04. Introduction to Advanced Grammar
A. Grades 3-4 ---------- B. Grades 5–6
Grammar is a subject that is encumbered with false stereotypes of tedium. Elementary students embrace this introduction to all four levels of traditional grammar, including parts of speech, parts of sentences, phrases, and clauses. Writing skills improve as students internalize grammatical content. The emphasis will be on the thrill and power of grammar, along with the excitement of understanding how we think and communicate.

33D. Preparation for Standardized Tests (Grades 7– 8)
Do you have nightmares before taking a standardized test? Do you break into a cold sweat when you walk into the test room? Throughout high school, college and graduate school, students are required to take high-stakes tests. Preparing for a test is not easy, and many test takers experience a phenomenon known as test anxiety. By understanding how standardized tests are written, discovering how to capitalize on your learning style and by practicing learning strategies, you can enjoy both increased success and reduced stress.

34D. Writing Research Papers MLA (Grades 7– 8)
Most middle and high schools have embraced the Modern Language Association (MLA) style as the standard for research writing. Instruction and activ­ities focus on the basics of topic selection, research techniques, MLA citation, outlin­ing, rough drafts, revising and proofread­ing. Techniques for managing larger projects help build organizational skills and reduce anxiety when students face the task of writing research papers. Using a topic of their choice, students produce a well-researched piece of writing using the MLA format, incorporating the skills they have learned that will serve them well every time they sit down to write.

45D. Pre-Algebra (Grades 7– 8)
If you are looking for an introductory course in algebra, this one’s for you. Areas of study include linear equations, surface area and volume, exponents, statis­tics, the coordinate system, trigonometry, absolute value and graphing. Problems are completed both independently and collab­oratively. Students share ideas while look­ing for alternative ways to solve problems more efficiently or with more complexity, depending on the focus. This course pro­vides a building block for Honors Algebra.

57.  English Vocabulary I Honors:  An Etymological Approach
This advanced vocabulary course features an integration of Latin and Greek stems.  Knowledge of the stems not only equips students for more success in every class and for successful vocabulary skills in all contexts, but it is also the key to spelling, poetic insight, comprehension and the retrieval of thousands of advanced words.  Additionally, this course explores the way words and their meanings are created through the varying combinations of these stems.

61.  Introduction to Theatre Honors
This course provides a broad overview of theatre history and performance from the ancient Greeks to the present, including a discussion of non-Western theatre.  Topics include art and entertainment, comparing the stage to other media, considerations of cultural diversity and audience, critique and free speech, ensemble, playwriting, acting, directing and design.  Critical reading and writing skills will be enhanced while students explore this area of writing and performance.

63. Musical Theatre Honors
Prerequisite: a high school level theatre course or extensive production experience
Discover the development of American musical theatre, from the mid-1800s to the present. A focus on musicals from the Golden Age (1940 to1970) develops stu­dents’ understanding of more contem­porary productions. Through the reading of historical texts, listening to original cast albums and viewing videos of musical performances, students become both appreciative and critical theatre attendees.

67.  U.S. History Honors
This course, designed for students capable of going beyond the typical high school survey course, covers the major areas of American history from exploration and colonization up through the 1980s.  Students become S.P.I.E.S. of US history as they examine the Social, Political, International, Economic and Skills aspects of the past; studying techniques historians use to analyze relevant figures and events.  Students can expect to sharpen their analytical thinking and writing skills by engaging in sophisticated, multilevel analyses of historical events.

68.  World History Honors
World History is an introductory course that trains students to think as historians as they examine world cultures from the rise of civilization through the beginning of the 21st century.  In conjunction with primary source documents, additional historical materials and enrichment activities will enhance students’ understanding of politics, economics, religion, social traditions, intellectual developments and the aesthetics of the cultures studied.  This course emphasizes critical reading, historical comprehension, chronological thinking, historical analysis, interpretation and geographical literacy, while employing multimedia sources.

70.  Introduction to Philosophy Honors
Learning to think conceptually may be the most valuable skill a person can possess in our contemporary information-based society.  In this course, students develop and refine critical thinking and writing skills in the spirit of inquiry as they both analyze concepts and express their opinions.  Introduction to Philosophy Honors traces major trends in Western philosophy from pre-Socratic times to contemporary analysis.  Philosophy Honors explores five traditional problem areas:  ethics, religion, knowledge, politics and metaphysics.

78.  Algebra I Honors
Prerequisite:  Pre-Algebra
Algebra I Honors is the equivalent of the first year of high school algebra honors.  Topics include rules of algebra, signed numbers, equations, inequalities, graphing formulas and functions, systems of equations, exponents, radicals, polynomials, quadratics, proportions and rational equations.  Success in this course allows promotion into Algebra II and Trigonometry Honors and/or Geometry Honors.

79.  Algebra II & Trigonometry Honors
Prerequisite:  Algebra I
Algebra II Honors is the equivalent of the second full year course in high school algebra.  This course includes review concepts from Algebra I and expands on inequalities, polynomial equations, rational expressions, complex numbers, variation, analytic geometry, exponents, logarithms, trigonometry (basic concepts, graphs, equations and inequalities, applications), statistics, probability and matrices.  Students should already have experience with graphing and solving linear and quadratic equations.  A graphing calculator is required.  Note:  In previous years, the trigonometry unit has been optional.  It is now required.

81.  Pre-Calculus Honors
Prerequisites: Algebra I & II, Geometry
Precalculus Honors prepares the student for the study of differential and integral calculus.  Students solve application problems involving linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions.  Students will apply vectors, sequences, series and matrices to their mathematical problem solving.  Advanced topics in functions and graphs, trigonometry, discrete mathematics, combinatorics and precalculus will be covered.  This course will prepare participants for the study of calculus by learning how to apply limits and continuity.

84. Java Honors (1 credit)
Java Honors presents the basics of Java programming including keywords, operators, and control statements, loops and data types. Assignments include command-line programs, basic graphics and simple games. By the conclusion of the class, students will have a solid base in programming, be able to use basic Java coding to solve problems, and be able to use readable and efficient code to satisfy problem descriptions. This course is designed for students with some previous computer experience, but little or no experience with Java.

ACCELERATED ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

87. AP® English Literature and Composition
Prerequisites: two years of Honors English and a writing sample
As students carefully read works of consid­erable literary merit, they practice and refine their skills and reach a new level of maturity in their writing. By reading the finest poetry, plays, novels, short stories and essays written across cultures and his­torical periods, students develop their abil­ity to analyze, write and interpret literature. Being attentive to language usage, image, character, action, argument and the various literary techniques and strategies authors use to evoke emotional response from readers, students increase the level of their understanding of reading and their writing. This college-level class prepares students to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam and other college-level English and writing courses.

92A.  AP® Macroeconomics (1 credit)
This course addresses the central topics of supply-and-demand and demand-and-supply economics, the role of labor, government taxation, regulatory policy and expenditures; fiscal and monetary policy; international trade; and individual choices that affect the economy and standard of living.  Macroeconomics analyzes the economy as a whole.  This course prepares students for the AP Macroeconomics exam.

92B.  AP® Microeconomics (1 credit)
This course addresses the central topics of supply-and-demand and demand-and supply economics, the role of labor, government taxation, regulatory policy and expenditures; fiscal and monetary policy; international trade; and individual choices that affect the economy and standard of living.  Microeconomics examines the behaviors of individual businesses and prepares students for the AP Microeconomics exam.

95. AP® Calculus AB
Prerequisites: Algebra II/Trigonometry, Geometry
Rocket scientist or brain surgeon, architect or engineer — the study of calculus is the foundation for many professional endeavors. AP Calculus AB is the equivalent of a first semester course in a college calculus sequence. This course includes analytic geometry, functions, limits, continuity, the derivative and its applications, and the integral and its applications. This course is designed for the student who has had no prior training in calculus and prepares students for the AP Calculus AB exam.
Note: A graphing calculator is required.