Acceleration Courses (Grades 7–12)

Art Foundations (Semesters 1 and 2)

Art Foundations is a basic level art class that introduces the elements and principles of art to the student. It is the keystone of the high school art program and serves as the introduction to more specialized art offerings. The instructor will devise a plan to offer drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, and graphic art over the course. Each of the media areas will be further broken down into specific materials and techniques; i.e., drawing can be further developed to include pencil, ink, charcoal, colored pencil, pastel/chalk, and marker.

Art History (Semesters 1 and 2)

This course is designed to give students a basic understanding and appreciation for art as it will be encountered on the high school level and beyond. It will give students the background necessary to appreciate visual art, participate in the creation of visual art, or seek further training for a career in the visual arts. The course emphasizes skills development and development of the creative thought process. Each time a skill has been learned, students will be encouraged to make creative applications of those skills. Students will be given a sense of art history through discussion and showing of visuals that relate to the studio projects they are working on.

Psychology (Semester 1)

Psychology provides a broad overview of the study of behavior and mental processes. Topics include: methods of research; social psychology, physiological psychology; child, adolescent and adult development; altered states of consciousness; motivation and emotion; stress and adjustment; sensation and perception; learning; memory; language development; personality theories; abnormal behavior; and therapy. Students in Psychology are expected to do experiments as well as research projects.

Sociology (Semester 1)

Sociology introduces students to the scientific study of human groups and the social environment they create. Since citizens in a democratic society should contribute to the decision-making process, this course is designed to develop the skill needed in problem analysis. Specifically, facets of the scientific method (data collection, collation, hypothesis formation, and experimental testing of hypotheses) and their application to social problems will be stressed. Typical units include: types of groups, the structure of groups, the functions of groups, the culture concept and related social institutions (familial, education, economic, political and religious), social processes and change, and contemporary social problems. 

French 1 (Semesters 1 and 2)

First-year French is a conversation course that develops skills of understanding and speaking through emphasis on fundamental language patterns based on familiar everyday situations. Enrichment materials help develop understanding and appreciation of French and francophone culture. 

French 2 (Semesters 1 and 2)

Second-year French continues to emphasize skills needed to understand and speak French. Reading and writing take on greater importance as students gain familiarity and confidence with the spoken language. Enrichment materials help develop understanding and appreciation of French and francophone culture.

Spanish 1 (Semesters 1 and 2)

First-year Spanish develops skills of understanding and speaking through emphasis on fundamental language patterns based on everyday life situations. Drills are used to help students master these patterns, correct punctuation, and develop characteristic intonation of Spanish. Cultural enrichment materials develop an understanding and appreciation of Spanish and Latin American civilizations. 

Spanish 2 (Semesters 1 and 2)

This course continues to emphasize skills needed to understand and speak Spanish. Reading and writing take greater importance as students gain familiarity and confidence with the spoken language. Grammar, basic language patterns, and word order are systematically taught to facilitate comprehension and correct usage.