Curriculum Guide: 2020-21

XAVIER

H I G H

S C H O O L

CURRICULUM GUIDE 2020–2021

COURSE OF STUDY FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

SENIOR

Religion

Introduction to Scripture: Encountering God’s Word (1)

Discipleship: Responding to Christ’s Call (1)

Theology and Ethics (1)

Social Justice (.5) & One-Semester Elective (.5)

English

English 9* (1)

English 10* (1)

English 11 (1) AP English Language (1) Journalism (1)

Elective Pairing (1) AP English Literature (1) Creative Writing (1) Journalism (1)

History

Global Studies 9* (1)

Global Studies 10 (1) or AP World History (1)

U.S. History (1) or AP U.S. History (1)

Modern History (1) Selected AP Course (1) Human Rights & Genocide (1) Undocumented Modern History Makers(1)

Mathematics***

Algebra 1*(1) or Geometry* (1)

Geometry* (1) or Algebra 2/Trig* (1)

Algebra 2/Trig* (1) Intro to Calculus (1) Calculus (1) AP Calculus AB (1)

College Algebra (1) Intro to Calculus (1) Calculus (1) Financial Accounting (1) AP Calculus AB (1) AP Calculus BC (1)

Language***

French 1 Italian 1 Latin 1 Spanish 1* (1)

French 2 Italian 2 Latin 2 Spanish 2* (1)

French 3 Italian 3 Latin 3 Spanish 3* Arabic 1 (1)

French 4 Italian 4 AP Italian Spanish 4 AP Spanish Arabic 1 (1)

Science***

Biology* (1)

Chemistry* (1)

AP Science (1) Astronomy and Astrobiology (1) Anatomy and Physiology (1) Physics (1)

AP Science (1) Astronomy and Astrobiology (1) Anatomy and Physiology (1) Forensics and Criminalistics (1) Physics (1)

Technology

Coding (.5)

AP Computer Science (1) Advanced Computer Applications (1) Architectural Design and 3D Modeling (1) Game Desgin with Unity (1) Moviemaking and Editing with Premiere Pro (1) Robotics (1)

AP Computer Science (1) Advanced Computer Applications (1) Architectural Design and 3D Modeling (1) Game Desgin with Unity (1) Moviemaking and Editing with Premiere Pro (1) Robotics (1)

Fine Arts****

Art 1:Introduction to Art Making (.5) Art 2: Drawing and Color (1) Art History (.5) Foundations of Instrumental Music (1) Instrumental Music I (1) Introduction to Acting (.5) Stagecraft (.5) Survey of Music (.5) Blue Night Band (1)

Acting for Film (.5) Advanced Acting (.5) Art 1: Introduction to Art Making (.5) Art 2: Drawing and Color (1) Art 3: Concept, Composition, and 2D design (1) Art History (.5) Instrumental Music II: Contemporary Songs and Songwriting (1) Introduction to Acting 10 (.5) Learning about Recording (.5) Stagecraft (.5) Survey of Music (.5) Blue Night Band (1)

Acting for Film (.5) Advanced Acting (.5) Art 1: Introduction to Art Making (.5) Art 2: Drawing and Color (1) Art 3: Concept, Composition, and 2D design (1) Art History (.5) Instrumental Music III: Play, Compose, and Record (1) Introduction to Acting 11 (.5) Learning about Recording (.5) Stagecraft (.5) Survey of Music (.5) Blue Night Band (1)

Acting for Film (.5) Advanced Acting (.5) AP Art: 2D Design Art (1) Art 1: Introduction to Art Making (.5) Art 2: Drawing and Color (1) Art 3: Concept, Composition, and 2D design (1) Art 4: 2D Design Art (1) Art History (.5) Elements of Cinema (1) Introduction to Acting 12 (.5) Learning about Recording (.5) Photoshop for Designers (1) Stagecraft (.5) Survey of Music (.5) Blue Night Band (1)

Physical Education

Phys. Ed 9 (.5)

Phys. Ed 10 (.5) Health (.5)

Phys. Ed 11 (.5)

Phys. Ed 12 (.5)

Military Education

Military Science 9 ** (.5)

Military Science 10 ** (.5)

Military Science 11 ** (.5)

Military Science 12 ** (.5)

Required Credits

7.5

7.5

6.5

6.5

*Honors Course Available

Mathematics is required in each of the first three years. Electives are available in senior year.

**Freshmen attend a three-cycle orientation to introduce our JROTC program. If a student chooses to stay in JROTC, then Military Science is part of the curriculum.

Language is a three-year sequence continuing the language begun in freshman year. Options for junior and senior year are described in the Student Handbook and online curriculum descriptions.

***Mathematics, Language, and Science only require 3 credits for graduation. During senior year students may choose electives to satisfy graduation credit requirements. ****Only 1.5 Fine Arts credits are required for graduation, but students may choose to take more courses as electives after fulfilling the credit requirement..

Science is required for three years. Electives are available in both junior and senior year.

Fine Arts is a 1.5 credit requirement fulfilled in the first three years by enrolling in a combination of art, music electives, band (by audition), vocal music, or acting.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Religion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 English. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Modern and Classical Languages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Mathematics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Science. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Fine Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Computer Science & Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Military Science. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Health & Physical Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Guidance Department Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

1

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 the 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. Students will then 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 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 (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.

2

Social Justice (½ Credit)

The required first semester of each senior religion course will be Social Justice. Building on the foundation 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.

Seniors must select one of the following religion courses for the second semester elective. There is a chance that your first choice will not fit in your schedule, although every effort will be made to honor your selection.

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, this course will explore the thoughts of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and the manner in which they influenced prominent Christian thinkers such as Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas. Time will also be dedicated to analyzing the paradigm shift in philosophy that takes place during the modern period, particularly through the thoughts of Rene Descartes. This course will address key questions regarding existence, God, the problem of evil, the nature of personhood and knowledge. Students should expect challenging primary source readings and frequent essays as preparation for taking college level philosophy courses.

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.

3

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 start out writing short pieces in these modes. Writing instruction is complemented by the study of grammar (particularly parts of speech, proper sentence structure and agreement), and grammar study continues throughout the year. After quarter one, students read widely across genres which include the short story, poetry, non-fiction, and the novel.

Each year, teachers of freshmen vary and update texts for study, discussion and analysis. 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 the study of commonly occurring words for academic and reading proficiency. Students will also begin their three-year study of Shakespeare with an intensive reading and analysis of Romeo & Juliet or Julius Caesar.

English 9 Honors (1 Credit)

All freshman students admitted to the Ignatian Scholars Honors Program will be enrolled in English 9 Honors. Students will begin with an intensive writing program, and critically challenging reading and writing assignments will be geared toward developing Pre-AP thinking and writing skills featuring literary and rhetorical analysis. Students will study grammar topics related to writing clearly and powerfully. Ignatian Scholars read a varied selection of challenging novels and non-fiction books in addition to two Shakespeare plays. Students are expected to contribute actively and thoughtfully in seminars and discussions.

English 10 (1 Credit)

This sophomore course of study 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 a dystopian British fiction selection. Students study numerous pieces of short fiction, non-fiction, and poetry from across the various literary movements in British Literature and also read pieces that engage discussion of the impact of the colonial British influence on native populations. 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.

4

English 10 Honors (1 Credit)

This sophomore honors English deepens the literary studies begun in freshman year with a specific focus on British Literature.

Composition, vocabulary, and reading skills are further developed through the study of challenging texts, and the instructor teaches critical reading and writing with a pre-AP focus as the majority of the honors students will choose to go on to AP English in junior and senior year. English 10 Honors engages students in independent research and in-class presentations. The sophomore honors class is characterized by seminar-style participation.

English 11: Exploring American Identity Through Literature (1 Credit)

The junior year English course examines a broad range of classic and contemporary literature through the lens of four themes: dreams, faith, conformity and rebellion, social pressure and moral codes. Through thematic units, students study the diverse voices and cultures that represent the American identity. Texts include American short stories, poetry, documents, speeches, plays, and novels. Titles covered may include, but are not limited to: Go Tell It on the Mountain (Baldwin), The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald), Sula (Morrison), Ethan Frome (Wharton), A Streetcar Named Desire (Williams), and others. Selections vary year to year. Students also continue their study of Shakespeare with Othello. Writing advances in difficulty and expectation as students learn to place their own literary analysis in the context of the critical studies of others, and learn to place their own voices in the context of analyzing the rhetoric of others. Study of grammar continues in the junior year both to improve student writing and to enhance proficiency in light of college entrance exam expectations. Deliberate study of vocabulary in context continues in the junior year to enhance student reading comprehension.

AP English Language & Composition (1 Credit)

The study of American Literature forms the background of this course, 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 nonfiction, from a variety of literary periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts. Students focus on becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.

Frequent writing and reading tasks engage students in developing an awareness 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 select from among the current offerings of English elective pairings (unless that students chooses to take AP Literature and Composition). The following list is comprised of recently offered and currently offered elective pairings. These electives vary year to year depending on student interest.

Pairing #1:Literature in Film & Irish Literature and Culture Pairing #2: Modernism: “Make it New!” & Imprisonment in Literature Pairing #3: Surviving: True and Unbelievable Stories & Soldiers’ Stories Pairing #4: Sympathy for the Grotesque & New York Literature: The Dream, The Grit and The Grind Pairing #5: The Rise and Reign of the Antihero: 1963-2017 & Dread, Angst, and the Battle Against Oblivion Pairing #6: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance & The Dream Deferred

Senior Elective Course Description Literature in Film (1⁄2 Credit)

Literature in Film will explore the relationship between the screen and the written word. Questions that will be the focus of the class will include: What are the problems that arise when you transpose fiction to film? How does the story change? The characters? Does it make a difference when a story was written and when it was made into a film? Students will compare and contrast the positive and negative aspects of literature turned into film and in doing so will hopefully increase their own understanding of the text and appreciation of multiple art forms. The texts studied will cover a variety of genres: plays, prose, memoir. Texts may include titles such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Fences by August Wilson, Persepolis

by Marjane Satrapi, and Between a Rock and A Hard Place by Aron Ralston (127 Hours).

Irish Literature and Culture (1⁄2 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.

Modernism: “Make it New!” (1⁄2 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, William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jean Rhys, 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.

Imprisonment in Literature (1⁄2 Credit)

This class spans both fiction and nonfiction to explore the function and impact of prisons on our society. We begin by examining how laws, prisons, and the judicial system work to keep certain segments of the population captive. In The Handmaid’s Tale, a totalitarian government imprisons all of its women in order to facilitate repopulation after a cataclysmic environmental disaster.

This dystopian novel slyly and subtly reflects shifts in our own society with the advent of computerized banking and surveillance.

We shift gears with Just Mercy, a nonfiction account of Bryan Stevenson’s work on behalf of prisoners, which powerfully examines the shattering effect of imprisonment on individuals and their families. The use of laws to criminalize behavior will be illuminated by shorter works including Oscar Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading Gaol, Anna Ahkmatova’s Requiem, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” This course concludes with a close reading of Hamlet and Jesus Hopped the A Train (Giurgis) , contrasting these two works in terms of style and substance.

5

Surviving: True and Unbelievable Stories (1⁄2 Credit)

What does it take to survive? How do writers of stories of extreme adversity define and illuminate personal grit? In this course students will read mostly non-fiction pieces that deal with adversity – adversity that is chosen, such as mountain climbing, or adversity that is accidentally thrust upon us, such as a plane crash or other scenario. Seminar-style classes will allow for in-depth discussion of Nando Parrado’s Miracle in the Andes, Cormac McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic novel, The Road, non-fiction accounts of survival such as Into Thin Air (Krakauer) and The Perfect Storm (Junger), selections from memoirs and documentary film accounts of survival such as Meru, The Center Cannot Hold (Saks), and Finding Home, plus articles and talks by Sherwin Nuland and others. All works studied will aim to illuminate and inform our understanding of the human will to survive and the questions people must consider when faced with extreme adversity.

Soldiers’ Stories (1⁄2 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 Tribe (Junger), selected stories from Redeployment (Klay) and The Things They Carried (O’Brien), play All My Sons (Miller), and memoir American Sniper (Kyle), plus short works, stories, and poems by Robert Graves, 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, and The Hurt Locker.

Sympathy for the Grotesque (1⁄2 Credit)

Although the word grotesque is often used colloquially to signify something hideous or terrifying, what makes grotesque characters so fascinating in literature is the empathy they evoke from the reader. Although not always good, or easy to love, grotesque characters, because of their innate humanity, make us feel. They are present in Victorian novels and Southern gothic short stories.

Frankenstein’s monster, Count Dracula, and Gregor Samsa of “The Metamorphosis,” are all examples of the grotesque. In this class, we will explore examples of the grotesque from different periods and genres and countries to ask the questions: what makes something or someone grotesque, and, ultimately, what makes him or her human as well? Authors will include Bram Stoker, Emily Bronte, Franz Kafka, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Nikolai Gogol, Ralph Ellison, Flannery O’Connor, Sherwood Anderson, George Saunders, and Junot Diaz. Major Works: Dracula by Bram Stoker; Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte; Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison; The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

6

New York Literature: The Dream, The Grit, and The Grind (1⁄2 Credit)

Of all the qualities that New York demands of its citizens, grit is arguably the most vital. New York is a massive city made up of eight million people, each striving for success in his or her own way, so in a lot of ways the odds are stacked against the individual.

Yet even against such long odds, what brings people here is the promise of achievement when one is willing to put in the work. In this class, we’ll explore the difficult process of making it in New York. Through works by writers such as James Baldwin, Joan Didion, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Langston Hughes, Bernard Malamud, Edith Wharton, E.B. White, and Colson Whitehead, we’ll explore the ways that the New York grind can either wear a person down or build him or her up. We will also compare characters from literature with characters from films, such as: Do the Right Thing, A Bronx Tale, Whiplash, and Taxi Driver.

The Rise and Reign of the Antihero: 1963-2017 (1⁄2 Credit)

Our current fascination—indeed, obsession—with protagonists who bend and oftentimes break the rules raises important questions about what our society values. This course will trace the timeliness and popularity of the antihero, from 1950s gendered Americana, to super-antiheroes like Batman, to a contemporary critique of jock culture. Texts include Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, and Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, and Gabe Habash’s Stephen Florida. Students will be charged with charting the development of an antihero/heroine from historical catalyst to literary response.

Classes will be comprised of seminar-style critical reading sessions, character analyses, presentations, and debates.

Dread, Angst, and the Battle Against Oblivion (1⁄2 Credit)

Being a Man for Others is what Xavier instills in its students, and within its walls, this value is paramount, but how do young men committed to social justice confront a world in which morality is consistently challenged? This seminar-style class will focus on an intertextual discourse between texts previously encountered at Xavier pertaining to religion and ethics (including Frankl, Kant, Aristotle, and Mill) and works that deconstruct our notions of right and wrong, just and unjust. Can we find values in the void, or are these works black holes? How has Xavier equipped you to contend with the omnipresent assault on meaning in these texts? Texts include Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s Weep Not, Child, and listening sessions dedicated to studying albums by Nirvana, The Notorious B.I.G., and Sly Stone.

Voices of the Harlem Renaissance (1⁄2 Credit)

Rising out of the ashes of enslavement, reconstruction, and the Industrial Revolution, the Harlem Renaissance was at the forefront of the African-American experience. This important movement was born from a theory created by philosopher, professor, and essayist Alain Locke, who believed in the reinvention and redefinition of the Negro in 20th century America. Literature, the arts, dance, and music were essential to this rebirth, and the first semester examines contributions from key African-Americans of the time in order to understand this new vision. Essential to the landscape of New York City history, this course also seeks to discover the importance of identity, culture, and self-determination. Selected works include Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes’ Not Without Laughter, Nella Larsen’s Quicksand, and poems from Jean Toomer’s Cane, which will culminate in a final project by each student.

The Dream Deferred (1⁄2 Credit)

Taken from the Langston Hughes poem of the same name, the second semester focuses on the dreamers of African- American literature: the protagonists who dream and the prices they pay for their dreams. Through the study of these characters and the writers who immortalize them, this course considers and investigates themes regarding knowledge of self, the African-American family structure, the complexity of power and class, and the evolution of race relations in the United States. This course will also study the impact of these works on the African-American community and its development through the 21st century. Selections will include Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, August Wilson’s Fences, and The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin.

Creative Writing (1 Credit)

This course will serve to expand the student’s powers of observation, imagination, and language through exposure to various forms of creative writing, reading and analyzing a variety of well-respected 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.

Prerequisite: You must sit for a qualifying exam after school on one of the scheduled dates – Monday, March 30th or Wednesday, April 1st– to be considered for placement in this course.

Journalism (1 Credit)

This introductory course to journalism and news-writing will emphasize critical reading, thinking, and writing along with the ethics and responsibilities of journalists. The course is writing intensive. 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 Literature and Composition (1 Credit)

This program is offered to students of proven ability and performance who wish to pursue a college-level literature course.

Students choosing this AP Lit course should be students who love reading and analyzing literature at a challenging level. 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, Diaz, 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. Students are REQUIRED to take the AP Literature and Composition Exam that is administered in May. Prerequisites: At least an 85 average in AP English Language & Composition, or at least a 92 average in English 11; a qualifying exam consisting of an essay and passagebased multiple choice reading test on Saturday, March 28th; the recommendation of the current English teacher; and the approval of the department chair. Note: Only students who meet the minimum average requirement in English will be considered for placement in this course.

7

HISTORY Global Studies 9 (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 9 Honors (1 Credit)

All freshman students admitted to the Ignatian Scholars honors program will enroll in Global Studies 9 Honors. The structure of this course is similar to Global Studies 9. 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 9.

Global Studies 10 (1 Credit)

This is a two-part world history class. In freshman year, the 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. In sophomore year, the focus shifts to modern world history initially with the Renaissance era and continuing through the World War II era. By studying the geography, society, government, economy, and philosophy of different regions in each course, students gain an understanding of the diversity of human cultures and learn the underpinnings of both Eastern and Western civilizations.

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 and utilize primary sources including how 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.

United States History (1 Credit)

This course surveys the history of the United States from its colonial origins through the World War II era. Students will develop their historical skills and perspective by concentrating on certain topics and themes within that narrative. Particular attention is paid in the first semester to the political and constitutional development of the country from the period of the American Revolution through the age of Jackson to the Civil War. In the second half of the year, students will explore the impact of industrialization and immigration on society, the economy, politics, and the relationship between the government and citizens. Attention is also paid to the formation of American foreign policy, and its evolution through the World Wars.

AP Comparative Government and 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. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Comparative Government and Politics at the conclusion of the course and may earn college credits through this exam.

AP United States Government and 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. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Unites States Government and Politics at the conclusion of the course and may earn college credits through this exam.

AP European History (1 Credit)

This is a college level course in European History. This course will uncover 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. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in European 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 new 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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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 (1 Credit)

Spanish 3 (1 Credit)

Spanish 3 builds on the vocabulary and grammatical structures learned in Spanish 1 and Spanish 2. Various cultural themes and grammar topics are covered in each marking period.

Culture includes geography, art, and history of various Spanishspeaking countries around the world. The focus of the course is the integration of the four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking through in-class activities, homework, dialogues, and internet assignments.

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 3 Honors (1 Credit)

Spanish 1 Honors (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.

This course is designed to introduce students to the Spanish language and culture with an in-depth analysis of grammar and vocabulary. There is a great emphasis on reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. This course is comparable to Spanish 1, but it moves at an accelerated pace in order to cover additional topics at the end of the academic year with the expectation to prepare students for the intermediate level of Spanish 2 honors course.

Spanish 2 (1 Credit)

This course is a Comprehensible Input Language course. The main goal is to help students to acquire and to learn Spanish in an immersing program format; great part of the class time is spent using Spanish. The course focuses on listening/reading and speaking/writing skills. The purpose is that all skills will come more naturally as students experience speaking and writing while listening and reading. They will learn how to creatively use a combination of new and old grammar structures instead of just knowing how to conjugate verbs or knowing a list of vocabulary.

Teachers use grammatical structures in class discussions, stories and cultural explorations, and students are expected to recognize them when they read or hear them and produce them in speech and writing. This course is very interactive and requires students to work collaboratively with the teacher and with each other. The expectation is that by the end of the year students will feel more comfortable communicating in Spanish to each other and other people they come across, using the present and past tenses.

Spanish 2 Honors (1 Credit)

This course is for those students who have successfully completed one year of Spanish 1 Honors. The course continues an in-depth analysis of grammar and places great emphasis on reading, oral, and writing skills.

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This course is a comprehensive continuation of the Spanish 2 Honors course. Through an in-depth analysis of the language, this language immersion course completes the presentation of Spanish grammar, while at the same time emphasizing reading, writing, and oral skills.

Spanish 4 (1 Credit)

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 course 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.

Italian 2 (1 Credit)

The main goal of this class is to provide students with the structure 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. In Italian 2, students will learn to use the past, imperfect, future, and conditional verb tenses and acquire vocabulary relating to sports, leisure, food, directions, transportation, television, cinema, and politics. Students will develop these skills through speaking and listening exercises, dialogues, group work, and assessments such as projects, homework, quizzes, and tests.

Students will receive an overview of Italy’s culture, traditions, history, and way of life.

Italian 3 (1 Credit)

It is the intention of the Italian 3 course to cover all the important grammar points of Italian 1 & 2 while introducing new topics.

The students will be offered a deeper exposure into the study of the Italian language and grammar. Students will be expected to improve their fluency and increase their knowledge of the grammar rules and of Italian history. Also, special attention will be given to the preparation of students in the current cultural and social aspects of Italian life. These aspects will be presented, discussed, and utilized to further introduce grammar points and vocabulary in various contexts in preparation for the AP Italian Language and Culture Course.

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). Students are REQUIRED to take the AP Italian Language Exam in the spring.

Prerequisites: the successful completion of Italian 3 with at least a 92 average; the recommendation of the teacher; and approval of the department chair. There will be a mandatory meeting prior to registration; time to be announced. Attendance at the AP Fair is required.

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 includes a continuation of the essential skills acquired in French 1 as well as the progression of oral and written expression. Source material for this course emphasizes the recounting of past events in daily life and in history. Students will learn to utilize basic grammatical structures in order to learn more complex ones and apply them to practical speaking and writing tasks. Cultural units focus on French speaking countries in North and West Africa and the Caribbean using children’s fiction, folktales, music, and art. This course also seeks to strengthen a student’s conversational and written fluency with the introduction of short essay and journal writing, thematic class discussions, and creating connections between American and French customs, celebrations, and popular culture.

French 3 (1 Credit)

French 3 is a continuation of French 2. In this course, students will continue to work on mastering the grammar of the French language through in-depth exercises in context and writing assignments. Students will learn to recognize and use the subjunctive mood, the future and conditional tenses, and various compound tenses. One of the goals is to continue to increase vocabulary acquisition in the target language through readings, thematic vocabulary lists, films, and poems. Students will be encouraged to speak on relevant issues of our society such as the environment, technology, and immigration. The French 3 course will also focus on cultural awareness and in particular, students will continue studying the cultures of West Africa, French-speaking Canada, and the regions of France through group projects, articles, and discussions. The goal of French 3 is to prepare students for advanced French studies.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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

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MATHEMATICS Algebra 1 (1 Credit)

Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors (1 Credit)

Algebra 1 Honors (1 Credit)

College Algebra (1 Credit)

This course begins with students understanding the language of algebra. The first half of the course then progresses into examining real numbers and polynomials, followed by a focus on understanding linear equations and inequalities through solving, analyzing, and graphing their relations. The latter half seeks to apply and build upon these fundamental skills, focusing on quadratic functions and factoring as well as exponential and radical expressions and equations. The course will also explore data display and analysis. A graphing calculator is required.

Incoming freshman students are admitted to Algebra 1 Honors based on their performance on the mathematics placement examination taken in the spring prior to their freshman year.

This course is very similar to Algebra 1, but typically moves at an accelerated pace, allowing the instructor to cover concepts with greater depth. An emphasis on inquiry based learning allows students to acquire knowledge through investigation and discovery. This method encourages students to use and hone their critical thinking skills to deepen their understanding of the mathematics and the appropriate application. Note: All freshmen in the Ignatian Scholars Honors Program who are not placed in Geometry or Geometry honors will be placed in Algebra 1 Honors.

Geometry (1 Credit)

This course is for sophomores who have successfully completed the Algebra 1 course as freshmen. The course will focus on two dimensional space and the relationships between the figures within that space. Students will be taught how to develop and explain conclusions based on given information, logical reasoning, and geometric rules and facts. Topics of three-dimensional geometry will also be addressed.

Geometry Honors (1 Credit)

Incoming freshmen students are admitted to Geometry Honors based on their performance on the mathematics placement examination taken in the spring prior to their freshman year. The course, while similar to regular Geometry, takes a more intensive and extensive look at the concepts covered which include exploring congruent and similar 2 dimensional figures and applications of surface area, volume and density of 3 dimensional figures. Students are asked to not only solve for values, but also to analyze and articulate the similarities and differences of geometric figures and concepts. An emphasis on inquiry based learning allows students to acquire knowledge through investigation and discovery. Note: All freshmen in the Ignatian Scholars program who are not placed in Geometry or Geometry Honors will be placed in Algebra Honors. A graphing calculator is required.

Algebra 2/Trigonometry (1 Credit)

This course is for students who have successfully completed Geometry. This course will cover an in-depth exploration of functions including polynomial, radical, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric. The characteristics of these functions, their graphs and how to algebraically solve equations involving these types of expressions will be the primary focus. A graphing calculator is required.

This course provides a more intensive and extensive focus on the topics covered in the regular Algebra 2/Trigonometry course. This course aims to prepare students for a higher level Calculus course.

An emphasis on inquiry-based learning allows students to acquire knowledge through investigation and discovery. Prerequisites: The recommendation from your Geometry teacher and successful completion of Algebra Honors and Geometry Honors with a minimum 85 average or a minimum average of 92 in Algebra and Geometry. A graphing calculator is required.

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. There will be a focus on applications of mathematical concepts in the context of adult life scenarios. A graphing calculator is required.

Introduction to Calculus (1 Credit)

This course will review the different types of algebraic and trigonometric functions with a focus on graphical analysis. The course will introduce the concepts of limits and differential calculus and explore appropriate applications. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra 2/Trigonometry and approval from the department chair. A graphing calculator is required for this course.

Financial Accounting (1 Credit)

This course will provide students with an opportunity to learn the art of recording and processing business transactions. Students will develop the skills required to work through the accounting process of preparing financial statements used by management, investors, and lenders to inform their business decisions. This course is beneficial to students who hope to pursue a business degree in college. Prerequisites: Approval from the department chair.

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 A.P. Calculus AB exam enabling students to take the A.P. exam in May, if they wish. Prerequisites: The successful completion of Algebra 2/Trig Honors with a minimum 80 average and/or Intro to Calculus and approval from the department chair.

Students currently enrolled in Algebra 2 may also be considered for this course if they maintain a final average of 92 (which includes an 85 on the final exam or better) and are recommended by their teacher. Approval for this course can also be granted by taking Trigonometry through JVLA in the summer. A graphing calculator is required.

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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. Students are REQUIRED to take the AP exam. Prerequisites: A minimum average of 92 in Intro to Calculus; or successful completion of Algebra 2/Trig Honors with at least an 85 average; an AP qualifying exam scheduled for Saturday, March 28th; and approval from the department chair.

A summer assignment will need to be completed prior to the beginning of the school year. A graphing calculator is required.

Attendance at the AP Fair is also mandatory.

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, polar equations, and infinite series. There is a thorough review for the nationwide AP exam. Students are REQUIRED to take the AP exam.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Calculus with at least a 92 average; or at least an 85 average in AP Calculus AB; and an AP qualifying exam scheduled for Saturday, March 28th. A summer assignment will need to be completed prior to the beginning of the school year. A graphing calculator is required. Attendance at the AP Fair is also mandatory.

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SCIENCE Biology (1 Credit)

Biology is a freshman level course that covers in-depth topics such as the scientific method, the cell along with its organelles and their microscopic structures and functions, cellular processes such as reproduction, respiration and photosynthesis, genetics, heredity, and evolution. While biology is a natural science, we also emphasize, in the spirit of Jesuit education, the social, ethical, and environmental impacts of biological research at a local, as well as a global level. Each cycle, students are required to complete major laboratory experiments or conduct group assignments in which data collection and analysis are required. In addition to these laboratory experiments, the instructor will conduct in-class demonstrations to expose students to more advanced laboratory techniques and practices.

Biology Honors (1 Credit)

Biology Honors progresses at an accelerated pace with more in depth coverage of the chemistry behind cellular processes such as photosynthesis, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, DNA/RNA replication, and human genetics. This course takes full advantage of cross-curricular opportunities by exploring and incorporating major principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics in living systems, both during lecture and laboratory activities. During laboratory activities, which occur more frequently, students use more advanced techniques such as preparing buffers, transferring solutions using micropipettes, and preparing and running electrophoresis gels.

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 offering of this course will be contingent on receiving a sufficient number of qualified candidates. Prerequisites: At least an 85 average in Chemistry Honors or Biology Honors; or a 92 in Biology and Chemistry; and approval by the department chair. Attendance at the AP Fair is required.

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. Students will enhance their knowledge of scientific thinking and the course will cover the structure and interactions of matter. Topics include: atomic structure, chemical reactions and equations, phases of matter, bonding, temperature, stoichiometry, acids and bases, and interactions between energy and matter.

Chemistry Honors (1 Credit)

This course covers the content in Chemistry and pursues more indepth 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. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Biology Honors with at least an 85 average or a 92 average in Biology and the recommendation of his Biology teacher.

AP Chemistry (1 Credit)

The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework 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 explores 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. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry Honors with at least an 85 average or a 92 or above in Chemistry; successful completion of Algebra 2/Trigonometry; completion of a summer assignment; and approval by the department chair.

Attendance at the AP Fair is required.

Physics (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. Co-requisite: Algebra 2/ Trigonometry.

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. Prerequisites: 85 or above in Chemistry Honors or 92 or above in Physics; successful completion of algebra honors and geometry honors with an 85 or above. The completion of a summer assignment; attendance at two afterschool class sessions; and approval by the department chair.

Attendance at the AP Fair is required.

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.

Prerequisites: 85 in AP Physics 1; completion of a summer assignment; and approval by the department chair. Attendance at the AP Fair is required.

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Anatomy & Physiology (1 Credit)

Anatomy & Physiology, an introductory college-level course, is a science elective available to juniors and seniors. Students study anatomical terms, cells, tissues, homeostasis, and the human body in health and disease. 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.

Astronomy and Astrobiology (1 Credit)

This is an introductory-level science elective course available to juniors and seniors. This course will explore the universe focusing specifically on celestial bodies (stars, planets, asteroids and comets), their specific properties or processes and their interactions. The first half of this course will focus on habitability in our solar system and the factors that contribute to Earth’s habitability. The second half of this course will apply the principles of habitability to the study of exoplanets. This course will develop analytical thinking and inquiry skills while students explore habitability throughout our universe. Field trips to the Hayden Planetarium and New York Hall of Science will supplement in-class discussions.

Forensics and Criminalistics (1 Credit)

Forensics and Criminalistics is a year-long introductory-level lab science elective open to juniors and seniors. In this course, the students will be introduced to what a forensic scientist does and practice the techniques associated with securing and processing a crime scene and the study of criminals. Students will become familiar with the collection, identification, and documentation of various types of evidence including blood, glass, fingerprints, handwriting, human remains, soil, and impressions. The first half of the course will cover forensic science, and the second half of the course will cover criminal science. Prerequisites: Students applying to Forensics and Criminalistics must demonstrate a successful completion of Biology/ Biology Honors, Chemistry/ Chemistry Honors, and Algebra II Trig/Algebra II Trig Honors.

Microbiology (1 Credit)

This is a college level course on microbial biology consisting of both lecture and laboratory. The course will cover eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes and viruses but will emphasize bacteria.

The majority of this course will deal with learning and mastering the laboratory techniques used by universities and hospitals in bacterial identification and will culminate with students presenting their personal research concerning two unknown bacterial samples that were given to them at the beginning of the course. This will provide the students with a conceptual and experimental background in microbiology and is aimed at those rising junior and senior students that have a strong desire to enter into the world of health science and/or laboratory science research fields.

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FINE ARTS Art 1: Introduction to Art Making (1⁄2 Credit)

This is a semester course. This hands-on art class touches on drawing, painting, sculpture, art history, and personal expression through art. Enjoy creating your own art projects as we explore artists, styles, and materials. No experience necessary!

Art History (1⁄2 Credit)

Why is that big blue square called art? This is a semester course.

For students interested in understanding contemporary art history, this class will study various artists and movements to understand the concepts behind the creation of modern art.

Student presentations and simple art making are included to foster understanding of artists’ concepts. Inexperienced artists welcome!

Art 2: Drawing and Color (1 Credit)

This is a full year studio art course offered to advanced freshman artists. Learn to draw anything you see! Incoming students who are advanced or very interested in art may test into Drawing and Color thereby bypassing Intro to Art Making. Students interested in any career in the visual arts (graphic design, game design, web design, architecture or industrial design to name just a few!) would do best to apply as a freshman and follow the four year sequence to AP Art. There is an emphasis on drawing techniques featuring demonstration, observation, and practice using charcoal and watercolor. Critiques, drawing, painting, and art history are part of the curriculum. This course is a prerequisite course leading to a four-year sequence in Art and culminating in AP Art. This allows the student to focus on creating a scholarship level college portfolio.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Art 1. A drawing test and departmental approval are required for those students wishing to skip Art 1.

Art 3: Concept, Composition, and 2D design (1 Credit)

Learn to think your way through a visual problem and improve your skills. This one-year studio course is based on the art skills and knowledge developed in the preceding years. This course 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 student who might need to build a college portfolio should take this course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Art 2 or departmental approval.

Art 4: 2D Design Art (1 Credit)

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, but will be required to follow the same guidelines as the AP class. The course will focus on creating a personal voice for each student by exploring the two areas required by the College Board: quality, and a 15-piece developed exploration of a personal theme. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Art 2 and 3 and departmental approval.

AP Art: 2D Design Art (1 Credit)

This Advanced Placement class meets for a full year, and 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. Students are required to take the AP Studio Art test (which is not a written test, but rather a portfolio submission based on stringent requirements). The course will focus on creating a personal voice for each student by exploring the two areas required by the College Board: quality, and a 15-piece developed exploration of a personal theme. Prerequisites: Art 2 and 3, departmental approval.

Foundations of Instrumental Music (1 Credit)

This course is meant for students who do not play an instrument and want to learn. Using traditional band methods, the yearlong course provides initial training on all band instruments (woodwinds, brass, and percussion). If they do not own an instrument, students will be expected to rent one. As the year progresses, rhythm section instrument opportunities may become available. Course enrollment is limited. Independent practice time will be required. Eventual participation in the Blue Night band is strongly encouraged. Prerequisite: interview with the instructor.

Instrumental Music I (1 Credit)

This course is meant for experienced students who already play an instrument. Students will deepen their ties to the Xavier music community and strengthen instrumental performance skills through exploration of various musical genres. Outstanding students will be eligible to audition for the Blue Night Band.

Independent practice time will be required. Prerequisite: an audition with the instructor.

Instrumental Music II: Contemporary Songs and Songwriting (1 Credit)

In this full year course, learn to play in a group, increase skills, beginning improvisation and even touch upon composition.

Students will learn new music and play as a group in class. Class will develop ensemble skills via performance opportunities.

Advanced Students may be allowed to audition for the Blue Night Band. Independent practice time will be required. Students will use a simple recording app to compose. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Instrumental I or audition; approval of the band director.

Instrumental Music III: Play, Compose and Record (1 Credit)

Continue honing your instrumental skills, learn to compose and improvise, and begin to learn to record. Course will introduce beginning composition and recording basics. Students will be asked to use a simple recording app. Students who have not already done so may be invited to audition for the Blue Night Band. Independent practice time will be required. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Instrumental II or audition; approval of the band director.

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Learn about Recording (½ Credit)

This semester course will explore recording with popular music making apps. Students will learn how to use the apps and create their own recordings/arrangements. Group and individual project work will be completed. Studio musicians and future sound engineers alike will enjoy this class if they want to learn more about simple engineering, the recording console, and familiarity with terms and equipment.

Survey of Music (1⁄2 Credit)

In this semester course, students learn about all types of music via discussion, video, and recordings. Learn about musical styles, instruments, notation, and elements of music. Special topics include an overview of music for stage and screen and the significance of music in our culture.

Ultimate Chorus! (1 Credit)

Be part of the Sound of Xavier High School! Learn new music of all styles and perform at school liturgies and events and in many venues beyond Xavier. Individual and ensemble vocal skills are developed and applied through the learning of repertoire.

Prerequisite: Intermediate/advanced vocal experience or instructor approval; auditions may be required.

Introduction to Acting 9 (1⁄2 Credit)

Introduction to Acting will be an introductory course designed to explore the fundamentals of acting by incorporating group acting, improvisation, and creative learning to understand the basics.

Students will learn about character motivation, understanding conflict/obstacles, theater vocabulary, stage directions, and more.

Rehearsals for the school drama productions are completely separate from class, scheduled after school, require an audition, and are open to all levels.

Introduction to Acting 10 (1⁄2 Credit)

Introduction to Acting will be an introductory course designed to explore the fundamentals of acting by incorporating group acting, improvisation, and creative learning to understand the basics.

Students will learn about character motivation, understanding conflict/obstacles, theater vocabulary, stage directions, and more.

Rehearsals for the school drama productions are completely separate from class, scheduled after school, require an audition, and are open to all levels.

Acting for Film (1⁄2 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.

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Advanced Acting (1⁄2 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 by reviewing the fundamentals of acting, and is designed to allow students to fine tune their skills and explore more mature content and work. 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. Prerequisite: Introduction to Acting or approval from the instructor.

Stagecraft (½ Credit)

Stagecraft is an introductory course exploring the technical aspects involved in a theatre production. It is a semester course which employs a hands-on approach to exploring theatre as a collaborative art. Elements of study include facets of theatre history, playwriting, directing, script analysis, lighting, sound, costume, prop and set design, stage management and tech crew.

Students will study assigned scenes and create production plans with supporting designs to articulate their unique vision of the play. Students will examine the work of some of the great theatre innovators, while developing and sharing their own designs and research during the course of the semester.

Photoshop for Designers (1 Credit)

This is a full year course. No art or computer experience necessary!

Learn all the basics of Photoshop and more as we explore the fundamentals of design and digital art. This class will offer an introduction to graphic design and photo retouching, as well as “drawing” and “painting” on the computer. This class can dovetail with AP 2D design to create portfolio-level pieces. Student flash drive will be required. Separating designers from technicians allows this class to assign art projects rather than technical assignments. Enrollment is limited. Prerequisites: Departmental approval required.

Elements of Cinema (1 Credit)

Are you interested in movies? Do you follow the careers of famous actors and directors? Do you like independent films? Do you watch the Oscars every year? If so, this is the course for you. A study of the art and craft of the history of motion pictures and an exploration of the greatest films ever made. Films will be screened and watched in class. There will also be discussions about the movies we watch, as well as observations of the new trends in cinema like streaming and the rise of Amazon and Netflix.

Blue Night Band (1 Credit)

The Blue Night Band is an award winning instrumental ensemble made up of advanced music players. The band performs each year in parades (Columbus Day and St. Patrick’s Day Parades), and various Xavier concerts and functions throughout the year.

The Band covers a diverse repertoire and requires a high level of proficiency on your instrument. The Band has gone on road trips and performed in many festivals around the country. Students who are accepted in the Blue Night Band must attend rehearsals from 3:00 to 4:30 PM twice per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), and all the performances scheduled for the year. These include day and evening performances as listed. Students will also be given the opportunity to apply for a position as a Blue Night Band Officer as well. Independent practice will be required.

COMPUTER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Coding 1 (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 web-based content published online. They will be familiar with how to code websites from scratch and they will know the basics of object-oriented programming using JavaScript.

AP Computer Science (1 Credit)

AP Computer Science is both a college-prep course for potential computer science majors and a foundation course for students planning to study in other technical fields such as engineering, physics and chemistry. The course emphasizes programming methodology, procedural abstraction, and in-depth study of algorithms, data structures and data abstractions. This course is taught using the Java programming language along with program development environments. Instruction includes preparation for the AP Computer Science A Exam.

Advanced Computer Applications (1 Credit)

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 the C programming language. Students will compete with one another in design and programming challenges. The year will culminate in an autonomous robotics tournament against other schools.

Architectural Design and 3D Modeling (1 Credit)

This course teaches students how to use industry standard CAD tools to design and model structures and objects. The Rhinoceros 3D software will be used to support the course. Students will learn the fundamentals of how to model existing structures in Rhino and how to redesign those structures for future needs. Students will also learn how to build prototypes by 3D printing and assembling their designs. Students will ultimately use a storyboard and present their designs to the larger group.

This course is an introduction to the basic tenets of programming and software development. Emphasis is placed on gaining handson experience in programming for web platforms, as well as App development in C#. In the 1st semester, students will explore the App development process as it pertains to creating mobile apps for online websites. Each student will create a permanent onlinerepository of web apps that will be easily accessible from mobile devices. This repository will act as a student’s online portfolio, and will be used to showcase their programming skills when applying to colleges and universities. The 2nd semester will focus on App development for mobile platforms (iOS/Android). Students will partner with local businesses, and develop an App for their chosen community partner. Microsoft’s Xamarin will be the development environment of choice, and Apps will be programmed making extensive use of the programming language C#.

Game Design with Unity (1 Credit)

Game Design is an elective for juniors and seniors. It will build on students’ prior experience with coding. Students will learn programming in the C# language and use the Unity platform to design 2D and 3D games for Web and Mobile devices. Concepts range from game creation for Virtual Reality to publishing on the Google Play store.

Moviemaking and Editing with Premiere Pro (1 Credit)

Moviemaking with Premiere Pro 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.

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MILITARY SCIENCE Freshman Leadership, Education and Training (LET I) JROTC/ Military Science 9 (½ Credit)

The LET 1 curriculum is the foundation upon which all future JROTC leadership training builds upon. The freshman curriculum prepares cadets for the challenges they will confront as future leaders in the Xavier Regiment, in their communities, and in life.

As a leadership and citizenship program, the freshman JROTC curriculum covers the fundamentals of military customs and courtesies, rank and structure, and drill and ceremonies. Cadets are academically challenged with classes covering such topics as “Leadership Theory and Applications”, “Foundations for Success”, “Knowing Your Responsibilities as a Leader”, “Setting Goals”, and “Conflict Resolution”. These broad topics provide cadets with opportunities to learn and practice skills that are universally accepted as key skills thought to be indispensable to good leaders and good leadership. Additionally, cadets learn and practice “Ethical Decision-Making”, “Problem Solving Techniques”, “Public Speaking”, and “Time Management”. Although JROTC/Military Science 9 stresses the need for students to be academically strong, it also stresses the need for them to be physically strong. To this end and throughout their freshman year, cadets practice for and take a five event physical fitness assessment test that offers them a chance to earn a Fitness Award. At the conclusion of their freshman year, cadets may choose to attend the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) Course, a three day rigorous leadership-oriented event held at Ft. Devens, MA. This course is specifically designed to afford cadets the opportunity to practice their newly learned skills in a challenging and fun environment. Students attend three classes each cycle in fulfilling their JROTC/Military Science 9 - LET 1 curriculum requirements.

Sophomore Leadership, Education and Training (LET II) JROTC/ Military Science 10 (½ Credit)

This is a continuation of the JROTC program from Military Science 9 – LET I. As sophomores, cadets enhance their leadership skills and are taught subjects that are useful throughout their lives.

Land Navigation, Map Reading, Military Justice System, and Leadership Principles are the curriculum-related subjects that are taught as part of the sophomore year. Additionally, lessons in Health and Nutrition along with First Aid, Life-Saving Steps, Cold and Heat related injuries are emphasized. Citizenship classes include: Introduction to Military Justice, Natural Rights of Citizens, Developing a Republic Government, Understanding the Colonial Government, State Constitutions, Articles of Confederation, Roles of Citizens, and Protection of Rights within the Judicial System.

Preparation for leadership positions in the next two years is highly emphasized during the sophomore year. Cadets are urged to perform to the best of their ability to ensure a high ranking position as a junior. All sophomores may enroll in JROTC/ Military Science 10 - LET II, to include those who did not take JROTC/ Military Science 9 LET I. Students who take this course enroll for the entire year. Students attend three classes each cycle in fulfilling their LET II curriculum requirements.

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Juniors Leadership, Education and Training (LET III) JROTC/ Military Science 11 (½ Credit)

This course is a continuation of the JROTC program from Military Science 10 – LET II. Applied leadership principles are emphasized.

Cadets prepare to assume the highest leadership roles during their senior year. The course reinforces Drill and Ceremonies gained in the freshman and sophomore years, to include: Platoon Drill, Company Formations, Precision Movements, and In-Ranks Inspections. Leadership tasks include: Basic Command and Staff Principles, Taking Charge, Knowing Your Responsibilities as a Leader, Celebrating Differences, Cultural and Individual Diversity, Managing Anger, Conflict Resolution, Conflict Mediation, and Violence Prevention. Cadets are given the opportunity to create and present individual and group presentations. All juniors may enroll in JROTC/ Military Science 11 LET 111, to include those who did not take JROTC/Military Science 9 or 10. Students who take this course enroll for the entire year; and attend three classes each cycle.

Seniors Leadership, Education and Training (LET IV) JROTC/ Military Science 12 (½ Credit)

This course is the culminating course of the JROTC program and embodies the principles of performance-based leadership.

Lessons and assessments in this final year are designed to actively engage students’ higher-order thinking and skill performance.

Therefore, the JROTC/Military Science LET IV curriculum ensures experiences which allows cadets to put into practice the training received through their previous three years in the program.

Successful completion of the senior year curriculum results in the development of a cadet’s broad array of life-long skills that are essential for high achievements in all future endeavors.

Under the guidance of the Army Instructors, fourth year cadets take ownership of the program by assuming the responsibilities commensurate with their elevated positions. Cadets serve as Staff Officers responsible for a broad range of duties to include Administrative Actions (S1), Operations & Training (S3), Supply & Logistics (S4), Public Relations, and Communications/Technology.

They also serve as Company and Battalion Officers and Commanders. All of these high ranking leaders of the Regiment have subordinate cadets whose success depends largely upon the leader’s ability to demonstrate excellent command and control and concern for their cadet followers. Additionally, senior Cadets act as assistant instructors in selective subject areas for various JROTC classes. Finally, LET IV Cadets continue to develop their leadership skills by taking charge in the planning and execution of special Regimental events, such as the Military Ball and the Annual Awards Ceremonies.

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.

MISSION 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.

XAVIER

H I G H

S C H O O L

30 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011 Tel: (212) 924-7900 Fax: (212) 924-0303 www.xavierhs.org