WE ARE SJA - 2020-2021 | Course Bulletin - St. Johnsbury Academy
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2020-2021 | Course Bulletin
WE ARE SJA.Academic Contacts
Our Mission
Kendra Brazeau Liz Laverty
English as a Second Language Computer Science
(802) 748-4674 (802) 751-2082
This is the mission of St. Johnsbury Academy, a kbrazeau@stjacademy.org llaverty@stjacademy.org
diverse, comprehensive, and independent educational Elia Desjardins Ellen Meranze
community grounded by our traditions, our deep optimism Science Language
regarding young people, and our commitment to academic (802) 751-2245 (802) 748-4674
excellence: edesjardins@stjacademy.org emeranze@stjacademy.org
Hank Eaton Sean Murphy ‘86
C H A R AC T E R Capstone Guidance
To teach good character by modeling and fostering compassion, (802) 751-2355 (802) 751-2402
respect, responsibility, and integrity. heaton@stjacademy.org smurphy@stjacademy.org
David Eckhardt Roseanna Prevost '84
I N Q U I RY Social Studies Fine Arts
To foster a love for learning by challenging individuals (802) 751-2081 (802) 751-2036
to pursue knowledge, creativity, and intellectual deckhardt@stjacademy.org rprevost@stjacademy.org
self-reliance. Sharon Fadden Denise Scavitto
Mathematics Freshman Humanities
COMMUNITY (802) 751-2372 (802) 751-2414
To encourage each individual to understand his or sfadden@stjacademy.org dscavitto@stjacademy.org
her relationships, rights, and responsibilities within Patrick Guckin Cynthia Stanton ’73
a community that is itself part of the larger world. Career and Technical Education Director of Special Services
(802) 751-2320 (802) 751-2394
pguckin@stjacademy.org cstanton@stjacademy.org
Steven Jolliffe Dale Urie '86
English Health and Wellness
(802) 751-2070 (802) 751-2342
Contents
stjolliffe@stjacademy.org durie@stjacademy.org
Nikki Krysak
Library Director
(802) 751-2100
Course Selection Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 nkrysak@stjacademy.org
Courses of Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Freshman Humanities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Other Contacts
Senior Capstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
English. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sharon Howell James Mazzonna
Headmaster Chief Information
Social Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 (802) 751-2033 Technology Officer
Mathematics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 showell@stjacademy.org (802) 751-2371
jmazzonna@stjacademy.org
Computer Science. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Nicole Biggie '92
Director of Admission David McGinn
Science. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
(802) 751-2440 Athletic Director
Biomedical and Health Sciences Certificate Program . . . 15 nbiggie@stjacademy.org (802) 751-2121
Engineering Design and Development Program . . . . . . . . 16 dmcginn@stjacademy.org
Tammi Cady ’88
Environmental Studies Field Semester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Assistant Headmaster John Robillard '83
for Advancement Dean of Resident Students
Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 (802) 751-2010 (802) 751-2357
English as a Second Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 tcady@stjacademy.org jrobillard@stjacademy.org
Health and Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Beth Choiniere James Ryan ’89
Learning Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Assistant Headmaster Director of Resident Life
for Campus Life (802) 751-2007
Fine Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 (802) 751-2024 jryan@stjacademy.org
Performing Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 bchoiniere@stjacademy.org
William Vinton
Visual Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 John Cummings Dean of Academics
Associate Headmaster (802) 751-2050
Driver Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 (802) 751-2131 wvinton@stjacademy.org
Career and Technical Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 jcummings@stjacademy.org
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 John Driscoll
Procedure for Course Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Dean of Students
(802) 751-2472
Faculty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 jdriscoll@stjacademy.org
Colleges Attending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Carol Lyon
Sample Course Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Assistant Headmaster
for Business Services
Board of Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 (802) 748-7703
Accreditation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 clyon@stjacademy.org
2Course Selection Guide
St. Johnsbury Academy is a comprehensive, co-educational St. Johnsbury Academy will not accelerate graduation. Students must
secondary school serving students in grades 9 through 12 and a achieve four calendar years of study at the secondary level in order to
post-graduate year. In describing itself as comprehensive, the qualify for graduation from the Academy.
Academy intends that its curriculum will meet the needs of all of
our students. We offer a wide range of subjects and sequences at Levels of Instruction
different levels of difficulty. A careful reading of this curriculum As a comprehensive school, we admit students with a wide range
guide will help ensure that parents and students make the best of skills, interests and backgrounds. We believe that students learn
choices from the extensive options available. best when the material that they experience is presented
in a form and at a degree of difficulty matched to their previous
achievement. In nearly all of our academic departments,
Grade Progression students are homogeneously grouped; that is, they are placed in
St. Johnsbury Academy is a four-year institution. Students normally
instructional sections with students of similar previous achievement
progress from the ninth through the twelfth grades and graduate by
and academic preparation.
accumulating credits through successfully passing courses of study. As
long as a student has acquired sufficient credits so that they can make All of our academic departments offer courses at four levels
up missed credits and graduate with their current class, even if they of instruction: basic, standard, accelerated, and Advanced
have fallen behind in their required courses, they will advance from Placement™ (AP).
grade to grade with their class.
• Students who are placed at the basic level have demonstrated a need
for instruction in the foundational skills required to learn the material
Graduation Requirements
of the course. They benefit from a more gradual introduction to the
In order to be granted a diploma by St. Johnsbury Academy,
subject material that allows them to master the content of the course
a student must complete four years of study at the secondary
with the supports that will help them achieve success.
level and accumulate 26 credits. (See the chart “Graduation
Requirements”.) • Students who are placed at the standard level of a course have
demonstrated levels of achievement and background typical of
The decisions that students and parents make in their choice of
most high school students. They possess the skills and the requisite
courses and in the sequence of courses are extremely important.
information that enable them to be successful in this college
The choices made for the freshman and sophomore years will strongly
preparatory curriculum.
affect the options available for the junior and senior years. To help
visualize several options, we have included model paths that typical • Students who are placed in the accelerated level of a course
students might follow at the Academy. They can be found starting on have demonstrated high levels of achievement and demonstrate
page 35. deep background knowledge in the subject. They possess skills
and information that enable them to master material at an
Please refer to the individual departmental sections for further
accelerated pace.
explanation of graduation requirements.
Students new to the Academy are placed in various levels of
instruction after careful study of standardized and placement tests
they have taken, transcripts from previous schools, recommendations
of teachers and guidance personnel, parental and student wishes, and
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS consultations with the appropriate department chair. Students are not
placed automatically at a given level of instruction in any department
COURSE CREDITS
simply because they are in that level of instruction in another
department. It is quite common for students at the Academy to be
Senior Capstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 credit
placed at different levels of instruction in different departments.
English. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 credits Furthermore, if students experience success at a specific level, we
encourage students to move to a higher level. In particular, it is the
Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 credits
aim of the basic courses at the Academy to equip students to move
Mathematics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 credits to the standard levels of instruction as soon as possible. In each
department, personnel meet regularly to make sure that students
Social Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 credits are appropriately placed.
Physical Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ½ credits
Many of our non-academic and some of our academic courses are
Computer Literacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ½ credit heterogeneously grouped; that is, a student will be placed in them
without reference to already acquired skills and knowledge. Some
Health Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 credit of these courses are Senior Capstone, Computer Literacy, Physical
Electives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 credits Education, Health/Critical Skills, and some technical courses.
After courses have been assigned, level changes are made only
Total Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 credits
by the relevant Department Chair or the Academic Dean.
3COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
Advanced Placement Program Currently, the courses offered for dual credit include: Rhetoric
The Advanced Placement program of the College Board is offered to and Composition, Studies in Literature and Composition, Creative
students who have demonstrated a superior understanding of the Writing, Applied Statistics, Applied Calculus, United States History,
subject matter and have signified their desire to achieve college credit AP Microeconomics, and Cryptology. There needs to be a minimum
for courses taken while they are still in high school (sophomores, of 6 students per class enrolled in the dual credit option in order to
juniors, and seniors only). Successful completion of an AP exam is offer the course for college credit.
recognized by many major colleges and universities for advanced
placement or credit, at their discretion. The Academy offers 30 The Academic Support and Enrichment
Advanced Placement courses including: English Language and Services Center
Composition, English Literature and Composition, United States The Academic Support and Enrichment Center (also known as the
History, European History, World History, United States Government Learning Center) is professionally staffed with faculty representing
and Politics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, core disciplines. The Center offers a resource for students to seek
Statistics, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Biology, support or enrichment in their studies as they pursue their academic
Chemistry, Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C: Mechanics, Physics C: interests and realize their potential. Students can access the Center
Electricity and Magnetism, Environmental Science, Studio Art: during their unscheduled blocks or study halls.
Drawing and Painting, Studio Art: 2D, Studio Art: 3D, Music Theory,
French Language and Culture, Spanish Language and Culture, Grade Reporting
Japanese Language and Culture, Latin, and the AP Capstone Program Grades are reported to students and parents four times a year:
(AP Seminar and AP Research). Students who take Advanced mid-semester and at the end of each academic term. Report cards
Placement courses are required to take the nationally administered consist of a list of courses taken, the teacher of each course, and
Advanced Placement exam at the end of each course. Payment for the the grades for the period being reported. After the name of each
Advanced Placement exam is due prior to the exam. course there is a parenthetical abbreviation which signifies the
Advanced Placement Capstone DiplomaTM level of instruction at which the course was offered. There are
and CertificateTM Program five abbreviations: IS (Individualized Services), BA (Basic),
The AP Capstone Program is a two-course sequence consisting ST (Standard), ACC (Accelerated), and AP (Advanced Placement).
of AP Seminar and AP Research that allows students to explore Students will earn credit in all courses that they have successfully
real-world issues while developing the analytic, research, completed after each semester of work.
problem solving, and communication skills that colleges look The Academy acknowledges superior student achievement with two
for in an applicant. published lists, the high honor roll and the honor roll. Honor rolls are
Students typically take AP Seminar in the 10th or 11th grade, followed determined by mid-semester and semester grades. To achieve high
by AP Research in 12th grade. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher honor roll status, a student must achieve an overall average of 90 or
in the AP Seminar and AP Research courses and on four additional AP better. To achieve honor roll status, students must achieve an overall
Exams of their choosing will receive the AP Capstone Diploma. This average of 85 or better.
signifies their outstanding academic achievement and attainment of
college-level academic and research skills.
Alternatively, students who earn scores of 3 or higher on the
AP Seminar and Research Exams only will receive the AP Seminar
and Research Certificate.
SNHU in the High School
Southern New Hampshire University in the High School’s dual
enrollment program allows high school students the opportunity to
earn early college credits while in high school. At St. Johnsbury
Academy designated courses have been aligned to meet the same
content, rigor and learning outcomes as that of the University. The
high school teachers instructing these courses met the University’s
adjunct faculty requirement and have been approved by the
University. Students will have the opportunity to take advantage of the
dual credit opportunities at the beginning of the courses by completing
an application and submitting the course registration fee for each
class. Once the registration period closes, students will not be allowed
to register for college credit. Since these courses are college courses,
grades earned while enrolled in the course are recorded on a SNHU
transcript. Portability and transferability of credits rests solely with
individual colleges and universities as they have varying policies on
accepting transfer credits; thus, it is the students’ responsibility to
consult with higher educational institutions to determine whether
the SNHU course(s) can be transferred. Additional information
regarding the program can be directed to Director of Guidance.
4COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
5Courses of Study
Senior Capstone (Accelerated) hand, students need to master specific skills
FRESHMAN 1 CREDIT (7701) essential to the proper use of language. On
HUMANITIES
the other hand, students growing quickly into
This required, one-semester, heterogeneously
adulthood need to know how to write, how
grouped, interdisciplinary course will serve
to read, how to create, and how to be critical
All freshmen are required to take this as an opportunity for seniors to demonstrate
thinkers in a world that demands increasingly
course, which satisfies 1 English and 1 their ability to meet Academy standards as
complex choices. These are talents whose
Social Studies credit. a culmination of all of their previous course
developments are interconnected, often
work and a springboard into their post-
simultaneous, and never completed in a
Freshman Humanities (Basic) secondary careers. The domain of the course
lifetime. The English curriculum is designed
2 CREDITS/FULL YEAR (1911/1912) will include three main components:
to help students continue to improve their
1. Problem-solving: Discipline-specific language skills and further expand their
Freshman Humanities
research methods, field research, and developing talents.
(Standard)
critical inquiry
2 CREDITS/FULL YEAR (1913/1914)
Freshman Humanities
2. Communication: Discipline-specific
writing formats, editing, revision, and
Core Courses
(Accelerated) public speaking
2 CREDITS/FULL YEAR (1915/1916) Studies in Literary Perspectives
3. Citizenship: Defining the characteristics (Basic)
This cross-disciplinary, writing-intensive
of a professional and acting and producing to 1 CREDIT (1031)
course will introduce students to the skills
that definition. Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities or equivalent
necessary for their future success at the Open to Sophomores
Academy. Students will apply the skills they While the vast majority of seniors satisfy their
learn in the areas of composition, critical capstone requirement in the 7701 course, Studies in Literary Perspectives
thinking, and problem solving to the study other courses that satisfy the Capstone (Standard)
of world history and literature. Students will graduation requirement are: 1 CREDIT (1033)
examine primary and secondary historical 1062 – AP Research (English Department) Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities or equivalent
texts, canonical literature, and contemporary Open to Sophomores
7705 – Visual Arts Capstone (Fine Arts
works as a means of building connections to Studies in Literary Perspectives
Department)
the course’s guiding themes. (Accelerated)
7703 – ESL Capstone (ESL Department)
The course culminates in the Freshman 1 CREDIT (1035)
Inquiry Project which allows students to 4853 – Engineering Design and Development Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities or equivalent
partner with local institutions as a means Capstone (Science Department) Open to Sophomores; with departmental approval
of building connections to the course’s This Sophomore course emphasizes the
7706/Spring Semester – CTE Field Studies
guiding themes. importance of inquiry while supporting skills
Capstone
in reading, analysis, and research. Students
Must be combined with 4999/Fall Semester –
will identify main ideas and arguments in
Environmental Studies Field Semester. Meets
texts; identify ways in which writers develop
SENIOR CAPSTONE every other day. (Science Department)
7707 – CTE Capstone (Career and Technical
these ideas through characterization, plot,
structure, and other literary devices and
1 credit required for graduation. Education Department) strategies; reflect on the effectiveness of
For more information on these offerings, see literary arguments; and consider how context
All seniors are required to complete a Senior
the entry for these courses in the appropriate and occasion influence authorial decisions
Capstone investigation. The Academy sees
department sections of the course bulletin. and literary works.
the Capstone course as a culmination of all
previous learning; it serves as an opportunity Students will also be required to develop
for students to demonstrate their mastery of their own perspectives and communicate
our standards as they head to college, careers, via written, oral, and visual mediums, both
and carry their overall Academy experience ENGLISH independently and collaboratively, and
into their personal and professional lives. On synthesize a variety of genres and texts.
Senior Capstone Day, in early December and 4 credits are required for graduation. For
Upon completion of this course, students will
early May, seniors present their Capstone those students who have taken Freshman
be able to analyze and evaluate a variety of
projects to their peers, faculty members, Humanities, 3 additional core credits are
texts and have the ability to communicate
trustees, and members of the community. required for graduation. All students are
ideas, using a variety of methods, supported
required to complete one core English course
by evidence.
each academic year.
The English Department recognizes a double
responsibility to its students. On the one
6CO U R S E S O F ST U DY
AP Seminar AP English Language and and Composition. College credit is available
1 ½ CREDITS (1060/1064) Composition for this course through Southern New
Open to Sophomores and Juniors; with departmental 1 ½ CREDITS (1058/1059) Hampshire University.
approval Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment with
In the first year of the two-year AP Capstone AP Seminar AP English Literature and
Program sequence, students will develop and
Open to Juniors; with departmental approval Composition
This two-semester course leads directly 1 CREDIT (1079)
strengthen their analytic and inquiry skills,
to the taking of the Advanced Placement Prerequisites: concurrent enrollment in AP Research
exploring in detail three to five relevant issues
examination in English Language and Open to Seniors; with departmental approval
selected by the instructor. They will learn to
Composition in the spring. The course This course leads directly to the taking of the
consider an issue from multiple perspectives,
prepares students for the AP examination, Advanced Placement examination in English
evaluate the strength of an argument,
including critical reading, rhetorical and Literature and Composition in the spring.
and make logical, fact-based decisions.
stylistic analysis, and argumentation. The course introduces and reinforces skills
During the course, students will complete a that will allow students to do well on the AP
Students will refine their academic writing
team project and presentation, an individual exam. It engages students in a wealth of
and research skills through the Area of
reflection, and an individual paper and literature and a range of genres, reading both
Inquiry research project. The class process
presentation. Students are required to take widely and deeply; students also write critical
will feature seminar discussions of the
the AP Seminar written exam. analysis, including expository, analytical, and
assigned readings. Although primarily a
Technical Communications I study of nonfiction texts, the course will argumentative essays. Students will refine
(Standard) supplement its core readings with poetry college-level critical thinking skills through
1 CREDIT (1063) and fiction drawn from the major periods of the interpretation of prose, poetry, and
American literature. drama, with a focus on British literature. The
Prerequisite: Studies in Literary Perspectives
or equivalent Senior Capstone experience required for
Open to Juniors Technical Communications II graduation is also embedded in the course.
This standard-level course is open to juniors (Standard)
who are enrolled in a technical education 1 CREDIT (1083) AP Research
course and who anticipate continuing Prerequisite: Technical Communications I or with 1 CREDIT (1061)
departmental approval
their education at a technical college or Prerequisite: AP Seminar and concurrent enrollment
institute. Students will be introduced to the This course is open to seniors who are with Accelerated English Literature and Composition
enrolled in a minimum of two blocks of or AP English Literature and Composition
principles of effective communication in the Open to Seniors; with departmental approval
workplace. Special attention will be given technical education and who anticipate
Students will work on an independent
to workplace ethics. Students will research continuing their education at a technical
research project on a topic of interest. At the
topics of personal and vocational interest, college or institute. Students will research
end of the research project, they will submit
explore career plans and opportunities, and topics of personal and vocational interest,
an academic paper of about 5,000 words and
present information and opinions to various explore career plans and opportunities, and
defend their research through a presentation.
audiences. In class projects, students will present information and opinions to various
Additionally, students will present the
solve realistic problems using critical thinking audiences. In class projects, students will
application of their research at our spring
and decision-making skills. solve realistic problems using critical thinking
Capstone day.
and decision-making skills.
Studies in Rhetoric and
Composition (Standard)
1 CREDIT (1053)
Studies in Literature and
Composition (Standard) Elective Courses
Prerequisite: Studies in Literary Perspectives 1 CREDIT (1073)
or equivalent Media Studies and Production I
Prerequisite: Studies in Rhetoric and Composition
Open to Juniors
or equivalent (Accelerated)
Open to Seniors 1 CREDIT (1005)
Studies in Rhetoric and Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities
Composition (Accelerated) Studies in Literature and
Media Studies and Production I examines
1 CREDIT (1055) Composition (Accelerated)
the intricacies of journalism’s new frontier
Prerequisite: Studies in Literary Perspectives 1 CREDIT (1075)
or equivalent and explores what it means to allow words,
Prerequisite: Studies in Rhetoric and Composition
Open to Juniors
or equivalent images, and sound to interplay for effective
Through this Junior course, students immerse Open to Seniors communication with an audience of both the
themselves in argumentative and persuasive This senior course teaches college- Academy community and the world at large.
writing. They will then refine academic preparatory logic and analysis through Students will explore the interplay of various
writing and research skills through the Area reading, writing, speaking, and listening. means of communication and compose audio
of Inquiry research project. Thematic units The course examines significant works of and video podcasts, visual narratives, and
provide a platform for critical thinking world literature that reveal the diversity of written articles. They will ultimately create
about American ideals and individual self- human experience and the mandate to make multi-layered media projects through the
understanding. College credit is available the world a more humane place. Students use of multimedia authoring software for
for this course through Southern New write a variety of essays that build upon online publication and digital storytelling.
Hampshire University. modes introduced in Studies in Rhetoric Students will investigate 21st Century media
7CO U R S E S O F ST U DY
to evaluate how messages are delivered with whose post-secondary plans include creative All Academy students are required to
lasting impact and effectiveness. writing study. successfully complete Freshman Humanities,
World Civilization, Post-1500, and United
Media Studies and Production II Public Speaking (Accelerated) States History. These courses must be taken
(Accelerated) 1 CREDIT (1001) sequentially and elective courses may also
1 CREDIT (1006) Open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors be inserted into a student’s curriculum. AP
Prerequisite: Media Studies and Production I This course enables students to speak and European History and AP World History may
Media Studies and Production II further write effectively for a wide variety of purposes be substituted for World Civilization, Post-
examines the intricacies of journalism’s and audiences. Through the study of form 1500 and AP United States History may be
new frontier and the ways in which words, and communication, students learn to use substituted for United States History.
images, and sound interplay for effective storytelling, personal statements, persuasion Acceptance into AP courses requires the
communication with an audience—both the and vocal techniques to express their ideas recommendation of the department.
Academy community and the world at large. at formal, informal and social events.
Students will continue their exploration Students will leave this class able to speak
of various means of communication and confidently and comfortably in front of Core Courses
compose nuanced audio and video podcasts, almost any audience.
visual narratives, and written articles for World Civilization, Post-1500
publication. Additionally, students will College Writing (Standard) (Basic)
learn and practice the mechanical, decision- 1 CREDIT (1003) 1 CREDIT (2911)
making, interpersonal, and supervisory Open to Juniors and Seniors Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities
skills required to successfully manage a
professional newsroom. College Writing (Accelerated) World Civilization, Post-1500
1 CREDIT (1004) (Standard)
Creative Writing (Accelerated) Open to Juniors and Seniors; with departmental 1 CREDIT (2913)
approval
1 CREDIT (1007) Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities
This course is designed to enhance the
Open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
language and writing of skilled college-bound World Civilization, Post-1500
Students will create portfolios of their
students. It will examine strategies for (Accelerated)
own work in the genres of short fiction,
writing effective college admissions essays 1 CREDIT (2915)
poetry, and playwriting; the portfolio will
and will study the SAT with a particular Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities
contain selections from their daily writing
emphasis on vocabulary, timed-writing, This course will explore the major themes
journal as well as finished and revised
and reading comprehension. of historical change in the world from 1500
pieces. Students will read widely in these
to 1800. Citizenship, government, and
genres from selections of both older and
revolution are key strands of the course.
contemporary works chosen by the class, and
It will also enable students to work on those
achieve a sophisticated understanding of the
fundamental elements of those genres. The
SOCIAL STUDIES Social Studies department standards that
have not yet been mastered.
course will include field trips to attend writing
3 credits are required for graduation. For
festivals and poetry slams as well as trips to
local colleges for readings. College credit is
those students who have taken Freshman AP World History
Humanities, 2 additional core credits are 1 ½ CREDIT (2916/2917)
available for this course through Southern
required for graduation. All Students are Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities or with
New Hampshire University.
required to complete Freshman Humanities departmental approval
or the equivalent; World Civilization, This college-level course prepares students
Advanced Creative Writing
Post-1500, AP European History, or AP for the Advanced Placement examination.
(Accelerated)
World History; and United States History. This course focuses on developing students’
1 CREDIT (1008)
understanding of world history from
Prerequisite: Creative Writing One of the stated objectives of education is to
approximately 1200 CE to the present.
Open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors; with produce good citizens. In a democracy, this
departmental approval Students will investigate the content of world
means informed, involved citizens—persons
Seniors who wish to pursue intensive study of history for significant events, individuals,
who are willing and able to understand and
creative writing may take Creative Writing a developments, and processes in six historical
act upon the critical issues of their times. The
second time for credit. In consultation with periods while they develop essential
Social Studies are replete with controversy:
the instructor, the students in this course will historical thinking skills. The course focuses
questions of power, decision-making,
embark on a demanding course of study in on five interconnected themes, encouraging
leadership, duties of citizens, goals for the
two genres of his/her choice, one per quarter. students to make connections between
nation, freedoms for individuals, equity
These may include poetry, short fiction, script different eras in regions, including Africa,
of opportunity, distribution of wealth,
writing, the novella, and children’s literature. the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
war and peace; these are issues that must
Students taking Advanced Creative Writing This course fulfills the World Civilization,
be studied in their historical context,
will have class with Creative Writing students. Post-1500 requirement. This class will be
re-examined, and acted upon by each
Admission will be reserved for those students held every other day in the first semester and
new generation of Americans. Divisions
who have demonstrated a sincere, significant will meet every day in the second semester.
of opinion are inevitable but an informed,
interest in pursuing creative excellence and involved, critical thinker is better able to
pursue their task of citizenship.
8CO U R S E S O F ST U DY
AP European History and economic impacts of government
1 ½ CREDITS (2918/2919) Elective Courses policy through case studies from various
Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities or with administrations from the 1960s to the
departmental approval Vermont History and the present. Students will also design and
This college-level course prepares students Identity of the Northeast execute behavioral economics experiments,
for the Advanced Placement examination Kingdom explore personal finance strategies, and
in European History. The course includes 1 CREDIT (2920) write policy papers.
a profound study of European history Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities
beginning with the late Middle Ages and If history focuses on understanding our AP United States Government
continuing through the Cold War, including a place in the world, then history starts in our and Politics
demanding reading schedule and the practice own backyard. Vermont and the Northeast 1 ½ CREDITS (2178/2179)
of AP testing elements. AP European History Kingdom share a long and storied history. Prerequisites: Freshman Humanities and United
States History
meets for the entire year. The class will be Students will learn local history from primary Open to Seniors or with departmental approval
held every other day in the first semester sources, and the award-winning book,
This college-level course prepares students
and will meet every day in the second Hands on the Land, which will serve as a
to take the AP United States Government
semester. It fulfills the World Civilization, supplementary text. Students will participate
and Politics examination. It further prepares
Post-1500 requirement. This class will be in a variety of learning experiences, including
students for roles as community leaders
held every other day in the first semester and field trips, investigation of primary sources,
and responsible, active citizens using the
will meet every day in the second semester. and self-directed research projects.
competitive “We the People…” program, in
order to strengthen their critical thinking
United States History (Basic) Sociology and Criminology
and extemporaneous speaking skills. The
1 CREDIT (2151) (Standard)
“We the People…” program culminates in a
Prerequisites: Freshman Humanities and World 1 CREDIT (2949)
Civilization, Post-1500 State congressional hearing competition in
Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities
Open to Juniors January. Additionally, students investigate
This semester-long course is designed as
core concepts of political science: consuming
United States History a compliment to both our Psychology and
and producing polls, analyzing charts and
(Standard) Career Awareness Curriculum. It provides
graphs, predicting voting behavior, analyzing
1 CREDIT (2153) students with a general overview of Sociology
demographic data, and understanding
Prerequisites: Freshman Humanities and World while looking specifically at Criminology
the essential ideas about political parties,
Civilization, Post-1500 with a concentration on deviance and social
Open to Juniors campaigns, and elections.
control. Along with the topics such as, social
structure/socialization, sex and gender, race Furthermore, by the end of the course,
United States History
and ethnicity, the family, crime, punishment, students will understand influences on the
(Accelerated)
theories of deviance, recidivism and policy agenda and the process of policy
1 CREDIT (2155)
rehabilitation, this course will allow for an making and enactment. The course will
Prerequisites: Freshman Humanities and World
Civilization, Post-1500 individual concentration relative to a social close with a study of economic naturalism.
Open to Juniors group of the student’s choice. Each student The class will meet every-other day in
This survey course will expose students to the will be responsible for content knowledge the first semester, and every day in the
history of the United States in a chronological and individual research on this social group second semester.
approach from the founding of the United throughout the semester.
States to the present. The course will focus on AP Microeconomics
active citizenship and will highlight the study Economics and Public Policy 1 ½ CREDITS (2218/2219)
of United States history through political and (Standard) Prerequisites: Freshman Humanities and United
States History
economic lenses. College credit is available 1 CREDIT (2947) Open to Seniors or with departmental approval
for this course through Southern New Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion or current
enrollment in U.S. History and Algebra II or with
This college-level course prepares students
Hampshire University.
departmental approval for the Advanced Placement examination in
Microeconomics. Students will investigate
AP United States History Economics and Public Policy the core concepts of microeconomics.
1 ½ CREDITS (2158/2159) (Accelerated) Students taking AP Microeconomics may
Prerequisites: Freshman Humanities and World 1 CREDIT (2948)
Civilization, Post-1500, AP World History, or AP also elect to sit for the Advanced Placement
European History; with departmental approval Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion or current exam in Macroeconomics with approval
Open to Juniors enrollment in U.S. History and Algebra II or with
departmental approval from the Social Studies Department Chair
This Junior college-level course is taught and Academic Dean. Additional out of
This course is meant for students who
to prepare students to take the Advanced class work will be required to prepare
have an interest in economics, public
Placement United States History exam and for the Macroeconomic Exam. This class
policy, and finance. Students will explore
requires a level of critical thinking and writing will meet every-other day in the first
the fundamental principles of economics
commensurate with college work. This course semester, and every day during the second
with an emphasis on practical applications
meets for the entire year. The class will be semester. College credit is available
through behavioral economics and game
held every other day in the first semester and for this course through Southern New
theory. Students will examine the social
will meet every day in the second semester. Hampshire University.
9CO U R S E S O F ST U DY
Modern East Asia (Standard) cultural approach by reading original works of presented, theory, and an appreciation
1 CREDIT (2922) thinkers of all regions and periods, from Plato of mathematics as a language. Graphing
Prerequisites: Freshman Humanities and World to Rumi, Axial-Age China to modern day calculators are used to facilitate the teaching
Civilization, Post-1500 or with departmental England, and beyond. Students will examine of these courses. One goal of the courses in
approval issues such as free will, justice, religion, this sequence is to prepare students for AP
This course will examine the rich and individual responsibility, and the quest to mathematics courses and beyond. Courses
complex history of East Asia, particularly find meaning and fulfillment in the living of in this sequence differ from the equivalent
the modern nations of China, Japan, and one’s own life. standard-level course by the pace of the
Korea and will focus on the post-1945 period. course, the amount of required homework,
The growth of China into a world leader, and the level of abstraction and formal proof.
the dynamism of Japanese culture, and the
ongoing struggle between the north and the
south in Korea will be explored. The course
MATHEMATICS Permission to take an accelerated-level
course is normally predicated by maintaining
a grade of at least 80 in the previous
will take the form of a seminar, in which 3 credits required for graduation
accelerated-level course or at least 90 in the
students will be expected to actively engage
The sequence of courses will permit students previous standard-level course.
with course content in classroom discussion,
to have the following experiences in math:
as well as out of the classroom in writing. All courses use graphing calculators
• View math as a blend of patterns instead of a and/ or computers to enhance the learning
Psychology (Standard) set of isolated topics. of mathematics. In addition, all students
1 CREDIT (2923) are expected to write about their
• Make connections; construct models and
Prerequisites: Freshman Humanities; open to mathematical processes.
theories that order their understanding of
Sophomore, Juniors, and Seniors
their environment.
Algebraic Foundations I (Basic)
Psychology (Accelerated) •Relate mathematical ideas to everyday 1 CREDIT (3210)
1 CREDIT (2925) experiences and real-world situations.
This course is the first part of a two-part
Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities
Open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors • Discover how to adjust procedures to solve Algebra I course. The topics of the course will
Students will gain a knowledge of the basic new problems. include the real number line and operations
theories of human behavior and interaction of those numbers. Exponents, powers, and
• Spend more time on each topic, enabling
through readings, discussion, multimedia, order of operations will be explored through
invention and practice.
and field research problem solving. Equations will be identified
• Create “real” connections and study those in the world around, including the workplace,
AP Psychology connections from concrete to abstraction. and will be modeled through application.
1½ CREDIT (2928/2929) • Develop communication, reasoning, and Students are taught the correct and
Open to Juniors and Seniors; with departmental problem-solving skills. appropriate use of a graphing calculator.
approval
Three mathematics courses are required Algebraic Foundations II (Basic)
This college-level course prepares students
for graduation. The mathematics program 1 CREDIT (3212)
for the Advanced Placement examination in
includes course offerings designed to Prerequisite: Algebraic Foundations I
Psychology and includes an in-depth study
provide opportunities for all students to
of the biological, cognitive, developmental, This course completes the two-part Algebra
learn meaningful mathematics. At several
social, and clinical aspects of psychology. I course. The topics of the course include
points during their academic career, student
This class will meet every day in the further investigation of equations and their
placements are reviewed to ensure that they
first semester and every other day in the application in the real world. Equations
are working at a level consistent with their
second semester. will be developed using technology. After
goals and achievement.
investigating operations of exponents using
Contemporary Issues Students who take standard level courses manipulatives, students will learn to apply the
(Accelerated) acquire a sound preparation to pursue concept to scientific notation. Applications
½ CREDIT (2946) four-year college programs, two-year of systems of equations will be studied
Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities technical programs, on-the-job training, or using both algebra and analytic geometry.
This course focuses on the study of issues that armed forces experience. Themes that are Data analysis and linear regression will be
are affecting the world today and requires the emphasized throughout include problem- explored using the graphing calculator. This
use of newspapers and discussion to enhance solving, applications of the ideas presented, course will also include the language of
knowledge of current events. This class will use of the graphing calculator, writing BASIC using the programming functions of
be held every other day. process, and collaboration. the graphing calculator. Applications of ratios
Students who enroll in accelerated and proportions prepare students for the
Philosophy (Accelerated) math courses will be prepared to pursue transition to Algebra II.
1 CREDIT (2935) competitive four-year college programs.
Prerequisite: Freshman Humanities These are highly motivated students with
This course will introduce students to the strong mathematical achievement. Themes
study and uses of philosophy, as well as emphasized through this sequence include
the history of ideas. Students take a multi- problem solving, applications of the ideas
10CO U R S E S O F ST U DY
Algebra I (Standard) applications. Advanced topics of solving transformations of functions, and polynomial
1 CREDIT (3213) rational expressions, transformations, and synthetic division. A review of
With departmental approval and exponential growth and decay are trigonometric functions and the unit circle
also included. is also included.
Algebra I (Accelerated) In this course students will explore broad
1 CREDIT (3215) Geometry (Standard) applications of mathematical ideas as they
Prerequisites: Above average Placement Test and 1 CREDIT (3253)
pertain to the field of business, the social
recommendation based on prior achievement; with Prerequisite: Algebra II; with departmental approval
departmental approval sciences, computer science, and number
This course consists of the rules of algebra Geometry (Accelerated) theory. The goal of this course is to prepare
with an emphasis on linear functions. 1 CREDIT (3255) students to interpret data, to construct
Students will learn to evaluate and simplify Prerequisite: Algebra II; with departmental approval algorithms, and to build mathematical
algebraic expressions and linear equations. In models to analyze and solve problems. Topics
This course consists of the principles of
addition, students in this course will evaluate, include probability, data analysis, sequences
Euclidean geometry supplemented by logic.
analyze, and graph functions and relations. and series, and logic.
Areas of study will include basic geometric
Applications of systems of equations will figures and relationships among them,
be studied using both algebra and analytic Applied Calculus (Standard)
properties of polygons with emphasis on
geometry. Data analysis and linear regression 1 CREDIT (3280)
triangles and quadrilaterals, properties of
will be explored using the graphing calculator. Prerequisites: Trigonometry and Precalculus; with
circles and related concepts, congruence departmental approval
This course will also include the language of and similarity, and applications of measure
BASIC using the programming functions of and area problems. The student will learn Applied Calculus (Accelerated)
the graphing calculator. right triangle trigonometry and have an 1 CREDIT (3286)
introduction to trigonometric functions. Prerequisites: Trigonometry and Precalculus; with
Integrated Math (Basic) departmental approval
1 CREDIT (3251) Trigonometry (Standard) This course will serve as an introduction or
Prerequisites: Algebraic Foundations I and II or 1 CREDIT (3273) survey of the fundamentals of differential and
Algebra I (Standard)
Prerequisite: Geometry or with departmental integral calculus. Students will be encouraged
This course provides a bridge to Algebra II. approval to study these concepts in practical tangible
It includes an intensive review of Algebra I applications through hands on projects,
skills and concepts. The geometry concepts Trigonometry (Accelerated) classic lectures, and direct research. While
of congruence, symmetry, translations, and 1 CREDIT (3275)
each student will learn the fundamentals of
reflections are explored. Modeling of area Prerequisites: Algebra II and Geometry or with
departmental approval differentiation and integration, this course is
and volume is investigated through two- and not intended to be an alternative to the
three-dimensional objects. Topics of statistics This course allows the student to study
AP Calculus course. College credit is
and probability are examined using graphing many different areas within trigonometry.
available for this course through Southern
and volume, principles of proof and logic, Topics will include angles and rotations, the
New Hampshire University.
symmetry, and transformations. unit circle and right triangle trigonometry,
trigonometric functions, and circular
Applied Statistics (Standard)
Algebra II (Standard) functions and their graphs; trigonometric
1 CREDIT (3287)
1 CREDIT (3233) identities; and proofs of identities. Concepts
Prerequisite: Trigonometry; with departmental
Prerequisites: Algebraic Foundations I and II, will be applied in a variety of areas such as approval
Algebra I, Grade ≥ 75; with departmental approval civil engineering and science. Students
will make extensive use of graphing Applied Statistics (Accelerated)
Algebra II (Accelerated) calculators. Arc length and polar coordinates 1 CREDIT (3282)
1 CREDIT (3235) are also included. Prerequisite: Trigonometry; with departmental
Prerequisite: Algebra I; with departmental approval approval
Freshmen may start their math sequence with this
course if a satisfactory score has been earned on the Precalculus (Standard) This course will give students an opportunity
department placement test. 1 CREDIT (3283) to design and conduct surveys and
This course consists of the rules of algebra Prerequisite: Trigonometry or with departmental experiments using statistical methods.
approval Results of sampling and data collection will
with an emphasis on linear and quadratic
functions. Areas of study will include be displayed using statistical representations.
Precalculus (Accelerated) Journal articles and published research
understanding and using number and 1 CREDIT (3285)
operation concepts with emphasis on will be analyzed and interpreted from a
Prerequisite: Trigonometry or with departmental
the number system. The students will approval statistical perspective. The basic rules of
be introduced to styles of proving, simple probability, the fundamental counting
This course develops the analytic skills
evaluating, and simplifying algebraic theorem, conditional probability, and
necessary to describe the behavior of
expressions. There will be emphasis on probability distributions will also be explored.
mathematical functions. Topics include
solving complex or unfamiliar problems algebraic expressions, u-substitution,
using appropriate analysis techniques and higher degree polynomials, rational,
reasonable estimation. The students will logarithmic, and exponential functions,
learn to generalize results from specific function composition, inverses of functions,
11CO U R S E S O F ST U DY
Advanced Placement Post Calculus COMPUTER
AP Calculus AB Multivariable Calculus SCIENCE
1 CREDIT (3298) 1 CREDIT (3300)
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus (Accelerated) grade ≥ 85; Prerequisite: Calculus BC; with departmental
½ credit required for graduation
with departmental approval; AP Calculus AB Prep is approval
The courses in the Computer Science
required for students who will not continue to
AP Calculus BC This upper-level calculus course is intended department focus on the idea that
for students with a strong interest in students should not simply be consumers
This course is equivalent to the first semester
mathematics and a solid foundation in single of technology, but that students should
of college calculus. The topics include limits,
variable calculus. The topics of this course be able to create technology. Although
derivatives, integrals and the Fundamental
will include partial derivatives, gradients, programming is a major component of
Theorem of Calculus. Emphasis will be placed
constrained optimization using Lagrange computer science, computer science study
on conceptual understanding: reasoning
multipliers, double and triple integrals also includes computational thinking, logic,
with definitions and theorems, connecting
with applications, as well as cylindrical and problem-solving, working with algorithms,
concepts, implementing algebraic/
spherical coordinates, and using Jacobian collaboration, and creativity. Our course
computational processes, connecting multiple
matrices to change coordinate systems. sequence begins with introductory courses
representations, building notational fluency,
Vector calculus will also be studied including that work toward demystifying the inner
and communicating. This course follows
line and surface integrals, divergence and workings of computers and the Internet and
the AP curriculum and leads directly to the
curl, and the theorems of Green and Stokes. the applications that are integral to the daily
Advanced Placement Calculus AB exam.
The use of computer algebra systems will be lives of our students. Advanced coursework
an essential part of the course.
AP Calculus AB Prep could include programming in multiple
½ CREDIT (3297) languages and for multiple platforms, as well
Linear Algebra as introductions to emerging technologies.
Prerequisite: AP Calculus AB; with departmental
approval ½ CREDIT (3301)
The Computer Science requirement may
Prerequisites: Multivariable Calculus or SNHU dual-
This course is a continuation of AP Calculus be satisfied by either taking the Computer
enrollment math course; with departmental approval
AB and will strengthen skills and knowledge Literacy course in the Freshman year,
This course builds on the concepts of
in preparation for the Advanced Placement or by taking Robotics (in the Science
three-dimensional space developed
Calculus AB exam in the spring. AP Calculus Department) or a higher-level computer
in Multivariable Calculus and extends
Prep meets every-other day during second science course, with departmental approval,
discussions of mathematical spaces to
semester. before graduation.
include arbitrary dimensions. Topics covered
in the course will include systems of linear
AP Calculus BC Computer Literacy
equations and how to solve them, the method
1 CREDIT (3299) ½ CREDIT (7592)
of Gaussian elimination, matrices and linear
Prerequisite: Calculus AB grade > 90; with Open to Freshmen
departmental approval mappings, determinants and their properties,
eigenvectors and eigenvalues, and the Students are introduced to the rapidly
This course is a continuation of Calculus AB
diagonalization of matrices. The course will changing technologies of the educational
and is equivalent to second semester college
incorporate computer algebra systems and world. Digital citizenship is a key component
calculus. In addition to further study of
will seek to strike a balance between linear of the program, with an emphasis on
techniques of differentiation and integration,
algebra’s abstract structures and justifications online safety and etiquette, privacy,
topics include sequences and series,
and the rich collection of applications to and digital footprints. Computing skills
vector and polar functions, and some basic
science and engineering problems that the including software applications, computer
differential equations. This course follows
subject affords. programming, and 3D modeling introduce
the AP curriculum and leads directly to the
students to technology skills to enhance their
Advanced Placement Calculus BC exam.
Cryptology personal and academic practice. Meets every
½ CREDIT (3302) other day.
AP Statistics
1½ CREDIT (3289/3290) Prerequisites: An AP math course or SNHU dual-
enrollment math course; with departmental approval Introduction to Computer
Prerequisite: Trigonometry; with departmental
approval The course will include both cryptography Science (Standard)
and cryptanalysis. The science of making 1 CREDIT (3698)
This two-semester course leads directly
to the taking of the Advanced Placement and breaking codes will be explored through Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Algebra I;
modular arithmetic, statistics, probability, with departmental approval.
examination in Statistics in the spring.
permutation functions, algorithms, This course is designed for students who
The topics discussed in this course include
binary numbers, base twenty-six, primes, have little to no experience in programming
frequency, distributions and graphs,
factorization, the Euclidean algorithm, computers. Students will learn the basics of
measures of central tendency, measures
and Fermat’s Little Theorem. Classical algorithmic thinking, and design programs
of variability, confidence intervals, and
cryptographic techniques, symmetric to solve simple problems. A number of
hypothesis tests. In the first semester, the
computer-based cryptography, and public key different programming environments will
course meets daily; in the second semester
cryptography will be explored. College credit be used including both highly-structured
the course meets every-other day.
is available for this course through Southern languages and high-level programming
New Hampshire University.
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