Course Descriptions

English Department Overview

The Indian Creek School English department believes that the act of writing, the process of revision, and the critical analysis of “texts” broadly conceived are fundamental components both of academic excellence and of successful civic life beyond scholastic boundaries. In class, both independently and collaboratively, our students read as writers, write as readers, and think critically about texts, themselves, and the world around them. Our students learn to analyze and evaluate language, ideas, and information and to formulate nuanced positions. Both in their writing and through discussions, students learn to communicate these complex ideas effectively and purposefully to a wide range of audiences. The skills that English students cultivate during their time at Indian Creek aim to shape them into analytical scholars, appreciators of imaginative literature, and conscientious and engaged global citizens.

Over the course of their humanities studies in the Upper School English and History departments, students…

• Read both imaginative literature and nonfiction (including primary and secondary sources), building their appreciation and understanding of a variety of genres and their skills in comprehension, critical analysis, and claims testing.

• Write formally and informally in a variety of modes (including persuasive, informative, narrative, reflective, and documentbased). They learn to communicate these complex ideas effectively and purposefully to a wide range of audiences, making writing choices on both small and large scales, including the word, sentence, paragraph, and essay.

• Find relevant and reliable sources, select appropriate evidence, and utilize resources such as databases, search engines, journals, and books in order to help them develop a deeper understanding and more nuanced positions. Students then incorporate correctlycited and relevant evidence into their research.

• Gain confidence and clarity in public speaking, making choices in their oral communication that are appropriate for a given audience and purpose. As audience members, they develop their active listening skills, including asking meaningful questions.

• Seek multiple perspectives and gain understanding of why people come to the decisions they make, becoming more conscious of how and why their experiences differ from and connect with others. Students analyze how historical and fictional events reflect and affect the world they live in today. Ultimately, students become flexible and empathetic thinkers who move from a fixed to a more malleable mindset, willing to change their minds.

Department Offerings

Grade 9

English 9: Literature and Composition

Grade 10

English 10: American Literature

AP Seminar

Yearbook: Journalism

Semester Electives

Grade 11

English 11: Language and Composition

AP English Language

AP Seminar

Yearbook: Journalism

Semester Electives

Grade 12

AP English Literature

Two Semester English Electives

AP Seminar

Yearbook: Journalism

Additional semester electives

Students are required to take four years of English. Shaded green courses meet the English requirement; Shaded gray courses may be taken for additional credits.

English 9: Literature & Composition

Grade 9

Yearlong

1 credit

The ninth grade English course focuses on both literature and composition. To broaden their understanding of both the similarities and differences of lives around the world, students primarily read literature with settings outside of the United States, exploring literature as both a mirror and a window and considering identity in the context of community. Through close readings and discussions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by diverse authors, students further develop their ability to analyze and think critically about language. Students have the opportunity to develop their communication skills in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking; they learn to express their ideas more effectively as they engage in discussion; and they create, revise, and share different types of formal and informal writing throughout the year.

English 10: American Literature

Grade 10

Yearlong

1 credit

The tenth grade English course is a broad survey of American literature. Students read both historical and contemporary works, including novels, plays, and short stories by writers who represent the diversity of the American experience. Readings are placed in historical and cultural contexts through accompanying lessons on various periods in American history. Students develop and apply critical thinking skills through selected texts and learn how to present written analysis of readings in thesisdriven analytical essays. Analytical skills are further deepened and applied through class discussions on selected readings and related articles. Students emerge from English 10 with an appreciation of and experience with different forms of literature, knowledge of literature’s cultural impact throughout America’s history, and the ability to produce clear and forceful analytical writing.

AP Seminar

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

1 credit

This course meets the English requirement for Grade 10 or may be taken as an elective in addition to the required English courses in Grades 11 or 12.

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Note: This course is the first in the two-year AP Capstone sequence described in the Interdisciplinary section of this Curriculum Guide. In AP Seminar, students choose real-world topics and evaluate them from multiple perspectives. Students identify credibility and bias in sources and develop arguments in support of a recommendation. The AP Seminar course, while interdisciplinary in nature, will receive an English graduation credit AP Seminar is the prerequisite to the yearlong AP Research course in which students design and execute a research project on a topic of personal interest. See the History section to review the AP Research course description.

What is the good life? How have philosophers, artists, and authors debated the meaning of living well over many centuries and across cultures? Are governments and other institutions responsible for promoting happiness and well-being in their communities? What insights have recent scientific studies in fields like positive psychology contributed to our understanding of how to live joyful and ethical lives? Using an inquiry framework, students read and analyze literature, articles, texts, and works of art across multiple disciplines, evaluate arguments, and build and communicate their own analyses. Interdisciplinary assignments include debates, discussions, independent research, and collaborative projects. The second semester will focus on a team project and individual research-based essay as part of the College Board Assessments for AP Seminar.

English 11: Language and Composition

Grade 11 Yearlong

1 credit

English 11: Language and Composition is a writing-intensive course that prepares students for both college reading and writing experiences. Students read and write in a variety of modes and genres. The readings introduce students to several literary genres as students learn strategies for understanding and analyzing more complex texts. Students frequently write in informal and formal formats, composing with increased clarity and sophistication. Core writing skills, different organizational structures, the writing process, and research and citation skills are emphasized.

AP English Language and Composition

Grade 11 Yearlong

1 credit

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation.

The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts and the development and revision of well-reasoned analytical and argumentative writing. The course requires students to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of contexts and skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Students analyze nonfiction writing by major literary figures and synthesize and cite evidence to support their arguments. As both readers and writers, students consider the decisions that writers make as they compose and revise. Major units include rhetorical analysis and close reading, argument, and synthesis essays that require students to evaluate and incorporate relevant outside sources.

AP English Literature and Composition

Grade 12 Yearlong 1 credit

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation. It is strongly recommended that students complete AP Language and Composition before taking AP Literature and Composition.

The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on imaginative literature: fiction, poetry, and drama. Students read, analyze, discuss, and write about both classic and contemporary literature from a variety of periods and in a variety of genres. Students grow in their abilities to read closely, analyze literature thoughtfully, and write persuasively about imaginative literature. Topics include the functions of character, setting, structure, narration, figurative language, and literary argumentation. Writing assignments include analytical and argumentative essays that require analysis and interpretation of literature. The AP English Literature and Composition course aligns with a college-level introductory literature curriculum.

English Electives

Note: In Grade 12, students may either take AP English Literature or choose two selections from the courses below to meet the required credit of English. Students who take an English elective prior to Grade 12 do so in addition to their required English credit for senior year.

Creative Writing

Grade 12 Semester .5 credit

Creative writing focuses on developing each writer’s individual writing process, voice, and style across several genres of composition. In this survey course, students learn the fundamentals of writing fictional narratives, various forms of poetry, and creative nonfiction. Students read mentor texts that focus on different genres and skills, write and revise their own poetry and prose in those genres, and workshop their pieces with fellow classmates. Through this process, students become more critical readers, learn how to discuss and provide feedback on others’ writing, and learn how to strengthen their own writing. By the end of the course, students will develop a deeper understanding of each step of the writing process and will be better prepared for college-level writing through a creative approach to teaching writing skills

Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Literature

Grade 12 Semester .5 credit

This class is meant to be an overview of literature that deals, in some form or another, with dystopia what the O.E.D. describes as “an imaginary place or condition in which everything is as bad as possible.” We will discuss what this word means and how it (and related concepts like utopia) has been conceptualized in almost a century of literature, film, and television, and we will consider how each of these genres should be defined and how the conventions of each genre have changed over time. We will analyze and evaluate a number of representations that claim to depict a dystopian society and compare them with our own world, and we will read them as warnings, political statements, and as inquiries into the philosophy of language and of science.

From Page to Stage

Grades 12 Semester .5 credit

Scholars have looked at the “afterlives” of stories how they are adapted from period to period and from genre to genre. Such adaptations are a central feature of our own cultural landscape; novels, plays, and comic books are regularly made into films and television shows. Nor is film the only way to talk about adaptation. For example, Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride & Prejudice has been made into a miniseries, a film, a YouTube vlog series, “loose” adaptations, and over a hundred “unofficial” novels, including Pride and a certain spoof involving zombies. The same can be said of Shakespeare think about West Side Story or The Lion King. Given how important adaptation is to us, it is worth examining how they change both the original material as well as our perception of it. When we tell stories in a variety of ways, what is gained? What is lost? More importantly, why does it matter? This course will attempt to answer these questions by looking at these “afterlives” through a variety of media.

Identity and Justice in Literature - Not offered in 2023-24

Note: This course is offered every other year. It will not be offered in the 2023-24 school year

Grades 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

This one-semester English elective focuses on literature through a lens of exploring themes of identity and social justice. Through whole-class texts, book clubs, and independent reading, students explore how aspects of identity such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, and religion are portrayed in contemporary fiction and poetry, as well as considering which stories are being told (and not told) and by whom. Students also consider how different texts portray, explore, and complicate topics such as justice, privilege, and oppression. By reading and writing critically about these texts, students can develop deeper understandings about themselves, the world, and literature.

Journalism and Publications

Grades 10, 11, 12 Yearlong 1 credit

Note: This course may be taken as an elective in Grade 10 and 11. It may be taken in place of a required English course in Grade 12 only, in which case, it must be taken as part of a 6-credit load.

Journalism and Publications is a collaborative class that produces the school yearbook while focusing study on writing, photography, and layout design. Students learn the foundational steps of gathering, verifying, synthesizing, and communicating information for news and publication purposes. Classes engage students in the role of journalism in a free society, current events, best practices in writing and reporting, interviewing, editing, photography, and visual presentation. The class is independent in nature and culminates with the publication of the school yearbook.

Young Adult Literature

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Note: This course is offered every other year. It will be offered this year, but not in the 2024-25 school year. This semester-long course focuses on different genres of contemporary young adult literature, literature written for and marketed to adolescents. Through whole-class texts, book clubs, and independent reading, students analyze the cultural influences of these texts, explore how common topics and portrayal of social issues in young adult literature have changed over time, and consider how young adult literature is both similar to and different from adult literature in terms of literary elements, plot structures, and themes. There are opportunities for writing both analytically and creatively.

Global Online Academy English Offerings

The courses below are a sampling of the course offerings through Global Online Academy. Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved English course offerings through GOA.

Global Online Academy: Creative Nonfiction Writing

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Students focus on the art of shaping real experiences into powerful narratives. Students will examine diverse professional examples of the relevant and evolving genre of creative nonfiction while developing their own original works, reflecting stories from their lives and from the communities around them. This course is NCAA approved.

Global Online Academy: Fiction Writing

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Students focus on the art of shaping real experiences into powerful narratives. Students will examine diverse professional examples of the relevant and evolving genre of creative nonfiction while developing their own original works, reflecting stories from their lives and from the communities around them. This course is NCAA approved.

Mathematics Department Overview

The Indian Creek School Math Department believes that developing mathematical habits of mind is just as important as developing discrete mathematical skills. Students work independently and collaboratively to make sense of problems in context by applying the skills they are developing, using their resources effectively, and connecting math vocabulary and skills to the words they read. Through small group work, independent practice, multi-step problems, and real-world applications, students build the confidence to persevere and take intellectual risks, and the skills and habits of mind to tackle complex problems. By the time they graduate from Indian Creek, students will be engaged, accomplished, and resourceful mathematical thinkers.

Over the course of their studies in the Upper School Math Department, students…

• Demonstrate perseverance in problem solving.

• Enhance math literacy through developing a strong math vocabulary, constructing viable arguments, critiquing the reasoning of others, explaining mathematical thinking and process, and modeling mathematical concepts.

• Become independent thinkers who take risks when solving problems.

• Collaborate with classmates when solving problems.

• Develop proficiency in basic data science and its applications.

Solid lines indicate possible pathways. Dashed lines indicate pathways with instructor approval and possible summer work. Algebra

Grades

Algebra 1 covers the basic skills of algebra, including expressions, equations, inequalities, exponents, polynomials, and proportions. The focus is on three function families: linear, exponential, and quadratic. Students learn to graph linear equations, solve systems of linear equations, and use graphs, equations, and inequalities to solve problems. Multiplying and factoring polynomials lay the foundation for solving quadratic equations.

Geometry

Grades 9, 10, Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1

1 credit

This course uses the context of geometric figures to teach logical reasoning. Similarity, congruence, special line and angle relationships, special segments, trigonometric ratios, coordinate geometry, constructions, plane figures, and 3D figures are analyzed. Five different kinds of proofs are developed throughout the course. Students will use geometry software to explore, design, and prove truths about geometric figures and relationships.

Geometry with Data Science

Grades 9, 10 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1 and teacher recommendation

1 credit

This accelerated Geometry course covers the foundations of Geometry described above and introduces students to data science and statistics. This class should be taken by students ready to accelerate in math and intend to continue to Algebra 2 with Trigonometry.

Algebra 2 with Data Science

Grades 9, 10, 11 Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry

1 credit

This course covers Algebra 2 and an introduction to data science and statistics. Specific topics covered are polynomial, rational, radical, and exponential functions. This course is for students who intend to continue toward math electives, including finance, statistics, and data science. This Algebra 2 option spends more time reinforcing a strong mathematical foundation than Algebra 2 with trigonometry. Students who plan on taking Pre-Calculus should take Algebra 2 with Trigonometry

Algebra 2 with Trigonometry

Grades 9, 10, 11 Yearlong

1 credit

Prerequisite: A- or higher in Geometry or a B or higher in Geometry with Data Science and teacher recommendation

This accelerated course covers Algebra 2 and Trigonometry and is a precursor to Pre-Calculus and Calculus. Students who intend to continue towards Calculus in their math studies should take this course.

Algebra 3

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2

1 credit

Algebra 3 is for students who have finished Algebra 2 but will benefit from an extra year of Algebra to prepare them for higher-level courses. Algebra 3 provides students with a balanced foundation using analytic, numerical, graphical, and verbal methods of representing and solving comprehension and application problems associated with the following topics: linear, quadratic, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic, and polynomial functions.

Statistics and Data Science

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2

1 credit

Note: Data Science and Statistics is open to all students who have completed Algebra 2. Students may not enroll simultaneously in AP Statistics

This course prioritizes depth over pace compared with AP Statistics. Students in this course learn how to use statistical methods and data to formulate useful questions and to get reasonable answers to those questions. Through a series of projects and problems based on real-world scenarios, they learn how to gather, organize, visualize, analyze data, and finally communicate data-backed ideas effectively in writing, in images, and through public speaking. Students also use various computational tools to analyze large datasets and run simulations. Finally, they study traditional topics in statistics: sampling and variability, bias and randomization, correlation and causation, probability and distributions, and ethics in study design.

AP Statistics

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2 and teacher recommendation

1 credit

Note: AP Statistics is a rigorous college-level course aimed at students who are perhaps considering a path towards science, engineering, or medicine. AP Statistics is a faster-paced course and goes into greater depth than Statistics and Data Science, and therefore the two courses should not be taken simultaneously.

Statistics is an essential part of the mathematical toolbox of scientists and engineers. This course is about data, experiments, and inference. How can you make sense of data, and present data in a useful way? How can you collect data and perform experiments with as little bias as possible? How can you use probability to quantify your uncertainty? How can you make useful predictions and conclusions, despite uncertainty? Students in AP Statistics will encounter a challenging blend of algebra, reasoning, writing, and open-ended problem solving.

Financial Algebra: Personal Finance and Economics

Grades 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2

This semester-long course approaches financial literacy using algebraic models. Topics covered include behavioral economics, banking (interest rates, savings, and checking accounts), investing (stocks, bonds, and retirement), credit (loans, mortgages, credit cards), and budgeting. Students are given real world scenarios to show their learning throughout the semester. Sample projects could consist of balancing living expenses, simulations of buying a car, and creating an investment portfolio.

Calculus Pathway

AP Precalculus

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

1 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2 with Trigonometry and teacher recommendation Students who complete Algebra 2 with Data Science must have departmental approval to take this course and complete summer work in Trigonometry.

Note: According to the College Board, “Every student who’s ready for high school precalculus is ready for AP Precalculus. The ICS math department encourages students who intend to continue towards Calculus in their math studies to take this course.

AP Precalculus centers on functions modeling dynamic phenomena. This research-based exploration of functions is designed to better prepare students for college-level calculus and provide grounding for other mathematics and science courses. In this course, students study a broad spectrum of function types that are foundational for careers in mathematics, physics, biology, health science, social science, and data science. During this course, students acquire and apply mathematical tools in realworld modeling situations in preparation for using these tools in college-level calculus. Modeling, a central instructional theme for the course, helps students come to a deeper understanding of each function type. By examining scenarios, conditions, and data sets, as well as determining and validating an appropriate function model, students develop a greater comprehension of the nature and behavior of the function itself. The formal study of a function type through multiple representations (e.g., graphical, numerical, verbal, analytical), coupled with the application of the function type to a variety of contexts, provides students with a rich study of precalculus.

AP Calculus AB

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Precalculus and teacher recommendation

1 credit

Note: For placement or credit purposes, colleges and universities typically treat AB as one semester of calculus, and BC as two semesters.

Calculus AB is an AP-certified, college-level equivalent of a first semester calculus course. Students learn the basics of differentiation, integration, and first order differential equations. They also practice applying these concepts to situations involving quantities that change over time, and situations that involve maximizing or minimizing a given quantity. The course is a full preparation for the AP Calculus AB exam.

BLinc: AP Calculus BC

Grades 11, 12

Yearlong – X-Block .5 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Precalculus and current enrollment in AP Calculus AB

Note: Students must be concurrently enrolled in AP Calculus AB and have a recommendation from their precalculus teacher to enroll in AP Calculus BC. Prior completion of AP Calculus AB with a score of 3 or higher on the AP exam can also satisfy this requirement. For placement or credit purposes, colleges and universities typically treat AB as one semester of calculus and BC as two semesters. Students planning to take Global Online Academy Multivariable Calculus should take AP Calculus BC. The schedule for AP Calculus BC conflicts with X-Block ensembles. Students will need to receive instructor permission to participate in both.

Calculus BC is an AP-certified, college-level equivalent of a first and second-semester calculus course. The course is intended for highly motivated students with interest in mathematics. AP Calculus BC extends the content learned in AP Calculus AB to different types of equations (polar, parametric, vector-valued) and new topics (such as Euler's method, integration by parts, partial fraction decomposition, and improper integrals) and introduces infinite sequences and series which represent the bulk of the course material. The course is run as an asynchronous, blended course Students meet once a week and occasionally meet for recitation.

Global Online Academy: Multivariable Calculus

Grade 12 Yearlong 1 credit

Prerequisite: The equivalent of a college year of single-variable calculus, including integration techniques, such as trigonometric substitution, integration by parts, and partial fractions. Completion of the AP Calculus BC curriculum with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Exam would be considered adequate preparation.

In this course, students learn to differentiate and integrate functions of several variables. We extend the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus to multiple dimensions, and the course will culminate in Green's, Stokes', and Gauss' Theorems.

Mathematics: Computer Science

Introduction to Computer Science and Digital Design

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Semester

Note: This course is cross-listed in Fine Arts

.5 credit

In this course, students learn to differentiate and integrate functions. Introduction to Computer Science and Digital Design is an introductory, project-based course for which no previous experience is required. In this course, students will explore hardware and software basics and use web-based tools and applications. The first focus will be digital media using the Adobe Creative Cloud (license provided by the school), where students will learn to create images and logos using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The second unit is a website-building section using free web-based tools where students will learn the basics of what makes a solid webpage and how to create an effective website. Last, the class will explore block-based coding with web-based tools, creating original games online. If time permits, the class will finish with basic text-based coding using Swift Playgrounds.

Problem Solving through Design Thinking

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Semester

Note: This course is cross-listed in Science.

.5 credit

This course explores the fundamentals of coding, engineering, and robotics through hands-on, project-based units. Students develop strong problem-solving and design thinking skills as they discover practical applications of coding, robotics, and engineering. Students do not need a background in computer science or robotics to participate in the class as the class provides all students opportunities to expand their mastery and expertise of computer science and engineering.

AP Computer Science Principles

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1

1 credit

AP Computer Science Principles is a full-year, rigorous, entry-level course that introduces high school students to the foundations of modern computing. The course covers a broad range of foundational topics such as programming, algorithms, the Internet, big data, digital privacy and security, and the societal impacts of computing. This course highlights the relevance of computer science by emphasizing the vital impact advances in computing have on people and society. By focusing the course beyond the study of machines and systems, students also have the opportunity to investigate the innovations in other fields that computing has made possible and examine the ethical implications of new computing technologies.

AP Computer Science A – Not offered in 2023-24

Note: This course rotates every-other-year with Data Structures and Algorithms in Python. It will be offered next in the 202425 school year.

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2

1 credit

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science. The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java programming language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems. The AP Computer Science A course curriculum is compatible with many CS1 courses in colleges and universities.

Data Structures and Algorithms in Python

Note: This course rotates every-other-year with Data Structures and AP Computer Science A. It is offered for the 2023-24 school year and will not be offered in the 2024-25 school year.

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

1 credit

Prerequisite: B- or above in AP Computer Science Principles or AP Computer Science A. Students lacking a prerequisite may submit sample work and receive permission from the instructor. This course is offered every-other-year, alternately with AP Computer Science A. It will be offered in the 2023-24 school year

In this course, students learn about collaborative problem solving, design strategies, and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), and analysis of potential solutions using the Python programming language. Students will also learn basic Python data science tools, including NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. They will use these tools to create personally relevant projects throughout the course, which is taught with a project-based learning approach and challenges students to consider the ethical and social implications of computing. Data structure topics covered are arrays, strings, linked lists, stacks, queues, dictionaries, trees, graphs, and Pandas DataFrames Topics in algorithms include iterative and recursive sorting, searching, pathfinding, and graph algorithms. The course begins with an overview of the Python programming language but assumes students have prior programming experience in some other language.

Global Online Academy Math & Computer Science Offerings

The courses below are a sampling of the course offerings through Global Online Academy. Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved Math and Computer Science course offerings through GOA.

Global Online Academy: CSII: Game Design and Development

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of an introductory computer science course

Comprised of a series of "game jams," the course asks students to solve problems and create content, developing the design and technical skills necessary to build their own games. This course is NCAA approved.

Global Online Academy: Cybersecurity

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of an introductory computer science course

This course explores the fundamentals of and vulnerabilities in the design of computers, networks, and the internet.

Global Online Academy: Linear Algebra

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Prerequisite: Completion of Geometry and Algebra 2

In this course, you will learn about the algebra of vector spaces and matrices by looking at how images of objects in the plane and space are transformed in computer graphics. This course is NCAA approved.

Department Overview

The ICS Upper School Science Department promotes an understanding of the methods and significance of science in the everyday world. Our goal is to develop students capable of observing, analyzing, and asking precise questions. We believe in developing critical thinking skills, working collaboratively, and promoting scientific literacy. In addition to offering robust science courses, we encourage and support qualified students as they pursue projects and research outside of the classroom. Students engage in hands-on investigation, problem-solving, and discovery. By the time they graduate from ICS, students can understand their place in the world within the framework of modern scientific principles, use available scientific tools effectively, and communicate scientific information.

Over the course of their studies in the ICS Science Department, students…

Develop astute questioning and observational skills

· Read and synthesize scientificinformation (including scientific vocabulary)

· Research and implement experimental design

· Problem-solw, apply, and use available scientific tools appropriately

· Communicate scientifically (including graphing and using technology as needed)

ICS recommends that students take Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in that order before taking upper-level science electives. Students may double up on two of these courses in any year if they wish. Students are required to take Big 9 (starting with Class of 2025), Physics OR Chemistry, and Biology to graduate.

Big 9: The History and Science of Our World

Grade 9

Yearlong

2 Credits Total:

1 credit – History, 1 credit – Science (Earth)

Note: This two-credit course meets in a double block. It takes the equivalent time in the schedule as two single classes. Grade 9 Learning Skills is taught as part of the Big 9 curriculum.

Students explore diverse sciences and humanities through a carefully crafted and interdisciplinary curriculum to get a bigger sense of the stories of Us, the creation of the universe, and the ascent of humanity. Students create “Big Questions”, design research, and claim test theories while developing thinking skills, mindsets, and mature study skills, which will set them on the path to maximizing their Upper School experience. The course is designed with the Grade 9 English experience to combine the best of a curated interdisciplinary model across these disciplines. Students are challenged to consider diverse human conditions and issues, allowing them to form their personal responses to questions in the modern world. As part of their interdisciplinary work, students learn and practice critical high school learning skills such as task management, organization, self-advocacy, and communication skills. As this course covers both the History and Science of our World, it receives both a science and a history credit.

Big 9 Accelerated: The History and Science of Our World + Physics

Grade 9

Yearlong

3 Credits Total:

1 credit – History, 1 credit – Science (Earth), 1 credit – Science (Physics)

Schedule Note: This three-credit course meets in a double block. It takes the equivalent time in the schedule as two single classes. The Big 9 Curriculum and Learning Skills curriculum described above is accelerated to fit in one schedule block instead of two, and Physics fills the remaining block. Students should expect the accelerated course to be challenging and have the equivalent amount homework load of three academic classes. Most students who select Big 9A + Physics will choose either a non-homework bearing 6th block elective OR a GTD. Students interested in taking the Big 9 Accelerated should complete the interest form as part of their grade 9 course selection sheet.

Prerequisite: All students who wish to enroll in the Big 9 Accelerated course must have successfully completed Algebra 1 by the end of their eighth-grade year Eighth grade history and science grades and teacher recommendation will also be considered in determining placement.

This course covers the Big 9 curriculum described above at an accelerated pace that allows students to concurrently enroll in Physics as part of their interdisciplinary ninth grade coursework. Students should expect a challenging and rigorous experience, a faster class pace, additional coursework outside of scheduled instructional time, less focus on learning skills, and should have an interest in accelerating their science track to allow for more advanced work in the later high school years. Student transcripts will show Big 9A as one course worth two credits and Physics as a second course worth one credit.

Physics

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

1 credit

Physics is the study of motion and change. Through frequent laboratory investigations, students build conceptual models to explain and predict the behavior of a wide range of physical systems, from atoms to soccer balls to planets and stars. Iterative analysis of motion and the use of conservation principles are key threads that run throughout the course. These ways of thinking give students insight into how changes in the energy and momentum of physical systems occur and are constrained. Students also code and use simple computational models to explore the behavior of more complex phenomena. Topics include gravitation, electricity, magnetism, sound, light, and heat.

AP Physics 1

Grades 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisites: A grade of a B or higher in Precalculus or Algebra 2 with Trigonometry

1 credit

Note: Students may take AP Physics or Physics to meet the Physical Science requirement. Unlike AP Biology and AP Chemistry, AP Physics does not require previous completion of Physics

In physics, students learn about matter, motion, and interactions. Topics include forces, energy, electricity, magnetism, sound, and light. Physics is a lab science, so the primary focus is on doing experiments. Through those investigations, students build conceptual models to explain and predict the behavior of a wide range of physical systems, from electrons to soccer balls to planets and stars.

Chemistry

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1

1 credit

Topics students explore include atomic structure, nuclear processes, bonding, acids and bases, and the nature of various substances. Students have ample opportunity for problem-solving (i.e., "doing" chemistry, not merely memorizing), investigating chemistry in their own lives, and examining chemistry's implications for contemporary social and technological issues. Students learn the scientific method of questioning, observation, organizing data, hypothesizing explanations, making predictions, and testing theories to determine their validity.

Biology

Grades 10, 11, 12

Yearlong

Note: Students can concurrently enroll in Physics or Chemistry

1 credit

Students in this laboratory course study the basic principles of biology, from chemical structures of biomacromolecules to global connections in biogeochemical cycles. Units on modern tools and research, ranging from genetics and biotechnology to evolution, introduce students to future directions in the field.

Science Electives

Introduction to Psychology: Abnormal Psychology

Note: This class can be taken as a series with Foundations of Psychology and can be taken in any order. For example, students may take both classes together in their senior year, or juniors may take Abnormal Psychology in spring of their junior year followed Foundations in the fall of their senior year.

Grades 11, 12 Semester 2 .5 credit

This course focuses on abnormal psychology and understanding mental health as a continuum. Students explore diagnosis and classification of psychological disorders, the causes and contributors of psychological disorders, and a basic explanation of a variety of psychological disorders. This course concludes with an overview of treatments past and present and current, contemporary treatments for different psychological disorders.

Anatomy and Physiology

Grades 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

A study of the human body emphasizing the complementary nature of structure and function, molecular and cellular interactions, homeostasis, and metabolic processes. This course focuses on studying cells, tissues, membranes, and several major body systems. Health-related career opportunities are also explored. Animal dissection is a requirement for the course.

AP Biology

Grades 11, 12 Yearlong

Prerequisites: A grade of B or higher in Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra 1

1 credit

This laboratory-based course builds on concepts learned in Biology. Students engage in an in-depth study of biological concepts typically learned during a first-year college Biology course for majors. Upon completion of this course, students should gain an appreciation for evolution, energy transfer, continuity and change, relationship of structure to function, regulation, interdependence in nature, and science, technology, and society.

Environmental Science - Not offered in 2023-24

Note: This course rotates every-other-year with BLinc: AP Chemistry. It will be offered next in the 2024-25 school year.

Grades 10, 11, 12 Yearlong

1 credit

Environmental Science engages students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires students to identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with them, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. This course provides a strong foundation in environmental science and thus students may sit for the AP Environmental Science exam if interested.

Introduction to Psychology: Foundations of Psychology

Note: This class can be taken as a series with Abnormal Psychology and can be taken in any order.

Grades 11, 12 Semester 1 .5 credit

This course serves as an introductory course to the fundamentals of psychology. Students learn the history of psychology and changing understanding of mental health. Students explore basic concepts of neuroscience and its place in psychology. Students investigate contemporary approaches to psychology and schools of thought in psychology. The course concludes with an overview of personality psychology and social psychology.

Problem Solving through Design Thinking

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Semester .5 credit

Note: This course is cross listed in Mathematics: Computer Science.

This course explores the fundamentals of coding, engineering, and robotics through hands-on, project-based units. Students develop strong problem-solving and design thinking skills as they discover practical applications of coding, robotics, and engineering. Students do not need a background in computer science or robotics to participate in the class as the class provides all students opportunities to expand their mastery and expertise of computer science and engineering.

Science of Well-Being

Grades 11, 12

Semester .5 credit

This semester-long course will study various philosophical, neurobiological, and psychological concepts of well-being. We will investigate theories and practices related to mental, physical, and emotional health. Students will also consider the societal, ideological, and economic implications of well-being and sickness in western society.

BLinc and Independent Study Science Offerings

BLinc: AP Chemistry

Grades 11, 12

Yearlong

.5 credit

Prerequisite: Current enrollment in Chemistry or previous successful completion of Chemistry and teacher recommendation.

Note: This course is run as an asynchronous, blended course Students will work on their coursework in the Vos Family Academic Resource Center during the scheduled block. Students will have scheduled synchronous meetings with their teachers and peers to complete required labs.

AP Chemistry is an introductory college-level chemistry course. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based lab investigations as they explore the four Big Ideas: scale, proportion, and quantity; structure and properties of substances; transformations; and energy.

BLinc: Introduction to Biotechnology - Not offered in 2023-24

Grades 11, 12

Semester

.25 credit

Prerequisite: Current enrollment in Biology or previous successful completion of Biology

Note: This course is run as an asynchronous, blended course in the style of a BLinc. Students will work on their coursework in the Vos Family Academic Resource Center during the scheduled block. Students will have scheduled synchronous meetings with their teachers and peers.

This BLinc-style elective will combine the flexibility of online instruction with hands-on laboratory investigations. Designed to illustrate how concepts from biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology are currently being used in medicine, agriculture, and industry, this elective will cover such topics as historical figures and events, proper laboratory techniques, modern equipment used to evaluate nucleic acids and proteins, biotech careers, and bioethics. Laboratory exercises include DNA extractions, polymerase chain reactions, gel electrophoresis, ELIZA, and plasmid transformations. Throughout the course, students will develop both a foundational and applied understanding of the material in addition to data acquisition and quantitative problem-solving skills.

Global Online Academy Science Offerings

The courses below are a sampling of the course offerings through Global Online Academy. These courses have been taken previously and recommended by ICS students. Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved Science course offerings through GOA.

Global Online Academy: Bioethics

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry and Algebra 2

Ethics is the study of what one should do as an individual and as a member of society. In this course students will evaluate ethical issues related to medicine and the life sciences.

Global Online Academy: Medical Problem Solving

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

In this class, students enhance critical thinking skills by collaboratively solving medical mystery cases, similar to the approach used in many medical schools.

Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved Science course offerings through GOA.

History

Department Overview

The ICS History Department believes that the study of history builds empathy and allows individuals to assess and analyze claims about the past. History students read, write, talk, think, and argue; assess, evaluate, and craft persuasive arguments. By the time they graduate from ICS, they can act upon their curiosity and apply what they have learned to understand their place in the world. Because of how we approach the study of history, our students gain a deeper understanding of and curiosity for the human experience with its flaws and triumphs.

Over the course of their humanities studies in the Upper School English and History Departments, students…

• Read both imaginative literature and nonfiction (including primary and secondary sources), building their appreciation and understanding of a variety of genres and their skills in comprehension, critical analysis, and claims testing.

• Write formally and informally in a variety of modes (including persuasive, informative, narrative, reflective, and documentbased). They learn to communicate these complex ideas effectively and purposefully to a wide range of audiences, making writing choices on both small and large scales, including the word, sentence, paragraph, and essay.

• Find relevant and reliable sources, select appropriate evidence, and utilize resources such as databases, search engines, journals, and books in order to help them develop a deeper understanding and more nuanced position Students then incorporate correctlycited and relevant evidence into their research.

• Gain confidence and clarity in public speaking, making choices in their oral communication that are appropriate for a given audience and purpose. As audience members, they develop their active listening skills, including asking meaningful questions.

• Seek multiple perspectives and gain understanding of why people come to the decisions they do, becoming more conscious of how and why their experiences differ from and connect with others. Students analyze how historical and fictional events reflect and affect the world they live in today. Ultimately, students become flexible and empathetic thinkers who move from a fixed to a more malleable mindset, willing to change their minds.

Grade 9

Big 9: The History and Science of Our World

Big 9 Accelerated: The History and Science of Our World

Grade 10 Modern

History

AP

Grade

Shaded green courses meet the History requirements; shaded gray may be taken for additional credits. Students who wish to complete the AP Capstone Diploma or AP Seminar and Research Certificate should plan on taking AP Research in 2023-24 or 2024-25 Students will receive a History credit for the AP Research course, but it does not satisfy one of the three required credits.

Big 9: The History and Science of Our World

Grade 9

Yearlong

2 Credits Total:

1

Note: This two-credit course meets in a double block. It takes the equivalent time in the schedule as two single classes. Grade 9 Learning Skills is taught as part of the Big 9 curriculum.

Students explore diverse science and humanities through a carefully crafted and interdisciplinary curriculum to get a bigger sense of the stories of Us, the creation of the universe, and the ascent of mankind. Students create “Big Questions”, design research, and claim test theories, while developing thinking skills, mindsets, and mature study skills which will set them on the path to maximize their Upper School experience. The course is designed in conjunction with the Grade 9 English experience to combine the best of a curated interdisciplinary model across these disciplines. Students will be challenged to consider diverse human conditions and issues, allowing them to form their personal responses to questions in the modern world. As part of their interdisciplinary work, students learn and practice key high school learning skills such as task management, organization, self-advocacy skills, and communication skills. As this course covers both the History and Science of our World, it receives both a science and a history credit.

Big 9 Accelerated: The History and Science of Our World + Physics

Grade 9 Yearlong

3 Credits Total: 1 credit – History, 1 credit – Science (Earth), 1 credit – Science (Physics)

Schedule Note: This three-credit course meets in a double block. It takes the equivalent time in the schedule as two single classes. The Big9 Curriculum and Learning Skills curriculum described above is accelerated to fit in one schedule block instead of two, and Physics fills the remaining block. Students should expect the accelerated course to be challenging and have the equivalent amount homework load of three academic classes. Most students who select Big9A + Physics will choose either a non-homework bearing 6th block elective OR a GTD. Students interested in taking the Big 9 Accelerated should complete the interest form as part of their grade 9 course selection sheet.

Prerequisite: All students who wish to enroll in the Big 9 Accelerated course must have successfully completed Algebra 1 by the end of their eighth-grade year Eighth grade history and science grades and teacher recommendation will also be considered in determining placement

This course covers the Big 9 curriculum described above in an accelerated pace that allows students to concurrently enroll in Physics as part of their interdisciplinary ninth grade coursework. Students should expect a challenging and rigorous experience, a faster class pace, additional coursework outside of scheduled instructional time, less focus on learning skills, and should have an interest in accelerating their science track to allow for more advanced work in the later high school years. Student transcripts will show Big9A as one course worth two credits and Physics as a second course worth one credit.

Modern World History

Grade 10 Yearlong

1 credit

This course focuses on the modern world, taking the pre-modern rise of the global tapestry of the 13th and 14th centuries as its starting point. It continues the focus of studying history with a global mindset, allowing students to better understand the vital connections between various peoples and regions of the world. The key frames students use to examine the human story include networks, communities, and production and distribution. Through these frames they will study belief systems, geography and environment, economic systems, arts and ideas, government and citizenship, migration and diffusion, science and technology, and society. Students will also further develop the skills they learned in Grade 9, including critical reading, contextualizing, sourcing, corroboration, thesis generation, evidence application, and analytical writing.

AP World History: Modern

Grade 10 Yearlong 1 credit

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

The AP World History: Modern course prepares students for the Advanced Placement national exam in Modern World History and focuses on developing students’ understanding of world history from approximately 1250 CE to the present. In this course, students investigate the content of world history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine units and develop and use the same thinking skills and methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation) employed by professional historians when they study the past. The course employs five themes (interaction between humans and the environment; development and interaction of cultures; state-building, expansion, and conflict; creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; development and transformation of social structures) that students explore to make connections among historical developments in different times and places encompassing the major geographical regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Extensive writing is required, including document-based essays. Strong reading comprehension skills are also needed to handle the college-level textbook and multiple additional primary source readings. Students are expected to read and digest an average of 5-10 pages of reading per night.

United States History

Grade 11 Yearlong 1 credit

Surveying the history of the United States from the pre-revolutionary era to today, U.S. History includes units that feature untold perspectives about the nation’s significant events and turning points. Units on the American Revolution, the founding of the new nation, and westward expansion tell the stories of the country’s earliest years, while the Civil War, civil rights, and the Cuban missile crisis units address critical moments in the nation’s development. The U.S. role in the world unit probes controversial topics and helps students to understand the relationship between history and current issues.

AP United States History

Grade 11 Yearlong 1 credit

Prerequisite: B or above in Modern World history or AP Modern: World and teacher recommendation

In this course, students prepare for the Advanced Placement national examination in U.S. history by studying such topics as indigenous America, the age of discovery, colonialism, the Revolution and establishment of the early republic, economic growth in the 19th century, slavery and its legacy, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the development of the West, populism and progressivism, participation in two World Wars, the Depression, the Cold War, Vietnam, and contemporary America. The course integrates such themes as demographic change, economic transformations, and diplomacy so that students may understand more general concepts of continuity and change over time. Extensive writing is required, including documentbased essays. Strong reading comprehension skills are also needed to handle the college-level textbook and multiple additional primary source readings.

History Electives

An Exploration of Inequality in the United States

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester

.5 credit

This course examines the historical and contemporary consequences of inequality in the United States. Using an intersectional perspective to deepen their understanding of how inequalities impact individuals, communities, and systems, students in this course will utilize an interdisciplinary lens to explore the complexities of inequality and how it is reproduced in society. These explorations are meant to encourage students to build empathy, wrestle with the concept of race, sex, gender, class, and ability as social constructs, and understand the various impacts of systemic inequality in the United States. Students are challenged to create feasible pathways for reducing inequality and improving the quality of life in the U.S. while tackling the tenants of systemic inequality, including bias and stereotyping. This course will include an opportunity for students to explore contemporary issues such as intersectionality, gentrification, affirmative action, Title IX, and generational poverty to evaluate the impacts of inequality in the world around them. A final project will prepare students to effect change by taking action on social challenges.

AP Research

Grades 11 and 12 Yearlong 1 credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Seminar (See English section for more information on AP Seminar.)

Note: This course is the second in the two-year AP Capstone sequence described in the Interdisciplinary section of this Curriculum Guide. The AP Research course, while interdisciplinary in nature, will receive a history graduation credit.

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.

ICS Voros Distinction: After submitting their AP Research paper to the College Board, ICS students may review and revise their paper with an ICS Voros Thesis advisor, and then present it again in a public defense at school. Doing so successfully will earn the ICS Voros Distinction, recognized on the ICS transcript and at graduation. Students who complete AP Research in Grade 11 may also write a Voros Senior Thesis in the Humanities in their Grade 12 year.

United States Government: Foundations of the American Political System

Grade 12 Semester .5 credit

This course is designed to acquaint students with the origins, concepts, organizations, and policies of the United States government and political system. The class will specifically cover the foundations of the U.S. government system and the interaction between the branches of government. Students will read and analyze relevant primary and secondary source documents to increase comprehension and incorporate this knowledge into assignments. The course culminates in a mock-trial experience.

AP United States Government and Politics

Grade 12

Yearlong 1 credit

Note: The first half of this course is combined with the Foundations course described above. In the second semester, students cover more complex material as they prepare for the AP exam.

In this course, students prepare for the Advanced Placement national examination in U.S. Government and Politics through a course of study that provides an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality. The course will take a more in-depth look at the U.S. government than the U.S. Government 1A class and builds upon the knowledge in that course by expanding to cover political ideologies, civil rights, and political participation. Students are expected to read and digest an average of 10-20 pages of reading per night, write essays, engage in research projects, and be willing to discuss, debate, and argue positions in class.

BLinc History Offerings

BLinc: History of Food

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .25 credit

This quarter credit course is delivered through a “blended” format, meeting in person during X-Block and conducting asynchronous work via CREEKnet and other online platforms

“Food is life.” While we eat multiple times a day for sustenance, we also eat to commemorate events, toast special occasion, spend time with family and friends, deal with stressful situations, and because we simply like the taste or want to try something new. Whether we think about it or not, all the food we eat has a story, a reason for being, and maybe even a distasteful past. The History of Food course examines the cross-sections between food and human culture. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, students in History of Food examine how food was the primary catalyst for the development of complex societies, drove centuries of imperial expansion, led to complex economic and political systems, fundamentally changed the ways humans interacted with their physical environments, and is constantly changing to meet the needs and desires of a hungry public. As de La Rochefoucauld wrote, “To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.” Let’s eat intelligently together.

Global Online Academy History Offerings

The courses below are a sampling of the course offerings through Global Online Academy. Visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses to see all approved History course offerings through GOA.

Global Online Academy: International Relations

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

In this course, you will go beyond the soundbites and menacing headlines to explore the context, causes, and consequences of the most pressing global issues of our time.

Global Online Academy: Religion and Society

Grades 10, 11, 12 Semester .5 credit

Explore how religious identity intersects with various systems of power. This course is NCAA approved.