Sacred Heart 2023 GREENWICH
UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE
THE SACRED HEART GREENWICH CURRICULUM BALANCES FOUNDATIONAL ACADEMIC COURSEWORK THAT EMPOWERS HIGH-LEVEL LEARNING IN ADVANCED, HONORS, AND AP COURSES WITH THE PERSONAL FREEDOM TO PURSUE INDIVIDUAL PASSIONS. As in all things at Sacred Heart Greenwich, a student’s course load is unique to her, prioritizing her
We believe in the strength, intellect, vitality, spirit, friendship, and faith of women.
talents and passions. While we’re pleased by the exceptional number of college acceptances our graduates earn to top-level institutions each year, our focus is on the entire student experience. We take great joy in learning together—with students in the driver’s seat. The all-girls advantage means that our Upper School students develop the confidence and courage to say yes to new responsibilities and opportunities, from competing in Model United Nations to editing the newspaper to building robots and competing for award recognition at the Connecticut STEM Fair. At Sacred Heart Greenwich, our students are encouraged to translate their knowledge into real-world applications. Rather than compartmentalizing subjects, our interdisciplinary approach fosters an environment where students integrate their learnings to address meaningful challenges within their communities. This commitment to our Sacred Heart mission ensures that their education goes beyond textbooks and classrooms, making a positive impact on the world around them. Our mission is to inspire our graduates to head into the world as capable, confident, transformational leaders.
English
4 YEAR REQUIREMENT Students complete four years of English study, including our signature Senior Seminar in Literature & Thought in 12th grade, which earns interdisciplinary credit in both English and theology.
History
3 YEAR REQUIREMENT INCLUDING U.S. HISTORY Students build a foundation for responsible and informed citizenship with a two-year World History sequence, followed by one year of study of United States History. Thereafter, a wide variety of senior-year elective courses afford students the opportunity to further immerse themselves in areas of interest in history and the social sciences.
Math
3 YEAR REQUIREMENT Students who complete the traditional high school mathematics curriculum through Calculus before 12th grade study collegelevel honors courses in Multivariable Calculus or Linear Algebra through our partnership with OneSchoolhouse online school.
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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Foundations of Literature
English Literature
American Literature
AP English L iterature
English Literature Honors
American Literature Honors
Advanced Topics in Literature Honors Seminar in Literature & Thought
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YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
World History I
World History II
U.S. History I
Contemporary Issues
World History I Honors
World History II Honors
U.S. History I Honors
Contemporary Issues Honors
AP World History
AP U.S. History
Psychology Honors
Psychology Constitutional Law Constitutional Law Honors AP Art History AP Human Geography AP Psychology AP Macroeconomics AP Microeconomics AP Comparative Government
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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Algebra I
Geometry
Calculus
Geometry
Algebra II with Trigonometry
Algebra II with Trigonometry Precalculus
AP Calculus B/C
Geometry Honors
Algebra II with Trigonometry Honors
AP Calculus A/B
Precalculus Honors
AP Statistics
Advanced Precalculus Honors
Multivariable Calculus/Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
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Science
3 YEAR REQUIREMENT, INCLUDING BIOLOGY Students with a particular interest in scientific research can choose Science Research as their elective course and therefore enroll in two science courses per year.
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Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Anatomy & Physiology
Physics Honors
Chemistry Honors
Biology Honors
Anatomy & Physiology Honors
Science Research
Science Research
Science Research Honors
Astronomy Astronomy Honors AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics Neuroscience Global Health Marine Science Science Research Honors
Theology
4 YEAR REQUIREMENT All students complete four years of theology study, including our signature Seminar in Literature & Thought in 12th grade, which earns interdisciplinary credit in both English and theology.
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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Theological Foundations
Scripture & the Arts
Christian Morality, Ethics & Social Justice
Seminar in Literature & Thought
What is the good of teaching various subjects, of wasting time in learning them, if, at the same time, we cannot teach children the words of life and touch their hearts and their consciences? :: SAINT MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT
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WORLD LANGUAGES
Spanish
3 YEAR REQUIREMENT {CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}
Chinese
3 YEAR REQUIREMENT {CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}
Arabic
3 YEAR REQUIREMENT
Students can choose a World Language as their elective course and therefore enroll in two World Languages per year. YEAR 1
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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III
Spanish IV
Spanish II
Spanish II Honors
Spanish III Honors
Spanish IV Honors
Spanish II Honors
Spanish III
Spanish IV
Advanced Topics in Spanish
Spanish III Honors
Spanish IV Honors
Advanced Topics in Spanish Honors
AP Spanish Language
AP Spanish Language
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YEAR 2
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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Chinese I
Chinese II
Chinese III
Chinese IV
Chinese II
Chinese II Honors
Chinese III Honors
Chinese IV Honors
Chinese III
Chinese IV
Advanced Topics in Chinese
Chinese III Honors
Chinese IV Honors
Advanced Topics in Chinese Honors
AP Chinese Language
AP Chinese Language
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YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Arabic I
Arabic II
Arabic III
Arabic IV
Arabic Honors
Arabic III Honors
Arabic IV Honors
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YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
French I
French II
French III
Advanced Topics in French
French II
French II Honors
French III Honors
AP French Language
French II Honors
French III
French IV
Post AP French
French III Honors
French IV Honors
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YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Latin I
Latin II
Latin III
AP Latin Language
Latin II
Latin II Honors
Latin III Honors
Latin II Honors
Latin III
Latin IV
Latin III Honors
Latin IV Honors
{CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}
French
3 YEAR REQUIREMENT {CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}
Latin
3 YEAR REQUIREMENT {CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}
AP Spanish Literature
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Computer Science
All students study computer science. Students who select a full-year CS course as their elective satisfy the CS requirement with that class and have the option to continue their study of coding throughout their high school career. Students who select a different elective participate in our once per-cycle, one-semester 9th grade CS course.
Filmmaking & Media Studies
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Introduction to Computer Science
Computational Thinking & Programming
Computational Thinking & Programming
AP Computer Science Principles
Data Science & Machine Learning
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science A
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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Intro to Filmmaking
Multimedia Journalism
Advanced Multimedia Journalism Honors
Advanced Multimedia Journalism II Honors
Computational Thinking & Programming
Students are empowered to apply media, technology, and entrepreneurial skills to solve real-world issues in class and through cocurriculars.
Theatre Students with an interest in performing arts can cultivate that passion through our cocurricular performances as well as in our theatre courses. Students study the technical, dramatic, and musical components of theatre.
Visual Arts
Students study the essential elements of design and pursue their unique artistic interests in a variety of visual arts disciplines and spaces, from painting in the studio to developing film in the darkroom to designing in digital platforms.
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Creative Filmmaking
AP Computer Science A Data Science & Machine Learning
Data Science & Machine Learning
Advanced Creative Filmmaking II Honors
Real World Filmmaking
Advanced Creative Filmmaking Honors
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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Theatre I
Theatre II
Theatre III
Theatre IV Honors
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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE
Foundations of Art
Photography I
Photography II Honors
Advanced Portfolio in Photography Honors
Drawing & Painting II Honors
Advanced Portfolio in Drawing & Painting Honors
Design II Honors
Advanced Portfolio in Design Honors
Drawing & Painting I Design I
Advanced Real World Filmmaking Honors
Advanced Real World Filmmaking II Honors
AP Art & Design
Campus Ministry Sacred Heart Greenwich is committed to raising social awareness and inspiring action. Our Campus Ministry & Service programs offer experiential learning opportunities designed to help students explore their faith while instilling courage, confidence, and civic responsibility. Through regular liturgies, chapel services, retreats, and daily prayer, our students grow in their personal and active faith in God.
Service Learning Upper School students complete designated hours to support social justice and community service efforts. Embracing the spirit of the Goals and Criteria, service becomes a habit of the heart and students often surpass the minimum requirement of hours. REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE: 9th: All students are required to perform 12 hours of community service; 6 hours must be in direct service to a needy population. 10th: All students are required to perform 20 hours of community service; 10 hours must be in direct service to a needy population. 11th: All students are required to perform 15 hours of community service; 12 hours must be in direct service to a needy population. 12th: All students are required to perform 15 hours of community service. All hours must be in direct service to a needy population.
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Cocurricular Learning at Sacred Heart Greenwich takes place beyond the classroom in a number of cocurricular programs and experiences. These endeavors are essential to the School experience as they allow students to hone essential collaboration skills, foster community, and pursue their passions. PROGRAMMATIC OFFERINGS INCLUDE: Robotics Club
Model UN
Chess Club
Speech & Debate Team
Theatre
Mock Trial
Performing Arts
Athletics
Sports Students at Sacred Heart Greenwich have the opportunity to excel both in the classroom and on the fields and courts. More than 200 students participate in 15 different team sports each year. TEAMS INCLUDE: Basketball
Soccer
Cross Country
Squash
Diving
Swimming
Field Hockey
Tennis
Golf
Track & Field
Ice Hockey
Volleyball
Lacrosse
Water Polo
Rowing
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College Guidance
The Sacred Heart Greenwich college guidance program is designed to provide close, personal attention to each student so she is afforded the information, the encouragement, and the guidance to make the most informed, well-suited decision for her future.
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Student Life Sacred Heart Greenwich provides an intentional balance between learning and living. We cultivate a vibrant community that challenges and inspires academic, artistic, athletic, and personal growth. Each student has the freedom to be uniquely herself, finding myriad opportunities to discover and use her voice within a joyful, supportive community. OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: Peer Leadership
Student Council
Advisory
Financial Literacy
Leadership Academy
Clubs
Overnight Community Building Opportunities
Eucharistic Ministers
Student Support LEADERSHIP, HEALTH, WELLNESS Sacred Heart Greenwich is dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of every student, fostering individuals of faith, intellect, and a profound sense of social responsibility. Our educational approach seamlessly integrates leadership and well-being into the student experience, emphasizing growth, self-discovery, intellectual pursuits, spiritual enlightenment, and the cultivation of distinctive leadership paths. Students in 9th and 11th grade take PE or opt to participate in our interscholastic athletic program, and students in 10th and 12th grade take Health classes as part of their academic schedule. We seek to transform the world one girl at a time. Our young women leave with a sense of commitment and the courage to make a difference in the world.
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Setting out is one thing. You must also know where you are going and what you can do when you get there. :: SAINT MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT
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Faith. Intellect. Justice. Community. Wisdom.
1177 KING STREET GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06831 203.531.6500 shgreenwich.org