High School Curriculum Guide 2024-25 by Sacramento Country Day School

MISSIONANDCOREVALUES

SacramentoCountryDayinspiresintellectualdiscoveryandengagesinadiverse communitytothinkcritically,livecreatively,andactcompassionately.

IntellectualDiscovery

Wechallengestudentstopursueacademicandpersonalexcellenceasthey developandembracetheirpassionforlearning.Ourstudentsthriveinadynamic collegepreparatoryprogramthatfuelscuriosity,instillsconfidence,andbuilds resilience.

Diversity

Ourinclusivecommunitypromotesequityandunderstandingthroughmeaningful conversationthatwelcomesavarietyofvoicesandcelebratesindividuality

CriticalThinking

Ourstudentsgrapplewithcomplexissues,engagewithconflictingpointsofview, makeconnections,andcollaborate Weempowerstudentswiththeskillstothrivein anevolvingworld

Creativity

Ourstudentsexplore,improvise,andtakerisksastheydiscoverandfullyexpress themselvesasindividuals.

Compassion

Wenurtureempathy,integrity,andresponsibilityinasafeandsupportive communitythatvalueskindness,respect,andcivicengagement.

Sacramento Country Day School admits students without regard torace, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, and affords them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally made available to students at the school The school does not discriminate against any student in any way as legally defined in state and federal laws for co-educational schools in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid programs, or athleticandotherschool-administeredprograms

INTRODUCTION

SacramentoCountryDayHighSchoolprovidesachallenging,comprehensive college-preparatorycurriculum.Studentsengageinawiderangeofacademic, co-curricular,andathleticprogramsinadditiontoopportunitiesforexperiential learningthroughannualclasstripsandavarietyofextracurricularofferings.

Weencourageourstudentstodevelopthefullrangeoftheircapabilities intellectual,physical,creative,social,andmoral.Wegiveourstudentsthepractical knowledgeandexperiencetohandletoday’sandtomorrow’stechnological demands,whilewecultivateinthemthehabitsandskillsthatwillenablethemto makethebestuseoftheirabilities.Inaddition,westrivetoeducatetheheartofeach student,emphasizingthevaluesofresponsibility,compassion,kindness,andrespect.

Asstudentsbecomeawareoftheirintellectualheritage,theylearntodistinguish opinionfromfact,tothinkcriticallyabouttheworldaroundthem,andtomake connectionsamongideasindifferentdisciplines Theyalsolearnaboutthemselves andtheirabilities,understandingwhotheyareandtheircapacitytoeffectpositive changeintheworld,andgraduatingasconfident,literate,andarticulateyoungmen andwomen.

Graduationrequirements

Studentsareexpectedtocompletethefollowingrequirementsinordertograduate fromCountryDay:

English

Mathematics

Science

HistoryandSocial Science

FourYears

ThreeyearsthroughAlgebraII(fourrecommended)

Threeyearsoflaboratoryscience(fourrecommended) Biologyis requiredwithChemistryasaprerequisite

Threeyears(fourrecommended) WorldHistory9andHuman Geography10arestandard,andU.S./APUSHistoryisrequired

WorldLanguage LevelThree(LevelFourRecommended)

Visual&Performing Arts(VPA)

PhysicalEducation

CommunityService

SophomoreProject

Twoconsecutivesemestersofthesamecourse

FoursemestersofPE classesorfourseasonsofinterscholastic sportsorfourseasonsofIndependentPE

50*hoursforfouryears(documentationrequired)

*ProratedduetoCovid-19-37.5hoursfortheClassof2025,50hoursfor theclassof2026andbeyond

Yearlongresearchprojectcompletedduringthesophomoreyear

ENGLISH

TheEnglishprogramisorganizedaroundtheprincipleofspiralingskills,buildingon theskillsetstudentslearninMiddleSchool.Allcoursesexpectdemandingreading, analyticaldiscussion,andfrequentcomposition,andemphasizeliterature'svaried formsanduniversalthemes.Theschoolexpectsstudentstoconstantlyimprovetheir meansofexpression,bothinstyleandincontent.Theyshouldgainincreasing controloverlanguage,leadingtowardtheclearstatementofincreasinglycomplex relationshipsintheliteraturetheyread,andindescribingandevaluatingthe complexworldaroundthem.Allcoursesalsoemphasizeself-discovery developing one’sownvoiceandvalues andthebasicculturalknowledgetopreparestudents forwell-informedcitizenship.Inthispedagogicaldesign,therefore,whatvariesfrom coursetocourseisnottheskillsthestudentspractice,butthedepthtowhichwe expectstudentstohavemasteredthem Skillsincludethefollowingareas:(1) literature,(2)composition,(3)grammar,(4)vocabulary,and(5)criticalthinking Eachcoursealsoincludesinstructioninthespecificconventionsofcollege-level academicwriting–again,thisbuildsonasetofincreasinglycomplexresearchtasks initiallyintroducedattheMiddleSchoollevel (AllcoursesareUCcertifiedandfulfill theEnglish“b”requirementandallAdvancedPlacementclassesareCollegeBoard certified.)

English9

InEnglish9,studentsexploremajorliterarythemesincludingcourage,justice,human nature,lossofinnocence,andtruth.Studentscontinuetostrengthenlanguageand criticalthinkingskillswhilereading,analyzing,andwritingaboutliteraryworksfrom genresincludingfiction,nonfiction,drama,andpoetry.Studentsanalyzetexts, distinguishliteralandfigurativemeaning,andexplorebothconcreteandabstract levelsofinterpretation.Studentsthendeveloptheirownideasthroughwritten expression,discussion,anddigitalprojects.Grammarandvocabularyinstructionwill beintegratedthroughouttheyearinsupportofourliterarystudies.

English10

English10exploresLanguageandMigrationStudiesthroughaliterarylens.Students willexamineconceptssuchasidentity,nationality,integration,anddiaspora,and begintoexpandontheseconceptsaswediveintoourselectedreadings.Students willcontinuetodeveloptheirreadingskills,criticalthinking,narrativewriting,and analyticalwritingastheyexploretheintricaciesofLanguageandMigrationStudies throughthereadingofcontemporaryliteratureandculturalproduction Vocabulary andgrammararetaughtandreviewed

English11

English11focusesoncriticalreadingofseveralworksofdrama,fiction,andnonfiction. Studentsread,discuss,analyze,andinterpretworksofdramaandliteraturethrough carefulreading,classdiscussion,readingquizzes,andshortandlongessays. Studentsstudyavarietyofnonfictionessaysinasimilarmanner.Theseessayswill alsobecomethemodelsforstudiesoftherhetoricalmodesthatarethebuilding blocksofcollege-levelreadingandwriting:narration,description,exposition,and argumentation.Studentsalsoworkonlanguageskills,inparticular,sentencestyle.

Skillsdevelopedinthisclasswillbeparticularlyvaluableinpreparingforcollege admissionsessays.

APEnglishLanguageandComposition(11thGrade)

APEnglishLanguageandCompositionisacollege-levelexpositorywritingcourse thatpreparesstudentsforthecorrespondingAPexaminthespring.Inthewordsof theCollegeBoard,itspurposeis“toenablestudentstoreadcomplextextswith understandingandtowriteproseofsufficientrichnessandcomplexityto communicateeffectivelywithmaturereaders.”Thecourseisorganizedaround sequencesofassignmentsrelatingtovarioustypesofnonfictionwriting:narration, description,exposition,andargument Numerousshortnonfictionpiecesarestudied toidentifyandevaluateauthors’rhetoricalstrategiesandtechniques Composition assignmentsincludeaprofileandanessayarguingaposition Novels,plays,and memoirsarealsostudiedtodeterminehowandwhywritersmakenarrativeand linguisticchoices Thestudyofgrammarandvocabularyhelpsstudentsdevelop stylisticsophisticationintheirprose.Skillsdevelopedinthisclasswillbeparticularly valuableinpreparingforcollegeadmissionsessays.

English12

Thiscourseprimarilyaddressesethical,legal,andmoralquestionsinhistorical contextincludingoppressionbasedonracial,ethnic,gender,andsexualidentity. Coursetextsincludeworksoffiction,drama,andpoetrywrittenfromthe18ththrough the21stcenturies.Thecoursewillalsomakefrequentreferencetocurrentevents, history,andculture.Studentswillbeexpectedtowritenumerousformalandinformal responsestothecoursetextsandmakepresentationscontextualizingtheworkswe read.Independentreadingwillinspirestudentstogenuinelyenjoyreading,allowing timeandspaceforpleasurereadingandexpandingthetextsusedforcomparative studies.Inthefourthquarter,studentswillaccessnewspapersthroughthepublic libraryandholddiscussionsofadultcivicresponsibilities.

AdvancedTopicsinEnglishLiterature(12thGrade)

Thisadvanced-levelcourseprimarilyaddressesstoriesofmarginalization,witha focusonminority,oppressed,anddisplacedpeoplegroups Coursetextsinclude worksoffiction,drama,non-fiction,andpoetry Thecoursewillalsomakefrequent referencetocurrentevents,history,andculture,andallstudentswillbeaskedto shareaccountsoftheirownexperiences Thesubtopicsexploredwillincludefamily, race,sexuality,identity,religion,gender,andself-expression Studentswillbe expectedtowritenumerousformalandinformalresponsestothecoursetexts.

CreativeWriting

Thiscoursewillfocusonthecraftofwritingshortfiction,poetry,andnon-fictioninan openandsafecreativespace.Throughdiscussionsoftechnique,style,structure,and personalengagement,wewillenhanceourabilitiestowritewithpowerand poignancy.Allstudentswillbeexpectedtocreateoriginalworkandsubmittheirwork totheclassforconstructivefeedback.Wewillreadvariousexemplarypiecesof fiction,poetry,andnon-fictionbypublishedauthors;wewillalsoviewvideosandTED Talksrelatedtostorytelling.Thecoursegoalsincludelearninggeneralandspecific

writingskills,cultivatingflow,buildingconfidenceinwriting,refiningself-expression andcommunicationskills,anddiscoveringpersonalfulfillment.

MATHEMATICS

ThegoaloftheMathematicsDepartmentistohaveallstudentsappreciatethe beauty,complexity,andnecessityofmathematics.Studentslearntoanalyzeand communicateinformationinamathematicalcontextand arecapableofreading, writing,listening,andspeakingaboutideasinamathematicalsense.Theyhavethe abilitytosolveunfamiliarproblems;thinkandreasonlogically;thinkalgorithmically; collect,organize,andanalyzedata;becomemathematicallyadeptina technologicallycomplexworld;andcommunicateeffectivelyusingmathematical terms.Allstudentswillhavethecapacitytodeveloptheessentialmathematicalskills toliveintoday’sworld.(AllcoursesareUCcertifiedandfulfilltheMathematics“c” requirement.Pre-CalculusHonorsandATCalculusreceivehonorscreditandall AdvancedPlacementclassesareCollegeBoardcertified.)

AlgebraI

Thiscourseisthefoundationofallhigh-schoolmathematics Studentsare introducedtovariablesandfunctionsandlearnthemathematicalmethods necessarytosolvevariables Theteacherstrivestostrengthenstudents’basicskills, includingtheuseofmultiplication,divisionandfractions TopicscoveredinAlgebraI includemathematicaltoolsforalgebra,functions,simplifyingexpressions,solving equations,graphinglinearequations,quadraticexpressions,exponents,and appropriateuseofcalculators.ThiscourseisoftentaughtonlyintheMiddleSchool becausetherearenotenoughhigh-schoolstudentstowarrantahigh-schoolclass.

Geometry

Plane,solid,andcomputationalgeometryispresentedfromseveralperspectives thatincludeinductivereasoning,deductivereasoning,computation,construction, andgeometricalexploration.Studentsinthiscourselearnbystudyingeach geometricaltopicfromtheaboveperspectives.Aheavyemphasisisalsoplaced uponreinforcingAlgebraIskillsinthesolutionofgeometricproblemsandupon theoremprovingasanintegratedactivity.Topicscoveredduringthefirstpartofthe courseincludegeometricfiguresandsolids;computationoflengths,areas,and volumes;propertiesofpoints,lines,angles,andtriangles;propertiesofpolygonsand circles;andsimilarityandcongruencyofplanefigures.Latertopicsinclude three-dimensionalintersectionsofplanesandsurfaces,coordinategeometry,conic sections,andright-triangletrigonometry Bothinformalparagraphproofsandformal two-columnproofsarestudiedthroughouttheyear

GeometryHonors

Thischallenginghonorscoursecoversgeometryandalgebratopicswithmoredepth andbreadthandatamoreacceleratedpacethanthestandardgeometryclass Plane,solid,andcomputationalgeometryandright-triangletrigonometryare presentedfromseveralperspectives,includinginductivereasoning,deductive reasoning,computation,constructionwithclassicalGreekcompassand straightedgetechniques,andguidedexploration.Thetopicsdesignedtodevelop andsharpeninductiveanddeductivereasoningskillsincludecomputationof lengths,areas,andvolumes;propertiesofpoints,lines,angles,andtriangles; propertiesofpolygonsandcircles;propertiesofspecialandrighttriangles;

right-triangletrigonometry;andsimilarityandcongruenceofplanefigures.Students alsostudythree-dimensionalintersectionsofplaneswithothersolids,leadingupto thebeginningsofcoordinategeometryandconicsectionsthatarecoveredin AlgebraII.Bothinformalparagraphproofsandformaltwo-columnproofsare studiedthroughouttheyear.PlacementinthisclassisbasedonAlgebraIgrades andtherecommendationoftheAlgebraIteacher.

AlgebraII

ThiscoursebuildsonthefoundationslaidinAlgebraI,improvingskillsandexploring newtechniqueswhileintroducingstudentstomanynewandapplicablestrategies andconcepts Itprovidesastrongframeworkwithinwhichstudentscanconfidently andsuccessfullypursuefurthercoursesinmathematics Topicscoveredinclude AlgebraIreview;productsandfactorsofpolynomials;linear,quadratic,exponential, andlogarithmicfunctions;andanalysisandgraphsoffunctionsandconicsections Studentslearntoexplorenewtopicsandexpresstheirthoughtsusingmathematical terms.

AlgebraIIHonors

ThisacceleratedhonorscourseexpandsupontopicscoveredinAlgebraIwhilealso introducingandapplyingmoreadvancedalgebraconceptstoreal-worldsituations andproblems.TopicscoveredincludeAlgebraIreview;equations,inequalities,and mathematicalmodeling;functionsandtheirgraphs;systemsofequationsand inequalities;polynomialfunctions;rationalfunctionsandconics;exponential functionsandlogarithmicfunctions;dataanalysis;andtrigonometry.Placementin thisclassisbasedonGeometryHonorsgradesandtherecommendationofthe GeometryHonorsteacher.

MathAnalysisandTrigonometry

Thiscoursebuildsonandfurtherstrengthenstheskillsandstrategiescoveredin AlgebraII.Studentslearnhowtosolveavarietyofequationsandinequalities,howto graphavarietyoffunctions,andtakeamorein-depthapproachtopolynomial, rational,andexponentialfunctions Studentsalsocoveradvancedconceptsin trigonometry Thecourseprovidesthebasisforanalysis,whichinturnpreparesthe studentsforanalyticalstudiesinphysicalandsocialsciences Trigonometrytopics coveredincludetrigonometricfunctionsandtheirgraphs,right-triangle trigonometry,solvingtrigonometricfunctions,inversetrigonometricfunctions, trigonometricidentities,andmodelingwithtrigonometricfunctions

Pre-CalculusHonors

Thisacceleratedhonorscourse,aprerequisiteforAPCalculusAB.expandsupon topicscoveredinGeometryHonorsandAlgebraIIHonors,andintroducesadditional topicsintrigonometryandcalculus.ThiscourseisaprerequisiteTopicscovered includefunctionsandgraphs,linearfunctionsandequations,applicationsof nonlinearfunctionsandequations,polynomialandrationalfunctions,inversesof functions,exponentialandlogarithmicfunctions,growthanddecay,dataanalysis, trigonometricfunctions,trigonometricmodeling,analytictrigonometry,conic sections,sequencesandseries,andprobabilityandlimits.Placementinthisclassis basedonAlgebraIIHonorsgradesandtherecommendationoftheteacher.

APStatistics

Thiscourseisanintroductorycollege-levelstatisticscoursethatintroducesstudents tothemajorconceptsandtoolsforcollecting,analyzing,anddrawingconclusions fromdata.Studentscultivatetheirunderstandingofstatisticsusingtechnology, investigations,problemsolving,andwritingastheyexploreconceptslikevariation anddistribution;patternsanduncertainty;anddata-basedpredictions,decisions, andconclusions. Placementinthiscourseisbasedonsuccessfulcompletionof eitherAlgebraIIorAlgebraIIHonorsandtherecommendationoftheteacher.

APCalculusAB

Thiscourseistheequivalentofaone-semestercollege-levelcalculuscourse Aftera thoroughreviewofthepre-calculuscurriculum,webegintocoverCalculusAB material Studentsshouldbeabletoworkwithfunctionsinavarietyofways: graphically,numerically,algebraically,andverbally Theyshouldalsounderstand howtoapplythecoreconceptsofcalculusinavarietyofways.Topicsinclude trigonometryreview,limits,functionsandgraphsofasinglevariable,differentiation, integralcalculus,andvolumeofsolidswithvaryingcross-sections.Studentsare preparedtotakethenationalAdvancedPlacementExamofferedinMay.Placement inthisclassisbasedonPre-calculusHonorsgradesandtherecommendationofthe teacher.

APCalculusBC

ThiscourseisacontinuationofAPCalculusAB.Theprimarygoalistoprepareforthe APexaminMaybymasteringtheconceptsofthecourseaswellaslearningseveral test-takingstrategies.ThecourseincludesathoroughsurveyandreviewofAP CalculusABskills.StudentsalsolearnnewtopicsparticulartoCalculusBC:partial fractions,vectorcalculus,polarcoordinates,parametricfunctions,linear approximation,Euler'smethod,differentialequations,andinfiniteseries.Placementin thiscourseisbasedoncompletionofAPCalculusABandtherecommendationof theteacher.

AdvancedTopicsinCalculus(Honors)

AdvancedTopicsinCalculusisdesignedforstudentswhohavesuccessfully completedAPCalculusAB,areenrolledinorhavecompletedAPCalculusBC,and wishtofurtherstrengthenandenrichtheirunderstandingoftheworldthrough calculus.Studentswillbuildupontheirfoundationineachofthefollowingtopics: infiniteseries,conicsections,parametricequations,polarcoordinates,vectorsand geometryofspace.Thiswilllaythefoundationforourexplorationofmultivariable calculus.Studentswillreviewandstrengthentheirdifferentiationandintegration techniquesofsingle-variablecalculusastheyexplorenewnotations,definitions, theorems,andapplicationsofmultivariablecalculus.Placementinthiscourseis basedoncompletionofAPCalculusABandtherecommendationoftheteacher.AP CalculusBCisapre-orco-requisite.

SCIENCE

TheHighSchoolscienceprogramencouragesourstudents’curiosityaboutthe naturalworldwhileincreasingtheirabilitytoreasonscientifically.Theprimarygoals aretodevelopathoroughunderstandingofthecoredisciplines,totrainstudentsto usethetoolsofscienceandtechnology,topreparethemforsuccessinrigorous collegecourses,andtocreatethefoundationforalifelongappreciationofscience. Thescientificmethodisappliedbothtolabworkandtoanalysesofscience-related issuesoutsidetheclassroom.(AllcoursesareUCcertifiedandfulfilltheLaboratory Science“d”requirement,andallAdvancedPlacementclassesareCollegeBoard certified.)

Physics

Thisisatraditionalhigh-schoollevelphysicscourse,adaptedforfreshmen Algebra andgeometryareusedfreely,buttrigonometricapproachesaredelayeduntilthe endoftheyear Topicsincludeforceandmotion,energy,momentum,fluids, electricity,magnetism,vibrations,waves,sound,optics,andatomicphysics Students learnthroughamixofdirectinstructionandactivelearningmethodssuchas discoverylabs,modeling,(small)projects,computerizeddataanalysis,andSocratic questioning.

Chemistry

Thiscourseexplorestheworldofmatter,energy,andatoms,focusingonbothmicroandmacro-scalechemistrybyutilizingobservablechangesinmattertomake scientificdeductionsaboutatomicandmolecularprocesses.Thequantitative aspectsofchemistryaredevelopedandpracticedinboththeclassroomandthe laboratory.Applicationsofstandardalgebraskillsareusedthroughoutthecourseto solvescientificproblems.Labactivitiesallowthestudentstopracticeskillsand problemslearnedintheclass.Asoftenaspossible,chemicalprinciplesand conceptsarerelatedtophysicsandbiologyandtoreal-worldapplications,suchas medicine,theenvironment,energyconsumption,manufacturing,andtechnology.

Biology

Thiscourseintroducesthegeneralthemesofthestudyofbiologyandbuildsupon thescientificprinciplesintroducedinconceptualphysicsandchemistry.Themajor themescoveredincludecellbiology,genetics,evolution,ecology,plantandanimal physiology,andbiodiversity Inadditiontotextbooklearning,theclassalsofocuses onlaboratoryworkandlearninghowtoapplythescientificmethod Additionally, relevantcurrentissuesinthenewsmediaprovidetopicsfordiscussionanddebate

APBiology

Thiscourseistheequivalentofafull-yeargeneralbiologycourseatthecollegelevel, andtheCollegeBoarddeterminesthecurriculum,asistruewithallAPcourses.It consistsoffour“bigideas” (1)theprocessofevolutiondrivesthediversityand unityoflife;(2)biologicalsystemsutilizefreeenergyandmolecularbuildingblocks togrow,toreproduce,andtomaintaindynamichomeostasis;(3)livingsystems store,retrieve,transmit,andrespondtoinformationessentialtolifeprocesses;and (4)biologicalsystemsinteract,andthesesystemsandtheirinteractionspossess

complexproperties.TheCollegeBoardcurriculumfocusesondepthof understanding,andscientificinquiryandreasoning.Prerequisite:A-inBiology(B+ SummerBiology).ThestudentsarepreparedtotakethenationalAdvanced PlacementexaminMay.

APChemistry

Thiscourseisahighlyrigorous,in-depthstudyofgeneralchemistryatthefirst-year collegelevel.Subjectscoveredincludeatomicstructurefromthequantum mechanicalperspective;atomicbondinganditsconnectiontomolecularbehavior andgeometry;reactionequilibriaandkinetics;thebehaviorofsolids,liquids,gasses, andsolutions;andthedrivingforcesofreactions,includingenthalpyandentropy TheCollegeBoardcurriculumstressesmasteryoftheconceptualandquantitative aspectsofchemistrybyenhancingstudents’qualitativeunderstandingand visualizationoftheparticulatenatureofmatterthroughthedevelopmentof students’inquiry,analytical,andreasoningskills Thestudentsarepreparedtotake thenationalAdvancedPlacementexaminMay.

AdvancedTopicsAnatomyandPhysiology(Honors)

Thiscourseprovidesstudentswiththebasicprinciplesandunderstandingof physiologicfunction.Duringtheyear,studentscovertopicssuchasscientific methodologyandbasiccellfunction,aswellasdoasurveyofthemajororgan systemsandtheirrolesinhomeostasis.Thecoursealsoincludeslabactivities, discussionsofrecentscientificadvancementsthatpertaintolecturetopics,and multipleorgandissectionsthroughouttheyear,whichculminateswithacat dissectioninthefourthquarter.Prerequisite:BinBiologyorconsentoftheinstructor.

AdvancedTopicsinAppliedPhysicalScience(Honors)

AdvancedTopicsinAppliedScienceisahands-oncoursedesignedforstudentswho wishtostudymorein-depthconceptsfoundinPhysics,EarthScience,Chemistry, Biology,andScientificInquiryandDiscovery.Studentswillstudyindividualtopicsas wellastheinterconnectednessofseeminglyseparatescientificdisciplines.Notonly willstudentslearnthroughthetraditionallectureandlabformat,theywillalsodesign severalindependentexperimentsandresearchprojectstoexploretopicsofinterest Prerequisite:B in PhysicsandChemistryorconsentoftheinstructor

Topicsincludedinthisstudyare:

● ExplorationsinScienceandTechnology

● EcologyandInterdependence

● Newton’sLawsandtheLawsofThermodynamics

● EnergyandElectromagnetism

● EnergyinChemicalReactions(PhysicalChemistryandBiochemistry)

● ScientificEthics

APPhysicsC:MechanicsandElectricity&Magnetism

APPhysicsCisanadvancedcalculus-basedphysicsexplorationcourse.Thiscourse coverstwofundamentaldomainsofphysics:"Mechanics"and"Electricityand Magnetism".IntheMechanicsportion,studentsdelveintoanarrayofcaptivating topics,includingKinematics,Newton’sLawsofMotion,theintriguingrealmofWork,

Energy,andPower,thedynamicsofLinearMomentum,theartofCircularMotionand Rotation,therhythmicdanceofOscillations,andthecosmicgripofGravitation.The ElectricityandMagnetismsegmenttakesstudentsonathrillingridethroughthe worldofElectrostatics,theintricatenatureofConductors,themystiqueofCapacitors andDielectrics,thepathwaysofElectricCircuits,theallureofMagneticFields,and thecaptivatingforceofElectromagnetism.Prerequisite:A-inPhysicsandAP CalculusAB.

CSUSScienceInternships

TheCSUSresearchinternshipprogramprovidesanopportunityforadvanced studentstoconductscientificresearchinCSUSlaboratoriesalongsidefaculty mentors Inaddition,internscanalsoworkinscienceeducationandresearch supportfacilitiessuchasthegreenhousesandvivarium Studentsmustapplyand interviewfortheinternshipprogramandinternsselectedfortheprogramare typicallyatthetopoftheirscienceclassesacademically.Positionsarelimitedand applicationfortheprogramdoesnotguaranteeaninternshipwillbeavailable.

HealthScience

CountryDayHighSchoolhealthsciencecurriculumistaughtbyDr.KellieWhited,the headofthehighschoolsciencedepartmentandthehighschoolBiology,APBiology, andAdvancedTopicsinAnatomyandPhysiologyteacher.Dr.Whitedpreviously taughtsystemicphysiologyandneurobiologyofaddictivedrugsatUCDavis,making heranexpertinthedrugandalcoholandsexeducationcurriculumthatshe teaches.Herapproachtothecurriculumisphysiologicalandscientific.Dr.Whited welcomesquestionsfromthestudentsduringclassorprivatelyafterclass,iftheyare notcomfortableaskinginagroupsetting.Sheisthrilledwhenstudentsdiscussthe curriculumwiththeirparentsandencouragesthemtocontinuethesediscussionsat home.

9thgrade-DrugandAlcoholEducation:anintroductiontothemajorclassesofillicit drugswithafocusonwhatthesedrugsdotothebodyphysiologicallyafteroneuse orafterrepeateduse,andadiscussionofappropriateandinappropriateuseof prescriptiondrugs

10thgrade-SexualEducation:anoverviewofthemaleandfemalereproductive systems,pregnancy,childbirth,birthcontrolandsexuallytransmittedinfections.

11thgrade-DrugandAlcoholEducation:tobaccoproducts,vaping,theeffectsof underagedrinkinganddruguse,bodyimage,bodydysmorphiaandeating disorders.

12thgrade-SexualEducation:consent,sexualassault,statutory,pornaddiction,the effectsofpornondevelopinghealthyrelationships,abriefreviewofbirthcontroland sexuallytransmittedinfections.

HISTORYANDSOCIALSCIENCE

TheHistoryandSocialStudiesprogramatSCDSencouragesstudentstoenterinto dialoguewiththepastwhileseekingtobetterunderstandhumandevelopmentover time.Therefore,ourcurriculumincludesbroadexposuretodifferenteras,cultures, andviewpoints.Theprogramemphasizescriticalinquiry;analysisofprimaryand secondarysources;culturallyrelevantandtrauma-informedlearningthatfosters empathyandreflection;geographyskillsandawarenessofcurrentevents;and effectivewritten,oral,anddigitalcommunicationskillsineveryclass.Allfreshmen takeWorldHistory,exploringsignificantworldculturesandcivilizations,followedin sophomoreyearbyHumanGeography,whichexaminesthepatternsandprocesses thathaveshapedhumanity’sunderstanding,use,andalterationofthephysical worldacrosstimeandgeographiclocations.Studentsenteringtheirjunioryearhave theoptionoftakingregularcollege-preporAPUS History Twoelectivecoursesare availabletoseniors:AdvancedTopicsinArtHistoryandAPMicroeconomics All coursesareUCcertifiedandfulfilltheHistory/SocialScience"A"requirement,withthe exceptionofATArtHistory(whichfulfillstheVisual/PerformingArts"F"requirement) AllAdvancedPlacementclassesareCollegeBoardcertified

WorldHistory9

StudentsinWorldHistoryinvestigateglobalcultures,significantevents,individuals, developments,andhistoricalpatternsfromapproximately1200C.E.tothepresent. Studentslearntorecognizeandusethesameskills,practices,andmethods employedbyhistorians:analyzingprimaryandsecondarysources;developing historicalarguments;makinghistoricalcomparisons;andutilizingreasoningabout contextualization,causation,andcontinuityandchangeovertime.Attheconclusion ofthecourse,studentswillbeabletounderstand,explain,andbetterappreciatethe contributionsofmanydifferentglobalcultures,ethnicities,andhistorieswhile learningtocriticallyanalyzeandevaluatereliabilityofprimaryandsecondary documents,artifacts,andsources.Studentswillalsoincorporateanddevelopan understandingofmultipleperspectivesthatinvolveavarietyofideas,attitudes,and beliefsastheyapplytoworldpolitical,social,economic,andculturalissuesinthe pastandpresent.

HumanGeography10

HumanGeographyisthestudyofhumansandtheirrelationshipswithcommunities, cultures,andtheenvironmentacrosstimeandgeographiclocation Inthisclass, studentswillexaminethepatternsandprocessesthathaveshapedour understanding,use,andalterationofthephysicalworld Contentispresented thematicallyratherthanregionallyorchronologically,andcasestudiesaredrawn fromallworldregions Emphasisisplacedonunderstandingtheworldinwhichwe livetoday,whilehistoricalinformationservestoenrichanalysisofconnections betweenpastandpresent.ThegoaloftheHumanGeographycourseisthat studentswillbecomemoregeoliterate,moreengagedincontemporaryglobal issues,moreknowledgeableaboutworldcultures,andmoreawareofgeographic patternsandprocesses.

UnitedStatesHistory

ThiscourseprovidesabroadoverviewoftheearlyperiodofU.S.historyfrom Indigenouscivilizationstothepresent.Studentswillintegrateandenhancetheir comprehensionofdiverseviewpointsencompassingarangeofideas,attitudes,and convictionsconcerningpolitical,social,economic,andculturalmatterswithinthe UnitedStates.MajortopicsincludetheEnglishcolonialera;theAmericanRevolution andtheU.S.Constitution;westwardmigration;theCivilWar;late19th-andearly 20th-centuryindustrialization,immigration,andurbanization;theGildedAge; Progressivism;WorldWarI;the"Roaring20s";theGreatDepressionandtheNewDeal; WorldWarII;theColdWar;theCivilRightsMovement;Vietnam;andmorerecent presidentialadministrations

APUnitedStatesHistory

APUS Historyreflectsacommitmenttowhathistoryteachers,professors,and researchershaveagreedisthemaingoalofacollege-levelUS historysurvey course:learningtoanalyzeandinterprethistoricalfactsandevidencetoachieve understandingofmajordevelopmentsinU.S.history.Asstudentsprepareforthe nationalAPU.S.HistoryexaminMay,theywillcriticallyread,interpret,andevaluate sourcesandargumentsaboutUnitedStateshistoryfromtheperiodofhegemonic NorthAmericanIndigenouscivilizationsthroughthecontemporaryera.Studentswill alsoincorporateanddevelopanunderstandingofmultipleperspectivesthatinvolve avarietyofideas,attitudes,andbeliefsastheyapplytopolitical,social,economic, andculturalissuesintheUnitedStates,especiallyperspectivesfromhistorically marginalizedanddisenfranchisedpeoples.Prerequisites:atleastanA-minusin HumanGeography(orequivalent10th-gradesocialstudiescourse)andteacher recommendation.

ATArtHistory

AdvancedTopicsinArtHistoryprovidesanintroductiontoglobalvisualandmaterial culturefromprehistorytothepresent,exploringthekeyquestion:howandwhythe universalhumandesiretocreatehasgeneratedvisualculturearoundtheworldfor millennia Thecourseemphasizestheintersectionofculturalcontextandartistic expression;worksofartwillbeconsideredintheirhistoricalandculturalcontexts,as wellasinrelationtoworksfromotherperiodsandtraditions ATArtHistorystudents willexaminethepurpose,creation,reception,andinterpretationofworksofart, developingskillsinvisual,contextual,andcomparativeanalysis Thevisualmedia theywillconsiderincludepainting,sculpture,architecture,photography,printmaking, digitalmedia,performance,installation,andsite-specificworks.Bytheendofthe year,studentswillhaveacquiredanunderstandingofindividualartistsandworks,of broadthemes,andofinterconnectionsacrosshistory.AdvancedTopicsinArtHistory fulfillstheUC“F”orvisualandperformingarts[vpa]requirement,butnotthe“A” History/SocialSciencerequirement.Teacherpermissionisrequiredtoenrollinthe course.

Highly-motivatedstudentsmayopttopreparefortheCollegeBoardAPArtHistory exam;thisprocessrequiresinvestingadditionaltimetoteacher-supported independentstudy.

APMicroeconomics

APMicroeconomicsistheequivalentofaone-semestercollege-leveleconomics course,butitistaughtovertheentireyearinHighSchool.Inthiscoursestudents learnhowindividuals,households,andbusinessesmakechoices,givenlimited and/orscarceresources.APMicroeconomicsisdesignedtogivestudentsan in-depthandintuitivelookathowtheeconomyworks.Studentsmasterbasic economicconcepts,studyandlearnthenatureandfunctionofmarkets,andlearn howgovernmentpolicyaffectsoureconomy.Topicsincludescarcity,opportunity cost,specialization,comparativeadvantage,marginalanalysis,product markets,marketequilibrium,elasticity,supplyanddemand,consumerchoice, productionandcosts,profit,perfectcompetition,monopolies,oligopolies,factor markets,marketfailure,andtherolethatgovernmentplaysinthedevelopmentof oureconomy StudentsarepreparedtotakethenationalAdvancedPlacementexam offeredinMay

WORLDLANGUAGE

Theworldlanguageprogramaimstodevelopthefourbasiclanguageskills (listening,speaking,reading,andwriting),aswellasdevelopunderstandingof culturalperspectives,practices,andproducts.ItisbasedontheProficiency GuidelinesandtheStandardsforForeignLanguageLearning,bothofwhichwere developedbytheAmericanCouncilonTeachingofForeignLanguage(ACTFL)in cooperationwithallthemajornationallanguageorganizations.(AllcoursesareUC certifiedandfulfilltheLanguageotherthanEnglish“e”requirement,andall AdvancedPlacementclassesareCollegeBoardcertified.)

French

FrenchI

Thisisacompletecourseinwhichstudentsareintroducedtothebasicsofthe Frenchlanguage Atthehigh-schoollevel,itisourgoaltocompletemost,ifnotall,of theLevelItextbook Bytheendoftheyear,studentsareabletocommunicatein Frenchaboutsuchtopicsasdailylife,familyrelationships,foods,personalitytraits, appearance,weather,shopping,health,andtravel Studentsalsolearnaboutthe manyFrench-speakingculturesthroughouttheworld Theprecisecommunicative functions,vocabularytopics,grammaticalstructures,andculturalmaterialtobe coveredareclearlyindicatedinthescopeandsequencechartofthetextbook.The classisconductedmostlyinFrench.

FrenchII

ThiscoursepicksupwhereFrenchIleavesoff.Videos,films,tapes,internetactivities, andcomputersoftwareformanintegralpartofthecourse.Questionsandanswers, guidedpractice,communicativeactivities,skits,games,picturedescriptions,songs, lecture,studentreports,compositions,individualandgroupprojects,poems,oral andwrittenexercises,discussions,peercritique,penpalprogram,peertutoring, interviewsofnativespeakers,andpracticewithpreviousFrenchContestsareallpart ofthecurriculum.Theprecisecommunicativefunctions,vocabularytopics, grammaticalstructures,andculturalmaterialtobecoveredareclearlyindicatedin thescopeandsequencechartofthetextbook.Theclassisconductedmostlyin French.

FrenchIII

Acommunication-based,functionalapproachisemployedwithanemphasison communication,cultures,connections,comparisons,andcommunities Videos,films, tapes,radio,thepress,TV,songs,internetactivities,andcomputersoftwareforman integralpartofthecourse Questionsandanswers,guidedpractice,communicative activities,skits,games,picturedescriptions,songs,lecture,studentreports, compositions,individualandgroupprojects,poems,oralandwrittenexercises, discussions,peercritique,penpalprogram,peertutoring,interviewsofnative speakers,andpracticewithpreviousFrenchContestsareallpartofthecurriculum. TheclassisconductedalmostexclusivelyinFrench.

FrenchIV

Thiscourseisthesecondofatwo-yearsequenceleadingtothenationalAdvanced PlacementExaminationinFrenchLanguage.Acommunication-based,functional approachisemployedwithanemphasisoncommunication,cultures,connections, comparisons,andcommunities.Videos,films,tapes,radio,thepress,TV,songs, internetactivities,andcomputersoftwareformanintegralpartofthecourse. Questionsandanswers,guidedpractice,communicativeactivities,skits,games, picturedescriptions,songs,lecture,studentreports,compositions,individualand groupprojects,poems,oralandwrittenexercises,discussions,peercritique,penpal program,peertutoring,interviewsofnativespeakers,andpracticewithprevious FrenchContestsareallpartofthecurriculum TheclassisconductedinFrench

APFrenchLanguageandCulture

ThiscourseisdesignedtopreparestudentsfortheAPFrenchLanguageandCulture exam ItcontinuestheFrenchprogram'sholisticapproachtolanguage proficiency,focusingontheinterrelatednessofcomprehensionand comprehensibility,vocabularyusage,languagecontrol,communicationstrategies, andculturalawareness.Inordertobestfacilitatethisfunction-basedapproachto thestudyoflanguageandculture,thecourseisconductedexclusivelyinFrench.As definedbytheStandardsforForeignLanguageLearninginthe21stCentury, emphasisisplacedondevelopingthefollowingthreemodesofcommunication: interpersonal,interpretive,andpresentational.Thecurriculumisstructuredaround sixbroadthemesthatpromoteanintegrationoflanguageandculture:global challenges,scienceandtechnology,contemporarylife,personalandpublic identities,familiesandcommunities,andbeautyandaesthetics.Theclass incorporatestheuseofliterature,videos,films,internetactivities,computersoftware, tapes,thepress,songs,TV,andradioinanefforttohelpstudentslearnto communicateinmeaningfulandappropriatewayswithotherusersoftheFrench language.

Latin (onlyavailabletostudentscurrentlyenrolledinLatin)

LatinII(onlyavailabletostudentscurrentlyenrolledinLatin)

InLatinfortheNewMillenium,Stages12-21,studentsbegintoexploremore challengingaspectsofsyntaxandstyleinordertoenhancetheircomprehension andenjoymentofLatin Introducedincontextbythestoryatthebeginningofeach chapteraregrammatical,syntactical,andlexicaltopicssuchasrelativepronouns, indicativepassiveverbtenseendings,participialformationanduse,adverband adjectivedegrees,andEnglishderivatives.EachlessoninLatingrammarisalways precededbyinstructioninEnglishgrammar.Thematerialsinourtextalsodevelop listening,speaking,andwritingskillstofacilitatereadingandcomprehension.

LatinIII(onlyavailabletostudentscurrentlyenrolledinLatin)

InLatinfortheNewMillenium,chapters1-11,studentscompletetheirstudyofLatin syntaxandgrammar,sothat,inLatinIV,theycanreadanyGoldenAgeLatinproseor poetrywithconfidence.Detailedculturalsegmentsprecedethestoryineach chapter.Introducedincontextareallsubjunctiveverbstensesandvoices,all subjunctiveconstructions,thegerundive,extendeduseofablativesabsolute,andall

infinitiveformsandtheirusesinindirectstatements.Thematerialsdeveloplistening, speaking,andwritingskillstofacilitatereadingandcomprehension.

LatinIV(onlyavailabletostudentscurrentlyenrolledinLatin)

InLatinfortheNewMillenium,chapters12-15, studentscompletetheirstudyofLatin syntaxandgrammar.ThiscoursepreparesstudentsforthefirsthalfoftheAPLatin exam,whichfeaturessightreadingsfromawiderangeofauthors.(Thesecondhalf oftheAPLatinexamfeaturesCaesar’sDeBelloGallicoandVergil’sAeneid.)Students willread,translate,understand,analyze,andinterpretselectionsfromtheseauthors.

APLatin(onlyavailabletostudentscurrentlyenrolledinLatin)

TheAPLatincourseisdesignedtodevelopthestudents’abilitiestotranslatethe requiredpassagesfromCaesar’sDebelloGallicoandVergil’sAeneidintoEnglishas literallyaspossible,tohelpthemunderstandthecontextofthewrittenpassages (includingthepolitical,historical,literary,andculturalbackgroundofeachauthor andtext),andtohelpthemunderstandthereasonsbehindtheparticularstyleof writingandtherhetoricaldevicesemployed.Thecourseshouldalsohelpstudentsto besuccessfulinanalyzingLatinpassagestounderstandhowandwhytheauthor usesthelanguageinaparticularwayandtheeffectsheishopingtoproduce. Studentswilllearntoanalyzethetextanddrawtheirownlogicalconclusions.This courseshouldgivestudentstoolstoreadLatinproseandpoetryaloudandwith accuratecomprehensionandappreciation.FortheVergiltext,studentswilllearn dactylichexameterandhowitisusedtoenhancethetextandcreateeffect,and studentswillscanthepoetryatleastonceaweek.

Spanish

SpanishI

SpanishIisdesignedtointroducestudentstothebasicsofSpanishinreading, writing,listeningandspeaking.Bytheendofthefirstyear,studentsareableto speak,understand,read,andwritebasicSpanishaboutdailyactivities,family relationships,foods,clothing,personalitytraits,likesanddislikes,purchases,time, seasons,andtheweather Theyalsobegintolearnaboutthegeographyand culturesoftheSpanish-speakingworld Studentsbegintolearnthegrammatical structureofthelanguageandalsouseSpanishinrealisticandmeaningful situations ThecourseisconductedinEnglishandSpanish

SpanishII

SpanishIIcontinuestobuilduponlanguageacquisitionthroughculturalexploration. Thecourseaimstoachievethisgoalbyimplementinga90%targetlanguagefor instruction.Vocabularyandgrammararetaughtinthecontextofthethemesour textbookwillhighlight.Assessmentforthiscoursewillbecarriedoutbyproviding performance-basedassignments.Thesespecificapproachestolanguagelearning willinspirestudentstotrulyenjoythelanguageacquisitionprocess,andprovide moreopportunitiesforunderstandingandexploringculturesthroughlanguageas well.

SpanishIII

InSpanishIII,studentscontinuetodeveloptheirabilitytospeak,understand,read, andwriteSpanish.Studentstakeamoredetailedlookatgrammaticalconcepts previouslypresentedandworkextensivelywithadvancedstructuressuchasthe subjunctivemood.Thesestructuresareusedinvariouscompositionswrittenbythe students.Additionally,studentsreadhistorical,cultural,andliteraryexcerpts,and viewsectionsofmoviesproducedbyfamousSpanish-speakingfilmdirectors.They alsoworkcooperativelyinclasstoproduceskitsanddebates.Studentslistento Spanishpodcastsandvideosonline.ThecourseisconductedinSpanish.

SpanishIV

SpanishIVisdesignedtoreinforcethestudents’knowledgeofgrammatical structuresandtoincreasetheirfluencyinreading,writing,understanding,and speakingSpanish Throughouttheyear,allmajorgrammaticalstructuresare reviewedandusedinadvancedapplicationsandcompositions Studentsalsoread anddiscussinSpanishvariousworkswrittenbySpanishandLatinAmericanauthors, aswellascurrenteventsfromnewspapersandmagazines.Additionally,they participateinskits,debates,andconversations,andlistentospokenSpanishon podcastsandinvideoprograms.ThecourseisconductedexclusivelyinSpanish. PlacementinthiscourseisbasedonsuccessfulcompletionofeitherSpanishIIIor placementtestandtherecommendationoftheteacher.

APSpanishLanguageandCulture

ThisAPcourseisdesignedtoreviewandreinforcethestudents’knowledgeof Spanishandtoincreasetheirproficiencyinreading,writing,understanding,and speakingthelanguage.Studentsworkextensivelywiththedifferenttypesof exercisesthatappearintheAPSpanishLanguageandCultureexaminationand reviewgrammaronanindividual-needbasis.Inpreparationfortheculturalaspect, studentsalsoreadtheworksofvariousSpanishandLatinAmericanauthors,aswell asnewspaperandmagazinearticles;participateindebates,skits,and conversations;listentoSpanishonmovies,podcasts,radioandTVprograms;and frequentlywriteexpositoryessaysandcreativepieces Theclassisconducted exclusivelyinSpanish Placementinthiscourseisbasedonsuccessfulcompletionof SpanishIII,andtherecommendationoftheteacher Placementinthiscourseis basedonsuccessfulcompletionofeitherSpanishIVorplacementtestandthe recommendationoftheteacher

APSpanishLiteratureandCulture

TheAPSpanishLiteratureandCulturecourseusesathematicapproachtointroduce studentstorepresentativetexts(shortstories,novels,poetry,andessays)from PeninsularSpanish,LatinAmerican,andUnitedStatesHispanicliterature.Students continuetodevelopproficienciesacrossthefullrangeofthemodesof communication(interpersonal,presentational,andinterpretive),honingtheircritical readingandanalyticalwritingskills.Literatureisexaminedwithinthecontextofits timeandplace,asstudentsreflectonthemanyvoicesandculturespresentinthe requiredreadings.Thecoursealsoincludesastrongfocusonculturalconnections andcomparisons,includingexplorationofvariousmedia.Thiscourseisdesignedto preparestudentsfortheAPSpanishLiteratureandCultureexam.(Thiscourseisnot

offeredeveryyear,dependingonstudentinterestandability).Placementinthis courseisbasedonsuccessfulcompletionofeitherAPSpanishLanguageand culture,andtherecommendationoftheteacher.

ATSpanish-SocialMovementsintheSpanishSpeakingWorld

Thiscourseaimstoexpandstudents’abilitytocommunicateatagreaterlexical levelinalllanguageskillswhiledelvingintoadvancedtopics.Studentswillbe expectedtohypothesize,expressanddefendopinions,andformulateoriginal thoughtsinalessstructuredenvironmentthroughopendiscussionanddiscourse. Thecourseincludesanalysisoffilm,music,art,literature,journalisticmaterials (newspapers,TVandradioprograms),andcommunicationresources(podcasts, interviews)toaidstudentsinunderstandingthevariedsocialandcollective experiencesofLatinAmerica,EquatorialGuinea,andSpain.(Thiscourseisnot offeredeveryyear,dependingonstudentinterestandability).Placementinthis courseisbasedonsuccessfulcompletionofeitherAPSpanishLanguageandculture orAPSpanishLiteratureandculture,andtherecommendationoftheteacher

COMPUTERSCIENCE

Thecomputerscienceprogramtrainsstudentstounderstandthebasicsof programmingandallowsfordeep,creativestudyatthehighestlevel.Theprogram beginswiththeintroductorylevelAPComputerSciencePrinciplescourse,which focusesonthecentralideasofcomputerscienceandcomputationalthinking,and developswithAPComputerScienceA,aJavabasedprogrammingclass.Advanced studentsculminatetheirstudiesintheuniqueAdvancedTopicscoursewitha curriculumthatchallengesstudentstousetheirprogrammingskillstodevelop creativeandinspiringoriginalcomputerscienceapplications.

APComputerSciencePrinciples

Thiscourseintroducesstudentstothecentralideasofcomputerscienceandinvites themtodevelopthecomputationalthinkingvitalforsuccessacrossmultiple disciplines Thecourseisuniqueinitsfocusonfosteringstudentstobecreativeand encouragingthemtoapplycreativeprocesseswhendevelopingcomputational artifacts Studentswilldesignandimplementinnovativesolutionsusinganiterative processsimilartowhatartists,writers,computerscientists,andengineersuseto bringideastolife Thereisnodesignatedprogramminglanguageforthecourse AP ComputerSciencePrinciplesisaUC-certifiedScience“d”course.Prerequisite: AlgebraIIorconsentofinstructor.

APComputerScienceA

ThiscourseisdesignedtopreparestudentsfortheAdvancedPlacementComputer ScienceAexam.Topicsincludesimple,userdefinedandstructureddatatypes, algorithmdevelopment,decisionsandloops,arrays,recursion,searchesandsorts, dataabstraction,andclasses.APCSisaUC-certified“c”Mathematicscourse. Prerequisite:AlgebraIIandComputerSciencePrinciplesorconsentofinstructor.

AdvancedTopicsinComputerScience

Inthiscourse,studentswilldesignindividualworksbasedondesignelementsand principlesaswellasresponsestohistorical,philosophicalandculturalprompts,learn andusedigitalvocabularyinverbalandwrittenanalysisandindescriptionsoftheir workandtheworkofothers,participateindiscussionsofthephilosophical,cultural andhistoricalplaceofartinsociety,andcreateartworkofqualityusingthe techniquesof2Ddigitalmodeling,3Ddigitalmodeling,creativecoding,andsound engineering Thegoalsofthiscourseareforstudentstodemonstratean understandingofprocessesandtechniquesusedinvisualandperformingarts–how theycanbedigitized,andultimatelycreateworksthateffectivelyshowindividual creativityandproblemsolvingabilities StudentswhowishtomoveontoAdvanced TopicsinComputerSciencewillberequiredtocompleteadigitalartportfolio capstoneassignment,showcasingtheirworkfromthiscourse.Allstudentswillselect andpresentapiecetheycreatedduringthiscoursetobeshowcasedattheendof theyear.Thecoursewillincludeweeklyprogressreports.(ThiscoursefulfillstheUC VPA,“f”requirement.)

FINEARTS

StudentsinVisualandPerformingArtsclassesdevelopanincreasedsenseof perception,vocabulary,andtechniquespertinenttoeachdisciplinethroughtheir studyofmusic,art,anddrama.Studentsareintroducedtoworksfromothercultures andhistoricalperiodsastheydevelopskills,refinetechniques,andexperiencethe joyofcreativeexpressionandpersonalinvolvementinthearts.Visualand PerformingArtsclassesrequirecreativeproblem-solvingandreflectivethinkingin orderforideastotakeform,beanalyzed,evaluated,andthenrefinedtocreate finishedwork.Duringtheprocessofexplorationandcreation,studentslearntosee newpossibilities,reflectupontheirwork,andcontinuallyexplorenewideasand possibilitieswithineachdiscipline.Overall,studentsdevelopanunderstandingand appreciationoftheartsbyformingcriteriaforarrivingatpersonalartisticjudgments anddevelopingcraftsmanshipanddisciplinethroughthecreationofvisualart,both twoandthreedimensional;theperformancesofinstrumentalmusic;orthe performanceofplays,one-acts,andstudentwrittenanddirectedwork (Classeswith theVPAdesignationfulfilltheUCvisual-and-performing-arts“f”requirement)

PerformingArts

(Thecourseswitha“VPA”designationafterthetitlefulfilltheVisualandPerforming ArtsrequirementbothforCountryDay’sgraduationandUCqualification.)

Drama(VPA)

Thedramaelectiveisaone-yearcourseinwhichstudentswillhonetheir performanceskillsontwoproductions:onemusicalinthefallandoneplayinthe spring.Studentswillexploretheatregames,movement,scriptanalysis, improvisation,relaxationtechniques,andstagecraftwhiledevelopingcharacters andbuildingastrongensemble.Thecoursealsocoversimportanttheaterhistory andinvolveswrittenassignmentsandprojectsthroughouttheyear.Thegoalisto preparestudentstoperform,andtofueltheirknowledgeanddesiretolearnand participateintheater.

Pleasenotethattherewillbeafter-schooland(occasional)weekendrehearsalsas partofpreparingforourproductions.

ChamberMusic(VPA)

Chambermusicisaperformance-basedclasswherestudentslearntheintricacies ofperformingmusicinasmallgrouporchambersetting Itisayearlongclassopen tointermediateandadvancedmusicstudents Thereisoftenmorethanonegroup Thegroupsmeetoutsideoftheregularschoolday,usuallyduringzeroperiod Public performancesaregivenbeforethewinterholidays,inthespring,andonspecial occasions Chamberensemblesalsoparticipateinchambermusicfestivalsduring thewinterandspring.

Prerequisites:Studentsmusthavereachedfundamentalperformanceabilityontheir instrument.Thisincludestheabilitytoproduceacharacteristictone,touseavariety ofarticulations,toplayachromaticscalethroughoutthenormalplayingrangeof theinstrument,andtoreadstandardnotation.Studentsmustbeenrolled

concurrentlyinconcertbandororchestra,andadmissiontothechamberclassis uponapprovaloftheinstructor.

ConcertChoir(VPA)

TheHighSchoolConcertChoirisanelectiveclassopentostudentsingrades9-12. Thecourseisforstudentswiththedesiretolearnperformanceandconcertskillsfor awidevarietyofvocalmusic.Studentsexploredifferentstylesofmusicthrough vocalliteratureastheylearntosightread,singvariousscales,andlearnthebasics ofmusictheoryandharmonies Thechoirperformsatschoolconcertsandspecial events

ConcertBand(VPA)

TheHighSchoolconcertbandisopentoallstudentswhoplayawindorpercussion instrument.Thoughmostofthestudentshavebeenplayingforseveralyears, opportunitiesexistformotivatedbeginnerstoplay.Awidevarietyofmusicisstudied, includingstandardconcertbandliterature,orchestraltranscriptions,chorales, marches,Broadwayshowmusic,andpopularmusic.Thoughthemajorityofclass timeisspentonperformancepractices,asignificantamountoftimeisspenton musictheoryandhistory.Thebandalsoregularlysight-reads.Thebandperformsat schoolconcertsandspecialevents.Thebandalsocompetesatmusicfestivals. Numerousopportunitiesareavailableforindividualinstruction,andindividualprivate lessonsareencouraged.Studentsarealsoencouragedtoparticipateinensembles outsideofbandclass.

GarageBand

Thisclasstakesstudentsthroughtheprocessofformingandrunningagarage band.Theintentionistolearn,create,perform,andrecordmusic.Assignments include;learningatwelvebarbluessonginanystyle,learningacoversonginany popularAmericanmusicstyle,andwritinganoriginalsonginanypopularAmerican musicstyle Thebandslearntorunaneffectiverehearsal,toperform,andwillrecord andedittheirmusic

Beyondthebasicsoflearningtoplayinaband,thisclasswillremainflexibleasto thedirectionthestudentswanttotakeit Theonlyrequirementistheabilitytoplaya musicalinstrumentonabasiclevel,and/orsing Themeeting/rehearsaltimesmay alsobeflexible,asmanyofthestudentswilllikelyalreadybeinvolvedinmusic electiveclasses.

JazzBand(VPA)

Thejazzbandisa7-to-15-pieceensembleopentointermediateandadvanced musicstudents.Guitarists,drummers,andstringplayersarewelcome.Thecourseof studyincludesimprovisation,basicjazztheory,jazzarticulation,performance practices,andsomejazzhistory.Thegroupperformsmusiccoveringmosterasof jazzmusic.Thebandperformsatschoolconcertsandspecialevents.Thisgroupalso participatesinmanyjazzfestivalsandoftentravels.Numerousopportunitiesare availableforindividualinstruction,andindividualprivatelessonsareencouraged.

Studentsarealsotaughttoperforminsmallcombos,whichperformforavarietyof events.Jazzbandmeetsduringzeroperiod.

Orchestra(VPA)

Duringorchestraclass,avarietyofconcertmusicisstudied,includingorchestral transcriptions,standardconcertliterature,chorales,Broadwayshowmusic,and marches Thoughthemajorityofclasstimeisspentonperformancepractices,a significantamountoftimeisspentonmusictheoryandhistory Theorchestraalso regularlysight-reads Publicperformancesaregivenbeforethewinterholidays,in thespring,andonspecialoccasions.Theorchestraalsocompetesatmusicfestivals. Performancesarerecordedinordertoarchivethegroup'sprogress.Numerous opportunitiesareavailableforindividualinstruction,andindividualprivatelessons areencouraged.Studentsarealsoencouragedtoparticipateinensemblesoutside ofclass.

VisualArts

(Thecourseswitha“VPA”designationafterthetitlefulfillthevisual-and-performing artsrequirementbothforCountryDay’sgraduationandUCqualification.)

StudioArt(VPA)

Thismulti-gradeyearlongstudioclassrecognizesthefundamentalimportanceof teachingtheconceptsofartisticperception,creativeexpression,arthistory,and aestheticvaluingasintegralpartsofthestudiocurriculum.Classassignmentsare designedtobuildconfidenceinindividualartisticabilityandtodevelopnewskills andtechniqueswhilestudentsexplorevariousmedia.Asstudentsprogressand refinetheirskills,theyaregivenincreasinglymorechallengingassignments Students useavarietyofartmediawhilecreatingworkinboth2Dand3Dformats

Sketchbooksarefundamentaltostudioclasses;weeklydrawingassignmentsinthe sketchbookreinforceunitsofstudyanddevelopdrawingskillsoutsidetheclassroom environment Classesinclude:drawing,design,andintroductiontocolortheoryand painting;drawing,design,andprintmaking;drawing,design,and20thcentury sculpture;andconstructionofseveral3Dprojects.

AdvancedStudioArt(VPA)

Advancedstudentscreateoriginalartastheyunderstandthebasicconceptsof artisticperception,creativeexpression,arthistoricalandculturalcontext,and aestheticvaluing,whichareanintegralpartofthisstudiocurriculum.Studentswill completeacapstoneproject/portfoliooverthecourseoftheyearthatshowcases theirskillsintheirchosenmedium(s).

Capstoneprojectsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,compilingabodyofworkat themasterylevelinaparticularartsmedium(e.g.,produceanartistwebsite,

produceafilmsalon,curateagalleryexhibition),orwrittenresearchandanalysisof aparticulargenre,style,orhistoricalperiod.Theywillincludecriticalself-analysis throughportfoliodevelopment,soloexhibitionoforiginalworkandpost-exhibition classroomorpublicpresentationabouttheexhibitionexperience,orapresentation oftheresearchandanalysisproject.

APStudioArt(VPA)

Thiscoursestressesthedevelopmentofoveralldistinctionandqualityinworksthat excelinconcept,composition,andexecution Moststudentscompletethisclassover thecourseoftwoyears Thefirstyearrequiresstudentstocompleteartworkforthe breadthrequirement,whichexhibitstherangeoftheirknowledgeandunderstanding inworksthatdemonstrateaseriousgroundingin2-Ddesignprinciples,artmedia, andtechniques Studentsintheirsecondyearproposeacourseofwork referredto astheir“concentration” withaspecifictheme,whichisthebasisforayearlong explorationofvisualimagesthatare,accordingtotheCollegeBoardwebsite, "unifiedbyanunderlyingideathathasvisualand/orconceptualcoherence."

StudentscanchoosetoprepareforAPStudioArt:2DDesignsubmissionsinMay. Thisthemerequiresthestudenttodemonstrateadepthofinvestigationand documenttheprocessofdiscoverythroughthecreationofaseriesofconceptually relatedworksofstrongpersonalinterest.Sketchbookassignmentsarerequiredofall students,whichnotonlyserveasadocumentationofprogress,butalsomaybe usedasapartoftheAPCollegeBoardrequirements.Throughoutthetwoyearsof study,studentsarerequiredtodevelopandrefineoriginalartworktofulfillthe requirementsforportfoliosubmissiontotheCollegeBoardin2Ddesign;breadth(12 digitalimages),concentration(12digitalimages),andquality(5actualworks).

Studentsmayberequiredtocreateapresentationforstudentsandfacultyatthe endoftheyear.PrerequisitesforadmissiontotheclassincludeStudioArtalongwith instructorapproval.

AdvancedTopicsinArtHistory(VPA)

AdvancedTopicsinArtHistoryprovidesanintroductiontoglobalvisualandmaterial culturefromprehistorytothepresent,exploringthekeyquestion:howandwhythe universalhumandesiretocreatehasgeneratedvisualculturearoundtheworldfor millennia Thecourseemphasizestheintersectionofculturalcontextandartistic expression;worksofartwillbeconsideredintheirhistoricalandculturalcontexts,as wellasinrelationtoworksfromotherperiodsandtraditions ATArtHistorystudents willexaminethepurpose,creation,reception,andinterpretationofworksofart, developingskillsinvisual,contextual,andcomparativeanalysis.Thevisualmedia theywillconsiderincludepainting,sculpture,architecture,photography,printmaking, digitalmedia,performance,installation,andsite-specificworks.Bytheendofthe year,studentswillhaveacquiredanunderstandingofindividualartistsandworks,of broadthemes,andofinterconnectionsacrosshistory.AdvancedTopicsinArtHistory fulfillstheUC“f”orVisual&PerformingArts(“vpa”)requirement,butnotthe“a” History/SocialSciencerequirement.

AdvancedTopicsinComputerScience(VPA)

Inthiscourse,studentswilldesignindividualworksbasedondesignelementsand principlesaswellasresponsestohistorical,philosophicalandculturalprompts,learn andusedigitalvocabularyinverbalandwrittenanalysisandindescriptionsoftheir workandtheworkofothers,participateindiscussionsofthephilosophical,cultural andhistoricalplaceofartinsociety,andcreateartworkofqualityusingthe techniquesof2Ddigitalmodeling,3Ddigitalmodeling,creativecoding,andsound engineering.Thegoalsofthiscourseareforstudentstodemonstratean understandingofprocessesandtechniquesusedinvisualandperformingarts-how theycanbedigitized,andultimatelycreateworksthateffectivelyshowindividual creativityandproblemsolvingabilities StudentswhowishtomoveontoAdvanced TopicsinComputerSciencewillberequiredtocompleteadigitalartportfolio capstoneassignment,showcasingtheirworkfromthiscourse Allstudentswillselect andpresentapiecetheycreatedduringthiscoursetobeshowcasedattheendof theyear Thecoursewillincludeweeklyprogressreports (ThiscoursefulfillstheUC VPA,“f”requirement)

DigitalDesign(VPA)*

DigitalDesignisacoursedesignedforstudentswhoareinterestedinexploringthe real-worldapplicationsofthearts.Thecoursefocusesondesignandhowitpertains toavarietyofcreativetechniques,includingdigitalphotography,desktoppublishing, andthedigitaldarkroom(AdobePhotoshop,InDesign,andIllustrator).Students developskillsintechnology-basedprograms,problem-solving,communication,and timemanagementthatcontributetolifelonglearningandcareerskills.(*Thiscourse isnotofferedeveryyear,dependingonstudentinterestandability.)

Yearbook—Medallion(VPA)

ThisyearlongelectiveclassisdevotedtotheproductionoftheMedallion,Country Day’sall-schoolyearbook.Studentslearntochooseatheme;designlayouts; research,write,andeditstories;photographstudentsandevents;andmaster advancedcomputerskillsnecessarytocompleteyearbookproduction.Underthe guidanceofstudenteditors,thestaffcollaboratesonideasandstrategiesfor covering14gradelevelsacrossthreedivisionsinordertothoroughly,accurately,and creativelytellthestoryofayearatCountryDay

AppliedDigitalMedia&Marketing

Gethands-onmarketingexperiencerightoncampus!Applyforourmarketing internshipandunleashyourcreativity You'llbringfirst-handstudentexperiencesto lifeandcapturetheschool'sessenceandspiritthroughphotos,videos,andother engagingcontent.We'relookingforreliableandenthusiasticstudentswhoare passionateaboutmarketinganddigitalmediaandeagertolearnandapplynew skillsinCountryDay'smarketingdepartment.

OTHERELECTIVES

IndependentCommunityService

Providingon-siteopportunitiestofulfilltheCountryDaycommunityservice requirementandcreatingachanceforstudentstogivebacktoourowncommunity arethetwomainreasonsthiscourseisoffered.Studentsmayarrangetheirown projectsorgethelpfromtheheadofHighSchool.ProjectsincludetutoringMiddle SchoolandLowerSchoolstudents,workingineitherlibrary,assistingthedirectorof BreakthroughSacramento,aidingteachersinLowerSchoolclassrooms,workingin thegarden,etc.Studentsareresponsiblefortrackingtheircommunityservicehours andattheendofeachsemester,hoursarecalculatedandappliedtothe requirement.

Journalism(Octagon)

TheyearlongjournalismclassisdevotedtoproducingbothTheOctagon(the high-schoolprintnewspaperpublished8timesannually)andTheOctagononline (wwwscdsoctagoncom) Staffersreceiveinstructioninwritingandeditingnews, features,sports,reviews,andeditorialsforbothprintandtheWeb Theyalsolearn principlesofpageandWebdesign,effectiveuseoftechnology,responsible leadershipoftheirpeers;andsellingandhandlingadvertising.Discussions concerningtheroleofthenewspaperinboththeschoolandsociety,including considerationofjournalisticprinciplesandethics,arefrequent.Thestaffattends localandnationaljournalismconventions.

MarathonTraining*

Studentsdon’thavetothinkofthemselvesas"runners"totrythiselective.Theclass beginsslowlyandwithlowmileage,andgraduallybuildsupoverthesemester. Throughoutthetraining,thefocusisongoodrunningform,nutrition,hydration,and mentaltechniquestohelpgettothefinishlinehappyandinjury-freeonraceday. Studentsmaytakethiselectivejusttolearnhowtorunandloveit;participatingin theracesisnotmandatory.Traininginthiscourseandparticipatingintheraces fulfillsphysicaleducationrequirements.(*Coursenotofferedeveryyear.)

MockTrial

TheyearlongMockTrialprogramisdesignedtoprovidestudentswithaneducation intheAmericanjudicialsystem Studentslearnaboutthehierarchyofthevarious courtsandbecomeknowledgeableabouttheinnerworkingsofacivilorcriminal trial Studentsworkasateamtolearnthefactsofarealisticcasefile,analyzingthe lawpertinenttothatfile,andthenconductingamocktrialbyplayingtherolesof attorneys,witnesses,jurors,andcourtpersonnel Studentsperforminafour-day MockTrialcompetitioninFebruaryandearlyMarch.Thecompetitionisheldinthe courtroomsattheSacramentoCountySuperiorCourt.Thisyearlongclassmeets outsideoftheschoolday,usuallyonSundays.

OutdoorEducation*

OutdoorEducationisanexperience-basedelectiveforthoseinterestedin emergencymedicineandwildernessskills.Studentsbeginthecourselearninghow

torespondtoanemergencysituation.Emphasiswillbegiventopatientcarein remotelocationswithlimitedresources.Uponcompletion,studentswillbecome certifiedinCPR,AED,andWilderness&RemoteFirstAidthroughtheAmericanRed Cross.Oncecertified,thecurriculumwillshifttowildernessliving.Studentswill practiceknots,orienteering,shelterbuilding,sanitation,andoutdoorcooking.The yearendswithapracticalfinalinthefield,whichwillbeheldatalocationdecidedby theclass.(*Coursenotofferedeveryyear.)

Robotics

Studentsresearch,explore,andtestvaryinghardwareandsoftwarewhilestoring andretrievingdatathroughcode Theylearnanddeveloptheuseoffiveoverarching codingstructuresnamelystatements,variables,loops,functions,andcomments Theclassworksinteamstobuildanditerateonrobots Studentspractice multidisciplinaryorganizationalskillswhiletheymake3Dsimulationsanddigitalart models Theyexaminetherelationshipsbetweenhardware,software,robots, computersandethics.

Mindfulness&CenteringPractices*

Thiscourseisanopportunityforstudentstostudyandengageinvariousactivities intendedtocultivatepersonalwellbeing,emotionalregulation,andhealthyshiftsin perspective.Includedintheseactivitieswillbenon-religiousmeditationand breathwork,journaling,drawing,andfreewriting.Selectedreadingsandvideoswill beanintegralpartofthecoursecurriculum,thoughallcourseworkwillbecompleted duringclassmeetings;studentswillbeencouragedtocontinueexploringand applyingthecoursecontentoutsideofclass,thoughtheywillnotbeexpectedto completeanyhomeworkforcoursecredit.Allstudentswillberequiredtoengagein dailyactivitiesandsubmitwrittenreflections.(*Coursenotofferedeveryyear.)

PHYSICALEDUCATION

Thephysicaleducationcurriculumcoordinatesandfacilitatestheprocessofguiding studentstoleadhealthierlifestyles.Thecontentarticulatestheknowledge,skills,and confidencestudentsneedtomaintainmeaningfulphysicalactivitythroughouttheir lifetime;andthecoursesequenceallowsforstudentstomakeasuccessfultransition fromthephysicaleducationinstructionalprogramtoparticipationinphysical activitiesduringadulthood.Studentsdevelopproficientmovementskillsineacharea ofphysicaleducation,expandtheircapabilitiesforindependentlearning,and examinepracticesthatallowforsounddecision-makingtoenhancesuccessful participation.Thecurriculumprovidesaframeworkthatallowsforindividual responsibilityandflexibilitybyhavingthestudentsdesigntheirprogramwitha varietyofphysicalactivitiesandsportsthattheyenjoyandmaywishtoparticipate inforyearstocome Theclassesareorganizedbysemester Besidestakingphysical educationclasses,studentscancompletetheirgraduationrequirementthrough participationonathleticteamsand/orthroughtheindependentphysicaleducation program

IndependentPhysicalEducation—PriorApprovalNecessary

ThePhysicalEducationDepartmentprovidesanindependentprogramallowing studentstheopportunitytofulfilltheirPErequirementsoutsideofCountryDay.The programisdesignedforthosestudentswhoarecompetinginanoutside-of-school athleticprogramorcoursethatrequiresnumeroushoursoftrainingwitha professionalcoachortrainer,wherethestudentisrankedatalocal,state,ornational level,and/orengagesinmorethan60hoursperseason.Studentsmustapplyprior tothesemesterofactivity,beacceptedtotheprogrambythephysicaleducation coordinatorandbesupervisedbytheircoachandphysicaleducationcoordinator.A studentmayalsotakeacollegecoursethroughtheindependentprogramtosatisfy thePErequirement.IndependentP.E.formsareonCavNET.