AcademicPlanning
CourseSelection
Eachspring,students(currentGrades9-11)plantheirscheduleforthenextyearwiththeirparentsand withinputandguidancefromtheirteachers,DeanofAcademic&CollegeCounseling,andUpperSchool Administration. Parentsmustsignthecourseregistration.Oncetheschoolyearhasbegun,studentshavean Add/Dropperiodtomodifytheirscheduleswithoutitbeingnotedontheirrecords.Enteringintotheninth grade,astudent'sscheduleisdesignedbytheUpperSchoolleadershipandcounselingteamandafter considerationofherhighschoolplacementtestscores,pro lereportsfromhermiddleschool,andinput fromthestudentandfamily.
WithdrawalfromaCourse
Astudentmaydropacourseduringthe rsttwoweeksoftheterm.Astudentenrolledinacoursemust remaininthecourseasofthesecondweekofthesemester Anywithdrawalfromacoursemustgothrough theAcademicandCollegeCounselingo ceinconsultationwiththeteacheroftheclass.
HonorsAndAdvancedPlacementCoursePlacementPolicy
EachstudentiscarefullyreviewedbeforebeingplacedinanAPorhonorslevelclass.HonorsandAPcourse placementisbasedonaprerequisitecourse,classperformance,studentinterestandfaculty recommendation SomeAPcoursesareavailableonlyinalternateyears Courseplacementisdonewith attentiontothestudent’sbestinterests ForstudentstosucceedattheAPorHonorslevel,shemustmeet certainrequirements.
AdvancedPlacement(AP)Courses
IncoordinationwiththeCollegeBoard,highschoolstudentsaroundthenationareprovidedwiththe opportunitytotakecollege-levelcoursesandexamswhiletheyarestillinhighschool Atthecompletionof thecourse,thestudentisrequiredtotaketheAdvancedPlacementExam Basedonexamresults,astudent mayearncredit,advancedplacement,orbothforcollege.Requirementsvaryfromcollegetocollege.
AdvancedPlacement(AP)levelcoursesaretaughtattheAcademyoftheSacredHeartwhichallowstudents toexplorethejourneythroughcollege-levelacademicchallenges.Studentswilldevelopskillsandstudy habitsthatwillbevitalincollege StudentsmayonlytakethreeAPCoursesinayear Ifastudentwouldlike totakeanadditionalAPclass,theymusthaveacumulativeGPAof3.6andmeetwiththeDeanof Academic&CollegeCounselingtoreceiveanexception.Aweightingof0.2willbeaddedeachsemesterto the nalgrade,conditionaluponthestudentsittingfortheAPExamanddemonstratingasincereattemptat theexam
AdvancedPlacement(AP)CoursesthroughMichiganVirtual
AdditionalAPcoursesareavailablethroughMichiganVirtual.StudentswishingtotakeanAPcourse outsideoftheAcademyoftheSacredHeartPlanofStudies,mustsubmitalettertotheDirectorofthe UpperSchoolandDeanofAcademic&CollegeCounselingstatingtheirdesiretotakethecourse,alinkto thecoursecurriculum,andparentalsupportpriortothestartoftheschoolyear.Theenrollmentfeefor thesecoursesaretobepaidbythefamily.On-lineAPcourseworkistaughtandgradedbytheeducator o eringthecoursethroughtheMichiganVirtualplatform.
ClassesTakenOutsideofAcademyoftheSacredHeart
Allnon-APcoursestakenoutsideAcademyoftheSacredHeartwillbelistedonthetranscriptbutwillnot becomputedintothegradepointaverage.ThetranscriptfromprogramsattendedoutsideoftheAcademy oftheSacredHeartwillremaininthestudent’spermanent leaspartofthestudent’srecord.
RepeatingaCourse
Ifastudentneedstorepeatacourseduetoafailinggrade,shewillneedtoremediatethatgradeduringthe followingsummerandrecoverthecredittowardgraduation.Thismustbedonewithpriorapprovalofthe DirectorofUpperSchoolandDeanofAcademic&CollegeCounseling. Inthecaseofcoursesneededto remediateworkpreviouslydoneatSacredHeart,theo cialtranscriptretainsthelistingoftheoriginal course,withtheoriginalgradeandremainsapartofhergradepointaverage.Aswithanycoursetaken outsideofAcademyoftheSacredHeart,thesubsequentcourse,whereitwastaken,andthegradeforwork inthatcoursewillalsobelistedonthetranscript.
Incomplete
Agradeof“Incomplete”maybeusedinthecaseofillnessorothersuchextenuatingcircumstances,onlyby priorarrangementwiththeDirectoroftheUpperSchool Atimelineforcompletionofthecoursework mustbesubmittedbythefacultymembertotheDirectoroftheUpperSchool.Failuretomeetthe predetermineddeadlinewillresultinthe“Incomplete”changingtoa“F”grade.Agradeof“ML”(medical leave)isusedwhenastudenthasanextendedabsenceduetoamedicalconditionand/orhospitalization Thisindicatesthatthestudentwasingoodstandingbutwasunabletoattendschoolandthereforeunableto earnthecredits.
GradesandGradeReports
Studentsreceiveagradeeachsemesterforeachsubject.Inadditiontothequalityofthework,class participation,conscientiousness,e ortandattendancearefactorsindeterminingthegrade.Tocalculate mid-termandyear-endaverages,thegradingscalebelowisused
GRADINGSCALE
GradePointAverage(GPA)
TheGradePointAverage(GPA)isbasedona40scale AllAdvancedPlacement(AP)coursesareweighted byadding0.2pointsperterm.ReportcardswillindicateaTermGPA,re ectingthattermonly.The CumulativeGPA,theentireUpperSchoolexperiencetodate,isincludedonthereportcardandtheo cial transcript.Itiscalculatedbytotalingallpointsearnedanddividingbythesumofcreditsattempted.All non-APcoursestakenoutsideAcademyoftheSacredHeartarenotincludedintheCumulativeGPA
InsufficientEnrollment
TheUpperSchoolDirectorsandDeanofAcademic&CollegeCounselingareatlibertytocancelacourse inthePlanofStudiesbookduetoinsu cientenrollment Theschoolisalsoatlibertytomoveastudent fromonesectiontoanothersectionofthesamecourseinordertobalanceenrollment.
HomeworkGuidelines
Allstudentsareencouragedtodevelopsoundstudyandlearninghabits InaSacredHeartschool, homeworkisusedtopromoteself-discipline,responsibilityanddecision-making,whichareallimportant partsofGoalV. Homeworkreinforcestheskillslearnedinthecourseandshouldadvancethecourse content.QualityhomeworkisanessentialcomponentofallAcademyoftheSacredHeartUpperSchool courses Studentsareexpectedtocommunicatechallengestheymayfaceandfurtherintereststheymaywant topursue.Studentsareexpectedtousegoodtimemanagementandstudyskillsinbalancingtheirschedules.
SeniorSeminar
AllseniorsareencouragedtotakeSeniorSeminar,acoursewherestudentscultivatetheskillsandknowledge necessarytoconductindependentresearchandinquiryinordertoproduceanddefendtheirscholarlywork. Inthiscourse,studentsareexposedtocollegelevelresearchmethodsincludingquantitativeandqualitative researchdesign.Studentswillapply researchskills,synthesizeinformationfrommultipleperspectives, analyzeinformationwithaccuracyandprecision,andcraft,communicateanddefendevidence-based argumentswhileexploringrelevanttopicsthatappealtotheirinterestsandcuriosity.Theywillhavean external“conversationpartner/advisor”whowillhelpthemtore neandsteertheirindependentresearch project.Studentswhomakenotablecontributionstothescholarlyconsensusontheirtopicwillbeinvited tosubmittheir nalpaperstotheInternationalJournalofHighSchoolResearchforpeerreview Onehalf credit(05)willbeawardedatthediscretionofthefacultymentorandagradeofPass/Failwillbeissuedfor theprojectandwillnotbecalculatedintotheGPA.TheSeniorSeminarProjectdoesnotful llany departmentalrequirement.
SeniorStudentAssistantPositions
Seniorswhohavemetalloftheirgraduationrequirementsmaybeconsideredforastudentassistant position.The naldecisionismadebytheteacherandDirectorandwillbebasedonthefollowing:student’s pastandcurrentbehavior,promiseinthe eldoftheassistantship,studentavailabilityduringtheclass periodanassistantisneeded,student’sacademicstandingandstudent’soverallleadership/positiveexample withinthestudentcommunity.Seniors,ifselected,mayonlyserveasanassistantforonesemesterearninga Pass/Failgradeand0.5credits.
ASHWorksShopAssistant
StudentswillassistyoungerstudentsinanotherASHWorksclassbyhelpingthemlearnnewskills andcompletetheirprojects. ThisclassrequiresinstructorapprovalandpreviousASHWorksclass experience
LeadershipAssistant:
ThisstudentwillworkdirectlywiththeDirectorsoftheUpperSchoolandperformtasksinsupport ofstudentlifesuchasorganizing les,settingupspacesforactivities,andotherduties.
PEAssistant
ThisstudentwillworkwiththeAthleticDirectorandphysicaleducationteachersandperformtasks suchashelpingsetupforafterschoolathletics,assistingPEteacherswithclasses,andorganizing uniformorequipmentrooms.
ScienceLabAssistant:
ThisstudentwillworkunderthedirectsupervisionoftheUpperSchoolscienceteachersanddo suchtasksasinventorysciencelaboratoryequipment,setupscienceclasslabswiththeteacher,clean upsuppliesaftertheconclusionofclasslabs.
StudioArtAssistant:
Thisstudentwillworkdirectlywiththeartteachersanddosuchtasksashelporganizeandcleanup artrooms,setupartprojectsforclasses,inventoryartsuppliesforartteachers.
ACADEMYOFTHESACREDHEARTUPPERSCHOOLFOURYEARPROGRAM
GRADE9
REQUIRED
● English9–WesternHumanities
● History9–WesternHumanities
● Algebra1,HonorsGeometry,Honors Algebra2
● Biology,HonorsBiology
● IntroductiontoComputerScience
● Theology9
● Wellness9-PE&Health
GRADE10
REQUIRED
● English10–WorldHumanities
● History10–WorldHumanities
● Geometry,HonorsAlgebra2,Honors Precalculus
● Chemistry,HonorsChemistry
● Theology10
● Wellness10-PE&Health
● WorldLanguage
● Mentor,ServiceLearning,ProjectTerm
GRADE11
REQUIRED
● AmericanLiterature, HonorsAmericanLiterature
● USHistory,APUSHistory
● Algebra2,Precalculus,Honors Precalculus
● Physics,HonorsPhysics
● Theology11
● WorldLanguage
● Mentor,ServiceLearning,ProjectTerm
GRADE11ELECTIVES
● PerformingArts-Choir,Musical Theatre,Speech,TheatreArtsI, TheaterArtsII
● PracticalArts-ASHWorksDesign& Application,GraphicDesign& MediaProduction
GRADE12
REQUIRED
● MajorAuthors,APEnglishLiterature andComposition
● Economics,US Government,APUS Government
● Combinatorics,Probability,and Statistics,Precalculus,HonorsCalculus, APCalculusAB
● Theology12
● WorldLanguage
● Mentor,ServiceLearning,ProjectTerm
GRADE12ELECTIVES
● WorldLanguage
● Mentor,Grade9Seminar,Service Learning,ProjectTerm
GRADE9ELECTIVES
● PerformingArts-Choir,Musical Theatre,Speech,TheatreArtsI
● PracticalArts-ASHWorksDesign& Application,GraphicDesign&Media Production
GRADE10ELECTIVES
● PerformingArts-Choir,MusicalTheatre, Speech,TheatreArtsI,TheaterArtsII
● PracticalArts-ASHWorksDesign& Application,GraphicDesign&Media Production
● VisualArts- ArtFoundationsI,Art FoundationsII,Drawing,Painting, CeramicsI,CeramicsII,Digital Photography,3DDesignStudio
● VisualArts-ArtFoundationsI,Art FoundationsII,Drawing,Painting, CeramicsI,CeramicsII,Digital Photography,3DDesignStudio,AP 2DArtandDesign,AP3DArtand Design,APArtHistory
● English-CreativeWriting,Foundations ofLiterature,WomeninLiterature, YoungAdultLiterature
● History&SocialStudies-Economics (GraduationRequirement),US Government(Graduation Requirement),Debate,Immigrantsin AmericanHistory,Introductionto Philosophy,Psychology,*Dual Enrollment*Race,Ethnicity,Crime, andJustice
● PerformingArts-Choir,Musical Theatre,Speech,TheatreArtsI, TheaterArtsII
● PracticalArts-ASHWorksDesign& Application,GraphicDesign& MediaProduction
● VisualArts-ArtFoundationsI,Art FoundationsII,Drawing,Painting, CeramicsI,CeramicsII,Digital Photography,3DDesignStudio,AP 2DArtandDesign,AP3DArtand Design,APArtHistory
● VisualArts-ArtFoundationsI,Art FoundationsII
● History&SocialStudies-Debate
● Technology-IntroductiontoRobotics &Engineering
● History&SocialStudies-Debate
● Science-Ecology,ForensicScience, SteamIntroduction
● Technology-IntroductiontoRobotics &Engineering,IntermediateRobotics &Engineering,APComputerScience Principles,FundamentalsofCyber Security
● Math-AdvancedTopicsin Mathematics
● Science-AdvancedChemistryLab& APChemistry(concurrent),Advanced Biology:Life’sMechanisms,APBiology, HonorsAnatomy&Physiology, Ecology,ForensicScience,Steam Introduction,EnvironmentalScience, ForensicScience,Zoology
● Technology-IntroductiontoRobotics &Engineering,IntermediateRobotics &Engineering,APComputerScience Principles,APComputerScienceA, VideoGameDesign,Fundamentalsof CyberSecurity
● Wellness-LifeFitness
● English-CreativeWriting,Foundationsof Literature,WomeninLiterature,Young AdultLiterature
● History&SocialStudies-Debate, ImmigrantsinAmericanHistory, IntroductiontoPhilosophy,Psychology, *DualEnrollment*Race,Ethnicity, Crime,andJustice
● Math-AdvancedTopicsinMathematics
● Science-AdvancedChemistryLab&AP Chemistry(concurrent),Advanced Biology:Life’sMechanisms,APBiology, June2025
Physics,HonorsPhysics,Honors Anatomy&Physiology,Ecology,Forensic Science,SteamIntroduction, EnvironmentalScience,Zoology
● Technology-IntroductiontoRobotics& Engineering,IntermediateRobotics& Engineering,APComputerScience Principles,APComputerScienceA, VideoGameDesign,Fundamentalsof
CyberSecurity,AdvancedCyberSecurity, ComputerScienceCapstone:Mobile App/VideoGameProgramming
● Wellness-LifeFitness
AcademyoftheSacredHeartUpperSchoolCourseO erings
Arts:Performing,PracticalandVisualArts
TheArtsgraduationrequirementoftwoyearsmaybefulfilledbytakingagroupofperformingarts,practicalarts, orvisualartcoursesoracombinationofthethree. Studentsexperiencethinking,making,andskilldevelopinginthe arts,expressingtheirownindividualitythroughthecontextoftheirownperspective,informedbyanunderstanding ofcultures,pastandpresent.
PerformingArts
ThePerformingArtsprovideanopportunityforstudentstodevelopconfidenceintheirpublicspeakingskillsand expressthemselvescreativelyonthestage.Throughthestudyanddevelopmentofdramaticandmusicaltexts, studentswillexpandtheirperspectivestoembodypersonasthatmaydifferfromtheirownexperience
Choir-Grades9-12(0.5credit)
Thissemestercourseo ersstudentsanopportunitytorehearseandperformavarietyofmusicwhilelearningabout propersingingtechnique,harmonizingskills,andbestpublicperformancepractices.Studentswillbeexposedto musicsight-readingandmusictheorythroughlessonsandactivities.Comebeapartofthisfun,friendly,and welcomingclass.Studentsarewelcometotakemorethanonesemester.Attendanceateveningrehearsalsand performancesisrequiredtoreceiveapassinggrade.
MusicalTheatre-Grades9-12(0.5credit)
Inthissemestercourse,studentswillgrowassingersandactorsastheyengageinbothindividualandensemble projectsinavarietyofmusicaltheatrestyles. Studentswillincreasetheirselfcon denceintheirperformingand throughtheirperforming. Theywilldeveloprelationshipswiththeirpeersastheyworktogetherandexperience thethrillofperforminginfrontofliveaudiences.Studentsarewelcometotakemorethanonesemester. Attendanceateveningrehearsalsandperformancesisrequiredtoreceiveapassinggrade.
Speech-Grades9-12(0.5credit)
Thisonesemestercourseisdesignedtohelpstudentsdevelopcon denceandskillinpublicspeakingthrough theinterpretationofwrittenworksandthecreationoforiginalpresentations.Studentswillexploreavarietyof speechstylesandtechniqueswhilebuildingessentialcommunicationskillsforbothpersonalandprofessional contexts.Studentswilldevelopkeyskillsinpresentingwithclarity,poise,andauthority;adaptingtonew situationsandaudiences;craftingengagingandlogicallyorderedspeeches;andresearchingandincorporating credibleevidencetosupportmainideas.
TheaterArtsI-Grades9-12(0.5credit)
Allaspectsoftheaterareexploredtogivethestudentsanappreciationfortheexperienceofbeingonstage This coursefocusesonelementsofrehearsedandimprovisedperformancebothinagroupsettingandasan individual.Studentswillbecomefamiliarwiththehistoryortheateranditsimpactsontoday’stheatrical
landscapeaswellashowtoe ectivelyusethestage,theirvoices,andbodiestotellastory Criticalthinkingis developedthroughtheanalysisoftext,inspectingtheaterasacommentaryonsocialissues,andcooperation Studentswilldevelopcommunicationandpublicspeakingskillsinadditiontocon denceintheirabilityto expresstheirthoughtsandemotionsinfrontofanaudienceculminatinginaperformanceelementattheendof thesemester
TheaterArtsII-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:TheatreArtsI TheaterArtsIIisanadvanced,performance-basedcoursedesignedforstudentseagertodeepentheir understandingandskillsintheperformingarts Thisclassprovidesahands-onexplorationoftheaterthrough thestudyandinterpretationofplays,culminatinginthecreationandperformanceofselectedscenes.In additiontoperformance,thecourseemphasizesthebehind-the-scenesartistryessentialtobringingaproduction tolifeincludingsetdesign,lightingandsounddesign,costumecreation,andstagemakeup.Bytheendofthe course,studentswillhavegainedpracticalexperienceinmultiplefacetsoftheaterproduction,culminatingina showcaseperformanceofselectedscenesthathighlightstheirskillsbothonando thestage Thiscoursemaybe repeated.
PracticalArts
PracticalArtsgivesstudentstheopportunitytolearntheskillsofdesigning,creating,problemsolving,andbuilding projects.
ASHWorks:Design&Application-Grades9-12(0.5credit)
ASHWorksisadesignspace,workshop,andmakerspaceallinone.Studentsbecomethedesigner,architect, artist,carpenter,andengineerinordertobringtheirideastoreality IntheASHWorksprogram,studentslearn bothtraditionalskillsandhowtousecurrenttechnologies Traditionalskillsinclude:handtools,measuring,2D drawing/design/drafting,painting,sewing,etc.Inaddition,studentswilllearnhowtouse:power tools/machines,3Dcomputeraideddesign(CAD)software,CNCmachining,andlaserengraving.Thisisa student-centeredandproject-basedprogramwherestudentslearnbydoing,havetheopportunitytogrowby makingmistakes,andworkindependentlyandcollaborativelyasateam Thiscoursemayberepeated
GraphicDesign&MediaProduction–Grades9-12(0.5credit)
Thiscourseintroducesstudentstothefundamentalsofgraphicdesignwhileo eringhands-onexperiencein real-worldprojects UsingAdobePhotoshop,AdobeIllustrator,andotherdesigntools,studentswillexplore designprinciples,creativetypography,pagelayout,anddigitalimagemanipulation.Projectsmayincludelogos, posters,ads,magazinespreads,bookcovers,andinformationgraphics.Additionally,studentswillcontributeto thecreationoftheyearbook,workingcollaborativelytodesignlayouts,editimages,advertisebooksales,and documentschooleventsthroughphotography Thiscoursecombinestechnicalskill-buildingwithcreative problem-solvingandteamwork Itmayberepeatedforcredit
VisualArts
VisualArtscoursesareanessentialelementofourcurriculumforallstudents,astheyofferpracticalexperiencesof visualandverbalcommunication,criticalthinking,andcreativity.
ArtFoundationsI-Grades9-12 (0.5credit)
Prerequisiteforallartcourses
Thissemester-longcourseintroducesstudentstoartmediaandtechniquesinthecontextofarthistory Students willexplorevariousprocesses,includingdrawing,painting,ceramics,andsculpture Developingprojectsfrom startto nish,theywilllearntore netheirpersonalstyleandpointofview.Thecentralfocusofthiscoursewill betheElementsofArtandthePrinciplesofDesign.Throughthisprocess,studentswillexpandtheirabilityto usecriticalthinkingskills,whilegainingaglobalperspectiveofartanditsimpactonhumanity
ArtFoundationsII-Grades9-12 (0.5credit)
Prerequisite:ArtFoundationsI
Thissemester-longcourseintroducesstudentstomorespecializedprocessesthanwereexploredinArt FoundationsI.Studentswillexplorevariousmedia,includingprintmaking, berart,jewelrymaking,anddigital media.Developingprojectsfromstartto nish,theywilllearntore netheirpersonalstyleandpointofview. ThecentralfocusofthiscoursewillbetheElementsofArtandthePrinciplesofDesign.Throughthisprocess, studentswillexpandtheirabilitytousecriticalthinkingskills,whilegainingaglobalperspectiveofartandits impactonhumanity
Drawing-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:ArtFoundationsI
Thiscourseintroducesstudentstodrawingasanartform.Inthisclass,studentswillexplorecommondrawing techniquesusingavarietyofmedia.StudentswilldeveloptheabilitytoutilizetheElementsofArtandthe PrinciplesofDesigntocreateworksofartthatshowtheirindividualpointofview Studentswillbeaskedto observecarefully,thinkcreatively,rendertechnically,andmakeintentional,thoughtfuldecisions.
Painting-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:ArtFoundationsI
Thiscourseintroducesstudentstopaintingasanartform.Inthisclassstudentsexploretraditionalpainting techniques,developingtheabilitytoutilizetheElementsofArtandthePrinciplesofDesigntocreateworksof artthatshowtheirindividualpointofview Studentswillbeaskedtoobservecarefully,thinkcreatively,render technically,andmakeintentional,thoughtfuldecisions Thiscoursemaybetakenmorethanonce,andwill increaseincomplexityeachtime.
CeramicsI-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:ArtFoundationsI
Thiscourseintroducesstudentstoceramicsasanartform.Inthisclassstudentswillexploretraditionalclay techniquesusingstoneware.StudentswilldeveloptheabilitytoutilizetheElementsofArtandthePrinciplesof Designtocreateworksofartthatshowtheirindividualpointofview Studentswillbeaskedtoobservecarefully, thinkcreatively,rendertechnically,andmakeintentional,thoughtfuldecisions Thiscoursemaybetakenmore thanonce,andwillincreaseincomplexityeachtime.
CeramicsII-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:CeramicsI
ThiscoursebuildsonthefoundationalskillslearnedinCeramicsIandchallengesstudentstofurtherthe developmentoftheirpersonalstyle Studentswillexploremoreadvancedceramictechniques,including handbuilding,wheelthrowing,glazingandsurfacedecoration.Emphasiswillbeplacedondevelopingadeeper understandingofform,texture,andsurfacetreatment.Studentswillengageinindependentprojectsthat encouragecreativity,experimentation,andcriticalthinking,whilere ningtheircraftsmanship.Thecoursewill includebothindividualandgroupcritiquestohelpstudentsarticulatetheirartisticchoicesandreceive constructivefeedback.Thiscoursemayberepeatedforfurtherskilldevelopment,withincreasingcomplexity andexplorationofmoreadvancedceramicpractices.
DigitalPhotography-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:ArtFoundationsI
Thiscourseexplorestheyoungartmediumofphotographyanditsexpansivedevelopmentsfromanalogueto digital InthisclassstudentswillexploreDSLRtechnologyandequipment,experimentwithphotoediting software,and ndcreativewaystoapplythatknowledgetoimagesthatre ecttheirownfeelingsandpointof view.Thiscoursemaybetakenmorethanonce,andwillincreaseincomplexityeachtime.
3DDesignStudio-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:ASHWorksandoneVisualArtsclass Combiningfunctionandform,thiscoursebuildsuponthefoundationslaidinASHWorksandVisualArts. Studentswilldevelopaproductandbrandfrombeginningtoend Theywillcreateeverythingfromtheproduct itselftothelogo,packaging,andadvertisingfortheir"company".Thiscourseisdesignedforself-motivated, creativestudentswhoenjoychallengingthemselvesthroughthecreativeprocess.
AP2DArtandDesign-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:TwoVisualArtsclassesandteacherrecommendation StudentsinAP2DArtandDesignwillcreateaportfolioofworktodemonstrateinquirythroughartanddesign anddevelopmentofmaterials,processes,andideasoverthecourseofayear.Portfolioswillincludeworksofart anddesign,processdocumentation,andwritteninformationabouttheworkpresented.InMay,studentswill submittheirportfoliosforevaluationbasedonspeci ccriteria,whichincludeskillfulsynthesisofmaterials, processes,ideas,andsustainedinvestigationthroughpractice,experimentation,andrevision,guidedby questions
AP3DArtandDesign-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:TwoVisualArtsclassesandteacherrecommendation
StudentsinAP3DArtandDesignwillcreateaportfolioofworktodemonstrateinquirythroughartanddesign anddevelopmentofmaterials,processes,andideasoverthecourseofayear.Portfolioswillincludeworksofart anddesign,processdocumentation,andwritteninformationabouttheworkpresented.InMay,studentswill submittheirportfoliosforevaluationbasedonspeci ccriteria,whichincludeskillfulsynthesisofmaterials, processes,ideas,andsustainedinvestigationthroughpractice,experimentation,andrevision,guidedby questions
APArtHistory-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:ArtFoundationsIandteacherrecommendation
TheAPArtHistorycoursewelcomesstudentsintotheglobalartworldtoengagewithitsformsandcontentas theyresearch,discuss,read,andwriteaboutart,artists,artmaking,andresponsestoandinterpretationsofart. Byinvestigatingspeci ccoursecontentof250worksofartcharacterizedbydiverseartistictraditionsfrom prehistorytothepresent,thestudentsdevelopin-depth,holisticunderstandingofthehistoryofartfroma globalperspective.Studentslearnandapplyskillsofvisual,contextual,andcomparativeanalysistoengagewitha varietyofartforms,developingunderstandingofindividualworksandinterconnectionsacrosshistory.The contentofthecourseisintendedtocovertheinformationthatwillbetestedontheAdvancedPlacementexam inthespringandisdesignedtobeanequivalenttoacollegelevelintroductorycourse
TheEnglishDepartmentworkstodevelopanappreciationofliterature,poetry,andfilmandtoincreaseawareness ofthecommonalityofpeopleandthehumanexperience.Wereadanddiscussgreatnovelsandpoetrytoadvanceour understandingofdisparateculturesinordertobuildempathyandunderstandingofthesecommunities The EnglishDepartmentalsoprovidesinstructioninmechanics,writingtechniques,andcompositionaspartofthe courseworkatalllevels.Specialemphasisisplacedonanalyzingtextsthroughclosereadingsandrespondingto themthroughwritingandclassroomdiscourse.TheEnglishDepartmentaimstoincreasesocialawarenessby includingtextswrittenbypeoplefrommarginalizedcommunitiesinordertogivestudentsamorecompleteviewof thehumanexperience
English9-Grade9(1credit)
English9isasurveyofliterature,history,andculturesthattracesthefoundationsofWesternculture This courseintersectswithSocialStudies9:WesternHumanitiesinordertomaximizestudents'exposuretoand appreciationofphilosophy,literature,history,art,literaryanalysis,writing,andcriticalthinking.Studentsare evaluatedbasedontheirclassparticipation,formalessaywriting,andquizzes.Theyareintroducedtostudent centeredliteraturediscussionsastheyparticipateinthebasicanalysisof poetry,novels,andshortstories. Studentsexpandtheirvocabularyduringregularword-buildinginstructionandtheyalsoimprovetheirbasic writingskillsbylearningtocreatemoreformalargumentativeparagraphs.Studentslearnthebasicsofnarrative, comparative,andargumentativeessaywritingconventions.
English10:WorldHumanities-Grade10(1credit)
Thiscoursefocusesontheprimaryissuesthathavecreatedourculturalandsocietalstructureswithina frameworkforglobalunderstanding.Itincludesasurveyofkeyliteraryworksthatembraceandanalyzeglobally andculturallydiverseworksofliteraturetaughtinlinewiththegeographicallocationscoveredintheHistory10 course Studentscompareandcontrastideasindi erentplaces,timeperiodsandculturesandexaminethe inter-relationshipsbetweenideas,changeandcon ict.ThefoundationalskillsfromWorldHumanities: analyzing,communicating,writing,questioningandre ectingskillsarehonedanddevelopedinthiscourse.
AmericanLiterature-Grade11(1credit)
ThefocusofAmericanLiteratureistounderstandthein uentialvoicesofthisgenreandhowitcontinuesto developasuniquetotheAmericanexperience.Throughoutthecourse,studentsrespondtoselectionsthrough shortanalysesviaclassparticipationandstudent-leddiscussionsusingtheHarknessDiscussionMethod Studentscontinuetobuildupontheirskillsasclosereadersanddiscussliteratureinascholarlymanner, displayingtheirmasterybywritingseveralliteraryanalysispapersduringeachsemester.Essaysareevaluatedin ordertohelpstudentscontinuetoimprovetheirgrammar,argumentation,andanalysisoftextsthrough incorporatingtransitions,sophisticatedlanguage,anddetaileddiscussionoftext.Thecoursecontinuestobuild students’vocabularythroughrelevanttextualreferencesandculminatesinvariousextensiveliteraryanalysis essays.
HonorsAmericanLiterature-Grade11(1credit)
Prerequisite:B+inEnglish10andteacherrecommendation
HonorsAmericanLiteratureaddressesthesameessentialthematicquestionsasAmericanLiterature,but throughanexplorationofadditionalandmorechallengingtexts.Thissurveycourseisintentionallyalignedto betaughtchronologicallywiththeAmericanHistorycourseworktoreinforcethroughanchortexts,thelarger discussionofculturalbeliefs,attitudesandvaluesoftheAmericanpeopleofeachunitofstudy.Anemphasis willbeplacedonstudents’abilitiestocraftsophisticatedandoriginalanalysis,tosynthesizeinformationfrom multiplesources,andtosupportanargumentwithprimaryandsecondarysources.Inordertopreparestudents fortherigorofcollege,theyreadexpertcriticismstoaidintheirdeeperunderstandingoftheauthorsandtheir works StudentswhoelecttotakeHonorsAmericanLiteratureshouldexpectanintensiveworkloadthat
involvescompletinglengthierreadingassignments,writingcriticalresponsesmorefrequently,andparticipating inhigherlevelcriticalthinkinginHarknessdiscussions
MajorAuthors-Grade12(1credit)
Prerequisite:AmericanLiteratureorseniorstanding Thistwo-semestercoursefocusesontheworksofvariouscanonicalandcontemporaryauthorsaswellas compositionstylesrequiredofcollegelevelcourses.Literaryanalysisfocusesonhistoricizingtheseworksand learninghowtheyreverberateintheworldtodaythroughtextand lm.Duringclassdiscussions,students explorethedevelopingeras,ethnicities,religion,andsocioeconomicbackgroundsoftheanchortexts Students continuetobuildupontheirskillsasclosereadersanddiscussliteratureinascholarlymannerbyrespondingto selectedtextsusingtheHarknessDiscussionMethod.Inordertopreparestudentsfortherigorofcollege,they readexpertcriticismstoaidintheirdeeperunderstandingoftheauthorsandtheirworks.Studentswriteseveral literaryanalysispapersduringeachsemester Essaysareevaluatedinordertohelpstudentscontinuetoimprove theirgrammarandargumentation.Gradingconcentratesonincorporatingtransitions,subjectverbagreement, andparallelism.Asaculminatingassignment,studentswriteamoreextensiveliteraryanalysispaper.Asin previousEnglishcourses,theMLAformatisthestandardforallwritinginthiscourse.
APLiteratureandComposition-Grade12(1credit)
Prerequisite:B+inAmericanLiteratureandteacherrecommendation.Itisstronglyrecommendedtotake FoundationsofLiteraturebeforetakingthiscourse.
TheAdvancedPlacementEnglishcourseisanintroductorycollege-levelliteraryanalysiscourse.Studentsare expectedtoreadcloselyandcriticallyanalyzeimaginativeliteratureinordertodeepentheirunderstandingofthe wayswritersuselanguagetoprovidemeaningandpleasure.Asstudentsread,theywillconsiderawork’s structure,style,andthemes,aswellas gurativelanguage.Writingassignmentswillinclude:expository, analyticalandargumentativeessaysthatwillrequirestudentstoanalyze,interpret,andsynthesizeliteraryworks. ThecourseincludesanintensivestudyofrepresentativeworksofBritish,American,andworldwritersinseveral genresfromthesixteenthcenturytocontemporarytimes Thiscourseisdesignedtocomplywiththecurricular requirementsdescribedintheAPEnglishCourseDescriptionFocusandObjectives(asde nedbytheCollege Board).TheAPClassinvitesstudentstostudyinanintensivemanner,representativeworksfromvariousgenres andperiods.Studentswillengageininquirythroughstudentleddiscussionsexempli edthroughtheHarkness Method
CreativeWriting-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
This05creditelectivecoursefocusesonstudent-createdwritingofanon-academicnature Studentswilllearn andstudyavarietyof ctionandnon ctionwritingformatsthatincludeletters,narratives,memoirs,short stories,andpoems.Thecoursewillbeinstructionalandalsofollowaworkshopformatwherewritersreview eachother'swork.Gradesarebasedonin-classwritingandlongerformalsubmissions.
FoundationsofLiterature-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
TheFoundationofLiteratureclassfeaturesLatinforliteraryandglobaluseandexploresthetiesbetween classicalliteratureandcontemporarystories ThisportionoftheclasssupportsWorldLanguageclassesaswellas enhancesperformanceoncollegeentranceexamsandinfuturestudies/careers.Theliteratureselectionscover storiesoffamousmythicpersonagesandcreatures(mythology)sothatstudentsattaingreaterunderstandingof classicalallusionsgoingforwardintheirEnglishclasses(evenintocollege).Studentsalsomakeconnections betweenclassicalworksandlaterworksinspiredbythesearchetypalcharactersandtheirhistories
WomeninLiterature-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Thisupper-levelelectiveisdesignedtogodeeperintoasingleareaofstudyusingavarietyofcriticallensesto investigate,examineandre ectupontheimpactofportrayalsandinterpretationsofwomeninvariousliterary works,both ctionalandbiographical.Someofthelargequestionsthatthecoursewillgrapplewithinclude: Therolethatgenderplaysintheinterpretationofliteraryandculturaltextssuchasfairytalesandmythsallthe waytothecurrentdepictionsinvariousvisualandtextualmedia Howhavewomen’svoicesandthestoriesthey choosetotell,challengedorchangedconventionsofliteraryrepresentation?Studentswillexploreadiverserange oftextsbyandaboutwomeninavarietyofgenres,including ction,non ction,poetry,memoir,criticaltheory, and lm.Studentswillpracticehoningtheirwritingskillsinweeklyjournals,imprompturesponses,and multi-draftexpositoryessays ThecoursewillbetaughtutilizingtheHarknessmethodofinstructionand inquiry.Daybooksareusedastheprimarysourceofanalysisinallgenresofwriting.
YoungAdultLiterature-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
YoungAdultLiteratureisanelectivecoursethatwillincludetraditionalyoungadultliteraturetitlesbutwillalso includethosetitlesthatareconsideredcrossovernovels Thecourseaimstoexposestudentstoadiversegroupof writersthatarenotyetpartofthetraditionalliterarycanon.Whilethetextsareconsideredyoungadultthe subjectmatterwillbematureandchallenging.Thecoursewillincludethewritingofliteraryanalysispapersand literarytheory.AsinallofourEnglishcourses,theHarknessMethodofinstructionwillbetheconcentrated methodofdiscourse
History&SocialStudies
HistoryandSocialStudiescoursesaredesignedtogivestudentsanunderstandingoftheexperiencesofpeoplefrom otherbackgrounds,anappreciationofvariousculturesandincreasedawarenessoftheirown.Understandingtheir worldwillempowerstudentstomakewisedecisionsascitizensoftheUnitedStatesandtheworld.Emphasisis placedoncriticalthinkingintheframeworkofhistoricalbiasandproblemsolving.Thedevelopmentofresearch andanalyticalskillsisenhancedusingtechnology.Currenteventsandgeographyareincludedineachcourseto reinforceperspectiveandchronology
History9:WesternHumanities-Grade9(1credit)
History9isasurveyofliterature,historyandculturesthattracesthefoundationsofWesternculture.This courseintersectswithEnglish9:WesternHumanitiesinordertomaximizestudents'exposuretoand appreciationofphilosophy,geography,literature,history,art,literaryanalysis,writing,andcriticalthinking. Studentswillstudythechiefeconomic,political,religious,social,andculturalcontributionsofcivilizationsas theyshapedWesternEuropeintimesofwarandpeace,practicingresearch,criticalthinking,dataanalysisand historicalinterpretationskills,discerningtherootsofcon ictandcooperationoverthelast500years,measuring andappreciatingtheimpactofhistoricaleventsandprocessesonliteratureandart.Studentsgaincon dencein thenecessaryartofinquiryandweighingreasonablecompetinginterpretationsofhistoricalfacts Thiscourseis designedtodevelopafoundationforstudents’analytic,communication,research,writingandquestioningskills throughouttheiracademiccareer.
History10:WorldHumanities-Grade10(1credit)
Thiscoursefocusesontheprimaryissuesthathavecreatedourculturalandsocietalstructureswithina frameworkforglobalunderstanding.Itincludesasurveyofworldgeography,history,literatureandcultures. Keyliteraryworksaretaughtinthecontextofthegeographicallocationscoveredinthesocialstudiescourse Essentialtopicssuchasglobaleconomy,historicaldynamics,environment,movement,women,philosophy, religion,humandevelopmentandtheinter-relationofthesetopicstocontemporarysocietyareexamined.
Studentscompareandcontrastideasindi erentplaces,timeperiodsandculturesandexaminethe inter-relationshipsbetweenideas,changeandcon ict ThefoundationalskillsfromHumanitiesI:analyzing, communicating,writing,questioningandre ectingskillsarehonedanddevelopedinthiscourse.
UnitedStatesHistory-Grade11(1credit)
UnitedStatesHistoryprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytoacquireanunderstandingofthechronological developmentoftheUnitedStatesandgovernmentbyexaminingthepolitical,economic,social,religious, military,scienti c,andculturaleventsthathavea ectedtheriseandgrowthofthenation.Thecourse encompassesmaterialsfromthepre-revolutionaryerathroughthetwenty- rstcentury Contentcovered includes,butisnotlimitedto:anunderstandingofgeographic‐historicandtime‐spacerelationship,changesand trendsinAmericanculturethroughthecenturies,thetechnologicalandurbantransformationofthecountry, andAmericanforeignpoliticaldevelopment.Thiscourseprovidesmultipleopportunitiestodemonstratean evolvingpro ciencyinapplyingcriticalthinkingtohistoricalevents,processesandartifacts
APUnitedStatesHistory-Grade11(1credit)
Prerequisite:B+inHistory10andteacherrecommendation
Thiscollege-levelcoursespansmorethanhalfamillennium’sworthofevents,processes,anddevelopmentsthat shapedthecountryandtheworldthatweinhabittoday Theun nishedprojectofexpandingthede nitionof whatitmeanstobeacitizenandwhatitmeanstobefreeisthefocusofourdiscussionsandofthewrittenwork overthecourseoftheyear.Thecoursecentersaroundasharedinquiryinprimaryandsecondarydocuments thatmayappearontheMayexam.Argumentsarerootedinhistoricalevidenceandreasonableinterpretations areanchoredinthetranquilwatersofcivility,compassion,andcareforoneanother Thiscourseprovides multipleopportunitiesforstudentstodemonstrateevolvingpro ciencyinapplyingcriticalthinkingto historicalevents,processesandartifacts.Speci cally,overthecourseoftheyear,wemasterthefollowingsixcore skills:1)identifyingandexplaininghistoricaldevelopmentsandprocesses;2)analyzingsourcingandsituationof primaryandsecondarysources;3)analyzingargumentsinprimaryandsecondarysources;4)analyzingthe contextofhistoricalevents,developments,andprocesses,5)usinghistoricalreasoningprocesses(comparison, causation,continuityandchange);and6)analyzingpatternsandconnectionsbetweenandamonghistorical developmentsandprocesses.
Economics-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Thiscourseemphasizesthewaysinwhicheconomicsa ectsthelivesofindividualsandhowindividuals, throughtheireconomicchoices,shapetheirworld.Usingaproject-basedlearningapproach,focusareaswill includescarcityandchoice,opportunitycost,macroandmicroeconomics,theroleofgovernment,international growthandstability Throughouteachunit,studentswilldeveloppersonal nancetoolsandstrategiesand applythemtorelevantcurrenteventsandsigni canthistoricalones.Personal nanceandbudgetingtopicswill includetaxes,buyingandmaintainingacar,ahome,andalifestyle.ThiscoursemeetstheStateofMichigan’s financialliteracyrequirement.
UnitedStatesGovernment-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Thiscourseaimstoempowerstudentstobeinformed,activeandinvolvedcitizens.Thiscoursepursuesa thematicapproachtothepoliticalandsocialresponsibilitiesrequiredbyresidenceinanationservedbya democraticconstitutionandtradition.Studentswillstudytheprimarydocumentsofourdemocraticheritage withspecialemphasisontheConstitutionasitrelatestoeverydaysituations,majorSupremeCourtdecisions andadiscerninganalysisofcivilliberties.Thefederalgovernmentisstudiedindetailaswellasstateandlocal governmentinlesserdetail.Wefollowcurrenteventsusingonlinenewssourcesandothermedia.Studentsare
expectedtogobeyondlearningthestructureofgovernmenttolearnhowitactuallyworksandsomeofthe majorin uencesongovernment ThiscoursemeetstheStateofMichigan’sU.SGovernment/Civicsrequirement.
APUnitedStatesGovernment-Grade12(1.0credit)
Prerequisite:B+inUnitedStatesHistoryorAPUSHistoryandteacherrecommendation
APUS GovernmentandPoliticsprovidesayearlong,college-level,nonpartisanintroductiontokeypolitical concepts,ideas,institutions,policies,interactions,roles,andbehaviorsthatcharacterizetheconstitutional systemandpoliticalcultureoftheUnitedStates.StudentswillstudyU.S.foundationaldocuments,Supreme Courtdecisions,andothertextsandvisualstogainanunderstandingoftherelationshipsandinteractions amongpoliticalinstitutions,processes,andbehaviors Studentswillalsoengageindisciplinarypracticesthat requirethemtoreadandinterpretdata,makecomparisonsandapplications,anddevelopevidence-based arguments.Inaddition,theywillcompleteapoliticalscienceresearchorappliedcivicsproject.Thiscoursemeets theStateofMichigan’sU.SGovernment/Civicsrequirement.
Debate-Grades9-12(0.5credit)
Thisone-semesterelectivecourseisdesignedforthoseinterestedindevelopingtheirskillsinpublicspeakingand presentations.Thissemester-longcoursepreparesstudentstorepresentAcademyoftheSacredHeartonthe local,regional,andnationalstageineachofthefollowingdebateevents:a)BigQuestions;b)Congressional Debate;c)ExtemporaneousDebate;d)Lincoln-DouglasDebate;e)PolicyDebate;f)PublicForumDebate;g) WorldSchoolsDebate;h)RonaldReaganPresidentialDebate;i)CoolidgeCupDebate.Thiscoursemaybe repeated.
ImmigrantsinAmericanHistory-Grade11-12(0.5credit)
ThestoryofimmigrationtoAmericaiscomplex,complicated,andmultifaceted.Thiscoursetracesthehistory ofimmigrationandthemeaningofcitizenshipfromAmerica’sverybeginningstothepresentday Inthiscourse, studentswillinvestigatethemanyissues,events,andcontroversiessurroundingthehistoryofAmerican immigration:questionsofinclusionandexclusion,settlementpatterns,issuesofrace,gender,andethnicity,and theevolutionoffederalimmigrationpolicy.Aswemovechronologicallythroughtime,studentswillbepushed tocriticallyanalyze,question,andcritiquecommonlyheldnarrativessurroundingimmigrationbyexamininga widevarietyofprimaryandsecondarysourcestosubstantiatetheirinterpretations Thiscoursewillplace particularemphasisonexploringlivedimmigrantexperiencesthroughoutAmericanhistory.Throughoutthe semester,studentswillconductindependentresearch,engageinmockdebatesonimmigrationissues,andapply historicalcontextandperspectivetocurrenteventssurroundingimmigration.
IntroductiontoPhilosophy-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Howdoweknowandunderstandthings?Whatisreality?Whatisthedi erencebetweenknowledgeandbelief? Thisone-semestercourseisanintroductiontophilosophy,focusingonepistemologyandmetaphysics.Our sharedhistoryofknowledgeimpactsthemodernworldandthedevelopmentofcommunity,andthiscourse enhancesstudentunderstandingoftheimpactofsomeofhumanity'sgreatestthinkers,includingPlato, Aristotle,StAugustine,StThomasAquinas,Descartes,ThomasHobbes,andJohnLocke.Studentsread excerptsfromthemajorworksofeachphilosopher,discusstheirideas,andwriteanessaycomparingseveral schoolsofthought.Theyareevaluatedontheirparticipationindiscussions,classquizzes,andamajoressay. Studentswillalsoengageinopen-mindeddiscussionanddebateastheytackle,head-on,someofthegreatest philosophicalideasinhumanhistory.
Psychology-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Thiscoursewillintroduceessentialtopicsinpsychologyincludinganoverviewofhowpsychologydevelopedas anacademicdiscipline,andgivestudentsanintroductiontothissubjectbyexaminingthemajorpsychological perspectivesincludingbehavioral,cognitive,andsocial-cultural.Throughoutthecoursestudentswillengagein reasoning,problemsolving,abstract,analytical,andcriticalthinkingskills.Cognition,perception,learning, humandevelopment,motivation,andpersonalityaresomeofthetopicsoftheclass Throughreading, demonstrationandresearch,studentswillgainabetterunderstandingofwhotheyareandhowtheyfunctionas humans.
Race.Ethnicity,Crime,andJustice-DualEnrollmentwithOaklandUniversity-Grades11-12(4 credits)
Thiscourseprovidesasocio-historicalanalysisoftherelationshipbetweenrace/ethnicityandcriminal involvement,victimization,andcriminaljusticeprocessing Thoughscholarshavelongstudiedtherelationship betweenrace/ethnicityandcrimeandpunishmentinU.S.society,recenteventshavebroughtthisissuetothe forefront,sparkingcallsforchangeandleadingtoconsiderablepublicdebate.Coursematerialwillfocusonhow race,ethnicity,andimmigrantstatusarelinkedtodi erentialcriminalinvolvement,victimization,and experienceswithinthecriminaljusticesystem Thiscourseiso eredinpartnershipwithOakland University Familiesareresponsibleforcoveringthecoursefee,whichis$2000
Mathematics
TheMathematicscurriculumfosterscompetencyandunderstandingofthecomputingandthinkingskillsnecessary tofunctioninarapidlychangingtechnologicalsocietywhilefosteringcuriosityandlearningbydiscovery.In additiontolearningthefundamentalsofalgebra,geometry,trigonometry,probability,statisticsandcalculus,each studentdevelopsherabilitiesinanalysis,precision,logic,criticalthinkingandproblemsolving.TheMathematics Departmentoffersavarietyofclassestoaccommodatedifferentlevelsofabilityandinstructionalneeds Allcourses arecollegepreparatorylevel.ThemethodofinstructionincorporatestheCommonCoreStandardsfor MathematicalPracticethroughhands-onactivities,theuseoftechnology,andincreasedattentiontomodelingand problem-solvingskills.Agraphingcalculator(TI84Pluspreferred)isrequiredforallmathclasses($75-$100). Studentplacementinacourseisdesignedtoprovidethebestopportunityforsuccessaswellasthebestutilizationof thestudent’stalents Sometimesasthestudentmaturesandbecomesmorecognizantofherneedsanddesires,she wishestobeinmathclassesthataremorerigorous,demanding,andmoveatamorerapidpace.Ifastudentand/or parentrequeststhatthenextcourseinthemathsequencebeanhonorsratherthanacollegepreparationcourse,the followingcriteriamustbemet:
1.A nalgradeof“A”(93%orbetter)inthepreviouscourse
2.Teacherrecommendation
3.Ascoreof85%orbetteronthe nalexamfromthepreviouscourse
4Aformal(written)commitmenttolearn,beforetherequestedclassbegins,inadditiontocompletingany materialthatmayhavebeenexcludedfromthestudent’spreviousmathcourse
Algebra1-Grade9(1credit)
Prerequisite:Equivalentofeighthgrademath StudentsinAlgebra1usetheBigIdeasAlgebra1textbook Thiscourseisanintroductiontothestudyof algebrawherestudentsfurtherpracticetheirproblemsolving,patternrecognition,andreasoningskillsand developmathematicallanguageforscienceandmoreadvancedmathematics.Thiscourseintroducesstudentsto variables,algebraicexpressions,inequalities,linearandquadraticequations,systemsofequations,functions,and alloftheirmultiplerepresentations Avarietyofactivitiessuchasmodeling,groupwork,andopen-ended problemsolvingallowstudentstodeveloptheabilitytoexploreandsolvereal-worldapplicationproblems,
demonstratetheappropriateuseofgraphingcalculators,andcommunicatemathematicalideasclearly This courselaysthefoundationformathematicalliteracythatwillhelpstudentsbesuccessfulineverysubsequent courseinmathematics.
HonorsGeometry-Grade9(1credit)
Prerequisite:HonorsGrade8math,HonorsGrade8Algebra1orplacementexam
StudentsinHonorsGeometryworkthroughtheBigIdeasGeometrytextbook.EuclideanGeometryisoneof theoldestdisciplinesthatisstillroutinelystudiedinschool.Asthe rstexposuretoaself-containedaxiomatic system,geometryisanintroductiontothelogicalframeworkthatunderliesallmathematicalinquiry.Students studybothanalyticandcoordinategeometryintwodimensions,exploringlines,segments,angles,polygons,and circles Specialemphasisisgiventoformalproofsinvolvingcongruenceamongtrianglesandsimilarityamong trianglesandamongotherpolygons.Asthecoursemovestomorepracticalaspectsofgeometry,studentsexplore three-dimensional gures,determiningsurfaceareasandvolumesofpyramids,prisms,cones,cylinders,and spheres.Studentsapplyalgebra,logic,andproblem-solvingskillsthroughout.Thehonorscoursedelvesmore deeplyintotheaxiomaticcharacterandthelogicaldevelopmentofgeometry Inaddition,honorsstudents acquiregreaterindependenceintheirabilitytomakelogicaldeductionsandexploreright-triangletrigonometry asanextensionoftheconceptofsimilarity.
Geometry-Grade10(1credit)
Prerequisite:Algebraorequivalent
StudentsinGeometryworkthroughtheBigIdeasGeometrytextbook EuclideanGeometryisoneoftheoldest disciplinesthatisstillroutinelystudiedinschool.Asthe rstexposuretoaself-containedaxiomaticsystem, geometryisanintroductiontothelogicalframeworkthatunderliesallmathematicalinquiry.Studentsstudy bothanalyticandcoordinategeometryintwodimensions,exploringlines,segments,angles,polygons,and circles Specialemphasisisgiventoformalproofsinvolvingcongruenceamongtrianglesandsimilarityamong trianglesandamongotherpolygons Asthecoursemovestomorepracticalaspectsofgeometry,studentsexplore three-dimensional gures,determiningsurfaceareasandvolumesofpyramids,prisms,cones,cylinders,and spheres.Studentsapplyalgebra,logic,andproblem-solvingskillsthroughout.
HonorsAlgebra2-Grade9-10(1credit)
Prerequisite:BinHonorsGeometryandteacherrecommendation(Grade8)
StudentsinHonorsAlgebra2usetheBigIdeasAlgebra2textbook.Thiscourse,likeAlgebra2,continuesthe studyofalgebra,butatafasterpaceandatadeeperlevel.Topicsincludelinear,quadratic,polynomial,rational, exponential,andlogarithmicfunctionsandtheirgraphs;systemsofequations;roots,powers,andrational exponents Emphasisisplacedonalgebraicprocesses,problem-solving,criticalthinking,andreal-life applicationsthatintegrateconceptsfromgeometryandotherbranchesofmathematics.Graphingtechnologyis anintegralpartofinstructionandstudentwork.
HonorsPrecalculus-Grades10-11(1credit)
Prerequisite:BinHonorsAlgebra2
Thiscoursereinforcesandexpandstheconceptsfromalgebraandgeometryasapreparationforcalculus, includingAPCalculus.Studentsexplorethesametopicsasintheregularprecalculuscourse,butatagreater depthofconceptualunderstanding Thematerialrequiresstudentstobededicatedandindependentlearners withagoodworkethic Topicsincludepolynomialandrationalfunctionsandtheirgraphs,exponentialand logarithmicfunctions,circulartrigonometry,trigonometricgraphsandinversesandtrigonometricidentitiesand equations.Timewillalsobespentexploringconicsectionsandtheirgraphicalproperties.Studentsimprove
theirproblem-solvingandreasoningskillsthroughavarietyofactivitiessuchasindividualpractice,groupwork, applications,anddiscussionsofvariousmethodsofsolvingandpractice
Algebra2-Grade11(1credit)
Prerequisite:Geometryorequivalent
StudentsinAlgebra2workthroughtheBigIdeasAlgebra2textbook Thiscoursecontinuesthestudyof algebra,formingabasisforunderstandingmathematicallanguageinscienceandmoreadvancedmathematics. Topicsincludelinear,quadratic,polynomial,rational,exponential,andlogarithmicfunctionsandtheirgraphs; systemsofequations;roots,powers,andrationalexponents.Emphasisisplacedonalgebraicprocesses, problem-solving,criticalthinking,andapplicationsthatintegrateconceptsfromscienceandotherbranchesof mathematics.Graphingtechnologyisusedthroughoutthecourse.
Precalculus-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:Algebra2
Thiscoursereinforcesandexpandstheconceptsfromalgebraandgeometryasapreparationforcalculus The materialrequiresstudentstobededicatedandindependentlearnerswithagoodworkethic.Topicsinclude polynomialandrationalfunctionsandtheirgraphs,exponentialandlogarithmicfunctions,circletrigonometry, trigonometricgraphsandinversesandtrigonometricidentitiesandequations.Studentsimprovetheir problem-solvingandreasoningskillsthroughavarietyofactivitiessuchasindividualpractice,groupwork, applications,anddiscussionsofvariousmethodsofsolvingandpractice.
Combinatorics,Probability,andStatistics -Grade12(1credit)
Prerequisite:SuccessfulcompletionofAlgebra2andteacherrecommendation
Thiscoursebeginswithastudyofcountingtechniques,particularlypermutationsandcombinations These techniquesarethenappliedtoprobability,andstudentsfurtherlearnbasicprobabilitydistributions,suchasthe binomialandgeometricdistributions.Thestatisticssectionofthecoursestartswithdescriptivestatistics,then movestoadiscussionofdata-gathering,sampling,andbasicinferentialstatistics,suchascon denceintervalsfor aproportion Calculatorsareusedextensivelyforprobabilityandstatisticalcomputations Thecourseconcludes withaprojectchosenbythestudent.
HonorsCalculus-Grade12(1credit)
Prerequisite:BinPrecalculusorHonorsPrecalculusandteacherrecommendation
HonorsCalculusisdesignedforstudentswhowishtostudythefundamentalsofcalculuswithouttheintentof takingtheAPCalculustest Thiscourseisconcernedwithdevelopingthestudents'understandingofthe conceptsofcalculusandhow,whyandwhentousethem.Thematerialisanalyzedusingvisual,numerical, algebraic,andverbalmethods,andincludeslimits,continuity,di erentiation,curve-sketchingandapplications ofdi erentiation.Studentsimprovetheirproblem-solvingandreasoningskillsthroughavarietyofactivities suchasmodeling,groupwork,applications,anddiscussionsofvariousmethodsofsolvingandpractice
APCalculusAB-Grade12(1credit)
Prerequisite:BinHonorsPrecalculusandteacherrecommendation
Thiscoursedealswiththreebigideas:change,limits,andanalysisoffunctions.Forthe rstbigidea,change, studentsusederivativestodescriberatesofchange,orde niteintegralstodescribenetchange Theseideasare exploredinavarietyofcontexts,withanemphasisontheFundamentalTheoremofCalculus.Thesecondbig idea,thatofalimit,isexploredinbothdiscreteandcontinuousmodels.Asstudentsconsiderlimitingcases,they modelreal-worldbehavioranddiscoverandunderstandimportantideas,de nitions,formulas,andtheoremsin
calculus,suchascontinuityanddi erentiation Finally,studentsimplementanalysisoffunctions,thethirdbig idea,byanalyzingthebehaviorsoffunctionsandrelatinglimitstodi erentiation,integration,andin niteseries andrelatingeachoftheseconceptstotheothers.StudentsareexpectedtotaketheAPCalculusexam,witha viewtowardearningascorethatwillqualifythemforcollegecredit.
AdvancedTopicsinMathematics-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:Algebra2andteacherrecommendation
Thissemesterclasso ersstudentstheopportunitytostudytopicsnotcoveredinthestandardmathematics curriculum.Thesetopicsmayincludecombinatorics,linearalgebra,numbertheory,graphtheoryandnonEuclideangeometry
Science
Sciencecoursesaredesignedtomeettheneedsoftoday’stechnicalandsocietaladvancements.Studentsusethe scientificmethodtoobtaininformationthroughinquiryandinvestigationandtheintegrationoftechnology. Emphasisisplacedonthedevelopmentofanunderstandingfortheprocessesofscience,problemsolvingand reasoningskills,criticalthinking,andapplicationofknowledge.Thescopeandsequenceofthecurriculumis developedinamannerthatenablesastudenttosuccessfullycompletethefundamentalrequirementsofthelifeand physicalsciences.Studentsdon’tjustlearnaboutscience;theydosciencethroughlabs,projectsandinvestigation.In theupperlevelsciencecourses,mathandscienceskillsarestronglycorrelated.
Biology-Grade9(1credit)
Biologyintroducesthestudenttothelivingsystemsonacellular,organismal,andecologicallevel Studentswill engageinclassroomlecture,discussion,andlaboratoryexperiences.Thecoursewillemphasizethedevelopment ofthescienti cprocessandlaboratorytechniques.StudentswillaccesstheNextGenerationScienceStandards throughstorylinesthatincludebothScienceandEngineeringPractices,aswellasCrossCuttingConceptsfrom topicsincludingdiversityoforganisms,cellularandmolecularbiology,heredity,growthanddevelopment, structureandfunctionoforganisms,andecology.
HonorsBiology-Grade9(1credit)
Prerequisite:Teacherrecommendation
HonorsBiologyisarigorouscoursewherestudentswillengageinclassroomlecture,discussion,andlaboratory experiences.Studentswillbeintroducedtothelivingsystemsonacellular,organismal,andecologicallevel.The coursewillemphasizethedevelopmentofthescienti cprocessandlaboratorytechniques HonorsBiologyisa rigorousclassthatgoesintogreaterdepthofBiologyconcepts Itwillbemoredemandingintermsoftime, e ortandpreparation.ThesametopicswillbecoveredaswithBiology,butwithmoredetailanddeeper understandingandanalysisofmaterial.HonorsBiologywillmoveatafasterpacecoveringmoredepthand breadthofvocabularyandinterconnectedprocesses.StudentswillaccesstheNextGenerationScienceStandards throughstorylinesthatincludebothScienceandEngineeringPractices,aswellasCrossCuttingConceptsfrom topicsincludingdiversityoforganisms,cellularandmolecularbiology,heredity,growthanddevelopment, structureandfunctionoforganisms,evolution,andecology.
Chemistry-Grades10(1credit)
Studentsexplorethefundamentalprinciplesofchemistrywhichcharacterizethepropertiesofmatterandhowit reacts.Computer-basedandtraditionallaboratorytechniquesareusedtoobtain,organizeandanalyzedata. Conclusionsaredevelopedusingbothqualitativeandquantitativeprocedures Topicsinclude,butarenot limitedto:measurement,atomicstructure,electroncon guration,theperiodictablebonding,gaslaws, propertiesofliquidsandsolids,solutions,stoichiometry,statesofmatter,solutions,molarityandreactions.
HonorsChemistry-Grade10(1credit)
Prerequisite:MathandScienceteacherrecommendation
Studentsexplorethefundamentalprinciplesofchemistrywhichcharacterizethepropertiesofmatterandhowit reacts.Computer-basedandtraditionallaboratorytechniquesareusedtoobtain,organizeandanalyzedata. Conclusionsaredevelopedusingbothqualitativeandquantitativeprocedures.Topicsinclude,butarenot limitedto:measurement,atomicstructure,electroncon guration,theperiodictablebonding,gaslaws, propertiesofliquidsandsolids,solutions,stoichiometry,reactions,kinetics,equilibrium,acidsandbases,and oxidationandreduction.HonorsChemistrywillmoveatafasterpaceandcovermoredepthoftopics.
AdvancedChemistryLab-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:BinHonorsChemistryandconcurrentenrollmentinAPChemistry
TheAdvancedChemistryLabTechniquescourseprovidesstudentswithacollege-levelfoundationtosupport futureadvancedcourseworkinchemistry Studentscultivatetheirunderstandingofchemistrythrough inquiry-basedlaboratoryinvestigations TheselabsarealignedwithlearningobjectivesoftheAPChemistry course.ThiscoursealsoalignswithbestpracticespromotedbyAmerica’sLabReportandtheNationalScience FoundationAdvancedChemistryLabTechniquesemphasizesscienti cinquiry,reasoning,andcriticalthinking. Itenablesstudentstoplan,direct,andintegratearangeofsciencepractices,suchasdesigningexperiments, collectingdata,andapplyingquantitativeskills ThisclassmustbetakenalongwithAPChemistry
APChemistry-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:BinHonorsChemistryandconcurrentenrollmentinAdvancedChemistryLab
APChemistryisanin-depth,fast-pacedsecondyearchemistrycourseforadvancedstudentswithagenuine interestinchemistryandothersciences.Thecourseprovidesstudentswithathoroughgroundinginchemical principlesandquantitativereasoning,withanemphasisoninorganicchemistry.Theworkloadisequivalenttoa rstyearcollegelevelgeneralchemistrysequence Self-motivated,independentlearnerswhohavedemonstrated strongabilitiesinprevioussciencecoursesareencouragedtotakethisrigorous,butrewarding,course This coursemustbetakenconcurrentlywithAdvancedChemistryLab.
AdvancedBiology:Life’sMechanisms-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:HonorsBiology,HonorsChemistryandteacherrecommendation
Thisyear-longstudyofbiologyisanadvancedbiologycoursewherestudentsengageinclassroomlecture, discussion,andlaboratoryexperiencestocultivatetheirunderstandingofbiologythroughinquiry-based investigations.Unitsexploredincludethefollowingtopics:evolution,cellularprocesses,energyand communication,genetics,informationtransfer,ecology,andinteractions AdvancedBiologyisstructured aroundfourbigideas,theenduringunderstandingswithinthebigideasandtheessentialknowledgewithinthe enduringunderstandings.
APBiology-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:HonorsBiology,HonorsChemistryandteacherrecommendation
APBiologyisanin-depth,fast-pacedsecondyearBiologycourseforadvancedstudentswithagenuineinterestin Biologyandothersciences.Thecourseprovidesstudentswithathoroughgroundingincriticalthinking, laboratorytechniquesandquantitativereasoning,withanemphasisonlifeprocesses Theworkloadis equivalenttoa rstyearcollegelevelgeneralbiologysequence.Self-motivated,independentlearnerswhohave demonstratedstrongabilitiesinprevioussciencecoursesareencouragedtotakethisrigorous,butrewarding, course.
Physics-Grades11-12(1credit)
Thiscourseisdesignedtogivestudentsathoroughunderstandingofbasicphysicsconcepts Ineveryunit, studentswill rstexperienceandmeasurephysicalphenomena,analyzeanddiscusstheirdatausingverbal, visual,numericalandanalyticalrepresentationstocreateascienti cmodel,andthenextendtheirconclusionsto anewsettingwherere nementofthemodelmaybenecessary.Topicsofstudywillbekinematicsanddynamics inonedimension,energyandwork.
HonorsPhysics-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:PrecalculusorconcurrentandfinalgradeofB+oraboveinHonorsChemistryorfinalgradeofAin Chemistrywithteacherrecommendation
Thiscourseislab-based,designedtogivestudentsastrongbackgroundinintroductoryphysicsusingtheskillsof observation,speculation,analysisandconclusion.Ineveryunit,studentswillcollectdataanddiscusstheir results,arguingwithevidence,developingascienti cmodelusingverbal,visual,numerical,analyticaland computationalrepresentations,andthenextendtheirconclusionstoanewsettingwherere nementofthe modelmaybenecessary Topicswillincludekinematicsanddynamicsinoneandtwodimensions,energyand work.
HonorsAnatomy&Physiology-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:HonorsBiology,HonorsChemistryandteacherrecommendation
Thisacademicallyrigorouslaboratorysciencecoursewillbuildonconceptslearnedinbiologyandchemistry.It willfocusspeci callyonhumananatomyandphysiology.Throughlectures,activities,anddissections,students willlearnhowthestructures(anatomy)ofthehumanbody ttheirfunction(physiology)tomaintain homeostasisoftheorganismandcontinuethespecies Alltwelvehumanbodysystemswillbeincluded,aswell asthetypesoftissueandcellchemistry.
Ecology-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Thegoalofthecourseistoprovidestudentswiththescienti cprinciples,concepts,andquantitativeanalysis requiredtounderstandtheinterrelationshipsofthenaturalworld,toidentifyandanalyzeecologicalproblems bothnaturalandhuman-made,andtodevelopandfocustheirownperspectiveonsustainability.
ForensicScience-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Thiscoursewillconnectsciencetotherealworld.Studentswillworkindependentlybutcollaboratively, understandforensicscience,incorporatehistorywithscience,expandcriticalthinking,usescienti cterminology andlearnnewusesoftechnologyinsolvingcrimes.StudentswilllearnaboutcareersinvolvedinForensicScience andwillplaymockrolesasexpertsinthe eldtosolvecrimes Studentswillbegiventhetoolstointerpretdatain bothchemicalandbiologicalanalysis.Thiscourseisrichinlabinvestigationandexplorationwhichappliesto manydisciplinesofscienti cstudysuchasbiology/anatomy,chemistryandphysics.
SteamIntroduction-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
SteamIntroductionwilluseaproject-orientedcurriculumthatintroducesresourceful,criticalthinkerstothe skillsrequiredtobuildecologically-oriented,sustainableprojectsformico-agriculturaluse.Someexamplesmay include:terrariums,verticalgrowsystems,andaquariums.Studentswillpresenttheirprojectstothecommunity throughbothecologicalandenvironmentallenses,withparticularemphasisonnutrientcycling
EnvironmentalScience-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Thegoalofthecourseistoprovidestudentswiththescienti cprinciples,concepts,andmethodologiesrequired tounderstandtheinterrelationshipsofthenaturalworld,toidentifyandanalyzeenvironmentalproblemsboth naturalandhuman-made,toevaluatetherelativerisksassociatedwiththeseproblems,toexaminealternative
solutionsforresolvingand/orpreventingthem,andtodevelopandfocustheirownpoliticalperspective Environmentalscienceisinterdisciplinary;itembracesawidevarietyoftopicsfromdi erentareasofstudy Yet thereareseveralmajorunifyingconstructs,orthemes,thatcutacrossthemanytopicsincludedinthestudyof environmentalscience.
Zoology-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Zoologyprovidesanintroductiontotheroleofscienceinthestudyandconservationofanimalsandplants Courselectures,scienti creadings,anda eldtripprovidearigorousintroductiontothemotivationfor, methodsof,andmajorchallengesfacingcontemporaryzoology.Inaddition,lecturesandactivitiesseekto enhanceeachstudent’sunderstandingofthescienti cprocessandthusthepotentialandlimitationsofscience asatoolinaddressingcontemporarysocialproblems.Thecontentofcourselecturesfocusesonanintroduction tothescienti cstudyandanalysisofbiodiversity;aprojectcenteredaroundthemajorthreatstobiodiversity;an overviewofcontemporaryconservationstrategiesandananalysisofrecentandhistoricsuccessandfailuresin conservatione orts.
Technology
ComputerScienceisintroducedtoallninthgraders.Weofferourstudentsacomprehensiveexposuretotechnologyto enablethemtomakeknowledgeableandwisechoices Nomatterwhatlevelofproficiencystudentsenterourschool with,theywillbegiventheopportunitytolearnandachievewithintheframeworkoftheirexperienceandpotential
IntroductiontoComputerScience-Grade9(0.5credit)
ThiscourseisarequiredcourseforallGrade9students
IntroductiontoComputerScienceisanintroductionclassforstudentswhohavehadnopriorcomputerscience experience.Thisclasswillbeusingaward-winningBlackbirdCodewhichisaproject-orientedprogramming curriculumthatintroducesnewprogrammerstotheskillsrequiredtobuildanimationsandgamesusing JavaScript Studentsdevelopprogrammingskillssuchasdeclaringandusingvariables,conditionalstatements, datatypes,objects,functions,loops,andarrays Studentswillprogramonauser-friendlycodeeditor,whichhas helpfulerrormessagesanddocumentationmakinglearningmucheasier.Studentswilllearntodeveloplogic statements,complexdatastructures,andbuildgamesandanimations.
IntroductiontoRobotics&Engineering-Grades9-12(0.5credit)
IntroductiontoRoboticsisabeginningclassintotheworldofrobotics.Robotsareusedinsmartphones,smart cars,smartbuildings,healthcare,defense,theinternet,securitysystems,spaceandseaexploration,satellites,etc. ThiscurriculumisdesignedtotakenewprogrammersandleadthemstepbystepintotheworldofROBOTCprogramming.TheVexCurriculumisbuiltaroundthefundamentalunderstandingofthesystemsthatmakeup robotsandthedevelopmentofworkplacecompetencies.Thecornerstoneoftheclassinvolvessolving engineeringdesignproblems.Theteacherwillbeplacedintheroleofafacilitator/mentor,thestudentinthe roleofprojectmanager/problemsolver Uponcompletionofthecoursethestudentwillbeableto:identify, formulatesolutionsfor,andsolveengineeringtechnologyproblemsusingengineeringdesignprocesses,apply knowledgeofmathematics,scienceandtechnologytosolveroboticengineeringtechnologyproblems,function onmulti-disciplinaryteams,communicatee ectivelyusingvariousformsofcommunications,recognizethe needfor,anddemonstratetheabilityto,engageinlife-longlearning,describevariousmethodsusedtomanage andscheduleprojects,participateinand/orconductdesignreviewsandcollect,analyzeandinterpretdata
IntermediateRobotics&Engineering-Grades10-12(0.5credit)
Prerequisite:IntroductiontoRobotics&Engineeringandteacherrecommendation
IntermediateRoboticsisacontinuationoftheIntrotoRoboticsclassandisanin-depthstudyofthesystems thatmakeuprobotsandmethodsforsolvingengineeringdesignproblems Complexandadvanced programmingskillsarelearnedinthiscourse.Studentswilldesignandbuildtheirownrobot,totheirown speci cations,aslongasthespeci cationsfollowcertainparametersandtherobotisabletocompletespeci c tasks.Therobotswillbemoreadvancedwithahigherlevelofdesignandintricacy.Themainobjectiveofthe classistodesignarobottoperformaspeci ctask,approvedbytheinstructor Toaccomplishthis,studentswill dothefollowing:identifyaproblemortask,formulatesolutionsusingengineeringdesignprocesses,applyprior knowledgeandnewknowledgetosolvetheproblem,collect,analyze,andinterpretdatatohelpinthe engineeringoftherobot,iterateuntilthetaskcanbecompletedbytherobot.
APComputerSciencePrinciples(APCSP)-Grades10-12(1credit)
Prerequisites:A-inIntroductiontoComputerScience,BinpreviousMathandSciencecourse APComputerSciencePrinciplesisanintroductorycollege-levelcomputingcoursethatintroducesstudentsto thebreadthofthe eldofcomputerscience.Studentslearntodesignandevaluatesolutionsandtoapply computersciencetosolveproblemsthroughthedevelopmentofalgorithmsandprograms.Theyincorporate abstractionintoprogramsandusedatatodiscovernewknowledge.Studentsalsoexplainhowcomputing innovationsandcomputingsystems includingtheinternet work,exploretheirpotentialimpacts,and contributetoacomputingculturethatiscollaborativeandethical
APComputerScienceA(APCSA)-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:APComputerSciencePrinciples,3orhigherontheAPComputerSciencePrinciplesExam APComputerScienceAintroducesstudentstocomputersciencethroughprogramming.Fundamentaltopics inthiscourseincludethedesignofsolutionstoproblems,theuseofdatastructurestoorganizelargesetsofdata, thedevelopmentandimplementationofalgorithmstoprocessdataanddiscovernewinformation,theanalysis ofpotentialsolutions,andtheethicalandsocialimplicationsofcomputingsystems Thecourseemphasizes object-orientedprogramminganddesignusingtheJavaprogramminglanguage
VideoGameDesign-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:APComputerSciencePrinciples
VideoGameProgrammingteachesthefoundationsofcreatingvideogamesinJavaScript Itscurriculumteaches thefoundationsofcomputerscienceandbasicprogramming,withanemphasisonhelpingstudentsdevelop logicalthinkingandproblem-solvingskillsallgearedtowardmakingsimplevideogames.Thecoursewillset themupforhigher-levelgameprogrammingatalatertime.
FundamentalsofCyberSecurity-Grades10-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:IntrotoComputerScience
Asourworldbecomesincreasinglydependentontechnology,cybersecurityisatopicofgrowingimportance.It iscrucialthatcompaniesandindividualstakeprecautionstoprotectthemselvesfromthegrowingthreatof cyber-attacks Thiscoursepreparesstudentswithcrucialskillstoberesponsiblecitizensinadigitalfuture Studentswilllearnfoundationalcybersecuritytopicsincludingnetworkingfundamentals,softwaresecurity, systemadministrationandthebasicsofcryptographyandprogramming.Thisisnotacodingintensivecourse, butstudentswilllearnbasicSQLandJavaScript,andwillutilizebasicHTMLandJavaScriptwithinspeci c contextswhilebeingprovidedwithsupportwithinthosecontexts
AdvancedCyberSecurity-Grades12(1credit)
Prerequisite:APComputerSciencePrinciples,FundamentalsofCyberSecurity
Astechnologyexpandsandthenumberofconnecteddevicesgrows,sodoestheneedforsecurityandnetwork experts Withover300,000jobopeningsinthe eld,studentscanexpecttolearnreal-worldapplicationsof networkandsecurityconceptsthatwillopenupaworldofopportunities.TheAdvancedCybersecuritycourse isthecapstonecourseofthecybersecuritypathway.Inthiscourse,studentswilllearnadvancedtopicsinthe eld ofcybersecurity,includingadvancedcryptography,networking,riskassessment,andcyberdefense.
ComputerScienceCapstone:MobileApp/VideoGameProgramming-Grade12(1credit) Prerequisite:APComputerSciencePrinciples,VideoGameDesign Mobileapplicationsarebecomingincreasinglyimportanttoourconsumptionofmedia,news,social interaction,andlearning.Inthiscourse,studentswilllearnhowtocreatemobileapps.Studentswilldesignand buildapplicationstorunontheirownsmartphonesandwillusethelatesttoolsandtechnologiesavailablefor mobileappdevelopment.Theywillthenputitonamarketplace,suchasAppStoreandGooglePlay,tosellor o erforfree
Theology
GoalOneofSacredHearteducationisto"educatetoapersonalandactivefaithinGod"Bycreatingasafeand welcomingenvironment,weinviteeachstudenttoexploreherpersonalrelationshipwithGodandgrowin communitywithothers.WewelcomefamiliesofallfaithswhosevaluesarecompatiblewiththoseofSacredHeart education.TheTheologycurriculumawakensstudentstothecallforsocialjusticeandengagesthemindialogue aboutvariousreligioustraditions,scripture,andmoralandethicalquestions CoursesaregroundedintheHeartof JesusandthroughthelensoftheGospels,andstudentswillexplorethescriptures,investigateCatholicmoraltheology andsocialjustice,compareandcontrastthefaithtraditionsoftheworld,anddevelopherownunderstandingof andpersonalrelationshipwithGod.Thetheologycurriculumseekstochallengestudentstodialogue,study, think critically,takeaction,andcontemplatehowtolivetheirfaithinawaythatisbothpersonalandSacredHeart.The spiritualjourneyistransformationalanduniquetoeachstudent,andemphasisisplacedonwhatitmeanstobea childoftheSacredHeart,theimportanceofknowingyourselfandyourrelationshipwithGod.
Theology9:ElementsofFaithandScripture-Grade9(0.5credit)
Thishalf-creditcourseteachesthebasicsofCatholicfaiththroughaclosereadingoftheNiceneCreed,Bible passages,andteacher-selectedreadings.ItaimstohelpstudentsnavigatetheBible,applyBiblereadingsto everydaylife,andunderstandtheirroleasstewardsoftheearth.ItdevelopsanunderstandingoftheBible’s structureandthemanyauthorsandbooksitcomprises.Studentswillbeginthiscoursediscerningtheirbelief systems,whoGodistothem,aswellashowmoralityplaysaroleintheirfaithlivesthroughjournaling, discussion,andprayer StudentswillstudyboththeApostlesandNiceneCreeds,gainingabroader understandingoftheircontextinhistoryandasprayer.Studentswillthenrespondtoandwrestlewithwhatwe cometounderstand,questionandexperienceasachallengeoran“A-Ha”moment.
Theology10:WorldReligions-Grade10(1credit)
ThiscourseintroducesstudentstotheecumenicalconversationbetweenRomanCatholicismandfourofthe world’smajorreligioustraditions(Islam,Hinduism,Buddhism,andTaoism),andtotheacademic eldofthe comparativestudyofreligions.Witheachtradition,thestudentsexplorehistory,geography,primarytextsand narratives,basictenets,sacredspaces,rituals,practice,ethics,aswellasculturalcontributions Studentsexamine aspectspertinenttotheevolutionandrelevanceofeachtraditioninthecontemporaryworld Inadditionto gaininganawarenessandliteracyregardingdi erencesandsimilaritiesacrossreligioustraditions,studentsgain anappreciationandrespectforthelivedreligioustraditionsthathelpshapethepersonalandsocialidentitiesof diversepeoplesintheUnitedStatesandacrosstheGlobalSouth.
Theology11:LivingJusticeandPeace-Grade11(1credit)
ThiscoursewillfocusonenvisioningaworldofjusticeandpeacethroughthestudyofCatholicSocialTeaching, Scripture,andreallivedexperiences.ByintertwiningtheGoalsandCriteriaintodialogueandre ectioninthis course,studentswillhaveampleopportunitytocritically,prayerfully,andempatheticallyviewsocialchallenges ofinjusticeandmakeconnectionsthatwillimpelthemtoaction Studentswilllearnaboutandstudyawide rangeofsocialissuesonthelocal,national,andinternationallevels.Studentswillbeencouragedtoexaminetheir ownpersonal,internalspiritualitythroughexposuretoresourcesandorganizationsthatarecommittedtojustice intheworld.Throughastudyofthesacredstoryofavarietyofancientandmodernreligiousexperiences, studentswillgrowintheirglobalawarenessandareencouragedtolivejustlyandtobepeacemakersinallareasof theirlives
Theology12:SpiritualCrossroads-Grade12(0.5credit)
WithaSacredHeartfocusandthroughthelensoftheCatholicfaith,thoughnotlimitedexclusivelytoCatholic practices,studentswillexplore,research,andexperiencethecaseandimportanceforstrengtheningourown spirituallife,thediverseRSCJandCatholicapproachtoprayerandspirituality;andthediverseapproachto otherfaithtraditionstoprayerandspirituality.StudentswillcarefullylookattheplaceoftheSpiritwithintheir livesandexplorehowbelief,theology,religion,faithandspiritualityintermingleonthejourney.Studentswill relyontheirownpersonalandcommunalwisdomandtheinsightsofotherstodeepenandexpandtheirsenseof self,othersandtheGodofourunderstanding
Wellness
Studentsaretaughtthedifferentdimensionsofoverallwellnessandthevalueofahealthylifestyle.Theywillbe giventheinformationandtaughttheskillsnecessarytomakethechoicesthatwillenablethemtobehealthyfora lifetime.Grade9and10willfocusononeofthemanydimensionsofwellness,includingphysicalwellness, emotionalwellness,intellectualwellness,andsocialwellness Theinformationandskillsthatstudentswilllearn throughoutthesecourseswillbetaughtandimplementedinvarioussettingswithineachcourse,bothintheclassroom andinthegym,oroutside.PEelectiveswillfocusonhealthandwellnessthroughoutlife.DuringGrades9and10, studentswillearn.5credit.PhysicalEducationuniformsarerequiredforGrades9and10andmustbepurchased throughtheonlineSpiritStore.
Wellness9-Grade9(0.5credit)
Thefocusofthiscoursewillbelearningthekeyconceptsnecessarytoachieveoverallphysicalwellness,make wiseandhealthychoicesinordertobehealthyforalifetime Studentswilllearntheimportanceofandbalance ofphysicalactivity,nutritionandmentalwellbeingintheirownlivestokeeptheirbodiesintopcondition.They willalsolearnaboutmentalillnesses,includingawarenessandtreatmentoptions.Studentswillalsolearnthe skillsnecessarytoe ectivelycommunicateandmakedecisions.Theywillbegivenopportunitiestowork cooperativelyinavarietyofsituations,includingmanyteamsports
Wellness10-Grade10(0.5credit)
Therewillbeafocusinthiscourseonbuildingandmaintaininghealthyrelationships.Additionally,students willhavetheopportunitytoengageinbothindividualandteamsportsinavarietyofdi erentsituations. Competitionandstrategywillbeusedanddiscussedtosolveproblemsand gureouthowtobesuccessfuland reachone’spotential Studentswilllearnaboutalcoholandotherdrugsandtherolethesesubstancescanplayin theirlives StudentswillbeintroducedtoFirstAidandCPRconceptsduringthiscourse Studentswillbe
taughtinformationonsexeducation,includingimportantinformationthatisnecessaryforthemtomakewise andhealthychoices
LifeFitness-Grades11-12(0.5credit)
Thissemester-longcourseisdesignedforstudentswhohaveadesiretoengageinavarietyofhigh-intensity tnessactivitiestheycanparticipateinforalifetime Activitiesmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,circuit training,tabatatraining,cardiorespiratoryendurancetraining,strengthtraining,bootcamp,plyometrics,and functionalstretchingandyoga.Studentswillalsostudynutritionalpracticestoenhanceoverallwellnessaswell asnutritionsupplementationforsportsrelatedperformance.Studentswillberequiredtodevelopand implementaclassworkoutand/orparticipateinaregulartrainingplantoparticipateina10K/half-marathon run.Thestudentwillalsogainanunderstandingofbasicexercisephysiologyprinciplesandbasicanatomy.This classmaybetakentwice.
WorldLanguage
TheprimaryaimoftheWorldLanguageprogramistopresentlanguagesasessentiallivingtoolsfor communication,giventheglobalcommunityinwhichwelive.Employingproficiency-basedmethods,students developtheabilitytouseotherlanguagesinrealisticsituationsfollowingthestandardsofcommunication,cultures, connections,comparisons,andcommunitieswhiledevelopingtheskillareasoflistening,speaking,reading,and writing.Theknowledge,insight,andappreciationtheygainforotherculturesallowsstudentstodevelopempathyby broadeningtheirunderstandingofhowotherslive,think,andinteractinwaysdifferenttotheirown.
French1-Grades9-12(1credit)
French1isanintroductiontotheFrenchlanguageandfrancophoneculture.Thepurposeofthiscourseisto learnoralandwrittencommunicationskillsusingtheappropriategrammarandvocabularyforlevelone The focusisonlistening,speaking,reading,andwritinginthepresenttense,whilebuildingabetterunderstanding ofFrenchculture.Totheextentpossible,classwillbeconductedinFrenchwithgrammaticalrulesexplainedin English.UseofeverydayFrenchexpressionswillberequired.Someculturalvideosorreadingswillbepresented inEnglish,requiringshortwrittenandoralcommentsinFrench.
French2-Grades9-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:French1andteacherrecommendation
Thepurposeofthiscourseistolearnoralandwrittencommunicationskillsusingtheappropriategrammar learnedinleveloneandaddingleveltwo Thefocusisonlistening,speaking,reading,andwritinginthe presentandpassécomposé,whilebuildingabetterunderstandingofFrenchculture.Mostoftheclasswillbe conductedinFrench,butgrammaticalruleswillbeexplainedinEnglish.UseofeverydayFrenchexpressions willberequired Someculturalvideosorreadingswillbepresented,requiringshortwrittenandoralcomments inFrench
French3-Grades10-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:French2andteacherrecommendation
Thepurposeofthiscourseistolearnoralandwrittencommunicationskillsusingtheappropriategrammar learnedinlevelsoneandtwoandaddinglevelthree Thefocusisonlistening,speaking,reading,andwritingin thepasttense,whilebuildingabroaderunderstandingofFrenchculture Studentswriteandtalkinthepast, recognizingtheneedtouseeitherthepassécomposéortheimparfait.Mostoftheclasswillbeconductedin French,butgrammaticalruleswillbeexplainedinEnglish.Studentswillwriteandspeakusingthegrammar learnedandapplyittoeverydayrealorimaginarysituationsrelatedtothelessonthemes.Studentsworkon
skits,shortvideos,andrecordingsinwhichtheyapplythevocabularyandgrammarcoveredduringthe rst threeyearsofFrench
French4-Grades10-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:French3andteacherrecommendation
Thepurposeofthisclassistocontinuebuildingpro ciencyintheFrenchlanguageandculturethrough listening,speaking,reading,andwriting.Frenchliteratureandartareintroduced,alongwithagrammarreview thatcoversalltopicstaughtinthepreviousyears.StudentsreadFrenchliteratureandareexpectedtocomment, compose,andansweroralandwrittenquestionsinFrench.Thereadingassignmentswillbeevaluatedthrough classdiscussions,withemphasisondi erentliteraryelements Itisexpectedthatthestudentswillcompareand contrastdi erenttextswithoneanother,participateinclassdiscussionsandwriteessaysallinthetarget language.MostoftheclasswillbeconductedinFrench.Someculturalvideosorreadingsmaybepresentedin English,butstudentsareexpectedtoanswerquestionsandwritecompositionsinFrench,basedontheEnglish materials
French5-Grades12(1credit)
Prerequisite:French4andteacherrecommendation
InFrench5,studentscontinuebuildingpro ciencyintheFrenchlanguageandculturethroughlistening, speaking,reading,andwriting.Frenchliteratureandartareintroduced,alongwithagrammarreviewthat coverstheperfect/compoundtenses.StudentsreadFrenchliteratureandareexpectedtocomment,compose, andansweroralandwrittenquestionsinFrench.Thereadingassignmentswillbeevaluatedthroughclass discussions,withemphasisondi erentliteraryelements Itisexpectedthatthestudentswillcompareand contrastdi erenttextswithoneanother,participateinclassdiscussionsandwriteessaysallinthetarget language.MostoftheclasswillbeconductedinFrench.Someculturalvideosorreadingsmaybepresentedin English,butstudentsareexpectedtoanswerquestionsandwritecompositionsinFrench,basedontheEnglish materials
Latin1-Grades9-10(1credit)
ThiscoursewillintroducestudentstothebeautifulandchallengingworldoftheLatinlanguage.Thiscourseis anintensivestudyofthelanguagewithemphasisonsyntax,grammar,andvocabulary.Emphasisison conjugatingverbsanddecliningnouns ThestudentslearnabouttheRomanworldviaafamilyinPompeii Theystudysocial,cultural,economic,andpoliticalhistory.SinceLatinisaliterarylanguage,thereisno emphasisnorexpectationthatstudentswillspeakorwritethelanguage.Thisclasswillhelpthestudents understandtheimportantlegacyandtraditionthattheRomansandtheirlanguageimpartednotonlyon Europeanculture(andthroughcolonialism,worldculture),butalsoonoursharedAmericanheritage
Latin2-Grades9-11(1credit)
Prerequisite:Latin1
ThiscoursebuildsupontheknowledgethestudentslearnedinLatin1.Studentscompletetheirknowledgeof Latinnounforms,investigatetherelationshipbetweennounsandadjectives,andutilizeRomanidioms The storyshiftsfromPompeiiandtoRomanBritainwherethestudentslearnaboutRomancolonizationandits implicationsthroughouthistory.ThiscourseisavailabletostudentswhohavetakenLatin1orstudentswho havetaken2yearsofLatinintheMiddleSchoolforGirlsatAcademyoftheSacredHeart.SinceLatinisa literarylanguage,thereisnoemphasisnorexpectationthatstudentswillspeakorwritethelanguage Thisclass willhelpthestudentsunderstandtheimportantlegacyandtraditionthattheRomansandtheirlanguage
impartednotonlyonEuropeanculture(andthroughcolonialism,worldculture),butalsoonourshared Americanheritage
Latin3-Grades10-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:Latin2
Latin3istheculminatinggrammarcourseintheLatincurriculum StudentscompletetheirknowledgeofLatin grammarwithaheavyfocusonthesubjunctivemood,itsuses,andthevarietyofwaysinwhichLatinutilizes participles.Oncecomplete,thestudentsbegintheirhandattranslatingunadaptedtextsfocusingonunadapted selectionsfromCatullus.Avarietyofculturalissuesareaddressedwithspeci cattentiongiventoRoman colonialismanditsaftere ectsonthelargerMediterraneanworld
Latin4-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:Latin3
StudentswillbegintoreadunadulteratedLatinworks Thisclasswillfunctionasaliterarycourse,withallthe literaturebeinginLatin TheauthorsreadareEutropiusandSallust Thestudentswillreadscholarlyarticleson theauthorstheyread,andtheywillgivepresentationsonthosearticles.Thearticlesfocusonauthorship, rhetoric,andgenre.
Spanish1-Grades9-12(1credit)
Thepurposeof rstlevelSpanishistolearnoralandwrittencommunicationskillsusingtheappropriate grammarandvocabularyforlevelone.Thefocusisonlistening,speaking,reading,andwritinginthepresent tense,whilebuildingabetterunderstandingofSpanishculture.MostoftheclasswillbeconductedinSpanish, butgrammaticalruleswillbeexplainedinEnglish UseofeverydaySpanishexpressionswillberequired Some culturalvideosorreadingswillbepresentedinEnglish,requiringshortwrittenandoralcommentsinSpanish
Spanish2-Grades9-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:Spanish1
ThepurposeofSpanish2istolearnoralandwrittencommunicationskillsusingtheappropriategrammar learnedinleveloneandaddingleveltwo.Thefocusisonlistening,speaking,reading,andwritinginthepreterit tense,whilebuildingabetterunderstandingofSpanishculture.MostoftheclasswillbeconductedinSpanish, butgrammaticalruleswillbeexplainedinEnglish.UseofeverydaySpanishexpressionswillberequired.Some culturalvideosorreadingswillbepresentedinEnglish,requiringshortwrittenandoralcommentsinSpanish
Spanish3-Grades10-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:Spanish2andteacherrecommendation
ThepurposeofSpanish3istolearnoralandwrittencommunicationskillsusingtheappropriategrammar learnedinlevelsoneandtwoandaddinglevelthree.Thefocusisonlistening,speaking,reading,andwritingin theimperfecttense,whilebuildingabroaderunderstandingofSpanishculture.Studentswriteandtalkinthe past,recognizingtheneedtouseeitherthepreteritortheimperfect.Mostoftheclasswillbeconductedin Spanish,butgrammaticalruleswillbeexplainedinEnglish Studentswillwriteandspeakusingthegrammar learnedandapplyittoeverydayrealorimaginarysituationsrelatedtothelessonthemes.Studentsworkonskits, shortvideos,andrecordingsinwhichtheyapplythevocabularyandgrammarcoveredduringthe rstthreeyears ofSpanish.
Spanish4-Grades11-12(1credit)
Prerequisite:Spanish3andteacherrecommendation
ThepurposeofSpanish4istocontinuebuildingpro ciencyintheSpanishlanguageandculturethrough listening,speaking,reading,andwriting Spanishliteratureandartareintroduced,alongwithagrammarreview thatcoversalltopicstaughtinthepreviousyears.StudentsreadfrombothSpanishandSpanish-American literatureandareexpectedtocomment,compose,andansweroralandwrittenquestionsinSpanish.The readingassignmentswillbeevaluatedthroughclassdiscussions,withemphasisondi erentliteraryelements.It isexpectedthatthestudentswillcompareandcontrastdi erenttextswithoneanother,participateinclass discussionsandwriteessaysallinthetargetlanguage.MostoftheclasswillbeconductedinSpanish.Some culturalvideosorreadingsmaybepresentedinEnglish,butstudentsareexpectedtoanswerquestionsandwrite compositionsinSpanish,basedontheEnglishmaterials
Spanish5-Grades12(1credit)
Prerequisite:Spanish4andteacherrecommendation
ThepurposeofSpanish5istocontinuebuildingpro ciencyintheSpanishlanguageandculturethrough listening,speaking,reading,andwriting Spanishliteratureandartareexpanded,alongwithagrammarreview thatincludestheperfect/compoundtenses.StudentsreadfrombothSpanishandSpanish-Americanliterature andareexpectedtocomment,compose,andansweroralandwrittenquestionsinSpanish.Thereading assignmentswillbeevaluatedthroughclassdiscussions,withemphasisondi erentliteraryelements.Itis expectedthatthestudentswillcompareandcontrastdi erenttextswithoneanother,participateinclass discussionsandwriteessaysallinthetargetlanguage.MostoftheclasswillbeconductedinSpanish.Some culturalvideosorreadingsmaybepresentedinEnglish,butstudentsareexpectedtoanswerquestionsandwrite compositionsinSpanish,basedontheEnglishmaterials.
Virtual&OnlineCoursesOutsideoftheSacredHeartCurriculum
OnlinecoursesmaybetakeninthejuniororsenioryearwithpriorapprovalfromtheUpperSchoolDirector andDeanofAcademicandCollegeCounseling.Thecourseworkissubjecttotherequirementsofthevirtual provider Youmayonlysignupforone(1)credittotal Ifyousignupfortwohalfcredit(05)courses,theymust beinalternatingterms.Anonlinecoursetakentoful llagraduationrequirementinacoresubjectmaybetaken duringtheschoolday,providedthestudent’sotherrequiredcoresubjectclassesall taswell.Onlinecourse providersareintendedtoleverageon-linelearning,byprovidingqualityon-linecoursesunderpinnedbythe educationalphilosophyembodiedbytheGoalsandCriteria Studentswishingtotakeanonlinecourseoutside oftheAcademyoftheSacredHeartPlanofStudies,mustsubmitaproposaltotheDirectoroftheUpper SchoolandDeanofAcademicandCollegeCounselingstatingtheirdesiretotakethecourse,alinktothecourse curriculum,andparentalsupportpriortothestartoftheschoolyear.Parentapprovalandresponsibilityforthe enrollmentfeeisassociatedwithonlinecourses
ExperientialLearning&StudentLifePrograms
AtAcademyoftheSacredHeart,studentsgobeyondacademiclearningtodiscoverwhotheyareasconfident, self-awareleadersreadytomakeadifferenceintheworld Whenlearningisdirectlytiedtotheunderstandingof selfandtoincreasedknowledgeoftheworld,girlslearnbest.UniquetotheUpperSchool,theExperientialLearning ProgramincludingMentor,weeklycommunityservice,Grade9Seminar,Retreats,Clubs,StudentGovernment, Exchange,andProjectTermallowsgirlstobuildontheirclassroomlearningoutsideoftheSchool’swalls;todeepen theirfaithformationandtoengageinreciprocalactsofjustice,service,andconnection
MentorSeminar
TheobjectiveoftheUpperSchoolMentorprogramistocreateaspaceforcross-agedconnection,community, andasenseofbelongingeachdayinadailyadvisory Mentorclassesareanintentionalcross-agedgroupingof studentsthatgathereachmorningandthroughouttheyeartore ect,buildcommunity,sharegoalsand experiencefunstudentinitiatedactivities.Overthecourseoffouryears,facultymentorscometoknoweach studentpersonally.
StudentRetreats
Throughprayer,discussion,individualre ectionandclassbondingcenteredaroundourfourvaluesinpractice, studentsdevelopan“activefaithinGod”andbuildrelationshipsoftrustandlove.Studentsinninthandtenth gradeparticipateindaylong,o -campusretreats Studentsineleventhgradeparticipateinanovernight experience Studentsintwelfthgradeparticipateinatwo-day,two-nightretreat Students,inrelationshipsof trust,love,andprayer,developan“activefaithinGod”andthebuildingofschoolcommunity.Requiredallfour years.
ProjectTerm
AcademyoftheSacredHeart,Bloom eldHillsiscommittedtohelpingstudentsgrowintocollaborative problemsolversandtransformationalleaders IntheUpperSchool,noprogramillustratesthiscommitment betterthanProjectTerm.Startedin1974,ProjectTermuniquelyintegratestheGoalsandCriteriaofaSacred HeartEducationbyprovidinganopportunityforstudentstoexpandtheirunderstandingoftheworldaround themandtheirplaceinit.
Eachyear,allstudentsgrades9-12participateinasevenmonthprograminwhichtheyleveragedesignthinking toexplorecomplexglobalissuesinpartnershipwithdiverseorganizationsandexpertsaroundtheworld,from PontiactoPeru.Thehighlightoftheprogramisaweeklong eldstudyduringwhichstudentstravelwith UpperSchoolfacultytotheirpartnersiteforanimmersivelearningexperiencethatinvitesthemtostepoutside oftheircomfortzone,explorenewculturesandcommunities,andworkshouldertoshoulderwithnon-pro t organizationsandexpertscommittedtoaddressingsuchissuesasclimatechange,homelessness,education equity,andforcedmigration.Whenstudentsreturntoschoolaftertheir eldstudy,theyhavetheopportunity toapplyandsharetheirlearningwiththeSacredHeartcommunity.
OverthecourseoftheirtimeatSacredHeart,studentsparticipateinfourdi erenttransformationalProject Termexperiencesanditisagraduationrequirement.Formanystudents,theseexperiencesformthefoundation fortheirfuturestudiesandchosenvocation.
Grade9Seminar
Grade9Seminarisauniqueexperienceinwhichgrade9studentshavetheopportunitytoserve,developtheir academicandsocialemotionalskillsandexploreplacesintheirlocalcommunityincludingMetro-Detroit museums,andsacredspaces Studentsareencouragedtosharetheirgiftswitheachotherandastheyengagein eachopportunitytolearnandunderstanddi erentperspectivesintheircommunityandtheworld
ServiceLearning
TheServiceLearningprogramisanintegralpartofSacredHearteducationwhichseekstoeducatestudents towardsasocialawarenessthatwillimpelthemtoassumeanactiveroleinthecommunity.Westrivetodevelop instudentsacriticalsensewhichwillleadthemtoare ectiononsocietyanditsvalues.Eachstudentinthe tenth,eleventhandtwelfthgradeparticipatesweeklyataregularserviceplacement.Ninthgradestudents
participateinopportunitiesinGrade9Seminartopreparethemforserviceexperience CommunityService experiencescanincludeteacheraidedutiesinschoolclassrooms,hospitals,assistedlivingfacilities,localfarms, andworkingatareafoodbanks.Besidesourweeklyprogram,students(andadults)mayalsoparticipateina monthlySaturdayprogramatFocus:HOPEinconjunctionwiththeyoungmenfromtheUniversityofDetroit JesuitHighSchool(continuoussince1989).
StudentClubs
StudentClubsempowerstudentstotakeactionandresponsibilityforbuildingastrongercommunityand pursuingtheirinterests Clubsandtheiractivitiesarestudentgeneratedandsupportedbyafacultymoderator
StudentCouncil
TheStudentCounciliscomposedofapresident,vicepresident,andsecretarytreasurerforeachclass The leadershipapplicationprocessisarticulatedtostudentsannuallyinthespring.Studentleadersmustaccept responsibilityfordecisionsmade;participateinactivitiesandthecompletionofprojects;andworktocreatea positiveatmosphereintheschool.Leadershipisbothatremendouschallengeandagreatopportunityfor personalgrowth
StudentExchangeProgram
OneoftheuniqueadvantagesofattendingaSacredHeartschoolisthatstudentsareautomaticallypartofa globalnetworkofover150schools Qualifyingsophomorestudentshavetheopportunitytospendthreeweeks atoneoftheseschools,livingwithahostfamilyandlaterhostinganinternationalstudentintheirhomeandat AcademyoftheSacredHeart.Studentsbene tfromexperiencingaSacredHearteducationfromadi erent perspective,whilebeingimmersedinthelocalcultureandlanguage.Beingatruly1:1reciprocalprogram, participatinghostfamiliesbuildatrustingrelationshipthatcrossesborders,rootedintheircommondesirefor theirchildrentoexpandtheirworldviewanddeepentheirculturalawarenessandempathy.
SpecialEventsInTheUpperSchool
● All-SchoolLiturgies
● AthleticAwardsCeremony
● CandlelightBall
● ClassRetreats
● Focus:HOPE-withUofDJesuit
PerformingArtsExtra-Curricular
EarningaVarsityLetterinthePerformingArts
● MotherDaughterSeniorTea
● NationalHonorSocietyInduction
● ProjectTerm
● RingCeremony
● SchoolDances
Duringtheacademicyear,studentsinvolvedindrama,debate,andmusic,canreceivetheirvarsityletteror additionalChenilles.Theseguidelinesarepublishedbelow.
Debate
AcademyoftheSacredHeartisamemberoftheNationalSpeechandDebateAssociation(NSDA) anda foundingmemberoftheGreatLakesDebateLeague.OurstudentscompeteinCongressionalDebateinthefall andPublicForumDebateinthespring.SacredHeartalsocompetesintheInternationalPublicPolicyForum DebatethroughNYUandtheBrewerFoundationeveryNovemberandRonaldReaganDebateeveryMay. EverystudentwhorepresentsSacredHeartincompetitionearnspointstowardsdegreesinNSDA Toearna
varsityletteroradditionalChenillesastudentmustwinaquarter nalroundatanationalqualifying tournament
NationalHighSchoolEthicsBowl(NHSEB)
AcademyoftheSacredHeartparticipatesinNHSEBwhichpromotesrespectful,supportive,andrigorous discussionofethics.TheEthicsBowlformatisrootedinongoingdialogueanddeliberation:aseriesoftwo-way exchangesbetweenequals Itisdesignedtogetstudentsthinking,talking,andultimatelyworkingtogetheron someofthetoughestmoralissuesofourtime EthicsBowlsarecompetitiveyetcollaborativeeventsinwhich studentsdiscussreal-lifeethicalissues.Ineachroundofcompetition,teamstaketurnsanalyzingcasesabout complexethicaldilemmasandrespondingtoquestionsandcommentsfromtheotherteamandfromapanelof judges.AnEthicsBowldi ersfromaSpeechandDebatecompetitioninthatstudentsarenotassignedopposing views;rather,theydefendthepositiontheyactuallyholdorthinkisreasonable,provideeachotherwith constructivecriticism,andwinbydemonstratingthattheyhavethoughtrigorouslyandsystematicallyaboutthe casesandengagedrespectfullyandsupportivelywithallparticipants.Toearnavarsityletteroradditional Chenillesastudentmustwinaquarter nalroundatanationalqualifyingtournament.
Theatre
InadditiontoaclassinTheatreArts,studentsareinvitedtoparticipateinatleastonemajorproductioneach year,usuallyperformedineachsemester Thisinvolvesafter-schoolandsomeSaturdayrehearsalsando ers opportunitiesforstudentsbothonando thestagetogetinvolved throughacting,singing,dancing,building sets,runninglightsandsound,etc.Alongwiththisproduction,studentsmaybeinvolvedinperformancesof scenesandoneactsthatarescatteredthroughouttheyearandinvolvesomeafter-schoolpracticetime.Theseare primarilystudentdrivenandtakeplaceaccordingtostudentinterest.Theatretrulyisateamsport.Themorethe merrier!ToearntheirvarsityletteroradditionalChenillesastudentmustbeafulltimememberofthecastor crewinthefallorspringmusical/play.
UpperSchoolAthleticProgram
GoGazelles!TheAthleticProgramisdevelopedupontheGoalsandCriteriaforSacredHeartSchools Weo er awiderangeofsportsandavarietyofchampionship-levelteams.Theprogrameducatestoalife-longsenseof responsibilityforhealthandwell-being.Througha“nocut”program,eachsportwillprovideequalopportunity forallstudentstoacquireknowledgeofthatsport,developmentofskills,andexerciseleadership.Theprogram willpromoteself-discipline,responsibilityanddecisionmaking,aswellaslearningthebene tofcooperation andrespectforothers.AllAthleticpoliciesandforms,includingVarsityLetterinformationcanbefoundinthe AthleticHandbookontheschoolwebsite.
SacredHeartUpperSchoolAthletics
*ParticipatesintheCatholicHighSchoolLeague(CHSL) ^CooperativeProgram
College,AcademicandCareerGuidance
CollegeGuidance&Counseling
Applyingtocollegeformsacapstoneexperienceonastudent’sjourneyatAcademyoftheSacredHeart.The CollegeCounselingo ceiswiththemeverystepoftheway Ourgoalisthateachstudentlooksbackontheir collegesearchwithprideandmovesforwardwithcon dence Wherevertheyultimatelygo,wewantthemto continuetocultivateandcarrywiththemtheSacredHeartGoalstheyhavemadetheirown.
Guidingprinciples:
● Best tistheultimateoutcome.Fitismulti-dimensionalandindividuallyassessed.
● Collegesearchesrunonself-re ection.Thebetterstudentsknowthemselvesandtheadultstheyimagine growinginto,theeasierthesedecisionswillbe.
○Wecan’ttellstudentsalltheanswers Instead,weencouragestudentstoasktherightquestions–of themselvesandtheirpotentialfuturecommunities
● Acollegesearchcanteachastudentagreatdeal,notmerelyresultinamatriculation.
○Thismaybethe rsttimeastudentmakesadecisionofthisscale;itwon’tbethelast.Wehelpthem acquiretoolsandstrategiestheycankeepusinglongaftertheirdiplomashitthewall
● Weareonthestudent’steam,butthestudentdrivestheprocess
○Weexpectstudentstotakeownershipof,andresponsibilityfor,completingtasks,managing deadlines,anddoingtheirownresearch.
○Wearehereandaccessibletoo erplentyofhelp,encouragement,andexpertisealongtheway.
● Acollegesearchisabig,complicated,importantproject Itisnotastudent’sonly,oreventheirmost important,priority.
○Wetakeourstudents’futuresseriously,butencouragehealthybalancewithalltheotherfacetsofa full,dynamiclife,especiallytheirmentalandemotionalwellbeingandrelationshipswiththeirfamily, friends,andcommunity
● Acollegesearchcanbefun!Whenstudentsarecon dentandtrustthattheprocesswillworkoutwell, wecan(andshould)approachtasksandmilestoneswithjoyandexcitement.
● Lifelonglearningappliestous,too.Wekeepupwithourprofessionandthelandscapeofhigher education,buildandmaintainrelationshipswithcounterpartsandcolleagues,andcontributetoour eld
○WefollowthebestpracticesoutlinedintheNationalAssociationofCollegeandAdmission Counselors’GuidetoEthicalPracticeinCollegeAdmission.
CareerGuidance
TheCareerGuidanceProgrampromotesthedevelopmentofcareerconsciousnessandawarenessamongthe studentsbythefollowingmeans:
● Withintheirfour-yearprogram,studentswillhaveopportunitiestoparticipateincareerexplorationto provideabasisofcareerinterestsandpossibilities,self-evaluationprocessestodeterminewhattheyvalue,
thetypeofworkingconditionstheypreferandwhethertheirgoalsarerealisticallyalignedwiththeir academicabilities
●Guidancesessionsevaluatetestresultsandconsidertheacademicpreparation/directionsthatparallela students’self-reportedcareerinterests.
●Studentsareexposedtoawiderangeofcareer eldsandoccupationsthroughguestspeakers,ProjectTerm eldstudies,summerprograms,andthevastSacredHeartalumninetwork
Testing&Assessments
Inpreparationforthecollegeadmissionprocess,thefollowingtestingscheduleisadvisedforallUpperSchool students ItisrecommendedthatjuniorsbegintotaketheACTand/orSATearlyinthesecondterm This allowsthestudenttoassesshersuccessinthesetestsaswellaspreparetotakeasecondACTorSATbyJune. Thegoalwouldbetoattainasatisfactorystandardizedtestscorebeforethefallofthesenioryear.Asapartofthe collegeapplicationprocess,theCollegeCounselingO ceadvocatesaplannedpreparationbythestudents takingACTand/orSAT
Grade9
● Pre-ACT9(giventoallGrade9studentsatSacredHeart).
Grade10
● Pre-ACT10(giventoallGrade10studentsatSacredHeart)
● MayAdvancedPlacementExams(ifapplicable)
Grade11
● PSAT(giventoallGrade11studentsatSacredHeart)
● ACT*/SAT**
● MayAdvancedPlacementExams(ifapplicable)
Grade12
● OctoberACT*/SAT**
● MayAdvancedPlacementExams
*ACTtestsareo eredseven(7)timesduringtheschoolyear,beginninginSeptemberandendinginJuly Register onlineatwww.my.act.org.
**SATtestsareo eredseven(7)timesduringtheschoolyear,beginninginAugustandendinginJune Registeronlineatwww.collegeboard.org
