Curriculum Guide: 2016-17

Curriculum Guide 2016-2017

Table of Contents

RELIGION

1

ENGLISH

3

HISTORY

8

MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

10

MATHEMATICS

13

SCIENCE

15

FINE ARTS

17

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

20

MILITARY SCIENCE

21

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH

22

GUIDANCE COUNSELING

22

Founded in 1847, Xavier High School is an academically rigorous, Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school in New York City that educates intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means. Xavier teaches students to take responsibility for their lives, to lead with integrity, to act justly in service of others, to pursue excellence in every endeavor and to deepen their relationship with God. Ultimately, Xavier forms young men who will go forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory.

Religion Introduction to Scripture: Encountering God’s Word (1 credit) The goal of freshman religion at Xavier is for students to understand and appreciate that, through their participation in the Catholic community's worship, prayer, and activity for love and justice, they encounter the same dramatic and saving grace of God that was present to our Jewish ancestors and that is present in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The course begins with an exploration of how the abundance of meaning found in myths, stories, and rituals in the Judeo-Christian tradition makes present again God's saving actions in history.

During first semester, students will read selections from the Old Testament, beginning with the stories of the Patriarchs and Exodus, the defining experiences of the Israelites when they experienced God's saving, covenantal love in historical events. After exploring Exodus, students will explore how the Israelites worked to remain faithful to the covenant through the leadership of the kings and prophets. Throughout the second semester, students will turn their learning to the New Testament, with priority given to the Gospels, so that they may grapple with God's definitive revelation of saving grace in the person of Jesus the Christ, and what it means to have been baptized into Christ's death in order to rise with him.

Discipleship: Responding to Christ’s Call (Sophomore Religion – 1 credit) The aim of this course is to introduce the sophomore student to the community of disciples through the rich tradition of the Church and to invite him to bring those traditions into his own personal experience of Christian discipleship. By critically examining the witness of significant disciples of different ages, the student will be invited to reflect critically on his own call to discipleship in light of the tension between the values of the Gospel and our contemporary world.

An exploration of the Church, prayer, and moral decision-making will further support the student's

reflection and analysis of how he is called to respond to God’s activity in the world today.

Theology and Ethics (1 credit) By critically engaging with theological and moral questions of enduring significance, this course challenges the junior student to become more intentional at living out and reflecting upon how to be a faithful disciple in our contemporary world. Utilizing faith and reason, the student will be invited to reflect on his capacity to make God’s love present in the world and recognize that he needs to make a concrete decision to be an active, informed agent for personal and social change.

The course will critically explore a variety of contemporary moral issues that highlight the tensions between the Gospel and Western values and culture. When exploring these issues, students will be challenged to develop a personal, informed, conscious perspective on these issues.

To become informed, engaged moral agents, students will learn to analyze the social complexities of moral issues that will build a foundation for a more rigorous examination of justice issues in senior year.

Social Justice (½ credit) The required first semester of each senior religion course will be Social Justice. Building on the foundations of the first three years of religious education, this one semester course explores social justice as a fundamental dimension of Christian discipleship in today’s world. The themes of this course are a natural extension of the theological, philosophical, moral, and social concerns studied throughout the previous year of junior religious education. Informed by faith in Jesus Christ, the biblical vision of justice, and Catholic social teaching, this course will explore “the service of faith and the promotion of justice” as rooted in the dignity of human persons called to community and solidarity with one another, most especially for and with the poor.

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Seniors must select one of the following religion courses for the second semester elective: Christian Ethics on War and Peace (½ credit) How does a Christian respond to the reality of violent conflict in the world? This semester elective will explore the two threads of the Christian tradition: just war theory and peacebuilding. The student will explore the global impact and Christian understanding of war and peace in dialogue with interreligious perspectives, with particular emphasis on holy war, pacifism, active nonviolence, and just war theory. Attention will be paid to efforts for humanitarian intervention, conflict resolution, and reconciliation efforts in light of the challenges of contemporary warfare faced in the 20th and 21st centuries. The student will be invited to engage in a final project in which he dialogues with the work of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or grassroots organizations focused on peace.

Philosophical Foundations of Christian Thought (½ credit) This is an introductory philosophy course that will trace the development of Christian thought from the foundations of ancient Greek philosophy to the development of medieval and modern philosophy. Focusing on metaphysics and epistemology, key themes will include the problem of existence, the God question, the problem of evil, and ethical thinking. Particular emphasis will be placed on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle as Augustine and Aquinas use them and their philosophy to explain Christianity. Other philosophers we will discuss include Descartes, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. Students should expect challenging primary source readings and frequent essays as preparation for taking college level philosophy courses.

Ignatian Perspectives (½ credit) What will you take with you from your 4 years at Xavier? How can you make choices that deliberately build character and integrity? What can you do with questions that seem to defy answers, and how do you draw meaning from your experiences – good and bad? This course will explore how Ignatius’ experiences and discernment methods are still relevant today and help you to refine your own approach to answer these and similar questions. Like St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises, the approach will be primarily Christ-centered; but any student comfortable with Christianity will be welcome to join in the process of self-reflection and adapting Ignatius’ perspectives for themselves. Expect this reflection process to involve writing assignments and a generous investment of your time in exploring your own experience.

World Religions (½ credit) This semester elective will explore how the Catholic Church recognizes and values the respective truth found in the world’s religions through interreligious dialogue. The student will be introduced to the nature and philosophy of the worldviews of various religious traditions, namely those of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. The student will explore the elements of each religion and the ways in which human persons have experienced the presence of the sacred and sought to comprehend the mystery of life. Attention will be given to various rituals and traditions associated with each religion alongside a comparative evaluation of how each comes to understand the unique roles of the divine, human nature, and our shared search for meaning. The student will be asked to engage in a major synthesis project that requires a visit to a place of worship from a religious tradition not his own.

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English English 9 (1 Credit) In the first year of English study at Xavier, students begin with an intensive writing curriculum in the first quarter in which they will practice the art of writing. Students will read exemplary essays and writing samples – description, reflection, narration, argumentation, exposition, and analysis – and will write essays and short pieces in these modes of writing. Writing instruction is complemented by the study of grammar (particularly parts of speech, proper sentence structure, and agreement). In subsequent quarters, students will read widely across genres which will include the short story, poetry, and the novel. This course has multiple aims: to enable students to become confident and proficient readers; to develop and hone critical thinking skills through discussion and literary analysis; to fashion and foster one’s analytical and creative voice through the written and spoken word. Vocabulary is taught and reinforced both within the context of the literature at hand and also through study of commonly occurring words for academic and reading proficiency. Students will learn how to approach literary analysis by studying various longer texts which may include: Fahrenheit 451 (Bradbury), The Book Thief (Zusak), The Catcher in the Rye (Salinger) and Of Mice and Men (Steinbeck).

Students will also begin their four year study of Shakespeare with an intensive reading and analysis of Romeo & Juliet.

English 9 Honors (1 Credit) All freshman students admitted to the Ignatian Scholars Honors Program will be enrolled in English 9 Honors. The structure and content of this course is similar to English 9, however, honors students can expect more frequent and more critically challenging writing assignments.

This course typically proceeds at a slightly faster pace than the English 9 course, therefore the instructor will include additional readings.

English 10 (1 Credit) This course provides an overview of the British canon in literature from Anglo-Saxon times to the present. Texts will include selections from Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales, and full-length works, including Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Frankenstein (Shelley), and Never Let Me Go (Ishiguro). In addition, students will study numerous pieces of short fiction, non-fiction, and poetry from across the various literary movements in British Literature. Students will continue to develop their skills in expository, analytical, and argumentative writing, their understanding and implementation of the rules of grammar, and their study of vocabulary for enhancement of critical reading and comprehension.

English 10 Honors (1 Credit) This course will enhance the literary studies begun in freshman year with a specific focus on British Literature using many of the same texts as English 10. The students’ composition, vocabulary, and reading skills will be developed further, and the instructor teaches common approaches to critical reading with a pre-AP focus. The honors course requires additional reading selections which will likely be at a more challenging critical reading level than those in English 10, and students will do more writing and more in-depth analysis than English 10. Analytical writing skills are essential, and an opportunity for creative writing is also offered. English 10 Honors also requires independent research and in-class presentations.

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English 11 (1 credit) English 11 is an American Literature survey course in which students examine the literary features of a broad range of American literature from colonial times to the present. Texts are placed in the context of the time period and literary movements that have shaped American literature over the years. Texts include various American short stories, poetry, documents, and speeches, and long works may include Death of a Salesman (Miller), Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Twain), and The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald).

Students continue their encounter with Shakespeare with an intensive reading of Othello.

Writing advances in difficulty and expectation as students learn to place their own literary analysis in the context of the views of other critical studies.

Grammar studies continue in the junior year both to improve student writing and to enhance proficiency in light of college entrance exam expectations. Deliberate study of vocabulary continues in the junior year to enhance student reading comprehension.

AP English Lang. & Composition (1 credit) This course is offered in the junior year at Xavier.

The study of American Literature forms the background of this course, and some of the texts will be common to the English 11 course list; however, the AP course is primarily a college-level study of rhetoric and writing. The course engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose, mainly non-fiction, from a variety of literary periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts.

Students will focus on becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Frequent writing and reading tasks will make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, an audience’s expectations, and the writer’s subject, as well as the way conventions in writing and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. Special attention will be devoted to development of voice and style in writing.

Seniors must select one of the following English elective pairings (Unless taking AP Lit. and Composition): Pairing #1: Shakespeare: The Man and His World & Irish Fiction/Non-Fiction Pairing #2: Modernism: "Make it New!" & Coding Masculinity: Gender and Identity in Science Fiction and Fantasy Pairing #3: John Steinbeck and the American Voice & Father and New York Literature Pairing #4: Fathers and Sons in Literature & Soldiers’ Stories Pairing #5: Magical Realism & New York Literature

Pairing #1 Shakespeare: The Man and His World (½ credit) To build on the foundation already established in the freshman through junior years -- a knowledge and appreciation of William Shakespeare, the man and the writer -- the student will engage in an in-depth look at Elizabethan London, writings from Shakespeare’s contemporaries, and close readings of two plays by Shakespeare, a tragedy and a comedy, as well as several sonnets. The overall goal of the course is that by immersing the student in intensive study and discussion of Shakespeare’s language, themes and characters, he will be able to make connections among the timeless universal truths that motivate all human beings regardless of time or place.

Texts to include: Shakespeare: The World as Stage (Bryson), King Lear and Twelfth Night, and supplemental articles, poems and essays.

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Irish Literature and Culture (½ credit) That so small a country, Ireland, has produced such literary powerhouses as Joyce, Swift, Heaney and Doyle deserves a semester of in-depth reading, writing, and discussion. Ireland has been called “a terrible beauty” and the writers that hail from her shores have spent countless hours and many pages exploring this intense paradox. In this elective we will look not only at this but at questions that connect us across ethnic, religious, and societal divides: What is it to love one’s country? Where does love end and fanaticism begin? How can one recover from loss of identity and love? Where can we find beauty and happiness in the most mundane corners of life?

One does not have to be Irish to engage in these conversations and appreciate these funny, sad, and brilliant writers! We will also enjoy a delving into Irish culture that will include looking at Irish immigration in New York, Irish food, music and folklore. Authors to include: James Joyce, Roddy Doyle, Colum McCann, Jonathan Swift, Seamus Heaney and Claire Keegan. Walking tour of the New York Irish experience, Irish step dancers, seeing a play at the Irish Rep, and enjoying Irish delicacies are some of the encounters included in this course.

Pairing #2 Modernism: “Make it New!” (½ credit) The tumultuousness of World War I fostered a new class of artists and writers who were disillusioned with the technological advances of warfare that took annihilation and destruction to new heights. Modernist writers destroyed conventions and championed each individual’s perception of his world. This class will explore the roots of Modernist literature, beginning with Ezra Pound and tracing the trajectory of modernism as it forever altered the literary landscape. We will examine the writers and artists who broke with tradition, embraced change, and created a new way to envision the world. We will read works by T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, E.E. Cummings, Eugene O’Neill, Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway. We will also look at works by Picasso, Braques, Brancusi, and other artists, who worked alongside the modernist authors to depict our world in unprecedented ways.

Coding Masculinity: Gender and Identity in Science Fiction and Fantasy (½ credit) In this class, we will explore how authors use science fiction to investigate the disparities of race, class and gender. By setting characters in dystopian societies and utilizing time or space travel, authors shed light on topics that can be difficult to discuss; ultimately, these discussions point back to our own failings as a society. We will read The Handmaid’s Tale (Atwood) and Game of Thrones (Martin) (the first novel of the series), and various short works. Students will also continue their study of Shakespeare with Hamlet, a play worth exploring in tandem with Game of Thrones.

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Pairing #3

Pairing #4

John Steinbeck and the American Voice (½ credit) John Steinbeck’s work is just as relevant today as it was nearly seventy-five years ago. In addition to his prolific career as a novelist, John Steinbeck was a journalist, a scientist, an ecologist, a historian, and a social commentator. In many ways, he was a voice for the American people during the Great Depression and beyond. His works tapped into the American social conscience and offered (often controversial) visions of humanity and nature. This course will examine these works and their cultural impact on the United States. In addition to Steinbeck’s most ambitious novel, East of Eden, the course selections will include Tortilla Flat, The Long Valley, The Winter of Our Discontent, selections from Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, and America and Americans and selected poems by Robinson Jeffers.

Fathers and Sons in Literature (½ credit) "It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons" – Johann Schiller.

New York Literature (½ credit) The purpose of this course is to explore through literature and film the varied experiences of New Yorkers both past and present in order to develop and nurture an appreciation for the city itself and its people. It is as much a personal reflection and exploration of the student’s milieu as it is a study of great essays, stories, poems, and movies. The second semester is divided into the following units: The New York Native, The Immigrant/Transplant, Rich and Poor/Celebrity, and New York Love. Each unit will feature several stories and poems relating to that unit and will be punctuated with a final project by the student.

Readings include stories, essays, and poems by writers to include Joan Didion, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Allen Ginsberg, Langston Hughes, Philip Roth, E.B. White, Colson Whitehead, and Walt Whitman. Films include Annie Hall, Do the Right Thing, Gangs of New York, and Taxi Driver.

Soldiers' Stories (½ credit) Honor. Glory. Freedom. Young men and women serve in the military for a host of reasons, and every year soldiers transition back to civilian life.

Much has been written by and about soldiers at war and returning from war. In this course we will delve into soldiers’ stories – their experience of war and experience of coming back from war.

Students will read The Things They Carried (O’Brien), Thank You For Your Service (Finkel) and short works and selections by Tim O'Brien, Robert Graves, Phil Klay, Brian Turner, Wilfred Owen and others. Students will also evaluate dramatic film and documentary film depictions of soldiers' stories. Films may include Restrepo, Hell and Back Again, The Hurt Locker, and American Sniper.

In this course, students will read selections from a variety of literary works that present father-son relationships. Texts may include The Road ( McCarthy), The Chosen (Potok), All My Sons and Death of a Salesman (Miller), We are Not Ourselves (Thomas), selections from Shakespeare's Hamlet, short stories by Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner and other writers, and various poems and essays that depict the father and son relationship. Students will also examine father-son relationships in films such as Life is Beautiful and The Godfather. Guiding questions will include: How is a son's identity formed? What is the nature of the father-son relationship? How does a son experience a father (or a step-father) both in his presence, or, in some cases, in his absence?

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Pairing #5: Magical Realism (½ credit) Magical Realism is a style of writing that stretches the realm of reality and experience to explain that which cannot be explained in straightforward narrative – in other words: life. Although a genre traditionally associated with Latin American writers, it can be found in works from every continent. Sometimes utilized for political expression, it is also employed in portrayals of love and heartbreak. By reading the works of South American authors, Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel Garcia Marquez; American authors, Toni Morrison and William Faulkner; European writer, Franz Kafka; and Indian writer, Salman Rushdie, we’ll find that a reading of Magical Realism doubles as a survey of Global Literature and we will explore the paradox of things that are both universal and impossible to explain in simple depictions of everyday life.

New York Literature (½ Credit) The purpose of this course is to explore through literature and film the varied experiences of New Yorkers both past and present in order to develop and nurture an appreciation for the city itself and its people. It is as much a personal reflection and exploration of the student’s milieu as it is a study of great essays, stories, poems, and movies. The second semester is divided into the following units: The New York Native, The Immigrant/Transplant, Rich and Poor/Celebrity, and New York Love. Each unit will feature several stories and poems relating to that unit and will be punctuated with a final project by the student.

Readings include stories, essays, and poems by writers to include Joan Didion, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Allen Ginsberg, Langston Hughes, Philip Roth, E.B. White, Colson Whitehead, and Walt Whitman. Films include Annie Hall, Do the Right Thing, Gangs of New York, and Taxi Driver.

Creative Writing (1 credit) This course will serve to expand the student’s powers of observation, imagination and language through exposing him to various forms of creative writing, reading and analyzing a variety of wellrespected fiction writers and developing the student’s own creative voice through rigorous writing assignments. Creative Writing is an additional elective and must be taken with a pair of English electives or AP English Literature & Composition.

Journalism (1 credit) This introductory course to journalism and newswriting will emphasize critical reading, thinking, and writing along with the ethics and responsibilities of journalists. The course will cover many journalistic writing styles and we will look at techniques for gathering, evaluating, using, and citing sources and conducting interviews. We will also explore print, digital, and web-based publications and the use of photography in journalism. Journalism is an additional elective and must be taken with a pair of English electives or AP English Literature & Composition.

AP English Lit. & Composition (1 credit) This program is offered to students of proven ability and performance who wish to pursue a college-level literature course. Writing assignments focus on the critical analysis of literature as well as essays in exposition and argument. Readings will represent several genres and periods and may include works by Austen, Bronte, Dante, Greene, McCarthy, Morrison, Shakespeare, and Waugh.

Emphasis will be on close reading and intensive study of representational works of literary merit.

Additionally, students will examine critical views of the works they are studying and learn how to situate their reading and analysis of the literature among the voices and views of contemporary critics.

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History Global Studies 1 (1 Credit) The freshman year course investigates the ancient through medieval histories of the Near East, Africa, Greece, Rome, Europe, India and the Far East. History is surveyed from the dawn of civilization to the European Renaissance. By studying the geography, society, government, economy, and philosophy of different regions, students gain an understanding of the diversity of human culture and learn the underpinnings of Eastern and Western civilization.

Global Studies 1 Honors (1 Credit) All freshman students admitted to the Ignatian Scholars honors program will enroll in Global Studies 1 Honors. The structure of this course is similar to Global Studies 1. Students in this course can expect more writing assignments and will be held to a higher standard on these. This is an accelerated and pre-AP course, so the students can expect a heavier workload compared to Global Studies 1.

Global Studies 2 (1 Credit) This is a world history survey course that continues the study begun in freshman year. It opens with the Renaissance of Europe and the development of Western civilization, the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Commercial Revolution, the Age of Discovery, the Industrial Revolution, and the impact of Imperialism. The class traces the effect of the struggles and establishment of modern nationalism on all the continents to enable students to have a clearer understanding of the complexities of the modern world.

AP World History (1 Credit) This is a college level course in world history. Its focus is the period from 10,000 B.C. to the present. Students in the course will examine the impact of interaction among major societies, the impact of technology on people and the environment, changes in the structures and functions of nations and states, systems of social structure and gender structure, and cultural and intellectual developments throughout the world.

Students will master various methods that modern historians use to evaluate and interpret historical documents. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in World History at the conclusion of the course and may earn college credits through this exam.

Modern U.S. and World History (1 Credit) This course will survey the history of the world and the United States since World War II. The course will begin with a study of economics and how it has impacted history. The course will enable students to understand contemporary events in the context of recent history. Students will use primary and secondary sources to analyze long term issues and events such as World War II, The Cold War, The Vietnam War, Middle Eastern conflicts, the end of colonialism, the rise of new nation states, modern technological developments, the rise of pandemics such as AIDS, civil rights struggles in the United States, the rise of fundamentalism and international terrorism, and recent developments in American politics, society and culture. This will be a writing intensive course and will include a term research paper.

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AP United States History (1 credit) This is a college level course in American History.

Students will gain a strong grounding in the facts surrounding important events in United States History. They will also learn to read historical material analytically and critically, to weigh historical evidence and interpretations and to arrive at conclusions on the basis of informed judgments. The student will be expected to acquire knowledge of primary sources as well as their use, to interpret maps, statistical tables, and graphic materials. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Examination in United States History at the conclusion of the course and may earn college credits through this exam.

AP Comparative Gov. & Politics (1 credit) This is a college level course which introduces students to the fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. This course aims to communicate to students the importance of global political and economic changes. It covers the major concepts that are used to organize and interpret what we know about political phenomena and relationships through an emphasis on specific countries and their governments including China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria and Russia. The political system of the United States will also be covered as a point of comparison. In addition, students will sharpen their oral, analytical and writing skills.

AP European History (1 credit) This is a college level course in European History.

This course will cover the history of Europe from the Renaissance to the present. In this course, students will examine how Europe was transformed from the “medieval” to the “modern” over the course of one thousand years.

Students will investigate the social, economic, political and military movements that have come to define Europe. Attention will be given to artistic and literary movements.

AP United States Gov. & Politics (1 credit) This is a college level course which will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students successfully completing this course will know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics, understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences, be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics, be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum. In addition, students will sharpen their oral, analytical and writing skills.

Human Rights & Genocide (1 credit) The purpose of this course is to provide students with the intellectual framework for understanding the numerous and complex geopolitical issues related to genocide and the debates surrounding its study. An examination of several major cases of genocide post-1948 (Cambodia, Iraq, Rwanda, and the Balkan Peninsula) will provide the foundation for comparative analysis and exploration of universal questions relating to human rights and their gross violation. Students will also read accounts of the personal experience of genocide and why the international community, including the United States, found it so difficult to respond adequately.

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Modern and Classical Languages FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: 1. Students are required to take a 3-year sequence (3 years of the same language) in a foreign language at Xavier. The fourth level of the language may be taken as an elective.

2. Students who begin a second language in junior year are required to continue the second level of this language in senior year. Choices for a second language include Spanish 1, French 1, Italian 1, Latin 1, and Arabic 1.

Spanish 1/Spanish 1 Honors (1 credit) This course is designed to introduce students to the Spanish language. Students will develop an understanding of grammar concepts as well as knowledge of vocabulary and culture. Students are expected to speak, read, and write in Spanish as much as possible. By the end of the year, students will have begun to possess the skills necessary to express themselves on a variety of topics in the target language.

Spanish 2/Spanish 2 Honors (1 credit) This course is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of grammar concepts as well as their knowledge of vocabulary and culture.

Students are expected to speak, read, and write in Spanish. By the end of the year, students will have the skills necessary to express themselves on a variety of topics in the target language.

Spanish 3/Spanish 3 Honors (1 credit) This course is a comprehensive continuation of the two previous Spanish courses. Through an indepth analysis of the language, this course completes the presentation of Spanish grammar, while at the same time emphasizing reading, writing and oral skills.

Spanish 4 (1 credit) Spanish 4 is designed to be an overall review and expansion of the basic skills of Spanish. It is intended, through an in-depth examination of grammar, to increase accuracy and consistency in reading, listening, and writing, and to develop oral proficiency. Students read newspaper articles, literary selections, and practice letter-writing skills.

Spanish and/or Latin-American films may be studied in order to introduce cultural themes and to reinforce vocabulary in context.

AP Spanish 4 (1 credit) This is an intensive course of study designed to provide the factual knowledge, and the reading and writing proficiency needed for success in the Spanish AP Language Exam. Through a wide variety of written and oral assignments, as well as various reading selections, the students are not only trained to read, write, and speak the language in preparation for the exam, but also to master the skills that would allow them to successfully interact in a Spanish-speaking country.

Italian 1 (1 credit) The main goal of this class is to provide students with the basic structures of the Italian language that will enable them to understand, speak, write and read about a variety of topics related to everyday life in Italy. They will study the present tense, basic grammatical rules, and acquire vocabulary relating to school, family, food, travel and home. Students will develop these skills through speaking and listening exercises, dialogues, group work, and assessments such as projects, homework, quizzes and tests. Students will also receive an overview of Italy’s culture, traditions, history and way of life.

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Italian 2 (1 Credit) Italian 2 builds on the lessons learned in Italian 1.

The lessons follow the logical sequence of grammatical topics in the text and workbook as well as introducing additional vocabulary and exercise provided by a variety or supplementary material. The students are also exposed to the rich culture of Italy via various methods such as discussions and films based on topics ranging from contemporary life in Italy to Italian social customs and traditions.

Italian 3 (1 Credit) Italian 3 is designed to build upon the material presented in the two previous years with particular care given to the introduction and application of the subjunctive mood. In preparation for Italian 4 and AP Italian, Italy’s cultural and historical relevance is presented and discussed as well as the social customs, traditions and issues affecting its current society.

Italian 4 (1 credit) Italian 4 concludes the language sequence by recapitulating the student's experience in terms of detailed syntax, lexical precision, and focus exercises that enhance previous learning and prepare the student for a practical and immediate use of the language in accordance with departmental expectations for the fourth year.

AP Italian 4 (1 credit) This is an intensive course which emphasizes knowledge of the current culture of Italian society while providing the language skills needed for success in the Italian AP Language Exam.

Students will receive preparation in the four major areas of language acquisition (reading, writing, listening, speaking).

French 1 (1 credit) The focus of this course is the integration of the four skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking – that are involved in mastering another language. Students will develop these skills by means of activities such as speaking and listening exercises, dialogues and group work, and assessments such as projects, homework, quizzes and tests. Students will learn a wide range of vocabulary as well as the present and the immediate future of verbs in French 1. In addition, a French 1 student will learn about the cultures and major monuments of different French speaking countries. He will critically examine the similarities and differences between his culture and those of various French-speaking countries, thereby informing his own global perspective.

French 2 (1 Credit) This course is a continuation of French 1 with increased emphasis on the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The skills are honed with the aid of various readings, poems, short stories, and other appropriate texts. Culture and geography of the nation and its neighbors are also stressed.

French 3 (1 Credit) In French 3, the skills from the previous two years of study are maintained and improved. Analysis of the language grows in complexity within French 3, and familiarity with French contemporary society is broadened by various readings in the areas of history, literature, contemporary social and political structures, and everyday life.

French 4 (1 credit) In the fourth year students are expected to become familiar with the history, literature, and art of the French people over the centuries. In addition, structures are reviewed as necessary. The focus is on the reading of various selections.

Questions and answers concerning the readings are in French. The various cultural, philosophical and religious aspects of these works are explored.

Films are used whenever possible to help students understand further a particular historical period or to visualize a literary work.

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Latin 1 (1 credit) Xavier’s Latin 1 course follows the traditional curriculum for Classical Latin learning, with emphasis on vocabulary, grammar and syntax for immediate reading comprehension. The course includes all declensions, special case uses (e.g. accusative of extent, genitive/ablative of description), conjugations (active and passive indicative), infinitives and deponent and irregular verbs, pronouns, adjectives/adverbs and comparison, and numerals. Repetition and review, moreover, are constant, keeping previous learning on par with newly acquired skills. Various aspects of Roman culture are presented, particularly mythology and Roman heroes and legends, both within the text and with assigned reading. The National Latin Exam is offered to all students enrolled in this course.

Latin 2 (1 Credit) Latin 2 continues the traditional Classical Latin curriculum with the introduction of the subjunctive mood and its multiple uses in independent and dependent clauses, as well as the use of participles (e.g. ablative absolutes), temporal, concessive, causal, and hypothetical clauses. Again, repetition and review of previous grammar, together with intensive practice of the new, will prepare the student not only for this level’s requisites, but, more importantly, for the more serious and challenging Latin 3 course. The National Latin Exam is offered to all students enrolled in this course.

The Classical Influence and English (1 credit) The course defines the impact of Greek/Latin both on the English language and, in corollary, on the intellectual, spiritual, political, and artistic tradition of the West. The first semester, after a précis of Indo-European and the history of English, concentrates on Greek etymology and mythology in terms of roots, derivatives, cognates, etc. introduced across various disciplines and tandem with relevant readings/projects. The second semester does likewise with Latin; the course, in toto, priming the engaged student’s lexical/cultural literacy for college and beyond. No previous knowledge of Greek or Latin is required for this course.

Arabic 1 (1 credit) Designed to give incentive and advantage for students to continue Arabic and Middle Eastern studies in college, Arabic 1 duplicates college-level Elementary Arabic with mastery of the alphabet (both print and cursive), the basic grammar of Modern Standard Arabic, reading proficiency, basic conversational skills, and the culture/history of the Middle East. All participants must meet with Dr. Caliendo before final registration. There is no guarantee that Arabic will fit in the junior year schedule. Priority will be given to seniors.

Latin 3 (1 Credit) Having acquired knowledge of the morphosyntactics of first and second year Latin, in the Latin 3 course the student will be able to encounter and develop: a mastery of declensions and conjugations, the ability to recognize the logical and grammatical parts of a Latin text, and finally recognize the syntactic organization of studied subordinate clauses of the gerund and gerundive constructs and the passive periphrastic.

The National Latin Exam is offered to all students enrolled in this course.

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Mathematics Algebra 1 (1 credit) This course begins with students understanding the language of Algebra. The first half of the course then progresses into examining real numbers, polynomials, factoring, and concludes with the understanding of linear equations and inequalities through solving, analyzing, and graphing their relations. The second half of Algebra 1 builds on the lessons learned as well as introduces quadratic and exponential functions, radical and rational expressions.

Algebra 1 Honors (1 credit) This course is very similar to Algebra 1, but typically moves at an accelerated pace, allowing the instructor to cover additional topics at the end of the school year. Additionally, throughout the course of the year the instructor will cover some topics in greater depth.

Geometry (1 credit) This course will take you through topics of symbolic notation of geometric concepts, geometric proofs specifically relating to triangles, angle relationships, study of quadrilaterals, polygons, similar polygons, circles and other conic sections, extensions of the Pythagorean Theorem, and coordinate geometry. The students will be able to solve, analyze, and apply mathematical concepts to problems and situations allowing us to see math on a broader spectrum.

Geometry Honors (1 credit) This course is very similar to the regular geometry course, but typically moves at an accelerated pace, allowing the instructor to cover additional topics at the end of the school year. Additionally, throughout the course of the year the instructor will cover some topics in greater depth.

Algebra 2/Trigonometry (1 credit) This year’s course will take you through topics of linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions and relations as well as systems of equations, explorations of polynomials and their functions, rational, exponential and logarithmic expressions and equations as well as trig functions, graphs and identities. The students will be able to solve, analyze, and apply mathematical concepts to problems and situations, allowing us to see math on a broader spectrum. This course is for students who have successfully completed the Geometry course. A graphing calculator is required.

Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors (1 credit) This is a more intensive and extensive treatment of the topics covered in the regular Algebra 2/Trigonometry course. A graphing calculator is required.

College Algebra (1 credit) This is an option for seniors who wish to take a fourth year of mathematics. It will be a more comprehensive treatment of topics covered in Algebra 2/Trigonometry. The topics that will be covered are algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, relations and functions, polynomial and rational functions, logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, and complex numbers. The first semester of this course will include SAT preparation and the second semester will focus on real world applications of mathematical topics. A graphing calculator is required.

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Introduction to Calculus (1 credit) This course explores the concept of limits, differential and integral calculus while reviewing the fundamentals of algebraic and trigonometric functions.

Calculus (1 credit) This course offers a more in-depth study of the major topics of both differential and integral calculus, as well as a closer look at the theory of calculus. This course covers most of the essential topics for the AP Calculus AB exam enabling students to take the AP exam in May, if they wish.

AP Calculus AB (1 credit) This course offers a more intensive and faster paced treatment of the topics covered in the Calculus course. There is a thorough review for the nationwide AP exam.

AP Calculus BC (1 credit) This course covers additional topics in calculus that were not covered in Calculus or AP Calculus AB. Such topics include additional integration techniques, parametric equations, and infinite series. There is a thorough review for the nationwide AP exam.

Statistics – Modeling the Real World (1 credit) Statistics is the study of numbers in context.

Statisticians collect and inspect data; they describe it and look for patterns. They use it to create models and hope that their models are useful images of the real world. Using tools based on the perfect curves of mathematics, they hope to compare their models to that reality. Seeing where the models work – and where they fail – they discover truths about our world.

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Science Biology (1 Credit) Biology is the study of life and all of its associated phenomena. Biologists observe living systems, ask questions about living systems, and attempt to explain the rules by which living systems operate.

This course serves as a comprehensive survey of general biology that includes biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular genetics, heredity, as well as kingdoms and classification. Students will use scientific inquiry and mathematical analysis to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

Biology Honors (1 Credit) This freshman level science honors course is similar to the Biology course offered, but progresses at an accelerated pace. The instructor may cover some topics in greater depth, offer more laboratory opportunities, or cover additional materials at the end of the school year.

AP Biology (1 credit) This course is designed to fulfill the requirements of college level biology. It includes class work, contracts, traditional and independent laboratory investigations, and outside assignments. The student must be able to do independent work. The student’s overall academic performance and standardized testing will be considered in the application process. The offering of this course will be contingent on receiving a sufficient number of qualified candidates.

Chemistry (1 credit) This is a traditional chemistry course using atomic and molecular structure to describe and explain how matter behaves and how the composition of substances governs their interactions.

Chemistry Honors (1 credit) This course covers the content in Chemistry and pursues more in-depth coverage of several subjects, including quantum mechanical chemistry, applications of chemical processes in other branches of science and industry, nuclear chemistry, and deeper focus on research methodology as it pertains to chemistry.

AP Chemistry (1 credit) The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced course work in chemistry. Much of the coursework will include laboratory and inquirybased investigations. Students will continue to explore topics learned in Chemistry and Chemistry Honors, such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. The course works to explore core scientific principles, theories, and processes that cut across traditional boundaries and provide a broad way of thinking about the particulate nature of matter underlying the observations students make about the physical world. The offering of this course will be contingent on receiving a sufficient number of qualified candidates.

Physics 2 (1 credit) In physics, students observe objects and processes and describe them mathematically. Topics covered include mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Laboratory experiments are computer based and integrate the formal learning process. A facility with numbers is helpful; the ability to use algebra is essential.

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AP Physics 1 (1 credit) AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. Students who have taken Chemistry Honors are encouraged to take this course. The offering of this course will be contingent on receiving a sufficient number of qualified candidates.

Anatomy & Physiology (1 credit) Human Physiology, an introductory college-level course, is a science elective available to juniors and seniors. Students study anatomical terms, cells, tissues, homeostasis, the human body in health and disease, and genetics. The course covers the anatomy and physiology of each body system. In addition to laboratory dissection and computerized virtual dissection simulation, class activities include the analysis of case studies and identification of illustrative anatomy on diagrams, radiographs and photographs.

AP Physics 2 (1 credit) AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Through inquirybased learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. The offering of this course will be contingent on receiving a sufficient number of qualified candidates.

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Fine Arts Fine Arts Requirements At least 1 ½ credits in the fine arts is required for graduation. Students with more specialized interests may select one of the following options to fulfill the requirement. You should select one of the following to fulfill your fine arts requirement: Art 1 (½ credit) Class meets for one semester. This is a studio class that touches on drawing, painting, sculpture, and art history. The topics include: elements and principles of art, composition, drawing techniques, graphic design, linear perspective, color theory, painting, sculpture, and art history.

Art 2 (1 credit) Learn to draw anything you see! This course is for students who have an interest in continuing the art sequence. It is a full-year studio art course. There is an emphasis on drawing techniques featuring demonstration, observation and practice using charcoal and watercolor. The students will develop their knowledge of art concepts and techniques as well as their own style and working methods. Critiques, drawing, painting and art history are part of the curriculum. “Smocks” will be required. This course is a prerequisite course leading to a four-year sequence in art and culminating in AP Art. Although not necessary for the course, any student who is already thinking of a career in the arts should take this class as part of a three or four year sequence. That allows a student to focus on preparing a college portfolio and creating scholarship-level work.

Art 3 (1 credit) Concept, concept, concept! Learn to THINK your way through a visual problem. This one-year studio course is based on the art skills and knowledge developed in the two preceding years.

Art 3 enables the student to explore his own development and style through the Fine Arts. The course is structured to encourage creative exploration and critical thinking: a resource valuable in college and beyond. A portfolio suited to each individual’s style will be developed. A variety of materials will be provided. An Art History component is included. Regular homework, tests and critiques are used for assessment. Any third year student who might need a college portfolio should take this course.

Departmental approval required.

Art 4 (1 credit) This class meets during the AP class, and is essentially the same class except that the AP test is NOT required. Students must be willing to schedule extra time to complete assignments. This course assumes a high degree of proficiency and commitment on the part of the student. Students are NOT REQUIRED to take the AP Studio Art test (which is not a written test, but rather a portfolio submission based on stringent requirements) AND THE AP DESIGNATION WILL NOT APPEAR ON THE TRANSCRIPT. The course will focus on creating a personal voice for each student by exploring the three areas required by the College Board: quality, breadth, and a 12-piece developed exploration of a personal theme.

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AP Studio Art 4 (1 credit) This class meets a full year, but students must be willing to schedule extra time to complete assignments. This is a college-level course that assumes a high degree of proficiency and commitment on the part of the student. The course will focus on creating a personal voice for each student by exploring the three areas required by the College Board: quality, breadth, and a 12piece developed exploration of a personal theme.

The AP Studio Art test is not a written test, but rather a portfolio submission based on stringent requirements.

Digital Magic with Photoshop (1 credit) No art or computer experience necessary! Learn all the basics of Photoshop and more as we explore the magic of computer graphics. This full year class will offer some introduction to graphic design and photo retouching, as well as "drawing" and "painting" on the computer. Grades based on mastery of the material, effort, timely assignments and class participation. Student flash drive will be required. Limited enrollment, departmental approval required.

Foundations of Instrumental Music (1 credit) The Foundations of Instrumental Music course provides an entrée to instrumental music for those will little or no experience. Using traditional band methods, the yearlong course provides initial training on saxophone, trumpet, and trombone.

Students will be expected to rent one of these instruments. As the year progresses, rhythm section instrument opportunities are available. By year’s end each class becomes a performable ensemble. Course enrollment is limited.

Enrollment in Studio Band is suggested.

Instrumental Music I (1 credit) In this course students will strengthen skills in instrumental performance through an entrée to classic blues, jazz and contemporary repertoire.

The course will also introduce improvisational techniques applicable to music of any genre.

Enrollment in Jazz Ensemble or Studio Band is suggested.

Instrumental Music II (1 credit) Continuing the instrumental performance sequence, this course is designed to advance instrumental proficiency and appreciation of 20th Century American music through varied and harmonically advanced jazz and contemporary repertoire. Enrollment in Jazz Ensemble or Studio Band is suggested.

Music Appreciation (½ credit) Class meets for one semester. This course will introduce the student to music theory as well as an appreciation of various forms, styles, and periods of music. Instruments and their families will be explored by demonstration as well as by recorded material. A connection between the culture of our times and music will be made. Creative participation will be encouraged so the student may begin to understand the creative process and music as a form of self-expression.

Vocal Music (½ credit) This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of singing. Basic principles of vocal performance and music reading skills are covered through exploration of many styles of music from Broadway and the Beatles to chant and folk songs.

No prior singing experience is necessary, but students who have had some musical training will be able to add to the skills they have already acquired. Grades are determined on the basis of individual preparation, practice and focused participation as well as occasional essays and online quizzes.

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Music Theory I and Composition (1 credit) Open to upperclassmen, this class examines the harmonic foundations that underlie jazz and contemporary music through aural transcription, analysis and performance. The class will also introduce basic keyboard skills as a springboard to music composition. Enrollment in Jazz Ensemble or Studio Band is suggested.

Music Theory ll and Audio Production Techniques (1 credit) This class provides seniors with an entrée to studio recording techniques using digital audio software. Students will produce their own recordings that they organize, rehearse, and engineer. Enrollment in Jazz Ensemble or Studio Band is suggested.

Introduction to Acting 9 (½ credit) Enrollment is limited; therefore, please complete the attached questionnaire in order to be considered. Rehearsals for the school drama are scheduled after school, require an audition, and are open to all levels.

Introduction to Acting 10 (½ credit) This one-semester theater course reviews the fundamentals of acting, and is designed to allow students to fine tune their skills and explore more mature content and work. This class will also cover several theater history units.

Advanced Acting (½ credit) Advanced Acting is a class for those students who have enjoyed and passed Introduction to Acting.

It is a semester course designed to build upon experiences and skills learned in the introductory class. The class will cover ensemble work, movement, voice, scene, and play analysis, scene work including an emphasis on objectives, obstacles, and acting techniques, as well as a unit on improvisational skills.

Acting for Film (½ credit) This course is designed to explore the practical and artistic elements involved in acting for the camera. Activities include the creation of a commercial, the performance of a monologue/scene from film and television scripts and more, all with the aim of fostering an understanding of the discipline and skills needed for an actor to perform on camera.

Stage Craft (½ credit) This is an introductory course exploring the technical aspects required to produce a theater production. Elements of study include: lighting and sound design, costume design, stage management, script analysis and set design.

Students will complete necessary research required to mount their vision of an assigned play (XDS Fall Production) The Elements of Cinema (1 credit) How many films by Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino can you name? In this class you will watch and study films by these directors and other giants of the film industry. You will learn that film is a unique form of communication, and you will investigate what film shares with other art forms.

As you study the major films of world cinema, the course will require that you come to class prepared to think, and willing to have your assumptions about movies challenged. The ideal student should have an open mind, and be willing to dialogue with the teacher and other students. Watching assigned movies at home will be required.

After school offerings: Jazz Ensemble (½ credit) Rehearsing from 2:50 to 5:00 PM twice per week, the Jazz Ensemble performs various concerts on and off campus through the year and is often invited to perform at jazz festivals throughout the region.

Studio Band (½ credit) Rehearsing from 2:50 to 5:00 PM twice per week, Studio Band is the class that provides foundationlevel ensemble training. Like the Jazz Ensemble, the Studio Band performs various concerts on and off campus throughout the year.

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Computer Science & Technology Intro to Computer Science (½ credit) The Intro to Computer Science class is required of all freshmen at Xavier. It is a semester long class. The topics covered include: effective search strategies, securing domains and hosting, FTP programs, publishing to the Web, HTML, CSS, basic algorithms, and programming in JavaScript. By the end of the course, students will have their own Internet domain populated with their own content. They will be familiar with how to code websites from scratch and they will know the basics of object-oriented programming using JavaScript.

Advanced Computer Applications (1 credit) An introduction to the basic concepts of the microcomputer and applications software.

Emphasis is placed on gaining hands-on experience with the use of software, including electronic spread sheets, graphical presentations, and programming in C#. In the second semester this project-based course will allow students to create several games in Unity for the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality system or for the Android mobile platform.

Robotics (1 credit) The Xavier Robotics curriculum combines skills in technology, math and science. Robotics allows students to think about solutions, try them out, and find out what works and what doesn’t. It allows students to share ideas, work in teams, and keep on improving their solution, continually trying new ideas. Students use their artistic and writing talents to bring their robots to life and to let others understand their robots. Students learn how to program their robots by learning a programming language called Interactive C. Students will compete with one another in design and programming challenges. The year will culminate in an autonomous robotics tournament against other schools.

Moviemaking and Editing with Premiere Pro (1 credit) Moviemaking with Premiere is a technology elective for juniors and seniors. Students will learn the basics of pre-production, production, and editing with Adobe Premiere Pro. The course will allow students to plan, shoot and edit their own short films and present them at the end of the year at the Xavier Film Festival.

Web Programming and Design (1 credit) An introduction to advanced level graphical presentations, the Internet, Web Page Design, and Adobe Design tools. Emphasis is placed on gaining hands-on experience in the use of these information technology tools. Students will create their own dot-coms and spend the year creating Web-based projects. Students will design a platform game in Unity, program it in C#, and publish it to the Google Play store as a final project.

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Military Science Military Science 9 (½ credit) The LET 1 curriculum is the foundation upon which all future JROTC leadership training will build upon. The freshman curriculum will prepare cadets for the challenges they will confront as future leaders in the Xavier Regiment and future leaders in their communities. As a leadership and citizenship program, the freshman JROTC curriculum will cover the fundamentals of military customs and courtesies, rank and structure and drill and ceremony. Cadets will be academically challenged with classes covering, among other topics, “Leadership Theory and Applications”, “Foundations for Success”, “Knowing Your Responsibilities as a Leader”, “Setting Financial Goals”, and “Conflict Resolution”. These broad topics will provide cadets with an opportunity to learn and practice skills that are universally accepted as key skills thought to be indispensable to good leaders. Additionally, cadets will learn and practice ethical decision making and problem solving skills, public speaking, goal setting and time management. Although military science stresses the need for leaders to be academically strong, it also stresses the need for leaders to be physically strong. To this end, near the end of their freshman year cadets will practice for and take a five event physical fitness challenge that offers them a chance to earn a Presidential Physical Fitness Award. At the conclusion of their freshman year, cadets may choose to attend the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge, a three day event held at Ft. Devens, MA which is specifically designed to afford cadets the opportunity to practice their newly learned skills in a challenging and fun environment.

Military Science 10 (½ credit) This is a continuation of the Junior ROTC program. Drill and ceremonies, land navigation and map reading, and leadership principles are covered. Preparation for leadership positions in the next two years is emphasized. All sophomores may enroll in Military Science 10, to include those who did not take Military Science 9. Students who take this course enroll for the entire year. Students attend three classes each cycle.

Military Science 11 (½ credit) This course is a continuation of the Junior ROTC program. Applied leadership principles are emphasized. Cadets are prepared to assume the highest leadership roles during their senior year.

The course reinforces social justice issues. All juniors may enroll in Military Science 11, to include those who did not take Military Science 9 or 10. Students who take this course enroll for the entire year. Students attend four classes each cycle.

Military Science 12 (½ credit) This course continues the Junior ROTC program of the previous levels. During senior year, students participate as cadet leaders of the regiment while debating great constitutional dilemmas, analyzing the decisions of great leaders in military history, and implementing command and staff principles within the Regiment. Students also complete a course in the fundamentals of financial literacy.

Students who take this course enroll for the entire year. Students attend four classes each cycle.

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Health & Physical Education Health The maintenance and development of good health is basic to all of our lives. Adolescents need accurate health information in order to develop healthy attitudes and behavior patterns. Students are beginning to assume responsibility for their own health, and as a result, will be making choices and decisions that may affect them throughout their lives. The Health course at Xavier offers knowledge and skills that enable each student to make choices and decisions based upon accurate and current information related to: decision making, nutrition, tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and First Aid/CPR. The goal of this course is to enable the students to assess their own lifestyles and risks, in order that they may choose behaviors that are healthy and responsible.

Physical Education In this course, students are introduced to the many ways of keeping physically fit in classes that meet once a cycle. Individual fitness programs and team sports are taught in an atmosphere that fosters communication and teamwork. General and sport specific weight training programs that focus on strength, power and balance are part of an overall fitness program taught to help increase core strength and prevent injury.

Guidance Department Program Xavier’s guidance program is grounded in the basic principle of helping students to become independent, fully functioning, contributing members of the community and society. Our responsibility to prepare learners to live and work in a changing society is met in individual, small group and large group settings. The guidance curriculum is integrated and articulated throughout grades 9-12 and is developmentally appropriate.

Guidance counselors at Xavier High School are concerned with the students’ total development: intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially. They work to assist students to assume responsibility, develop to their highest potential, take an active role in the school community and be prepared for their future roles in society.

Counselors advocate for students in a variety of personal, social and educational roles.

The guidance counselors are experienced in assisting students to select courses of study that are best suited to their interests, abilities and personal goals. The counselors work closely with students, parents and faculty members in advising with regard to the level of difficulty of those courses and sequences that will be beneficial to the student. The counselors also assist the students in evaluating and selecting the appropriate post-secondary choices.

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