This Magnet freshman course combines three core magnet courses in one year. The technology, designed to familiarize students with concepts and fundamentals of hardware and software, is integrated into the literature course in which there is an emphasis on a balance of composition, grammar, and literature through the development of vocabulary, speaking, listening, and research skills. Blended into the literature and technology courses are biology and chemistry literature reviews, as well as a STEM-focused project. In this blended course students experience interdisciplinary learning opportunities with real-world applications in a humanities-based curriculum that accentuates media literacy, technology literacy, and communications literacy.
American Studies combines two core courses, AP Language and AP US History in a year-long combined curriculum. In literature, students will have opportunities to improve reading, writing, speaking/listening, and critical thinking skills through the study of American literature. The course includes a variety of literary genres and multicultural writers in a chronological or thematic pattern and emphasizes developing control in expository writing (thesis support), moving toward precision in personal narrative, descriptive, and persuasive writing. It also refines research skills and integrates grammar, mechanics, and usage into the writing process. In history, students will investigate the United States, its people, institutions and heritage, emphasizing political, cultural and social issues, the role of the United States as a world leader and the issues confronting the United States today.
Advanced Placement Language/Composition conforms to the College Board recommendations for the Advanced Placement Language and Composition Examination. It emphasizes critical thinking, reading, and writing through the study and discussion of expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. It stresses the connection between reading and writing mature prose.
Advanced Placement Literature/Composition conforms to the College Board recommendations for the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Examination. It covers the study and practice of writing and the study of literature, stressing modes of discourse, assumptions underlying rhetorical strategies, connotation, metaphor, irony, syntax, and tone. It emphasizes writing critical analyses of literature and includes essays in exposition and argument, poetry, drama, prose fiction, and expository literature.
Honors World History emphasizes the political, cultural, economic and social development and growth of civilizations. It covers the development of change beginning with ancient civilizations, the emergence of nations through trade/communications, intellectual development, scientific/technological development, emergence of nation states, nations in conflict and the emerging interdependence of nations in the twentieth century.
Advanced Placement World History conforms to the College Board topics for Advanced Placement World History. It includes study of cultural, political, social and economic history and stresses research and writing skills.
Advanced Placement United States History conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement United States History Examination. It covers discovery and settlement, Colonial Society, the American Revolution, Constitution and the New Republic, Age of Jefferson, Nationalism, Sectionalism, Territorial Expansion, Civil War, Reconstruction, Industrialization, Progressive Era, World War I, Depression, New Deal, World War II, The Cold War, through modern times.
Advanced Placement United States Government conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement United States Government Examination. Students will study the key concepts and institutions of the political system and culture of the United States. Students will read, analyze, and discuss the U.S. Constitution and other documents as well as complete a research or applied civics project.
Advanced Placement microeconomics conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement Microeconomics Examination. Students will study Explore the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. Students will use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.