Literature
Text in Context
Students are empowered to be critical in their interpretation of literary works, informational texts and visual media. They are also practiced in using stylistic and rhetorical techniques in written compositions. Students appreciate the enduring appeal of the classics as well as the voices of contemporary writers, and from an early age write regularly in a variety of forms, establishing themselves as confident authors with clear, strong voices.
Social & Historical Studies
Culture, Stories, Perspective
The study of history is taught through multiple accounts of events in order to understand a variety of perspectives. Thinking critically and reflecting on the state of the modern world, students review major turning points in history as reference points. By tracing the rise of different political ideologies and developing an understanding of the historical roots of current world issues, students gain perspective of their own potential influence in the world, and in the essential field of international relations. Students develop an understanding of current world issues and relate them to their historical, geographical, political, economic and cultural contexts.
During a four-year enrollment, students in the High School will take courses in Geography, World History, U.S. History, and Government/Economics. A focus on primary source documents and images gives students a chance to come to individually-acheived and thought-out conclusions about historical events. Units are synthesized in a variety of ways throughout the year including projects, essays, performances, and tests.
Languages
We use a lively, communicative approach to the study of languages, providing authentic conversational situations in which students can try out the structures and vocabulary they have learned. There is a strong focus on the cultural aspects of language learning, promoting understanding of diverse ways of life that include artistic, historical and social aspects. Our language learners interact with a variety of literary texts, songs and poems, and engage in activities that include the culinary arts, music and drama.