|
Curriculum
This page last updated on
Friday October 26, 2007 at
17:10:28
TRINITY
COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
CURRICULUM GUIDE AND COURSE OF STUDY
2007-2008
Mission and Philosophy:
The mission of Trinity Collegiate School is to be
a college preparatory school of academic excellence rooted in the faith,
values and caring of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The school seeks to
serve students who are motivated to make the most of the program
offered. Trinity Collegiate School intends to serve the entire Pee Dee
region.
The Mission Statement establishes the basis on
which our school is built - the Judeo-Christian tradition. It also
suggests that each individual should treat every other person in the way
that he or she would like to be treated. If each student and faculty
member respects every other individual in the school, the kind of
supportive environment will exist that promotes personal growth. The
creation and maintenance of a positive school community is the concern
of every student, faculty member, parent and trustee. In the final
analysis the school will be as strong as the individuals who belong and
who are willing to give of themselves. The individual gains most as he
gives to those around him and to the institutions in which he believes.
Overview:
This Curriculum Guide and Course of Study is
designed to assist with course registration and curricular planning for
our students and their families. Together with the Student Handbook,
this Guide will allow students to plan their course of study. It
contains general course descriptions and academic philosophies, as well
as requirements for graduation and other pertinent information. The
Curriculum Guide and the Student Handbook, taken together, will help a
Trinity student to map his/her academic career and to understand the
school's policies and procedures. However, this Guide is not intended
to be the sole and exhaustive source of all information concerning
course work at Trinity Collegiate School. If additional information is
needed or desired at any time, a student or his/her family may contact
the advisor or the Headmaster's Office.
General
curricular overview:
English
- Students in every grade are required to take a full year of English
instruction. At the high school level, students begin the formal study
of literature: Introduction to Literary Forms in Grade 9, American
Literature in Grade 10, and British Literature in Grade 11. The 12th
grade English courses are Senior Composition and Advanced Placement
English. A Senior Thesis is required, along with a formal Senior
Speech. Electives include Speech and Drama.
Mathematics - Students in every grade are required to take a full year
of Mathematics instruction. Placement in a particular Mathematics
course is contingent upon successful completion of the prerequisite
course. The normal sequence of courses includes Math 7, Math 8, Algebra
I, Geometry, Algebra II, Algebra III, Pre-calculus, AP Calculus and
Statistics. Students may be advanced in this sequence if
developmentally appropriate.
History/Social Studies - Students study Geography in Grade 7, United
States and South Carolina History (through Civil War and Reconstruction)
in Grade 8, Ancient/Medieval History in Grade 9, United States and South
Carolina History (Reconstruction through the Present) in Grade 10, and
Modern European History in Grade 11. Elective offerings include
Economics, U.S. Government, History of the American South, and AP US
History. Advanced Placement work is also available in European History.
Science
- Students study Earth Science in Grade 7, Physical Science in Grade 8,
then, in the high school years, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Elective offerings include Environmental Science/Marine Biology,
Biochemistry/Microbiology, and Anatomy. Advanced Placement course work
is available in Biology and Chemistry.
Languages - Trinity Collegiate offers a choice of instruction in either
Modern or Classical Languages. Modern Languages include Spanish and
French. Classical Languages include Latin and Greek. French, Spanish,
and Latin can be taken through the fourth or fifth year of study.
Ancient Greek is offered as an introductory course. Three years of the
same language are required for graduation. All students will take
National Language exams in order to meet the National Standards.
Computer
Science - Students receive formal computer instruction in the seventh
and eighth grades, and are also required to obtain at least one computer
credit in the high school years. Computer III and Desktop Publishing
both meet this requirement. Additional elective offerings are also
available.
Arts -
Visual Art and Music instruction are a part of the formal curriculum
taught during the school day. All Middle School students take Art and
Music. In the Upper School, at least one credit in the Arts must be
obtained before graduation.
Physical
Education - All students are required to take Physical Education classes
through grade 9. A Health curriculum is also a part of this program.
Religious Studies - A one-semester high school course in Comparative
Religions is required for graduation.
Athletics and Extracurricular Activities - Trinity offers a variety of
opportunities to compete in interscholastic sports, including Boys' and
Girls' Tennis, Boys' and Girls' Soccer, Boys' and Girls' Basketball,
Volleyball, Golf, Cross-Country, Swimming, Baseball and Softball. A
club program is offered during the school day. Every student is
expected to participate in at least one club.
Chapel -
An interdenominational chapel service is held on a regular basis,
usually three times per week. This brief period of prayer and
meditation is also used as our "assembly" time, so that announcements of
interest or importance may be made at the close of each chapel service.
Students, faculty, and parents are invited to participate in designing
these programs.
N.B.
Students may request any course listed, however, elective courses will
only be scheduled if there is sufficient interest.
Graduation requirements
(minimum - to be accumulated in grades 9-12):
|
English |
4
credits grades 9-12 |
|
Social Studies |
3
credits, to include U.S. History and Western Civilization |
|
Mathematics |
4
credits grades 9-12; must complete at least Algebra II |
|
Science |
3
credits (need at least 3 lab science) |
|
Foreign Language |
3
credits in same language |
|
Fine Arts |
1
credit |
|
Computer |
1
credit |
|
Physical Education |
1
credit |
|
Religious Studies |
1/2
credit |
|
Electives |
3
1/2 credits |
|
|
|
|
Total |
24 credits |
(First-year Language credit may be gained in the Middle School.
Additionally, students in 8th grade English and/or Algebra I will be
awarded a high-school credit if they perform at the "B" level or above.
That credit would be an elective credit; four years of high school
English and/or mathematics would still be required for graduation.)
Additional requirements:
6 hours of community service per year must be performed; some of this
may be completed in service to the school, at the discretion of the
Headmaster
every student must be an active member of at least one club or
organization at school, each year he/she is enrolled
each senior will be required to present a “Senior Thesis”, at the
direction of the faculty grading scale: 93-100 A, 85-92 B, 77-84 C,
70-76 D
Course descriptions
(all courses are full-year unless
otherwise noted):
Science
Earth
Science - Grade 7. This introductory course includes the study of
astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography. Science process
skills and the scientific method are integrated within these topics.
Physical
Science - Grade 8. This course is an introduction to chemistry and
physics. Examples of topics studied are matter, energy, chemical
reactions, motion, and measurement. Science process skills and the
scientific method are integrated within these topics.
Biology
(Lab course) - Biology follows in sequence after Physical Science. This
course includes the study of molecular and cellular biology, genetics,
diversity of life, evolution, and ecology.
(1 science credit)
Chemistry (Lab course) - Chemistry follows in sequence after Biology.
This course includes the study of atomic structure, matter and energy,
chemical formulas and reactions, acids and bases, and gases. Students
enrolled in Chemistry should be enrolled at least in Algebra II to be
able to master the mathematical demands of Chemistry.
(1 science credit)
Physics
(Lab course) - Physics follows in sequence after Chemistry. This course
includes the study of forces, energy, motion, sound, light, electricity,
and nuclear physics. Students enrolled in physics should be enrolled at
least in Algebra II to be able to master the mathematical demands of
physics.
(1 science credit)
Environmental Science (1/2 year; Lab course) - An elective course
available to Upper School students. There are no prerequisites. This
course includes the study of conservation of resources, pollution,
climate, and social, economic, cultural and political issues related to
the environment.
(1/2 science credit)
Marine
Biology (1/2 year; Lab course) - An elective course available to Upper
School students. This course includes the study of characteristics and
chemistry of marine environments, diversity of marine life and
interrelationships, estuaries, and pollution of the ocean.
(1/2
science credit) Prerequisite: Biology.
Anatomy
and Physiology (Lab course) - An elective course available to Upper
School students. This course includes the study of the anatomy and
physiology of all organ systems of the human body. The course
integrates forensic science topics into the curriculum.
(1
science credit) Prerequisites: Biology
AP
Biology - (Lab course). An elective course available to Upper School
students. This course focuses on preparation for the Advanced Placement
Exam in Biology and requires additional lab time. The students will
take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
(1
science credit) Prerequisites: Biology, and teacher
recommendation.
AP
Chemistry - (Lab course). An elective course available to Upper School
students. This course focuses on preparation for the Advanced Placement
Exam in Chemistry and requires additional lab time. The students will
take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
(1
science credit) Prerequisites: Chemistry, and teacher
recommendation.
AP Biology and AP Chemistry are normally offered in alternate years.
AP Biology is the anticipated course for the 2005 - 2006 school year.
Mathematics
Math 7 -
A transition course which allows students to expand and apply their
mathematical skills. The course involves elements of Pre-Algebra.
Students who demonstrate developmental readiness will be recommended by
their teacher for Algebra I the succeeding year; others will take Math 8
the succeeding year.
Math 8 -
This course is a formal introduction into the skills necessary to master
Algebra I, and is a continuation of the Pre-Algebra work done in Math 7.
Algebra
I - Topics will include uses of variables, linear sentences, slopes and
lines, factoring, and functions.
(9th grade - 1 math credit, 8th grade -see
graduation requirements for possible credits)
Geometry
- This course covers the basic language and concepts of geometric logic,
as well as geometric transformations and coordinate systems.
(1 math credit) Prerequisite:
Algebra I
Algebra
II - This course involves work in advanced algebra skills. Students who
demonstrate developmental readiness will be recommended by their teacher
for Pre-Calculus the succeeding year; others will take Algebra III.
(1 math credit) Prerequisite:
Algebra I
Algebra
III - Further study in advanced algebra and an introduction to
trigonometry.
(1 math credit) Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II
Pre-Calculus - This course involves the study and applications of
mathematical and trigonometric functions. Students who demonstrate
developmental readiness will be recommended by their teacher for AP
Calculus the succeeding year.
(1 math credit) Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II
AP
Calculus (AB) - Prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam in
Calculus. The students will take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
(1 math credit)
Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus and teacher recommendation.
Statistics – Statistics deals with gathering, analyzing, and predicting
data from a variety of sources. Emphasis is placed on probability and
testing hypotheses. Students in this course may elect, with
instructor’s approval, to take on extra work in preparation for the AP
exam in statistics.
(1 math credit) Prerequisites: Algebra II and teacher recommendation.
English
English
7 - This course is a blend of listening, speaking, reading, and
writing skills. This course includes grammar and vocabulary. Students
develop an appreciation for literature through the study of novels,
short stories, plays, and poetry. They analyze the relationship among
author’s style, literary form, and intended impact on the reader. They
use both formal and informal language in their writing according to the
purpose and audience.
English
8 - This course builds upon skills taught in Grade 7. Course content
includes grammar, vocabulary, composition, and literature. Literature
will include selections from the anthology, as well as mythology (esp.
Greco-Roman), the epic, short stories, drama, and novels. Specific
authors include Edith Hamilton, Homer, Shakespeare, Poe, Twain, and
Harper Lee.
(See Graduation requirements for possible credit)
Introduction to Literary Forms - This course, taken by all Trinity 9th
graders, includes grammar, vocabulary, literature, and composition.
Literature will include Greek tragedy, Biblical literature,
legends/myths, short stories, poetry, novels, essays, and plays from a
world perspective. The specific focus will be on archetypal themes and
patterns.
(1 English credit)
American
Literature - This is a 10th grade survey course involving careful study
of selected literary works by American authors, tracing the development
of American literature through history. Composition (including a
research paper) and vocabulary are emphasized; grammar is reviewed.
Literature includes selections from the anthology as well as Hawthorne,
Crane, Remarque, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Miller, Faulkner, Shakespeare
and others.
(1
English credit) Prerequisite: 9th grade English
British
Literature - This 11th grade course traces the evolution of the English
language from Old English to Modern English through a study of the
literature of each historical period. The course also emphasizes
vocabulary, grammar, and composition. A number of supplemental texts
are also analyzed.
(1 English credit) Prerequisites:
9th and 10th grade English
Senior
Composition - The purpose of this course is to increase the student’s
writing and analytical skills by providing him with frequent writing
practice, addressing a wide variety of specific and general audiences.
The writing assignments will draw on personal experience as well as
fiction and nonfiction assignments in the course reader(s) and
supplemental readings. Peer and self-editing will be a major part of
the writing process as will class discussion. In-class quick writes as
well as out-of-class journal entries will be required. This course will
emulate many of today’s college freshman composition classes.
(1 English credit) Prerequisites:
9th, 10th, and 11th grade English
AP
English - This 12th grade course is a survey of World literature, geared
toward preparation for the AP exam in Literature. The students will
take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
(1 English credit) Prerequisites:
9th, 10th, 11th grade English, and teacher recommendation.
Speech
(1/2 year) - This upper school elective course will entail instruction
and practice in various purposes of speaking such as to inform, to
persuade, and to entertain. It will also give practice in types of
public speaking such as impromptu and extemporaneous speeches,
declamation, and original oratory. Public performance will be a
required component of the course.
(1/2 elective credit)
Drama
(1/2 year) - This upper school elective course will focus on preparation
for dramatic performance and production. Students will get practice in
solo, duet, and ensemble acting. They will prepare and participate in
skits and Reader’s Theater, and they will perform one-act plays.
(1/2 elective credit)
Social Studies/History
World
Geography
- This seventh grade course introduces students to the physical,
political, and human geography of continents, countries, and cultures
throughout the world.
History
8
- This course is an introductory course in United States History. There
is a particular focus on exploration and discovery, the Constitution,
the early National period, and the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Ancient
and Medieval History
- This course, generally taken in grade 9, is the first half of a
two-year program in Western Civilization. Course content begins with
the study of the first civilizations in the ancient Near East and traces
the development of Western civilization through the Renaissance and
Reformation.
(1 social studies credit)
United
States History - This Upper School American History course builds upon
knowledge and skills gained earlier in grade 8. It is a general U.S.
History survey course with particular emphasis on post-Civil War
history, and includes elements of South Carolina History.
(1 social studies credit)
Modern
European History - This course, generally taken in the 11th grade, is
the second half of a two-year program in Western Civilization. It
begins with a study of the Enlightenment of the 18th century and
continues to the present. Students in this course may elect, with
instructor's approval, to take on extra work in preparation for the AP
exam in European History.
(1 social studies credit)
World
Religions - This half-year survey course fulfills the graduation
requirement in religious studies. It is a comparative religion course,
and therefore does not advocate any particular religion.
(1/2 religious studies credit)
U.S.
Government - This half-year elective will focus on constitutional and
legal history and politics. Students in this course may elect, with
instructor's approval, to take on extra work in preparation for the AP
exam in U.S. Government.
(1/2 social studies credit)
Economics - This half-year elective will focus on a general survey of
economic principles and analysis.
(1/2 social studies credit)
AP U.S.
History - This elective course is open to any junior or senior who has
completed the required survey course. It will meet three days per week
throughout the year. The course is designed to prepare students for the
AP US History examination. The students will take the Advanced
Placement exam in May.
(1 elective credit) Prerequisite:
U.S. History
The
South in Literature and History- See Interdisciplinary Electives.
Languages - Classical and Modern
Foreign Language study is sequential. Students
will be expected to earn at least a 77 for the year in order to be
recommended to move on to the next level. At all levels of modern
language, a major goal is to use the language in the classroom the
majority of the time. Beginning with fourth-year foreign language, a
major emphasis is placed upon the study of literature and expository
writing.
Classical Languages
Latin
I-A/Latin I-B - A two-year Middle School version of high-school level
Latin I - see description below.
The Latin students from grade 7 to grade 9 will
compete in the National Mythology exam: the students from grade 10 to
grade 12 will take the Medusa Mythology exam.
(1 language credit upon successful completion of
both courses)
Latin I
- (for Upper School students who have not taken Latin I-A and I-B)
This course will focus on vocabulary building and
grammar structure as both relate to the English language. Mythology,
culture and history will be intertwined with language study. The twelve
Olympians (Greek and Roman names) will be covered, with associated
myths. The city life of Rome (Circus Maximus, Colosseum, the Forum,
Tiber River, etc.) will be learned. Basic expressions and abbreviations
will be studied. Latin roots will be studied alongside the Latin
vocabulary and English derivatives. The students will be members of the
American Classical League. The Latin students from grade 7 to grade 9
will compete in the National Mythology exam: the students from grade 10
to grade 12 will take the Medusa Mythology exam.
(1 language credit)
Latin II
- Students will build their understanding of Latin grammar. Skills of
translation will be learned. Comprehension skills will be developed via
the reading method. Latin roots and derivatives will be studied
extensively. The course also includes the geography of the Roman world,
historical characters from Roman history, and an emphasis on culture.
The students will be members of the American Classical League. The
Latin students from grade 7 to grade 9 will compete in the National
Mythology exam: the students from grade 10 to grade 12 will take the
Medusa Mythology exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
Latin I-A and Latin I-B or Latin I
Latin
III - The students will expand their knowledge of Latin grammar by
understanding forms in context. Students will read different authors,
and will study cultural information dealing with the military and
political lives of the Romans. Latin expressions and abbreviations will
be learned. The students will be part of the SCJCL. The students will
be members of the American Classical League. The Latin students from
grade 7 to grade 9 will compete in the National Mythology exam: the
students from grade 10 to grade 12 will take the Medusa Mythology exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
Latin I and Latin II
Latin IV
– Vergil-Aeneid – This course is offered to high-school students who
want to progress in readings, translating, understanding, analyzing and
interpreting Latin in the original. Students are expected to be able to
translate accurately from Latin into English the poetry they are
reading. They will learn poetic meters and will be able to scan the
dactylic hexameter verse. Students will be able to discuss particular
motifs or general themes, characters or situations in a specific
passage. The AP Latin will be offered at the end of this course. The
students will be members of the American Classical League. The Latin
students from grade 7 to grade 9 will compete in the National Mythology
exam: the students from grade 10 to grade 12 will take the Medusa
Mythology exam.
(1 language or elective credit) Prerequisites: Latin 1, Latin II & Latin III
Ancient
Greek - Beginning Attic: This is an Upper School course for students
who want to expand their knowledge of the Classical World through the
study of Ancient Greek. The Greek alphabet, vocabulary, and grammar
will be studied to understand the reading passages. Greek roots,
prefixes, and suffixes that appear in English words will be learned.
(1 elective credit)
Modern Languages
French
French
I-A (grade 7) - Students will be able to converse about friends and
family, dates, time, preferences, going places, describing people and
things, clothing, weather, activities, and traveling. They will learn
present, past and near future tenses and commands. All French students
are required to take the National Language Exams in March. Students
will receive a test grade in the fourth quarter based on their success
in this exam.
French
I-B (grade 8) - Students will be able to converse about ordering food,
shopping for food and for clothing, school subjects and activities,
health, household chores, the table setting, foods, and travel. They
will learn the present and past tense of many regular and irregular
verbs, objects, and pronouns. All French students are required to take
the National Language Exams in March. Students will receive a test
grade in the fourth quarter based on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit upon successful completion of
both courses
French I
(for Upper School students who have not taken French I-A and I-B)
See descriptions of French I-A and I-B. All
French students are required to take the National Language Exams in
March. Students will receive a test grade in the fourth quarter based
on their success in this exam.
(1 language
credit)
French
II - Students will be able to communicate on the following topics:
school-related activities, food shopping, ordering food, using mass
transit, shopping in a department store, grooming, discussing movies,
mailing correspondence, air travel, car problems, phone vocabulary,
floors and furnishings of a house, countryside, hotel vocabulary, and
medical needs. Verb tenses will include present, past, imperfect,
future and conditional, and some subjunctive mood. All French students
are required to take the National Language Exams in March. Students
will receive a test grade in the fourth quarter based on their success
in this exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
French I-A and I-B or French I
French
III - Students will be able to communicate much more extensively on
previous years’ topics. Reading selections come from contemporary
sources as well as excerpts from literature across the ages. The course
also includes a brief history of French civilization through the study
of art, music, and literature. All verb tenses will be introduced or
reviewed. All grammar will be refined. All French students are
required to take the National Language Exams in March. Students will
receive a test grade in the fourth quarter based on their success in
this exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
French I and French II
French
IV - This course is designed as a continuation of French III. Students
will be encouraged to speak only French in this class. The four skills
(listening, speaking, reading and writing) will be developed. Class
activities will include vocabulary-building, extensive listening,
comprehension exercises, grammar review, oral practice, and frequent
writing assignments. Reading materials will
include plays, essays, and poetry of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and
17th-20th centuries. Samplings will be offered from the literature of
Rabelais, F. Villon, Moliere, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau, V. Hugo,
Maupassant, and others. All French students are required to take the
National Language Exams in March. Students will receive a test grade in
the fourth quarter based on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
French I, French II, and French III
French V
(AP) - A course taught strictly in the French language, stressing the
four language skills and offered to students who have advanced language
abilities and who enjoy reading and discussions in French. Students
will develop the capability to critically analyze representative works
of French literature in drama, prose, and poetry, such as Voltaire’s
Candide, Moliere’s L’Ecole des Femmes, and works by Baudelaire,
Apollinaire, and others. All French students are required to take the
National
Language Exams in March. Students will receive
a test grade in the fourth quarter based on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
French I, French II, French III, and French IV
Spanish
Spanish
I-A (grade 7) - The course includes an introduction to Spanish through
verbal and written skills, beginning grammar, and vocabulary. All
Spanish students are required to take the National Language
Exams in March. Students will receive a test
grade in the fourth quarter based on their success in this exam.
Spanish
I-B (grade 8) - This course is a continuation of grammar, vocabulary,
structure and verbal and written skills taught in the previous year’s
course. All Spanish students are required to take the National Language
Exams in March. Students will receive a test grade in the fourth
quarter based on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit upon successful completion of
both courses)
Spanish
I (for Upper School students who have not taken Spanish I-A and I-B)
-Students will be able to converse about these
topics: school, activities, friends and family, weather,
transportation, ordering food, taking a trip, health, and household
chores. They will be able to use common regular and irregular verbs in
the present, present progressive, past, and near future tenses. All
Spanish students are required to take the National Language Exams in
March. Students will receive a test grade in the fourth quarter based
on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit)
Spanish
II - The course includes advanced grammar, composition, vocabulary, and
an introduction to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. All
Spanish students are required to take the National Language
Exams in March. Students will receive a test
grade in the fourth quarter based on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
Spanish I-A and Spanish I-B or Spanish I
Spanish
III - This course builds upon the grammar, vocabulary, and composition
skills taught in previous courses, and also includes the formal study of
literature in Spanish. All Spanish students are required to take the
National Language Exams in March. Students will receive a test grade in
the fourth quarter based on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
Spanish I and Spanish II
Spanish IV - Students will discuss literary
selections using all tenses and moods. They will improve composition
skills
and impromptu speaking skills. They will learn to read and discuss a
variety of current topics. All Spanish students are required to take the
National Language Exams in March. Students will receive a test grade in
the fourth quarter based on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
Spanish I, Spanish II, and Spanish III
Spanish
V (AP) - Students will drill spontaneous responses to aural and picture
cues. They will drill composition and fine tune grammar skills, idioms,
and vocabulary in preparation for the Advanced Placement exam. All
Spanish students are required to take the National Language Exams in
March. Students will receive a test grade in the fourth quarter based
on their success in this exam.
(1 language credit) Prerequisites:
Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, and Spanish IV
PE/Health
Students are required to take PE/Health in grades
7 and 8, and for at least one year during the Upper School grades
(normally in grade 9). There will be classroom instruction in Health.
PE will include major components involving life skills, conditioning,
and aerobic exercise.
(1 PE credit)
The Arts
Students in grades seven and eight are required to
study Art and Chorus. These courses do not meet every day. During the
Upper School years, a student is required to complete one full-year
credit in Music or Studio Art. Courses are offered in these areas.
Music
Choral
Music - Required for all 7th and 8th grade students. Performance
oriented with some study of music history and music theory.
Advanced
Chorus - Upper School elective. Performance oriented concert and show
choir curriculum.
(1 arts credit or 1 elective credit)
Music
Appreciation - Upper School elective which will involve a general study
of music history and identification of selected compositions.
Attendance at some local concerts may be required.
(1 elective credit)
Instrumental Music- A course in music performance for students who
already possess some background in a particular instrument may be
available, subject to interest.
Art
Middle
School Art - This program will introduce students to the elements and
principles of design in art. Focus will be placed on basic concepts
such as color theory, drawing techniques, printmaking, 3-D design,
ceramics, and painting.
Art II -
An art course available to Upper School students. This course exposes
students to various art media through the study of art history and
artistic process.
(1 arts credit or 1 elective
credit) Prerequisites: none
Art III
- An elective course available to Upper School students who have taken
Art II. This course will allow students to
further develop and explore art concepts presented in Art II.
(1 elective credit) Prerequisites:
Art II
AP
Studio Art - This course requires students to do an extensive yearlong
concentration in drawing, 2-dimensional design, or 3-dimensional
design. In order to gain college credit for studio art, students will
be responsible for creating a body of artwork in his/her specific area
of concentration and submit a portfolio, with slides, for evaluation.
(1 elective credit) Prerequisites:
Teacher recommendation
Computer
Students in grades seven and eight are required to
study Computer. This course does not meet every day. During the Upper
School years, a student is required to complete one full-year credit in
Computer.
Computer
III - A yearlong elective involving advanced-level work in website
maintenance as well as spreadsheet, database, word processing, and
programming skills.
(1 computer credit or 1 elective credit)
Computer
Graphics- This yearlong elective is a production-based course involving
power point, graphic design, music and other applied computer skills.
The course will be team-taught by various members of the faculty from
different disciplines.
(1 computer credit or 1 elective credit)
Desktop
Publishing - This yearlong elective involves preparing the school's
yearbook for publication, as well as publishing a school newspaper.
Students will be exposed to journalism, editing, page layout,
composition, photography, and other skills. When work on the yearbook
is complete, the course work will turn to other areas of publication.
(1 elective credit or 1 computer
credit) Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation
Interdisciplinary Electives
The
South in Literature and History (1/2 year) - This upper school elective
uses Southern literature as a vehicle to a clearer understanding of
Southern History and the Southern identity. The course includes a
consideration of the antebellum South, the Civil War and Reconstruction,
and the “New South”.
(1/2 elective credit)
Ethics
(1/2 year) - This upper-level elective will examine the process of
decision-making in the modern world. A variety of texts will be
employed.
(1/2 elective credit) | 
