Core Curriculum
English
Through a Humanities based curriculum and a balanced literacy approach students will gain skills needed to think, learn and communicate for college and career readiness. The critical examination and analysis of classic and contemporary literature serve as a context for students’ development as critical thinkers and writers with their own creative voice.
Close reading and practiced writing mastered in English classes will support reading and writing across the disciplines. In accor- dance with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts and Literacy students will gain proficiency in writing arguments, informative and explanatory essays and narratives.
The English Language Arts (ELA) Regents examination is generally taken after the junior year, but English honors students may do so after the sophomore year. All students must complete four years of English.
Freshman Year
Students will be introduced to readings of classic texts that support Global Studies. Students will also be challenged to read and select texts independently. They will gain proficiency in journal writing and note taking. They will also practice listening skills.
Sophomore Year
As they read texts to support Global Studies part two, students will further enhance their close reading and writing skills as outlined in Freshman year. Students will gain proficiency in examining the author’s purpose and identifying literary elements found in literature, later they will apply these skills to their own writing.
Junior Year
Students study American Literature and are expected to attain mastery in all the tasks of the English Regents. At the end of the year students will write personal narratives that serve as a foundation for their college essays.
Senior Year
Courses are offered in yearbook, media literacy, literature and college writing.
Advanced Placement English courses focus on the study of rhetoric and reading advanced literature are offered in 11th grade and 12th grade to students who achieve high grades in their English classes and on standardized tests. These college level courses culminate in the taking of the College Board’s A.P. English Examinations. Passing this exam provides a student with college credits accepted at many of colleges and universities.
Math
Students will gain proficiency in a sequenced study of mathematics in accordance with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
Integrated Algebra
Integrated Algebra is the first mathematics course in high school. The completion of this course -- 1 to 2 years – depends on student progress and/or on the entry level of the student. Algebra provides tools and develops ways of thinking that are necessary for solving problems in a wide variety of disciplines such as science, business, and fine arts. At the conclusion of this course students will take the Algebra Regents.
Geometry
This is the second course in mathematics for high school students. In this course, students will have the opportunity to make conjectures about geometric situations and prove in a variety of ways that their conclusion follows logically from their hypothesis. Congruence and similarity of triangles will be established using appropriate theorems. Transformations including rotations, reflections, translations, and dilations will be taught. Properties of triangles, quadrilaterals and circles will be examined. Geometry is meant to lead students to an understanding that reasoning and proof are fundamental aspects of mathematics. Students will take the Geometry Regents examination at the conclusion of this course.
Algebra 2 or Trigonometry
This is the third of the three courses in high school mathematics. In this course, the number system will be extended to include imaginary and complex numbers. Students will learn about polynomial, absolute value, radical, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Problem situations involving direct and indirect variation will be solved. Data analysis will be extended to include measures of dispersion and the analysis of regression models. Arithmetic and geometric sequences will be evaluated. Binomial expressions will provide the basis for the study of probability theory, and the normal probability distribution will be analyzed. Right triangle trigonometry will be expanded to include the investigation of circular functions. The course will conclude with problems requiring the use of trigonometric equations and identities. Students will take the Algebra 2 and Trigonometry Regents examination at the conclusion of these courses.
Intermediate Algebra
This is an elective math course for students for whom entry into Geometry or Algebra II and Trigonometry are a too challenging at their current math level. After completion of integrated Algebra, a student may be placed in this course to sharpen and hopefully master their algebra and geometry mathematics skills. Following completion of this course student may be given other elective math courses or be permitted to continue the math sequence through their entry into Geometry.
Science
The Science Department is committed to expanding students’ understanding and appreciation of the natural world around them and providing hands-on laboratory experiences that connect theory and the real world. All science courses are full-year courses and include laboratory experiences. All students must complete three years of Science and pass a Regents examination. Students must satisfactorily complete and submit a report for a minimum of 15 full laboratory periods (600 minutes) per term to receive credit for a Regents course.
Living Environment
This is a required course, one-four terms depending on the entry level of the student and the passing of the Living Environment Regents exam. The following topics will be covered: measurement, scientific method, research design, microscopy, organization and classification, molecular biology, animal and plant maintenance, homeostasis, disease and immunity, genetic inheritance, mitosis and meiosis, protein synthesis, genetic engineering, human reproductive systems, evolution, and ecology. In addition, there will be several special field and research reports. Students take a Regents exam at the end of the course.
Earth Science
The year long course follows completion of living environment and passing of the Living Environment Regents exam. The topics covered include: earth dimensions, celestial motion, interaction between matter and energy, heat and gravity, interpreting and constructing maps (contour and profile) plate tectonics, age of the earth, origin of the solar system, seasons and insulation, weathering and erosion, minerals and rocks, landscapes, climate, and meteorology. This is a full year science course that culminates in a Regents exam. This course satisfies NYS physical setting science course requirement.
Physics
This is a year long course that can be used as a required science course or as an elective course. The following topics will be covered: forms of energy, interaction between energy and matter resulting in change of motion, light, electricity, sound, magnetism, predicting velocities based on energy conservation. Physics is a yearlong course that culminates in a Regents exam. This course satisfies NYS physical setting science course requirement.
Social Studies
All students must complete four years of Social Studies, including two years of Global Studies, one year of United States History, one term of Government, and one term of Economics. The Global Studies Regents is taken at the end of the sophomore year, and the United States History and Government Regents examination is taken in June of the junior year.
Freshman Year
Global Studies encompasses a study of the Ancient World including reconstructing the past; establishment of first human societies; early civilizations (Mesopotamia, Nile, Indus, Yellow River); Classical Civilizations (Greece and Rome); growth of overland and maritime trade routes linking Eurasia and Africa; spread of belief systems (Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese Philosophies, Judaism, Christianity); rise and fall of the great empires (Rome); the Byzantine Empire; the spread of Islam; Europe, trade and interactions in the Middle Ages; and the Crusades.
Sophomore Year
Global Studies part two – The year covers the Renaissance, The First Global Age and Age of Revolutions and Crises; The Scientific Revolution; the Enlightenment in Europe; the American and French Revolutions; the Age of Napoleon; imperialism (European colonies in Latin America, Asia and Africa); Japanese modernization and imperialism; independence movements in Latin America; political revolutions; the Industrial Revolution and the “isms” (capitalism, nationalism, socialism, Marxism); causes and results of World War I; and the causes and impact of World War II. The Contemporary World; The start of the Cold War; the end of European colonialism in Asia, Africa and the Middle East; economic development in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America since 1945; the United Nations; sources of world conflict since 1945; the collapse of Communism and the breakup of the Soviet Union; the environment and sustainability; and achievements in science and technology.
Junior Year
United States History covers the role of geography in United States history; constitutional foundations of American society through the closing of the frontier and America from the Progressive Era to the present. This is a year-long course that ends with the US History Regents exam in June.
Senior Year
Government examines the principles of government, politics and law; roles and rights of citizenship; political party system; legal obligations; public policy; and political participation. (One semester)
Economics is a study of fundamentals of the free-market system, banking, finance and taxation; comparative economic systems; and the United States in the world economy. (One semester)
Health, Physical Education and Psychology
The Health and Physical Education Department aims to provide students with the health knowledge and physical capability necessary to manage the school’s challenging academic and studio programs. Physical Education courses in the 9th through 12th grades provide students with physical activity as well as knowledge of and experience in a variety of individual and team sports.
Health Education
Focuses on the teaching of behaviors for healthy living. It covers topics such as personal hygiene, nutrition, and sex education. Mental, social and emotional health issues are addressed as they impact choices regarding the use, misuse, and abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
Physical Education
Instruction in various types of physical activity to promote the physical development and well-being of the individual. This involves organized sports, dance, and calisthenics. Games are also used to develop social skills that promote good sportsmanship and to create lifelong learners. Physical Education program offers students an opportunity to explore a variety of cardiovascular, strength, and team sport activities, Each term begins with students engaging in a conditioning unit with exercise testing. During this portion of each course students take a part in vigorous calisthenics, Flexibility and aerobic workouts with the goal of teaching students how to prepare their body for activity, and avoid injury. Several of these activities have a physical test component in order to give students a baseline measure for their level of fitness. Students may then use these fitness results as a motivating factor for improvement.
Psychology
The course is designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and gain a better understanding of psychology. A developmental approach to various theories of personality development is explored, focusing on the works of Freud, Erikson, Skinner, and Maslow. Students examine the concepts of identity and garner as well as learning theories and brain function and structure.
Foreign Language
The Foreign Language Department is dedicated to motivating and expanding students’ ability to speak a foreign language. Spanish is offered in the second or third year and aims to build fluency, audio-lingual, student-oriented activities are used in every course. All students must complete one year of Foreign Language to graduate.
Non Regents Electives
These courses may be offered and taken by juniors and seniors only after they have passed two Regents courses. All science courses are full-year courses.
Environmental Science
This is a science elective course. This is yearlong course that provides students the opportunity to investigate the relationships and interactions that exist between the environment and the living things that live in that environment. Students will examine the impact of human behavior on the environment As they investigate solutions for solving various world issues. Some issues include pollution, overproduction and the advantages and disadvantages of technology. Students do not take a Regents Exam for this course but focus on extended experiments, projects and group work.
Biology, Advanced Placement
This college-level course is an in-depth study of all major areas of Biology with an emphasis on molecular mechanics, geared to the preparation for the AP exam. The course is taught through lecture, active classroom discussion, and laboratory projects. Students are tested on each unit and are graded on outlines they prepare of major topic areas. The student must read and master the material in a college-level text and review book that is required as outside reading. Students perform dissections and other laboratory exercises. Pre-requisite: Living Environment, Earth science or Chemistry. Students must commit to completing the entire year and taking the AP examination.
Environmental Science, Advanced Placement
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. This course is interdisciplinary. A wide variety of topics from different areas are covered. Field trips, field studies and lab work are included. Students must commit to completing the entire year and taking the AP examination. Advanced placement courses are offered during the terms when a number of students have advanced to these levels in their required science courses.