wellness and 10th Grade Wellness classes. When possible, the School offers parent workshops as well.

Upper School Creative Arts

Students in grades 9 through 12 are required to complete four semesters of creative arts. The creative arts include the visual arts, theater arts, media arts, and music.

VISUAL ARTS

Students new to the School wishing to pursue the visual arts are encouraged to take one semester of either Drawing or Painting in their ninth grade year, as it is a prerequisite for many visual arts classes.

Serious students of visual arts should consider the following course path:

• Drawing, Painting, Graphic Art, Advanced Drawing and Painting, AP® Studio Art

Serious students of photography should consider the following course path:

• Darkroom Photography (full year), Digital Photography & Social Justice Through Photography, AP® 2-D Art and Design: Photography

Drawing

SEMESTERS I AND II, 1/2 CREDIT

This course is designed for students who want to explore personal vision through the medium of drawing. The course explores various tools and processes of drawing and encourages students to experiment with how to convey ideas through mark-making and drawing applications. Projects emphasize the importance of observation, expression, and imagination through a series of skill-building projects. In addition, students are introduced to the skills of foreshortening, portraiture, value, and perspective. Students also study relevant art history and learn and practice art criticism techniques.

Painting

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

This course is designed for students who want to explore personal vision through the medium of painting. The course explores the theory of color and encourages students to experiment with how to convey ideas through mark-making and the processes of painting. Projects emphasize the importance of observation, expression, and imagination through a series of skill-building projects. In addition, students are introduced to the skills of foreshortening, portraiture, value, and perspective. Students also study relevant art history and learn and practice art criticism techniques.

Advanced Drawing and Painting

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Drawing or Painting or permission of the department.

This course is designed for students who would like to further develop their drawing and painting skills. Students refine their understanding of working through observation, expression, and imagination. Building on foundational skills, projects are designed with expanded creative choice and expression, as students develop their skills of foreshortening, portraiture, value, perspective, and color theory. Various ways of seeing the subject are introduced as well as thematic development of a visual subject. Students also study relevant art history and practice art criticism techniques. Students may also repeat this course to continue their study of the studio arts.

AP® Studio Art

GRADES 11 AND 12, 2 CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: Drawing, Painting, Graphic Art, and Advanced Drawing and Painting, as well as permission of the department.

This full-year course is designed for eleventh and twelfth graders who wish to focus on their art and develop their technique for postsecondary study. Following the guidelines for assignments set by the College Board, students create an extensive portfolio of 16 pieces of art. Students explore different materials and techniques to develop their individual artistic voice and develop a series of works exploring a single theme called a Sustained Investigation. During this course, students also produce a website showcasing their portfolio to exhibit and share their work in a professional manner. In the spring semester, a digital portfolio is produced and submitted to the College Board for Advanced Placement® credit.

Advanced Studio Art Seminar

GRADE 12, 2 CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS, 1 CREDIT

This full-year course is designed for students who have completed the AP® Studio Art portfolio and wish to add to their portfolio with advanced independent work. Students in this course can create large-scale, long-term, or in-depth projects building on their artistic style preferences. Presentation and the development of an online presence are emphasized. The first semester focuses on studentproposed project work as well as portfolio preparation for college applications. The second semester focuses their art practice on community engagement through installation and exhibition of their work in public settings.

Darkroom Photography

2 CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS, 1 CREDIT

Formerly Photography I & II.

Students use the camera as a tool to increase their observational skills and work toward developing personal imagery in their photographs. They study blackand-white photography by developing and printing their own film. Camera orientation and darkroom techniques are introduced. Regular class critiques and written assignments help further develop students’ critical observations and photographic vision.

AP® Studio Art:

2-D Design Concentration in Photography

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: Darkroom Photography, Digital Photography, and Social Justice Through Photography, as well as permission of the department.

This full-year course is designed for twelfth graders who wish to focus on their photography and develop their craft for post-secondary

study. Following the guidelines for assignments set by the College Board, students create an extensive portfolio of 15 pieces of art. A digital portfolio is produced and submitted to the College Board for Advanced Placement® credit in the spring semester.

Digital Photography

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Digital photography may seem like a snap when we post photos on social media, but there’s a lot more to it! In this semester-long course, students are introduced to the technical and aesthetic aspects of digital photography. Building on the principles and elements of design, students learn how to operate a digital camera and manipulate images using editing software. Assignments aim to introduce students to the fundamentals of visual literacy so that making photos becomes an extension of their expression and communication.

Social Justice Through Photography

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

In this course, students explore the use of digital photography and visual storytelling as a tool to build awareness and inspire action on social justice issues. Students collaborate on a semester-long project that uses photography and interviewing techniques to document local stories of activism. Students are introduced to the basic mechanics of a digital camera and image editing software. They also examine the ways in which photographs convey meaning and what role photographs have served in encouraging people to take action against injustice. Students build on their artistic, research, and leadership skill sets, culminating in a final exhibition.

Architectural CAD Modeling

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

This course moves students through a full design sequence that concludes with the creation of a functional, architectural space. Drawing inspiration from a global location, students follow the design process to conceptualize and digitally construct architectural forms in new and innovative ways. Through this process, students acquire 3-D modeling skills through the use of computer aided design (CAD). While the emphasis of this course is on digital modeling, traditional practices of sketching on paper and hand fabrication are included.

Advanced Architectural CAD Modeling

NEW IN 2023-2024

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisites: Architectural CAD Modeling and permission of the instructor.

In this advanced course, students will further their understanding of 3-D modeling as it relates to architecture and engineering. Students enrolled in this class must demonstrate a high proficiency with Onshape®, providing the structure for independent exploration and project development. With each project, students will be encouraged to explore their own modeling objectives within a provided framework. This project-based course will utilize 3-D printing and augmented reality.

Fashion Design I

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Drawing or Painting. This course applies the concepts of the design process to the exploration of fashion and textile construction. The course covers sewing and fabrication techniques, which include patterning and

the use of sewing machines, laser cutting, and embroidery machines. Students work both individually and in small groups to design original garments and collections and then execute their vision through the variety of fabrication methods within the Makerspace. Drawing and design skills are emphasized throughout the course in the form of sketches and vision boards. Exploration of notable fashion designers and iconic designs are woven into the curriculum as sources of inspiration.

Fashion Design II

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Fashion Design I.

This course continues to develop the design skills and sewing techniques introduced in Fashion Design I. Students develop a deeper understanding of their own artistic vision as well as more sophisticated fabrication methods as they work to create a collection of garments. Drawing and design skills continue to be emphasized throughout the course in the form of sketches and vision boards. Exploration of notable fashion designers and iconic designs are woven into the curriculum as sources of inspiration.

Graphic Art

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Drawing or Painting or permission of the department.

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course explores the concepts of graphic design, advertising, and digital illustration. The elements of design are emphasized through the use of Adobe Photoshop® and Adobe Illustrator® as the primary means of creating original digital graphics. Additional focus is placed on the power of visual messaging in terms of sharing information, telling stories, and influencing society, for better or for worse.

Problem Solving Through Design I

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course explores the concepts of design and innovation by helping to find creative solutions to real-life problems and needs. The class aims to create a joblike environment where project solutions are the result of collaborative brainstorming and research, experimentation, design, and fabrication. Projects bridge technology and creative thinking through the use of 3-D rendering software and various methods of construction, including 3-D printing. Concepts of industrial design and product design are also incorporated into the curriculum.

Problem Solving Through Design II

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course continues to develop the design habits of mind introduced in Problem Solving Through Design I. Students develop a deeper understanding of their design solutions with an emphasis on marketing across a variety of mediums, ranging from print material to web design. Topics are not limited to physical products but also include the creation of intangible designs.

Ceramics

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

This course explores the various methods of creating functional and sculptural ceramic pieces through hand-building and wheelthrowing techniques. Students also become well acquainted with the ceramics equipment and materials ranging from clay’s properties to the decorative applications of glaze and texture. Regular class discussions and critiques help further develop

students’ understanding of threedimensional design and fuel each student’s personal exploration.

Sculpture

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

This course explores the principles of design through the construction of three-dimensional sculptures. Projects explore the physical properties of various materials in the construction of assembled, modeled, or shaped artworks. Students are introduced to different techniques and tools of sculptural artmaking, including the processes of addition or subtraction of visual space. The course also addresses installation and how an object’s placement and context affect its meaning. Projects emphasize creative problemsolving as the foundation for exploring students’ own creative vision. Regular discussions and critiques help further develop spatial understandings and critical observations.

FUTURE VISUAL ARTS COURSES

The following courses are offered in alternating years.

Advanced Photography

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Darkroom Photography or permission of the instructor.

This course is designed for students to advance skills developed in Darkroom Photography. Students further explore advanced photographic processes, with an emphasis on advanced digital manipulation in Adobe Photoshop®. Darkroom demonstrations also enhance printing and developing practices, and readings are assigned to build students’ base knowledge of photographers and photographic techniques. Students build on their

observational skills and concepts of compositions through in-class critiques.

Global Art History

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

How has art changed the course of history, and how have individuals and culture influenced art? What does art reveal about historical reality and the human condition? This survey of art throughout the ages explores art through the lenses of history, culture, and global exchange. Students become well versed with the major movements of art throughout history and conversant in the media, methods, and modes of global art. Essential questions include: How does better understanding the history of the times enable us to understand art in each time period, and what does the art of the times reveal to us about humanity?

THEATER ARTS

Advanced Theater Studies: Directing NEW IN 2023-2024

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisites: Acting and Scene Study, Musical Theater, and/or permission of the department.

Students hone the skills required to direct a piece of theater using several short directing exercises in which they take turns directing one another. Students explore how to analyze a script as a director, how to create dynamic and evocative stage pictures, how to use sound and lights to create and change mood and atmosphere, and how to come up with motivated and meaningful movement. During the second half of the semester, students select and direct a 10-minute play. The class ends with a showcase of these short scenes.

Improvisation

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Students in this class explore the key ingredients to successful improvisational comedy. Students begin the year by getting to know one another as performers and collaborators while they learn the basic rules of improv, as well as the challenge of quickly and clearly establishing the who, what, where, and when in an improvised scene. Students then segue into specifically exploring Short Form improv, consisting of hilarious and quick games and scene prompts focused on achieving immediate goals. Finally, they dive into the world of Long Form, a more advanced and open-ended brand of improv comedy.

Production

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

The Production class works on two projects. First, the students produce the Upper School Musical in March. They research the play and where it fits in the genre of the American musical. Working with guest artists in costuming, lighting, set design, set construction, and sound design, students experience the production process as both dramaturges and technicians. In the second portion of the class, students work from a script and design a play production of their own.

Stagecraft

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

This hands-on course explores the basics of theater technology and the process of creating the physical environment of a play. The course focuses on scenery construction and theatrical lighting. Costumes, sound, props, and other aspects of technical theater are discussed. The course includes a practicum in which students are assigned responsibilities for the Theater’s fall season.

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

FUTURE THEATER ARTS COURSES

The following courses are offered in alternating years.

Acting and Scene Study

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

In Acting and Scene Study, students gain the tools to analyze, rehearse, and present scenes while exploring an eclectic variety of characters. Students begin the semester building trust with one another and learning to feel comfortable with risk-taking within the ensemble through improv games. Students then segue into exploring contemporary realistic scenes. After being assigned scenes from full-length plays, students use techniques adapted from Stanislavski, Meisner, and other schools of naturalistic acting to build the psychological and physical world of their characters. Students present their scenes to the class three times for feedback, and the class offers supportive and critical comments. In the second half of the semester, students tackle characters and situations more removed from their own experiences, either studying and performing contemporary farce or classic scenes from Shakespeare’s plays. Either of those units is prefaced with a brief “style boot camp” where they do exercises that address the intricacies and specific difficulties of performing in these heightened theatrical forms.

Musical Theater

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Do you love Hamilton, Hadestown, or West Side Story? Explore the history and evolution of musical theater and acquire the tools to analyze, rehearse, and perform classic and contemporary shows. Students are assigned solos, duets, and group numbers, and are coached through rehearsal

exercises to develop a deeper understanding of their assigned songs. Students also learn how to balance musicianship, movement, spatial awareness, and character development. The course culminates in a public exhibition of student work from the semester.

MEDIA ARTS

Digital Cinema I

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course begins with a practical series of class activities and starter assignments designed to introduce students to cameras, sound recording systems, and editing software in Brimmer’s Digital Media Center. Students also view an eclectic selection of screened materials and are tasked with learning the vocabulary and basic techniques that filmmakers use in practice. Over the course of one semester, students learn to use Final Cut Pro®. They may also create an original video project, write a short screenplay, or work in small groups to experiment with the creation of fictional narratives, documentaries, and experimental works. Digital Cinema may be taken as a technology credit based on the prior approval of the Creative Arts and Technology Departments.

Digital Cinema II

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Art or Technology.

The second semester of Digital Cinema builds on class activities and starter assignments designed to introduce students to cameras, sound recording systems, and editing software. Each of these areas becomes more sophisticated as students take on an intermediate level of complexity in both production practice and their criticism of an eclectic selection

of screened materials. Over the course of one semester, students refine their skills in Final Cut Pro® , learning key editing techniques. Students also create or continue with original video projects, short film screenwriting, and work in small groups to collaborate and produce fictional narratives, documentaries, and experimental works.

Advanced Digital Cinema

SEMESTERS I AND II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisites: Digital Cinema I and II and permission of the department.

This project-based course assumes successful completion of both Digital Cinema courses. It is an opportunity for students to produce their own short films, with an emphasis on process, beginning with pitching and screenwriting and ending with editing, color correction, and sound design. This course functions much like an independent study, as students are expected to work independently and bring progress reports to weekly workshop meetings. Films created in this class are screened for the Brimmer community and may be submitted to competitions and festivals.

MUSIC Upper School Instrumental Ensemble

SEMESTERS I AND II, 1/2 CREDIT PER SEMESTER

Prerequisite: Students must be able to read music and play an instrument at an intermediate or advanced level.

The Upper School Instrumental Ensemble offers an opportunity for students to develop their musical skills as members of a band. The Ensemble meets three times per week to rehearse and perform music drawn from a variety of styles, including jazz, rock, and pop, among others. Ensemble members are expected to play

from sheet music and by ear. In addition, students are challenged to improvise, to work together as a team, and to develop their instrumental technique. Students have several opportunities to perform over the course of the year, including appearances in formal concerts, School events, and outside gigs.

Greenline (Choral Ensemble)

SEMESTERS I AND II, 1/2 CREDIT PER SEMESTER

Greenline, Brimmer’s Upper School choral ensemble, teaches music literacy, healthy singing technique, and choral ensemble etiquette through daily vocal warm-ups, aural skills training, and rehearsal of repertoire. Musical selections span a variety of styles, from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary arrangements, while being vocally appropriate and musically fulfilling. Greenline performs at several School programs and concerts throughout the year in which participation is required. Although Greenline is offered as a semester course, students are strongly encouraged to participate in both semesters. No prior musical experience is necessary.

Music Theory I: Chords and Voice

Leading

NEW IN 2023-2024

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

How does music work? In this course, students explore the basic principles of music theory, including pitch, rhythm, harmony, and form. Examples are drawn from many musical styles. Students develop proficiency in standard Western notation and develop aural skills, learning to identify and analyze musical elements by ear. Class units include diatonic and chromatic harmony, part-writing, counterpoint, and chordal analysis. No prior musical experience or knowledge is necessary.

Music Theory II: Harmony and Analysis

NEW IN 2023-2024

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

In this course, students explore functional harmony by building on foundational musical skills and exploring a multitude of chord progressions, chorales, augmented sixth chords, and secondary function chords. Students compose in species counterpoint, four-part harmony, imitation, and invention, and practice melodic and harmonic dictation. Students apply these concepts to their instruments and play them on guitar or piano. Prospective students should have an understanding of basic music literacy and/or have basic instrumental or vocal experience.

Music of Video Games

NEW IN 2023-2024

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

This class examines the music of video games, from golden age arcade classics like Donkey Kong to major modern titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Students learn about music appreciation paradigms and apply them to video game music, all while surveying how advancements in music technology have changed the medium. Students read scholarly articles on ludomusicology (the study of game music) and play games themselves while applying analytical play techniques. Through the lens of video game music, students learn about the history of music technology, traditional music from Japan, India, and the Middle East, popular music of all genres, and much more. No prior knowledge of music or experience playing games is required.

Berklee College of Music Offerings

SEMESTERS I AND II, 1/2 CREDIT

PER COURSE

Prerequisite: Permission of the department required. Berklee courses entail an additional fee.

Brimmer is pleased to join with the Berklee College of Music in offering online courses at a discounted rate to Brimmer students. Course offerings include classes in guitar, bass, drums, and voice, as well as arranging, music theory, harmony, and ear training, among others. Consult the Berklee online catalog for more details: https://online.berklee.edu/.To register for courses, speak to the Creative Arts Department Chair.

FUTURE MUSIC COURSES

The following courses are offered in alternating years.

Music Technology & Audio

Production

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

In this course, students learn how to use modern music technology including DAWs (digital audio workstations), MIDI controllers, and recording equipment. Students learn the fundamentals of recording and publishing audio content, with projects focusing on the production of a podcast and the release of original music. Students create an online presence for the distribution of their work through Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and podcast feeds. Knowledge of music fundamentals is not required but is highly encouraged.

Musical Theater

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Do you love Hamilton, Hadestown, or West Side Story? Explore the history and evolution of musical

theater and acquire the tools to analyze, rehearse, and perform classic and contemporary shows. Students are assigned solos, duets, and group numbers, and are coached through rehearsal exercises to develop a deeper understanding of their assigned songs. Students also learn how to balance musicianship, movement, spatial awareness, and character development. The course culminates in a public exhibition of student work from the semester.

Piano & Guitar

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Bring your favorite songs to life by learning how to play piano and guitar! Classes are tailored to each student’s instrument familiarity and skill level. Students learn sustainable technique, essential scales, and effective chord progressions to perform a wide range of music. No prior experience playing either instrument is necessary for this class. Students who play one instrument and not the other are also encouraged to enroll.

Upper School Humanities

ENGLISH

English I: World Literature I

GRADE 9, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

In ninth grade, students study several works of European literature in conjunction with their World History I class. As they encounter European readings such as Beowulf, Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, excerpts from The Canterbury Tales, Romeo and Juliet, Cyrano de Bergerac, and A Tale of Two Cities, students consider them as works of world

literature. Reading, discussing, and writing about each work, they also take into consideration the role and influence of the text’s historical background and setting, pondering such issues as connections between the Christian and Muslim worlds and the revolutionary consequences of Enlightenment ideas. Students approach their many writing assignments—which include journals, book reviews, analytical essays, reflective essays, and assorted creative writing assignments—as a process involving pre-writing, drafting, revising, evaluating, and peerediting. Students are expected to develop listening skills and leadership ability in discussions. Students also participate in an intense vocabulary and grammar study in an effort to build a stronger foundation for their high school years.

Students wishing to explore more literature may opt into the Honors Program for English I. Honors is connected to extra-credit independent reading. Students are required to read a book from a selected list in a time-bound period (usually four weeks) and then do a different assignment with each book, such as a book talk, a short essay, or a creative project.

English II: World Literature II

GRADE 10, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

OFFERED WITH HONORS

In this course, students ask essential questions—What is education? What should I be learning in school? Why do we have both reason and imagination? Why do our imaginations sometimes conflict with our reason? How do we learn to do the right thing? Students consider answers to these questions as they appear in works by William Shakespeare, Margaret Atwood, Alain Mabanckou, Marjane Satrapi, and a variety of other writers.

Students in English II continue to develop their academic voices through essays, structured Harkness discussions, and projectbased exploration of the texts.

Students wishing to deepen their learning in tenth grade English may enroll in the Honors Program. Students engage in extra independent thinking and reading on issues that the class is considering and present that thinking in one-on-one discussions with the instructor.

AP® English Language and Composition

GRADES 11 AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Students must have earned a year grade of B+ or better in English II or have the permission of the instructor.

The Advanced Placement® English Language and Composition course approaches reading and writing from a rhetorical rather than a literary perspective. Students in AP® English Language read and analyze a wide variety of texts, most of it nonfiction, from a variety of genres and disciplines. The aim of the course is to familiarize students with writing situations and purposes. Students practice textual analysis using three simple questions: who is writing, to whom, and for what purpose. Students write regularly and revise intensively, paying strict attention not only to content but to grammar and style. One central focus of the class is developing an effective and authentic voice in, as the College Board describes it, “Standard Written English, the preferred dialect for academic discourse.” All students are expected to take the AP® Exam in May.

AP® English Literature and Composition

GRADE 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

AP® English Literature and Composition is an alternative course for all twelfth graders who qualify. Students must have earned a year grade of A- or better in eleventh grade English or have the permission of the instructor.

Advanced Placement® English

Literature and Composition is an intensive study of literature and is intended to be the equivalent of a college-level English course. Students engage in significant amounts of reading, writing, critical thinking, and discussion as they confront important works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Students investigate the thematic and structural connections within literature such as Paradise Lost, Angels in America, and Frankenstein. In the second semester, students write the Major Author Study Paper, an independent research paper in which students analyze in depth the work of a particular writer. All students are expected to take the AP® Exam in May.

Foundations of English for Nonnative Speakers

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This course provides students with a strong foundation for success in a mainstream classroom setting by helping students develop their writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. The ELS teacher works closely with humanities teachers in particular to provide ELS students with the support to best understand course content, organize their time, and follow through on assignments in the subject areas that are most difficult for nonnative speakers of English––history and English classes. As students become acclimated to approaching and successfully completing projects, the ELS classroom becomes a place for

enrichment––where students read short stories and novels, usually with a cultural focus, and where regular writing practice, vocabulary skill-building, and grammar are stressed alongside active participation in discussions and the development of presentation skills. Students are strongly encouraged to use the Writing Center.

Academic English for Nonnative Speakers

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This course, for advanced students in ELS, focuses on further developing English language skills to ensure success in the mainstream classroom. It is for students who still need to build upon their developing English language skills to find success in a rigorous mainstream humanities program. Special attention is given to improving academic language in written and oral work and to careful reading of texts.

The teacher works closely with humanities teachers in particular to provide nonnative Englishspeaking students with the support to best understand assignments, organize their time, and follow through on assignments in the subject areas that are most difficult for nonnative speakers of English––history and English classes.

English Electives

In grades 11 and 12, students must take a full-year English elective or AP® English course.

Villains

NEW IN 2023-2024

GRADES 11 AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

OFFERED WITH HONORS

Who doesn’t love a great villain? These characters, be they antihero, antagonist, or nemesis, help define not only what it means to be evil,

but also what it means to be good. This class will look at literature, poetry, film, and plays that ask their audiences to consider the appeal of the villain and the danger of that appeal.

Possible main texts for the class are The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris; We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson; Medea by Euripides, My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite; and Watchmen by Alan Moore. Films in the course may include Psycho, Primal Fear, and Parasite.

War and Sport

NEW IN 2023-2024

GRADES 11 AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

OFFERED WITH HONORS

Somebody once said that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton, suggesting a connection between sport and warfare that has shaped our ideas of both activities. In this class we will look at courage, poise, terror, mental illness, and competition as they have been explored in world literature about war and sports.

Possible texts are The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Blue Hours by Daphne Kalotay, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Soccer in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galeano, The Natural by Bernard Malamud, and Fast Girls by Elise Hooper. Films for the class might include The Hurt Locker, Victory, Friday Night Lights, and Henry V (1989). Additional readings by William Manchester, Murray Ross, Michael Herr, Roger Angell, Siobhan Fallon, Tim O’Brien, Phil Klay, Randall Jarrell, Emily Dickinson, Wilfred Owen, Ezra Pound, Yusef Komunyakaa, and more.

Comedy in Film and Literature

GRADES 11 AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

OFFERED WITH HONORS

Students often ask why the literature we read in class is so depressing. This class seeks to dispel the gloom by seriously exploring comedy. We will ask questions about why bodies are so funny, how and why words and language are a source of humor, and whether funny characters make funny incidents or the other way around.

Possible main texts for the class are Marcovaldo by Italo Calvino, Sula by Toni Morrison, The Sellout by Paul Beatty, Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift, and Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Additional readings by David Sedaris, Sloane Crosley, Nora Ephron, James Thurber, Aphra Behn, Oscar Wilde, and more. Films include Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Previous English Electives Power, Justice, and Revenge; Crime and Punishment: Criminality in Literature; What Is Africa to Me: A Survey of African-American Literature; Short Stories; Madness in Literature

HISTORY

World History I

GRADE 9, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

Students in World History I examine the expansion and evolution of civilizations throughout the greater Mediterranean region, beginning with the rise and fall of Ancient Rome and continuing with the development and expansion of Islamic empires into the seventeenth century. The course focuses on the interchange of cultures, ideas, languages, religions, and technologies among civilizations and analyzes

how the resultant layering of these elements has added to the richness of societies and influenced the modern world. The course incorporates critical thinking and writing, discussion, and the use of films, digital resources, and readings about historical and current events to gain an understanding of the connections between the past, present, and future.

The Honors Program in this course allows students to learn more about the historical topics examined in the curriculum.There are a variety of assignments and projects each marking period, and students who participate in the program create work that requires independent critical thinking outside of the classroom.

World History II

GRADE 10, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

World History II investigates societal relationships in the post-Napoleonic world. The first semester focuses on the developing power dynamics of the 19th century. Using the Industrial Revolution and the Age of Imperialism as a backdrop, students look critically at economic, political, racial, and gender relationships among Europeans and those in countries touched by an ever-increasing European global influence. The semester ends with an introduction to Marxism as an alternative to capitalism. The second semester examines ethics and morality in pre–World War II societies and assesses the role of education in combating totalitarianism. Finally, if there is time, students examine the concept of a “just war”to close the year.

United States History

GRADE 11, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

Through greater emphasis on race and gender, students will first examine the many promises and contradictions of America’s founding ideals. From there, students assess the origins of the Civil War before delving into how forced labor continued to flourish during Reconstruction. Students will also investigate women’s roles during the sectional conflict, including those who served as spies, soldiers, and nurses. Next, students investigate the continued extermination, enslavement, and forced relocation of Native Americans. From there, we dive into how industrialization, westward expansionism, and imperialism cemented America as a blossoming actor on the world stage. Then, the class studies the nation’s renewed isolationism leading up to World War I, followed by an evaluation of racial, gender, and socioeconomic divisions in the 1920s and 1930s. The class culminates with an inspection of World War II, Civil Rights Movement, Cold War, and the rise of conservatism in the 1980s. The course is designed to help students assess how and to what extent the nation has lived up to its founding promises and ideals, especially regarding race and gender.

HUMANITIES ELECTIVES

20th Century: Resistance and Imprisonment

FULL YEAR, SEMESTERS I AND II, 1/2 CREDIT EACH SEMESTER, 1 CREDIT FOR THE YEAR

Credit: History.

The 20th century brought about new political and social movements that led to the rise of both resistance movements and their totalitarian response.

Resistance to Nazism, for example, included many lesser-known German resistance movements first, then other nationalities. Resistance to totalitarianism, resistance to fascism (focusing especially on Mussolini), and resistance to communism also came to the forefront during this time. This course explores the relationship between freedom of speech and thought versus political suppression, as well as the concepts of both theoretical and actual resistance and imprisonment. It touches on major movements and prisons: from the S-21 jail in Phnom Penh during the reign of Pol Pot in Cambodia, to the infamous gulag system in Russia, the “disappeared” in Argentina, and of course the concentration as well as extermination camps of Nazi Germany. The class avails itself both of documentaries on these important topics and excerpts of readings from those imprisoned in this time. Far from a focus only on the negative, this course delves into the heroic acts that permitted some not only to survive but to make a change after their imprisonment. Students’ independent reading choices are integral to classroom enrichment.

AP® Microeconomics

GRADES 11 AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: Principles of Economics grade of B+ or higher AND Algebra II grade of B or higher, OR permission of the instructor.

Credit: History.

Water, perhaps the single most important resource we have for the sustenance of life, is virtually free. Jewelry-quality diamonds, a completely useless commodity in all but an aesthetic sense, cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a fraction of an ounce. Why? Economics, the study of how goods and services are produced, allocated, and consumed,

attempts to explain this apparent incongruence.

Advanced Placement®

Microeconomics begins with the basics of economics—supply and demand, marginal analyses, laws of the free market—and then moves to more microeconomic issues surrounding monopoly, oligopoly, and free market competition. Although economic theory drives the course, students apply what they learn to realworld situations and engage in debate on controversial issues of the day. Students should be very comfortable using charts and graphs as a way to express information. In addition to the work they do in regularly scheduled class meetings, twelfth graders must dedicate a portion of their 12th Grade Project time to preparing for the Advanced Placement® Exam in May.

Criminal Law

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: History.

This course introduces students to the American criminal legal system and to the rights and responsibilities of the people who live here, with particular emphasis on crimes against persons, against property, and against the state. Students learn and analyze the role of criminal law in society and study constitutional protections including limitations on police action, standards of proof, and fair trial procedures. By the end of the course, students should understand the difference between the state and federal criminal systems; identify the basic elements of a criminal statute; apply statutes to hypothetical fact patterns; understand the primary applicable Constitutional Amendments; and draft and deliver an effective opening statement, direct and cross examination,

and summation in a mock trial simulation.

Current Events: Americans in the World

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: History.

Giving students a chance to grapple with stories “ripped from today’s headlines,” this course looks at the role the United States—its government, its military, its corporations, its everyday citizens—plays on the global stage by looking at current events and building an understanding through tracing their historical roots. Essential questions include: How well is the United States fulfilling its self-identified status as a “city on a hill”? What role should a developed, wealthy nation play during times of increasing interconnectedness and globalization? Why is media literacy essential to becoming a responsible and informed citizen of the world? A combination of in-class discussion and debate, independent research, and written analysis pushes students to improve their analytical and argumentative skills while also giving them a more complete understanding of their place on the global stage.

Global Social Justice

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Elective.

This course is intended for, but not limited to, students in the Global Studies Diploma Program. It takes an interdisciplinary look at social justice topics around the globe, including gender studies, the impact of an emerging global market, the environmental impact of globalization, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, children’s education and rights, global health issues, and how

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

the world is addressing extreme poverty. The course focuses on current and historical events and incorporates technology, film, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity to examine issues locally and globally in our ever-changing world.

International Relations

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Credit: History.

This course introduces students to the concepts and theories used to understand and analyze the international system and critical issues in contemporary world politics. Topics examined include international relations theory, the rise of the nationstate, the function of international law, international and regional organizations, non-state actors, world trade and economic development, peace and security, and concerns for the global environment. This course offers an overview of the discipline of international relations with an aim to prepare students with the foundational understanding and thinking skills to pursue international studies in college courses. Readings include those by classical and modern historians, theorists, and scholars.

Journalism I

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Elective.

Prospective students must speak with the instructor prior to course sign-up.

This course produces regular online editions of The Gator, the multiaward-winning student newspaper. The classroom operates as a newsroom where students participate in weekly staff meetings and engage in the dissection and analysis of current events, in-class debates, publication inventory, composition, article

critiques, and team presentations. Students consistently devise and revise the aesthetic layout of the paper and continually strive to include YouTube and blogging in their coverage to reach a wider audience. This course is repeatable for credit.

Journalism II

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Elective.

Prospective students must speak with the instructor prior to course sign-up.

This course produces regular online editions of The Gator, the multiaward-winning student newspaper. The classroom operates as a newsroom where students participate in weekly staff meetings and engage in the dissection and analysis of current events, in-class debates, publication inventory, composition, article critiques, and team presentations. Students consistently devise and revise the aesthetic layout of the paper and continually strive to include YouTube and blogging in their coverage to reach a wider audience. This course is repeatable for credit.

Latin American History

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Credit: History.

This yearlong course provides an overview of the historical, economic, and sociopolitical processes that have shaped Latin America. The first semester covers Ancient America to emancipation from colonial powers; the second semester covers neocolonialism to the present. Focusing in particular on the cases of Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, and Cuba, the class covers such topics as national identity, political instability, populism and military dictatorship, revolution, ethnicity, and religion.

Special emphasis is also placed on the historical relations between the region and the United States— as well as on the political shifts undertaken by many countries to gain geopolitical autonomy from hegemonic powers. Students strengthen their skills in critical reading and analysis through the interpretation of primary and secondary sources and the use of films and documentaries.

Principles of Economics

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Elective.

This course focuses on basic economic principles and terminology like factors of production, the basic economic questions that all societies must answer, the importance of scarcity, production possibilities frontiers, the roots of international trade, and the laws of supply and demand applied in free markets. These core concepts lay a foundation that can be applied in AP® Macro- and AP® Microeconomics. Additionally, students explore other aspects of the American economic system including entrepreneurship, trademarks and patents, and the balance between protecting the environment and encouraging economic growth.

Women’s Studies: A Global Perspective

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: History.

This course focuses on the study of empowering women around the world. What issues have women faced throughout history and in contemporary society, and how have they differed among women from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds in developing and developed nations? How do common portrayals of gender

norms in the media and the world around us affect the ways all people grow up to see their place in society? This course, which welcomes all students, looks at the above questions from a global perspective and examines the cultural roles of women and children in different societies, including issues such as child marriage, education, poverty, health care, intersectionality, and access to resources across the globe.

FUTURE HUMANITIES COURSES

The following courses are offered in alternating years.

AP® Macroeconomics

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 11 AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT Prerequisites: Principles of Economics grade of B+ or higher AND Algebra II grade of B or higher, or permission of the instructor.

Credit: History.

For those in search of intellectual ammunition for arguments about why society should or should not change the way it does its business, about how the “haves” and “have-nots” interact, or about the role the United States should play in dealing with global problems, economics is a musttake course. Economics, the study of how goods and services are produced, allocated, and consumed, offers a powerful tool for better understanding the world.

AP® Macroeconomics begins with the basics of economics—supply and demand, marginal analyses, laws of the free market—and then moves to macroeconomic issues surrounding the role of governmental monetary and fiscal policy in the workings of national economies. Although economic theory drives the course, students apply what they learn to realworld situations and engage in

debate on controversial issues of the day. In addition to regularly scheduled class meetings, twelfth graders must dedicate a portion of their 12th Grade Project time to preparing for the Advanced Placement® Exam in May.

The Cold War: Rivalries, Alliances, and the Quest for Global Dominance

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: History.

After the shaky alliance of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union dissolved at the end of World War II, the world became divided between nations favoring capitalism (the First World), those favoring communism (the Second World), and those that chose not to align with either (the Third World). This course explores both the events leading to these divisions and how they were deepened by propaganda; how the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. went from hostile aggression to an appreciation of the dangers of a Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD); the impact of soft power and proxy wars in satellite nations; the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact; and how the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Polish Solidarity movement, and Mikhail Gorbachev’s glasnost and perestroika movements ushered in the end of the Cold War. How did this historical period impact the world and what elements led to its end? Students examine scholarly writings, primary sources, and media resources to look critically at this crucial period in global history.

Global Art History

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Art or History.

How has art changed the course of history, and how have individuals and culture influenced art? What does art reveal about historical reality and the human condition? This survey of art throughout the ages explores art through the lenses of history, culture, and global exchange. Students become well versed with the major movements of art throughout history and develop the skills to be conversant in the media, methods, and modes of global art. Essential questions include: how does better understanding the history of the times enable us to understand art in each time period, and what does the art of the times reveal to us about humanity?

Global Diplomacy: History, Types, Practice

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: History.

Diplomacy remains a crucial skill in our globalized world society: How can we as individuals, communities, and states contribute toward peaceful resolutions regarding conflict? How can we work toward mutual understanding and cooperation? In this semester course, students study the history and theories of global diplomacy. They also study cultural diplomacy, economic diplomacy, citizen diplomacy, and defense and intelligence diplomacy. Students study the routes taken by “traditional” professional diplomats, such as those in the state department or ministries of foreign affairs, from embassies to the United Nations. Case studies involving successful and less successful attempts at using diplomacy to solve international

problems are studied to gain critical knowledge of world events and the actors that shape them both publicly and behind the scenes. The class also delves into new trends in global health diplomacy. This elective is great for those doing Model UN and counts for Global Studies credit.

Government

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 11 AND 12, SEMESTER II, 1/2

CREDIT

Credit: History.

This course provides a close examination of America’s political theories, institutions, and processes. After a review of the historical foundations of the United States, the course examines the fundamental principles contained in the United States Constitution: republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, and civil liberties. Application of these principles through case studies helps students understand how the governmental process works. Major emphasis is given to the institutions of the Congress at the national level. Links are made among these institutions and political parties, interest groups, the media, and public opinion in order to understand the forces and constraints on policy-making at the federal level. Additionally, the course examines the electoral system, civil liberties, and civil rights through judicial interpretations.

The Middle East and North Africa: Cultures and Viewpoints

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, SEMESTER II, 1/2

CREDIT

Credit: History.

This course explores elements constituting the identity of the Middle East, including the region’s response to colonialism;

its shape-shifting from the fall of the Ottoman Empire to the creation of nation-states in the aftermath of World War I; its roles during World War II and the Cold War; nationalism, revolutions, and struggles with governance; the hopes and disappointments resulting from the Arab Spring; relationships among countries in the region; and the contested borders, ethnic rivalries, and religious friction within Islam and among varying faiths practiced in the region.

Students examine viewpoints found in multiple primary and secondary sources and examine questions such as: How do media sources construct our knowledge about people from the Middle East and North Africa? How do journalists and filmmakers construct and challenge our viewpoints of each other? How does the media portray peacebuilding initiatives between the United States, Middle East, and North Africa?

Popular Culture and Jewish American History

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, SEMESTER I, 1/2

CREDIT

OFFERED WITH HONORS

Credit: History.

Through a pop-culture lens, this course explores Jewish immigration in American history, beginning in the 1930s. By examining the American Jewish experience through comics and graphic novels, students discover how Superman, created by two Jewish teens of immigrant parents, represented more than just an alien from another planet who could leap tall buildings in a single bound. The course dives into how, at the height of World War II, Jews originated the modern-day superhero to help fight aggression,

appeal to humanity, and create a better, more just world. Students also study Art Spiegelman’s groundbreaking Maus to understand the experiences of Holocaust survivors and ensuing generations. This course is reading and writing intensive, and in addition to the required books, students also read supplemental materials.

The Supreme Court: Race, Sex, and Marriage

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 11 AND 12, SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: History.

All of us are affected by the decisions made by the highest court in the land. Not all of us know why the Supreme Court has the power to make those decisions, how they are made, and who makes them. Beginning with the founding of the Court, students explore Supreme Court jurisprudence around three issues: race (using cases such as: Dred Scott, Plessy, Brown, Worcester v. GA, Korematsu), sex, and marriage (Loving v. VA, Bowers v. Hardwick, Lawrence v. TX, Griswold v. CT, Roe).

Students read case law, watch films, write thoughtful pieces, and engage in spirited discussion and debates. Class culminates with a final debate in which students act as either Supreme Court justices or attorneys arguing before the Court.

STEAM Engineering I

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: B in Physics or permission of the department.

This class introduces students to the field of engineering, focusing specifically on civil and mechanical

engineering. Students examine the work engineers are expected to do and the college coursework needed to fulfill the expectations of an engineer’s knowledge. Students look at the problems engineers are expected to solve through the lens of the world’s supply of energy and potable water and the challenges the world is facing in their limited supply.

Engineering II

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: B in Physics or permission of the department.

This class continues building on the learning in Engineering I. Students focus on electrical engineering and the extension of the topic into different areas. Students examine the work engineers are expected to do and the college coursework needed to fulfill the expectations of an engineer’s knowledge. This is a project-based course, requiring students to use the concepts they learn.

Problem Solving Through Design I

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course explores the concepts of design and innovation by helping to find creative solutions to real-life problems and needs. The class aims to create a joblike environment where project solutions are often the result of collaborative brainstorming and research, experimentation, design, and fabrication. Projects bridge technology and creative thinking through the use of 3-D rendering software and various methods of construction, including 3-D printing. Concepts of industrial design and product design are also incorporated into the curriculum.

Problem Solving Through Design II

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Problem Solving Through Design I.

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course continues to develop the design habits of mind introduced in Problem Solving Through Design I. Students develop deeper understanding of their design solutions with an emphasis on marketing across a variety of mediums, ranging from print material to web design. Topics are not limited to physical products but also include the creation of intangible designs.

Architectural CAD Modeling

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

From idea to modeling, this course moves students through a full design sequence. An emphasis is placed on the creative thought process involved in conceptualizing architectural form in new and innovative ways. Moving from idea to concrete structure design, students acquire basic drafting and modeling skills through the use of computer aided design (CAD). The course concludes in a final project that encompasses all the concepts covered throughout the year.

Advanced Architectural CAD Modeling

NEW IN 2023-2024

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisites: Architectural CAD Modeling and permission from the instructor.

In this advanced course, students will further their understanding of 3-D modeling as it relates to architecture and engineering. Students enrolled in this class must demonstrate a high proficiency with Onshape®, providing the structure for independent

exploration and project development. With each project, students will be encouraged to explore their own modeling objectives within a provided framework. This project-based course will utilize 3-D printing and augmented reality.

Engineering: Digital Fabrication

GRADES 9-11, SEMESTERS I AND II, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Technology or Engineering for STEAM Diploma.

Build. Make. Create! But where do we start? Through a series of small projects, students are introduced to some of the tools and skills for maker labs. From new makers to experienced makers, students learn 3-D printing, laser cutting, 3-D modeling, basic circuitry, soldering, programming, and persistence. At the end of the course, students complete a culminating project that utilizes new skills. Through this course, students are trained to use digital tools outside of class.

STEAM Lab

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

In this course, students are exposed to a number of the fields represented within the interdisciplinary term STEAM. The fields studied through handson activities include computer numerical control (CNC), electronics, graphic design, manufacturing systems (additive and subtractive), materials science, and robotics using the Arduino micro-controller. Students also study entrepreneurship through the lens of a start-up. Students run the STEAM Lab as a small business using the available manufacturing systems to produce and sell products.

Note: STEAM Diploma students must take this course in twelfth

grade. Although this course is a requirement for STEAM Diploma students, it is open to students in grades 11 and 12 who meet the prerequisite.

Upper School Mathematics

Students coming from an eighth grade pre-algebra course complete the sequence of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus. The Upper School currently offers courses from Algebra I through AP® Calculus along with two non-AP® elective courses, Statistics and Elementary Functions with Financial Applications, AP® Statistics, and AP® Computer Science Principles. In addition, the department works with students who complete our advanced coursework to find an appropriate course to be taken, including an online course, independent study, or college course.

Preparation for the SAT® is incorporated into courses for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students. Students work on practice problems and develop effective test-taking strategies.

Algebra I

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

Algebra I is the heart of the sequence of the School’s secondary mathematics curriculum. Topics covered in Algebra I are solving equations and inequalities; graphing lines and inequalities; solving systems of equations; adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials; and finding zeros of quadratic equations by factoring and using the quadratic formula. Problemsolving techniques are also

emphasized throughout the course through real-life applications and projects.

Geometry

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

Geometry is a practical field of mathematics; it is fundamental to many crafts and professions, including carpentry, building, architecture, and design. The essence of geometry is looking for patterns and drawing conclusions. This course explores the various dimensions of geometry: measuring and visualizing; the properties and nature of deduction; the many uses of geometry; and algebraic and numeric representations of geometric concepts. Students use the Onshape software for investigating properties of triangles and geometric transformations.

Students interested in the Honors Program are required to work on problems and geometric proofs that involve a high level of thinking and logical reasoning. Students are also required to explore several topics independently. Topics include dilations, angle measures in polygons, areas of regular polygons, perimeters and areas of similar figures, arc lengths and areas of sectors of circles, and surface area and volume of solids.

Algebra II

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

OFFERED WITH HONORS

Students in Algebra II develop their skills in solving systems of equations and manipulating linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic expressions and sentences. A yearlong emphasis is placed on essential skills of solving, graphing, and simplifying a variety of different problems. The mathematical ideas are

studied within the context of their applications to real-life situations.

Students interested in the Honors Program are expected to independently cover a mix of topics not covered in the text, challenge problems, and SAT® Prep. At the recommendation of the Geometry teacher, some students may be placed in a weekly Algebra II support session.

Algebra II Foundations

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This course is a continuation of the concepts developed in Algebra I and Geometry, emphasizing the building blocks of Algebra, including order of operations, solving equations and inequalities, and graphing linear functions. Once students have a solid foundation, they move on to examining various polynomial functions, using symbols, learning to simplify expressions, and making connections to daily life with Algebra topics. Successful completion of this course is not a prerequisite for Precalculus.

Precalculus (Non-Trigonometry)

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: B- or better in Algebra II Foundations and C or better in Algebra II.

This course expands upon the concepts studied in Algebra II. It is designed for students who need to fine-tune their algebraic skills. The topics covered in this course are linear, rational, and polynomial functions, and their graphs. Algebraic skills are used in a wide variety of applications. Students work to develop concrete problemsolving skills and take ownership of their own learning. Advanced topics such as exponential and logarithmic functions are introduced. Successful completion of this course is not a prerequisite for Calculus.

Precalculus

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

OFFERED WITH HONORS

Prerequisite: B in Algebra II. The concept of function is one of the most important in mathematics. Students in this course develop the problem-solving skills needed for calculus through the study of linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, circular, and trigonometric functions. Students apply trigonometry to a variety of real-world problems. Throughout the course, they make connections between geometry and algebra as they use graphs to solve polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic inequalities.

Students interested in the Honors Program are expected to independently work on problems that extend the mathematics from the text and problems with a mix of advanced topics not covered in the course.

AP® Calculus AB

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: A- in Precalculus and permission of the department. This course is designed to provide students with a collegeequivalent course in early transcendentals single-variable calculus. It is a very challenging and fundamentally different subject from the mathematics that students have studied previously. The course focuses on conceptual understanding of secant and tangent lines, limits, continuity, derivatives, applications of differentiation, related rates, optimization, integrals, applications of integrations, the intermediate value theorem, the Rolle’s theorem, the mean value theorem, the Newton’s method, and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Graphing calculators are used to manipulate and compare ideas

that are represented graphically, numerically, and algebraically. At the same time, students master the skills and techniques needed to solve problems by hand. Taking the AP® Exam in May is required for students enrolled in this course.

Advanced Topics in Mathematics with AP® Calculus BC

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: B- in AP® Calculus AB. This course continues the work of calculus begun in AP® Calculus AB and completes the syllabus for the AP® Calculus BC. BC topics include integration of rational functions by partial fractions, improper integrals, infinite sequences and series, tests for convergence, arc length of parametric equations, derivatives and integrations of vector-valued functions, polar coordinates, and area of a region between two polar curves. Additionally, this course covers advanced topics in mathematics such as trigonometric integrals, integration by trigonometric substitution, and area of a surface of revolution. Each of these topics is covered in great depth and includes derivation and proofs of various formulas, theorems, and remainders of convergence tests. Students further expand their problem-solving skills through independent study of topics provided by the teacher. The topics may include applications in science and engineering. Students are also asked to work collaboratively to present their work orally. Taking the AP® Calculus BC Exam in May is required for students enrolled in this course.

AP® Computer Science Principles

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Credit: Technology or Math. Enrollment in this course requires approval of the instructor. No prior computer science knowledge or experience is necessary.

AP® Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course introduces students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. AP® Computer Science Principles also gives students the opportunity to use current technologies to create computational artifacts for both self-expression and problemsolving. Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science.

AP® Statistics

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: A- in Algebra II or B- in Precalculus, B in English II or Electives, and permission of the department.

This course is divided into four major themes: exploratory analysis using graphical and numerical techniques to study patterns and departures from patterns; planning and conducting a study involving collecting, organizing, and summarizing data; using probability to anticipate what the distribution of data should look like under a given model; and statistical inference to guide the selection of appropriate models. There is an emphasis not only on calculations but explaining their meaning in a real-world context. Graphing calculators are used for a variety of statistical tests and graphs. Taking the AP® Exam in May is required for students enrolled in this course.

Calculus

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: C+ in Precalculus and permission of the department.

This course is designed to introduce students to differential and integral calculus with substantial experience in modeling and solving real-world problems through application exercises from business, economics, life sciences, and social sciences. Almost all the mathematics learned up to this point comes into play in Calculus. Students finally see what it is good for and learn to appreciate the power of continuous mathematical models. Topics studied include elementary functions, limits, derivatives, continuity, antiderivatives, integrals, and differential equations. This course is paced differently from AP® Calculus.

Elementary Functions with Financial Applications

GRADES 11 AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Algebra II. This course is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of functions and their representations, exponential growth and decay, and inverse functions through various mathematical modeling. Real-world financial applications are woven throughout the course. In addition, students will learn how to budget, invest, improve credit score, and do taxes while using mathematical equations, models, and trends.

Statistics

GRADES 11 AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Algebra II.

This is an introductory course in the study of statistics. It introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. The major themes are the exploration of distributions and relationships

between data, using data for decision-making, probability, and planning and undertaking a study. Graphing calculators are used to support the statistical concepts.

Upper School Science Biology

GRADE 9, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

Biology is the study of life. True comprehension of life involves understanding interrelatedness: from cells to biosystems, from extinct organisms to the living, from the working of body systems to the onset of illness and disease, from human impact on our planet to stewardship of the Earth, and from technology to ethics.

Classes are activity-based, studentmotivated, and student-driven. The major focus in biology is to empower the students to think, act, and question like scientists. Students complete work in their textbook as well as lab work and project-based activities. The curriculum is enhanced by outside readings, presentations, activities, and current events.

Physics

GRADE 10, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Students explore the fundamental concepts and theories of physics. Major topics of study include mechanics, forces, Newton’s Laws of Motion, projectiles, energy, sound and light, and electricity and magnetism. Although calculations are inevitable in the study of physics, the course is designed to focus on using concepts and theories to explain natural phenomena. Students work on developing keen observation skills, measurement, analysis, and critical thinking. Much of the course involves student presentation of

findings and discussion with an objective of developing a comfort with scientific discourse.

Advanced Physics

GRADE 10, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair.

In Advanced Physics, students explore the fundamental concepts and theories of physics. Major topics of study include mechanics, forces, Newton’s Laws of Motion, projectiles, energy and energy resources, sound and light, and electricity and magnetism. The course moves at a faster pace than the regular Physics offering and requires the use of more advanced math skills including trigonometry and quadratic equations. The course has a significant hands-on lab component, which emphasizes inquiry-based investigations. These investigations foster student engagement in the practice of science through experimenting, analyzing, making conjectures and arguments, and solving problems. This course receives the same weighting as a course with Honors.

Chemistry

GRADES 11 AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

OFFERED WITH HONORS

This course allows students to examine fundamental concepts such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, molar ratios, and chemical reactions. Qualitative and quantitative skills are developed and used as students engage in class discussions, projects, and experimentation. Everyday phenomena are examined in light of students’ increasing knowledge and understanding.

Successful completion of this course equips students with relevant background to support them as they take courses such as

AP® Biology, AP® Environmental Science, Neuropsychology, Biotechnology, and Human Anatomy & Physiology.

AP® Biology

GRADES 11 AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: Permission of the department and Chemistry with a B or better. Students must complete the assigned summer work.

The Advanced Placement® Biology course explores in depth the fundamental concepts of biology. Students gain insight into macroscopic and microscopic levels of the fundamental processes of life and are encouraged to develop an appreciation for living things and their interaction with their environment. Students who are taking AP® Biology are expected to master topics in the following areas: scientific method, cells, genetics, evolution and the diversity of life, microbiology, and ecology.

Each student is expected to develop skills in the subject by participating in class and working to complete projects and class activities. These activities can include written work, oral work, laboratory exercises, homework assignments, tests, and quizzes. Students who take AP® Biology are expected to complete a significant amount of work outside of class. Students are also expected to continue to meet as a class after 12th Grade Project begins and until they take the exam. All AP® Biology students are expected to take the AP® Biology Exam in May.

AP® Environmental Science

GRADES 11 AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in all previous Upper School science courses or permission of the department. Must have taken biology and a physical science. Chemistry is highly recommended but not required. AP® Environmental Science students are expected to complete a significant amount of summer work.

AP® Environmental Science provides students with topics that would normally be covered in a one-semester college course and prepares them for the College Board exam. Environmental science draws from several different scientific disciplines, including geology, biology, chemistry, earth science, and geography. The course’s emphasis is on scientific principles and contains a laboratory component. Important themes include the scientific process, energy flow through systems, human alteration of natural systems, root causes of environmental problems, and possible solutions to these problems. AP® students are expected to take the AP® Environmental Science Exam in May.

Advanced Topics in Biotechnology

GRADES 11 AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This course examines genetics, bioengineering, and bioethics. Students explore the history of our understanding of genetics and current knowledge of the topics. From this, the class delves into the applications of RNA/DNA technology, performing labs such as gene transformation, enzyme function, and gel electrophoresis. The course also spends time exploring the ethical issues surrounding this technology.

Marine Science

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

During this yearlong elective, students gain a broad understanding of the ocean. This multidisciplinary approach to studying the world’s oceans examines the geological, chemical, physical, and biological forces that shape our ocean. Laboratory activities are used to help further the students’ laboratory skills and their understanding of course material. Furthermore, there are ample opportunities for students to take advantage of Boston’s location on the coast.

Neuropsychology

GRADES 11 AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This yearlong course is split into two major components. The first examines the neuroscience of the brain; the second is a basic introduction to psychology, focused through a neuroscience lens. In the first semester, the course starts by exploring the anatomy and chemistry of the brain. In the second semester, the class explores the psychology of the brain, including injuries, memory, sleep, disorders and dysfunctions, and addiction. Many units are based around case studies, allowing students to gain real-life insight into the discipline.

FUTURE SCIENCE COURSES

The following courses are offered in alternating years.

AP® Physics 2

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 11 AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Physics with a grade of B+ or better or Advanced Physics with a grade of B or better or permission of the department.

Advanced Placement® Physics

2 is the equivalent to a secondsemester college course in

algebra-based physics. The course covers fluid mechanics; heat and thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; the electromagnetic spectrum and optics; and atomic and nuclear physics. The course includes a significant hands-on lab component, where inquiry-based investigations are emphasized. These investigations foster student engagement in the practice of science through experimenting, analyzing, making conjectures and arguments, and solving problems in a collaborative setting. Students are expected to complete a significant amount of work outside of class and over the summer and take the AP® Physics 2 Exam in May.

Geographic Information Science

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12 OR INSTRUCTOR PERMISSION, SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Offered based on enrollment and scheduling.

Credit: Technology or Elective.

This course explores the creation, analysis, and dissemination of spatial information. Through a series of self-paced online labs, students gain an introduction to geographic information system (GIS) software. Students learn to use the software’s various spatial analysis tools while exploring data sets relevant to contemporary social and environmental issues, such as air quality, income inequality, and population growth. The course also examines the ways in which cartographers and surveyors describe locations on the surface of the Earth, including map projections, coordinate systems, declination, contour maps, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). For their final project, students create a series of original maps examining a geographic question of their choice.

Human Anatomy & Physiology

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This course is an introduction to the structure and function of the human body. Topics include biochemistry, cells and tissues, and the major body systems. Emphasis is placed on relating topics studied to current scientific advances. Due to the nature of this class, lab work includes a significant number of dissections.

Upper School Technology

Requirements: Students are required to take Technology 9 and one additional semester of a technology elective.

Technology 9

GRADE 9, REQUIRED, FULL YEAR, 1/2 CREDIT

Tech 9 is a full-year course that begins by ensuring that students are fluent in the use of the technology tools relevant to their academic success at Brimmer: Office 365 and Canvas. The year continues with discussion and activities related to current technology topics seen in the news, such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things. Second semester is divided into a sequence of studies, which can include a combination of the following: an introduction to programming (using Swift), introductory robotics, and an overview of the discipline of computer science. Course assessment is based upon a combination of in-class work, class discussion/participation, short-term projects, and an end-of-semester project.

Computer Science: Programming

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

In this course, students learn the foundations of a programming language. While this course focuses on Python, students explore the similarities and differences of a variety of common languages. Topics include variables, conditionals, functions, and classes. These acquired skills allow students to explore a variety of computer science topics such as: image manipulation, data science, and text processing. Students spend roughly 75% of the course time learning core concepts of Python and 25% of course time developing a project to demonstrate mastery. This project serves as the major assessment for this course.

Computer Science: Web Design

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Students in this course learn the best practices of website design and scripting. Using Adobe Dreamweaver®, students gain a basic understanding of HTML coding, as well as an introduction to more advanced features such as CSS, Spry, and JavaScript. Students explore current website trends such as “Web 2.0” and learn to critically evaluate websites. This course culminates with the development of an independently authored website complete with dynamic content.

AP® Computer Science Principles

GRADES 10, 11, AND 12, ELECTIVE, FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Enrollment in this course requires approval of the instructor. No prior computer science knowledge or experience is necessary.

Credit: Tech or Math.

In this course students explore the central ideas of computing and computer science. The course

is centered around seven big ideas: Creativity, Abstraction, Data and Information, Algorithms, Programming, the Internet, and Global Impact. The course emphasizes computational thinking practices. Students are expected to connect computing to other disciplines, create computational artifacts and communicate their purpose, use abstraction and analysis to develop models for solving complex problems, and work effectively in teams. This course prepares students for the end-of-course AP® Exam, as well as the Through-Course Assessment that requires students to both explore the implications of computing innovations and create a computer application.

Engineering: Digital Fabrication

GRADES 9, 10, AND 11, SEMESTERS I & II, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Technology or Engineering for STEAM Diploma.

Build. Make. Create! But where do we start? Through a series of small projects, students are introduced to some of the tools and skills for maker labs. From new makers to experienced makers, students learn 3-D printing, laser cutting, 3-D modeling, basic circuitry, soldering, programming, and persistence. At the end of the course, students complete a culminating project that utilizes new skills. Through this course, students are trained to use digital tools outside of class.

Graphic Art

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Drawing or Painting or permission of the department.

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course explores the concepts of graphic design, advertising, and digital illustration. The elements of design are emphasized through the use of Adobe Photoshop® and Adobe Illustrator® as the primary

means of creating original digital graphics. Additional focus is placed on the power of visual messaging in terms of sharing information, telling stories, and influencing society, for better or for worse.

Problem Solving Through Design I

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course explores the concepts of design and innovation by helping to find creative solutions to real-life problems and needs. The class aims to create a joblike environment where project solutions are often the result of collaborative brainstorming and research, experimentation, design, and fabrication. Projects bridge technology and creative thinking through the use of 3-D rendering software and various methods of construction, including 3-D printing. Concepts of industrial design and product design are also incorporated into the curriculum.

Problem Solving Through Design II

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Problem Solving Through Design I.

Credit: Art or Technology.

This course continues to develop the design habits of mind introduced in Problem Solving Through Design I. Students develop deeper understanding of their design solutions with an emphasis on marketing across a variety of mediums, ranging from print material to web design. Topics are not limited to physical products but also include the creation of intangible designs.

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY COURSES

The following courses are offered in alternating years.

Computer Science: Application Development

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER II, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Programming or permission of the instructor.

This course provides students with a foundation in application design and development. Students learn to design and program several different application types with a focus on the iOS environment. The topics covered include Xcode, Swift programming language, the model-view-controller architecture model, user interface, and Cocoa Touch frameworks. At the end of the course, students have skills sufficient to design and deploy applications capable of leveraging advanced features such as GPS, accelerometer usage, and other onboard sensors of modern computing devices.

Computer Science: Advanced Application Development

OFFERED IN 2024-2025

SEMESTER I, 1/2 CREDIT

Prerequisite: Application Development, Programming, or permission of the instructor.

This course builds on the foundations in application design and development taught in the introductory course. Students develop a more sophisticated understanding and ability to design and program different application types. The topics covered include Xcode, Swift programming language, the model-view-controller architecture model, user interface, and Cocoa Touch frameworks. At the end of the course, students have skills sufficient to design and deploy applications capable of leveraging advanced features such as GPS,

accelerometer usage, and other onboard sensors of modern computing devices.

Upper School World Languages

Students meet the graduation requirement for language study by completing three years of progressive study in a single language. (If students decide to switch languages, they must be enrolled in a language course through level 3 of a language.) Unless otherwise noted, the prerequisite for all world languages courses is a C- or better in the previous course level and/or permission of the department.

French I FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This course is an introduction to the French language and Francophone cultures. It is an accelerated course designed primarily for entering students with little or no language background. The curriculum concentrates on developing fundamental skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Essential grammar, vocabulary, and expressions—as well as cultural topics of interest— are introduced, explored, and reinforced. Throughout the year, students are challenged to compare the languages and cultures they study to their own languages and cultures, to make connections with other fields of study, and to explore the Francophone resources in their School and neighborhoods. Students finishing this course move on to French II.

French II FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

The aim of the French II course is to reinforce and expand upon vocabulary, grammatical points, and expressions introduced in the beginning year(s) of language study. Students deepen their knowledge of France and other Francophone countries via short readings, videos, films, and musical samples used to supplement the curriculum. By the end of the year, students develop an intermediate level of proficiency, paving the way for class discussions conducted primarily in French.

The French II Honors Program provides opportunities for students to explore independent work that supplements or extends beyond the curriculum. Sample projects include presentations, blogs, translations, and video summaries completed in the target language.

French III FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

The aim of this course is to complete the formal study of grammar, expand vocabulary, and deepen the understanding of French and Francophone cultures. In order to foster communicative proficiency, students are encouraged to express themselves willingly and creatively in the target language. They read short stories, literary excerpts, and magazine articles from authentic sources. The writing required of French III students ranges from expository to creative in nature. Throughout the year, emphasis is placed on communication skills and comprehension.

French III Honors students complete presentations, essays, and research projects on a variety of subjects using only French.

French IV FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

This course is an overview of French history, art history, literature, and grammar. Students focus on their presentation skills in French, reinforce previously studied grammar, and expand their vocabulary through reading about French society and culture. The overview course is designed to leave students with a more sophisticated understanding of French history, culture, and language.

The French IV Honors Program provides opportunities for students to embark upon independent work that supplements or extends beyond the curriculum. Sample projects include presentations, blogs, translations, readings, and video summaries completed in the target language.

Advanced French Seminar

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

The first quarter of this course is devoted to a review of grammar and vocabulary and honing reading skills. Throughout the remainder of the year, the focus of the class is on expanding writing, reading, and conversational skills. To this end, students read selections of French and Francophone authors, similar to the ones described below for the AP® curriculum. Finally, students view and discuss several French language films.

AP® French Language and Culture

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: B+ or better in French IV or permission of the department. This class, which is conducted entirely in French, provides intensive review and preparation for the AP® French Language and Culture Exam, as well as for

the College Board SAT® II French Test. Students read French and Francophone literature and French language periodicals. Some of the literary pieces studied come from the following authors: Dadié, de France, Rimbaud, Ponge, Diallo, Roy, Diop, Tirolien, and Gratiant. In addition to analyzing the thematic content of these readings, students contextually learn the grammatical structures and vocabulary they encounter. Assessments include essays, compositions, discussions, debates, oral presentations, tests, and quizzes. It is the expectation that students take the AP® Exam in May.

Mandarin I

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This introductory Mandarin Chinese class enables students to build a novice level of proficiency in the basic skills of speaking, reading, listening, and writing. Students learn essential grammar and approximately 300 vocabulary words. Students study various topics such as the geography and people of China, greetings, numbers, identifying people and objects, family and pets, countries and nationality, sports, making friends, and food. Chinese culture is introduced via music, art, dance, and history to further enhance the classroom experience.

Mandarin II

level, students acquire a deeper understanding of the Chinese culture. Short readings, videos, and musical samples supplement the Mandarin II curriculum. Students read a leveled storybook in Chinese, which bolsters their interest and strengthens comprehension skills.

The Mandarin II Honors Program is designed for students who are willing to extend their knowledge of Chinese language and culture. The Honors Program provides students with creative problemsolving, independent thinking, and extended research skills. In Upper School Mandarin II, students are required to finish the classwork and the extra work outside of class. Presentations, translations, research projects, reading summaries, essays, and oral presentations are completed in the target language.

Mandarin III

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

mastery attained in the Mandarin III curriculum. Students conduct research on Chinese culture, history, literature, geography, food, arts, dance, games, and music. Students have the opportunity to explore Chinatown, cook authentic Chinese food, review Chinese films, explore modern Chinese culture, and listen to traditional Chinese music. Pronunciation of Chinese Mandarin and conversational speaking is also emphasized in the Honors Program. The program helps to prepare students for Brimmer travel programs to China if they choose to participate.

Mandarin IV

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

FULL

YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

By using a wide variety of materials and concentrating on the creative use of Chinese in class discussions and written compositions, students significantly expand their comprehension skills, as well as their knowledge of Chinese vocabulary. Students are exposed to new lexical fields and topics such as school subjects, taking transportation, clothing, and making phone calls. At this

The aim of this course is to continue the formal study of grammatical patterns, expand vocabulary, and deepen the understanding of Chinese culture. In order to foster communicative proficiency, students are encouraged to express themselves willingly and creatively in the target language. Students are exposed to new lexical fields and topics such as eating at a restaurant, the weather, getting to places, leisure activities, celebrations, health, and traveling. Throughout the year, emphasis is placed on communication skills and comprehension. Students read a leveled storybook in Chinese, which bolsters their interest and strengthens comprehension skills.

The Mandarin III Honors Program expands on the knowledge and

This advanced-level course reviews previously studied grammar before focusing on listening and reading comprehension, thus engaging students through participation in classroom discussions on selected topics and travel locations in China. Students also extend their vocabulary and deepen their cultural knowledge while being exposed to new topics such as school-based interests and activities, health concerns, adolescence, work, relationships, technology, and environmental issues. The course provides students with the opportunity to express themselves further and discuss various themes as a group. Students read a leveled storybook in Chinese, which bolsters their interest and strengthens comprehension skills.

The Mandarin IV Honors Program expands on the knowledge and mastery attained in the Mandarin IV curriculum. The program is designed to provide students with varied opportunities to further develop their proficiencies across the three communicative modes: interpersonal (speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills),

interpretive (listening and reading skills), and presentational (speaking and writing skills). The program does this by expanding student understanding of Chinese culture, history, literature, geography, food, arts, dance, games, and music. Students have the opportunity to compare and contrast modern Chinese culture with Western culture.

Advanced Mandarin Seminar

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This course is intended for students who wish to continue with Chinese learning after Mandarin IV. It provides additional preparation for the Advanced Placement® Language curriculum or college study. Students focus on deepening their language skills, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as expanding their knowledge and understanding of Chinese culture and history. The immersion method is implemented in this class. By the end of the course, students have learned about 1,500 regularly used Chinese characters. They are able to read, discuss, and write compositions based on everyday situations, current events, and short stories in literature.

AP® Chinese Language and Culture

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: B+ or better in Advanced Mandarin or permission of the department.

This course, which is conducted mostly in Chinese, provides specific preparation for the AP® Chinese Language and Culture Exam. Students are immersed in the language and culture of the Chinese-speaking world to further develop their skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Chinese. In addition to using the textbook, students work with selected authentic materials such

as newspaper articles, novels, poems, songs, and clips of television series and movies. This is a college-level course with a significant workload. Assessments include essays, compositions, discussions, debates, oral presentations, tests, and quizzes. It is the expectation that students take the AP® Chinese Language and Culture Exam in May.

Spanish I

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

This course is an introduction to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. It is designed primarily for entering students with little or no language background. The curriculum (guided by the text) concentrates on developing fundamental skills in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. At this level, the emphasis is on learning essential grammar and vocabulary. Moreover, students begin to gain international awareness as they are introduced to the cultures of Spain and Latin America. Upon successful completion of the course, students are prepared to enter Spanish II.

Spanish II

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

In Spanish II, students build upon the skills they learned in Spanish I and continue to develop their Spanish vocabulary and learn increasingly more complex grammatical structures. Students further develop their listening comprehension through exposure to a Spanish environment in the classroom. At this level, students delve deeper into the cultures of Spain and Latin America. Upon successful completion of the course, students are prepared to enter Spanish III.

For students who seek an extra challenge in Spanish, the Upper

School Spanish II Honors Program provides this opportunity. Students who choose to participate in this program complete projects that promote comprehension and mastery in four key areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Work for the Honors Program is largely completed outside of the classroom and is in addition to any regular classwork.

Spanish III

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

As with Spanish II, this course uses a wide variety of materials and focuses on the increased use of Spanish for instruction, class discussions, and written work. The overarching goal of this class is to foster communicative proficiency by encouraging students to express themselves willingly and creatively in the target language. In addition, students’ core knowledge of grammar is expanded by adding more complex structures and uses. Cultural and literary readings are presented from authentic target language resources. Upon successful completion of the course, students are prepared to enter Spanish IV.

The Spanish III Honors Program is for students who are highly motivated in the language and eager to learn and explore more aspects of the Spanish culture. Students give oral presentations, research a Spanish-speaking country, or practice further grammar structures.

Spanish IV

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT OFFERED WITH HONORS

This advanced Spanish language elective is a full-immersion course and an introduction to literature. Students review and reinforce grammar concepts with

an emphasis on communicative skills through the use of oral presentations and creative writing assignments. Selected readings and feature films serve as additional sources for class discussion, vocabulary enrichment, and contextual grammar instruction.

The Spanish IV Honors Program is for students who are highly motivated in the language and eager to learn and explore more aspects of the Spanish culture. The students read leveled literature in Spanish and discuss them with the teacher, write a summary of the stories, or complete reading comprehension questions.

Advanced Spanish Seminar

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

The class is conducted entirely in Spanish, and students are expected to take a proactive role in the selection and development of conversational topics. Students learn how to access Spanish Internet sites and read a variety of literary genres. Although much classroom time is devoted to expanding vocabulary through class discussions, grammar is reviewed and reinforced in cultural and literary readings, focusing on contemporary issues.

AP® Spanish Language and Culture

FULL YEAR, 1 CREDIT

Prerequisite: B+ or better in Spanish IV or permission of the department.

This class, which is conducted mostly in Spanish, provides specific preparation for the AP® Spanish Language Exam. Among the instructional materials used is TEMAS CAP® Spanish. This is a college-level course with a significant workload. It is expected that students take the AP® Spanish Language and Culture Exam in May.

Upper School Health & Wellness

Adolescents today face the same developmental tasks that they always have: to separate from parents and family, to form a unique personal and sexual identity, and to establish a direction, life/work plan, and set of values. The societal norms and pressures, as well as the support systems available to teens, have changed dramatically over the past 30 years. The information shared and the knowledge of available community resources give students the tools they need to meet the challenges of life in a healthy way.

WELLNESS PROGRAM

There is much more to students’ lives than academics. Brimmer strives to develop students who go on to be successful in the world and also seeks to help educate students in areas that allow them to be prepared to make informed decisions when faced with challenging situations. Upper School students participate in wellness programs geared to support their social, emotional, and physical well-being. Each grade has weeklong workshops on sex education or stress management and substance use and abuse. When possible, the School offers a parent workshop as well.

In addition, Brimmer invites in special speakers to lead Schoolwide presentations and discussions on other topics that are relevant to adolescents.

9TH GRADE WELLNESS

This course provides students with the skills to be healthy and successful members of the Brimmer community. Students are exposed to a core set of

skills and approaches to manage the potential stressors they face as adolescents. Topics covered include mindfulness, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and cultural competency, academic skills (time management, self-advocacy, and research skills), social emotional learning, stress management, physical health, sexual and reproductive health through EducaHealth, addiction prevention through the Wellness Collaborative, digital citizenship, and media literacy.

9TH GRADE CORE

Through 9th Grade CORE, students develop and build upon the foundational academic skills needed to be a successful high school student. Students will develop strong study skills, hone their research skills, learn more about effective collaboration, and develop other critical skills identified by Upper School teachers. Students will meet once a week in Semesters I and II.

10TH GRADE WELLNESS

The Semester I tenth grade wellness curriculum focuses on healthly relationships with the help of instructors from IMPACT Boston.

IMPACT’s healthy relationships program teaches skills and concepts to help students identify safe and positive connections as well as recognize warning signs for unhealthy and unsafe relationships. Topics include healthy decision making, boundaries, online safety, online bullying, bystander intervention, coercion in intimate relationships, and abuse in intimate relationships.

IMPACT’s self-defense curriculum teaches practical safety skills by placing students in realistic simulations of potentially unsafe situations. Trained instructors

play the role of would-be assailants and students have the opportunity to practice responding effectively to threats, intimidation, and harassment. Due to the extensive training and relevant professional backgrounds of IMPACT instructors, the material is presented in a way that is traumainformed and consistent with best practices for social emotional learning. The IMPACT curriculum presents scenarios that range from safety awareness in public places to sexual assaults perpetrated by familiar people. Students learn skills to protect themselves and to speak up when someone else’s safety is at risk.

Semester II tenth grade wellness builds upon the topics in Semester I and includes topics in digital citizenship, mindfulness, addiction and substance use prevention, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and cultural competency.

ASSEMBLIES AND CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING

Each year, the School invites in speakers to deepen students’ understanding of local, national, and global issues, as well as to expose them to new ideas. These are mission-oriented programs that help students learn about relevant topics, develop an appreciation for new ideas, and engage in conversations. Presentations in the past have ranged from visiting artists to conversations on diversity to the Syrian refugee crisis.

College Counseling

At Brimmer, we approach the college process in an individualized way and seek to match students with the best possible college choice for their specific goals

and qualifications. Upper School students work closely with their advisors and the College Counselors to plan a strong program of study commensurate with their ability, interests, and future college plans.

Although we recognize that some families are eager to begin the college process as their students enter the Upper School, we believe that beginning too early puts additional pressure on students who should be focusing on their studies and exploring their interests. Thus, there is limited formal programming for ninth and tenth grade students, although all Upper School students and their families are invited to many of the college counseling events held throughout the year. The College Counseling team is available at grade-level breakfasts, Back-to-School Night in the fall, and informal college coffees throughout the year to engage with parents and answer questions.

Eleventh grade students are assigned to a college counselor and Eleventh Grade College Night is held in January and is considered the formal “kick-off” to the college process. Students and parents are presented with a College Guide (also available on the Resource Board), a planning calendar, and overarching guidance about the year and a half to come. Eleventh grade students begin weekly College Counseling classes in the second semester. As the principal advocate for each Brimmer student in the admissions process, the College Counseling team strives to get to know each student well through individual meetings and in and out of the classroom.

Throughout the year, Brimmer welcomes more than 100 college admission representatives to campus to meet with students. We also host a College Night in

May with an annual rotation of programming, from case studies to panelists on various college topics. In addition, Brimmer’s College Counselors travel to numerous college campuses and attend professional conferences throughout the United States and abroad.

Practice for standardized testing begins with the PreACT in tenth grade and the PSAT® in eleventh grade. Brimmer frequently partners with the Summit Educational Group to offer test prep classes for the SAT® or the ACT®. In addition, each year we invite a representative from Summit to Brimmer to present an evening program for students and parents to explain the standardized testing landscape.

Twelfth grade students continue with the College Counseling class once a week during the first semester and continue to receive personalized support as they finalize applications and essays. While the classes end in January, the College Counselors remain active advisors up through the selection and enrollment process and the spring.

In conjunction with the College Counseling Office, the Career Readiness and Leadership Program helps students develop pivotal skills and begin thinking about their futures beyond Brimmer. The Leadership Institute gives students tools to add to their repertoire and use in a variety of leadership experiences through a series of monthly workshops. Futurefocused thinking and brainstorming exercises are weaved throughout advisory meetings, prompting students to think about what future pathways could exist. Career pathways are also highlighted through different Career Profiles, which are displayed in the School and presented at Morning Meetings.

11th Grade College Counseling

GRADE 11, REQUIRED, SEMESTER II

College Counseling is a onesemester course required for all eleventh grade students, who meet weekly in small groups to discuss the college process. Classes are focused on the use of SCOIR as a research tool, completing the Common Application and the college essay, and discussing topics such as campus visits, interviewing, and the college list.

12th Grade College Counseling

GRADE 12, REQUIRED, SEMESTER I

College Counseling is a onesemester course required for all twelfth grade students. Students meet once a week in small sections. The focus at the beginning of the semester is on finalizing their college lists and working on their applications and essays. Students receive individual help from the counselors as needed. The latter part of the semester is devoted to readings and discussions related to the transition to college.

Recent College Acceptances

American University

Babson College

Barnard College

Bates College

Bentley University

Berklee College of Music

Boston College

Boston University

Brandeis University

Brown University

Bucknell University

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

Clark University

Colby College

Colgate University

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado College

Connecticut College

Denison University

Dickinson College

Drew University

Drexel University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emerson College

Emmanuel College

Emory University

Fordham University

Franklin and Marshall College

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Gettysburg College

Grinnell College

Hamilton College

Hampton University

Harvard University

Haverford College

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Indiana University

Johns Hopkins University

Kenyon College

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University (MD)

Macalester College

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

McGill University

Merrimack College

Miami University of Ohio

Middlebury College

Mount Holyoke College

Muhlenberg College

New York University

Northeastern University

Oberlin College

Occidental College

Ohio Wesleyan University

Pomona College

Providence College

Purdue University

Quinnipiac University

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

Rochester Institute of Technology

Roger Williams University

Rutgers University

Sarah Lawrence College

Savannah College of Art and Design

Skidmore College

Smith College

Spelman College

St. Lawrence University

Stanford University

Suffolk University

Syracuse University

Temple University

The New School

Trinity College

Tufts University

Union College

University of California

Davis, Irvine, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz

University of Colorado

University of Delaware

University of Illinois

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Dartmouth, Lowell

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of New Hampshire

University of Pittsburgh

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of Southern California

University of St Andrews (Scotland)

University of Toronto

University of Vermont

University of Virginia

University of Wisconsin

Vanderbilt University

Vassar College

Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Wake Forest University

Washington University of St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Wesleyan University

Wheaton College (MA)

Williams College

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

ATHLETICS

Athletic Department

The Athletic Department is located in the Emily C. Thompson Activities Center. The Athletic Directors oversee the School’s athletic and physical education programs. The School’s on-site Athletic Trainer facilitates emergency care and implements injury prevention and injury management programs for student-athletes.

Athletic Requirements

All Brimmer students are required to participate in our athletic program each school year. In order to participate in the athletic program, all students must provide medical forms and complete the concussion baseline test, BrainCheck

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students in grade 6 are required to participate in a PE offering that takes place during the course of the school day. They have the option to participate, but are not required to play team sports.

Seventh and eighth graders must participate in a minimum of one season of a team sport. If they play only one season of a team sport, they must choose an activity for the other two seasons. If they play two seasons of a team sport, they are able to take one season off.

UPPER SCHOOL

The sports requirement is either three seasons of physical activity and a minimum of one season of a team sport or two seasons of a team sport. One activity credit can be earned from participating in the Upper School Musical. Students should give appropriate consideration to their decision before signing up for a sport. Once

a student has signed up to participate in a team sport, the student is committed to playing that sport. Teams are selected based on the number of athletes who have elected to play that sport. Athletes may not switch sports after sign-ups.

ALTERNATIVES TO THE ATHLETIC REQUIREMENTS

THEATER/DRAMA

Upper School students involved with the drama program may receive athletic credit in the following ways:

• If the fall play includes physical activity through choreography, students may receive an athletic activity credit.

• Students who participate in the US Musical receive winter season activity credit.

• Students who participate in the fall US Play and US Musical may earn a team sport credit due to the close nature of working with a group of people over an extended period of time.

ROBOTICS TEAM

Students who participate in the after-school Robotics team may receive team credit for the September-March commitment. These students must also attend Fitness two days a week.

SPORTS NOT OFFERED AT BRIMMER

Students who excel in an athletic activity not offered at the School may apply for permission to pursue their sport outside of School. An application must be completed for each season. Exemption from participation in the Brimmer Athletic Program is determined on a case-by-case basis by the Athletic Director. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in the School’s athletic program.

Interscholastic Competition

All Upper School teams compete against other independent schools. Varsity teams are part of the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC). At the end of each season, teams that have qualified compete in their respective NEPSAC tournaments. The Varsity Cross Country, Boys Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, and Tennis Teams compete in the Massachusetts Bay Independent League (MBIL). The Varsity Girls Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse, and Tennis Teams compete in the Independent Girls Conference (IGC).

Sports schedules and game results are posted on the School website.

2023-2024 Athletic Offerings for Upper School

FALL

TEAM SPORTS

• Junior Varsity and Varsity Soccer

• Varsity Cross Country

• Varsity Volleyball

Activities: Recreational tennis, strength training/conditioning

WINTER

TEAM SPORTS

• Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball

• Curling

Activities: Strength training and conditioning, recreational skiing/ snowboarding, yoga

ATHLETICS SPRING

• Varsity Lacrosse

• Varsity Softball

• Varsity Baseball

• Varsity Tennis

Activities: Strength training and conditioning, ultimate frisbee

Practice Information

PE, practices, and games are part of the student-athlete’s day at Brimmer in grades 6 through 12. In addition to using the School’s own facilities on Middlesex Road and Dedham Street, Brimmer teams practice at several off-campus sites: UMass Mount Ida–turf and grass fields, gymnasium, and tennis courts; Longwood Cricket Club; Pine Manor College; Soule Recreation Center; The Country Club in Brookline; Hellenic College in Brookline; West Suburban YMCA at Wells Ave.; and Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford. Practice time varies between 1 1/2 and 2 hours in length.

Transportation

Brimmer teams are transported in school buses and by private bus companies. Students are required to travel to practices and games with their team. After a practice or game, students may go home with a parent or a specified adult if they have written permission from their own parents or guardians ahead of time.

Middle and Upper School Academic and Arts Facilities

MAKERSPACE

The Makerspace is a hub of creativity at Brimmer. This space is equipped with the handheld and digital fabrication tools that a maker, tinkerer, creator, or innovator needs to bring ideas to fruition such as multiple 3-D printers, a laser cutter, vinyl cutter, and sewing machine. The space is used by a number of classes on both a regular and ad hoc basis. Unstructured time is built into the day so that students can drop in to use the space.

INNOVATION CENTER

The Innovation Center is a flexible space that enhances student collaboration. This space is designed to maximize group work and collaboration. It has a large open area that can easily be rearranged depending on the purpose of use, as well as two small study rooms that can be used by small groups of students. These small rooms are equipped for wireless projection of student screens.

DIGITAL MEDIA CENTER

The Digital Media Center is the home of Brimmer Digital Cinema and Journalism classes. The room is equipped with a green screen to allow students to bring their digital media to life in new ways. Our students are not bound by their surroundings—they can bring in any background they need for their work. The room also features state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, and laptop computers with the digital video editing suite from Apple®, including Final Cut

Pro® and iMovie®. The Media Center is utilized by other classes when producing video projects.

CHORAL MUSIC ROOM

The Middle and Upper School music room is a large space used for Middle School Creative Arts music classes, May Chorale Section rehearsals, and Greenline rehearsals. The room is tiered, has projection technology, and contains a piano and numerous other musical instruments.

DANCE STUDIO

The Dance Studio features fulllength mirrors and a hardwood floor. The Dance Studio is a multipurpose classroom that is used for Lower School Creative Arts classes, dance activities, voice lessons, and rehearsals for musicals.

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES ROOM/GREEN ROOM

This room is used as a classroom and rehearsal space for all of the musical ensembles in the Middle and Upper Schools. It houses student and School instruments, several desktop computers, and numerous pieces of performance equipment, including amplifiers, microphones, a drum set, etc. During theatrical performance weeks, the room is transformed for use as a make-up and costume studio for the performers.

PHOTOGRAPHY LAB

A fully equipped darkroom in the Chase Building affords students the opportunity to learn to develop and print black-and-white photographs. Advanced students also explore various techniques such as toning, colorization, and solarization.

ROBERT LLOYD CORKIN VISUAL ARTS CENTER

The Robert Lloyd Corkin Visual Arts Center features two spacious art rooms and a ceramics studio. With northern exposure, abundant natural light, and state-of-theart equipment, the Arts Center offers both indoor and outdoor classroom and exhibition space.

RUTH CORKIN THEATRE

Brimmer’s 312-seat professional theater is supported by a computerized light and sound room, a large scene shop, dressing rooms, and a costume collection.

HUMANITIES FACILITIES

The School provides several large classrooms for humanities classes. These classrooms are equipped with tables and chairs for seminars and collaborative work. All of these classrooms are equipped with Apple TV and projector technology.

MATHEMATICS FACILITIES

The Math Department classrooms are located on the upper level of the Chase Building. Four classrooms equipped with smaller tables and chairs for individual and collaborative work house the majority of math classes in the Middle and Upper Schools. All of these classrooms are equipped with Apple TV and projector technology.

SCIENCE FACILITIES

The Science Department laboratories and classrooms are located in the lower level of the Chase Building and upper level of the Hastings Center. Science classes are held in five labs of varying sizes. Four rooms are equipped with lab tables, Apple TV, projection technology, sinks,

FACILITIES

and electrical and gas outlets. The fifth classroom, which is used for non-laboratory courses, contains these same elements excluding sinks and electrical and gas outlets. All labs have appropriate and necessary safety equipment. In addition, the Science Department has its own 20-laptop computer lab, manual and digital microscopes, and telescopes.

TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES

Technology classes are held in the Pappas Lab, which is equipped with 15-17 desktop computers, projection technology, a scanner, a black-and-white printer, and a color printer. Technology classes are also held in the Digital Media Center, located in the Hastings Center. The School provides Middle and Upper School students with email accounts and access to Office 365 for document sharing and document storage. Laptops for student use are available through several laptop carts with 15-20 machines per cart and through the library check-out system.

WORLD LANGUAGES FACILITIES

World Languages classes are held throughout the Chase, Hastings, and Almy buildings, depending on class sizes.

COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE

This suite houses the College Counseling offices and classrooms where College Counseling classes are taught and meetings are held with college admission counselors, students, and families. The College Counselors use this space to provide extra guidance for students with their college essays and applications.

LEARNING COMMONS

The Brimmer and May Learning Commons is a space where students can take an idea from infancy through the research phase to the development of the project. It is a multimodal space that incorporates many of Brimmer’s incredible resources such as the Anne C. Reenstierna Library, the Learning Center, the Academic Support Center, Writing Center, Math Lab, and Tutoring Program. The space is designed to provide quiet study space, collaborative group space, and the ability for students to research and design their ideas.

ANNE C. REENSTIERNA LIBRARY

Located in the Almy Academic Center, the Anne C. Reenstierna Library provides resources for academic research and independent reading. It is a part of the Middle School and Upper School Learning Commons. In addition to offering a wide selection of titles in literature and nonfiction, the library provides access to a growing collection of electronic books, online databases of reference works and journal articles.

The library provides quiet areas for independent study as well as two conference rooms used for collaborative work, presentations, and meetings. The library program seeks to engage students in experiences that foster a love of reading, offer exposure to the world of ideas, and develop the skills and critical thinking needed to be successful in finding, evaluating, and using information. These are the building blocks that create lifelong learners.

WRITING CENTER/MATH LAB

The Writing Center is located in the Anne C. Reenstierna Library. It is staffed by Middle and Upper School faculty and is open to all eighth grade and Upper School students during the school day for assistance on school papers and projects. Students may sign up or drop in to receive critical feedback on their writing.

The Math Lab is staffed by a Math Learning Specialist and other Brimmer math faculty and is available to students as an extra help/support center on a sign-up basis during several study periods each week.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER

The Academic Support Center is located in the Anne C. Reenstierna Library and is a part of the Library Learning Commons. Programming is facilitated by the Director of Academic Services and the Director of the Learning Center. It is staffed by Brimmer teachers and tutors to help Middle and Upper School students with skill development, organization, and content understanding.

CORKIN FAMILY DINING COMMONS

Brimmer’s Corkin Family Dining Commons is composed of the main Dining Commons and the Upper Dining Commons. Within the spaces, there are different types of seating arrangements. In addition, the Dining Commons was designed so that during non-lunch hours students can utilize the space to study or meet in groups.

Academic Matters

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Emphasizing the importance of highlighting, note-taking, outlining, and time management, classroom teachers help students sharpen their study skills. Teachers also make themselves available to students seeking additional help. Academic Support at Brimmer also includes the Academic Support Center, Math Lab, Writing Center, Peer to Peer Tutoring, and Advisor Program. In addition, Brimmer and May has its own Tutoring Program. (See “Tutoring.”)

The Academic Support Center is available to students in grades 6-12 to receive small group and individualized support in the areas of time management, executive functioning, and study skills. Students may have standing appointments or drop in throughout the day.

ADVISOR PROGRAM

Each Upper School student selects a member of the adult community at Brimmer and May to serve as an advisor. The two meet regularly to discuss the student’s academic progress and individual concerns. Advisors oversee the educational performance of their advisees throughout the school year and meet with parents on report card conference days at midyear to review progress and grades. The advisor is the parents’ primary contact at the School.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT®

Advanced Placement® (AP®) is a program of college-level courses and exams that gives high school students the opportunity to receive academic college credit. Each AP® course ends with a comprehensive

examination. These exams are graded on a scale of 1 to 5. Many colleges and universities offer academic credit awards for scores of 3, 4, or 5.

AP® courses at Brimmer are offered to qualified eleventh and twelfth grade students. Examples of AP® courses that may be offered include Biology, Calculus, English Literature and Composition, English Language, French Language, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Physics 2, Spanish Language, Statistics, Studio Art, and 2-D Studio Art.

Qualified 10th graders may enroll in AP® Computer Science.

EXAMS AND EXHIBITIONS

There is an exam, project, and exhibition period prior to the December vacation for students in grades 9-12. There is an exam and exhibition week at the end of the second semester for students in grades 8-11. Exams are two hours in length. The nature and length of exhibitions vary; some exhibitions have taken the form of oral presentations, mock trials, debates, computer projects, and artwork critiques.

GRADING AND REPORTS— MIDDLE SCHOOL

In the Middle School, under the quarter system, official grades are issued four times yearly. Teachers’ comments accompany grades at the end of the second and fourth quarters.

Middle School parents come in for conferences with teachers at the end of the first and third quarters. At the end of the second quarter, parents receive grades and comments and conference with advisors. All conferences give

parents an opportunity to discuss student progress. Final grades and comments are emailed to parents at the end of the school year in mid-June.

UPPER SCHOOL

In the Upper School, under the semester system, official grades are issued twice yearly. Only semester and year-end grades are recorded on Upper School transcripts. While they are not entered on the transcript, midsemester and progress report grades are given to all students in grades 9-12. All semester, mid-semester, and progress report grades are posted online in the parent portal. Parents may request to conference with a teacher or advisor to review grades and develop a plan for improvement.

HOMEWORK

Homework is regularly assigned in every class and is an integral part of the learning process at Brimmer. Upper School students are expected to spend about 40 minutes on each course, and some may find that they need more or less time. Teachers may also assign outside reading, which supplements homework assignments and may take a longer amount of time to complete. Students are responsible for making up incomplete homework or work due on a day of absence as soon as possible upon their return to School.

HONOR ROLL

An Honor Roll is announced at the end of a marking period (at the end of each quarter for grades 6-8 and at the end of each semester for grades 9-12).

IN UPPER SCHOOL

• To earn Honors, a student must have a 3.0 GPA, with no grade lower than a B-.

• To earn High Honors, a student must have at least a 3.67 GPA, with no mark lower than a B.

IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

• To earn Honors, a student must have a B average, with no grade below a B-.

• To earn High Honors, a student must have an A- average, with no mark lower than a B+.

PROMOTION POLICY

A student must have at least three grades of C- or above and not more than one F in the academic disciplines to be promoted in grades 6-12. The F must be made up in an approved summer school course or through tutoring and an exam given by the School. D is a conditional grade and summer work may be recommended.

SCHEDULE

• The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. with class. Division meetings, advisory, homeroom, and other community meeting times occur three times a week prior to each divisional lunch.

• For Upper School students, the academic day ends at 3:25 p.m. Monday-Friday. Sports team practices and physical activities are scheduled thereafter.

• The Middle and Upper Schools adhere to a similar class schedule. Most classes meet 180–200 minutes a week using a block schedule.

• In the event that the School needs to move to a remote learning environment, an alternative schedule will be implemented. Start and end times may differ from the regular academic schedule.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

Standardized tests are administered at Brimmer to help students practice test-taking skills and strategies, to assess individual student achievement and ability, and to aid in determining programmatic needs at the School. The PSAT® is administered in the fall to tenth and eleventh graders, and ERB test is given each spring to students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Eleventh and twelfth grade students work extensively with their College Counselor to make decisions about the ACT® or SAT®

Students with documented learning disabilities may apply for extended time consideration through the Director of Academic Services. The School must have a copy of the student’s educational testing on file to provide a nonstandard test administration.

TUTORING

Supplementary academic help is also available (for an additional fee) through the School’s Tutoring Program. The Tutoring Program Director and a team of trained tutors work with Middle and Upper School students on a one-on-one basis both during and after school. Tutoring is available in all subjects. Families and students seeking tutoring services work directly with the Director for tutoring assignments and scheduling

The Arts

AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM

The After-School Music Program offers private lessons in voice and many musical instruments. There is a formal recital in the spring. This is a fee-based program.

GUEST ARTIST SERIES

In addition to regularly scheduled performing artist visits to our assembly periods, the Creative Arts Department hosts brief residencies in the visual arts, music, and theater. Workshops offered have included printmaking, sculpture, bookmaking, theater design, world music, stage carpentry, and improvisation.

ALL-SCHOOL CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

In May, the School hosts its annual All-School Celebration of the Arts. Works of art by every Brimmer student artist are on display. Lower and/or Middle School music groups may perform as well. The celebration concludes with a performance of the Middle School Musical theater production.

THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS

Brimmer presents theatrical productions throughout the school year. Currently scheduled for 20222023 are the following productions:

FALL

• Middle School Play

• Upper School Play

WINTER

• Upper School Musical

SPRING

• Middle School Musical

• Student-directed productions (depending upon interest)

Additional exhibitions and special theatrical events may be presented throughout the school year.

School Life

ACTIVITIES (UPPER SCHOOL)

Extracurricular activities allow students to pursue personal interests or explore new areas. Students with common interests are encouraged to form new clubs. Groups meet during lunch or an activity period. Additional meetings take place when needed. Recent activities offered include the following: Acoustic Music Club, Community Service Club, Diversity Club, Environment Club, Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Stock Market Club, Maker Club, Quiz Bowl, Strategic Games, and Model UN.

ASSEMBLY PROGRAM

Special Assembly periods scheduled regularly throughout the school year provide opportunities for students to hear outside speakers, enjoy performances (either by professional groups or by members of the School community), and participate in educational discussions or activities that involve both teachers and students.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

Upper School students gather two to three times a week in Upper School Meetings and Homeroom. It is a time for student and faculty announcements, athletic updates, and special activities. All Upper School Meetings are conducted by the Upper School Senate president. Homeroom meetings are conducted by grade-level representatives. Upper School Meeting frequently ends with a moment of silent reflection.

Assembly and Activities period occurs on Wednesday afternoons. During weeks that Activities do

not meet, the Middle and Upper Schools join for an Assembly period. See “Assembly Program” for more details.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING

Affinity Groups and Student Diversity Clubs

Brimmer prides itself on its diverse student body, which includes students of varying races, ethnicities, family structures, personal identities, religions, neighborhoods, countries of origin, and learning styles. Student friendships and support networks span across this diversity, and those bonds enrich our community.

In an effort to support our students, promote our Core Values, and respond to the world around us, Brimmer maintains a range of student diversity clubs and affinity groups that meet weekly. These include Students of Color affinity groups and GSA Club (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) in both the Middle and Upper Schools. Topics discussed in those groups range from celebrations of identity to history lessons to politics and current events to microaggressions. These groups may change yearly in response to our community’s needs.

Brimmer is committed to educating and empowering all its community members to be social justice leaders. Throughout each academic year, we hold internal events that celebrate culture and difference. We also bring in speakers and hold workshops for our students and faculty on a range of topics addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion. These programs are meant to give each participant the tools to be meaningful contributors to

Brimmer and to the larger world around them.

Brimmer students help develop internal diversity programming at the Lower, Middle, and Upper School levels and are active in opportunities offered off campus. Our students attend the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (part of the NAIS People of Color Conference) each year as well as AISNE Students of Color Conferences for Middle and Upper School students. These conferences address topics of race but also cover in-depth issues surrounding socioeconomic differences, gender identity, and sexual orientation, among other things. Students also participate in smaller, more local programs when opportunities arise.

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

The Brimmer-Northlands International Student Exchange Program provides students with the opportunity to be fully immersed in a rigorous academic exchange for three weeks at the Northlands School in Buenos Aires. This program offers our students a new opportunity to improve their language skills and to further develop their inter- and intrapersonal aptitudes.

Students must apply and be selected through a formal application process. Travel takes place over the summer.

JUDICIAL BOARD (UPPER SCHOOL)

The Brimmer Upper School Judicial Board—composed of students, administrators, and faculty members—is committed to strengthening our community by developing and maintaining a tone of decency and sense

of responsibility in our daily interactions. The Judicial Board seeks to promote honesty, ethical behavior, equity, and equality in the School community. It strives to be impartial, to uphold the rules and values of the School, to maintain confidentiality, and to respect an individual’s right to a fair disciplinary process.

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES (UPPER SCHOOL)

Students provide leadership in the following areas of the School:

• Activities and Clubs – Officers

• Admissions – Tour Guides

• Athletics – Team Captains

• Diversity and Inclusion – AISNE Diversity Conferences, NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference

• Gator-Aides Peer Mentor Program

• Judicial Board – Elected Representatives

• Peer Tutors

• Scholar Society

• Student Senate (See “Student Senate.”)

• Upper School Camp Planning Committee

LUNCH PROGRAM

Students are expected to participate in the School lunch program. However, special lunch arrangements for a student with a serious medical concern are sometimes made. The parent or guardian should contact the School Nurse and the appropriate division head regarding such a matter.

Lunch is served every school day in the Dining Commons in the Hastings Center. Middle School lunch is from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

Upper School lunch is from 1:00 to 1:40 p.m.

Monthly menus are planned and posted. The menu is also available on the parent portal of the School website. Meals are consistent with the American Heart Association and American Dietetic Association guidelines. A Nutrition Advisory Council (made up of members of the Brimmer community) meets on a regular basis to review the lunch program and ensure its quality.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM

Outdoor Education trips are offered during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Trips may focus on hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, or other outdoor activities. Students learn practical skills in campcraft and outdoor living, outdoor cooking and menu preparation, emergency wilderness first aid, minimum-impact camping, and environmental preservation. There is also an emphasis on developing leadership skills, communication, trust, and cooperation. Enrollment is limited to 15 students and to one season of participation unless space allows.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION

All parents are encouraged to participate in the Parents Association, which supports School activities and social and fundraising events such as the Prom and Auction. The Parents Association meets on a regular basis throughout the school year, and meetings frequently provide information on academic or social topics.

SCHOOL REGISTRAR’S OFFICE

The School Registrar is located in the Hastings Center. The Registrar’s office houses student

files for grades 6-12 and keeps daily records, transcripts, and parent/student correspondences. Information regarding absences and all messages for Middle and Upper School students should be communicated to this office.

SOCIAL INNOVATORS

The Social Innovators Program is a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice, Brimmer, and Schoolyard Ventures, an organization that develops university-level, real-world learning opportunities for ambitious high school students. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset while in high school gives students substantive differentiation from their peers, better insight into their future educational and career opportunities, and more grit and resilience to accomplish their goals.

STUDENT SENATE

Student Senate is a group of elected student leaders (and two faculty advisors) who meet weekly to discuss School issues, plan School events, and represent student concerns, suggestions, and ideas. Middle School Senate and Upper School Senate have their own officers and meet separately.

Student members on Middle and Upper School Senate include the president, vice-president, and secretary/treasurer, as well as two representatives from each grade.

SCHOOL NURSE

The School Nurse is on campus throughout the school day. She serves as a liaison between home and School regarding student health matters, provides emergency first aid, and attends

to the daily health needs of the School community. The School Nurse’s office is located on the first floor of the Hastings Center.

TECHNOLOGY

Brimmer’s campus network provides wired and/or wireless access to all services (email, web, files, etc.) from any School computer. Students have their own password-protected accounts where they can safely store and access their work from School or personal computers. In addition, all Middle and Upper School students have Brimmer email accounts. Each year students are required to sign, understand, and comply with an acceptable use policy.

WEBSITE

Visit the School online at brimmer. org for the School calendar, athletic calendar, and news. Parents can find up-to-date information by logging in to the Parent Portal through the homepage. The Resource Board has general information.

Class assignments and messages are posted on Canvas, the School’s Learning Management System.