English
English I
This freshman-year English course engages students in literary analysis and inferential evaluation of great texts both classic and contemporary. While critically reading
fiction, poetry, drama, and literary nonfiction, students will master comprehension and literary-analysis strategies. Interwoven in the lessons across two semesters are activities that encourage students to strengthen their
oral language skills and produce clear, coherent writing. Students will read a range of classic texts including Homer’s The Odyssey, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game.” They will also study short but complex texts, including influential speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. Contemporary texts by Richard Preston, Julia Alvarez, and Maya Angelou round out the course.
English II
Focused on application, this sophomore English course reinforces literary analysis and twenty-first century skills with superb pieces of literature and literary nonfiction, application e-resources, and educational interactives. Each thematic unit focuses on specific literary analysis skills and allows students to apply them to a range of
genres and text structures. As these units meld modeling and application, they also expand on training in media literacy, twenty-first century career skills, and the essentials
of grammar and vocabulary. Under the guidance of the writing software, students also compose descriptive, persuasive, expository, literary analysis, research, narrative, and compare-contrast essays.
English III
This junior-year English course invites students to delve into American literature from early Indigenous voices through
contemporary works. Students engage in literary analysis and inferential evaluation of great texts as the centerpieces of this course. While critically reading fiction, poetry, drama,
and expository nonfiction, students master comprehension and literary analysis strategies. Interwoven in the lessons
across two semesters are tasks that encourage students to strengthen their oral language skills and produce creative,
coherent writing. Students read a range of short but complex texts, including works by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emily Dickinson, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Paul
Laurence Dunbar, Martin Luther King, Jr., F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sandra Cisneros, Amy Tan, and Dave Eggers.
English IV
This senior-level English course offers fascinating insight into British literary traditions spanning from Anglo-Saxon
writing to the modern period. With interactive introductions and historical contexts, this full-year course connects philosophical, political, religious, ethical, and social influences
of each time period to the works of many notable authors, including Chaucer, William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Virginia Woolf. Adding an extra dimension to the British literary experience, this course also exposes students to world literature, including works from
India, Europe, China, and Spain.
Mathematics
Algebra I
This full-year course focuses on five critical areas: relationships between quantities and reasoning with equations, linear and exponential relationships, descriptive statistics, expressions and equations, and quadratic functions and modeling. This course builds on the foundation set in middle grades by deepening students’ understanding of linear and exponential functions and developing fluency in writing and solving one-variable equations and inequalities. Students will interpret, analyze, compare, and contrast functions that are represented numerically, tabularly, graphically, and algebraically. Quantitative reasoning is a common thread throughout the course as students use algebra to represent quantities and the relationships among those quantities in a variety of ways. Standards of mathematical practice and process are embedded throughout the course, as students make sense of problem situations, solve novel problems, reason abstractly, and think critically.
Geometry
This course formalizes what students learned about geometry in the middle grades with a focus on reasoning and making mathematical arguments. Mathematical reasoning is introduced with a study of triangle congruency, including exposure to formal proofs and geometric constructions. Then students extend what they have learned to other essential triangle concepts, including similarity, right-triangle trigonometry, and the laws of sines and cosines. Moving on to other shapes, students justify and derive various formulas for circumference, area, and volume, as well as cross-sections of solids and rotations of two-dimensional objects. Students then make important connections between geometry and algebra, including special triangles, slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines, and parabolas in the coordinate plane, before delving into an in-depth investigation of the geometry of circles. The course closes with a study of set theory and probability, as
students apply theoretical and experimental probability to make decisions informed by data analysis.
Algebra II
This course focuses on functions, polynomials, periodic phenomena, and collecting and analyzing data. The course begins with a review of linear and
quadratic functions to solidify a foundation for learning these new functions. Students make connections between verbal, numeric, algebraic, and graphical representations
of functions and apply this knowledge as they create equations and inequalities that can be used to model and solve mathematical and real-world problems. As students
refine and expand their algebraic skills, they will draw analogies among the operations and field properties of real numbers and those of complex numbers and algebraic expressions. Mathematical practices and habits of mind are embedded throughout the course, as students solve novel problems, reason abstractly, and think critically.
Pre-Calculus
With an emphasis on function families and their representations, Precalculus is a thoughtful introduction to advanced studies leading to calculus. The course briefly
reviews linear equations, inequalities, and systems and moves purposefully into the study of functions. Students then discover the nature of graphs and deepen their understanding of polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Scaffolding rigorous content with clear instruction, the course leads students through an advanced study of trigonometric functions, matrices, and vectors. The course concludes with a short study of probability and statistics.
Science
Physical Science
This full-year course focuses on basic concepts in chemistry and physics and encourages exploration of new discoveries in the field of physical science. The course includes an overview of scientific principles and procedures and has students examine the chemical building blocks of our physical world and the composition of matter. Additionally, students explore the properties that affect motion, forces, and energy on Earth. Building on these concepts, the course covers the properties of electricity and magnetism and the effects of these phenomena. As students refine and expand their understanding of physical science, they will apply their knowledge to complete interactive virtual labs that require them to ask questions and create hypotheses. Hands-on wet lab options are also available.
Biology
This compelling two-semester course engages students in the study of life and living organisms and examines biology and biochemistry in the real world. This is a yearlong course that encompasses traditional concepts in biology and encourages exploration of new discoveries in this
field of science. The components include biochemistry, cell biology, cell processes, heredity and reproduction, the evolution of life, taxonomy, human body systems, and
ecology. This course includes both hands-on wet labs and virtual lab options.
Chemistry
This rigorous, full-year course engages students in the study of the composition, properties, changes, and interactions of matter. The course covers the basic concepts of chemistry and includes eighteen virtual laboratory experiments that encourage higher-order thinking applications, with wet lab options if preferred. The components of this course include chemistry and its methods, the composition and properties of matter, changes and interactions of matter, factors affecting the interactions of matter, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, nuclear chemistry, mathematical applications, and applications of chemistry in the real world.
Physics
This full-year course acquaints students with topics in classical and modern physics. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding of basic physics principles, including Newtonian mechanics, energy, thermodynamics, waves, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear and modern physics. Throughout the course, students solve mathematical problems, reason abstractly, and learn to think critically about the physical world. The course also includes interactive virtual labs and hands-on lab options, in which students ask questions and create hypotheses.
AP Environmental Science
Environmental Science is a laboratory- and field-based course designed to provide students with the content and
skills needed to understand the various interrelationships in the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental
problems, and to propose and examine solutions to these problems. Since this is an online course, the laboratory- and field-based activities will be completed virtually and via experiments that students can easily
perform at home with common materials. The course is intended to be the equivalent of a one semester, college-level ecology course, which is taught over a full year in high school. The course encompasses human population dynamics, interrelationships in nature,
energy flow, resources, environmental quality, human impact on environmental systems, and environmental law. AP and Advanced Placement are registered trademarks of the College Board.
Earth Space Science
Students enrolled in this dynamic course explore the scope of Earth sciences, covering everything from basic structure and rock formation to the incredible and volatile forces that have shaped and changed our planet. As climate change and energy conservation become increasingly prevalent in the national discourse, it will be important for students to understand the concepts and causes of our changing Earth. Earth Science is a two-semester course that provides a solid foundation for understanding the physical characteristics that make the planet Earth unique and examines how these characteristics differ among the planets of our solar system.
Social Studies
Government
This semester-long course provides students with a practical understanding of the principles and procedures of government. The course begins by establishing the origins and founding principles of American government. After a rigorous review of the Constitution and its amendments, students investigate the development and extension of civil rights and liberties. Lessons also introduce influential Supreme Court decisions to demonstrate the impact and importance of constitutional rights. The course builds on this foundation by guiding students through the function of government today and the role of citizens in the civic process and culminates in an examination of public policy and the roles of citizens and organizations in promoting policy changes. Throughout the course, students examine primary and secondary sources, including political cartoons, essays, and judicial opinions. Students also sharpen their writing skills in shorter tasks and assignments
and practice outlining and drafting skills by writing full informative and argumentative essays.
World History
This yearlong course examines the major events and turning points of world history from the Enlightenment to the present. Students investigate the foundational ideas that shaped the modern world in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and then explore the economic, political, and social revolutions that have transformed human history. This rigorous study of modern history examines recurring themes, such as social history, democratic government, and the relationship between history and the arts, allowing students to draw connections between the past and the present, across cultures, and among multiple perspectives. Students use a variety of primary and secondary sources, including legal documents, essays, historical writings, and political cartoons to evaluate the reliability of historical evidence and to draw conclusions about historical events. Students also sharpen their writing skills in shorter tasks and assignments, and practice outlining and drafting skills by writing full informative and argumentative essays.
U.S. History
U.S. History I is a yearlong course that dynamically explores the people, places, and events that shaped early
United States history. This course stretches from the Era of Exploration through the Industrial Revolution, leading
students through a careful examination of the defining moments that shaped the nation of today. Students begin by exploring the colonization of the New World and examining the foundations of colonial society. As they
study the early history of the United States, students will learn critical-thinking skills by examining the constitutional foundations of U.S. government. Recurring themes such as territorial expansion, the rise of industrialization, and the significance of slavery will be examined in the context
of how these issues contributed to the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Personal Financial Literacy
This introductory finance course teaches what it takes to understand the world of finance and make informed decisions about managing finances. Students learn more
about economics and become more confident in setting and researching financial goals as they develop the core skills
needed to be successful. In this one-semester course, students learn how to open bank accounts, invest money, apply for
loans, apply for insurance, explore careers, manage business finances, make decisions about major purchases, and more. Students will be inspired by stories from finance professionals and individuals who have reached their financial goals.
Spanish & Electives
Spanish I
Students begin their introduction to high school Spanish with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehension,
speaking, reading, and writing. Each unit consists of an ongoing adventure story, a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, numerous interactive games reinforcing vocabulary and grammar, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, and multimedia cultural presentations covering major Spanish-speaking areas in Europe and the Americas.
Spanish II
High school students continue their introduction to Spanish with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehension,
speaking, reading, and writing. Each unit consists of an ongoing adventure story, a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, numerous interactive games reinforcing vocabulary and grammar, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, cultural presentations covering major Spanish-speaking areas in Europe and the Americas, and assessments.
Spanish III
In this expanding engagement with Spanish, high school students deepen their focus on four key skills in foreign language acquisition: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, students read significant works of literature in Spanish and respond orally or in writing to these works. Continuing the pattern and building on what students encountered in the first two
years, each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, numerous interactive games reinforcing vocabulary and grammar, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, and multimedia cultural presentations covering major Spanish-speaking areas in Europe and the Americas.
Healthy Living
Encouraging students to make responsible, respectful, informed, and capable decisions about topics that affect the well-being of themselves and others, this high school
course provides students with comprehensive information they can use to develop healthy attitudes and behavior
patterns. Available as either a semester or year-long course, this informative and engaging course encourages students
to recognize that they have the power to choose healthy behaviors to reduce risks.
AP Computer Science
This course introduces students to a broad set of big ideas: creative development, data, algorithms and programming, computing systems and networks, and the impact of computing. Additionally, this course emphasizes the use of computational thinking practices for effective
learning experiences and problem solving. In this course, students will learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through
the development of algorithms and programs. They will incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students will also explain how
computing innovations and computing systems, including the Internet, work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative
and ethical. Students will need to access to Python to complete this course.
Art History
Introducing art within historical, social, geographical, political, and religious contexts for understanding art and architecture through the ages, this course offers high school students an in-depth overview of art throughout history, with lessons organized by chronological and historical order
and world regions. Students enrolled in this course cover topics including early medieval and Romanesque art; art in the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries; fifteenth century art in Europe; sixteenth-century art in Italy; the master artists; High Renaissance and baroque art; world art, which includes the art of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and
the Pacific cultures; eighteenth-and nineteenth-century art in Europe and the Americas; and modern art in Europe and
the Americas.
Civics and Citzenship
This one-semester course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to online learning, including how to work independently, stay safe, and develop effective study habits in virtual learning environments. Featuring
direct-instruction videos, interactive tasks, authentic projects, and rigorous assessments, the course prepares students for high school by providing in-depth instruction
and practice in important study skills such as time management, effective note-taking, test preparation, and collaborating effectively online. By the end of the course, students will understand what it takes to be successful online learners and responsible digital citizens.
Communication & Speech
Beginning with an introduction that builds student understanding of the elements, principles, and characteristics of human communication, this course offers
fascinating insight into verbal and nonverbal messages and cultural and gender differences in the areas of listening and
responding. High school students enrolled in this course will be guided through engaging lectures and interactive activities, exploring themes of self-awareness and perception in communication. The course concludes with
units on informative and persuasive speeches, and students are given the opportunity to critique and analyze speeches.
Intro to Art
Covering art appreciation and the beginning of art history, this course encourages students to gain an understanding
and appreciation of art in their everyday lives. Presented in an engaging format, Intro to Art provides an overview of many introductory themes: the definition of art, the cultural
purpose of art, visual elements of art, terminology and principles of design, and two- and three-dimensional media
and techniques. Tracing the history of art, high school students enrolled in the course also explore the following time periods and places: prehistoric art, art in ancient
civilizations, and world art before 1400.
Intro to Computer Science
This full-year course is designed for students in grades 9–10, although any students across grades 9–12 may enroll. This course introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can affect the world. Students
have creative, hands-on learning opportunities to create computer programs, develop web pages, design mobile
apps, write algorithms, and collaborate with peers while building strong foundational knowledge. This course provides a solid foundation for more advanced study as
well as practical skills that students can use immediately.
Lifetime Fitness
Exploring fitness topics such as safe exercise and injury prevention, nutrition and weight management, consumer product evaluation, and stress management, this course
equips high school students with the skills they need to achieve lifetime fitness. Available as either a semester or
year-long course, Lifetime Fitness encourages students to assess individual fitness levels according to the five components of physical fitness: cardiovascular health, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility,
and body composition. Personal fitness assessments encourage students to design a fitness program to meet their individual fitness goals.
Personal Wellness
Exploring a combination of health and fitness concepts, this comprehensive and cohesive course explores all aspects of wellness. Offered as a two-semester course
designed for high school students, coursework uses pedagogical planning to ensure that students explore fitness and physical health and encourages students to learn about the nature of social interactions and how to plan a healthy lifestyle.
NOTE: This course contains content from both Healthy Living and Lifetime Fitness; to avoid duplication, students should take either those one-semester courses or this full-year course.
Literacy & Comprehension
This course is one of two intervention courses designed to support the development of strategic reading and writing skills. These courses use a thematic and contemporary
approach, including high-interest topics to motivate students and expose them to effective instructional principles using
diverse content area and real-world texts. Both courses offer an engaging technology-based interface that inspires and challenges students to gain knowledge and proficiency
in the following comprehension strategies: summarizing, questioning, previewing and predicting, recognizing text structure, visualizing, making inferences, and monitoring understanding with metacognition. Aimed at improving
fluency and vocabulary, self-evaluation strategies built into these courses inspire students to take control of their learning.
Strategies for Academic Success
Offering a comprehensive analysis of different types of motivation, study habits, and learning styles, this one-semester course encourages high school and middle school students to take control of their learning by exploring varying strategies for success. Providing engaging lessons that will help students identify what works best for them
individually, this one-semester course covers important study skills, such as strategies for taking high-quality notes, memorization techniques, test-taking strategies, benefits of
visual aids, and reading techniques.
AP Psychology
AP Psychology will introduce students to the systematic study of the behavior and mental processes of human means and animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major fields within psychology. Students also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The major aim of this course is to provide each student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most introductory college psychology courses. In addition, this course has been designed to help students successfully achieve a passing score on the AP Psychology exam.
Economics
Available as either a semester or a full year, this course invites students to broaden their understanding of how economic concepts apply to their everyday lives—including microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and the characteristics of mixed-market economies, the role of government in a free-enterprise system and the global economy, and personal finance strategies. Throughout the course, students apply critical-thinking skills while making practical economic choices. Students also master literacy skills through rigorous reading and writing activities. Students analyze data displays and write routinely and responsively in tasks and assignments that are based on scenarios, texts, activities, and examples. In more extensive, process-based writing lessons, students write full-length essays in informative and argumentative formats.