The goals of the English department are to help students become stronger, more articulate thinkers and communicators, and to promote within all students an understanding and lifelong love of literature. A major focus of all English classes is developing students’ writing skills.
All students are required to take four years of English. English classes are tracked in 9th – 12th grades. English classes are tracked independently of other disciplines.
Curriculum
9thEnglish I: Identity and Introduction to Writing 10thThe Self in Society
11thAmerican Literature12thAP English Literature or Choosing Your Own Adventure: Monstrous Stories: Tales of Gothic Literature, True Crime: Crime, Punishment, Guilt and Innocence in Literature, Tell Me a Memory, Once Upon a Time: Flights of Fancy in Children's Literature
History
All History courses challenge students to understand and appreciate the complicated and multi-dimensional world in which they live. On a more fundamental level, History teachers strive to cultivate a knowledge of history and politics that is both broad and deep. Students are trained to do research and to communicate ideas and information clearly and effectively. Students are taught to read and think critically from a variety of perspectives with an aim of engaging in thoughtful dialogue.
All students are required to take four years of History. History classes are tracked in 9th – 11th grades. History classes are tracked independently of other disciplines.
Jewish History
Our primary goal in teaching Jewish History is to help students develop a strong Jewish identity and gain an appreciation for the rich texture of their Jewish heritage as part of the larger historical context.
Curriculum
9thWorld and Jewish History I10thWorld and Jewish History II
11thUS History or AP US History12thUS Government or AP Government and Contemporary Israel
ELECTIVE OFFERINGS HAVE INCLUDED
AP Psychology
Topics in Psychology
Current Events & Global Issues
Real-World Finance
Sociology
Law Through Film
Public Speaking
Foreign Languages
All foreign language courses emphasize listening and reading comprehension, mastery of the written word, and active self-expression through the study of prose, poetry, dialogues and expository pieces. In addition, we strive to expose students to cultures associated with the languages they have chosen to study.
Foreign Language offerings are based on student interest each year. We offer American Sign Language I & II, Arabic, Spanish I, II & III, French I, II & III, Yiddish I & II, and Mandarin Chinese. Students can elect to take a foreign language in all grades.
Art
The primary goals of our Art program are to help students see and experience the beauty of artistic compositions and to guide the development of their own abilities of artistic expression, including the ability to give expression to their spiritual selves through a medium other than the written or spoken word.
ART ELECTIVES ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL FOUR GRADES
ELECTIVE OFFERINGS HAVE INCLUDED
Studio Art (Advanced & AP classes)
Architecture and Design
Photography
Multi-Media Art
Printmaking
Health and Physical Education
Our Physical Education program is designed to educate students, in a fun and safe environment, about physical fitness so that they graduate with the skills, knowledge and motivation to engage in a life of physical activity. The 10th-grade Health curriculum aims to address health-related topics of importance to the current and future health and physical well-being of the students. All students are required to take four years of Physical Education (PE) and a 10th-grade Health course.
Curriculum
9th2 periods PE per week10th1 period PE and 1 period Health per week
