2024-2025 Upper School Course Catalogue

Davidson Day School's Mission:

Davidson Day School fosters academic excellence through collaboration, creativity, and character development.

Davidson Day's values:

MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. Our faculty, staff, and coaches build genuine relationships with students in their care, seeking to understand how they think, feel, and learn.

A SECURE, SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. We prioritize physical, emotional, and intellectual safety in every academic and social environment.

ENRICHING EXPERIENCES. We cultivate curious, well-rounded students. Our academic and extracurricular programs help students discover and explore their interests.

INTEGRITY. We have high standards for honorable and respectful behavior We expect our community members to be compassionate and contribute to the well-being of others

Davidson Day graduates are:

Critical thinkers who are enthusiastic problem solvers

Engaged students who take intellectual risks

Independent thinkers who articulate their ideas with confidence

Lifelong learners who chart their own paths in college and in life

Respectful, ethical citizens who are adept at addressing global challenges Advocates for themselves and others.

7-12

COURSE SELECTION

Course Registration Information - 7

Minimum Graduation Requirements - 8

Course Selection - 9

Honors: Challenge & Motivation - 10

Advanced Placement: College-Level Work - 11

Clarification on Credits - 12

Eighth Grade Credits - 12

13-19

ENGLISH

English I/English I Honors - 14

English II - 15

English II Honors - 15

English III/IV - 16

English III Honors - 16

English IV Honors - 16

AP English Language and Composition - 17

AP English Literature and Composition - 17

English Composition - 18

Creative Writing Honors - 18

Shakespeare in Performance (Honors) - 18

Journalism: Introduction to Yearbook -19

Journalism Honors: Advanced Yearbook -19

20-25

MATHEMATICS

Upper School Mathematics: Course Progression - 22

Algebra I - 23

Geometry/Geometry Honors - 23

Algebra II/Algebra II & Trigonometry (Honors) - 23

AP Statistics - 23

Pre-Calculus - 24

Pre-Calculus with Calculus A [AP Precalc]- 24

AP Pre-Calculus - 24

AP Calculus AB - 24

AP Calculus BC - 25

Calculus III (Post-AP) Honors - 25

26-31

HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCES

Civics/Civics Honors - 27

Big History/Big History Honors - 28

Anthropology/Anthropology Honors - 28

AP World History (Modern) - 29

U S History/U S History Honors - 29

AP U S History - 29

AP Microeconomics/AP Macroeconomics - 30

AP European History - 30

AP Psychology - 30

AP United States Government & Politics - 31

C O N T E N T S

32-38

SCIENCE

Conceptual Physics/Physics Honors - 33

AP Physics 1 - 34

AP Physics 2 - 34

Chemistry/Chemistry Honors - 35

AP Chemistry - 35

Biology/Biology Honors - 36

AP Biology - 36

AP Environmental Science - 36

Human Anatomy and Physiology Honors - 37

Forensics and Microbiology Honors - 38

39-44

WORLD LANGUAGES

French I - 40

French II -40

French III Honors - 40

French IV Honors - 40

French V Honors - 41

AP French Language and Culture - 41

Spanish I - 42

Spanish II - 42

Spanish III/Spanish III Honors - 43

Spanish IV /Spanish IV Honors - 43

Spanish V Honors: Cultural Topics- 43

Spanish V Honors (Pre-AP)/AP Spanish Language and Culture - 44

AP Spanish Literature and Culture - 44

45-53

PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS

Visual Arts - 45

Drawing and Painting - 47

Ceramic Sculpture - 47

Digital Illustration - 48

3-D Animation - 48

Photography I - 48

Photography II - 49

Photography III - 49

Photoshop - 49

Portfolio - 50

AP Studio Art - 50

Music and Performing Arts - 51

Theatre Arts - 52

Theatre Performance Ensemble - 52

Contemporary Ensemble - 53

Modern Music I/II - 53

Film and Production I/II - 53

C O N T E N T S

54-56

TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Introduction to Computer Science - 56

Introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD) - 56

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) - 56

AP Computer Science Principles - 56

AP Computer Science A - 56

57

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Weight Training - 57

58

59-60

ONLINE AND INDEPENDENT STUDY

Online Courses - 58

Other Courses - 58

Independent Study - 58

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS: AFAR

Belize - 60

Spain - 60

Greece - 60

Portugal - 60

61

62

63-64

65

COLLEGE COUNSELING

GPA CALCULATOR & DAILY SCHEDULE

SAMPLE AP CONTRACT

UPPER SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS BY YEAR

COURSE REGISTRATION INFORMATION

TTO THE STUDENT:

This booklet provides information about course selection and registration Please acquaint yourself with the graduation requirements and review the descriptions of courses available to you based on your grade level and your completion of the necessary prerequisites

Give your course selection careful thought and seek the advice of your teachers, advisor, and parents as you design your schedule. The Davidson Day Upper School student experience encompasses more than academics; please carefully consider your other priorities and commitments (i.e., participation in athletics, performing arts, community service, etc ) as you decide on an overall course load that will challenge you yet not overwhelm you

This course guide is intended to give a total picture of the curricular offerings available at Davidson Day School. Not every course will be offered in every academic year. Refer to the course registration sheets distributed to students each spring for a full list of the courses that will be offered in the upcoming academic year.

MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

COURSES NOTES CREDITS

Students must be enrolled in a core English class (English I/II/III/IV, AP English Language, or AP English Literature) each year of Upper School They must also complete Composition (0 5 credit), typically in their junior year 4 5

4

At minimum: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one class beyond Algebra II (typically Pre-Calculus)

Three years of laboratory science are required: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Three years of History are required Students must take Civics (or Big History if enrolled in the Upper School before 2024-2025), World History (or Anthropology if enrolled in the Upper School before 2024-2025), and U.S. History.

Students must earn at least 3 credits in the same language; at least 2 of those credits must be earned in Upper School It is recommended that students continue to take a world language during each year of Upper School.

Students must take at least one course in the Visual Arts or Performing Arts.

A student may request a Physical Education credit for participating in varsity athletics, theater, or another approved extracurricular activity. 1

Any course taken beyond the requirements listed above will be counted as an elective

FRESHMEN are required to take English I (or Honors), Civics (or Honors) (or Big History if enrolled in the Upper School before 2024-2025), and either Conceptual Physics or Physics Honors. Students should consult their 8th-grade teachers and the curriculum guide to choose the math, world language, and elective courses that best fit their needs. In total, freshmen should be enrolled in eight courses, including five academic classes and no more than one study hall.

SOPHOMORES are required to take English II (or Honors), World History (or Honors or AP) (or Anthropology if enrolled in the Upper School before 2024-2025), and Chemistry. Students should consult their freshman-year teachers, college counselors, and the curriculum guide to choose the math, world language, and elective courses that best fit their needs. In total, sophomores should be enrolled in eight courses, including five academic classes and no more than one study hall

JUNIORS are required to take English III (or Honors), U.S. History (or Honors or AP), and Biology (or Honors). AP Language and Composition may be substituted for English III. Students should consult their sophomore-year teachers, college counselors, and the curriculum guide to choose the math, world language, and elective courses that best fit their needs Typically, students take Composition (a one-semester required course) in the fall or spring of their junior year, when it replaces one semester of study hall. In total, juniors should be enrolled in eight courses, including five academic classes and no more than one study hall. However, students enrolled in two or more AP-level courses may choose to take a second study hall

SENIORS are required to take English IV (or Honors); AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition may be substituted for English IV. Students should consult their junior-year teachers, college counselors, and the curriculum guide to choose the math, science, history/social science, world language, and elective courses that best fit their needs; rising seniors must take particular care to ensure that they have met the minimum requirements for graduation In total, seniors should be enrolled in eight courses, with five academic classes and no more than one study hall. However, students enrolled in two or more AP-level courses may choose to take a second study hall.

Students’ course registration will be processed once they have officially enrolled for the next academic year Please note that some courses fill up quickly due to high demand. See chart on page 63 for a full list of courses available to students at each grade level.

Challenging Honors courses are offered to students who have demonstrated the aptitude, work ethic, and previous academic performance to be successful. In order to enroll in an Honors course, a student must satisfy its academic requirements and be recommended by the appropriate department. Interested students should consult with their current teachers about appropriate course placement.

Students who wish to enroll in an Honors course must have finished the nonHonors prerequisite with a minimum final grade of A-. In order for students to remain in an Honors course of study from year to year, they must maintain at least a B- (final grade). Honors courses receive a .50 weighting when GPA is calculated.

Students who choose to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses are often motivated by a passion for and intellectual interest in the subject matter of the course Student success in AP courses is usually driven by a strong aptitude for the subject matter, combined with excellent preparation and a willingness to do all of the work associated with the course. AP courses require a significant commitment in terms of workload, maturity, and classroom presence, so students should consider carefully whether they can manage these responsibilities alongside their other commitments in and out of school Please note that some AP courses also require summer work prior to the start of the school year

Advanced Placement courses follow College Board-approved curriculum and prepare students for the College Board Advanced Placement exams in May. AP courses are the equivalent of college-level courses and the scholastic demands they place on students are similar to those they are likely to encounter in an introductory college course All students taking an AP course are expected to take the corresponding exam in May; this takes the place of a final exam in the course. AP courses receive a 1.0 weighting when GPA is calculated.

Students who wish to enroll in an AP course must have finished the Honors prerequisite with a minimum final grade of A- and must have departmental approval They must also complete an AP Contract for each Advanced Placement course they request (see pages 61-62). Departmental approval is contingent on a review of prior achievement in prerequisite courses, teacher recommendations, AP Contract, and/or placement testing. The relevant department head has the final say in approving students for AP courses and will consider the abilities, goals, and best interests of each student in giving or withholding approval

APEnglishLanguageandComposition

APEnglishLiteratureandComposition

APPre-Calculus

APCalculusAB

APCalculusBC

APStatistics

APBiology

APEnvironmentalScience

APPhysics1*

APPhysics2*

APChemistry

APWorldHistory(Modern)

APU.S.History

APEuropeanHistory

APMacroeconomics*

APMicroeconomics*

APPsychology

APUSGovernmentandPolitics

APSpanishLanguageandCulture

APSpanishLiteratureandCulture

APFrenchLanguageandCulture

APStudioArt

CLARIFICATION ON CREDITS

A year-end grade lower than C- in an academic course may necessitate summer school or another form of remediation. Failure to follow the School’s recommendations may require repetition of the entire course in the following school year

If a student repeats an academic course for which credit has been granted, the grade will be reflected on the transcript and calculated in the GPA, but the course will not be counted twice toward the credits required for graduation.

Credits from courses taken at other accredited schools are transferable and applicable to Davidson Day School graduation requirements if approved by the appropriate department chair and by the Head of Upper School. Courses taken at other schools (including accredited online programs) will be listed separately and attached to the Davidson Day School transcript. At no time will a grade point average from another school be calculated into the Davidson Day GPA.

EIGHTH GRADE CREDITS

Students who earn a Math (Algebra I and/or Geometry) or World Language credit prior to ninth grade, either at Davidson Day School or at another accredited school, may apply those credits toward course completion and graduation requirements However, if placement testing or subsequent performance indicates that a student does not have the requisite preparation to succeed in the next-level math or language course, that student may be asked to repeat the course. Eligible courses taken in middle school are not calculated into the cumulative upper school GPA, but are listed on the transcript

E N G L I S H

EThe English curriculum introduces students to a wide range of ideas and human experiences while developing strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. English classes are seminar-style, discussion-based, and writing-intensive.

Literary analysis, argumentative writing, and personal narrative are taught at all levels and students learn to deconstruct increasingly sophisticated texts and to construct increasingly sophisticated arguments as they progress All core English courses assign summer reading which must be completed prior to the start of the school year.

Enrollment in Honors and Advanced Placement courses requires departmental approval; these courses are academically intensive, proceed at a faster pace, and cover material in more depth than traditional (college prep) level courses.

To fulfill graduation requirements, students must earn four credits of English; must pass Composition; and must be enrolled in a core English class each year of upper school.

ENGLISH I ENGLISH I HONORS

Ninth-grade students read, discuss, and write about novels, short stories, and plays The course also includes both a grammar review and a formal vocabulary program Activities in class are structured to help students find their authorial voice and cultivate it through discussion and composition.

Writing assignments are designed to help students develop clarity of expression, organization, and persuasive techniques. Readings include A Lesson Before Dying, A River Runs Through It, Of Mice and Men, and Death of a Salesman, along with short stories by Kurt Vonnegut, J. D. Salinger, and Jack London. Students at the Honors level will also select a novel from the AP Literature reading list to read during the year Their engagement with this novel culminates in an essay and class presentation

Students will be recommended for English I or English I Honors after consultation with their eighth-grade teachers

ENGLISH II

In this course, students will encounter a variety of nonfiction, nature-related texts including Into the Wild, A Walk in the Woods, Never Cry Wolf, and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

They will also explore life writing with Louis Zamperini’s autobiography, Devil at My Heels In the spring semester, students select a biography of their choice through a class trip to a local bookstore

Class presentations on their chosen biographies provide students an opportunity to reflect on the significance of their selection and to practice their oral presentation skills.

The English II curriculum includes both a formal grammar program and weekly vocabulary enrichment. Students use daily writing prompts to hone their authorial voices and write formal essays that reflect on the required readings. Mastering nonfiction readings enhances students’ ability to recognize main ideas and to make informed, insightful inferences concerning the authors’ purpose. Open to sophomores

ENGLISH II HONORS

In English II Honors, students read fiction and nonfiction that may include The Great Gatsby, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Othello, Three Weeks with My Brother, and Tuesdays with Morrie. They will also be introduced to selected poetry and will continue to receive instruction and practice in vocabulary-building and standard English grammar.

Students in English II Honors learn and extend the skill sets of English II as they complete additional reading and writing assignments, including both personal writing and analyses of complex aesthetic texts. Students who succeed in English II Honors may consider taking AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition in their junior year.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I or English I Honors and an instructor recommendation.

ENGLISH III/IV

Through analysis of novels, visual texts, and other genres, students in English III and English IV review and practice skills in writing (personal and analytical, formal and informal); discussion; thematic analysis; presentation; grammar; and vocabulary

Because organizational maturity is an important component of college preparation, students are expected to maintain a binder with a record of their notes, essays, quizzes, and tests

Classroom participation will be heavily weighted as students prepare to hold their own in college-level discussions English IV students will receive assistance during the first semester with their college application essays

Open to juniors and seniors

ENGLISH III HONORS

English III Honors is a literature-based course focusing on short fiction, novels, drama, and creative nonfiction. Students will read novels such as 1984, The Old Man and the Sea, and Frankenstein; plays such as Hamlet and Fences; and short stories by Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Baldwin.

Students will continue to develop as writers and thinkers by focusing on the skill sets of literary analysis and argument construction While a grammar review is a component of the course, grammar and mechanics are for the most part taught in context Because the course is centered around literary analysis, it can serve as good preparation for students interested in taking an Advanced Placement English class in their senior year

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English II or English II Honors and an instructor recommendation

ENGLISH IV HONORS

Throughout the year, students in English IV Honors construct essays, presentations, and other individual and collaborative projects aimed at interpreting and analyzing literary and non-literary texts.

Writing is assessed based upon content and writing mechanics and will be graded more critically as students work toward a consistent college-level approach to everything they read (or encounter in other media).

Classroom participation will be heavily weighted, especially during the second semester, when students should be fully prepared for college-level discussions. Students receive assistance with college application essays during the first semester.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of a junior-year English class and an instructor recommendation

AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

E N G L I S H

AP English Language and Composition is a writing- and reading-intensive course that makes demands equivalent to those of a full-year introductory college course The course focus is the study of rhetoric, which means that students will learn the various ways in which an effective argument can be presented.

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION

AP English Literature and Composition provides students with a course in composition and literary analysis that makes demands equivalent to those of a full-year introductory college course

E X P L O R I N G E U R O P E

OUR JOURNEY THROUGHOUT 25 CITIES

Students will gain the ability to discern what an argument’s strengths and weaknesses are without dipping into the realm of mere opinion. They will also learn to use rhetorical strategies themselves in their own writing.

All writing and instruction in this course, then, has the purpose of making and defending an argument, or of explaining how the authors read go about making and defending their arguments. The primary course text is The Bedford Reader, which is supplemented by various additional political, social, and personal writings.

Through the close study of literary works of multiple genres, as well as selected critical and scholarly essays, students will sharpen their awareness of language and their understanding of the writer’s craft while developing critical standards for appreciating and evaluating literature. They will also explore the cultural, social, and historical aspects of individual works.

The course examines representative British and American novels and plays from the 16th century to contemporary times. Poetry and short fiction will be chosen to supplement our study of the longer works.

Prerequisites: English II Honors, English III Honors, and/or AP English Literature and Composition. Open to juniors or seniors with departmental approval.

In addition to critical reading and discussion of the assigned works, instruction and practice in writing is a major component of the course: students will write critical, expository, and researchbased papers, both in and out of class, and should expect to rewrite or revise their work through multiple drafts in response to peer and instructor feedback.

Prerequisites: English II Honors, English III Honors, and/or AP English Language and Composition. Open to juniors or seniors with departmental approval.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION

This required, semester-long course immerses students in daily writing practice It emphasizes practice-based learning: after a brief tutorial, students learn a writing-related skill by analyzing examples and practicing the skill, then revising in response to individualized feedback from the instructor and/or other students in the writing group

Students complete frequent in-class writing assignments, short readings of exemplary essays, and occasional short homework assignments

The first part of the course focuses on the personal essay, providing students with the opportunity to work on reflective writing of the type required for college applications Then, focus shifts to the academic essay: the kind of paper students will be asked to produce in college

Students will practice analyzing aesthetic texts and critical arguments before working toward producing an argumentative essay based on analysis of an aesthetic text They will learn to develop a significant interpretive question; interpret textual evidence; develop and articulate an interesting claim; support that claim with evidence and explanation; and incorporate critical interlocutors They will also respond to focused criticism through multiple revisions The course culminates in a final paper; there is no exam

Composition is designed to be taken by juniors, but is also open to first-semester seniors

CREATIVE WRITING (HONORS)

In this Honors English elective, students will learn about and practice the genres of poetry, life writing, and fiction

The aim of this course is to create a supportive workshop environment in which students work with their instructor, with each other, and independently to produce quality writing through multiple revisions Students will be encouraged to work toward publishing or otherwise sharing their work with a larger audience They will be evaluated based on their participation in workshop and structured writing activities, on portfolios of finished work in several genres, and on the quality and scope of a final, self-designed project

Prerequisite: recommendation from an English teacher This course is an elective and does not fulfill the core English class requirements

SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE (HONORS)

In this Honors English elective, students will explore a number of plays (both popular and lesser-known) as actors, designers, directors, filmmakers, and writers, using performance history and performance as a lens on Shakespeare’s words, themes, and stories. The course examines interpretations and adaptations of plays in a variety of media, from page to stage and screen (and dance, opera, cartoons, TV shows, musicals, podcasts, etc.). Students can expect to make discoveries through interactive activities; participate in lively discussions; and articulate their own takes on the plays in writing and in performance.

Prerequisite: recommendation from an English teacher. This course is an elective and does not fulfill the core English class requirements

J

JOURNALISM:

INTRODUCTION TO YEARBOOK

Students in this class produce the Davidson Day yearbook, Revolution. In the process, they are introduced to the vocabulary, sentence structure, tone, and tense of traditional journalistic writing and develop the skills necessary to create captions and short articles based on school activities and events.

The class is structured like a business, with an Editor in Chief, Editors, and a Financial Manager. Staff members practice skills like journalistic photography, journalistic writing, interviewing, selling business ads, organizing fundraisers, and working under deadlines. Students taking this class will be expected to complete some photo sessions and layout assignments outside of class.

Prerequisite: recommendation from an English teacher This course is an elective and does not fulfill the core English class requirement

JOURNALISM HONORS: ADVANCED YEARBOOK

Students in this class produce the Davidson Day yearbook, Revolution.

In Advanced Yearbook, students further the skills developed in Introduction to Yearbook and assume leadership roles in the areas of staff training, management, organization, and design.

Advanced Yearbook students choose the annual theme of the yearbook; develop its content and layout; determine the organization of photos, fonts, text, and advertising; direct the training of new staff; edit spreads; and advise staff members on content and spread development. They coordinate business and senior ad campaigns, the school-wide distribution of the yearbooks, and the Davidson Day Talent Show fundraiser.

Prerequisites: Journalism: Introduction to Yearbook and instructor approval This course is an elective and does not fulfill the core English class requirement Editor positions are assigned by the instructor

Traditional, Honors, and Advanced Placement courses in Mathetmatics meet the learning needs, interests, and aptitude of each student Enrollment in Honors and Advanced Placement courses requires departmental approval; these courses are more academically intensive, proceed at a faster pace, and cover material in more depth than traditional level courses

To fulfill graduation requirements, students must earn four credits of Math and must complete at least one course beyond Algebra II Students should be enrolled in a Math class each year of upper school

PreCalculus w/ Calc A [AP Precalc]

PreCalculus w/ Calc A [AP Precalc]

ALGEBRA I

Algebra I introduces students to the fundamental concepts of algebra and their multiple representations Topics include linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, polynomial expressions, and the elementary properties of functions

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, modeling and solving real-world problems, and the use of a graphing calculator are integral parts of the course

Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra

GEOMETRY

GEOMETRY HONORS

Geometry introduces students to classical Euclidean geometry, lines, angles, circles, polygons and areas, and their associated relationships. Topics include congruence, similarity, solid geometry (surface area and volume), analytic geometry, and right triangle trigonometry.

Both courses emphasize inductive and deductive reasoning and proofs. Geometry Honors is more academically intensive, proceeds at a faster pace, and covers material in more depth.

Prerequisites: Algebra I; an instructor recommendation is required for Honors

ALGEBRA II

ALGEBRA II/TRIGONOMETRY (HONORS)

Both courses begin with a short review of the fundamental algebraic concepts and go on to cover polynomial functions in depth and to introduce rational, square root functions, and complex numbers. Transcendental functions like logarithms and exponential models are covered at both levels, with trigonometric functions discussed at the Honors level.

Graphs and transformations of graphs, solving equations, modeling with functions, and the use of a graphing calculator are integral parts of the course

Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry or Geometry Honors Additionally, an instructor recommendation is required for Honors (With departmental permission, Geometry Honors may be taken at the same time as Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors as a co-requisite)

AP STATISTICS

This course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. There are four themes evident in the content, skills, and assessment in the AP Statistics course: collecting and exploring one- and two-variable data; sampling and experimentation; probability and simulation; and statistical inference.

Students use technology, investigations, problem solving, and writing skills as they build conceptual understanding. AP students should have the intellectual maturity needed to work independently and use higher-level thinking skills to work out complex problems.

Prerequisites: Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors and departmental permission.

PRECALCULUS

Precalculus combines the concepts of trigonometry, geometry, and algebra that are necessary to prepare students for the study of calculus The course strengthens students’ conceptual understanding of algebraic and transcendental functions by discussing them in greater depth The main functions included are polynomial functions; rational and radical functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; and trigonometric functions Solving complex equations, manipulating trigonometric and algebraic expressions, modeling, and the use of a graphing calculator are integral parts of the course

Prerequisites: Algebra II

PRECALCULUS WITH CALCULUS A [AP PRECALCULUS]

This is a fast-paced, rigorous course that studies advanced algebra topics and trigonometry and the fundamental concepts of differential calculus This course is designed for students who expect math to be a major component of their future college and career experiences, and it is designed to provide students with strong foundations for AP Calculus Topics include the study of algebraic, transcendental, and trigonometric functions, including polar and parametric functions Convergence of series, limits, differentiability, and rules of differentiation are also studied in depth

Prerequisites: Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry and departmental approval

AP PRECALCULUS

AP Precalculus prepares students for college-level mathematics and science courses and offers the potential to receive college credit Topics include the study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic functions, and polar functions and a thorough focus on Trigonometry

The AP Precalculus framework requires deep mastery of functions and modeling through multiple representations and the proper use of justifications to provide rationales for conclusions The use of a graphing calculator is an integral part of the course

Prerequisites: Honors Algebra II with Trigonometry TOPICS IN

MATHEMATICS

This course is a survey of topics featuring applications that highlight the usefulness of mathematics in the world around us Students will be asked to demonstrate learning by creating real-world projects through research and application The class will offer a review for the ACT and SAT exams, including an introduction to Statistics and Probability, followed by a review of Exponential and Logarithmic functions with an emphasis on financial literacy. This course is also intended to reinforce underlying mathematical and problem-solving skills. Collaborative work and the use of technology are integral parts of this course.

Prerequisites: Algebra II

AP CALCULUS AB

In AP Calculus, students use definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions They explore concepts, results, and problems graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally

Exploring connections among these representations builds understanding of how calculus applies limits to develop important ideas, definitions, formulas, and theorems A sustained emphasis on clear communication of methods, reasoning, justifications, and conclusions is essential

AP CALCULUS AB (cont.)

Teachers and students regularly use technology to reinforce relationships among functions, to confirm written work, to implement experimentation, and to assist in interpreting results.

In AP Calculus AB, topics include limits and continuity, differentiation and integration, contextual and analytical applications of differentiation and integration, and differential equations.

AP students should have the intellectual maturity needed to work independently and to use higher-level thinking skills to work out complex problems.

Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus Honors and departmental approval.

AP CALCULUS BC

AP Calculus BC includes all AP Calculus AB topics and also covers parametric equations, polar curves, vector-value functions, and convergence of series

Prerequisites: AP Calculus AB and departmental approval In exceptional cases, students may (with departmental approval and additional summer work) proceed straight into AP Calculus BC from Pre-Calculus Honors

CALCULUS III (POST-AP) AND LINEAR ALGEBRA

These semester courses include calculus concepts into the third dimensional plane to represent lines and surfaces. Differential and integral calculus are discussed from this new multivariable approach and students learn how to find tangent lines and planes, gradients, Lagrange multipliers, and length of three dimensional curves as well as volumes underneath surfaces. Linear Algebra topics include the study of vectors and vector spaces as well as matrix applications and transformations. Because this “post-AP” courses makes demands similar to those of an AP course, it receives a 1.0 weighting when GPA is calculated.

Prerequisites: AP Calculus BC

HStudents in History courses learn to interpret primary and secondary sources, to think critically, and to write analytically through assignments based on research, analysis, synthesis, inquiry, and critical thinking in order to develop a deeper understanding of the past and its connections to the present

All core History/Social Sciences courses assign summer reading which must be completed prior to the start of the school year Enrollment in Honors and Advanced Placement courses requires departmental approval; these courses are more academically intensive, proceed at a faster pace, and cover material in more depth than traditional courses

Three years of History are required Students must take Civics (or Big History if enrolled in the Upper School before 20242025), World History (or Anthropology if enrolled in the Upper School before 20242025), and U.S. History.

CIVICS CIVICS HONORS

Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens within a society This course will examine the foundations, structure, principles and processes in American democracy The primary focus includes national, state and local governments, courts and legal systems, and international systems Participation, both voluntary and compulsory, is critical for a wellfunctioning democratic society So, techniques of civic engagement to preserve or change their society and community are also discussed throughout the course.

Students will be expected to read, analyze, and interpret a wide range of documents and media related to these topics. In addition to traditional classroom activities like lectures and note-taking, activities will include discussions and debates, projects, research, and outreach.

CIVICS

CIVICS HONORS (cont.)

E N G L I S H

At the Honors level, less class time is devoted to instruction as more comprehensive projects and assignments require more time for work and collaboration. Honors students are expected to read, learn and retain the information more independently, often through homework assignments. Additionally, the expectation will include greater quality and quantity in writing assignments, in-class speaking, assessments and projects.

ANTHROPOLOGY

ANTHROPOLOGY HONORS

E X P L O R I N G E U R O P E

Anthropology is the science of mankind in its entirety. These courses provide students with a systematic overview of the field of Anthropology through an analysis of its four subfields: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics.

OUR JOURNEY THROUGHOUT 25 CITIES

By exploring cross-cultural differences and commonalities, students become aware of anthropological accounts of "human nature" and "common sense."

Students will be recommended for Civics or Civics Honors after consultation with their eigth-grade teachers

BIG HISTORY

BIG HISTORY HONORS

This course allows students to survey the past from multiple disciplinary perspectives It uses the theme of increasing complexity to develop a single historical narrative that stretches from the Big Bang to the present and beyond

Students in this course will sharpen their critical thinking skills by engaging in meaningful scientific inquiry and historical investigations They will learn about the nature of evidence and argument by analyzing source material using techniques from traditional history as well as approaches borrowed from cosmology, geology, biology, and anthropology

Throughout the year, special attention will be given to understanding and critiquing the arguments made by scholars At the Honors level, students will learn how to critique arguments made by others and then use primary and secondary source material to organize and craft academic arguments of their own

Big History was offered for the last time in the 2023-2024 school year

Students will visit different parts of the world through readings, lectures, and film, allowing them to observe a variety of worldviews, norms, and values. They will develop an effective knowledge of basic concepts in anthropology, important findings in the field, research methods, as well as an overview of the cultures of the world. Because of the broad spectrum of the subject matter in the field of anthropology, almost every subject that man has dealings with is a possible choice for discussion.

The Honors section of Anthropology will dig a little deeper into the subject of field ethnography. Honors students research the tribal life of the Huni Kui, an indigenous tribe residing in the Amazon forest of Peru Anthropology Honors assessments also differ from assessments in the Traditional Anthropology course in the depth and scope of material that students in Honors are required to master

Prerequisites: Civics or Civics Honors, or departmental approval An instructor recommendation is required for Anthropology Honors

AP WORLD HISTORY (MODERN)

AP World History (Modern) is a college-level survey of world history from approximately 1200 CE to the modern era. Topics covered include the causes and processes of global cultural and economic integration; industrialization and its consequences; the spread and collapse of Western colonialism; and the great worldwide ideological conflicts of the twentieth century This course will push students to think, write, and work like historians They will learn the practice of history by explicitly developing historical thinking skills as they learn about the past.

The reading load for this course is significant; the course textbook will be supplemented by a wide variety of both primary and secondary source documents In-class activities include discussions, lectures, group projects, and debates.

Prerequisites: Big History Honors and departmental approval

U.S. HISTORY

U.S. HISTORY HONORS

This course surveys United States history from the peopling of North America to the present In order to appreciate the complexity of the United States and its people, students will consider this history from diverse points of view and trace social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural continuities and changes over time The course begins with the arrival of humans in North America and progresses through the pre-Columbian period; European colonization; the Revolution; the creation of a new republic; territorial and democratic expansion; sectionalism and the Civil War; industrialization and the Progressive Era; America’s emergence on the world stage; Depression and the New Deal; the World Wars; the Cold War and American international hegemony; and societal changes from the 1950s to the present day

Students will be required to demonstrate mastery of basic historical thinking and analytical skills. Class activities include discussions, lectures, group projects, and historiographical debates about some of the big questions of American history. In U.S. History, students will be introduced to and gain practice in the interpretation of primary source material. In U.S. History Honors, they will become skilled at using primary source material to develop and support historical arguments.

Prerequisite: A teacher recommendation is required for Honors.

AP U.S. HISTORY

AP U.S. History is a college-level survey of United States history. This course will push students to think, write, and work like historians. They will learn the practice of history by explicitly developing historical thinking skills as they learn about the past.

Reading requirements in this course are significantly greater than in the other U.S. History courses; assigned readings include primary-source documents, textbook readings, political cartoons, maps, data sets, and pictures. Class time is spent in discussions, lectures, activities, and debates.

AP MICROECONOMICS

AP MACROECONOMICS

Economics examines the processes that determine the production and consumption of goods and services It is the study of how humans cope with scarcity: the combination of potentially unlimited wants and limited resources with which to meet them

Microeconomics focuses on the principles of economics as applied to individual decision makers, both producers and consumers, within an economic system

Macroeconomics focuses on the principles of economics as applied to the economic system as a whole

AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics – offered in alternate years – move quickly and scaffold economic concepts over the course of the year Students considering either course should be able to work independently as they read, practice, and study for mastery of the economic concepts presented

Offered in alternate years to juniors and seniors with departmental approval

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY

AP European History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from approximately 1450 to the present This includes but is not limited to the Renaissance, Reformation, Absolutism, Napoleonic Era, Industrialization, Imperialism, and 20th-century global conflicts Throughout the course, students will analyze primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time The course will utilize a variety of learning methods including but not limited to note-taking, presentations, geographical development, essay writing, and debates to assist students in their analytical development

This course is open to juniors and seniors with departmental approval

AP PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and thought processes to understand the internal and external aspects of human experience.

AP PSYCHOLOGY (cont.)

AP Psychology covers psychological concepts such as learning, motivation, memory, neuroanatomy, and the function of the nervous system.

In preparing students for the AP exam, this course will go beyond a lecture style of learning to foster critical thinking skills through projects, models, group work, and guided discussion.

Students will engage in active learning by analyzing, interpreting, and designing experiments to provide a deeper understanding of problem solving, language acquisition, creativity, attention, intelligence, testing, and social dynamics. They will compare and contrast experiments, correlational studies, naturalistic observations, and case studies as means to gather data. Students taking this course must be prepared to read and work on sophisticated projects both in and out of the classroom.

This course is open to juniors and seniors with departmental approval

AP US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis.

This course is open to juniors and seniors with departmental approval.

S C I E N C E

SIn science courses, students learn the fundamental principles of science and the processes by which scientists acquire knowledge: observation, classification, experimentation, analysis, and application All science courses include laboratory activities that support classroom work. Enrollment in Honors and Advanced Placement courses requires departmental approval; these courses are more academically intensive, proceed at a faster pace, and cover material in more depth than traditional-level courses.

To fulfill graduation requirements, students must complete at least one credit each of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS PHYSICS HONORS

Both Physics courses use modeling instruction to cover the fundamental concepts of Newtonian Physics; Honors Physics also covers work and energy, mechanical waves, and an introduction to electrical circuits.

Modeling instruction prompts students to develop their own conceptual understanding of physical phenomena by building models. Students begin each unit with an inquiry-based activity that allows them to observe, investigate, and measure a physical event. They then begin to build a model of that physical phenomenon through collaborative analysis of their data and class-wide Socratic discussions.

Models are representations of physical phenomena that take the form of 1) graphical relationships between variables; 2) mathematical equations derived from analysis of the graphs; 3) diagrammatic representations of physical phenomena; or 4) narrative descriptions of physical phenomena. These models have broad application and predictive power.

As students continue to deepen their conceptual understanding of each model, they are able to translate fluently between different forms of the model and use the models they develop to solve complex problems. In Conceptual Physics, the mathematical models are limited to concepts covered in Algebra 1; Honors Physics adds concepts covered in Geometry

Students will be recommended for Conceptual Physics or Physics Honors after consultation with their eighth-grade teachers Co-requisite for Physics Honors: enrollment in Geometry or higher

AP PHYSICS 1

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course Students cultivate their understanding of physics through hands-on laboratory work and inquiry-based investigations as they explore kinematics; dynamics; circular motion and gravitation; energy; momentum; simple harmonic motion; torque and rotational motion; electric charge and electric force; DC circuits; and mechanical waves and sound

AP Physics 1 is the equivalent of a firstsemester introductory college course in algebra-based physics

Laboratory exercises in this course provide students with opportunities to demonstrate the foundational physics principles and apply science practices.

Prerequisites: departmental approval; Physics Honors is strongly recommended Co-requisite: enrollment in Pre-Calculus Honors or higher.

AP PHYSICS 2

AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore fluids; thermodynamics; electrical force, field, and potential; electric circuits; magnetism and electromagnetic induction; geometric and physical optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics

AP Physics 2 is the equivalent of a secondsemester introductory college course in algebra-based physics

Laboratory exercises in this course provide students with opportunities to demonstrate the foundational physics principles and apply science practices.

Prerequisites: departmental approval; Physics Honors is strongly recommended Co-requisite: enrollment in Pre-Calculus Honors or higher.

CHEMISTRY

CHEMISTRY HONORS

This course presents the fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry: properties of matter; nomenclature; atomic structure; chemical reactions; stoichiometry; gases; thermochemistry; chemical bonding; solids, liquids, and solutions; acids and bases; and kinetics and equilibrium.

Laboratory work emphasizes quantitative measurement and develops students’ investigative techniques and their ability to interpret results. At the Honors level, strong emphasis is placed on critical thinking, independent laboratory investigations, and writing.

Students are expected to master basic concepts independently; to draw general conclusions from particular cases; and to demonstrate their understanding not only conceptually, but also mathematically.

The Honors course is designed to students for future advanced coursework, such as AP Chemistr faster paced, more rigorous, and more outside time for preparat completion of assignments th traditional Chemistry course.

An instructor recommendat required for Honors

AP CHEMISTRY

The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry.

Following a curriculum outlined by the College Board, students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through classroom demonstrations, lectures, and inquiry-based investigations.

Students develop competency in the typical laboratory skills of a college course Course content includes atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.

Prerequisites: Chemistry Honors, Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors, and departmental approval

BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY HONORS

These courses provide an introduction to the major principles of modern biology: the organization of life; the interaction of organisms with other organisms and with their environments; and the change in organisms over time

Major topics include cell structure and function; cell division; DNA replication; protein synthesis; genetics; evolution; phylogeny; the anatomy and physiology of plants and animals; ecology; and biological diversity

Students use research, classroom discussion, and laboratory activities to acquire an understanding of the dynamic world of living organisms and their place in that world

In addition to exploring with greater depth and rigor the content covered in traditional Biology, students in Biology Honors will also be exposed to learning through inquiry, using relevant and current research data and through independent experiment design.

The focus in this course is on integrating complex concepts and applying creative thought to problem-solving for issues like population growth, genetic modification of organisms, and epidemiology.

An instructor recommendation is required for Honors

AP BIOLOGY

The AP Biology course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in biology

Following a curriculum outlined by the College Board, the topics in this course are organized into three broad areas: molecules and cells; individual organisms; and populations.

Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics like evolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and system interactions

AP Biology is more in-depth and is taught at a much faster pace than Biology or Biology Honors. Students will be asked to integrate complex concepts and to use logic and creative thought to work through problems; a significant amount of independent work is required.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval; Biology Honors strongly recommended

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

In AP Environmental Science, students cultivate an understanding of the interrelationships of the natural world through inquiry-based laboratory investigations and collaborative research.

The course topics are organized around four big ideas: energy transfer; interactions between earth systems; interactions between different species and the environment; and sustainability.

The use of models and exploration of current global research enhances students’ appreciation of how these big ideas converge in the field of Environmental Science

Prerequisites: Physics Honors, Biology Honors, and departmental approval

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY HONORS

Students in Human Anatomy and Physiology Honors learn through inquiry using medical case studies and laboratory exercises. The course provides a comprehensive study of the structure and function of the human body.

Topics include anatomical terminology, homeostasis, cytology, and histology, as well as the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, immune, and reproductive systems.

Students will develop an integrated understanding of biological concepts and will apply that understanding to solve problems Microscopy and dissection are major components of the laboratory work in this course

Prerequisites: Biology or Biology Honors; this course is open to juniors and seniors with an instructor recommendation

N G L I S H

FORENSICS AND MICROBIOLOGY HONORS

The first part of this course provides an introduction to forensic science. Students explore topics and techniques used in crime scene investigation, including fingerprint analysis, forensic entomology, forensic anthropology, DNA analysis, and drug and toxin analysis.

They will also perform electrophoresis and learn how techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and short tandem repeats (STR) are used in forensics. Students use research, classroom discussion, and laboratory activities to acquire an understanding of the biology used in forensic science and gain handson practice in applying scientific principles to solve problems.

In the second half of the course, students are introduced to the study of microorganisms. The course covers the major concepts of microbiology, including

the fundamental structural and metabolic characteristics of microorganisms and basic techniques for their enrichment, selection, isolation, enumeration, and identification.

This part of the course also introduces epidemiology, focusing on the major pathogenic microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, and parasites) and the diseases caused by each. Students will read current research on the importance of microorganisms in functional ecosystems and their economic significance. They will use research, classroom discussion, and laboratory activities to acquire an understanding of the microorganisms living in, on, and around us.

A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE AS TOLD BY ANDREW SIMMONS

Prerequisites: Biology or Biology Honors; this course is open to juniors and seniors with an instructor recommendation.

WThe World Languages Department helps students achieve increasing levels of proficiency in the four language skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Upon matriculation in the upper school, students are placed in the appropriate World Languages course(s) based on past performance and/or proficiency testing.

To fulfill graduation requirements, students must successfully complete three credits in the same language; the completion of four years of language study in Upper School is encouraged

FRENCH I

French I is designed for beginning students of French. The course guides students to use the four language skill areas listening, speaking, reading, and writing within culturally appropriate contexts

Students learn to describe themselves, their families and homes, and their preferences in terms of school and pastimes Then, students look outward to communicate about their communities, their relationships, and travel in the French-speaking world. There is an emphasis on interpretive skills (listening and reading) before students are expected to articulate their own thoughts in French.

FRENCH II

French II exposes students to French vocabulary through topics based on friends and family relations, education, food and shopping, travel, and typical daily routines These topics allow students to communicate about their present-day lives and to express their experiences of the past and expectations for the future

The course has an emphasis on acquiring vocabulary outside of a textbook through conversations in the classroom and uses authentic resources to provide this input

Prerequisite: Successful completion of French I.

FRENCH III HONORS

In French III Honors, students work on applying their interpersonal, presentational and interpretive skills in the areas of reading, writing and speaking through a variety of authentic resources such as texts, songs and videos. Students begin to also look at experiences of those in the French speaking community and start to compare and contrast the French community with the students own culture. In French III, students work on completing this task in the target language. Students are also expected to participate in French more than English on a daily basis.

Throughout the course, students are expected to communicate using previously taught concepts and apply those to the new concepts that are taught throughout the year. Making a personal connection to the language and culture, rather than rely on predetermined vocabulary, will be an essential part of French III honors

New vocabulary and grammar will be taught in a concrete fashion and will allow students to communicate on matters related to their future plans, healthcare, travel, fairy tales and culinary life in France

Prerequisite: Successful completion of French II (with an 80% average)

FRENCH IV HONORS

French IV Honors students continue to work on applying their interpersonal, presentational and interpretive skills in the areas of reading, writing and speaking through almost exclusively authentic resources

E N G L I S H

Students continue to improve the skill of comparing the culture of the French speaking community to their own culture in the target language. The expectation of communicating in French is still present, and students work towards communicating exclusively in French, with as little English as possible.

AP FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The AP French Language and Culture course is a culmination of French studies that emphasizes communication via interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills rather than grammar and targeted vocabulary.

E X P L O R I N G E U R O P E

French IV honors students are also expected to communicate with all the concepts taught in their previous French course and apply those to the new concepts in order to help them express their own ideas. Along with more advanced grammatical structures, students will delve into the world of the French speaking community outside of Europe, exploring the African Francophone world.

OUR JOURNEY THROUGHOUT 25 CITIES

The course is based around six themes: Families and Communities; Personal and Public Identities; Beauty and Aesthetics; Science and Technology; Contemporary Life; and Global Challenges. These themes are explored through contemporary and historical contexts with a focus on French as a worldwide language.

The course is taught almost exclusively in French and relies upon various texts, films, articles, music, podcasts, and television episodes.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of French III Honors (with an 80% average) and instructor recommendation.

FRENCH V HONORS

French V Honors is typically taken as preparation for AP French Language and Culture in the following year. The two courses are taught in a two-year rotation, with similar content covered in French V Honors and AP French but with assignment structure differing by level.

Prerequisites: French IV Honors and an instructor recommendation

Prerequisites: French V Honors and departmental approval.

their basic language skills start with this introductory course. The class encompasses thematic units including introductory dialogues, common questions, and organization by grammatical theme and word families before shifting to more culturally centered topics from around the Spanish-speaking world. Students will learn to read, write, listen, and produce Spanish, achieving a novice level of memorized and produced speech during the course of this class. Exposure to authentic materials include popular songs, short stories, videos, and games. Grammatical structures covered in the course include articles, nouns, adjectives, and verb conjugations in the present tense. The class will be taught in English and Spanish, transitioning to being taught increasingly in Spanish by the end of the academic year.

Prerequisite: Proficiency exams may be used to determine appropriate levels for incoming students.

through thematic units centered around education, friends and family relations, daily life, technology, clothes, travel, and traditions. These topics allow students to communicate about their present-day lives as well as to express their experiences of the past and expectations of the future. Students will also explore cultural norms and traditions from twelve Spanishspeaking countries. The course has a communicative focus that aims to develop students’ ability to narrate about familiar topics in both speech and writing. Students are expected to use Spanish to communicate during class time. The instructor uses Spanish a majority of the time when interacting with students, but may use English when introducing new grammar points.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish I / proficiency exams may be used to determine appropriate level for incoming students.

SPANISH III

SPANISH III HONORS

Students taking Spanish III and III Honors will expand upon their previous knowledge and understanding of the Spanish language to sharpen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students will study thematic units that cover pastimes, travel and leisure, relationships, concepts of beauty and fashion, and health and medicine while learning advanced grammar, idiomatic expressions, and topical vocabulary contextualized historically and culturally. Daily work emphasizes speaking, reading, and writing exercises as students are encouraged to communicate more in the target language. Both courses are taught mostly in Spanish. Spanish III Honors covers more academically intensive topics, explores analysis through cross-cultural comparisons, proceeds at a faster pace, and covers more material in more depth than Spanish III.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish II; an instructor recommendation is required for Honors. Proficiency exams may be used to determine appropriate level for incoming students.

SPANISH IV

SPANISH IV HONORS

Spanish IV begins more in-depth cultural study in Spanish using authentic resources and the building of academic vocabulary Students explore products, practices and perspectives from Spanish-speaking countries in relation to the visual arts, human geography, extreme weather conditions, nutrition, food safety and the economy, and the impact of access to education on career goals and opportunities Conversational skills are emphasized, and written compositions are assigned to develop the ability to express complex ideas and compare cultural differences

The course is taught almost entirely in Spanish Honors requires more in-depth exploration of these topics through amplified vocabulary study, analysis and cross-cultural comparisons and proceeds at a faster pace in terms of what students are expected to be able to produce in the language in speaking and writing

Prerequisites: Spanish 3 / Spanish 3-Honors Instructor recommendation is required for honors

SPANISH V HONORS: CULTURAL TOPICS

Spanish V Honors (Cultural Topics) explores in-depth cultural themes through materials created for language learners, as well as authentic pop-culture and academic sources and prepares students to further develop an intermediate level of proficiency. Through exposure to authentic fiction and non-fiction readings, films, and documentaries students gain practical knowledge and advanced oral practice to improve their navigation of the Spanishspeaking World. This course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish and students are expected to use the language at all times to converse with their peers as well as with their teacher. Students will cover thematic units that reflect personal and religious beliefs, identity, global citizenship, different ways of life, social consciousness, and discoveries and inventions encountered in Latin America.

Prerequisites: Spanish IV Honors and an instructor recommendation.

SPANISH

V HONORS (PRE-AP) / AP

SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

This course is taught as a two-year sequence beginning with Spanish 5honors (Pre-AP) and continuing the following year with AP Spanish Language and Culture. All six AP themes will be explored in-depth each year, with a focus on different sub-topics each year to deepen cultural knowledge, facilitate making connections across themes and other disciplines, and enhance language acquisition The themes include: families and communities, personal and public identities, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges The course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational skills in real-life situations This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness

The AP Spanish Language & Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish The AP Spanish Language & Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts The course further develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e g , tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions)

AP Spanish Language and Culture is more academically intensive, requires greater linguistic control, and deeper analysis of the relationships between cultural products, practices and perspectives

Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 4Honors and teacher recommendation

AP Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 5honors. Rising seniors or those planning to take AP Spanish Literature and Culture their senior year may take the course upon completion of Spanish-4 honors with teacher recommendation

AP SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE

AP Spanish Literature and Culture is equivalent to a college or university survey course of literature written in Spanish at the first level counted towards a major in this subject area The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course uses a thematic approach to introduce students to representative texts (short stories, novels, poetry, plays, and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and U S Hispanic literature Students develop proficiencies across the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational) in the range of Intermediate High to Advanced Mid of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages’ (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Through careful examination of the required readings and other texts, students work to hone their critical reading and analytical writing skills. Literature is explored within the contexts of its time and place, and students gain insights on the many voices, historical periods, and cultures represented in the required readings and other texts. The course also includes a strong focus on cultural, artistic, and linguistic connections and comparisons, which is supported by the exploration of various media (art, music, film, articles, and literary criticism).

AP Spanish Literature and Culture is equivalent to a college or university survey course of literature written in Spanish at the first level counted towards a major in this subject area.

Prerequisites: AP Spanish Language and Culture Rising Seniors who have completed Spanish 5-honors may be considered on a case-by-case basis with teacher recommendation.

Participation in the arts is central to Davidson Day School’s core mission of fostering creativity and cultural appreciation, and to the project of cultivating well-rounded students.

To graduate, students must complete at least one full credit in the arts

Students at Davidson Day routinely graduate with four or more credits in the Visual and/or Performing Arts.

V I S U A L A R T S

DRAWING AND PAINTING

P A R T I C I P A T I O N

Students in Drawing and Painting begin with observational drawing, studying how to use line and value to convey form. They move on to explore color theory and a variety of brush techniques. This course exposes students to a variety of twodimensional media, including graphite, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, and acrylic paint.

Beginning art courses emphasize skills, making the student aware of past works and the importance of accurate observation

For the more advanced student artist, choice of subject, imagery, and medium provide opportunities for individual creativity and artistic growth

VV I S U A L A R T S

CERAMIC SCULPTURE

In Ceramic Sculpture, students learn how to develop conceptual sketches into threedimensional artwork. A variety of handbuilding techniques are explored, including slab construction and building onto an armature. Surface treatments include texture application and glazing. Projects will range from simple pots to traditional portraiture to abstracted architecture.

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION

Digital Illustration reinforces traditional drawing skills while introducing students to the digital medium. Students learn how to construct two-dimensional compositions using vector shapes, then combine those images with text to create dynamic graphics for commercial art applications. Illustration projects include greeting cards, posters, and package design.

3-D ANIMATION

In this course, students learn modeling and animation techniques using Maya software. The course begins with polygonal modeling: shaping complex objects out of geometric primitives in a virtual workspace. Students will also learn how to apply color and texture to their creations. Ultimately, the class will rig their models and animate them in the same virtual space.

PHOTOGRAPHY I

Photography I introduces students to the fundamentals of photography and the camera. It covers visual basics including composition, layering, light, and the decisive moment. Camera basics include how to use a digital camera (off of automode) and how to use the exposure triangle to achieve the best exposure.

Adobe Lightroom is the professional software used for image management and post-production.

Students in this course also learn about content, story, point of view, and what makes a great photograph. They are encouraged to develop their own point of view, their own vision, and to recognize what it is that makes them and their way of seeing unique.

Numerous photography projects are balanced with research and written assignments. At the end of the year, students create a final portfolio of work.

PHOTOGRAPHY II

Photography II explores the nature of light and story – both finding light in our everyday lives and creating light to help communicate story Students continue their study of the photo constructs as defined by TLC Timing, Light, and Composition further building on skills developed in Photography I The course explores such topics as natural and studio light, portrait photography, Photoshop, and photojournalism

Students are encouraged to develop their own vision and to recognize what it is that makes them and their way of seeing unique. In addition to photography projects, they will complete written assignments and presentations. Students produce and maintain their own websites to showcase their work and finish the year with a final portfolio.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photography I

PHOTOGRAPHY III

Photography III is for seri photographers who want t themselves as they further th tell stories with images. They intricacies of the digital SLR editing skills to the next continue to craft their own p style.

Students must be able independently, create and e own project proposals, and use of their class time to exp disciplines of photography an area of concentration. Stude and maintain their own showcase their work and fin with a final portfolio.

Prerequisites: Photography I a

PHOTOSHOP

This elective focuses on concept, using Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop to create photo-illustrations that communicate ideas. Students continue to develop their own point of view and photographic style, expanding their creative palette with Photoshop. They solidify their understanding of the camera and exposure and use this expertise in conjunction with Photoshop to develop a firm understanding of the software’s creative potential. Students complete many Photoshop projects, balanced with research and written assignments. They keep a creative journal to record ideas, inspiration, and the process behind each illustration. The year ends with a final portfolio of their best work.

Prerequisites: Photography I and II

PORTFOLIO

Portfolio provides an opportunity for upperclassmen to do more in-depth work with a medium or subject of their choice. In place of group lessons, students develop an individualized project plan in conversation with the instructor and work throughout the year to complete it.

Past projects have ranged from impressionist landscape painting to abstract expressionist collage: the focus can be as flexible as the imagination of the student artist.

This class is commonly used as a steppingstone to AP Studio Art, but it may also serve as a standalone class for students who want to develop a portfolio of original works

AP STUDIO ART

Students work under the direction of the instructor to develop a portfolio for submission to the College Board Advanced Placement judges at the end of the school year.

Each student proposes, and develops over the course of the year, a series of artworks representing a sustained investigation into a common visual theme. Students are required to create works that document their own artistic growth while working within a consistent visual thesis.

While work in this course is largely selfdirected, class time will include both individual guidance and group critiques.

Prerequisite: departmental approval

Music and performing arts courses marry technique and continued development of fundamental skills with an intense exploration of creative expression as it relates to the human experience

Many music and performing arts courses have a required performance component, and rehearsals and performances for those courses may be scheduled beyond the academic day

THEATRE ARTS

This theatre course introduces basic improvisation, beginning playwriting, monologue and scene analysis, character research and development, and an introduction to special projects based on students’ collective interest.

Journal writing, project-based research, and peer critiques are designed to complement performance experience.

Students create and perform an original work born of their own ideas, concerns, feelings, and motivations Theatre Arts operates on a three-year rotation that offers training in different subject areas

Every theatre course provides opportunities for students to develop and hone fundamental skills, broaden their knowledge of plays and playwrights, learn theatre history, and take field trips to see live theatre

THEATRE PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE

As members of a select company of actors, students in Theatre Performance Ensemble research, rehearse, and perform

thought-provoking, challenging theatre while honing fundamental skills and collaborating with other ensemble members.

The course explores the ways in which theatre inspires, educates, increases awareness, and instigates social change.

Students encounter innovative playwrights and theatre companies whose work has made an impact on the broader social, cultural, and global collective consciousness.

The majority of class time will be spent in rehearsal or working on specific pieces for performance, with occasional after-school rehearsal leading up to performance.

As advanced actors, Performance Ensemble students will also participate in Davidson Day Theatre productions, the Improv Comedy show, the Musical Review, and/or collaborations with local theatre companies

New students (not previously enrolled) interested in being considered for Performance Ensemble must audition

CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE

E N G L I S H

Contemporary Ensemble is Davidson Day School’s very own “School of Rock”! These ensembles allow students to learn and perform contemporary music, primarily in the pop and rock style, with a dash of jazz, blues, and funk.

MODERN MUSIC I/II

E X P L O R I N G E U R O P E

Contemporary Ensemble is open to students at any level, from those with a great deal of experience and musical background to those who are just beginning. Repertoire and individual parts are adjusted to the level of each student, with an emphasis on providing a challenge that is still within reach.

A blend of history, musicology, popular culture, and the arts, Modern Music focuses on the musical artists, songs, and styles of the last hundred years in genres including but not limited to rock, pop, R&B, jazz, country, blues, funk, soul, folk/bluegrass, and classical.

OUR JOURNEY THROUGHOUT 25 CITIES

Students can expect listening exams as well as presentations and projects. Making use of digital technology, they will create music using loops, samples, and computer-generated sounds. Projects include creating an original song using the recording software GarageBand.

All instruments and vocalists are welcome; no audition required. Students are allowed and encouraged to explore instruments other than their primary instrument.

They are required to perform publicly with the ensemble at least once per quarter during scheduled performances.

Required: Guitars, electric bass, keyboards, and drums are available in the classroom, but students are required to have an instrument at home on which to practice

Students will also create a new soundtrack of sequence music and audio effects for a chase sequence from a popular movie. There is no performance requirement for this course.

FILM AND PRODUCTION I/II

This course teaches students how to appreciate the art form of motion pictures.

Course topics include the history of film; film genres; the elements of a film; film's power as a communication medium, its potential cultural and historical impact; and how to critically view and understand a film.

Students will watch a number of films, from The Godfather to Memento, and they can expect to write essays on several of them In addition to learning how to "read" a film, students will begin to learn the process of digital film creation and editing

Students also learn about the concepts of digital video editing and gain an understanding of entry-level digital editing software There is no performance requirement for this course

TTechnology and computer science classes teach design, logical reasoning, and computational problem solving skills

Beyond computer literacy, these courses introduce students to the possibility of creating and adapting new technologies, helping students learn to become technology innovators.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

This course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, and data. Students will build their own websites, apps, and games using HTML, CSS, and Blockly code, a visual coding language that runs on JavaScript. This is an introductory course that empowers students to create authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN (CAD)

This course presents an organized series of concise instructions for learning how to use today’s leading desktop computer aided design software and covers the basic concepts of 2D drawing and 3D customization Students interested in exploring the fields of architecture, engineering, or design will receive basic instructions in CAD programming

Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry

INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

This course is a survey style course that will cover the history and development of Artificial Intelligence technologies; from Alan Turing’s first description of artificial intelligence in 1950 through today’s existing technologies and current research into potential future technologies Along the way we will delve into the ethical challenges and societal impacts posed by current AI technologies as well as effective ways of using current AI tools The capstone of the course will be to use the Python programming language to build a “Search Algorithm”, an algorithm that finds the most efficient solution to a complex problem

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES

AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course in which students discover how computing changes and builds our world.

Students cultivate their understanding of computer science and computational thinking by working with data, collaborating to solve problems, and developing computer programs.

They explore abstraction, data and information, creativity, algorithms, programming, the Internet, and the global impact of computing

They will also learn how to create mobile applications with App Inventor, a dragand-drop visual programming language

Required: Android tablet computer No prior computing experience is required for this course

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college course in computer science

Students will learn the fundamentals of computer science: problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing

The course emphasizes both objectoriented and imperative problem solving and design using the Java language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems.

Prerequisites: Algebra II and AP Computer Science Principles

PWith the overall goal of student wellness, all students at Davidson Day are required to participate in interscholastic sports and/or physical education while in Upper School.

One credit of physical education is required to graduate. A student may request physical education credit for participating in varsity athletics, theatre, or another approved outside activity.

WEIGHT TRAINING

Students in Weight Training acquire the practical knowledge needed to improve strength and overall fitness by engaging in supervised muscular, cardiovascular, agility, and endurance exercises. They learn the importance of setting goals for personal improvement and of maintaining a lifestyle of physical fitness that will enhance overall health. Safety is always the first priority: all students are provided with the necessary training on each exercise so that their growth can be safe and productive

ONLINE AND INDEPENDENT STUDY

ONLINE COURSES

In rare cases, a student may supplement Davidson Day’s curricular offerings with an online class Davidson Day School, as a member of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, partners with Fuel Education (www fueleducation com) to provide accredited online options when alternative or additional coursework is deemed necessary

Online coursework is treated as a transfer credit and is not factored into the student’s Davidson Day School GPA There may be an additional fee for enrolling in an online course

OTHER COURSES

Other courses offered by NCAIS-accredited schools must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate department head to ensure that they align with the Davidson Day School curriculum before credit is awarded

In addition, a minimum final grade of 80 percent must be earned to receive credit

The School reserves the right to administer an additional proficiency exam before credit is awarded

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Davidson Day School offers a wide variety of curricular options, including electives in each academic department At times, however, a student may have a sincere passion for a subject not offered by the school, or may wish to explore in more depth some facet of a subject first encountered in a regular class

Students in good academic standing may apply for an Independent Study in the spring of the preceding year In order to have an Independent Study approved, a student must choose a faculty supervisor and design a course of study

The student must then submit an abstract and full syllabus for the proposed study, including a list of materials and possible assessments, to the Director of Independent Studies and the Curriculum Committee for approval

Students in Independent Study courses check in regularly with their faculty supervisors while working independently through the course material The final grade, awarded on a Pass/Fail basis, reflects the student’s satisfactory or unsatisfactory completion of the course of study described in the Independent Study proposal

The AFAR program (American Foreign Academic Research) at Davidson Day partners with established excavations to provide an opportunity for students to work in the field on archaeological projects in Belize, Spain, Greece, and Portugal

AFAR participants learn from and work alongside professional archaeologists. They also broaden their understanding of the history and cultural treasures of each country and community through lectures and excursions

The Belize program makes a major contribution to excavation and site preservation at the ancient Maya city of Cahal Pech

In Spain, student teams participate in a long-term archaeological project at the medieval castle of Zorita de los Canes.

In Greece, students work on excavating the ancient Macedonian city of Mieza, where Alexander the Great studied under Aristotle

The site in Tróia, Portugal, is a Roman settlement of the first to sixth century BCE

The growth and development of each Davidson Day School student culminates in the college search The goal of the College Counseling office is to assist and empower students so they are prepared to choose the college of best fit and successfully move into the next phase of their educational journey.

College counselors assist in all aspects of the college planning process, including, but not limited to, the research and creation of a balanced list of colleges; planning for standardized tests; application essay writing; navigating the financial aid process; career planning; and factors to consider when making that important final decision In addition to extensive one-on-one counseling, the college counseling office also plans special events throughout the year, including College Nights for seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen; college campus visits for sophomores and juniors; weekly College Counseling seminars for juniors and seniors; Summer Application Boot Camp for seniors; a Fall Application Workshop for seniors; and advisory activities throughout the year

Our college counselors maintain relationships with admission counselors throughout the country. They present at national conferences, are active in professional college admissions organizations, and frequently visit college campuses to learn about their culture, curriculum, and admission policies In addition, they also welcome a lengthy roster of admissions representatives to Davidson Day School each fall to meet and speak directly with our upper school students.

Grading Scale:

GPA CALCULATOR

Honors courses are weighted 0.5 quality point and AP courses are weighted 1 0 quality point Independent Study classes are not factored into the GPA; they are graded as either Pass (P) or Fail (F).

DAILY SCHEDULE

Upper school students drop one class per day.

SAMPLE AP CONTRACT P. 1

SAMPLE AP CONTRACT P. 2

UPPER SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS

BY YEAR