Grade Level Programs

MATHEMATICS COURSES

NC Math I

Course Title: Common Core Math I
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None
Instructor Information:

Course Description:
Math I is the first course in the Common Core Math Sequence and is for students who are familiar with such concepts as solving equations for x, the Cartesian plane, absolute value, inequalities, percentages, and reading and interpreting graphs. Students must be quite familiar with working with fractions and decimals. The purpose of this course is to formalize and extend the mathematics learned in middle school. The course addresses algebra, geometry, functions, modeling, and statistics and probability. Appropriate technology, including the TI-83+ or TI-84+ graphing calculator, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment. Students will need to purchase the graphing calculator by the first day of class. The Honors course of Math I will go deeper and require more of students than the standard course. Note: Students in this course must take the End-of-Course test for Common Core Math I.

NC Math II

Course Title: Common Core Math II
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Math I
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

Math II is the second course of the Common Core Math Sequence. The focus of Math II is on quadratic expressions, equations, and functions; comparing their characteristics and behavior to those of linear and exponential relationships from Common Core Math I. Additional topics explored in Math II are probability, statistics, geometry, and trigonometry. Please note that Math II is not the equivalent of Geometry. Students who have completed Geometry should sign up for Math II, not Math III. The Honors course of Math II will go deeper and require more of students than the standard course.

NC Math III

Course Title: Common Core Math III
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Math II or Algebra
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

Math III is the final course of the Common Core Math Sequence. In Math III, students pull together and apply the accumulation of learning from all previous math courses. New concepts will be introduced in function composition, logarithms, polynomial division, complex numbers, geometric proof and constructions, trigonometric functions, and statistical measures. Much time is spent on quadratics, expanding on multiple methods of solving quadratic equations and inequalities, and the fundamental theorem of algebra. Practical applications are emphasized for all skills, especially those required to apply the concepts to solving problems. Daily preparation for the class is essential since topics continually build upon each other and connections between topics are continually examined. The Honors course of Math III will go deeper and require more of students than the standard course.

NC Math IV

Advanced Placement Pre-Calculus

Advanced Placement Calculus: AB

Course Title: Advanced Placement Calculus: AB
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Mastery of Pre-Calculus Honors and teacher recommendation
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

The AP Calculus curriculum includes limits, continuity, derivatives with applications, and elementary integration with applications. Use of computers and graphing calculators play an important role in this course. This class is college level and requires an equal amount of time spent outside of the classroom as it does inside of the classroom.

Advanced Placement Calculus: BC

Course Title: Advanced Placement Calculus: BC
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: AP Calculus AB
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

AP Calculus BC topics include differentials, integrals, infinite series, and differential equations. Additional topics include convergence and divergence of sequences and series, parametric representation of curves, polar curves, and additional integration techniques. Some of the AB course material is revisited and reviewed. This class is college level and requires an equal amount of time spent outside of the classroom as it does inside of the classroom.

SCIENCE COURSES

Earth and Environmental Science

Course Title: Earth and Environmental Science
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

Earth science is the study of how the Earth has changed and will continue to change in the future. Students will be covering the Earth’s movement in space and its place in the solar system. The Earth’s changing processes, like the rock cycle and natural disasters, will also be covered. Students will analyze how humans can both positively and negatively affect the Earth. Water quality factors and humans’ usage of water will be studied and tested.

AP Earth and Environmental Science

Course Title: AP Earth and Environmental Science
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Earth and Environmental Science, Biology, AND Chemistry
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college course in environmental science. The goal of the course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.

Biology (Pre-AP)

Course Title: Biology (Pre-AP)
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

Biology is the study of living organisms. Themes covered include chemical basis of life, metabolism of cells, genetic continuity, homeostasis in plants and animals, and the evolution and ecology of populations. Students do laboratory work and collaborative activities that enhance their understanding of topics and requires students to take advantage of opportunities for practice. Laboratory skills are emphasized as a major portion of the class.

Note: Students must take the End-of-Course test for this class

Chemistry (Honors)

Course Title: Chemistry Honors
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Honors, 4.5 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Biology & Math II
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

Chemistry is the study of reactions and molecules. Students will analyze the structure of atoms and ions in this course. Learning and modeling the different types of chemical bonds will also be part of this course. The periodic table and its structure are also covered. Pressure, temperature, volume, and phase changes within chemical reactions are demonstrated to students through labs. Interactions with matter, chemical equilibrium, and making solutions will also be taught through hands-on labs and teacher instruction

AP Chemistry

Course Title: AP Chemistry
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Biology, Chemistry & Math II
Instructor Information:

Course Description:

The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations, as they explore topics such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.

Physics (Honors)

AP Physics I (Algebra Based)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS COURSES

English I (Pre-AP)

Course Title: English I (Pre-AP)
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None

Course Description:

This required course exposes students to a variety of literary and informational text in several genres. Students will read and demonstrate their understanding through discussion, analysis, presentations, and various forms of writing. With guidance, students will develop deeper reading skills and show their awareness of the writer’s tools. Their writings will demonstrate the use of evidence, organization, and the conventions of Standard English, all being essential in the professional world. This course also includes instruction in grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary. The Pre-AP course of English I will go deeper and require more of students than the standard course.

English II (Pre-AP)

Course Title: English II (Pre-AP)
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: English I

Course Description:

English II is an extension of English I and is designed to strengthen critical reading, writing, language, speaking and listening skills, as well as higher level thinking skills. Students will closely examine and discuss a variety of literary works from short story, non-fiction, drama, and poetry genres, and they will read at least three novels. Students will follow the writing process to plan, organize, create, and edit a wide variety of writing assignments including essays, open-ended response questions, and a research paper. Writing assignments will focus on literary analysis and interpretation, organization and structure, and thesis statement development. This course also includes instruction in grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary. The Honors course of English II will go deeper and require more of students than the standard course.

English III

Course Title: English III
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: English II

Course Description:

English III is an extension of English II and is designed to strengthen writing, speaking and listening, and language. This course uses U.S. literature and U.S. literary nonfiction, especially foundational works and documents from the 17th century through the early 20th century. The Honors course of English III will go deeper and require more of students than the standard course.

English IV

Course Title: English IV
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: English III

Course Description:

English IV is designed to strengthen writing, speaking and listening, and language while preparing students to succeed in a college environment. The focus of English IV is British literature. The Honors course of English IV will go deeper and require more of students than the standard course.

AP Language & Composition

Course Title: AP Language & Composition
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: English II Honors

Course Description:

The AP English Language and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum, which requires students to develop evidence-based analytic and argumentative essays that proceed through several stages or drafts. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Throughout the course, students develop a personal style by making appropriate grammatical choices. Additionally, students read and analyze the rhetorical elements and their effects in non-fiction texts, including graphic images as forms of text, from many disciplines and historical periods.

AP English Literature and Composition

Course Title: AP English Literature and Composition
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: English III

Course Description:

The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works.

AP Capstone Seminar

Course Title: AP Capstone Seminar
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: English I

Course Description:

AP Capstone™ is an innovative diploma program from the College Board that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. AP Capstone is built on the foundation of two AP® courses — AP Seminar and AP Research — and is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study experienced in other AP courses. In AP Seminar, students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments. In AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research and inquiry in order to produce and defend their scholarly work. The AP Capstone program aims to empower students by: engaging them with rigorous college-level curricula focused on the skills necessary for successful college completion; extending their abilities to synthesize information from multiple perspectives and apply skills in new situations and cross-curricular contexts; enabling them to collect and analyze information with accuracy and precision; cultivating their abilities to craft, communicate, and defend evidence-based arguments; and providing opportunities for them to practice disciplined and scholarly research skills while exploring relevant topics that appeal to their interests and curiosity. (Course description directly from College Board).

AP Capstone Research

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES

AP World History

Course Title: AP World History
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: World History

Course Description:

The AP World History course focuses on developing students' understanding of world history from approximately 8000 B.C.E. to the present. The course has students investigate the content of world history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in six historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills and methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation) employed by historians when they study the past. The course also provides five themes (interaction between humans and the environment; development and interaction of cultures; state building, expansion, and conflict; creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; and development and transformation of social structures) that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places encompassing the five major geographical regions of the globe:

AP US History

Course Title: AP US History
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: AP, 5.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: World History

Course Description:

This course is designed to encourage students to become apprentice historians who are able to use historical facts and evidence in the service of creating deeper conceptual understandings of critical developments in US history. The curriculum of the course centers around four types of historical thinking skills: chronological reasoning, comparison and contextualization, crafting historical arguments from historical evidence, and historical interpretation and synthesis. Students will explore seven themes throughout this course: identity; work, exchange, and technology; peopling; politics and power; America in the world; environment and geography – physical and human; and ideas, beliefs, and culture. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the College Board Advanced Placement test.

AP United States Government and Politics

AP African American Study

Economics and Personal Finance

Health & Physical Education (Honors)

Course Title: Health & Physical Education Honors (required for all 9th grade students)
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None

Course Description:

Healthful Living, a combination of health and physical education, is a course designed to teach behaviors that contribute to a healthful lifestyle and an improved quality of life for high school students. Research continues to show that healthy, active, fit children are better students academically. Students develop the knowledge and skills that will empower them to identify and manage health behaviors related to mental health; nutrition and weight management; infectious and chronic diseases; substance abuse; and reproductive health. The physical education component stresses personal fitness, dance skills, and team sport activities. This course is mandatory in North Carolina as a graduation requirement.

Team Sports (Honors)

WORLD LANGUAGE COURSES

Spanish I

Course Title: Spanish I
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None

Course Description:

In this course, students actively participate in the four areas of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with an emphasis on oral/aural communication. The basic functions covered will be formulating questions and both positive and negative responses; giving and receiving directions; communicating in simple past, present, and future; and indicating needs and desires. Through individual and cooperative learning activities, students practice such specific topics as talking about people, describing everyday items, ordering meals in restaurants, shopping for food and clothing, reading maps, and other common activities. Students also learn about the Hispanic world and its varied cultures.

Spanish II

Course Title: Spanish II
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Spanish I

Course Description:

In this course, students build on their knowledge gained in Spanish I, while actively participating in the four areas of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with an emphasis on oral/aural communication. Functions expand to include the progressive tenses, telling time, giving orders, discussing feelings, making comparisons, and referring to habitual actions in the past. Through a greater emphasis on cooperative and student-centered learning, students will master such topics as travel settings, talking about health, and describing daily routines and weekend plans.

Spanish III Honors

Course Title: Spanish III Honors
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Honors, 4.5 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Spanish II

Course Description:

This course expands the students’ active proficiency to include such functions as commenting on and stating opinions, expressing doubt and improbability, and talking about conditions contrary to fact. Cultural issues of the Hispanic world are viewed through different contexts such as the press, media, memoir, and fiction. The students control all tenses and moods by the end of the course and will have experienced an introduction to Hispanic literature. Oral communication is stressed in the classroom and literacy is increased as the student begins to evaluate text.

Turkish I

Course Title: Turkish I
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None

Course Description:

Turkish I is designed for those students who wish to learn to speak Turkish as well as learn about the culture of Turkish-speaking countries. The student begins with oral work in the native language and learns to speak and to understand certain phrases. Grammar is introduced at this time but is not studied in detail until after the oral introductory period. Then the student begins to learn how sentences are formed by studying verb forms and memorizing vocabulary. Culture is introduced throughout the year as the students learn about Turkish-speaking countries through readings and conversation.

Turkish II

Course Title: Turkish II
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Turkish I

Course Description:

Turkish II begins with a comprehensive review of Turkish I. Students are reminded that foreign language study is cumulative, and without a strong foundation in level 1, success is unlikely. Many new vocabulary words will be introduced, as well as new verb tenses. Student will learn to speak more fluently. The culture of Turkish-speaking countries is emphasized through readings, slides, films, and other media.

Turkish III Honors

Course Title: Turkish III Honors
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Honors, 4.5 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Turkish II

Course Description:

Turkish III begins with a comprehensive review of Turkish II. Students are reminded that foreign language study is cumulative, and without a strong foundation in level 1, success is unlikely. Many new vocabulary words will be introduced, as well as new verb tenses. Student will learn to speak more fluently. The culture of Turkish-speaking countries is emphasized through readings, slides, films, and other media.

ELECTIVES

Cultural Anthropology

Course Title: Cultural Anthropology
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None

Course Description:

This course introduces students to some of the major principles and concepts of cultural anthropology and ethnography. Topics covered will include the nature of culture, cultural change, ethnographic semantics, linguistic anthropology, culture and personality, non-industrial societies, marriage and family, and kinship. Students will also be introduced to several cross-cultural data sets.

Principles of Business and Finance

Course Title: Principles of Business and Finance
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None
Course Code: BF102X0

Course Description: This course introduces students to topics related to business, finance, management, and marketing to cover business in the global economy, functions of business organization and management, marketing basics, and significance of business financial and risk management. English language arts, social studies, and mathematics are reinforced. Students will have daily access to computers for application of content to current/real world topics. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, and job shadowing. Apprenticeship and cooperative education are not available for this course. DECA (an association for Marketing Education students) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.

Debate I

Course Title: Debate I
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Standard, 4.0 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None
Recommended For Grade:
Course Code:

Course Description:

Debate 1 combines writing, research, and public speaking all into one class. At the end of the year, students will be expected to be able to do in-depth research on any teacher provided topic, write a detailed five-paragraph paper on the topic, and then to debate other students on various merits of the subject.

Research

Students will be given *teacher generated topics. They will learn how to take an initial point-of-view of the subject. Afterwards, they will learn how to do in-depth research on the subject (gather information). Once they review the information they have gathered, then they are to see if their initial point-of-view holds up. After they have found information supporting their point-of-view, they are then to find information supporting the opposite point-of-view. *[It is important to note that students will not be allowed to generate their own topics of interest. They will be subjected to using the topics the teacher provides.]

Writing

Students will be expected to write a detailed five-paragraph on their findings. Each essay should have a controlling idea (thesis statement) and examples from their research supporting their controlling idea. Each paragraph of the essay should have, at least, five sentences. Within the conclusion of each essay should be information concerning the opposite point-of-view than the students’. This should serve to strengthen the students’ point-of-view as he/she is acknowledges a different point-of-view, but rejects it in favor of his/her point-of-view based on the information the reader just read.

Public Speaking

Students will be required to report out concerning their point-of-view on the topic they did their research on. Students will learn how to stand in front of a podium and effectively deliver a speech in front of a room of twelve or ninety-three. To assist in this process the students will learn a process of delivering a speech call the D.U.O. method.

Debate

Students will learn how to hold a proper debate with a moderator as the epicenter of the forum. They will learn how to be succinct in expressing their (research based) opinions and how to do so in a very timely manner. Students will not be allowed to use their own topics for debate until the end of the school year when, hopefully, they will have mastered (somewhat) the processes of proper debating.

Debate Forum

The class will try to secure the auditorium for a high school wide debate forum, at least, twice in the school year. This forum will be similar to a political “town hall” debate with a moderator, a panel of debaters, and a microphone for the audience to participate by asking questions of the panel.

College and Career Preparation I

Course Title: College and Career Preparation I
Credit: None
Classification and Maximum Weight: None
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Seniors

Course Description: Complete College Application Items are covered in the sessions of the College and Career Preparation Sessions.
Current Courses

Transcript Courses

HS Graduation Req.

Extracurricular

Naviance

CFNC

Common App

Major Exams SAT/ACT

Scholarships

College Visits

Study Plan

Dual Enrollment Options

PLTW/Pre-AP/AP Courses

Service Hours

Check Point Sign-ups

Principles of Biomedical Science (PLTW)

Course Title: Principles of Biomedical Science (PLTW)
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Honors, 4.5 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None

Course Description:

In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems.

Computer Science Essentials Honors (PLTW)

Course Title: Computer Science Essentials Honors (PLTW)
Credit: One
Classification and Maximum Weight: Honors, 4.5 Quality Points
Recommended Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None

Course Description:

PLTW Computer Science empowers students to become creators, instead of merely consumers, of the technology all around them. The program engages students in collaborative projects that help them develop in-demand computer science knowledge as well as transportable skills like creative thinking and communication.