HOME   |   Prep Life    |   The LATEST  

COURSE SELECTION
Senior Year    [for JUNIOR YEAR Courses, click]

All seniors must register for three required courses and at least three elective courses.  The required courses are in English, Mathematics, and Theology.  Each senior has the option of registering for a fourth elective or filling that opening with a supervised study.  Seniors who take a fourth elective may drop that course at any point up to the end of the Fall Trimester.
     Each Department will screen the course requests to determine whether students are qualified for the courses requested.  This is particularly important with all honors level courses and advanced electives.  If you have any questions, be sure to discuss them with the appropriate teacher or chairperson before your course selection guidance interview.
     It is important that you make your selections carefully.  We will determine which course will run and the number of sections of each course on the basis of the student requests and faculty availability.  Once we have established these teacher assignments we cannot create new sections and therefore may not be able to grant a request for a schedule change.
     Students who register and are approved for an Advanced Placement course are committed to register for and take the appropriate Advanced Placement test in May at the discretion of their teacher in that course.

REQUIRED COURSES [English, Mathematics and Theology]

English:

The English IV course is offered on three levels: College Prep, honors, and advanced placement.  The members of the English department place students in the appropriate level of the course; these placement decisions are based on the students' work in their previous English courses.

The English IV College Prep course is the culmination of the four-year required English program.  The focus will be a study of British literature, focusing upon forms, genres, and historical contexts.  Materials include prose fiction and non-fiction, lyric and narrative poetry, and drama.  The course emphasizes, throughout, the vocabulary building and the polishing of both written and oral expression that characterize the overall four-year program.  A minimum of one outside reading book will be required for the year.  This will require a follow-up interview on the book with the teacher, and this must be completed in order to achieve a passing grade for the third trimester.  There will also be a major research paper as an essential part of the course. 

Like the English IV College Prep course, the English IV Honors course is a comprehensive study in British Literature from a literary and an historical perspective.  However, there are a number of significant differences.  First, the Honors course makes use of the Norton Anthology of English Literature, rather than the Adventures in Literature series.  Second, the students are expected to be able to interpret many complex works of literature.  Here, students are exposed to a diverse range of literary styles and genres that are then used as models of writing for students to emulate.  Hence, written interpretations are assigned often and examined and critiqued thoroughly in class by the teacher and by the other students.  In addition, in-class essay examinations are administered after each chronological unit is read and discussed.  These tests are prepared to help each student assimilate and appreciate the literary development of each respective epoch as well as aid them in further developing their writing skills.  Third, major authors such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Milton are covered in more depth than in the College Prep classes.  For example, Chaucer is read in his West Midland dialect; Shakespeare's history play Henry the Fourth, Part One is read in addition to his tragedy Macbeth; Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost is examined in detail.  There will be one outside reading book required for each trimester.  The student must have a follow-up interview on the book with the teacher.  He must complete this interview to the teacher's satisfaction in order to pass the trimester.  All in all, the English IV Honors course is dedicated to challenging the gifted student to appreciate the beauty of literature as an art form for many years to come as well as to help each student polish his writing skills so that he will be able to meet with success in college and in his future career.

The English IV Advanced Placement course deals essentially with the same material and requirements as the Honors English program.  In approach, however, there is less formal stress on the cultural, historical, and biographical context of the literature.  Here, the major emphasis is on the close analytical criticism of individual texts, the discussions often being led by the students themselves.  Throughout the year, short papers and take-home tests are given that further reinforce the analytical approach.  Students are also required to keep a journal in which they are expected to respond either to supplementary readings or to assignments for class discussion.  Finally, every student in this section is required to take the Advanced Placement Examination in English Language and Literature when it is scheduled at the end of his senior year.

Mathematics:

Students may satisfy the Mathematics requirement with one of six different courses: Precalculus-Honors, Precalculus-Second Honors, Precalculus-College Prep, College Algebra, Advanced Placement Calculus-AB, or Advanced Placement Statistics.  The members of the Mathematics department will place students in these courses on the basis of their performance in current math courses.

The regular senior mathematics course is a Precalculus course that is offered on the honors, second honors and College Prep levels.  The purpose of Pre-Calculus is obvious: to prepare students for the study of Calculus at the next level.  The College Prep level of the course includes Algebra, polynomial functions, Analytic Geometry, and an in-depth study of Trigonometry.  The Honors and Second Honors levels are more demanding versions of this course.  The student must have the recommendation of the department and should maintain an average of at least B in math in order to remain at the second honors level and a B+ to remain at the honors level.  Students must take honors Precalculus to qualify for the Advanced Placement Calculus courses.

College Algebra is a course that reviews and extends the application of principles and analytical processes from Algebra I and Algebra II.  This course is designed for the student who needs reinforcement in those areas and may need to prepare for a Calculus course required in a Business, Management, or Liberal Art College program.

The Calculus AB course is a full year Advanced Placement course that is the equivalent of a demanding one-semester college course in Calculus.  The student should maintain a math average of at least B+, and must have departmental approval.  Students are also made aware of Mathematics and its impact in History through readings from Jacob Bronowski's Ascent of Man and James Burke's books Connections and The Day Universe Changed.  This Advanced Placement course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination in May.  Students must get their teacher's approval to sign up for the AP exam.  These students will be expected to commit extra time throughout the spring to prepare for that test.  Students who do not qualify for the AP exam will receive honors level credit for the course and will be required to take an in-house final exam. 

The Advanced Placement Statistics course is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory, non-calculus-based college course in statistics.  An introductory statistics course, similar to the AP statistics course, is typically required for majors such as social sciences, health sciences, and business.  Science, engineering, and mathematics majors usually take an upper-level calculus-based course in statistics, for which the AP Statistics course is effective preparation.  Students may take this AP course with or without taking the AP Calculus course This Advanced Placement course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination in May.  Students must get their teacher's approval to sign up for the AP exam.  These students will be expected to commit extra time throughout the spring to prepare for that test.  Students who do not qualify for the AP exam will receive honors level credit for the course and will be required to take an in-house final exam. 

Theology:

Seniors may satisfy the Theology requirement with the course in Social Justice, Marriage, and Family Life or with the Peer Leadership course.

The Social Justice/Marriage and Family Life course could be called a study in relationships.  There is a heavy emphasis on building a Christian community and helping make the Kingdom of God more real at the personal, interpersonal and societal levels.  The course is offered at the Honors and College Prep levels; placement is made by members of the Theology department.

The Peer Leadership Seminar involves training in leadership skills that will include summer, evening, and weekend time commitments.  The summer retreat in August is an absolute requirement.  Peer Leaders will serve as freshman homeroom moderators every day.  Students may apply for the program but the course will be limited; students will be selected on the basis of the interview process.  The Peer Leadership Seminar is an Honors level course.

ELECTIVES

All seniors must choose at least three electives.  They may also choose a fourth elective.  Students who do not choose a fourth elective will be assigned to study.

In choosing electives, you should consider three factors:

1- Requirements for Graduation and College Admission - To graduate, each student must have completed at least two years of a Foreign Language, one year of a Fine or Performing Art and one year of a laboratory Science. 
We strongly recommend at least two years of lab Science for all students.  We would advise you that many colleges, including all state schools in New Jersey, require two full years of lab science.  The NCAA also requires two years of science in the thirteen courses that it uses in determining athletic eligibility at Division I schools. 
The Art requirement can be satisfied by any course in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts or by any of the following electives in the English department: Cinema, Creative Writing, Classics-Drama, or Speech.

2- Your Career and College Plans - During junior year you should be focusing your plans for college and career.  In senior year you will be making applications to college.  The colleges will be interested in two main aspects of your high school academic record: your overall grade point average and the strength of the courses appropriate to your chosen major.  You should choose your electives to strengthen both of these in a balance appropriate to your own interests and abilities.

3- Athletic Eligibility - Our Academic Probation program is designed to provide closer supervision of all students whose average is below 2.0 and to mandate afternoon study periods.  Our program does not involve ineligibility for athletics or activities because we stress such participation as important for the development of all students.  However, students participating in activities sanctioned by the NJSIAA must also meet that Association's eligibility requirement.

Any student who is not passing at least five and one-half courses at the end of the winter trimester will be ineligible for any NJSIAA program in the spring trimester.  Seniors who choose a study period instead of an extra elective should realize that this leaves them only six courses and a failure in any one of these would result in ineligibility in the spring.

Department of Technology Education

The Computer Applications is a College Prep level elective that begins with a formal introduction to both Microsoft Word word processing and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.  The students are taken very quickly though the basics that it is assumed they have mastered in other classes in freshman and sophomore years.  This course is designed to delve more deeply and in a more detailed style into the topics covered in the students' other classes.  The students will be introduced to the concepts of merging, columns, clipart, styles, and advanced formatting techniques.  The second trimester is designed to provide an overall mastery of word processing and advanced spreadsheets and charting.  This will involve use of the complete Microsoft PowerPoint presentation program and macros.  The third trimester returns to the final mastery of long documents in MSWord with special emphasis on Indexes, Tables of Content, Bookmarks, and Styles.  It will introduce Microsoft Access Database, MS Publisher, and HTML programming.  Scattered throughout the three trimesters is a substantial use of the Internet.  A continuation of this course entitled Advanced Computer Projects is offered the following year at honors level (see below) to juniors who have successful completed this course with an A average.

Summer Applications is a College Prep level course that is offered as part of the summer enrichment program as an alternate to the Applications course taught during the regular school year; it cannot be taken for credit both during the regular year and in the summer.  : This class will give the student an opportunity to develop skills in the use of technology that will be useful in his Seton Hall Prep career. Students will learn basic and advanced features of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. They will learn how to format material for classroom presentations. Students will also learn how to perform basic and more advanced Web Searches for research purposes.  Finally, they will develop basic skills in image editing, digital photography, and Web Page construction. The emphasis will be on learning practical skills to help the student make effective use of technology in the ordinary school year.

The Advanced Computer Projects is an Honors level elective that is designed to delve more deeply and in a more detailed style into the topics covered in the Computer Applications course. The course will be divided into three distinct trimesters involving Access Database and Modern Computer Pioneers, Desktop Publishing and Web Design, and Robotics.    The students are expected to already have a mastery of the MS Office suite.  The Computer Applications course is a prerequisite for this advanced course and students should have a present average of A or better in that prerequisite course.  Students should have a B+ or better in Algebra and Geometry, and are invited into this course based on the grade earned in the first year course. 

The Programming with C++ is offered at the College Prep level, and is an excellent course to take for those planning to choose AP Java. C++ is designed to introduce the concept of programming languages by examining programming with the C++ language.  It will be offered in alternate summers as interest demands.  The focus is on Programming as problem solving.  Due to the mathematical nature of this programming language, students should have at least a 3.0 in both their overall GPA and in their math courses to qualify for the course.  While there will be considerable hands-on work in the computer lab but students will also be required to do a significant amount of "book" and "paper" work to master the basics of the course. 

The Programming with Java is designed to introduce the concept of programming languages by examining programming with the Java language.  The focus is on Programming as problem solving.  This course is offered to each student at either the College Prep or AP level.  Due to the mathematical nature of this programming language, students should have at least a 3.0 in both their overall GPA and in their math courses to qualify for the College Prep level, and at least a 3.5 in both for the AP level.  Students who successfully complete this year's C++ course or the C++ summer course are also eligible.  While there will be considerable hands-on work in the computer lab but students will also be required to do a significant amount of "book" and "paper" work to master the basics of the course.  In addition, the Advanced Placement level of the Programming with Java elective is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement test in Computer Programming.  Students must take the AP test to receive AP credit for this course.

Video Production II is an Honors level course designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue further work in video production on a highly independent basis.  Advanced students have opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge introduced in Video Production I.  Included are hands-on video production, text reading, and research.  This course is open only by invitation of the teacher.

Department of Fine and Performing Arts

Band is one of the few courses in the school that a student may elect for a four-year period.  It is the only course where grades 9 through 12 work together and function as a team.  The course is presented to those students who enjoy music and playing in ensemble form.  Basic musicianship is developed by playing.  Various styles of concert band music are played ranging from "Classical" to "Popular.

Some students in grades 10, 11, 12 are not in band each day as a scheduled class.  These students have a verbal contract to attend as many lunch periods and morning activities as possible.  As a pre-requisite, each student must have at least one year of either private lessons or have had involvement in a school music program (at their former school or at Seton Hall Prep), and must exhibit a minimal ability to read music.

The Band is offered at both the College Prep and the Honors levels.  The basic description is the same with the requirement of a much greater time commitment at the honors level.  Honor students are expected to be leaders and helpers to those with lesser skills.  The best of these players have the opportunity to play in our spring musical as part of a pit band. This helps to give valuable experience to young men who may be considering a future in the field of music.

Music Theory is a College Prep level elective.  This is a programmed course of instruction in the basic materials in Music Theory that consists of a body of knowledge concerning the notation of pitch and rhythm.  Included is the manner in which pitches are combined to produce intervals, triads and scale structures.  The chief emphasis is on the basic elements of harmony, which have retained their validity throughout the period 1600 to 1900.  This course is designed for the serious music student. It I

Music Theory II continues programmed instruction in harmonization, analysis, and musical composition.  Increased work in sight singing and dictation is also stressed.  The course is offered at both the Honors and Advanced Placement levels.  For students who are interested in Advanced Placement credit, this course also includes regular drills in specific areas of concentration included in the Advanced Placement syllabus as well as a concentrated study of Western Music, including listening exercises.

Drawing I is a College Prep level elective designed to serve as an introduction to creative drawing.  It is structured to develop the individual skills of beginners as well as students with some previous experience.  The course tries to demystify the procedures of creative drawing by the simple application of basic drawing principles.  By learning and practicing these principles, students find that there is no such thing as a person who cannot draw. The students are required to work every day in class as well as on weekly homework projects.  Classroom work involves lectures, books slides, and videos.

Drawing II is an Honors level elective specifically designed as a continuation of Drawing I. This course allows students to further develop the skills and techniques that were introduced in Drawing I as well as new mediums and method of artistic expression.

Advanced Placement Studio Art is an elective intended for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of Art.  The course is open only to students who have demonstrated a high level of technical ability and a responsible attitude towards their personal artistic development.  The object of the course is to prepare the students to meet the requirements of the Advanced Placement program in Studio Art (Drawing Portfolio).  The students' portfolios include a variety of mediums such as pencil, pen, watercolor, oils, clay, acrylics and markers.  The students in this course are expected to work everyday in class as well as weekly homework and long-term independent projects.  The course is structured to provide an approach that is disciplined, yet flexible enough to allow for individual growth and expression.  At the end of each trimester each student must present his work for evaluation.  Students are graded on quality, effort, improvement and creativity.

Theater Arts is a hands-on College Prep level course for beginning students of theater.  It focuses specifically on the areas of stage design and construction, makeup, costume design and construction, lighting, sound, and acting.  Students are expected to bring enthusiasm to the course.  This course requires students to participate fully in both the fall and spring school productions.  This means hours beyond classroom time at rehearsals, set construction, or both.  Students are strongly encouraged to attend professional productions on their own.  Students who attend are given critiques to complete and receive extra credit for this work.

Theater Arts II is offered as an independent study Honors level elective.  This course is only offered by invitation of the instructor and with the approval of the chairperson.

The goal of the Speech course is to aid students in the public speaking process, as well as teach them what effective speechmaking is, and why it is effective.  Although this is a College Prep level course open to all interested students, students must have demonstrated the ability to work well in a less formal class structure.  The course will encompass all of the steps necessary for communication in front of large and small groups.  Areas of concentration will include: a history of speech with a concentration on rhetoric as an art form; an extensive viewing of and/or listening to effective speeches throughout history; an analysis of the written text of both student speeches and famous speeches; segments on particular speechmakers and writers; and a presentation on debate.  Each of these segments will serve as a context for the main thrust of the course, which is, getting the students to speak in front of the classroom.

Photography brings the student into contact with the wide variety of subjects comprising the field of photography. This College Prep level course takes a two-pronged approach.  Photography involves the growth of aesthetic appreciation; it also requires the acquisition of various technical abilities. Students investigate a variety of artistic and quasi-scientific fields.  A basic quality contributing to success in the course is curiosity. Questions investigated include-
   •  What are the elements that make for good photographs?
   •  What techniques and equipment aid the photographer in his quest to put on film what he sees with his eyes and feels in his heart and mind?
   •  Why and how do these techniques and this equipment work the way they do?
   •  What makes for effective composition and design, both in photographs and in graphic presentations?
   •  Who are the photographers who have brought photography to its current position in the world of art?
   •  What particular visions and views of our world have those photographers contributed?
Students will be expected to schedule long-term assignments responsibly and to pay critical attention to deadlines.
 

English Department

Alternative Voices is a multi-cultural, discussion-oriented survey of non-mainstream literature.  This College Prep level course is largely centered upon African American, Latino, and women writers through poetry, short stories, essays, articles, and novels.  Students who wish to take this course should have an interest in alternative perspectives in history and politics.  Books include The American Women Writers Anthology, African American Writers Anthology, A Multicultural Reader, Always Running by Luis Rodriquez, Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen and House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.

The Classics-Epic-Honors elective attempts to acquaint the student with the subject matter, form, and style of  epics from the Ancient Near East through the Graeco-Roman period.  It emphasizes the close textual analysis of complete works in a seminar-discussion format.  In addition, students are assigned supplementary readings from epic compositions and heroic traditions that are outside the direct focus of the course, giving them the opportunity to discover the universal elements in this basic form of human expression.  Students are also encouraged to look for parallels and/or influences of the epic form or the heroic sensibility in all types of contemporary artistic expression.

Creative Writing is a senior elective that serves as an outlet for the student's creativity.  The course is open to both aspiring writers and curious students interested in expressing themselves.  This course is designed to sharpen and develop good writing skills and not to remediate basic writing problems.  Although this is a College Prep level course open to all interested students, students must have already mastered the basics of writing and demonstrated the ability to work well in a less formal class structure.  Written work in the course spans several genres: short stories, poems, plays and screenplays.  To prepare for this, students are given a wide range of exercises to perform. These exercises acquaint them with techniques of storytelling, familiarize them with the rules of each form, and hone their ability to express themselves verbally.  In addition, the students read examples of contemporary literature and poetry designed to expand their horizons as well as enhance their own styles.  The students are encouraged to explore and experiment.  The instructor attempts to expose them to a wide variety of forms, styles, approaches and themes.  Another feature of the course is that the students read their own work to the class in a workshop-like forum and critique each other in the ensuing discussions.  This element requires that the student must have a track record that indicates a mature involvement in classroom dynamics.

The Humanities Seminar is an invitation-only elective that is offered at the Honors level.  This is an ambitious course that is designed to involve the students in a synthesis of the arts and humanities, incorporating elements of history, philosophy, cinema, television, photography, painting, sculpture, design, architecture, drama, music, and dance.  Broad exposure to the products of many cultures and historical eras encourages intellectual stimulation and curiosity, as well as an open-minded response to new ideas and modes of artistic expression.  It is a course intended to prepare very promising students for challenging college programs. 

Cinema is a College Prep level elective that introduces the student to the elements and techniques of film art.  It begins with the assumption that film is both entertainment and also a serious art form.  The course approaches this art form from three critical perspectives: analytical, historical/cultural, and aesthetic.  The analytical approach breaks film down into its basic elements (i.e., photography, motion, sound, and dramatic/narrative structure) and considers how a filmmaker employs them for specific effects.  The historical/cultural approach attempts to provide the background necessary for an appreciation of the evolution of film art.  Finally, the aesthetic approach attempts to develop in the student the critical ability that will allow him to make a valid judgment on the artistic worth of any given film.  To this end, shots, sequences, and entire films will be shown that illustrate the material covered in class lectures and discussions, styles of cinema in a particular period, specific genres, and the accomplishments of significant artists.

Foreign Language Department

Students who are successfully completing the third year of study in a foreign language are encouraged to continue with the fourth year of that language.  The nature of this fourth year varies from language to language but in each case involves much more intensive student work within both the language and the culture involved.  Their current third year teacher must approve students for advanced study.

History Department

Global Studies is an elective offered at the College Prep level.  Many observers argue that globalization is the most fundamental reorganization of the planet's socioeconomic structure since the Industrial Revolution.  This elective is designed to study the differences and conflicts between the converging regions of the world; the factors that are feeding globalization including commerce, communications, and travel; the widespread changes brought about by globalization; and conflicting perspectives as to whether the benefits outweigh the costs.  While the course has been designed to broaden the historical background of all students, it is particularly recommended for students interested in history, international relations, business and law.

Modern European History is a course in European history from the Renaissance to the present.  The course will rely heavily on primary source material. The course is offered on two levels: Advanced Placement and College Prep.  To qualify for the advanced placement level of the course, students must have successfully completed the Advanced Placement course in United States History and be approved by the teacher.  There is a required summer assignment.  Students who register for the course are committing themselves to take the Advanced Placement test in European history in the spring.

The Economics courses are designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials of microeconomics. . Economics is offered on two levels: Advanced Placement and College Prep.  To qualify for the Advanced Placement level of the course, students must maintain a minimum 4.0 cumulative average.  Students must also be doing well in both their current history and mathematics courses.  There is a required summer assignment.  Students who register for the advanced placement level are committing themselves to take the Advanced Placement test in microeconomics in the spring.  The College Prep level is designed as a general introduction to Economics for all students.  While we do not screen this level there is a mathematics requirement for the course.  Students must have completed or be enrolled in one of the Precalculus courses to take Economics; students enrolled for College Algebra are not eligible for this course.

Theology Department

World Religions is an elective open to all students at the College Prep level.  This course addresses the idea that a well-rounded individual needs to come to know something about all the major traditions of the world, religious and otherwise.  This course is intended to familiarize students with the basic beliefs of the major religions of the world.  The course will also introduce students to major branches of religions where full unity is not present.  The course will not cover Christianity per se, as this is covered in our regular course of study from the perspective of being within that tradition.  From time to time, certain comparisons of Christianity to other faiths will be discussed.  A somewhat similar situation exists with the study of Judaism, in that Christian tradition and Jewish tradition have so much in common.  Thus, the World Religions course will not overly duplicate material from the Old Testament course; rather, the course will concentrate more on Judaism after the time of Christ.

Science Department

The College Prep level of Physics course will use a different text than the Honors Physics course.  It will not emphasize mathematical solutions as a primary goal, but rather will concentrate on developing an understanding of the various physical processes.  The course will make use of a three-stage learning cycle.  The first stage is an exploration stage that is used to create an interest in the unit of studies; the second stage develops the concepts; the third stage is an application of the concepts through laboratory work, mathematical problem solving and discussions of critical thinking questions.  Students should have successfully completed the Chemistry and Algebra II courses before taking this course.

The Honors Physics course is open to those juniors and seniors who have already completed courses in Chemistry and Algebra II.  This course follows the organizational structure of the text, which strikes a realistic balance between theory and practical applications.  Emphasis is placed on problem solving in mechanics in the first trimester so as to facilitate learning the more advanced concepts throughout the remainder of the course.  To take Honors Physics students should have a B or better in all science courses and a B+ or better in all mathematics courses.  Students should have a desire to discover the "hows" and "whys" of physical phenomena and a willingness to put in the extra effort required to practice problem solving.

Environmental Science is a College Prep level elective.  This is an interdisciplinary survey course that is designed to build upon the training imparted by previous science classes. The course provides information on the composition and conservation of our environment.  Upon completion, students will understand the environment, threats to it, and the importance of environmental protection and conservation. Students will be assessed using homework assignments, quizzes, and exams.

The Advanced Placement Environmental Science course is an interdisciplinary science course designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in May.  It is an elective open only to students who have successfully completed the Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry courses and who have the approval of the Science Department.  Students will encounter the material that would usually be taught at in a college-level Environmental Science course.  Upon completion, students will understand the environment, threats to it, and the importance of environmental protection and conservation.  The course will involve lectures, labs, and extra readings.

The Advanced Placement Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course taken by biology majors.  This Course will provide the basic information required for advanced standing in college level biology courses.  Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Biology test in May.

Admission into this course is limited and competitive.  Chemistry is a prerequisite.  Students must have a minimum overall grade point average of a 3.75 with a minimum of a 4.0 in their previous biology course.  Students also need the recommendation of their previous science teachers.

The Advanced Placement Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory course for science and related majors such as pre-med.  This Course will provide the information required for a student to receive college credit through the Advanced Placement test in May.  Students who register for this course will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Chemistry test as part of the overall requirements for the course unless excused by the Science Department Chairperson.  Admission to the course is limited and highly competitive.  Students should have an overall average of 3.5 and must have done particularly well at the Honors levels in previous Science and Math courses.  Students must have successfully completed the Honors level Chemistry course and it is highly recommended that they have also successfully completed a Physics course before taking the AP Chemistry.  Students who have not already completed Physics should consider taking that course concurrently with the AP Chemistry.  The recommendations of their previous science and math teachers will be a part of the screening requirement.  .

.The College Prep level Chemistry course is an option for those seniors who skipped the course in junior year.  This course attempts to follow the organizational structure of the text that places emphasis on the principles of chemistry and includes the advances in chemistry over the years.  The laboratory experiments assist the student motivationally and supplement the understanding of the chemistry principles involved.

Physical Education Department

Although students are not required to take a physical education course in their junior and senior years, there is a Physical Education Elective open to all students.  The course concentrates on weight training but also involves physical fitness testing, conditioning exercises, and physical education classes in volleyball, basketball and other activities. 

J U N I O R   Y E A R 

All juniors must register for four required courses and three elective courses.  The required courses are English 3, Mathematics, Theology, and United States History 2.

Each Department will screen the course requests to determine whether students are qualified for the courses requested.  This is particularly important with all Honors level courses and in any performance-oriented elective.  If you have any questions, be sure to discuss them with the appropriate teacher or chairperson before your course selection guidance interview.

We will determine which course to run and the number of sections of each course on the basis of the student requests and faculty availability.  It is important that you make your selections carefully.  Once we have established the teacher assignments we cannot create new sections and therefore may not be able to grant a request for a schedule change.

Students who register and are approved for an Advanced Placement course are expected to register for and take the appropriate Advanced Placement test in May if they have their teacher's approval.

Required Courses:

English Department:

The Junior English course is offered on three levels: College Prep, Honors, and Advanced Placement.  The members of the English department place students in the appropriate level; these placement decisions are based on the students' work in their previous English courses.

The College Prep Junior English course is designed to continue the student's development of essential skills in grammar, composition, vocabulary building and analytical reading and to enhance his understanding of literature and will build, in these areas, upon the training received in the first two years of the English program.  The dominant feature of this course, however, will be an intensive and reasonably comprehensive study of American literature, both as art and as an expression and reflection of historical, social and moral developments and forces in America, in the context of universal human values and psychology.  A minimum of one outside reading book is required for the school year.

The Honors Junior English program follows both the essential form and content of the College Prep English course, but the requirements in all areas are more demanding, especially in terms of the close analysis of literature and composition.  Composition assignments are more challenging, with more stringent grading and greater emphasis upon refinements and subtleties of writing style.  There are two major added elements in the Honors English course.  One is an intensive study of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, linking it to the tragic tradition and the archetypal overreacher myth throughout the history of western literature.  The other is a unit on film analysis, introducing the students to the concept of film literacy via an understanding of the basic cinematic elements and requiring two major film critiques.  Finally, a minimum of one outside reading selection to be discussed in an interview with the teacher is required for each trimester, with extra credit given for further reading.

The Advanced Placement Junior English program embodies the form and content of the Honors English program.  In addition, there is special attention paid to the sort of close analysis of literature and composition that will be required of students when they take the AP examination in English Language and Literature during their senior year.  There is at least one major project for AP students beyond the requirements of the Honors course.  This may range from an analysis of American justice as depicted in key literary works to a treatment of the multifaceted nature of autumn, with writing assignments in various prose modes and in poetry.  There will usually be one extra class per week required during an activity period in order to do justice to the challenging nature of the Advanced Placement level.

History Department:

All juniors will take the second year of United States History.  This course is a continuation of the sophomore course and is offered at the same three levels: College Prep, Honors, and Advanced Placement.  Placement will be made by the members of the department on the basis of the work in the sophomore course.

College Prep United States History II provides a general survey of American History attempting to acquaint the students with the events, people and ideas which helped shape our nation from the period of Reconstruction to our present time.

The Honors United States History II is designed for those students who seek a challenge in their progression in American History.  In addition to the text, students will analyze primary source documents and begin to draw interpretations from these historic texts.  Students will develop their writing skills through a series of short essays.  There is a summer reading/writing requirement and students will be expected to complete one historical novel per trimester.  To remain at the Honors level students must have a minimum of B in History and an overall 3.5 GPA.

The Advanced Placement U.S. History program is specifically oriented to those students who seek mastery in the field and are interested in gaining college credit by means of the national Advanced Placement test given in the spring.  The course provides a survey of American History from the Civil War to our present time.  In this course, the text is employed as a primer which students will be expected to master on their own.  The main emphasis is upon primary source analysis and interpretation.  Readings in scholarly works in history and historical novels are also required.  Extensive notes and writing assignments are an essential part of this course.  In addition to bi-weekly papers of short length, students will be required to submit one essay per month on primary source document analysis and interpretation.  There is a summer reading/writing requirement.  Students must have completed the materials from the AP US I course and demonstrated both active participation in class discussions and projects and the ability to complete independent work.

Mathematics Department:

The regular junior mathematics course is Algebra II, which is offered at three different levels: College Prep, Honors, and second Honors.  Students, who have already completed Algebra II will be assigned to the appropriate level of the Precalculus or Calculus program.  Students in the advanced mathematics program may also choose to take Advanced Placement Statistics. 

The College Prep Algebra II course is designed to develop an understanding of Algebra as a system of real and complex numbers, and to develop a facility in algebraic and trigonometric concepts and skills.  Students should become familiar with problem solving strategies and techniques.  This course will prepare students for the College Prep Precalculus course in senior year. The Honors and Second Honors levels are more demanding versions of this course which utilizes non-routine problems to challenge students. These courses will cover the Algebra material at a demanding pace to allow sufficient time for coverage of basic Trig essentials in preparation for the Honors or Second Honors Precalculus course.  The student must have the recommendation of the department and should maintain an average of at least B in math in order to remain at the second Honors level and a B+ to remain at the Honors level.

The College Prep Precalculus course includes Algebra, polynomial functions, Analytic Geometry, and an in-depth study of Trigonometry.  The Honors and Second Honors levels are more demanding versions of this course.  The student must have the recommendation of the department and should maintain an average of at least B in math in order to remain at the second Honors level and a B+ to remain at the Honors level.  Students must take Honors Precalculus to qualify for the Advanced Placement Calculus courses.

The Calculus AB course is a full year Advanced Placement course that is the equivalent of a demanding one-semester college course in Calculus.  The student should maintain a math average of at least B+, and must have departmental approval.  Students are also made aware of Mathematics and its impact in History through readings from Jacob Bronowski's Ascent of Man and James Burke's books Connections and The Day Universe Changed.  This Advanced Placement course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination in May.  Students must get their teacher's approval to sign up for the AP exam.  These students will be expected to commit extra time throughout the spring to prepare for that test.  Students who do not qualify for the AP exam will receive Honors level credit for the course and will be required to take an in-house final exam. 

Theology Department:

All Juniors are required to take a course in Scriptural Studies , a survey of both the Old and New Testaments. 

The Old Testament portion of the course is designed to help students appreciate the Old Testament both on its own merits and in the way it has been traditionally interpreted within Christianity.  A special emphasis is placed on the study of the Pentateuch, which is used to introduce students to source criticism.  Studies of the monarchic period, the prophets, and the exile are designed to help students see the ways in which the faith of our heritage grew and developed. 

The New Testament portion of the course is designed to help students appreciate the predominant role of the Scripture in the Church's understanding of the person of Jesus.  Particular emphasis is placed on the gospels and on the letters of St. Paul. 

Both parts of the course are structured to help students see that the Scriptures represent the understanding of the communities of faith that produced them. 

The Scriptural Studies course is offered on both College Prep and Honors levels.  The Theology Department selects Honors students from the current sophomore class.

Electives:

All juniors must choose three electives in addition to the four required courses.
In choosing electives, you should consider three factors:

1.Requirements for Graduation and College Admission - To graduate, each student must have completed at least two years of a Foreign Language, one year of a Fine or Performing Art and one year of a laboratory

Science: We strongly recommend at least two years of lab Science for all students.  We would advise you that many colleges, including all state schools in New Jersey, require two full years of lab science.  The NCAA also requires two years of science in the thirteen courses that it uses in determining athletic eligibility at Division I schools. 

The Art requirement can be satisfied by any course in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts or by any of the following electives in the English department: Cinema, Creative Writing, Classics-Drama, or Speech.

Environmental Science is a College Prep level elective.  This is an interdisciplinary survey course that is designed to build upon the training imparted by previous science classes. The course provides information on the composition and conservation of our environment.  Upon completion, students will understand the environment, threats to it, and the importance of environmental protection and conservation. Students will be assessed using homework assignments, quizzes, and exams.

The Honors Physics course is open to those juniors who have already completed courses in Chemistry and Algebra II.  This course follows the organizational structure of the text, which strikes a realistic balance between theory and practical applications.  Emphasis is placed on problem solving in mechanics in the first trimester so as to facilitate learning the more advanced concepts throughout the remainder of the course.  To take Honors Physics students should have a B or better in all science courses and a B+ or better in all mathematics courses.  Students should have a desire to discover the "hows" and "whys" of physical phenomena and a willingness to put in the extra effort required to practice problem solving.

The College Prep level Physics course will use a different text than the Honors Physics course and will not emphasize mathematical solutions as a primary goal, but rather it will concentrate on developing an understanding of the various physical processes.  The course will make use of a three-stage learning cycle.  The first stage is an exploration stage that is used to create an interest in the unit of studies; the second stage develops the concepts; the third stage is an application of the concepts through laboratory work, mathematical problem solving and discussions of critical thinking questions.  Students should have successfully completed the Chemistry and Algebra II courses before taking this course.

The Advanced Placement Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course taken by biology majors.  This Course will provide the basic information required for advanced standing in college level biology courses.  Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Biology test in May.   Admission into this course is limited and competitive.  Chemistry is a prerequisite.  Students must have a minimum overall grade point average of a 3.75 with a minimum of a 4.0 in their previous biology course.  Students also need the recommendation of their previous science teachers.

The Advanced Placement Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory course for science and related majors such as pre-med.  This Course will provide the information required for a student to receive college credit through the Advanced Placement test in May.  Students who register for this course will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Chemistry test as part of the overall requirements for the course unless excused by the Science Department Chairperson.  Admission to the course is limited and highly competitive.  Students should have an overall average of 3.5 and must have done particularly well at the Honors levels in previous Science and Math courses.  Students must have successfully completed the Honors level Chemistry course and it is highly recommended that they have also successfully completed a Physics course before taking the AP Chemistry.  Students who have not already completed Physics should consider taking that course concurrently with the AP Chemistry.  The recommendations of their previous science and math teachers will be a part of the screening requirement.

The Advanced Placement Environmental Science course is an interdisciplinary science course designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in May.  It is an elective open only to students who have successfully completed the Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry courses and who have the approval of the Science Department.  Students will encounter the material that would usually be taught at in a college-level Environmental Science course.  Upon completion, students will understand the environment, threats to it, and the importance of environmental protection and conservation.  The course will involve lectures, labs, and extra readings.

Physical Education Department

Although students are not required to take a physical education course in their junior and senior years, there is a Physical Education Elective open to all students.  The course concentrates on weight training but also involves physical fitness testing, conditioning exercises, and physical education classes in volleyball, basketball and other activities.