Upper 9-12

Foundations in Visual Arts: Foundations in Visual Arts will provide 9th grade students with a broad overview of different art making processes, materials, and historical movements. Students will be introduced to a variety of mediums ranging from paper to clay to more non-traditional materials such as found objects. Each unit will focus on one process or theme and will begin with small open-ended explorations that lead to more concept driven final projects. While gaining a foundational understanding of the visual arts during this course students will also develop the skills needed to make personally meaningful artwork and to make meaningful connections with other works of art.

Studio Art: During this course, students will develop an understanding of the Elements and Principles of Design by exploring a wide range of artistic media as a means to create drawings, collages, and mixed media works. This understanding will be demonstrated in studio assignments, emphasizing the use of these concepts as well as advocating freedom of expression and personal growth. Students will develop works of art with attention to artistic concept, composition, and craftsmanship.

Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking: During this course, students will explore art-making as an outlet of personal expression and voice. They will develop sophisticated technical versatility and skill within the Elements and Principles of Design. Units of study include linocut printmaking, acrylic painting, conté crayon drawing, and ink wash. Discussions and critiques are key learning processes in this course. Students will begin to develop a professional portfolio that can be used for college applications.

*Prerequisite: 90+ in Studio Art

Prerequisite: 90+ in Studio Art or pending space availability

English 9: During this course, students will read an array of texts that will prompt them to examine their core life principles and cement their basic analytical skills. Students will learn to annotate, write well-supported analytical paragraphs, and ask/ answer high-level, open-ended questions that are thematically related to the texts they are reading. This course culminates in a project that requires students to demonstrate their mastery of all the aforementioned skills. There is no Regents exam at the end of this course.

English 10: English Year 2 aims to investigate the ways in which the individual interacts with external forces and demands within a broader societal context. You may know who you are, but how do others see you? To what extent does that matter? To what extent are you free to determine the course of your own life? By examining texts through multiple perspectives, we will develop our understanding of the human experience as we strengthen reading, writing, and thinking skills. During this course, students grow accustomed to in-depth, philosophical discussions and are required to analyze and respond to high-level works of criticism. This course culminates in a final piece of writing.

AP English Language and Composition: During this course, students will learn how to write argumentatively. The focus of our course begins with the basics of rhetoric and Aristotelian appeals, moving into different skills necessary for argumentation, including understanding persuasion, argumentative fallacies, and the different structures necessary to create a complete argument. We will move beyond the limits of basic writing that were refined in English II, and we will work toward mastery of rhetoric, through analysis and practice. This course culminates in the AP English Language and Composition exam in May. Students taking the course are expected to take the exam as well.

English 12: During this course, students will practice becoming critical thinkers outside of high school. Through practiced analysis, students will interrogate themes from multiple texts and consider how these texts interact with the world and with their own lives. We will also practice analyzing our own communities as texts. This course culminates in a final portfolio project.

AP English Literature and Composition: During this class, students will prepare for the AP Exam, College, and life. Students will examine how literary devices create and influence meaning in literature. We will interrogate themes in literature, and make rich text-to-self connections while bolstering our ability to analyze. This course culminates in the AP Literature exam in May.

Prerequisite: 90+ in English III or 85+ in AP Language and Composition and Teacher Recommendation.

Advanced Creative Writing: During the course, students will push their foundation of basic genres of literature to demonstrate mastery. They will work on both self-guided and teacher-led projects with an emphasis on publication. This class culminates in the construction of the literary magazine and a final, self-directed portfolio project.

Censorship and the Banned Book: During this course, students will explore the historical, socio-political, and cultural contexts that have led to book bans globally. They will read and engage with banned texts to consider the relationship between literature and power, ultimately forming their own opinions about the role of censorship in the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will engage with the ideas of this course through an assortment of multi-genre projects.

Health Education: During this course, students will learn how to develop health-enhancing skills. These include decision making, goal setting, stress management, refusal skills, conflict resolution, advocacy and the ability to analyze influences. This 1.0 credit course and graduation requirement will cover a range of topics engaging the student’s physical, mental, and social health.

Algebra I: During this course, students will learn how to apply their problem-solving skills to the study of advanced topics in mathematics. These topics include quantities and reasoning with equations and their graphs, descriptive statistics, linear and exponential functions, polynomial and quadratic expressions, equations and functions, and a synthesis of modeling with equations and functions. This Regents-level course culminates in the Common Core Algebra I Regents exam in June.

Geometry: The purpose of this course is for students to explore the relationships and measurements of shapes as they connect to algebra, logic, and trigonometry. The students will use varied approaches to solve real-world problems as geometric figures appear all around us. Formal proofs will be introduced, and students will learn to construct and evaluate direct geometry and logic proofs. Students will be expected to communicate mathematical ideas both orally and in writing. The use of technology and manipulatives such as calculators, rulers, compasses, and protractors will be required. Geometry is very visual – so get ready for some fun hands-on activities! This course culminates in the Geometry Regents exam.

Algebra II: During this course, students will learn more advanced topics in mathematics, building on the solid foundation established in Algebra 1 and Geometry. Students learn to use algebra, logic, and trigonometry to solve real-world problems. They communicate mathematical ideas both verbally and in writing, and explore more sophisticated applications for their graphing calculators. Topics include relations and functions, transformation geometry, trigonometric functions and graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric equations and identities, complex numbers, statistics, probability, sequences, and the binomial theorem. This course is a prerequisite for Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus AB/BC courses. This course culminates in a Common Core Algebra 2 Regents exam.

Pre-calculus: During this course, students will learn how to develop the skills necessary to solve lengthy, multi-step problems. The course also involves a variety of pre-calculus mathematical concepts. Topics include functions, polynomial and rational functions, systems of equations and inequalities, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions of real numbers, trigonometric functions of angles, analytic trigonometry, analytic geometry, sequences and series, and limits and infinity. This course culminates in a comprehensive final exam.

AP Calculus AB: AP Calculus AB is roughly equivalent to a first-semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. This course is designed to prepare the student to take more advanced courses in college, both in mathematics and in subject areas that require an extensive background in mathematics. This course covers a number of topics in these areas, including limits, derivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. The course teaches students to approach calculus concepts and problems when they are represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally, and to make connections among these different representations. Students learn how to use technology to help them solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions. This course is designed for highly motivated students who have excelled in previous mathematics courses and who have demonstrated an ability to meet the demands of a faster paced and more in-depth study of advanced mathematical topics. This course follows the rigorous AP Calculus AB syllabus as established by the Educational Testing Service and is designed to prepare students for the AP Calculus AB Exam. The pace, rigor and content are dictated by AP standards. Students enrolled in this class will be expected to take the AP Exam in Calculus AB in May. Students may receive college credit and/or placement depending upon the mark received on the Exam.

Prerequisite: 90+ in previous math courses AND Math Regents or pending space availability

AP Calculus BC: This college-level course is a continuation and challenging extension of the Advanced Placement Calculus AB course and prepares students for a college level course in multivariable calculus. Topics include, but are not limited to, functions, limits, derivatives and their applications, integrals and their applications, series, parametric functions, vector functions, polar functions, as well as differential equations. Students will approach concepts and problems in multiple representations and make connections between the graphical, numerical, algebraic and written forms. The pace, rigor and content are dictated by AP standards. Students enrolled in this class will be expected to take the AP Exam in Calculus BC in May. Students may receive college credit and/or placement depending upon the mark received on the Exam.

Prerequisite: Passing score on AP Calculus AB Exam

AP Statistics: The AP Statistics course is the equivalent of an introductory statistics course offered in colleges and universities. Statistics—the art of drawing conclusions from imperfect data and the science of real-world uncertainties—plays an important role in many fields. This is an ideal course for students planning to pursue the study of Science, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Engineering or Mathematics in college. Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes:

1. Exploring Data: Describing patterns and departures from patterns
2. Sampling and Experimentation: Planning and conducting a study
3. Anticipating Patterns: Exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation
4. Statistical Inference: Estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses

Students will become proficient at communicating statistical concepts that include how experimental design, results and interpretations of data are valid. Writing complete responses and conclusions is essential and this will be stressed throughout the course. The course may be taken in junior or senior year. Students enrolled in this class will be expected to take the AP Exam in Statistics in May.

Prerequisites: 80+ in previous math courses AND Math Regents. Completion of Precalculus is recommended.

Computer Science: This course follows the CS50 curriculum and is designed for those both with and without prior programming experience, and will teach students how to think algorithmically and sold problems efficiently. The first semester will focus on fundamental topics in computer science, such as binary numbers, hardware and algorithms; and will introduce students to programming in Scratch and C, where students will learn about data types, loops and conditionals. During the second semester, students will learn how the internet works, and program web applications in HTML, CSS and JavaScript. This course will culminate in a final programming project which students will develop and present to their peers.

AP Computer Science Principles: This AP level course follows the CS50 curriculum and will pick up where the Computer Science Course leaves off, furthering students understanding of algorithms, such as sorting and searching algorithms, abstractions, functions, models, simulations, and images. We will explore in more depth issues involving internet use and security. Programming languages used will be C and Python. The AP CSP assessment will involve two performance tasks: Explore – a written exploration of a computing innovation and its impact on society, and Create – a program written alone or collaboratively that includes complex algorithms and abstractions. The multiple choice exam in May will cover topics as abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, and cybersecurity concerns.

Prerequisite: 90+ in Computer Science or equivalent course

Financial Literacy: During this course, students will focus on real-world financial literacy, personal finance, and business subjects. Students apply what they learned in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II to topics including personal income, taxes, checking and savings accounts, credit, loans and payments, car leasing and purchasing, home mortgages, stocks, insurance, and retirement planning. Students then extend their investigations using more advanced mathematics, such as systems of equations (when studying cost and profit issues) and exponential functions (when calculating interest problems). This course culminates in a final exam.
This course is open to students who have taken Algebra II and would like to explore more real-world applications using math concepts. This course is appropriate for students who feel they need more support in math, as well as students who felt strong in Algebra II.

Beginning Band: Beginning Band is an introductory level course that requires no previous musical experience. Students learn to play a wind or percussion instrument and develop the necessary skills and experience the excitement of playing music in an ensemble. Open to students starting in 9th grade. Upon successfully completing this course, students are eligible to join Wind Ensemble. Beginning Band students study and perform NYSSMA level 1/2 to 1 and a 1/2 music.

Intermediate Band: Intermediate Band is an every-other-day, one-year course, primarily for 10th grade students, that builds on skills developed in Beginning Band in 9th grade. If you have had at least one year of experience in Beginning Band, this course would be suitable. It would also be suitable if you were in a middle school band program, but haven't played for a while, We play traditional band instruments, flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, tuba and percussion. This course assumes that you know how to play your instrument already and that you have some experience reading music notation (even if you aren't an advanced sight-reader) and playing in an ensemble. Students in this course will build on skills they have, perform concert band repertoire, and perform in our Winter and Spring concerts. When you finish this course, you can also consider auditioning for Jazz Band, our highest level ensemble.

Beginning Jazz Band: Beginning Jazz Band is intended for 11th and 12 grade students who would like to continue playing in band, but may not be ready yet for Jazz Band, our highest-level ensemble. You should have had at least one year of band experience. This is not a class to teach you how to play the instrument, but rather to continue building on skills you have acquired in Beginning and/or Intermediate Band (or in middle school band). In Beginning Jazz Band, we will work on styles within the broad genre known as Jazz. This includes, swing, boss nova, funk, and blues. We will also work on developing improvisation skills. The instrumentation in Beginning Jazz Band includes wind instruments (saxophones, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, flutes, etc) and rhythm section instruments, such as guitar, piano, bass, and drums. Please note that there are only a few spots for guitar, bass, piano, and drums, and they are limited to people who have had prior experience on those instruments. We will be with focusing on NYSSMA Level 2 repertoire. In this course, you will also perform in our Winter and Spring concerts.

Jazz Band: Jazz Band plays a mixture of traditional and contemporary jazz music, funk, and traditional New Orleans style music in an ensemble setting. The instrumentation includes, saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, and rhythm section instruments, such as guitar, bass, and drums. Improvisation is an important component of jazz music, so opportunities are available for students who are interested in self-expression through improvisation. Jazz Band also performs in select events, such as our Black History Month Assembly for elementary school students. Open to qualified students starting in 9th grade. Audition required. Jazz Band students study and perform NYSSMA level 3-4 music and participate in the NYSSMA Majors Festival each Spring.

Beginning Guitar is an introductory course in guitar playing in which you will explore concepts of making music through chords, scales, note-reading, styles, composition and improvisation. The aim of the course is to establish a foundation of basic skills and inspire a lifetime of learning. Students will engage in guitar ensemble playing, as well as smaller group (duets, trios, quartets) playing. Beginning Guitar is offered as a one-year course.

Badminton: New York City has a rich history of net and wall activities ranging from handball courts across city parks and school yards, to beach volleyball at city beaches, to the world-renowned U.S. Open tennis championship in Queens. Net and wall activities can be accessed and enjoyed by many. In high school, students continue to refine advanced motor skills and movement patterns applied to net and wall games. Participation in a pick-up handball game, tennis match, or volleyball game at a NYC public park is a perfect example of how students may choose to continue their application of net and wall activities outside of PE class. Skills practiced include: execute mature pattern for overhand serve, underhand serve, forehand, backhand, and striking; adjust strategies and tactics based on game play (create or reduce space, vary shot selection). Badminton counts towards the 4-year Physical Education graduation requirement.

Basketball: Invasion games allow students to apply transferable physical skills as well as develop relationship skills and social awareness that can foster peer-to-peer interactions. At the high school level, students are ready to explore and apply more complex skills, strategies, and tactics. Skills practiced include: apply offensive skills (pivots, fakes, jab step, shooting) in game play. Basketball counts towards the 4-year Physical Education graduation requirement.

Multi-Sport PE: During this course, students will engage in physical activity to enhance health and fitness. Students will learn and develop skills in a range of sports including soccer, basketball, badminton, volleyball, and football, along with cooperative games and fitness training. These skills and activities support the development of student fitness. Multi-Sport PE counts towards the 4-year Physical Education graduation requirement.

Racquet & Lifetime Sports: Includes Pickleball, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Lifetime Activities (for example: round net, golf). Racquet & Lifetime Sports counts towards the 4-year Physical Education graduation requirement.

Volleyball: New York City has a rich history of net and wall activities ranging from handball courts across city parks and school yards, to beach volleyball at city beaches, to the world-renowned U.S. Open tennis championship in Queens. Net and wall activities can be accessed and enjoyed by many. In high school, students continue to refine advanced motor skills and movement patterns applied to net and wall games. Participation in a pick-up handball game, tennis match, or volleyball game at a NYC public park is a perfect example of how students may choose to continue their application of net and wall activities outside of PE class. Volleyball counts towards the 4-year Physical Education graduation requirement.

Yoga: The Individual Performance theme incorporates lifetime activities and outdoor pursuits. Students have the opportunity to apply fitness principles and movement concepts and skills to individually challenging physical activities. Through goal setting, planning, and assessment, students will have the opportunity to improve their own fitness levels, and the knowledge to access local resources to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Incorporates techniques to effectively manage and reduce stress (e.g. mental imagery, relaxation techniques, diaphragmatic breathing, cardiovascular exercise, meditation). Yoga counts towards the 4-year Physical Education graduation requirement.

AP Seminar: During this class, students will engage in cross-curricular conversations exploring the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, you will practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. You will learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop your own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team.

Regents Living Environment (+ Living Environment Lab): During this Regents-level Life Science course, students will learn how to approach problems using the scientific process, describe the various interactions that occur between organisms around them and inside them, as well as explain how our bodies function, how life evolves, and the complexities of how DNA stores the genetic code for life. This course culminates in the Living Environment Regents Exam in June.

Regents Chemistry (+ Chemistry Lab): During this Regents-level Physical Science course, students will learn how to apply their problem-solving skills to the study of basic topics in chemistry. The Physical Setting/Chemistry course of study is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry and the ability to handle equipment and chemicals safely, while covering topics in chemistry that include: matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, mathematics of chemistry, kinetics and equilibrium acids and bases, redox and electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry and organic chemistry. This course culminates in the Chemistry Regents Exam in June.

Regents Physics (+ Physics Lab): During this Regents-level Physical Science course, students will learn how to analyze problems of matter in motion at both the macroscopic and subatomic level. The first half of the year focuses on the physics phenomena we can see: a tug of war, a roller coaster in motion, a field goal attempt, and so on. The second half of the year focuses on phenomena we can’t see directly, but whose effects we experience on a daily basis, such as light, sound, electricity, and magnetism. This course culminates in the Physics Regents Exam in June.

AP Biology (+ AP Biology Lab): During this Advanced Placement-level Life Science course, students will learn how to design experiments, collect and analyze data, apply mathematical ideas, and connect concepts across multiple biology topics. These topics include the cell, genetics, evolution, and ecology. This course culminates in the AP Biology exam in May and projects in June.

• Prerequisite: Students who fulfill more of the following will be given preference: 90+ in previous non-AP science course or 85+ in previous AP science course, 90+ in the Living Environment Regents exam, 90+ in the Chemistry Regents, and teacher recommendation or pending space availability

Environmental Biology: During this every-day Life Science elective, students will explore environmental topics like the evolution of life on Earth, global biogeography, managing natural resources, local issue activism, environmental legislation, and our roles in the rapidly changing global climate. The course includes classroom discussions and debates, reading current environmental articles, several projects, and group work. This course culminates in a final project/exam.

AP Environmental Science (+ AP Environmental Science Lab): During this Advanced-Placement level  Physical/Life Science level course, students will learn the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies used to study interrelationships of the natural world.  The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Students apply interdisciplinary understandings through inquiry-based lab investigations and field work as they explore the four Big Ideas concepts: energy transfer, interactions between earth systems, interactions between different species and the environment, and sustainability.  This course culminates in the AP Environmental Science exam in May and cumulative projects in June.

• Prerequisite: Students who fulfill more of the following will be given preference: 90+ in previous non-AP science course or 85+ in previous AP science course, 90+ in the Living Environment Regents exam, 90+ in the Chemistry Regents, and teacher recommendation or pending space availability

AP Chemistry (+ AP Chemistry Lab): During this Advanced Placement-level Physical Science course, students will learn how to apply their problem-solving skills to the study of advanced topics in chemistry. With the increasing need for innovators, problem finders, and designers of materials, pharmaceuticals, and even new fuels, comes the need for individuals skilled in science practices and knowledgeable about chemistry. The AP Chemistry course provides students with training for such knowledge and skills through guided inquiry labs, a focused curriculum on content relevant to today’s problems, and an exam that assesses students’ mental models of the particulate nature of matter instead of memorization of rules to understand chemistry. This course culminates in the AP Chemistry exam in May and projects in June.

• Prerequisite: Students who fulfill more of the following will be given preference: 90+ in previous non-AP science course or 85+ in previous AP science course, 90+ in the Chemistry Regents, and teacher recommendation or pending space availability.

AP Physics 1 (+ AP Physics 1 Lab): During this Advanced Placement Physical Science course, students will learn how to apply conceptual and computational models to explain physical phenomena in topics that include Kinematics, Dynamics, Energy, Momentum, Rotational Kinematics, Rotational Dynamics, and Simple Harmonic Motion, following and exceeding College Board’s AP Physics 1 course scope and sequence. Prior knowledge in Physics is not necessary. This course culminates in the AP Physics 1 exam in May and cumulative projects in June.

• Prerequisite: Students who fulfill more of the following will be given preference: 90+ in previous non-AP science course or 85+ in previous AP science course, 90+ in the Physics Regents, and teacher recommendation or pending space availability.

AP Physics C (+ AP Physics C Lab): During this Advanced Placement Physical Science course, students will take two one-semester courses that span a full year of college-level introductory Physics that incorporates Calculus. Students will learn how to apply conceptual and computational models to explain physical phenomena in Mechanics (Kinematics, Dynamics, Energy, Momentum, Rotational Kinematics, Rotational Dynamics, Gravitation, Simple Harmonic Motion) and in Electricity and Magnetism (Electrostatics, Current and Circuits, Magnetism, Electromagnetism), following College Board’s AP Physics C course scope and sequence. A Physics background (e.g. Regents Physics or AP Physics 1) is recommended. This course culminates in the AP Physics C exam in May and cumulative projects in June.

• Prerequisite: Students must have already taken or be concurrently taking a Calculus course while enrolled in AP Physics C. Students who fulfill more of the following will be given preference: 90+ in previous non-AP science course or 85+ in previous AP science course, 90+ in the Physics Regents, 90+ in previous Math Regents, and teacher recommendation or pending space availability.

Astronomy: During this Physical Science elective course that meets every other day, students will explore the underlying physics that govern our universe. Students will explore the evolution of the Universe and consider how our current theories about the Universe’s creation, existence, and current state were developed. Students will also learn about Astronomical phenomena such as stellar and galactic formation and evolution and will also be introduced to basic astronomical observational techniques. This elective culminates in a final project and/or exam.

Experimental Chemistry: During this Physical Science laboratory elective that meets every other day, students will be introduced to some basic laboratory skills, techniques, and equipment commonly used in chemistry experiments. Students will see how chemical principles can be obtained from experiments. Students will learn to record data and observation precisely. Students will discuss their progress and write formal lab reports. This elective culminates in a final project.

Robotics: This Robotics elective course, that meets every other day, offers students an opportunity to engage with fundamental concepts in engineering, programming, and electronics. Through hands-on activities and projects, students explore the principles behind designing, building, and programming robots. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving skills and collaboration as students work together to overcome challenges. From understanding basic mechanical structures to coding autonomous functions, students gain practical skills that are applicable across various STEM fields. This course provides a foundation for further exploration in robotics and related disciplines, encouraging students to develop a deeper understanding of technology and its impact on society.

Science Olympiad: During this first semester Science elective that meets three times a week, students will prepare to participate in Science Olympiad competitions. Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of team events, which students will prepare for during the Fall semester. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and technology. There is also a balance between events requiring knowledge of science concepts, process skills, science applications and, and engineering design. Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad will encourage group learning by preparing for the events that forge alliances. Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division. While in class, students will have an opportunity to select a specific area of science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics) and the format of the competition (test, lab, engineer and build) for which they will be preparing throughout the semester. Students will be expected to attend a few competitions taking place on Saturdays.

Global 9: This course is a year-long introduction to global history and geography. Using a variety of sources, students trace the political, economic, and social development of multiple civilizations across a wide span of time and space, from the earliest humans to roughly 1750. For each historical era, students will use a comparative approach to develop knowledge and understanding of specific themes in world history. These include cultural diffusion, migration, multi-regional empires, belief systems, trade, and conflict. Students apply their understanding of crafting historical arguments and historical causation by writing expository and document-based paragraphs and essays and working on independent and collaborative research-based projects. The course continues in 10th grade, culminating with the AP World History exam and/or the Global History and Geography Regents exam.

AP World History: This course is the second year in the global history curriculum. It also follows Global History I. It is an AP course, so it is designed to be like a college-level course and there is an AP exam in May. The course covers material from about 1700 to the present encompassing the history of the entire world. Besides all of the historical content covered, there is an emphasis on the development of historical thinking skills such as periodization, causation and document analysis. There is a lot of reading and writing in this course, not only because of the amount of material covered but also because two of the primary goals of the course are to improve the ability of students to become both stronger analytical readers and better argumentative writers. As such, there is a lot of primary source analysis and digging deep into the meaning of texts, both written and visual. Finally, there is a lot of argumentative writing about texts and historical ideas. After the AP World History Exam in May, students also take the Global History and Geography Regents Exam in June, which is a requirement of the course.

Regents US History: This two-semester course covers American history from the French and Indian War to the present. While the Regents course will cover many of the same skills and topics as the AP course, it has about half the required reading and its assessments are based off of the Regents standards, rather than the AP standards. Students are also afforded more opportunities to retake quizzes and tests for credit towards their grade. The course will provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to critically interpret issues throughout America’s past and lead to an understanding of America’s place in the world today. Some of the topics we will cover include: the road to revolution, slavery, the road to the Civil War, industrialization and immigration, American imperialism, the Great Depression, World War II, the civil rights movement, and the modern presidents. This course culminates in the US History Regents exam in June.

AP US History: This two-semester college-level course covers American history from the Age of Exploration to the present. The course will provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to critically interpret issues throughout America’s past and lead to an understanding of America’s place in the world today. In addition to reading a college-level text, students will grapple with a multitude of primary source documents, including speeches, literature, lyrics, poetry, and art composed by people from all aspects of society. Students will learn to assess historical materials, their relevance to a given problem, their reliability, and their importance, in order to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. Some of the topics we will cover include: the colonial experience, the road to revolution, slavery, the road to the Civil War, industrialization and immigration, American imperialism, the Great Depression, World War II, the civil rights movement, and the modern presidents. This course culminates in an AP US History Exam in May. Students will also take the US History Regents exam in June. Prerequisites: 90+ in Global II or AP World History and teacher recommendation or pending space availability

Participation in Government & Economics: This course is a year-long introduction to government and economics. Students will begin the course by exploring the purpose of government and the economy through a range of historical and contemporary figures from Plato to  Machiavelli, John Rawls, Milton Friedman, and Raphael Bostic. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the electoral process, Constitutional rights, and financial literacy skills through simulations and project based learning. For example, students will take on the role of a Supreme Court Justice to determine if a student was properly suspended and will create a shark tank style proposal for a new business utilizing the economics skills they learned in the course.

African American Studies: This course will cover the richness of African history/culture prior to slavery and follow the experiences of African Americans in America through the present.  We look at the foundation of racism in the world and how it has changed through power structures and racial hierarchies. We will look at Black pride and resilience in the face of physical, psychological, social, political and economic violence.

Asian American Studies: Asian American Studies is a year-long US History-based course examining the history of immigration and exclusion, anti-Asian hate and resistance movements as well as cultural contributions of Asians to American society. This course culminates in a final project.

AP Psychology: The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce you to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. You will learn the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology, and you will learn about the ethics and methods that psychologists use in their science and practice. Importantly, you will also develop your critical and creative thinking skills; the hands-on nature of the course coupled with the inclusion of cutting-edge research and contemporary case studies will allow you to think like a psychologist and to put the lessons of the class into a real-world context.

• Pre-requisites: 90+ in overall GPA and teacher recommendation or pending space availability.

Contemporary World Affairs: This course has been designed to develop your intellect and interest in current events through exploring different perennial and contemporary hot topics. You will determine what your views are on each topic through exploring the history, evolution and different perspectives surrounding these topics. We will also explore questions of justice and morality by examining each issue through multiple lenses. In addition to gaining more knowledge about the topics, you will spend time honing your writing and argumentative skills. The class will spend time debating the topics and will assist you in crafting clear and convincing reasons to support your position on the topic. You will have the opportunity to submit your views to local and national news publications. Each semester will culminate with your leading a class on a subtopic of your choice within one of the larger topics we have covered. 

Introduction to Theater (9th Grade): This introductory course focuses on building the 9th grade community and enriching each individual’s sense of self. Using theater games and psychological inquiry, students participate in a mixture collaborative play, intellectual discussion, and reflective writing. Units include “Improvisation,” “Tableau Composition,” and “Introduction to Acting.” This is an entry level course and does not require any previous performing arts experience.

Theatre Devising Workshop (10^th Grade): In this every-other-day intermediate course, students will cultivate and develop their unique theatrical and artistic voice and collaborate with peers to construct original theater works and styles that reflect their personal experiences and speak about issues and ideas that matter to them. This course involves projects.

Theater Production & Performance (11th & 12th Grade): For students who have completed the “Introduction to Theatre” course and the “Theatre Devising Workshop” course or for students who wish to challenge themselves in theatre, this advanced class dives directly into the whirlwind of producing and performing a full-length play. Students will be responsible for all aspects of production, from set design to sound engineering to choreography to acting onstage. Students will be guided in their various roles as the class collectively becomes a theater company racing toward their performance deadline. Student obligations may extend into after school hours during the final production week.

Spanish 1: Spanish 1 will provide the student with a general introduction to the Spanish language: sound system, pronunciation, functional vocabulary related to everyday life, cultural information and basic grammatical structures. Emphasis will be on the acquisition of four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing Active participation is required.

Spanish 2: Spanish 2 builds upon knowledge gained in Spanish 1. Emphasis is on perfecting pronunciation, mastery of several verb tenses and increased communicative proficiency. Students will be exposed to the past tenses, future, conditional and subjunctive mood. Students will be expected to apply them in all modes of communication. Active participation is required.

Spanish 3: Students in Spanish 3 implement their language knowledge and skills from the previous courses. During this course, students expand their use of the target language through speaking, reading, listening and writing. The course culminates in the NYC LOTE exam in June, the exam is divided into the four modes of communication: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Active participation is required.

Spanish 4: Spanish 4 provides students the opportunity to further develop, improve and refine their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Emphasis continues to be placed on oral skills with additional emphasis on reading and writing in the target language. Supplementary materials are implemented to enhance language use. Students experience multiple opportunities to demonstrate their proficiency in Spanish in different contexts. Pre-AP activities will be integrated into the curriculum.

AP Spanish: The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is comparable to a high intermediate or advanced low-level college or university Spanish language course. Emphasizing the use of Spanish for active communication in real life tasks, it focuses on strengthening their cultural competencies through theme-based on a variety of authentic resources. Students must enter with a high level of grammar and vocabulary fluency, upon department approval. Students take the AP Spanish exam by College Board on May. Active participation is required.

Prerequisite: 90+ in previous course and teacher recommendation

Mandarin 1: This course is designed to introduce the Chinese language and Chinese culture to non-Chinese speaking students. Students will focus on acquiring basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Mandarin Chinese. Students will learn to read and write “Pinyin”, the most commonly used radicals, and 200 more Chinese characters. Students will learn basic communicative expressions and basic survival speech. Students will be introduced to Chinese history and many aspects of Chinese culture, including customs, manners, and food.

Mandarin 2: This course is designed to build on the Chinese language and Chinese culture learned on level 1. Students will focus on acquiring basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Mandarin Chinese. Students will learn to read and write “Pinyin”, the most commonly used radicals, and 300 more Chinese characters. Students will learn basic communicative expressions and basic survival speech. Students will be introduced to Chinese history and many aspects of Chinese culture, including customs, manners, and food.

Mandarin 3: This course is designed to build on the Chinese language and Chinese culture learned on previous levels. Students will focus on acquiring basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Mandarin Chinese. Students will learn to read and write “Pinyin”, the most commonly used radicals, and 400 more Chinese characters. During this course, students expand their use of the target language through speaking, reading, listening and writing. The course culminates in the NYC LOTE exam in June, the exam is divided into the four modes of communication: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Active participation is required.

It is extremely important for families and students to set up the following accounts:

• JupiterEd - to see latest grades and assignments
• NYC Schools (mystudent.nyc) - to see latest attendance and final report cards
• PTA Connect - to receive important school communications
• DOE student email account- to receive email from teachers and access Google Classroom

Please visit the Digital Access webpage to find out how to set up your accounts. 

To view our Upper Grades teachers’ academic tutoring hours please click the link below:

• TUTORING SCHEDULE

If you are a student and you would like to receive peer tutoring, please fill out this online form. A National Honor Society member will respond to your email within 3 days:

• [coming soon!]