Upper School Course Offerings

Pre-AP English I is a challenging and comprehensive language arts course designed to develop students' critical reading, analytical writing, and advanced communication skills. Through an intensive study of diverse literary genres, including novels, poetry, drama, and non-fiction texts, students will enhance their ability to analyze complex texts, develop sophisticated writing techniques, and engage in meaningful academic discourse. The course emphasizes close reading strategies, rhetorical analysis, argumentative and expository writing, and advanced research skills, preparing students for the rigorous expectations of future Advanced Placement coursework.

Students will explore complex themes, develop nuanced interpretations of literature, and learn to craft well-structured, evidence-based essays that demonstrate sophisticated thinking and clear, precise communication. By integrating challenging texts from various cultural perspectives, the course not only builds essential academic skills but also promotes critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of human experiences across different contexts and time periods.

Pre-AP English II is an advanced language arts course that builds upon the foundational skills developed in English 1, challenging students to engage with increasingly complex literary texts and sophisticated writing techniques. Through an intensive exploration of world literature, including classic and contemporary works from diverse cultural perspectives, students will develop advanced critical reading, analytical writing, and interpretive skills. The course emphasizes rhetorical analysis, advanced composition strategies, research methodologies, and academic writing, preparing students for the rigorous demands of AP English courses.

Students will delve deeper into literary analysis, examining complex themes, authorial techniques, and historical contexts while developing their ability to construct nuanced, evidence-based arguments in both written and verbal communication. By focusing on critical thinking, close reading, and advanced writing skills, the course aims to cultivate intellectual curiosity, cultural awareness, and the ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity, precision, and depth.

Through the study of American literature, students not only become aware of the great, controversial, and beautiful ideas contained in America’s literary history but also examine the interactions among the writer’s purpose, subjects, and audience expectations. Assignments include expository, personal, and persuasive writing, oral expression, vocabulary development, and research and analysis.

This course explores some of the major concepts of environmental science. Topics such as human population growth and cultural revolutions, the advent of environmental concerns, fossil fuels, nuclear and alternative energies, air pollution and conservation, soil erosion and conservation, waste disposal and management, the cycling of Earth’s resources, interactions in biosystems are introduced through a variety of learning strategies. The course also addresses how science is related to career decisions, personal welfare and citizen responsibility, quality of life, and the economic status of our country. Students have the opportunity to gain knowledge about and engage in the processes that enable them to solve problems and make sound decisions, establishing patterns of lifelong curiosity and learning.

Pre-AP Biology is an accelerated life science course designed to challenge and engage students with a comprehensive exploration of fundamental biological concepts and scientific practices. This rigorous curriculum delves into core areas such as cellular processes, genetics, evolution, ecology, and the interactions of biological systems. Students will develop critical thinking skills, engage in data analysis, and participate in hands-on laboratory investigations that emphasize the scientific method and inquiry-based learning.

The course places a strong emphasis on developing scientific literacy, encouraging students to connect biological principles to real-world applications and current scientific research. Through a combination of in-depth content study, analytical reasoning, and practical experimentation, Pre-AP Biology prepares students for the demands of future AP science courses and cultivates a deep understanding of the living world. This course not only builds a solid foundation in biological sciences but also fosters the development of essential skills in scientific writing, research methodology, and collaborative problem-solving, equipping students with the tools they need to pursue advanced studies in science and related fields.

Pre-AP Chemistry is an advanced science course designed to provide students with a rigorous and comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles of chemistry. This course emphasizes a deep understanding of atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermodynamics, and chemical reactions. Students will engage in challenging problem-solving activities, conduct sophisticated laboratory experiments, and develop critical thinking skills essential for scientific inquiry. The curriculum focuses on conceptual understanding and quantitative reasoning, encouraging students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios and complex chemical problems.

Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on experimentation, students will learn to analyze data, draw evidence-based conclusions, and communicate scientific findings effectively. Pre-AP Chemistry not only prepares students for success in AP Chemistry and college-level science courses but also cultivates scientific literacy and analytical skills valuable across various disciplines. This course is ideal for students who are passionate about science and seeking a challenging, in-depth exploration of chemical principles that will serve as a strong foundation for future scientific study.

AP Precalculus is a college mathematics course designed to provide students with a rigorous and comprehensive preparation for college-level calculus and other advanced mathematical studies. This course goes beyond traditional precalculus by offering an in-depth exploration of functions, including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, as well as their applications and behaviors. Students will develop a deep understanding of mathematical modeling, data analysis, and complex problem-solving techniques. The curriculum emphasizes both algebraic manipulation and graphical interpretation, encouraging students to make connections between various representations of mathematical concepts.

Through challenging problem sets, real-world applications, and technology integration, students will enhance their analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and mathematical reasoning skills. AP Precalculus also introduces students to fundamental concepts of calculus, such as limits and rates of change, providing a seamless transition to future calculus courses. This course not only prepares students for success in AP Calculus and college mathematics but also cultivates critical thinking and quantitative literacy skills essential for various STEM fields and beyond. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.

AP Human Geography is a college social studies course that introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth's surface. This rigorous curriculum explores a wide range of topics including population and migration patterns, cultural landscapes, political organization of space, agriculture and rural land use, industrialization, economic development, and urban land use. Students will develop critical thinking and analytical skills through the examination of spatial concepts, landscape analysis, and the application of geographic models. The course emphasizes the use of maps, data analysis, and case studies from various world regions to investigate human-environment interactions and global patterns.

By engaging with real-world geographic issues, students will gain a deeper understanding of human social organization, its environmental consequences, and the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. This course not only prepares students for the AP Human Geography exam but also cultivates a global perspective essential for active citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.

This course is an advanced-level Spanish language course. Students will grow their language skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. All concepts presented in previous levels will be reviewed and examined at a higher level of detail focusing on the minute details of the Spanish language. Students will explore smaller grammatical structures such as the use and omission of definite and indefinite articles, and the use of the passive voice in a variety of situations and examine further the use of the subjunctive mood. This course is preparatory for the AP Spanish Language exam as it introduces students to interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication styles for all themes present on the AP Spanish Language exam. The curriculum is based upon the five Standards in World Language Education which are communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities.

*The honors level course includes a Pre-AP curriculum to further build language skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing in a format similar to the AP Spanish Language exam.