Upper School Curriculum

Introduction to Literature and Composition (Honors)
This year-long course instills the fundamental reading, writing, analytical, and argumentation skills freshmen will need and hone throughout the rest of their academic career. Readings comprise a variety of genres, from poetry and epics to plays, short fiction, and novels. Longform anchor texts include but are not limited to, The Odyssey, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and 1984. Students may anticipate a medley of multimodal approaches to both individual and group assessments - designed to activate different parts of the brain and model a holistic philosophy of learning.

American Literature and Composition(Honors)
This course is a survey of American literature beginning with works from the earliest American authors and emphasizing works from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Students study key texts by authors such as Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and more. Students are taught the skills of close reading with an emphasis on discovering themes and symbols, analyzing motifs and authorial strategies, and expanding their vocabulary. In the course of preparing for the major research paper, students are also trained in the use of the Modern Language Association format.

European Literature and Composition (Honors or AP)
This skills-based course provides a thematic survey of English and European literature from the Classical Age to the contemporary. Students will use the assigned readings as foundations to develop their mastery of analytical reading, writing, and speaking. AP sections prepare for the English Literature exam.

Honors World Literature & Composition

This course focuses on discovering how various cultures and authors have sought to map the human experience through literature. The reading will investigate canonical authors that have influenced civilization, as well as contemporary voices that explore cultures often underrepresented.

AP Language & Composition with World Literature

This college-level course explores literature from around the world, with an emphasis on rhetorical analysis and argumentation. In addition to reading from a literary anthology and novels, students preparing for the AP Language exam will gain a specialized focus in rhetoric and research to facilitate critical thinking as they write evidence-driven arguments.

Advanced Topics Literature Seminars

These semester-long, seminar-style courses offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the work of a major author, literary movement, genre, or time period selected for the semester by the instructor. Through extensive class discussion and frequent writing assignments, students are encouraged to explore the essential issues of the human condition. (See the Upper School Course Catalog for specific information about each seminar.) Classes taught as Advanced Topics Seminars include:

• Myth & Magic
• Chaos & Creativity in Literature
• Literature and Society

Creative Writing

Publications I: Journalism

Publications II: Yearbook

Geometry (Honors)
In this course, students study logical mathematical systems through a rigorous, deductive development of Euclidean geometry.

• Parallel and perpendicular lines
• Congruence/similarity
• Series of rigid transformations/constructions
• Proofs/logic
• Right triangles/trig
• Conic sections
• Circles and angles
• Three-dimensional measurement
• Coordinate geometry in 2 and 3 dimensions

• Variables, Exponents, and Expressions
• Linear Equations and Inequalities
• Systems of Equations and Inequalities
• Polynomials and Factoring
• Quadratic Equations
• Radical Expressions and Equations
• Rational Expressions and Equations
• Problem Solving and Logical Reasoning

• Operations of complex numbers
• Composition of functions
• Products and factors of polynomials
• Roots and radicals
• Quadratic functions
• Exponential and logarithmic functions
• Conic sections
• Matrix operations
• Sequences and series

Algebra II/Trigonometry (Honors)
This course provides an in-depth review of Algebra I concepts while introducing several new advanced algebra concepts outlined above. Trigonometry consists of the study of trigonometric and circular functions.

• Field properties
• Linear and quadratic functions and relations
• Inequalities and their applications
• Finding values of trigonometric functions
• Graphing trigonometric functions
• Finding values of inverse trigonometric functions
• Solving trigonometric equations
• Proving trigonometric identities

College Algebra with Trigonometry (Honors)
This course consists of analyzing graphs, solving equations, and proving the identities of the circular functions and their inverses.

• Definitions of the trigonometric functions
• Special angles, fundamental identities
• Solution of right triangles, circular measure, trigonometric reductions
• Solution of oblique triangles
• Functions of a composite angle
• Trigonometric equations
• DeMoivre's Theorem
• Graphing trigonometric functions

Precalculus (Honors)
This course is designed for students with an advanced Algebra background in preparation for college-level Calculus. In addition to the thorough review of College Algebra and Trigonometry topics.

• Analytic geometry
• Vectors and conics in polar coordinates
• Linear programming
• Parametric equations
• Advanced matrix algebra
• Sequences and series; Binomial Theorem
• Probability and statistics
• Introduction to limits

Precalculus AB (Honors)
This course provides a review and extension of Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry with a focus on problem-solving leading to Calculus AB (AP) while adding new concepts.

• Analytic geometry
• Vectors and conics in polar coordinates
• Linear programming
• Parametric equations
• Advanced matrix algebra
• Sequences and series; Binomial Theorem
• Probability and statistics
• Introduction to limits

• Limits
• Continuity
• Differentiation and applications
• Integration
• Applications of the definite integral
• Separable differential equations
• Areas between two curves
• Volumes: by revolution or cross-sectional area

• Differentiating vector-based functions
• Integrating vector-based functions
• Sequences and series
• Associated tests for convergence
• Differential equations

• Vector calculus
• Cylindrical and spherical coordinates
• Partial differentiation
• Directional derivatives and the gradient
• Multiple integration
• Line and surface integrals
• Green’s and Stokes’ Theorem
• Divergence

• Descriptive statistics
• Experimental design
• Probability
• Inferential statistics
• Linear regression
• The normal distribution

• Top-down and bottom-up design
• Object-oriented design
• Flow of control
• Scope
• Recursion
• Basic data structures
• Sorting
• Searching
• Graphics

• Drones:
  • Drone hardware components
  • Drone assembly
  • Drone software configuration
  • Drone safety and piloting
• Coding:
  • Variables
  • Loops
  • Conditionals
  • Object-oriented programming
  • Graphics
  • Event handling

Modern Algebra (Advanced Topics)
This course provides students with an introduction to linear algebra in the first semester and an introduction to abstract algebra in the second semester.

• Linear transformations
• Linear independence
• Determinants
• Eigenvalues
• Eigenvectors
• Diagonalization

• Groups
• Rings
• Fields
• Homomorphisms
• Isomorphism theorems

• Biology (Honors)
• Secondary Health (One semester; offered first & second semester)
• AP Biology (Elective)
• AP Environmental Science (Elective)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (Honors Elective)
• AT Science Research (Elective)

• Chemistry (Honors)
• AP Chemistry (Elective)

• Physics (Honors)
• AP Physics I
• AP Physics C (Elective)
• AT Modern Physics: Concepts and Philosophy (Elective)

• Intro to Robotics (Elective)
• Advanced Robotics (Elective)

World History (Honors)
This honors survey course traces the evolution of political, social, religious, technological, and economic institutions from the Neolithic Revolution to modern times. The emphasis is on Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Western civilizations. Students will broaden their historical perspectives, explore the many ways societies have dealt with continuity and change, uncover patterns of behavior, and identify historical trends and themes. 

U.S. History (Honors or AP)
This course examines the significant events, trends, issues, and problems encountered in the American experience. Politics, economics, and an examination of the development of American culture are key facets of the course.

Economics and Personal Finance I (Honors)
This semester-long course in economics and personal finance can be taken separately for 0.5 credit with the option of continuing on into the second semester. The first semester meets the new Nevada state requirements for graduation and must be taken before graduation. The first semester introduces the essentials of both micro and macroeconomics before the topic of personal finance.

Economics and Personal Finance II (Honors)
This second-semester course is an elective for students who want to experience beyond the basics and have the opportunity to delve more deeply into the application of the concepts covered in semester one.

European History (Honors or AP)
This course is designed to give students an overview of European history since 1450. It introduces students to social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual development from the Renaissance to the 20th century.

U.S. Government (Honors or AP)
This course, both year-long and semester-long, examines the nature of the American political system, its development over the past 200 years, and how it functions today. The principles, processes, and institutions through which the political system operates are examined.

• Psychology (AP)
• Economics - Micro/Macro (AP)
• Religion and Philosophy (Honors)
• Economics - Micro/Macro (AP)
• Introduction to Law (Honors)
• Politics of Terrorism (Honors)
• Student Government

Chinese I (Honors)
This course is designed to develop students’ fundamental understanding and communication skills in Mandarin Chinese, including listening, comprehension, reading, and basic conversation. This introductory Chinese course covers Hanyu Pinyin (Chinese pronunciation system), Hanzi (Chinese writing system), and Chinese typing. It also presents general aspects of Chinese daily life and culture.

Chinese II (Honors)
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed a rigorous one-year Chinese I course in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese, or its equivalent. This second-year course continues to develop an overview of the Chinese language and culture through authentic and intensive listening, speaking, reading, and writing. At the end of the course, students are able to comprehend and produce paragraph-level Chinese.

Chinese III (Honors)
This course is designed for students who have completed two years of Chinese courses. This course elevates students' understanding of more complex Chinese syntax and grammatical concepts through rigorous practice of spoken and written Chinese. Students are provided with opportunities to focus on fine-tuning pronunciation, expanding vocabulary, and internalizing more complex grammatical constructions.

AP Chinese Language and Culture
AP Chinese is a full-year course that covers the equivalent of the fourth semester of a college Chinese course. This course aims to provide students with ongoing and varied opportunities to further develop their proficiency across the full range of language skills while learning about Chinese culture and society. The course engages students in an exploration of both contemporary and historical Chinese culture. It is expected that all students enrolled in this course take the AP exam in May.

French I (Honors)
This course requires no prior knowledge of French. Applying an audio-visual, whole-language approach (Comprehensible Input), students will develop basic skills of the target language in speaking, reading, writing, listening comprehension, and culture. During the first year, weather, geographical locations, directions, numbers, activities (sports and music), and conversational French are covered. Grammar is initially presented in a natural, vocabulary-style format and then reinforced through drills and exercises. Students understand the following verb tenses: the present, near future, past perfect, and the polite conditional. Students are expected to use the target language as much as possible in class in order to reach an ACTFL proficiency at “Novice High.”

French II (Honors)
In this course for advanced beginners, students continue the same methodology used in Honors French I. Video and audio programs are used as an integral part of the course in order to improve aural comprehension. Continued development of level-appropriate interpersonal communication is expected of second-year students. Written composition will continue to be developed and vocabulary expanded. Emphasis on Past tenses (past perfect and imperfect) and an introduction to the future tense are part of the curriculum. French is the language of instruction; English is used to clarify as needed. Students are expected to use the target language as much as possible in order to reach an ACTFL proficiency at “Intermediate Low” or “Intermediate Mid.”

French III (Honors)
In this course, students review and expand upon the vocabulary and grammar they have been studying for the past two years with the intent of preparing for advanced courses. Intermediate-level literacy is attained through the study of samples of Francophone daily life. Practical communication skills in reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking, and culture continue to be stressed. French is used as the target language in this class.

French IV (Honors)
This course is designed to increase student proficiency through a more intense study and assessment of listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. Students will be exposed to more sophisticated vocabulary and more complex grammatical structures previously learned in French I-III. This course enables students to study the language in greater detail, to read for comprehension from a variety of authentic sources, and to use spoken language more frequently.

French Pre-AP (Honors)
This course serves as preparation for the Advanced Placement course and is designed to continue the development of academic proficiency in the five standards: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, and culture. The focus is on communication in French, incorporating a further understanding of francophone cultures, connecting with other disciplines, comparing the student’s native language to French, and participating in multicultural communities. Projects and assessments will introduce students to formats and activities seen in the AP class.

AP French Language and Culture
This course is guided by the curriculum promoted by the College Board. By reading, watching, and listening to samples of Francophone daily life, students will be skilled in communicating their cultural comprehension in the target language. Summative and formative assessment exercises are used to develop and maintain the following skills: oral and written interpersonal communication; audio, visual, audio-visual and print interpretive communication skills. French is the target language of communication in this course.

French Contemporary Topics (Honors)
This course examines current events and how they are interpreted in the Francophone world. Topics include pop music, climate change, refugee status around the world, and world politics. The course also looks at contemporary films and blogs as a window into French and Francophone culture. This course is an option for students who want to have an additional year of French.

French Film: Cultural & Historical Perspectives(Honors)
This course explores French cultural interpretation of History and contemporary society through Film. Topics include immigration, cultural identity, family identity, war, etc. Students increase their proficiency in vocabulary, listening, reading, and writing French through the films and by reading and commenting on contemporary critique of said films. Some films include C’est quoi cette Famille, Joyeux Noël, and Bienvenue à Marly-Gormont. French is the language of instruction; English is used to clarify as needed.

Latin I (Honors)
Honors Latin I provides a first introduction to the Latin language, but its focus is less strictly on language acquisition than on its cultural background in the ancient world and on its lasting legacy in the modern world. Explorations into the art, history, mythology, and culture of ancient Rome through both research and art projects are complemented by using a variety of pedagogies stressing comprehensible input and the gamified classroom, but also strutted by the reading and grammar-and-translation methods. All Latin students automatically become members of the Junior Classical League (JCL) and, as such, are provided opportunities to attend Latin conventions, take national exams for prizes, and compete in certamen (Classics quiz-bowl) tournaments. The overarching goal of this course is to instill a love for Latin and to acquire proficiency naturally in as stress-free an environment as possible.

Latin II (Honors)
Honors Latin II continues the journey begun in all first-year Latin courses but with a slightly higher proportion of time devoted specifically to language acquisition. Explorations into the art, history, mythology, and culture of ancient Rome through both research and art projects continue to be complemented by instruction using a variety of pedagogies stressing comprehensible input and the gamified classroom, but also strutted by the reading and grammar-and-translation methods. All Latin students automatically become members of the Junior Classical League (JCL) and, as such, are provided opportunities to attend Latin conventions, take national exams for prizes, and compete in certamen (Classics quiz bowl) tournaments.

Latin III (Honors)
Honors Latin III constitutes a continued investigation into the cultural, literary, and historical legacy of the ancient Roman world as they are contextualized in the words of the authors themselves, supplemented by a review of vocabulary and advanced grammatical concepts as they arise in readings. Comprehensible input is supplemented by emphases on sight-reading, literary analysis, and English derivatives. Most readings revolve around Latin as it relates to the diversity of the American experience in the Western Hemisphere. At the end of the course, students are able to continue their study of Latin literature in either AP Latin or a variety of Advanced Topics in Latin Literature courses. All Latin students automatically become members of the Junior Classical League (JCL) and, as such, are provided opportunities to attend Latin conventions, take national exams for prizes, and compete in certamen (Classics quiz bowl) tournaments.

AP Latin (Vergil/Caesar)
This course prepares students for the Latin Advanced Placement Examination. Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Commentarii De Bello Gallico are analyzed and translated. Rhetorical devices, figures of speech, and poetic meter are studied in depth. Essential themes, such as effective leadership and communication, nation-building, and religious piety, are explored and discussed, especially in regard to how they are employed in the late Republic and early empire of Rome. Students also study the interrelationships of art, literature, government, and religion. As in earlier years of study, all Latin students automatically become members of the Junior Classical League (JCL) and, as such, are provided opportunities to attend Latin conventions, take national exams for prizes, and compete in certamen (Classics quiz bowl) tournaments.

Latin Literature (Advanced Topics)
This course acts as an introduction to authentic Latin literature and is designed for the student who is earnest about continuing on in Latin in anticipation of, in lieu of, or even after completing, the Advanced Placement curriculum. The coursework completes the study of more challenging grammatical structures common in written and spoken discourse. Fundamental Latin skills and vocabulary are still reviewed and developed along with detailed study of poetic devices and socio-historical critical evaluation. Specific course content varies, focusing on different genres and/or authors from year to year based directly on student interest. As such, this course may be repeated for credit multiple times. As in earlier years of study, all Latin students automatically become members of the Junior Classical League (JCL) and, as such, are provided opportunities to attend Latin conventions, take national exams for prizes, and compete in certamen (Classics quiz bowl) tournaments.

Spanish I (Honors)
In this beginning course of Spanish, students are offered the opportunity to develop skills in the standards: reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking, and culture. A workable, everyday vocabulary is attained in a naturalistic environment to give students the tools to begin academic proficiency. Basic grammar is presented and reinforced to strengthen a strong foundation in the language.

Spanish II (Honors)
This course is designed to continue academic proficiency development in the five standards: reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking, and culture. The focus is on communication in Spanish; every day the students will have the opportunity to read, write, speak, and listen to Spanish. Further understanding of Hispanic cultures, connecting with other disciplines, comparing native language to Spanish, and participating in multicultural communities will also be incorporated.

Spanish III (Honors)
This course is designated for the Honors Spanish student who does not intend to take Advanced Placement courses next year and is designed to continue academic proficiency development in the five standards: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, and culture. The focus is on written and oral communication in Spanish, incorporating further understanding of Hispanic cultures, connecting with other disciplines, comparing native language to Spanish, and participating in multicultural communities

Spanish IV (Honors)
This course is designed to increase student proficiency through a more intense study and assessment of listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. Students will be exposed to more sophisticated vocabulary and more complex grammatical structures previously learned in Spanish I-III. This course enables students to study the language in greater detail, to read for comprehension from a variety of authentic sources, and to use spoken language more frequently.

Spanish Pre-AP (Honors)
This course will act as a feeder course for the Advanced Placement courses and is designed to continue the development of academic proficiency in the five standards: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, and culture. The focus is on communication in Spanish, incorporating further understanding of Hispanic cultures, connecting with other disciplines, comparing native language to Spanish, and participating in multicultural communities. Projects and assessments will introduce students to format and activities seen in the AP class.

AP Spanish Language and Culture
This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language examination and is based on conversation and composition. Students engage in activities allowing them to express their ideas with fluency and accuracy, thus acquiring a vocabulary enabling them to translate newspapers and magazine articles as well as Hispanic literary works.

AP Spanish Literature and Culture
This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature examination. In this course students will study the major writers of Spain and Latin America and their works, from the medieval period to present day. Students will do a close reading of these works, analyzing them and making thematic connections between texts of various genres and historical periods.

Spanish Film and Conversation (Honors)
This Spanish class focuses on contemporary and traditional themes. The student will develop organizational skills for effective writing and speaking at an advanced level. The student will practice interpersonal, presentational, and interpretative skills necessary for performance.

Spanish Seminar (Advanced Topics)
This is an advanced-level course that continues to strengthen the learning of Spanish through its practice, both oral and written. Students review more advanced aspects of Spanish grammar within a literary context. The grammar review in this class is used as a tool to make students better readers and writers. Furthermore, by reviewing the uses of grammar in literary texts and other cultural materials, students have the opportunity to improve their knowledge of Spanish in its four fundamental aspects: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, oral expression, and writing. In each chapter, students read literary works from some of the most well-known and respected writers in the Spanish literary canon and focus on producing certain types of written work.

• Sight Reading
• Performance Skills
• Musical Skills Development
• Form and Structure in Music Understanding
• Composing and Arranging
• Music Technology Knowledge
• Stage Presence

• Music Pieces for Upcoming Concerts
• A Structured Warm-up for Developing a Fundamental-Based Routine:
  • Rehearsal Behavior
  • Characteristic Sound on the Horn
  • Breathing Routine for Focus and Timing
  • Embouchure and Vowel Shapes
  • Articulation and Release

• Healthy Singing Techniques
• Music Literacy
  • Sight Singing
  • Solfège
  • Theory
  • Introduction to Different Styles of Music
  • Recording Studio Experience

• Running Lights
• Sound
• Special Effects
• Stage Managing
• Facilitating Costume Changes
• Moving Set Pieces and Props

• Faux Painting Techniques
• Costume Making
• Properties, Costumes, and Set Construction and Fabrication
• Lighting Instruments
• Make-up Application
• Historical Research into Time Period and Play Background
• Foley Art and Sound Editing
• Elements of Design

Animation and Design
This course introduces the principles of animation and design to implement in 2D animations. Additionally, students create animated stories through the process of character design, thumbnails, and storyboarding. This class analyzes and discusses various animations from movies, the web, and games to further understand the methods, principles, and formulas of animation.

• Policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate skills and practices
• Public Speaking skills and Individual Events speeches
• Research collection, organization, and presentation
• Extensive coverage of current and future interscholastic debate topics

• Tournament preparation and scouting
• Advanced public speaking
• Original, independent research
• Extensive coverage of the high school policy debate resolution
• Strategies for competitive success at regional and national policy debate tournaments

AT National Circuit Policy Debate (Advanced Topics)
This course is for students in policy debate attempting to qualify to the Tournament of Champions (TOC). Students will learn advanced policy debate techniques and train to compete in regional and national TOC qualifiers.

• Tournament preparation and scouting
• Advanced public speaking
• Original, independent research
• Extensive coverage of current and future high school Lincoln-Douglas debate resolutions
• Strategies for competitive success at regional and national policy debate tournaments

• Interpretive reading
• Original oratory
• Expository
• Poetry
• Extemporaneous speaking

Public Speaking (Honors)
This course will give students the tools needed to comfortably engage in public speaking on a variety of topics in interpersonal, small group, ceremonial, and professional contexts. Students will learn each step of the public speaking process, the formats and structure for various types of public addresses, and how to integrate technology into their speeches and presentations.  

One sport season is equivalent to 0.5 credit toward the graduation requirement. A maximum of 1.0 credit may be accumulated each year. Sport-season credits may be combined with PE credits to satisfy the two-year PE requirement.

This semester course focuses on athletic performance as well as the fundamental principles of fitness. Students interested in athletic performance are introduced to speed, strength, flexibility, and conditioning tailored for athletes. Students who are interested in personal fitness are introduced to wellness-related concepts and activities for the purpose of gaining knowledge and the skills necessary to evaluate their personal fitness level and to develop a personal lifelong fitness program. Activities include, but are not limited to: weight training, aerobics, and team games such as volleyball, basketball, tennis, softball, and soccer.

This course teaches students the basic anatomy of the most commonly injured body parts. The class reviews anatomy of such body parts and includes taping and wrapping techniques along with beginning rehabilitation routines. Upon completion of this class students will have earned First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications from the American Red Cross.

The Nevada Department of Education requires one semester of Health for graduation. A Secondary Health course is offered both first and second semester to satisfy this requirement.