Course Descriptions
Click on the course title to see the class syllabus.
Click on the course title to see the class syllabus.
Science Courses - Mr. Jim Mueller
Biology, High School
Wednesday, 1:15-3:15
An enjoyable, hands-on and thorough approach to biology. The class content will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Biology. We will be covering, genetics, biological molecules, DNA, ecosystems, cell biology, evolution and more. The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture.
Wednesday, 1:15-3:15
An enjoyable, hands-on and thorough approach to biology. The class content will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Biology. We will be covering, genetics, biological molecules, DNA, ecosystems, cell biology, evolution and more. The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture.
Physics, High School
Monday, 1:15-3:15
An enjoyable, hands-on and thorough approach to physics. The class content will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Physics. We will be covering mechanics, linear motion, energy, sound, and more during this year long course. The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture. Students are recommended to be fairly comfortable with math at a level of Algebra 1 or above.
Monday, 1:15-3:15
An enjoyable, hands-on and thorough approach to physics. The class content will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Physics. We will be covering mechanics, linear motion, energy, sound, and more during this year long course. The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture. Students are recommended to be fairly comfortable with math at a level of Algebra 1 or above.
Chemistry, High School
Friday, 1:15-3:15
An enjoyable, hands-on and thorough approach to basic chemistry. The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture. We will cover the periodic table, stoichiometry, energy in chemistry, acids and bases, redox reactions and much more. A good working knowledge of algebra 1 is recommended.
Friday, 1:15-3:15
An enjoyable, hands-on and thorough approach to basic chemistry. The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture. We will cover the periodic table, stoichiometry, energy in chemistry, acids and bases, redox reactions and much more. A good working knowledge of algebra 1 is recommended.
Earth Science, Middle School
Thursday 1:15-3:15
A hands-on and thorough approach to Earth science. Earth Science focuses on planet Earth and the energy transfers taking place within and without the earth system. During this course we will be covering the concepts of earthquakes, our place in space, weather, volcanoes, rocks, minerals and more.
This course is the second of three revolving, year-long science courses: Chemistry, Earth science, and Physics.
Thursday 1:15-3:15
A hands-on and thorough approach to Earth science. Earth Science focuses on planet Earth and the energy transfers taking place within and without the earth system. During this course we will be covering the concepts of earthquakes, our place in space, weather, volcanoes, rocks, minerals and more.
This course is the second of three revolving, year-long science courses: Chemistry, Earth science, and Physics.
Physics, Middle School
Physics is the fundamental science. It is key to understanding Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy and many more of the sciences. Through a series of enjoyable hands-on labs and lectures, the class will be a basic overview of Newton’s Laws, energy, magnetism, electricity and more. This class will be focused at more of a conceptual level and will be less focused on the math of physics.
This course is the third of three revolving, year-long science courses: Chemistry, Earth science, and Physics.
Physics is the fundamental science. It is key to understanding Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy and many more of the sciences. Through a series of enjoyable hands-on labs and lectures, the class will be a basic overview of Newton’s Laws, energy, magnetism, electricity and more. This class will be focused at more of a conceptual level and will be less focused on the math of physics.
This course is the third of three revolving, year-long science courses: Chemistry, Earth science, and Physics.
English and History Courses - Mrs. Jen Mueller
Literature and Composition I (Formerly ELA-Foundations)
This course lays a strong foundation in the formal study of language arts, covering the subjects of grammar and punctuation, composition, literature study, and poetics. In grammar, students will learn and practice all four levels of grammar: parts of speech, parts of the sentence, phrases, and clauses. By year's end, they will be able to parse a sentence with confidence. The focus of the composition curriculum will be on the development of well-crafted descriptive, narrative, and expository pieces, including the skills of paraphrasing, summarizing, and basic outlining. Through the study of engaging classics of literature (short stories, novels, plays, and poetry), students will learn to identify common themes, literary devices, and plot structure, all the while developing in comprehension, vocabulary decoding, and critical thinking skills. Whole-class and small-group discussion along with weekly journal assignments will aid students in connecting deeply with the works they read.
L&C I is designed for students grades 6-8.
This course lays a strong foundation in the formal study of language arts, covering the subjects of grammar and punctuation, composition, literature study, and poetics. In grammar, students will learn and practice all four levels of grammar: parts of speech, parts of the sentence, phrases, and clauses. By year's end, they will be able to parse a sentence with confidence. The focus of the composition curriculum will be on the development of well-crafted descriptive, narrative, and expository pieces, including the skills of paraphrasing, summarizing, and basic outlining. Through the study of engaging classics of literature (short stories, novels, plays, and poetry), students will learn to identify common themes, literary devices, and plot structure, all the while developing in comprehension, vocabulary decoding, and critical thinking skills. Whole-class and small-group discussion along with weekly journal assignments will aid students in connecting deeply with the works they read.
L&C I is designed for students grades 6-8.
Literature and Composition II (Formerly ELA-1)
This class builds upon the foundation laid in L&C I. We will continue our study of grammar, and will practice applying our knowledge to improve our compositions. Through reading engaging classics of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, students will continue to develop an appreciation of literature. They will identify common themes and a broad range of literary devices, as well as develop comprehension, vocabulary decoding, and critical thinking skills. Lively discussion and weekly journaling will aid students in exploring and connecting deeply with the works they read. In composition, we will review and build upon the skills students learned in L&C I; however, the focus will be more strongly on expository writing. We will learn the basic elements of a formal essay, focusing on structure, organization, word choice, and meaningful content. Basic MLA formatting will be introduced.
L&C II is designed for students grades 7-9. Students in grades 9 may take the class for HS credit. It is recommended that students have a good grasp of basic grammar and punctuation prior to enrolling.
This class builds upon the foundation laid in L&C I. We will continue our study of grammar, and will practice applying our knowledge to improve our compositions. Through reading engaging classics of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, students will continue to develop an appreciation of literature. They will identify common themes and a broad range of literary devices, as well as develop comprehension, vocabulary decoding, and critical thinking skills. Lively discussion and weekly journaling will aid students in exploring and connecting deeply with the works they read. In composition, we will review and build upon the skills students learned in L&C I; however, the focus will be more strongly on expository writing. We will learn the basic elements of a formal essay, focusing on structure, organization, word choice, and meaningful content. Basic MLA formatting will be introduced.
L&C II is designed for students grades 7-9. Students in grades 9 may take the class for HS credit. It is recommended that students have a good grasp of basic grammar and punctuation prior to enrolling.
Literature and Composition III (Formerly ELA-2)
In this class the focus will be on more advanced instruction in essay construction. Students will learn and practice more advanced skills in literary criticism, quote usage, paragraph organization, sentence complexity, and MLA formatting. We will continue to work with the four levels of grammar on more challenging sentences, and will practice applying this knowledge to improve our compositions. Through reading engaging works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, students will practice critical analysis of literary elements as well as develop in comprehension, vocabulary decoding, and critical thinking skills. Lively discussion and debate will aid students in analyzing and connecting deeply with the works they read.
L&C III is designed for students grades 8-10. Students in grades 9-10 may take the class for HS credit. It is recommended that students have a solid grasp of grammar and basic essay construction prior to enrolling.
In this class the focus will be on more advanced instruction in essay construction. Students will learn and practice more advanced skills in literary criticism, quote usage, paragraph organization, sentence complexity, and MLA formatting. We will continue to work with the four levels of grammar on more challenging sentences, and will practice applying this knowledge to improve our compositions. Through reading engaging works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, students will practice critical analysis of literary elements as well as develop in comprehension, vocabulary decoding, and critical thinking skills. Lively discussion and debate will aid students in analyzing and connecting deeply with the works they read.
L&C III is designed for students grades 8-10. Students in grades 9-10 may take the class for HS credit. It is recommended that students have a solid grasp of grammar and basic essay construction prior to enrolling.
Honors Literature and Academic Writing I (Formerly ELA-3)
This class will integrate a thorough survey of literary genres (novels, short stories, poetry, drama), literary analysis, and composition. Through reading complex literary works, students will develop critical thinking skills, value evidence, and build academic language to engage in lively discussions. Students will be introduced to the basics of Rhetoric and the techniques of persuasive writing. Along with direct instruction over a variety of writing assignments aimed at developing style, students will continue to develop their advanced academic essay writing skills with trimester research papers for which they must use MLA formatting and standard proofreader's marks. All writing will be integrated with grammar and techniques of style.
This class is a challenging, high school-level course, designed for advanced 9th graders and up.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of L&C III OR at least two years completed study of expository writing, such as IEW, Writing With Skill, or Classical Composition. A solid grasp of grammar.
This class will integrate a thorough survey of literary genres (novels, short stories, poetry, drama), literary analysis, and composition. Through reading complex literary works, students will develop critical thinking skills, value evidence, and build academic language to engage in lively discussions. Students will be introduced to the basics of Rhetoric and the techniques of persuasive writing. Along with direct instruction over a variety of writing assignments aimed at developing style, students will continue to develop their advanced academic essay writing skills with trimester research papers for which they must use MLA formatting and standard proofreader's marks. All writing will be integrated with grammar and techniques of style.
This class is a challenging, high school-level course, designed for advanced 9th graders and up.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of L&C III OR at least two years completed study of expository writing, such as IEW, Writing With Skill, or Classical Composition. A solid grasp of grammar.
Honors Literature and Academic Writing II (Formerly ELA-4)
This class is an advanced Pre-AP class. Please enquire for more information.
This class is an advanced Pre-AP class. Please enquire for more information.
Ancient-Medieval History, Middle School
This course walks students through the exciting history of the earliest civilizations through the end of the Middle Ages. Through lively lecture, engaging discussions, examinations of primary source documents, art history, and map-work, students will come to know the major people, places and events that defined this broad expanse of our past.
This course is the first of three revolving, year-long history courses: Ancient-Medieval History, Renaissance-Early Modern History, and US History.
This course walks students through the exciting history of the earliest civilizations through the end of the Middle Ages. Through lively lecture, engaging discussions, examinations of primary source documents, art history, and map-work, students will come to know the major people, places and events that defined this broad expanse of our past.
This course is the first of three revolving, year-long history courses: Ancient-Medieval History, Renaissance-Early Modern History, and US History.
Renaissance-Early Modern History, Middle School
This course covers the exciting history of the Renaissance through the early 1900's. The aim of this course is to provide students with an integrated narrative of history as well as an understanding of the abstract periodization of historical events. Through lively lecture, engaging discussions, examinations of primary source documents, art history, and map-work, students will come to know the major people, places and events that defined the eras of our recent past.
This course is the second of three revolving, year-long history courses: Ancient-Medieval History, Renaissance-Early Modern History, and US History.
This course covers the exciting history of the Renaissance through the early 1900's. The aim of this course is to provide students with an integrated narrative of history as well as an understanding of the abstract periodization of historical events. Through lively lecture, engaging discussions, examinations of primary source documents, art history, and map-work, students will come to know the major people, places and events that defined the eras of our recent past.
This course is the second of three revolving, year-long history courses: Ancient-Medieval History, Renaissance-Early Modern History, and US History.
US History, Middle School
This course captures the story of the United States from the pre-colonial era through modern times. Through lively lecture, engaging discussions, examinations of primary source documents, art history, and map-work, students will come to know the major people, places and events that define the history of America.
This course is the third of three revolving, year-long history courses: Ancient-Medieval History, Renaissance-Early Modern History, and U.S. History.
This course captures the story of the United States from the pre-colonial era through modern times. Through lively lecture, engaging discussions, examinations of primary source documents, art history, and map-work, students will come to know the major people, places and events that define the history of America.
This course is the third of three revolving, year-long history courses: Ancient-Medieval History, Renaissance-Early Modern History, and U.S. History.
World History, High School
With a chronological narrative study of history under their belts, students are now ready to more deeply examine larger historical patterns of cause and effect over time. World History is an exciting survey course that gives students the opportunity to explore the recurring themes of human experience which have shaped history from earliest times to the present. The course will illuminate connections between our lives and those of our ancestors from civilizations around the world. Along with examining the historical roots of significant events, ideas, movements, and phenomena, students will uncover patterns of behavior, identify historical trends and themes, explore historical movements and concepts, and test theories. Historical thinking skills will be emphasized throughout. Students will be engaged through a variety of resources including primary source documents, maps, and assigned readings. Lively Socratic discussion and debate will be at the heart of the course, with lecture framing the topics of discussion.
With a chronological narrative study of history under their belts, students are now ready to more deeply examine larger historical patterns of cause and effect over time. World History is an exciting survey course that gives students the opportunity to explore the recurring themes of human experience which have shaped history from earliest times to the present. The course will illuminate connections between our lives and those of our ancestors from civilizations around the world. Along with examining the historical roots of significant events, ideas, movements, and phenomena, students will uncover patterns of behavior, identify historical trends and themes, explore historical movements and concepts, and test theories. Historical thinking skills will be emphasized throughout. Students will be engaged through a variety of resources including primary source documents, maps, and assigned readings. Lively Socratic discussion and debate will be at the heart of the course, with lecture framing the topics of discussion.