As part of Academy enrollment, each student will take part in grade-level specific college and life planning Seminars which span students’ enrollments each school year. Through Seminar, students will have the option to engage in live activities and events with their peers and assigned Academy Counselors.

The Academy Middle School Seminar courses introduce the topics presented in the Upper School Seminar at a level appropriate for Middle School learners, while The Academy High School Seminar courses build on the topics presented. In addition, The Academy Seminars include a series of self-assessments, goal setting exercises, career inventories, and related course projects and assignments through which students will identify and attain the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to follow their selected college and career paths. Upper School Academy students earn 0.50 Elective credits per Seminar.

College Prep

The Academy Symposium course is a required discussion-based course where students have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers who are experts in their fields. Students extend their understanding of our speakers’ presentations by completing learning activities in conjunction with optional live Symposium Soapbox meetings with like-minded peers and their teacher. The Academy Symposium is designed to facilitate discussion, to build collaboration skills, to foster the ability to support ideas with facts, and to practice civil dialogue techniques with individuals who may share opposing viewpoints. Upper School Students earn 0.25 credits for the full-year Symposium course.

This Academy Ancient Civilizations course will focus on many places around the world where some of the first groups of people settled into stable communities and developed complex societies, cities, governments, and empires. Students will discover how geography influenced early cultures and how early cultures have helped shape the world today. By studying the people and events that ushered in the dawn of major Western and non-Western civilizations, students will expand their understanding of history, civics and government, geography, and economics. Ancient civilizations are a necessary building block for all future historical studies.

The Academy Advanced 6th Grade English serves as an introduction to and enhancement of the writing process that many students entering middle school are familiar with.In the first semester of this year-long course, students read and analyze a science fiction novel to explore themes of individual strengths, and the power of community. Reflection is regularly integrated into writing to help students process their own thoughts about the themes, characters, and plot points of the novel. Classic writing patterns like The Hero’s Journey are discussed, paired with meaningful excerpts from literature to enhance a student’s understanding of the journeys we all take as we mature into adulthood. Finally, students learn and apply the basics of research writing, identifying credible sources, and broadening their worldview with a culture study.

In the second semester, students dive into fables and folklore, digging into ideas that discuss why we use stories to teach morals and lessons in different cultures. Students dive into non-fiction writing with informational and narrative essays to explore their own culture and understanding of their place in the world. The second semester of this course gives students a chance to practice the responsibility and accountability of reading their novel and completing a novel guide throughout the entire semester. A chance to try their hand at different forms of media to plan and tell stories finishes out the year for a comprehensive foundation for the skills that will be built on as learners progress through their academic journeys.

The Academy Advanced World History focuses on many regions around the world through a thematic approach. A combination of contemporary human behavior heightens students’ understanding of modern social issues and promotes a greater understanding of geography, religions, cultures, and much more.

The Academy Advanced 7th Grade English reinforces foundational skills and makes room for students to develop their voice, tone, and style in their writing all while continuing to develop the critical analysis lens alongside classic and contemporary literature. Students will read and analyze fiction, drama, YA literature, and informational texts representing a wide range of topics. Critical reading and analysis, the writing process, vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics are woven into learning practiced in collaborative discussions as well as informal journal entries, presentations, and speeches. Writing assignments include a personal narrative, persuasive essays, poetry, myths, and an original one-act play.

Through an inquiry-based approach to historical exploration combined with the study of contemporary human behavior, the Academy Middle School U.S History course heightens students’ understandings of modern social issues, increases their ability to relate history to their own lives, and promotes greater understanding of their roles and responsibilities as members of society.

In this Academy critical thinking course, students will read and analyze various kinds of written texts, using them as both examples and sources of ideas for reflection, analysis, and argument. Students will learn better ways to discuss their thoughts and perceptions with others by spending some time thinking critically about news and media sources. Students will also examine the role of autobiographies and diaries in their understanding of history, allowing them an opportunity to examine the impact of point of view on nonfiction texts. Students will have a chance to write autobiographical narratives of their own and connect their experiences to universal themes or philosophical positions.

Additionally, through the study of poetic expression and its relationship with language conventions, students will hone their understanding and use of syntax, voice, sentence types, and punctuation. Finally, students will consider what high school will ask of them and how they might fulfill those expectations, having gained a better understanding of their strengths and reflecting on their own development throughout the year via the portfolio they will have compiled during this course.

World of Computing course is an Academy-only first-year computer science course introducing the basics of programming with Karel the Dog, and the history and impact of computing. Students will learn to code using blocks to drag and drop, but they can switch between blocks and text as desired. With a unique focus on creativity, problem-solving and project-based learning, World of Computing gives students the opportunity to explore several important topics of computing using their own ideas and creativity to develop an interest in computer science that will foster further endeavors in the field.

The Intro to Programming with Tracy and micro:bit is an Academy-only course that merges the Physical Computing with micro:bit and the Introduction to Python with Tracy courses. The Tracy course will provide the prerequisite information needed before students apply programming concepts to their physical micro:bit device. Note that the Tracy lessons are in Python and the micro:bit lessons are in JavaScript. While the languages are different, the programming concepts are the same. The micro:bit lessons have videos and examples that provide a bridge between the differences in syntax.

The following courses are available in 2024–2025 with an optional synchronous course component meeting once per week per course.

Math

• 6th Grade Math*
• Pre-Algebra

Science

• 6th Grade Science
• 7th Grade Science
• 8th Grade Science

English

• Advanced 6th Grade English
• Advanced 7th Grade English
• Advanced 8th Grade English

Social Studies

• Advanced Ancient Civilizations MS
• Advanced US History MS
• Advanced World History MS

Electives

• Fine Arts: 2D Studio Art

* Indicates courses being offered for the first time in 2024-25