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Curriculum » Offered Courses

Offered Courses

  • Pre-AP ELA
In Pre-AP ELA, students will explore classics of American and international literature through novels, plays, poems and news articles. From Langston Hughes to Shakespeare, our students will experience a range of challenging and enlightening texts while honing their skills in literary analysis, research, discussion, debate and creative writing. This class will also focus on test-taking strategies to prepare students for success on their Regents exams, which they will usually take in their Junior year. 
 
  • ELA 10
In ELA 10, we will strive to analyze the complexities and nuances of various literary and cultural perspectives in the English language.  Over the course of the year, we will dive far past the surface of mere words to uncover new meanings, open new literary windows, and place ourselves in the overall conversation of scholarly literature.  It is my philosophy, as both a writer and an educator, that we must enjoy what we read to be able to analyze.  Therefore, we will approach each text simply for the pleasure of reading a new story.  Upon this, we will be able to enter the intellectual dialogue of language, literature, and overall complexities.
  • Law and Journalism
This course explores multiple disciplines that encompass social, economic, and political topics that are related to the law. Students engage in analytical writing and critical debates in the class. Topic such as abortion, elections, presidential impeachment, psycho-pathologies that concern crime and justice. There are specific skills we will focus on developing this year, including analytical writing, document analysis, Cornell note-taking, group seminars, and a large amount of focused reading. 
 

  • AP English Literature

AP English Literature is a higher-level English course, culminating in a final AP exam. Our work this year will include preparation for the exam, but more importantly we will be learning how to read literature and communicate critically and effectively. This course will move through a variety of texts. such as novels, poetry and drama, at a faster pace. The course will be discussion-focused and include a wide array of writing assignments. Consistent engagement with the material and participation will be required for success in AP Lit.

 

  • AP Seminar

AP Seminar is a cross-curricular research course focused on developing students' skills in developing research questions, evaluating sources for bias and credibility, understanding and analyzing a variety of types of sources, and being able to effectively communicate knowledge they've learned through oral and written formats. Students will complete group and individual research projects, including essays and presentations, based on topics selected through class discussion and votes. Students who choose to pursue the AP Assessments will complete the Performance Tasks (research projects) in class to send to College Board and prepare for the End of Course Exam in May.

 
 
  • AP World History
In AP World History: Modern, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1200 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.
  • US History
This year-long 11th grade course is designed to provide each student of USH with the opportunity to examine historical developments as a tool for formulating solutions to current and practical American problems!  This course will cover United States history from its pre-colonial period beginning in c. 1492 to the present. Included in the course is a strong emphasis on social, political, economic and contemporary issues. There are specific skills we will focus on developing this year, including analytical writing, document analysis, Cornell notetaking, group seminars, and a large amount of focused reading. All of these skills are absolutely necessary for success in college and future professions. At the end of this year long course all students will have the opportunity to take the AP US History Exam on Friday, May 10th, 2024 and NYS regents examination on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024.
  • Interdisciplinary Studies: American Legal History and Human Development
This class is designed to be a college-prep course taught in high school. Only motivated and disciplined students can expect to succeed in this course and on the exams. This is an intensive study of American legal history and human behavior. There are specific skills we will focus on developing this year, including analytical writing, document analysis, Cornell note-taking, group seminars, and a large amount of focused reading. All of these skills are absolutely necessary for success in college and your future profession.  Our goal at Law is to ensure that all of our students are prepared to earn a college degree.  This course will help you towards that goal.  Some of the topics covered in this course are “Constitution and Slavery; Sex, Gender, Race, and the Law; Immigration History; Civil Rights Cases 1875-1964; Interpreting and Evaluating Data (Populations at Risk); and Human Behavior and the Social Environment (Children).  designed to be a college-prep course taught in high school. Only motivated and disciplined students can expect to succeed in this course and on the exams. This is an intensive study of American legal history and human behavior. There are specific skills we will focus on developing this year, including analytical writing, document analysis, Cornell note-taking, group seminars, and a large amount of focused reading. All of these skills are absolutely necessary for success in college and your future profession.  Our goal at Law is to ensure that all of our students are prepared to earn a college degree.  This course will help you towards that goal.  Some of the topics covered in this course are “Constitution and Slavery; Sex, Gender, Race, and the Law; Immigration History; Civil Rights Cases 1875-1964; Interpreting and Evaluating Data (Populations at Risk); and Human Behavior and the Social Environment (Children). 
  • PRE AP CHEMISTRY
This is a general chemistry course in science designed to help students prepare for their NYS Chemistry Regents Exam in June. In this course, students will be focusing on the foundational knowledge and skills needed to understand what matter is, such as its properties, composition, behavior, and reactions. 

     Key topics covered revolve around the main ideas of the structure and properties of matter, chemical bonding and interactions, chemical quantities and reactions, and    chemical transformations. This includes a required 1200 minutes of laboratory work in the curriculum.

 

  • AP CHEMISTRY

This coursework is meant to provide students with a chance to earn advanced credit towards college via the AP exam in May. Students in the course will get exposure to concepts of chemistry on an initial college level that is added on to Regents chemistry.  

Instructional time is spent where students engage in lab investigations and classwork that require the students to use inquiry and reasoning skills, collect data, analyze the data, create models and representations, as well as the applying of mathematical skills through equations, and short responses.

  •  Pre-AP Algebra1
Course Overview The Pre-AP Algebra1 course is based on the illustrative mathematics curriculum. The primary objective of this course is for scholars to experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their abilities to apply math to real world situations. Scholars will explore algebraic situations and deepen their understanding of algebraic relationships, moving towards formal mathematical arguments. Statistics, Linear, simple exponential, and quadratic functions are emphasized in this course.
 
  • Pre Calculus
Pre-calculus is a two-semester course. Successful completion of Algebra II is a pre-requisite for this course. Pre-calculus topics emphasize the characteristics of elementary real functions. These characteristics include algebraic and graphical analysis, inequalities, absolute values, logarithms, trigonometry of real numbers, plane analytical geometry, polar coordinates, complex numbers and the binomial theorem. The TI-83/84 graphing calculator will be used throughout the course.
Intro to Law is the first course offered in our Law Program and designed to give students an understanding of both civil and criminal law in this country. In this class, students will study the make-up of the legal system, explore their rights in this country, and take an active role in pursuing "justice for all". Through a mixture of lectures, debates, professional presentations, and off-campus visits, students will be provided with the necessary skills and information to embark on their path through John Jay's Law Program.
  • Fine Art Survey (9th grade only): 
This 6 week course in Visual Art focuses on a basic introduction of the elements and principles of art/design and how they are used by artists. During this course we will create studio projects and performance tasks that aim at building creative confidence. We will complete each unit with a studio project, using a variety of artistic media. 

  • Understanding Art:
This semester-long course focuses on a more in depth introduction into the elements and principles of art/design and various artistic styles and mediums. Throughout this course we will create studio projects and performance tasks that will boost critical thinking habits, improve collaborative participation, grow creativity and develop your communication skills through writing and talking about visual art.

  • Studio Art: 
This semester-long elective course is the 2nd class in our sequence of Visual Art offerings at JJSL. We will focus on the continued instruction and development of artistic techniques and skills using a variety of artistic media. Studio projects are approached independently and through the lens of explicit planning and preparation by the student. Students will be expected to develop a reflective process in which they build their capacity in the art field.
  • Health
Over the semester, students will be learning about Violence and Injury Prevention, Tobacco and other drugs, HIV, AIDS and STI prevention, Emotional and Mental Health, Nutrition and Physical Fitness, Abstinence and Personal and Sexual Health.  Students will have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness, participate in physical activity, and maintain personal health.  Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment. Students will understand and be able to manage their personal and community resources.
 
  • Physical Education
During Physical Education class, students will complete physical assignments over the course of the school year.  Once a week, students will have student-guided fitness.  Four days a week, students will be working on the sport education model for various sports such as Volleyball, Bowling, Badminton, Kickball and Whiffle Ball.  Students will demonstrate competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns, and apply knowledge of concepts, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.
  • Spanish 1
This is a beginner's course that will provide a solid foundation in the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, along with cultural awareness. In accordance with ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, the primary objective of this class is to help the student develop the necessary skills to communicate proficiently in Spanish and to function effectively within Spanish-speaking cultures in real-life situations. The methodology used in the course will be primarily communicative, that is, actually using what we learn for the purposes of communication and using language in authentic contexts. As much as possible, the course will be taught in Spanish.
  • Spanish 2
This course is designed to continue providing a solid foundation in the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, along with cultural awareness. In accordance with ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, the primary objective of this class is to help you develop the necessary skills to communicate proficiently in Spanish and to function effectively within Spanish-speaking cultures in real-life situations. The methodology used in the course will be primarily communicative, that is, actually using what we learn for the purposes of communication and using language in authentic contexts. As much as possible, the course will be taught in Spanish.
 
  • Spanish 3

This course is designed for intermediate level learners of the Spanish language and culture continue providing a solid foundation in the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, along with cultural awareness. In accordance with ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, the primary objective of this class is to help you develop the necessary skills to communicate proficiently in Spanish and to function effectively within Spanish-speaking cultures in real-life situations.

 

This is the third course in the traditional 3-year sequence of Spanish. The class implements the principles of the Universal Design for Learning in order for all students to have equitable opportunities to learn, using flexible approaches that can be customized for individual student needs. To acquire proficiency in communication and mastery of form, we have combined the standards of Checkpoint A and Checkpoint B of the NYS MLC and the NYS World Language Standards (2021).

 

Differentiated instruction is used to meet the needs of all in a student-centered environment, and to support students in achieving the learning outcomes. Authentic listening and reading materials from the Spanish-speaking world are integrated into instruction, such as: online sources, newspapers, magazines, music, film, and various realia. Students will engage in conversations, ask and answer questions, describe objects, give directions, and convey feelings and opinions to express personal interests and meet social needs in the target language.

 

At this level, students continue to develop the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, while expanding their knowledge of vocabulary and syntax in a variety of personal and academic contexts. This course is aligned with ACTFL performance descriptors that focus on interpretive, interpersonal and presentational communication in Spanish.

 

In every unit of study students will continue to acquire new vocabulary, improve critical thinking and make intercultural connections in the target language. In addition, instruction will integrate the five goal areas of the ACTFL) National World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, as follows: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities. Students’ proficiency and performance are evaluated by a combination of thematic exams, performance-based assessments (IPA), portfolios, oral presentations and compositions.