Humanities

We believe that adolescents learn best when they are active, solving real problems and applying the concepts learned in class to their own experiences. Study in the Humanities is designed to provide an experiential, interdisciplinary approach to organizing themes that reveal the connections between the traditional disciplines. Our program offers challenging reading and writing assignments at each grade level designed to engage students with important ideas. Students exhibit a variety of writing styles and forms, emphasizing creativity and informational and argumentative writing.

With an added emphasis on speaking, listening and public presentation skills, students must demonstrate an ability to think critically and be an effective communicator through a variety of mediums. Students also learn to gather and assess sources to assist building their competency as a skilled information processor. Students are required to successfully complete the following courses (or equivalent coursework) in the humanities before earning a diploma:

• Grade 9 Cultural Foundations [English, social studies including history, geography, and government

• Grade 10 American Studies [English, social studies including U.S. History, and government] and Economics

• Grade 11 World Literature and World Studies

• Grade 12 Senior Seminar or Advanced Placement English Literature or Advanced Placement Language & Composition