Sacred Heart Greenwich: Upper School Curriculum Guide

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

YEAR 1

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 2

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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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YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

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 1

YEAR 2

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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

YEAR 2

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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

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

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

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

Arabic I

Arabic II

Arabic III

Arabic IV

Arabic Honors

Arabic III Honors

Arabic IV Honors

YEAR 1

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

YEAR 1

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

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

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

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

Theatre I

Theatre II

Theatre III

Theatre IV Honors

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YEAR 2

YEAR 3

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

”

Faith.

Intellect.

Justice.

Community.

Wisdom.

1177 KING STREET GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06831 203.531.6500 shgreenwich.org