Curriculum

English

English 1

A complete examination of basic grammar, usage, sentence structure, and essay composition studied through the works of various genres with a focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary and critical analysis. There is a strong focus on correct and accurate expression of complex thoughts and opinions in this course.

Foundations of Language and Literature

This course provides a thorough review of standard grammar, usage, sentence structure, and essay composition, with an emphasis on organization, clarity and persuasive thesis. Readings focus on critical analysis of world literature and drama.

English Reading and Composition 1 & 2

This course focuses students on the application of the cumulative skills and strategies of the JPA English program and directs students towards the next chapter of their education outside of the school environment. Students will strengthen their analytical and evaluative reading, writing, and speaking skills through the use of high level texts, essay writing, and speech and debate. The purpose of the course is to highlight and focus on skills required for continued study and education beyond JPA.

World Literature and Composition 1 & 2

This course is aimed at students who have shown exemplary ability throughout the JPA English program and provides a rigorous and challenging course to continue to extend students’ analytical reading, writing, and speaking skills in an environment that encourages independence and self-directed motivation. An advanced study of standard grammar, usage, vocabulary, sentence structure, and essay composition with persuasive thesis is integrated with the study of exemplary American and world literature. A focus on writing is a vital component of this class. Critical analysis of fiction and nonfiction is required. The course is supported by carefully selected novels and essays.

Mathematics

Algebra 2

Algebra 2 is taken by all Grade 9 students. The class reviews and continues from Algebra 1. Primary topics include polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and rational functions. Students spend time learning various graphing strategies so as to represent these and other functions, with and without graphing calculators. Students apply information about various functions in order to model real-world scenarios.

Analytical Geometry with Trigonometry

This Grade 10 course is divided into two semesters. Semester 1 emphasizes the study of properties and applications of common geometric figures in two dimensions. The topics include inductive and deductive reasoning, properties of transformations, relationships within triangles, properties of quadrilaterals and circles, right triangles, congruency and similarity, and heavy proving and reasoning. Semester 2 focuses on trigonometry ratios and functions and acts as a bridge between this course and advanced math courses. Students deal with real-life applications and problem solving, and communicate orally and symbolically about their mathematical work. Students who do well in this course are commended for Precalculus.

Precalculus

Usually taken in junior year, Precalculus is designed to cover topics in Algebra ranging from polynomial, rational, and exponential functions to conic sections. Trigonometry concepts such as Law of Sines and Cosines will be introduced. Students then begin analytic geometry and calculus concepts such as limits, derivatives, and integrals.

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus AB is an introductory college-level calculus course. Students cultivate their understanding of differential and integral calculus through engaging with real-world problems represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally and using definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions as they explore concepts like change, limits, and the analysis of functions.

AP Calculus BC

This course is designed to be the equivalent to both first and second semester college calculus courses. AP Calculus BC applies the content and skills learned in AP Calculus AB to parametrically defined curves, polar curves, and vector-valued functions; develops additional integration techniques and applications; and introduces the topics of sequences and series.

AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science A is an introductory college-level computer science course. Students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures.

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course. Students cultivate their understanding of computer science through working with data, collaborating to solve problems, and developing computer programs as they explore concepts like creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the internet, and the global impact of computing.

Science

Biology

This is an introductory course in the biological sciences taken by all Grade 9 students. Students are exposed to basic concepts pertaining to: ecology, cytology, reproduction, genetics, metabolic processes (photosynthesis and cellular respiration), and selected human body systems (digestion and the immune system).

Chemistry

This Grade 10 course focuses on chemical reactions, introduces fundamentals of the atomic theory, the mole concept, kinetic theory of matter, atomic structure and chemical bonding, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, acid base chemistry, and electrochemistry. Laboratory work is devoted to a study of chemical reactions, the similar properties of chemical families of elements, and qualitative analysis of unknowns.

Students who do well in the first semester may be recommended for Semester 2 Honors Chemistry. This advanced course explores our modern understanding of matter and its changes, including the principles that determine the composition of matter; how to gather, interpret, analyze, and discuss data from experiments, and how to incorporate multiple scientific principles to solve complex problems.

Conceptual Physics

This course covers the major principles and laws that guide the physical world. Our study includes classical mechanics, gravitation, electrostatics, electricity and magnetism, vibrations and sound, light, and optics. Students investigate concepts both qualitatively and quantitatively, developing analytical skills through explanation, computation, and presentation.

Anatomy and Physiology / Environmental Science

Anatomy and Physiology is offered during the first semester. This course builds on several aspects of Biology and Chemistry and focuses on the form and function of living things. A number of organ systems are studied including the respiratory, nervous, reproductive, and digestive systems. The course also teaches a number of practical lab skills and there are opportunities to dissect a number of different organisms and individual organs.

Environmental Science is offered during the second semester. This is an introductory course in which students engage with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems; evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems; and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, conservation, and waves.

AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is an introductory college-level chemistry course. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based lab investigations as they explore the four Big Ideas: scale, proportion, and quantity; structure and properties of substances; transformations; and energy.

AP Biology

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics like evolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and system interactions.

History and Social Sciences

Civics and Globalization

Grade 9 students study citizenship and government along with how one shapes and interacts with the world. This course provides students with a basic understanding of civic life, politics, and government through study of global current affairs and the perspectives and ideologies which underpin government. Students learn how power and responsibility are shared and limited by government, the impact that politics has on world affairs, and the place of law at the local and international level. Students also examine how the world is organized politically and compare civic participation in societies around the world today. The course is designed to promote the College Board's historical thinking skills and augment student writing by developing a deeper understanding of source analysis and argument construction.

World History

World History presents a chronological survey of history from prehistory to the present. The focus of this class is on civilizations that have had a global impact and on patterns of cultural diffusion which have created today’s multicultural world. Students explore how their own culture and country fits into the world and how it has been influenced by world events.

US History

US History traces the development of America’s history before the European arrival to the present day within the context of ideals common to humankind. Students make connections between their own country’s history and that of the Americas.

AP Microeconomics

AP Microeconomics is an introductory college-level microeconomics course. Students cultivate their understanding of the principles that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers by using principles and models to describe economic situations and predict and explain outcomes with graphs, charts, and data as they explore concepts like scarcity and markets; costs, benefits, and marginal analysis; production choices and behavior; and market inefficiency and public policy.

AP Macroeconomics

AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level macroeconomics course. Students cultivate their understanding of the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole by using principles and models to describe economic situations and predict and explain outcomes with graphs, charts, and data as they explore concepts like economic measurements, markets, macroeconomic models, and macroeconomic policies.

AP Comparative Government and Politics

AP Comparative Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in comparative government and politics.The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students cultivate their understanding of comparative government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like power and authority, legitimacy and stability, democratization, internal and external forces, and methods of political analysis.