Be Challenged: Curriculum Overview

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challenged

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Our Distinctive Program At Boston University Academy, high school students who love learning are challenged to think critically and read deeply, and to explore adventurously the wider world of learning on the campus of a global research university.

Boston University Academy’s academic program pairs a liberal arts core high school curriculum with courses at Boston University. It’s an optimal blend of small classes and individualized teacher attention at BUA and the vast educational resources available through BU. Students’ zeal for learning can take them as far as they are capable: there are no limits to learning at BUA.

Boston University Academy 1

Grades 9 & 10 Liberal arts curriculum that includes English, history, science, mathematics, classical language, the arts, and physical education Two-year study of Latin or ancient Greek; tenth graders who test into the third semester of a modern language may choose to take that course at BU instead of the second year of classical language Elective modern language courses offered online through Middlebury Interactive Languages in 9th and 10th grades

Ninth- and Tenth-Grade Seminars, courses on issues of relevance to today's teenagers (more info on p. 9) Interdisciplinary approach to humanities through immersion in the classic works of Western civilization in conversation with global texts and with emphasis on close reading and writing A shared academic experience to support study across a wide variety of disciplines in eleventh and twelfth grades

The BUA approach prompts students to understand historical perspectives, to think critically and delve deeply, to master the use of primary texts, and to hone their interpretive skills. BUA students learn to question what they read, to craft a well-reasoned argument, and to appreciate the connections between literature, history, philosophy, religion, science, and political theory. Classes focus on the debate of “why” and “how.”

Master Class Schedule The BUA curriculum — the only one of its kind in New England — enables students to gain exposure to new disciplines and to pursue their particular interests at advanced levels. It is a program built for students’ growth as thinkers and as individuals. By design, the curriculum evolves to provide an appropriate level of challenge and support for each grade level, preparing students for the myriad of opportunities offered at BU in their junior and senior years. Boston University Academy’s program is mindful of each student’s unique interests and needs.

2 Curriculum Overview

While ninth- and tenth-grade students follow a classically-based, globally focused liberal arts curriculum, eleventh and twelfth graders have the freedom to choose from more than 2,000 classes from Boston University’s course catalog. In their BU courses, eleventh- and twelfth-grade students build upon their underclassmen experience to pursue their individual interests at advanced levels.

TUESDAY

ASM 8:30-9:20 A

8:55-9:55

C

10:05-11:05

Lunch

B

Lunch

12:20-1:10

Seminar/ Academic Block

D

PE

12:30-1:45

1:25-2:25

F 2:35-3:50

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

A

8:30-9:45

C

8:30-9:45

C

10:05-11:05

B

9:55-10:55

9:30-10:45

Academic Block 10:50-11:30

Advising 11:55-12:15

E

Best of Both Worlds Boston University Academy classes are all honors level. Every student gains a solid foundation in the humanities—English, history, and language. Ninth and tenth graders also study physics and chemistry, a visual or performing art, and the level of mathematics they are prepared for, from advanced algebra to multivariate calculus and beyond. BUA’s core curriculum prepares students for in-depth study of just about anything.

MONDAY

2:00-3:00

Lunch

12:15-1:15

E

1:25-2:25 2:35-3:25

Seminar/ Academic Block

A

8:55-9:55

B

10:05-11:05

11:00-11:20 9/10 Class Meeting

Advising 11:55-12:10

D

FRIDAY

Lunch Advising 11:55-12:10

Lunch E F

D

12:15-1:15

F

1:25-2:40

12:30-1:45

2:00-3:00

2:45-3:25 Activity Block

ASM - All-School Meeting PE - Physical Education Boston University Academy 3

BE challenged

Sample Ninth-Grade Schedule MONDAY

TUESDAY 8:30-9:20

8:55-9:55

LATIN I 10:05-11:05

ADVANCED ALGEBRA 11:10-11:50

LUNCH 11:55-12:15

ADVISORY 12:20-1:10

NINTH-GRADE SEMINAR 1:25-2:25

POWER AND WISDOM IN THE ANCIENT WORLD 2:35-3:50

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

4 Curriculum Overview

ALL-SCHOOL MEETING 9:30-10:45 long

SELF & SOCIETY: THE LITERARY CANON IN CONVERSATION 10:50-11:30

ACADEMIC BLOCK 11:35-12:25

LUNCH 12:30-1:45 long

VISUAL ARTS FOUNDATIONS I 2:00-3:00

PHYSICS

WEDNESDAY 8:30-9:45 long

LATIN I 10:05-11:05

ADVANCED ALGEBRA 11:10-11:50

Sample Tenth-Grade Schedule THURSDAY 8:30-9:45 long

ADVANCED ALGEBRA

FRIDAY

MONDAY

11:00-11:20

CLASS MEETING

10:05-11:05

MAKINGS OF THE MODERN WORLD

MAKINGS OF THE MODERN WORLD

GEOMETRY

11:10-11:50

ADVISORY

ADVISORY

12:15-1:15

12:15-1:15

ACADEMIC BLOCK

9:55-10:55

SELF & SOCIETY

11:10-11:50

11:55-12:15

2:35-3:25

10:05-11:05

MAKINGS OF THE MODERN WORLD

11:55-12:10

PHYSICS

GEOMETRY

10:05-11:05

LUNCH

2:00-3:00

CHORUS

10:05-11:05

11:55-12:10

POWER AND WISDOM IN THE ANCIENT WORLD

8:30-9:45 long

CHORUS

LUNCH

POWER AND WISDOM IN THE ANCIENT WORLD

8:30-9:45 long

LATIN I

LUNCH

1:25-2:25

8:30-9:20

ALL-SCHOOL MEETING 9:30-10:45 long

11:25-12:25

VISUAL ARTS FOUNDATIONS I

THURSDAY

8:55-9:55

LUNCH

12:30-1:45 long

WEDNESDAY

8:55-9:55

9:55-10:55

SELF & SOCIETY

TUESDAY

ADVISORY 12:20-1:10

VISUAL ARTS FOUNDATIONS I

ACADEMIC BLOCK

1:25-2:40 long

1:25-2:25

CHEMISTRY

PHYSICS 2:45-3:25

ACTIVITY BLOCK

2:35-3:50

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

10:50-11:30

ACADEMIC BLOCK 11:35-12:25

LUNCH 12:30-1:45 long

GLOBAL CITIZENS: THE EVOLUTION OF ENGLISH LITERATURE 2:00-3:00

ANCIENT GREEK II

GEOMETRY 11:10-11:50

LUNCH

11:00-11:20

CLASS MEETING 11:25-12:25

11:55-12:10

LUNCH

12:15-1:15

12:30-1:45 long

ADVISORY

GLOBAL CITIZENS

2:35-3:25

TENTH-GRADE SEMINAR

8:55-9:55

CHORUS

11:10-11:50

LUNCH 11:55-12:10

ADVISORY

CHEMISTRY

12:15-1:15

GLOBAL CITIZENS 1:25-2:40 long

1:25-2:25

CHEMISTRY

FRIDAY

2:00-3:00

ANCIENT GREEK II

ANCIENT GREEK II 2:45-3:25

ACTIVITY BLOCK

Boston University Academy 5

BE challenged

Sample Twelfth Grade Schedule

Grades 11 & 12 All eleventh and twelfth graders enroll in courses at BUA and BU; juniors typically take two courses a semester at the University, while seniors can take as many as four courses a semester at BU

Most students graduate with proficiency in two languages: one classical and one modern (students often achieve in two years the equivalent of four years of high school language study)

Students can pick from over 2,000 BU courses including 27 modern languages

All students must complete calculus by the end of their senior year

All University courses are taken for credit with Boston University faculty and students; most students earn as many as 48 college credits (the equivalent of 12 college courses or 1½ years) prior to graduating

Most juniors enroll in Biology 107 and Biology 108, completing the science sequence that began with physics and chemistry at BUA, and a modern language at the University

Course credits may be transferred at the discretion of the college at which a student matriculates

All seniors complete a year-long thesis project under the guidance of a University professor and a BUA faculty advisor

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

8:30-9:20

8:30-9:45 long

8:30-9:45

CALCULUS I

9:30-10:45 long

CALCULUS I

10:05-11:05

US HISTORY

10:05-11:05

8:55-9:55

IDENTITY & BELONGING: THE STORY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE

ALL-SCHOOL MEETING

11:00-11:50

FRIDAY

IDENTITY & BELONGING: THE STORY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE

CALCULUS I

9:55-10:55

10:05-11:05

US HISTORY

US HISTORY

IDENTITY & BELONGING: THE STORY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE

WEDNESDAY

8:30-9:20

BU BU 10:10-11:00

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

FRIDAY

8:30-9:20

BU

9:30-10:45

WOMEN IN THE MUSLIM WORLD

THURSDAY

CLASS MEETING

BU 10:10-11:00

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

9:30-10:45

WOMEN IN THE MUSLIM WORLD

BU 10:10-11:00

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

11:15-12:05

SENIOR THESIS 12:20-1:10

BU

12:20-1:10 12:30-1:45

GENETICS

SENIOR SEMINAR: THE SHORT STORY BU

Sample Eleventh-Grade Schedule TUESDAY

TUESDAY

ALL-SCHOOL MEETING

SENIOR SEMINAR: THE SHORT STORY

The courses shaded in red are undergraduate-level classes taken at Boston University.

MONDAY

MONDAY

BU

12:20-1:10 12:30-1:45

GENETICS

SENIOR SEMINAR: THE SHORT STORY

1:25-2:15 discussion

GENETICS

8:55-9:55

CLASS MEETING BU

FRENCH IN THE WORLD BU

BU 12:20-1:10

12:20-1:10 IDENTITY & BELONGING: THE STORY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE

1:25-2:15

BIOLOGY I

FRENCH IN THE WORLD

12:30-1:45

2:00-3:50

JUNIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: HAL

BU

1:25-2:15

BIOLOGY I

BU

BU

FRENCH IN THE WORLD

12:30-3:15 long

BIOLOGY I LAB

12:20-1:10

BU

1:25-2:15

BIOLOGY I

2:30-4:20 elective

MUSIC THEORY 6 Curriculum Overview

Boston University Academy 7

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Graduation Requirements The non-shaded areas represent graduation requirements, while the shaded boxes represent elective options. All BUA courses are honors level and there is no tracking.

9

10

11

ENGLISH

Self and Society: The Literary Canon in Conversation

Global Citizens: The Evolution of English Literature

Identity and Belonging: The Story of American Literature

HISTORY

Power and Wisdom in the Ancient World

Makings of the Modern World

United States History

LANGUAGE SCIENCE

Latin or Ancient Greek

Latin or Ancient Greek

Modern Language Program

Modern Language Program

Physics

Chemistry

12 Senior Seminar at BUA or an English course at BU

BU Course

27 modern languages offered at BU; placement is determined by exam (not grade level) CAS BI 107 & 108: Biology I & II

BU Course

MATH

Typical course progression: Advanced Algebra, Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus I, Calculus II, and Multivariate Calculus. Placement is determined by ability and exposure, not grade level; completion of Calculus I is a graduation requirement. Students can take up to Multivariate Calculus at BUA, after which higher level math courses are available at BU.

ARTS

Chamber Ensemble, Chorus, Jazz Band, Drama or Visual Art

ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK

Ninth-Grade Seminar

Tenth-Grade Seminar

Physical Education

Physical Education

Modern Language Program — elective for 9th and 10th graders; by application This full-credit elective program enables underclassmen to study a modern language alongside the five full-credit course load. There are two ways in which ninth and tenth graders can study a modern language: the first is an online program through Middlebury Interactive Languages; the second is advanced modern language study at BU for those tenth graders who demonstrate proficiency equivalent to two years of high school language (by placing into a third semester language course at BU).

Junior Research Seminar (half-credit elective)

Senior Thesis

Physical Education — required of all 9th and 10th graders BUA’s physical education program utilizes BU’s extraordinary athletic facilities and program offerings.

Students in ninth and tenth grade can choose from over two dozen PE electives to fulfill this requirement.

Upperclassmen may choose to use any of the fitness equipment; weight rooms; multipurpose fitness studios; aquatic facilities; and squash, racquetball, and basketball courts housed within BU’s 270,000-squarefoot Fitness and Recreation Center (FitRec).

Junior Research Seminars — optional ½ credit elective for 11th graders

Juniors with defined academic interests may enroll in one of two optional, honors-level seminars. These ½ credit electives provide students with skills in research methodology, and introduce students to University faculty and research being undertaken at Boston University. For many students, these seminars become the basis for their Senior Thesis.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Students tour various laboratories and examine current science periodicals; many students opt to conclude the course by participating in summer research internships.

Continued>>

8 Curriculum Overview

History, Arts, and Letters (HAL) Students examine research methods in the humanities and social sciences, including how to navigate the myriad of University resources in developing research papers.

Advanced Art Seminars — ½ credit elective for 11th and 12th graders Topics for these year-long electives vary from year to year; recent offerings have included: Independent Study in 2D Design, Shakespeare Study, Music Theory, and Musicianship.

Senior Thesis — required coursework for all 12th graders A culminating BUA experience, this year-long project provides students with the opportunity to follow an intellectual passion in depth with the guidance of a university professor and BUA faculty advisor.

Advanced seminars available at BUA and BU

Program Highlights Ninth- and Tenth-Grade Seminars — required The Ninth- and Tenth-Grade Seminars are opportunities for fun, hands-on learning without the added pressures of grades or homework. These courses meet once per week, and rotate through various topics of study: Health & Wellness; Cultural Competency; Computer Science; Design Thinking at the BU Innovate and BUild Lab; Engineering at BU's Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC); and Foundations in Language and Logic. These themes were chosen based on their broad applicability to adolescents and their importance in preparing students for their futures as responsible, productive citizens in society.

Program Highlights

Ninth- & Tenth-Grade Seminars: A Deeper Dive Educating and supporting the whole student is a fundamental part of our philosophy at BUA. The Health & Wellness unit offers engaging lessons on physical and emotional health and wellbeing with special attention to topics of relevance to today’s teenagers, including nutrition; mental health; sexual health; social interactions; and social media and technology use.

It is critical that BUA students learn to be thoughtful, informed, and culturally competent citizens in an increasingly diverse world. The Cultural Competency unit provides a chance to discover our common humanity through active, experiential workshops exploring identity, empathy, stereotypes and bias, and the eight core cultural identifiers.

Computer Science has broad application in today’s job market, and is a key life skill no matter what field of study one chooses to pursue. Students learn the fundamentals of Computer Science through interactive lessons in coding (using Python) and other basics.

BU's Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC) hosts technology clinics where students are introduced to hand tools, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and 3D printing.

In the BU Innovate and BUild Lab, students learn to apply design thinking skills to real-world problems.

Foundations in Language and Logic introduces students to concepts of writtten argument and style. This unit aims to develop an early awareness in students of words as both fun and powerful, and of the ways in which language and logic are working on us every waking hour.

Community Moments All-School Meeting (ASM) takes place every Tuesday morning during the academic year and is an essential part of the BUA program. It is a time for the BUA community to come together to learn, to share news and announcements, and to discuss important issues facing our school and society at large. These weekly gatherings often include talks given by BU professors, visiting scholars, or BUA faculty on their areas of expertise.

Academic Block provides opportunities for students to get a jump-start on homework and to seek out support from teachers and tutors. Academic Blocks are quiet, proctored hours carved out of the school day for all underclassmen.

Advising and Student Support takes on many forms at BUA. Every student is paired with an advisor who supports and encourages that student’s academic and social-emotional wellbeing. Ninth- and tenth-grade students meet with their advisor and advising group three times per week. Class advisors coordinate weekly grade-wide meetings that focus on community norms, adjusting to life at BUA, as well as student health and wellness. The BUA Student Support team also includes the school counselor, learning specialist, and the University liaison who serves as a conduit of communication between BUA and BU instructors.

Student Clubs and Activities provide meaningful ways for students to pursue non-academic interests, enjoy creative outlets, reduce stress, and build community. With more than 50 clubs and 15 interscholastic and recreational sports to choose from, there are more extracurricular opportunities than there are hours in a day!

In our caring high-school community, students who love learning are challenged to think critically and read deeply, and to explore adventurously the wider world of learning at Boston University.

One University Road, Boston, MA 02215 P: 617-358-2493 | F: 617-353-8999 academyadmission@bu.edu