Upper School

Grades: 9, 10
Course Title: Spanish I and I honors
Course Length: Year
Course Description: This course is designed to empower students through intercultural understanding and improve students’ ability to communicate in the Spanish language. When communicating, students in the level I language and culture course demonstrate an understanding of the culture(s), incorporate interdisciplinary topics (Connections), make comparisons between the native language and the target language and between cultures (Comparisons), and use the target language in real-life settings (Communities). Students will engage content from six-course themes through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In an Honors course, students should expect a faster pace, additional content, and higher expectations regarding the use of Spanish in the classroom and engagement with higher-level content and thinking.

Grades: 10, 11
Course Title: Spanish II
Course Length: Year
Course Description: In Spanish II, students continue their study of Spanish by further expanding their knowledge of Key vocabulary, topics, and grammar concepts. Students not only begin to comprehend while listening to and reading passages more fully, but they also start to express themselves more meaningfully in both speaking and writing. Each Unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concepts, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, and interactive activities and practices that reinforce vocabulary and grammar. There is a strong emphasis on providing context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each Unit. Students should expect to be actively engaged in their language learning; understand common vocabulary terms and phrases; use a wide range of grammar patterns in their speaking and writing; participate in conversations and respond appropriately to conversational prompts; analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and perspectives of various Spanish-speaking countries; and take frequent assessments where their language progression can be monitored.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Course Title: Spanish III: Language and Culture
Course Length: Year
Course Description: In the Spanish III class, students will strengthen their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in Spanish in a variety of settings (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) and will become more culturally aware of the Spanish-speaking communities and countries. Spanish III students will be required to uphold rigorous standards in writing and speaking skills, quizzes, and tests. In Spanish III, students will be building on their knowledge to gain greater competence in the language in a classroom environment that is safe and nurturing, that deeply respects cultural diversity, and that provides opportunities for diverse learners. This course is designed to empower students through intercultural understanding and improve students’ ability to communicate in the Spanish language. When communicating, students in the level III language and culture course will demonstrate an understanding of the culture(s); incorporate interdisciplinary topics (Connections); make comparisons between the native language and the target language and between cultures (Comparisons), and use the target language in real-life settings (Communities). Building on their experience from Spanish II, students will engage content from six-course themes that are based on the Advanced Placement Exam/College Board curriculum.

Grade: 9
Course Title: Art Fundamentals
Course Length: Semester
Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description: This rigorous semester-long course teaches students the elements of art and the principles of design. The course is comprised of an equal balance of appreciation and creation. Throughout the appreciation portion of the class, students will study art history and the functions of art in the world. Students will develop skills to analyze, reflect on, evaluate, interpret, contemplate, and respond to visual experiences and ideas. Throughout the creation portion of the class, students Will interact with art concepts by planning, expressing, and communicating their own ideas through creating works of art, writing artist statements, and leading critiques. Students will explore and implement various types of art media, techniques, and processes as they create their own artworks. This course prepares students for advanced-level studio courses, including AP studio art.

Grade: 10, 11, 12
Course Title: Mixed media
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Art fundamentals
Course Description: Mixed media integrates students’ knowledge from prior studio art courses and teaches them to mix a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional techniques and processes, as well as the elements of art and principles of design, to create artworks using more than two media in the same artwork. Throughout this course, students will interact with art concepts by planning, expressing, and communicating their own ideas through creating works of art, writing artist statements, and leading critiques.

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Title: Personal Fitness
Course Length: Semester
Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description: Physical education students Will be involved in a variety of activities designed to improve physical fitness, coordination, and sport-specific skills. Students also develop content knowledge about nutrition, diet, mental health, the development of fitness plans, and the ability to link the importance of physical activity with lifelong endeavors.

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Title: Personal health
Course Length: Semester
Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description: Personal health is designed to help students learn about their changing bodies, to help them sort out emotions and personal values, to aid them in maintaining optimum health as a lifelong process, and to show students how to take responsibility for making healthy decisions. Personal health is all about the student, and topics include real-life situations for teens. The topics explored in personal health are as follows: Mental Health, Body Image, Colorism, Sexuality, Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs, and Nutrition.

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Title: Foundations of Technology
Course Length: Semester
Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description: This course is designed to build the foundations necessary for the use of technology. Students will learn to present ideas and information effectively using technology and collaborate to develop skills to implement project plans. Students will also learn methods and processes that will assist them in succeeding academically and professionally. Students will also develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative-thinking skills through the application of the design cycle. They will also learn to use and apply information and communication technology effectively as a means to access, process, and communicate information and solve problems.

Grade: 10, 11
Course Title: Computer Science Principles—CTE Pathway
Course length: Year
Prerequisite: Foundations of computer science
Course Description: The second course, Computer Science Principles, is based on AP: Computer Science Principles, and is offered for students enrolled in the CTE Pathway. This course advances students’ understanding of the technical aspects of computing, including programming and algorithm design, computer system organization and operation, and data representation and information organization. This course includes the use of several programming languages, based on the specific project or problem students must solve.

Grade: 9
Course Title: English I: Introduction to Classic Literature and Composition
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English and Language Arts III
Course Description: This MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS-aligned course challenges students to improve their written and oral communication skills while strengthening their ability to understand and analyze literature in a variety of genres. Students will read a broad array of short stories, poetry, drama, novels, autobiographies, essays, and famous speeches. The course guides students in the close reading and critical analysis of classic works of literature and helps them appreciate the texts and the contexts in which the works were written.

Grade: 9
Course Title: Honors English I: Introduction to Classic Literature and Composition
Course length: Year
Prerequisite: Completion of 8th-grade English & Language Arts III with a final grade of 85% or better and a written recommendation from the prerequisite course teacher, or qualifying placement test scores (for students new to BLSYW only)
Course Description: This MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS-aligned course challenges students to improve their written and oral communication skills while strengthening their ability to understand and analyze literature in a variety of genres. Students will read a broad array of short stories, poetry, drama, novels, autobiographies, essays, and famous speeches. The course guides students in the close reading and critical analysis of classic works of literature and helps them appreciate the texts and the contexts in which the works were written. Honors students will build on existing literature and composition skills and move to higher levels of sophistication.

Grade: 10
Course Title: English II: World Literature
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English I
Course Description: In this MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS-aligned course, students read selections from British and world literature as they analyze the themes, styles, and structures of those texts. Students are encouraged to make thematic connections among diverse authors, periods, and settings. Students will complete guided and independent writing assignments that refine their analytical skills. Students will also continue to expand their vocabulary as they prepare for standardized college assessments in reading and writing.

Grade: 11
Course Title: English III: American Literature
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
Course Description: In this MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS-aligned course, students read and analyze works of American literature from colonial to contemporary times, including poetry, short stories, novels, drama, and nonfiction. The literary works provide opportunities for critical writing, creative projects, and online discussions. Students develop vocabulary skills and refresh their knowledge of grammar, usage, and mechanics in preparation for standardized testing. Students enrolled in this course will also complete an independent cross-curricular project designed to deepen their understanding of the themes and ideas presented in the curriculum.

Grade: 11/12
Course Title: Journalism
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description: In this authentic, MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS-aligned course, students examine the development of journalism, from print to the multimedia environment, while learning how to publish a paper or digital newspaper. Students perform all aspects of the business, write newspaper-style articles and opinion pieces, and examine careers in multimedia communication. They also consider the historical effects of “yellow” journalism, freedom of the press, and journalism’s contributions to today’s world, with an emphasis on the influence of media on their peers. Students will learn the basics of design, layout, photojournalism, and print/press preparation.

Grade: 12
Course Title: English IV: College literature and composition
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English III
Course Description: The first half of this MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS-aligned course will focus on the student’s ability to deliver high-quality technical writing and textual analysis at the college level. The second half of this course will focus on the completion of the senior capstone project and the required presentation. Senior capstone projects must be completed successfully to receive a BLSYW diploma.

Grade: 12
Course Title: Honors English IV: College literature and composition
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Completion of English III with a final grade of 85% or better and a written recommendation from the prerequisite course teacher
Course Description: The first half of this MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS-aligned course will focus on refining students’ ability to deliver high-quality technical writing and textual analysis at the college level. The second half of this course will focus on the completion of the Senior Capstone Project and the required presentation. Senior Capstone Projects must be completed successfully to receive a BLSYW diploma. Honors students will build on existing literature and composition skills and move to higher levels of sophistication.

Grade: 9
Course Title: Intensified Algebra
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: 8th grade mathematics
Course Description: This course covers the elements of algebra needed for all following math courses through lectures, collaboration, and self-discovery. This course is taught in an hour and a half blocks. Students will study solving multistep equations, slope, linear equations (slope-intercept form), inequalities, systems of equations, exponential functions/graphs, polynomial operations, and factoring polynomials. A graphic calculator is highly recommended. After completing this course, students are prepared to take the state Algebra exam and to take Geometry.

Grade: 9
Course Title: Honors Algebra
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: 8th grade mathematics
Admission Criteria: 8th-Grade Mathematics year-end grade of 85% or higher and teacher recommendation affirming a strong work ethic as evidenced by attendance, attentiveness during class, participation during class, completion of assignments, and meeting with a teacher outside of class for extra help when needed.
Course Description: In addition to all that is covered in 9th-grade algebra, the advanced section proceeds at a much faster pace and includes additional topics, such as quadratics, non-linear functions, absolute value, and statistics.

Grade: 10
Course Title: Geometry
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Satisfactory Completion of Algebra I
Course Description: This course is designed to build upon previous geometric concepts learned in middle school and to build a strong foundation of geometry for future math classes through lectures, exploration, collaboration, and self-discovery. Students will study basic geometric terms, angles, triangles, area, perimeter, volume, surface areas, geometry in coordinate planes, transformations, basic trigonometry, and circles. Students will also have an intensive study on proofs, laws, vocabulary, and reasoning throughout the course. A graphing calculator is highly recommended.

Grade: 10, 11
Course Title: Algebra 2/Trigonometry
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Algebra I, geometry
Course Description: This course in intermediate algebra builds upon skills learned in Algebra I and Geometry and covers more complex algebra through lectures, guided practice, and collaborative/independent discovery. Students study equations, expressions, functions, solving/graphing equations (linear, absolute value, quadratic, polynomial, radical, exponential, logarithmic, and rational), inequalities, systems of linear equations, and trigonometry. A graphing calculator is required. After completing this course, students are prepared to take the SAT I and the state Algebra 2 exam.

Grade: 10, 11
Course Title: Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Grade of B or better in Honors Geometry or a grade of A in Geometry, recommendation of math teacher affirming a strong work ethic as evidenced by attendance, attentiveness during class, participation during class, completion of assignments, and meeting with a teacher outside of class for extra help when needed; and permission of the math department chairperson.
Course Description: In addition to all that is covered in Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry proceeds at a much faster pace and includes additional topics such as complex trigonometry and complex numbers.

Grade: 11, 12
Course Title: Pre-calculus
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
Course Description: This course is designed to be an introduction to college-level mathematics and to build upon the skills learned in Algebra 2 in preparation for calculus. Students study functions (rates of change, intercepts, zeros, and asymptotes), transformations, polynomials, systems of equations, curves of best fit, recursive functions, vectors, matrices, polar coordinates, and trigonometry. A graphing calculator is required. After completing this course, students are prepared to take the SAT I and the Math Level 1 & 2 SAT subject tests. The honors sections proceed at a much faster pace and include additional topics, such as spherical coordinates and limits.

Grade: 11, 12
Course Title: Probability & statistics
Course Length: Year
Prerequisite: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
Course Description: This course is designed to build upon probability and statistics skills learned in prior math classes in preparation for college mathematics. Students will study data analysis, graph analysis, distributions, scatter plots, regression, probability, and probability rules. Students will also learn to design a proper experiment, gather survey results, and analyze obtained data in real-life situations. A graphing calculator is highly recommended for this course.

Grade: 9/10
Course Title: American Government
Course Length: Year
Course Description: American Government is an introduction to Political Science, Economics, and the American System of Government. We will explore the beginnings of the American Government, discuss the Constitution, and examine the struggles that people and the government continue to go through in current events. In this class, we have many discussions, debates, and projects to keep us engaged in the material and prepare students to take and pass the Government HSA.

Grade: 10
Course Title: Modern World History
Course Length: Year
Course Description: World History is a required class for graduation. As your first history course in upper school, World History will be an introduction to methodologies and skills in the study of history. This will include the reading of primary sources and maps and creating original theses. These skills will be utilized, so students gain a foundation in how to read and write like a historian. World History covers a broad and diverse set of topics, from the Enlightenment Era to modern global issues. In this class, we will have many discussions, debates, and projects. The critical analysis, reading, and writing skills developed in World History will be valuable as students move on to American Government, which is an HSA-tested course, next year.

Grade: 11/12
Course Title: African American History
Course Length: Year
Course Description: The African American Studies program is a five-credit elective course. As part of the diverse cultures that have shaped and enriched the United States, African American studies will be presented from an Afrocentric perspective of American history. The course will focus on the “gifts” of African American culture to society, the continuous political, social, and economic struggle, and the forces that impact the historical process of the African American experience past and present. Major units of study include Afro-centricity; the African Homeland; Middle Passage: Triangular Trade and American Colonization; The American Revolution; Free and Enslaved African Americans; Resistance to Slavery; Civil War; Reconstruction; Post-Reconstruction and the Great Migration; WWI; The Harlem Renaissance; the Depression; WWII; the Civil Rights Movement; the Black “Revolution” of the 60s; and African American Self-Image.

Grade: 11/12
Course Title: Economics
Course Length: Year
Course Description: This course will give the students a greater understanding of economics ranging from the viewpoint of the individual consumer or small business owner to the global economy. The course will study the law of supply and demand, forms of business, labor unions, government finances and influence on the economy, money and prices, inflation, and deflation cycles. The course relates history and politics to the study of economics.

Grade: 11/12
Course Title: Introduction to Law
Course Length: Year
Course Description: Intro to Law is a one-semester course that provides an overview of the U.S. legal system with an emphasis on business law. The class will provide an introduction to criminal and civil law at the federal, state, and local levels. Students will participate in mock trials, learn about court decisions, debate legal issues, and study how laws are created, enforced, and interpreted.