Upper School Program Guide 2017–2018 UPPER SCHOOL PROGRAM GUIDE 2017-2018 The Program Guide provides an easy-to-reference resource of all aspects of the Upper School experience: academics, arts, athletics, activities and student support services. Possible academic paths in each department are included for course planning purposes. Please note that courses and activities are offered each year based on student interest, therefore, some items listed in the Program Guide may not be offered each year. 1 Table of Contents Mission, Vision and Core Values……………………………….. 4 General Graduation Requirements……………………………….. 5 Course Designations……………………………………………… 6 Classics…………………………………………………………… 9 Latin………………………………………………………. 9 Greek……………………………………………………… 13 Electives…………………………………………………… 14 English……………………………………………………………. 16 Junior/Senior Seminars…………………………………… 18 Electives for non-English Credit…………………………. 25 Fine Arts………………………………………………………….. 28 Visual Arts – Introductory and Capstone Courses……….. 28 Visual Arts – Studio Art………………………………….. 30 Visual Arts – Ceramics…………………………………… 31 Visual Arts – Digital Arts………………………………… 33 Visual Arts – Film and Video……………………………. 35 Visual Arts – Photography……………………………….. 36 Visual Arts – Additional Courses………………………… 37 Dance……………………………………………………… 39 Music……………………………………………………… 42 Music Theory……………………………………………… 44 Theater……………………………………………………. 45 History and Social Sciences……………………………………… 48 History……………………………………………………. 48 History – Electives……………………………………….. 51 Social Sciences…………………………………………… 54 Innovation………………………………………………………… 57 Computer Science………………………………………… 57 Innovation………………………………………………… 60 Mathematics……………………………………………………… 64 Electives………………………………………………….. 70 Modern Language………………………………………………… 72 Chinese…………………………………………………… 72 French…………………………………………………….. 74 Spanish……………………………………………………. 78 Science……………………………………………………………. 83 Electives………………………………………………….. 87 Athletic Program…………………………………………………. 92 Theater……………………………………………………………. 93 Student Activities………………………………………………… 94 Student Support…………………………………………………... 103 Student Advisors………………………………………… 103 2 The Learning Center……………………………………… 103 Office Hours……………………………………………… 103 College Counseling………………………………………. 104 3 Mission, Vision and Core Values Our Mission A Flint Hill education focuses on the learner. Within a context of strong relationships, we create developmental experiences that embrace the best practices of traditional and contemporary education. Through continuous growth, we actively and thoughtfully implement the ideas and resources that help each student investigate, create and communicate collaboratively and effectively in a rapidly changing, interconnected world. Our Vision for Every Student Take meaningful risks. Be yourself. Make a difference. Core Values Flint Hill’s four core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and compassion are the fundamental principles that guide all interactions within our school community, and are the foundation of the Upper School Honor Code, which is signed by all students and adults at the beginning of each school year: As a member of the Flint Hill School community, I will strive to be honorable and to uphold the standard of integrity of the School community. 4 General Graduation Requirements All students must earn a minimum of 20 credits in Upper School courses to qualify for a Flint Hill School diploma. Courses are assigned the following credit values: Full year course 1.0 credit Semester course .50 credit (meets 4 of 6 days) Semester course .25 credit (meets 2 of 6 days) Quarter course .25 credit (meets 4 of 6 days) Term course (meets after school) .50 credit Credits required in each academic department are as follows: English 4 credits History 3 credits, including U.S. History ​ Mathematics 3 credits, with completion of Algebra II at a minimum ​ Science 3 credits (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) ​ Languages Completion of Level 3 in one language OR completion of Level 2 in two different languages ​ Fine Arts 1 credit (2 semesters) ​ Human Development .25 credit in Grade 9 ​ Additional requirements include: Athletics 4 seasons - 2 must be team credits ​ Community Service 15 hours per year (60 hours total) ​ Senior Project Successful completion during Senior year 5 Course Designations Movement between and among courses in each of our academic programs is quite fluid, and is dependent upon the relative areas of strength for each student. At the end of each department’s course listings, we present a list of possible course sequence paths for that subject. This list is not meant to be exhaustive; rather, it is intended to provide a general sense of the options available to students following the completion of a particular course, and for their entire Upper School experience in that program. Some courses are given special designations to indicate particularly unique aspects of their content, approach or approval process: Advanced Placement (AP) The AP Program prepares students for a College Board examination in their chosen courses in early May. Superior skills in the fundamentals of the various subject areas are general prerequisite to entering AP courses, along with very high levels of intellectual curiosity and motivation, solid analytical and reasoning ability and a strong independent work ethic. Flint Hill currently offers 26 AP courses: Biology Macroeconomics Calculus AB Microeconomics Calculus BC Music Theory Chemistry Physics 1: Algebra-Based Chinese Language and Culture Physics 2: Algebra-Based Comparative Government Physics C Computer Science A Psychology English Language and Composition Spanish Language and Culture English Literature and Composition Spanish Literature and Culture Environmental Science Statistics European History Studio Art: 3D Design – Ceramics French Language and Culture United States Government Latin United States History Post-AP Post-AP courses are courses that students may take only after they have taken the AP course in ​ ​ the sequence. Flint Hill currently offers three (3) Post-AP courses: Latin Collegiate Seminar Linear Algebra Multivariable Calculus 6 Honors Honors courses are typically presented at a more sophisticated, advanced level, generally preparing students for AP courses in the Junior and Senior years. Students taking such courses are expected to exhibit a very strong work ethic, a high level of independence and intellectual curiosity and a commitment to the higher intellectual demands of the course. Students may take honors courses with the permission of each respective department. Flint Hill currently offers 26 honors-level courses: Algebra II/Trigonometry Latin III Art III Latin IV Biology Literature for the Inquiring Mind Chemistry Literature of Social Change Contemporary World History Modern European History English I - Investigating Forms and Genres Portfolio Exhibition English II - Exploring Literary Perspectives Pre-Calculus Ethics in Literature Spanish II Film Criticism Spanish III French II Spanish IV French III Topics in Ceramics Geometry Topics in Dance Latin II Topics in New Media Online/Blended Courses Blended courses enable students to work on class material in a traditional setting with the instructor present, and also include virtual or flexible class time where students will be expected to work independently on material for the course. Spanish IV is currently offered in a blended format. Online courses provide students with individualized learning opportunities that allow for greater scheduling flexibility. Asynchronous lessons allow students to learn at their own pace, according to a schedule convenient to them; synchronous lessons allow for more collaborative learning opportunities and direct access to the instructor. Geometry is currently offered in an online format as an additional option to complement the traditional classroom format. Flint Hill currently offers two (2) online/blended courses: Accelerated Algebra II – Online Geometry – Online Term Courses Term courses have the same contact hours as semester courses, but are aligned with the athletic seasons and offered after school, typically from 3:30-6:00 p.m., twice per week. The instructor and the Director of the Upper School determine the specific meeting times. 7 Flint Hill currently offers six (4) Term Courses: American Popular Music Applied Robotics Ceramics I Fiber Art 8 Classics Latin Latin I This course is the traditional first year of Latin taught in a single academic year and is typically taken by an Upper School student who has not previously taken Latin in middle school. The course encompasses the focused study of grammar, vocabulary and translation, as well as an introduction to Roman history, culture and classical mythology. The study of derivation and word origin is an important aspect of this class. All students take the National Latin Exam in the spring as a means of measuring their progress against national standards and diverse programs across the country. (Full year, 1 credit) ​ Latin II This course completes the basic grammar begun in Latin I and increases incrementally the scope and difficulty of translation, with the ultimate goal of introducing Latin in the original. Roman history, culture and classical mythology are integrated through translation, projects and class lecture. The study of derivation and word origin remains a central emphasis. All students take the National Latin Exam in the spring as a means of measuring their progress against national standards and diverse programs across the country. (Full year, 1 credit) ​ Latin II Honors This course