Upper School Curriculum Guide 2025

Sacred Heart 2025 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 talents and passions. While we’re pleased by the exceptional number of college

We believe in the strength, intellect, vitality, spirit, friendship, and faith of women.

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 at Sacred Heart Greenwich empowers our Upper School students to cultivate the confidence and courage to embrace new responsibilities and opportunities, whether it’s performing onstage, competing in Model United Nations, editing the school newspaper, building robots, or striving for recognition at the Connecticut STEM Fair.

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 learning 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

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

Foundations of Literature

English Literature

American Literature

AP English L iterature

study, including our signature

English Literature Honors Journalism Reporting

Seminar in Literature & Thought in 12th grade, which earns interdisciplinary credit in both English and theology.

History

American Literature Honors Journalism Reporting Journalism Editing Honors

Advanced Topics in Literature Honors Seminar in Literature & Thought Journalism Reporting Journalism Editing Honors

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

3 YEAR REQUIREMENT

World History I

World History II

U.S. History I

Contemporary Issues

INCLUDING U.S. HISTORY

World History I Honors

World History II Honors

U.S. History I Honors

Contemporary Issues Honors

AP World History

AP U.S. History

Psychology

Students build a foundation for responsible and informed citizenship with a two-year World History

Psychology Honors

sequence, followed by one year of

AP Art History

United States History. Thereafter, a wide

AP Comparative Government

variety of senior-year elective courses

AP Macroeconomics

afford students the opportunity to further

AP Psychology

immerse themselves in areas of interest

AP United States Government and Politics

in history and the social sciences.

Math

Constitutional Law Honors

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

3 YEAR REQUIREMENT

Algebra I

Geometry

Geometry

Algebra II with Trigonometry

Algebra II with Trigonometry

Precalculus

Students who complete the traditional high

Precalculus

Calculus

school mathematics curriculum through Calculus before 12th grade study college-level honors courses in Linear Algebra/Multivariable Calculus.

Geometry Honors

Algebra II with Trigonometry Honors

Precalculus Honors

Precalculus Honors AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Statistics Linear Algebra/ Multivariable Calculus

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Science

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

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

Thereafter, a wide range of science electives

AP Chemistry

become available in junior and senior year.

Neuroscience, Neuroscience Honors

Physics 11/12

In addition, students with a particular interest

Physics 11/12 Honors

3 YEAR REQUIREMENT, INCLUDING BIOLOGY Students build their scientific study through core courses in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

in scientific research can choose Science

Astronomy

Research as their elective course.

Physics 11/12, Physics 11/12 Honors Science Research, Science Research Honors AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics C: Mechanics

Theology

4 YEAR REQUIREMENT

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

Biblical Studies

World Religions

Christian Morality, Ethics & Social Justice

Seminar in Literature & Thought

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

Introduction to Computer Science

Computational Thinking & Programming

Computational Thinking & Programming

Computational Thinking and Programming

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science Principles

All students complete four years of theological study, including our signature Seminar in Literature & Thought in 12th grade, which earns interdisciplinary credit in both English and theology.

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.

“

Computational Thinking & Programming

AP Computer Science A Data Science & Machine Learning

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

2 Sacred Heart GREENWICH

”

Data Science & Machine Learning AP Computer Science A

WORLD LANGUAGES

Arabic

Students can choose a World Language as their elective course and therefore enroll in two World Languages per year.

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

3 YEAR REQUIREMENT

Chinese I

Chinese II

Chinese III

Chinese IV

{CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}

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

3 YEAR REQUIREMENT {CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}

Chinese

French

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

3 YEAR REQUIREMENT

French I

French II

French III

Advanced Topics in French

{CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}

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

3 YEAR REQUIREMENT

Spanish I

Spanish II

Spanish III

Spanish IV

{CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF THE SAME LANGUAGE}

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 III Honors

Spanish IV Honors

Advanced Topics in Spanish Honors

Spanish IV Honors

AP Spanish Language

AP Spanish Language

Spanish

AP Spanish Literature

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Dance

Students with an interest or experience in dance can build confidence, connection, and community by exploring

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

Dance I

Dance II

Dance III

Dance IV Honors

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

Intro to Filmmaking

Creative Filmmaking

Advanced Multimedia Journalism Honors

Advanced Multimedia Journalism II Honors

and improving their technique in ballet, modern/ contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, and hip hop.

Through choreography and performance, they can showcase their growth and deepen their passion for dance within a supportive environment.

Filmmaking & Media Studies

Students are empowered to apply media,

Real World Filmmaking

technology, and entrepreneurial skills to solve real-world issues in class

Digital Communication

and through cocurricular programs.

Advanced Digital Communications Honors Advanced Creative Filmmaking Honors

Advanced Digital Communications Honors II Advanced Creative Filmmaking II Honors Advanced Real World Filmmaking II Honors

Advanced Real World Filmmaking Honors

Theatre

Students engage in hands-on work across areas of theatrical production, from acting to

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4 ELECTIVE

Theatre I

Theatre II

Theatre III Honors

Theatre IV Honors

YEAR 1

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

playwriting to design, becoming experienced and confident practitioners.

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

Drawing & Painting I

painting in the studio to developing film in the

Design I

darkroom to designing in digital platforms.

AP Art & Design

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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: 12 hours of direct service to a population in need.

All hours must be completed during the academic year.

10th: 20 hours of service, 15 of which must be in direct service to a population in need.

11th: 12 hours of direct service with a single organization.

12th: 15 hours of service.

THE SR. SHEEHAN, RSCJ, SERVICE HONOR SOCIETY

The society recognizes students who have demonstrated a commitment to service and a desire to advocate for the poor and marginalized.

Students who satisfy the additional honors three-year requirement are inducted in the spring of junior year.

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.

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Performing & Visual Arts The Arts are central to the Sacred Heart Greenwich experience both in the development of the whole student and in the building of community.

Students can engage in the Arts both as part of their coursework and as a cocurricular opportunity.

ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

A Ca-Bellas Bell Choir Dance Electives Fall Play Freshman Chorus

Madrigals Orchestra Theatre Electives Visual Arts & Photography Electives Winter Musical

Cocurricular Learning at Sacred Heart Greenwich takes place beyond the classroom through 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:

Astronomy Athletics Chess Club Journalism Mock Trial

Model UN Performing & Visual Arts Robotics Club Speech & Debate Team Sustainability

Sports Students have the opportunity to excel both in the classroom and on the fields and courts. More than 200 students participate in 16 different team sports each year.

TEAMS INCLUDE:

Basketball Cross Country Diving Field Hockey Golf Ice Hockey Lacrosse Rowing

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Sailing Soccer Squash Swimming Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Water Polo

Student Life Sacred Heart Greenwich cultivates 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:

Advisory Clubs Eucharistic Ministers Financial Literacy Leadership Academy

Overnight Community Building Opportunities Peer Leadership Student Council

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 engage in our Active Wellness Program, designed to promote physical health, mental well-being, and personal growth. This program offers a variety of options, including Physical Education classes, participation in athletic teams, dance, or theatre.

In addition, students in grades 10 and 12 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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College Counseling

The Sacred Heart Greenwich College Counseling 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.

“

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