Curriculum

Course Description

English 1 is designed to develop the reading and writing skills of ninth-grade students while fostering a knowledge and appreciation of literature. The course is organized around several units in which students read and write extensively. In a typical year, they will read a Shakespeare play and a modern novel, a selection of short stories and an assortment of poetry. In addition, there is a short but formal introduction to public speaking, which examines key skills and rhetorical devices and provides students with the opportunity to record and deliver oral presentations to their classmates. Vocabulary enrichment, public-speaking opportunities and punctuation study are also integral to the year’s work. Three units.

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Course Description

This course emphasizes the development of accurate drawing and visual presentation skills, the ability to visualize three-dimensional forms, multiview drawing, basic geometric constructions, isometrics and perspective work. As well as applying these skills to the design of shelter, students will explore the principles of architectural design such as the relationships of space and human activity. Students will work with drafting instruments. Preference given to fourth-year students. Three units.

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Course Description

Two-Dimensional Art 1 students will be exposed to the fundamentals of drawing and painting while developing personally meaningful works. Students will work from life, as well as their imaginations, usually with an eye toward a theme or issue that is relevant to contemporary art. In level 2, students will build on the repertoire of skills presented in 2D Art 1. Some lessons at level 2 may include more robust considerations of color, mixed-media and the figure. 1.5 units.

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Course Description

In Film Production 1, students are immersed in all aspects of digital film production, from script to screen. With an emphasis on storytelling, projects are designed to develop basic skills in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, sound design and editing. In addition, students hone their cinematic literacy through guided peer critiques. Owning a digital camcorder is not a requirement. 1.5 units.

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Course Description

This course focuses on a singular question for the entire year: How should the world respond to the challenges and opportunities of globalization? Topics include the changing demographics of the world, the rise of China and globalization of trade, energy and the environment, and recent history and current developments in Russia. In addition to a variety of texts, students follow current affairs in the region of study, attend lectures presented on Tuesday nights by the Society of Skeptics and read historical novels. A range of electronic media is used in instruction. Basic academic skills such as note taking, reading a newspaper, studying techniques and writing are incorporated into the course, as are a number of geography and computer skills. The course is required of all ninth graders. Three units.

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Course Description

Chinese 1 is a basic, introductory course in standard Chinese (Mandarin) intended for students with no exposure whatsoever to the languages of the area. The course guides students through the development of four basic skills (aural comprehension, speaking, reading and writing), while also emphasizing functional use of language. Instruction begins with learning pinyin, the Romanization system of Chinese pronunciation. Students then progress to learning vocabulary, grammar and how to write 200 Chinese characters. Three units.

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Course Description

The first two years of French focus on building vocabulary and developing proficiency in the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Vocabulary is organized by theme, addressing everyday topics and situations. Communication skills are developed through an immersive classroom environment as students work together in paired and group activities. In addition, students acquire cultural sensitivity and awareness of everyday life of French-speaking peoples through exposure to a variety of materials and resources in addition to the primary text. Three units.

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Course Description

Algebra 1 is a full-year introduction to algebra. Students work with radicals, rational expressions, factoring and the quadratic formula to solve linear and quadratic equations. Linear and polynomial functions and their graphs are studied extensively, as are linear combinations and linear equalities. Placement by department. Three units.

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Course Description

This is the School’s main vocal performing ensemble. The majority of its performances take place on campus (at seasonal concerts and festivals, as well as Christmas Vespers, among many others). While the course meets during the school day, extended rehearsals prior to performances, often in the evening, will be an occasional requirement. Students may audition for an honors section of the group; for those selected, participation in the honors group will require some extra rehearsal time. Three units.

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Course Description

This section is designed for the wind, brass or percussion player who wishes to participate in a variety of instrumental ensembles—Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra. These students focus on many aspects of musicianship through the study of a variety of classical and jazz repertoire. Performances include (but are not limited to) seasonal concerts, off-campus performances and field trips. Additional evening rehearsals prior to concerts are required. Three units.

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Course Description

This ensemble is available to all students who have at least three years’ experience playing string, wind or percussion instruments. Students focus on various aspects of ensemble playing, which are studied primarily through our performance literature that includes a wide range of classical and contemporary genres. Performances include (but are not limited to) seasonal concerts, Christmas Vespers, and off-campus performances and field trips. Students may audition for an honors section of this ensemble; for those selected, participation in the honors group will require some extra rehearsal time. Additional evening rehearsals prior to concerts are required. Three units.

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Course Description

Students will create, record and produce their own music in this course. By the end of the semester, they will have learned how to use music software including Logic ProX, Finale and GarageBand to compose songs in various popular styles, and produce digital- and professional-quality recordings in the audio recording studio in Blair’s Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration. Preference given to fourth-year students. 1.5 units.

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Course Description

The course is designed to teach the rudiments of acting. A primary focus is the development and interpretation of a character through use of body, voice and imagination. Coursework entails the presentation of wide-ranging performance projects with emphasis on scene work. 1.5 units.

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Course Description

The emphasis of this full-year laboratory course is both investigative and conceptual, seeking to address the major topics in biology as they relate to current events and the world around us. Beginning with the scientific method, topics include cell structure and a variety of functions, genetics and biotechnology, evolution, animals and their adaptations, plants and their functions, human anatomy and physiology, and ecology. The course introduces these concepts through the use of real world scenarios of organisms and their interactions in biomes. Students develop critical organizational reading and note-taking skills, as well as analytical skills important to interpreting laboratory data. Three units.

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Course Description

Designed for motivated 9th- or 10th-grade students, this course serves as an introductory exposure to major concepts in the field of biology. With an emphasis on research skills, the course covers four major content areas: molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, human anatomy and physiology, and ecology. Science is presented as both a process and a body of knowledge, and the emphasis is placed on learning the skills involved in acquiring, interpreting, analyzing and communicating data. An independent research project and a variety of inquiry lab experiences provide opportunities for students to learn these skills. In addition, instructors emphasize the study skills involved in reading effectively, organizing and presenting information, and reviewing for quizzes and tests. Three units.

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