Source: https://www.whitefieldacademy.com/academics/upperschool/core-curriculum
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 14:43:54+00:00

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The objective of this course is for students to further develop their skills of reading, writing, and critical thinking. Through the teaching of literature, we help the students develop their ability to acquire knowledge, understand what they know, and communicate thoughts about their understanding. Students will study the fundamental principles of sound writing – from using proper grammar in a clear, compelling sentence style to developing multiple-paragraph compositions. Our writing program for ninth graders emphasizes developing ideas by using and discussing relevant details to give vividness and specificity to what an author says. As well, ninth graders will read time-honored fiction, poetry, and drama, such as Lord of the Flies and Much Ado About Nothing.
The English Department offers an honors course for grade 9. The prerequisites are completion of 8th grade English with an average of at least 90 and their 8th grade English teacher’s recommendation. Students in honors English 9 will be expected to read fluidly and analytically, and to write clearly, with a strong foundation in mechanics and analytical argumentation. The best determining factor of success for honors students is a 90 or above in the categories of formal writing and testing from previous English courses.
Students taking this course will read works of American literature from the Colonial times into the 20th century. Essentially, the course divides into categories of study: early America, romanticism, realism, modernism, and postmodernism. We read such defining American authors as Hawthorne, Chopin, Cummings, Dickinson, Eliot, Emerson, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Frost, Hemingway, Miller, Twain, and Whitman. Students will endeavor not only to understand particular works but also to consider how those works developed American literature and both influenced and reflect American culture. While much of the time in class is devoted to the discussion of literature, students will also have ample opportunity to respond to the literature as well as other topics in writing. Teachers endeavor to help students offer supported opinions in their essays, not just convey relevant information.
The English Department offers honors courses for grades 10 and 11. The prerequisites are completion of the previous honors English class with an average of at least 88 before honors quality points are added – or an average of at least 90 in the previous standard English class – and a teacher’s recommendation, based on a student’s interest, ability, and work ethic. Particular emphasis should be placed on the student’s performance on formal papers and tests. The best determining factor of success for honors students is a 90 or above in the categories of formal writing and testing in the previous English course.
In the 11th grade students exercise and expand their reading, writing, and analytical thinking skills through the rigorous study of the canon of British literature. Reading poetry, prose, and drama, students begin this study the Anglo-Saxons and end in 20th century Britain. Notable authors studied include the poet of Beowulf, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Bronte, Wordsworth, Blake, and Wilde. Juniors will continue to write essays that argue for an opinion and learn to engage meaningful transitions to guide the reader through an essay. Students will learn to consider the entirety of an essay – content, structure, and style – and how all work symbiotically to produce a pleasing whole assignment.
Following their studies of American and British literature, seniors will read a greater variety of literature, works by American, British, European, Russian, and Central American writers. The course explores how we read and interpret literary worlds, or mirrors, in an attempt to help us interpret the world in which we exist. Based on the strong foundation in American and British Literature that students have already received, this course now compares a wide variety of texts spanning different countries and time periods to compare and contrast timeless themes. Students continue to write rigorous, argumentative papers, culminating in an extended final paper that is the culmination of their study of English literature. (1 Credit) Prerequisite: Completion of prior English courses.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors English 10 with a grade of 90 or higher (or successful completion of English 10 with a grade of 92 or higher), a teacher recommendation, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to growing as a writer.
Following their studies of American and British literature, seniors will read a greater variety of literature, works by American, British, European, Russian, and Central American writers. The course explores how we read and interpret literary worlds, or mirrors, in an attempt to help us interpret the world in which we exist. Based on the strong foundation in American and British Literature that students have already received, this course now compares a wide variety of texts spanning different countries and time periods to compare and contrast timeless themes. Students continue to write rigorous, argumentative papers, culminating in an extended final paper that is the culmination of their study of English literature. Students will also prepare for the AP Literature exam by writing timed essays and completing rigorous multiple choice tests from past AP exams.
The English Department offers AP English Literature for advanced senior English students. The prerequisites are completion of the previous honors English class with an average of at least 88 before honors quality points are added and their teacher’s recommendation, based on a student’s interest, ability, and work ethic. The best determining factor of success for AP English Literature students is a 90 or above in the categories of formal writing and testing from previous years. In AP English literature, teachers will expect students to interact with the literature and fellow students at the college level, perform well on objective tests, and write critical papers with great ease.
NOTE: Class formerly titled "Theater Technology"
Students will gain introductory visual art knowledge, skill, and experience with the elements of art and the principles of design while developing their God-given abilities through new challenges and multi-faceted studio assignments. Focus will center on drawing, painting, three-dimensional sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics in order to gain appreciation and love for the visual arts. Students evaluate their own work, the work of other students, and well-known artists from a Christian worldview in contrast to a secular worldview. Students will work on basic skill development and basic visual art concepts which will carry through and build upon each other through the course.
Exceptional work in seventh and eighth grade art (or an equivalent) and a teacher recommendation may exempt students from Art 1 and allow them to enroll in an Art 2 course in ninth grade should seats be available. Though a student can exempt Art 1 per the guidelines above, there will be no academic credit awarded on the transcript for the exemption.
Exceptional work in 7th & 8th grade art (or an equivalent) and a teacher recommendation may exempt students from Digital Art 1 and allow them to enroll in an Art 2 course in ninth grade should seats be available. Though a student can exempt Art 1 per the guidelines above, there will be no academic credit awarded on the transcript for the exemption.
Prerequisite: Art 1 and/or active participation in the Photography Club and teacher recommendation.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP World History or successful completion of History: Church and Medieval with a B+ or higher, an approved PreACT/PSAT score, and a teacher recommendation.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP European History or successful completion of Modern European History with a B+ or higher, an approved PSAT score, and a teacher recommendation.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of History: Bible and Ancient World with an A- or higher (specifically in the areas of writing and reading comprehension), an approved PreACT score, a strong work ethic, and a teacher recommendation.
The primary objective of this course is preparation for success in college-level mathematics. This goal is accomplished through an intensive study of functions and their applications, beginning with a review of linear and quadratic functions before moving to more advanced topics. Polynomial, rational, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions are thoroughly explored analytically and by using a graphing calculator. Other topics that will be examined include systems of equations, sequences and series, analytical trigonometry, polar coordinates, and limits. The course concludes with a brief overview of fundamental calculus concepts.
Prerequisite for Honors Chemistry: successful completion of Honors Biology and teacher recommendation; success in Honors Geometry and placement in Honors Algebra 2 are strongly preferred.
Exceptional work in seventh and eighth grade art (or an equivalent) and a teacher recommendation may exempt students from Digital Art 1 and allow them to enroll in an Art 2 course in ninth grade should seats be available. Though a student can exempt Art 1 per the guidelines above, there will be no academic credit awarded on the transcript for the exemption.
Mathematics credits must include Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.
Science credits must include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
History and Social Science credits must include European History and US History.
Foreign Language credits must all be from the same foreign language.
Biblical and Christian Studies graduation requirements can be adjusted for students transferring to Whitefield Academy without any prior Bible courses.
The Fine Arts credit must be in addition to the 2 Electives credit requirement.
Any overages in core curriculum graduation requirements can count towards the 2 Electives credit requirement.

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