New Courses for 2019-2020 School Year

Music Department

Guitar Middle School – Grade 9 Course focuses on providing students with a practical foundation in guitar technique. Students will: Read and play chords and melodies in various styles Learn chord progressions, and how they’re applied to songwriting Guitars provided to students Musicians from beginners to advanced are welcome 0.5 Elective credit

Music Creation, Production & Marketing Grades 10 – 12 Students will: Analyze musical structure, lyrics, chord patterns, and arranging Foster relationships with local businesses and charitable organizations Create/rework an original song, and promote it through digital media and/or portfolio/website. Have access to various instruments 0.5 Elective credit

Musical Theater and Tech Grades 10 – 12 Includes all aspects of musical production: Stage tech; set design; sound; lighting; acting; singing and dancing Overview of musical theater history, and focus on current trends. Culminate in projects and performances that demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of musical theater, and provide a foundation for a future in the field. 0.5 Elective credit

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

AP Microeconomics Grades 11, 12 Focuses on principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual economic decision makers – such as households and firms. Topics include: consumer behavior; product and factor markets; distributions of income; market failure; and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. 1.0 Social Studies or Elective credit

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Environmental Sustainability Grades 10 - 12 Project-based course, investigating real-world environmental issues Combines approaches from ecological, biological, agricultural, technological, economic, social and political standpoints Encourages students to understand interaction of social, economic and environmental systems, and their role in posing solutions to complex local/global issues 1.o Science credit Geology & Environment (1.0) and Environmental Science (0.5) will be replaced.

Chemistry New AP Pathway Current Model: Grade 10 or 11: Honors Chemistry (18-weeks) (1.0 Science credit) Grade 11 or 12: AP Chemistry (27-weeks) New Model: Grade 10 or 11, fall semester: Intro to AP Chem- Honors (18-weeks) (Prereq: Algebra 2/Trig, B or higher) Same grade, spring semester: AP Chemistry (18-weeks) This accelerated pathway allows students to complete the AP Curriculum in 1 year, rather than spread over two.