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Requirements
Theology
English
Chemistry
U.S. History from 1865
Algebra II or Algebra II with Trig
Electives
SAT Prep—English
Journalism I; Journalism II
Public Speaking
Computer—Microsoft Office
Computer—Web Page Design
Graphic Art
Psychology
French III/IV
Spanish III/IV
Introduction to Business
Accounting
Economics
Business Law
Studio Art I; Studio Art II

031/01 - Junior Theology: Personal Morality and Exploring the Religions of the World

The first semester of this course considers the formation and development of an individual's Christian character. The course begins by exploring what it means to be human, what it means to be Christian, and what it means to grow in the image of God. Students consider goodness as it relates to healthy self-esteem, conscience formation, integrity, and honesty; power in terms of right relationships with other people; and the meaning of love as it is expressed in sexuality, friendship, and generosity. The second semester is about religion itself by way of an overview of Judaism, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religions, and Japanese religions. The second semester curriculum has two purposes. Learning about other religions helps students better understand their own Christian faith and gain more benefit from practicing their faith. Better comprehension of other religions also helps students be more open and accepting of people of other faiths. During both semesters much use is made of studying feature movies as specific examples of the themes being studied. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary acquisition, accurate summarizing, articulation of beliefs and of reasons for moral decisions, and of taking appropriate responsibility for one’s own personal decisions.
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031/02 - Junior Theology: Personal Morality and Morality in Society

The first semester of this course considers the formation and development of an individual's Christian character. The course begins by exploring what it means to be human, what it means to be Christian, and what it means to grow in the image of God. Students consider goodness as it relates to healthy self-esteem, conscience formation, integrity, and honesty; power in terms of right relationships with other people; and the meaning of love as it is expressed in sexuality, friendship, and generosity. The second semester considers morality in regard to societal issues. Students consider power in terms of right relationships with things and nature; wisdom in regard to work; mercy as involving peacemaking, patience, and forgiveness; and justice as it applies to fairness, equality, and good citizenship. During both semesters much use is made of studying feature movies as specific examples of themes being studied. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary acquisition, accurate summarizing, articulation of beliefs and reasons for moral decisions, and taking appropriate responsibility for one’s own personal decisions.
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131 – Junior English

Junior English focuses on the major works of American literature. Students study and understand literary trends that have shaped and reflected American culture: colonialism, rationalism, romanticism, the Victorian period, and modernism. This course places a major emphasis on honing writing skills, especially in terms of proficiency with formal analytical writing techniques. Students must complete one five to seven page term paper on an approved topic related to American literature or history. Students also have numerous opportunities to explore literature through different creative approaches, including art, drama, and film. In order to be best prepared for the SAT, students work weekly on vocabulary lists derived from SAT preparation books and also practice timed essay responses biweekly. Each student must read one assigned outside-reading book and watch one assigned outside-viewing film per academic quarter.
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132 – Junior English (Honors)

Junior English Honors focuses on the major works of American literature. Students study and understand literary trends that have shaped and reflected American culture: colonialism, rationalism, romanticism, the Victorian period, and modernism. This course places a major emphasis on honing writing skills, especially in terms of depth and maturity of literary analysis. Students must complete one eight to ten page term paper on an approved topic related to American literature. Students also have numerous opportunities to explore literature through different creative approaches, including art, drama, and film. In order to be best prepared for the SAT, student’s work weekly on vocabulary lists derived from SAT preparation books and also practice timed essay responses biweekly. Each student must read one assigned outside-reading book and watch one assigned outside-viewing film per academic quarter. Departmental approval is required.
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531 – Chemistry

This junior level science course focuses on a basic understanding of chemistry, the science of the structure, and properties of matter. Throughout the year, the student’s understanding of the structure of atoms grows into knowledge of how molecules and compounds are formed, the changes they undergo, and how this relates to everyday surroundings. Topics in the course include the structure of atoms, the periodic table, chemical bonding, gases, solutions, acids, bases, and equilibrium. Students are also expected to learn and perform safe laboratories, including building molecular models, completing reactions, and analyzing the results of these reactions. Emphasis is placed on understanding terminology and concepts, problem solving, and lab work.
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331 – United States History Part II

This required course for all juniors covers the history of the United States from the Civil War to the 20th century. Students learn that history is an interpretive discipline rather than a compendium of facts to be memorized. Students have the opportunity to examine the major social, political, and economic trends of the second half of the 19th to the 20th century.
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231 – Algebra II

This junior level course is designed for the student of average ability. It is intended to further extend linear concepts with emphasis on developing quadratic and higher degree concepts. Problem solving with various applications is explored throughout the course. Topics covered include solving and graphing quadratic functions, operations on polynomials, solving rational equations, and graphing functions. Radicals, rational exponents, matrices, and complex numbers are also covered within the scope of the course. Pre-requisite: successful completion of Algebra I and Geometry.
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232 – Algebra II And Trigonometry Honors

This junior level course is intended to further extend linear concepts with emphasis on developing quadratic and higher degree concepts. Problem solving and various applications are explored throughout the course. Topics covered include solving and graphing quadratic functions, operations on polynomials, solving rational equations, and graphing functions. Radicals, rational exponents, matrices, probability and statistics, basic trigonometric concepts, and complex numbers are also covered within the scope of the course. Pre-requisite: successful completion of Algebra I and Geometry. The approval of the department is required.
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152 – SAT Preparation

In this elective course, students prepare for the Verbal section of the Scholastic Achievement Test by examining each of the three types of verbal questions that appear on the exam. Students learn techniques which help them to break down the sentence completion, analogy, and reading comprehension questions and determine a correct answer. Students also study roots and prefixes, understand the scoring and use of the test, and learn exercises meant to lessen anxiety. Students should expect to take practice tests frequently.
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153 – Journalism 1

Journalism 1 is a one semester elective course open to juniors and seniors. It focuses on the major components of journalism and the role journalism plays in society. It is designed to provide a general overview of newspaper structure, news elements, media ethics, and history of the press. Students are also introduced to technical aspects of journalism such as interviewing, news writing, and editorial writing. Technology plays a major role in the classroom and in student work with outside media sources. Students supply copy for the school newspaper, The Anchor.
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154 – Journalism 2

Journalism 2 is a one semester elective course open to juniors and seniors. It builds on the skills learned in Journalism 1 and focuses on news, editorial and review writing, and media ethics. Technology plays a major role in the classroom and in student work with outside media sources. Students learn newspaper layout and design and are introduced to copy editing techniques. Students in this class serve on the editorial board of the school newspaper and are required to contribute articles and editorials to the school newspaper. Department approval is required and Journalism 1 is a prerequisite.
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174 – Public Speaking

Public speaking is an elective course open to juniors and seniors. Students who opt to take this course experience writing, delivering, and evaluating various kinds of discourse. Each week includes professional and peer evaluation throughout the process of drafting and perfecting a piece. The course offers exercises in drama, persuasive speech, commemorative speech, and storytelling. Each student should expect to speak in front of fifty to eighty people at least five times during the course. Students also get a chance to explore anxiety-lessening techniques and learn to understand the role that body language plays in communication. Most importantly, students leave this course with plenty of experience speaking in front of larger crowds.
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253 - Computer—Microsoft Office

This is a one semester elective course open to juniors and seniors. This course delves into Microsoft Excel (a spread sheet program) and Access (a data base program). Toward the end of the semester, Microsoft Publisher and Front Page are introduced.
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255 - Computer—Web Page

Design This is a one semester elective course open to juniors and seniors. This course introduces the student to the various aspects that go into making a good Web site. It also introduces the structure and use of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the backbone of a Web page. Later in the semester the students will create a Web page using Microsoft FrontPage—a program that displays text on the screen as it will appear on the printed Web page.
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256 – Graphic Art

Graphic art is a one semester, introductory level, elective course open to juniors and seniors. Students in graphic art learn to use the computer as a tool for creating artwork. This course consists of long-term projects, weekly quizzes, and weekly homework assignments designed to introduce students to the language of graphic art. Students use Adobe Photoshop, and various hand techniques to study typography, graphic literacy, photo manipulation, communication design, and illustration. All students are required to maintain a digital portfolio and compile a Visual Reference Journal (VRJ), both of which are used on the class final.
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353 – Psychology

This one semester elective course, open to juniors and seniors, introduces the students to the study of psychology, beginning with an overview of the field of psychology and its historical roots and ending with a discussion of psychotherapy. Videos and students activities help the student comprehend psychological ways of viewing the behavior of individual human beings. Emphasis is placed on reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, understanding of the scientific method as applied in psychological research, and retention of information about key historical figures and general psychological concepts.
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451 – French III/IV

This elective course is designed for students who have successfully completed high school level French II. Skills already developed are expanded so that students are able to function using the language in a greater number of situations encountered in daily life or while traveling. More creative use of the language begins to replace highly structured situations. Reading of simple stories with more idiomatic expressions is introduced along with the accompanying grammar. Culture continues to be an integral part of the curriculum. The emphasis in this course on acquiring the practical usage of the language in a variety of settings requires daily practice in and out of the class. Classroom exercises and homework are assigned every day, and are an essential part of a student’s success in French III and IV.
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452 – Spanish III/IV

This elective course focuses on the development of functional skills in the students. More creative use of the language begins to replace structured situations. Reading of simple stories and idiomatic expressions is introduced along with the accompanying grammar. Students are expected to write simple, creative communication in the language within the limits of their experience. Culture continues to be an integral part of the curriculum. Aural and oral exercises are used constantly, since acquiring practical usage of the language requires frequent practice.
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623 – Introduction to Business

This elective course, open to juniors and seniors, introduces students to the world of business, including the concepts, functions, and skills required for meeting the challenges of operating a business in the twenty-first century. It also covers units that focus on business in general. Areas of concentration include: banking, investments, insurance, consumerism, business and economic structure, entrepreneurship, management, and marketing. Students participate in business simulations.
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651 – Accounting

This elective course, open to juniors and seniors, provides students with an understanding of basic accounting principles and practices. The course covers accounting activities from beginning balance sheets through the post closing trial balance. It includes a study of specialized business transactions as they apply to both service and merchandising businesses. In addition, the completion of two major projects gives objective evidence of progress each student is making.
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655 – Economics

This elective course, open to juniors and seniors, introduces students to essential terminology and concepts of macro and microeconomics and to the economic way of thinking. Students learn to understand and evaluate the complex economic problems encountered in modern society. Topics include: business cycles, economic growth, exchange rates, pricing and output decisions in a market economy, and the impact of governmental policies on the economy. Concepts are explained by means of lecture, illustrative examples and class activities.
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658 – Business Law

Business Law is an elective course open to juniors and seniors. It emphasizes the basic principles of law that underlie the everyday personal and business transactions made by individuals and companies. The course is designed to cover the following topics: law and society, the legal implications of buying and selling goods, consumer protection, credit, insurance, financial institutions, and property. Concepts are explained by means of lecture, illustrative examples, and mock-court activities.
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712 – Studio Art I, Semester 1

Studio art I, semester 1 is an introductory level, elective course open to juniors and seniors. Students in this course are exposed to a variety of art media with a particular emphasis on drawing media. Throughout the course of the semester students complete a variety of long-term workshops and projects addressing portfolio design, drawing techniques, artists study, art history, self-portraits, and mural design or special project. Students also complete a variety of short-term exercises used as additional practice. All students are required to maintain a sketchbook with weekly homework assignments, as well as a portfolio of class work used to complete the class mid-term.
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712 – Studio Art I, Semester 2

Studio art I, semester 2 is an introductory level, elective course open to juniors and seniors. Students in this course are exposed to a variety of art media with a particular emphasis on painting media. Throughout the course of the semester, students complete a variety of long-term workshops and projects addressing painting techniques, artists study, art history, perspective, independent study, and a class project. Students also complete a variety of short-term exercises used as additional practice. All students are required to maintain a sketchbook with weekly homework assignments, as well as a portfolio of class work used to complete the class final.
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713 – Studio Art II, Semester 1

Studio art II, semester 1 is an advanced level, elective course open to juniors and seniors with teacher approval. Students in this course follow the same curriculum as students in studio art I, semester 1, but with modifications and additional expectations and requirements. Students in studio art 2, semester 1 are expected to demonstrate a working understanding of art elements, art principles, and composition on all assignments. The work of students in this advanced level course is evaluated with an emphasis on drawing skills and craftsmanship. Students are assigned leadership roles in the classroom and work as mentors to students in studio art I. In addition to all requirements of studio art I, semester 1, students in studio art II, semester 1 are required to complete one long-term independent project outside of class.
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713 – Studio Art II, Semester 2

Studio art II, semester 2 is an advanced level, elective course, open to juniors and seniors with teacher approval. Students in this course follow the same curriculum as students in studio art 1, semester 2, but with modifications and additional expectations and requirements. Students in studio art 2, semester 2 are expected to demonstrate a working understanding of art elements, art principles, and composition on all assignments. The work of students in this advanced level course is evaluated with an emphasis on painting skills and craftsmanship. Students are assigned leadership roles in the classroom and work as mentors to students in studio art I. In addition to all of the requirements of studio art I, semester 2, students in studio art II, semester 2 are required to complete one long-term independent project outside of class.
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