Description: Storytelling is a strong human urge. We seem to feel compelled to create, with words, worlds and situations and characters. This ability, this compulsion to create—language—is what separates us from the other creatures of the earth. Imaginative writing is a rewarding, valuable activity—one that you can enjoy for a lifetime, not just during your school years. The joy of creation enhances our daily lives, helping us to grow and define ourselves. Recent studies indicate that the more you write, the better you write. This course in short story writing, therefore, should help you not only in this class, but in all your classes that require writing. Clear communication skills are in great demand in our world; our world runs on words. And certainly, imaginative, creative people are always in demand. The ability to create and to imagine new solutions or unique ways of seeing and solving problems is a valuable asset. This course is designed to improve your creative writing skills by giving you lots of writing practice. There are three short stories due in this course as well as several practice writing assignments.

Prerequisites: None; Grade level recommendation: 10 or above

Description: Welcome to English 10A! This 10th grade English course introduces students to core literature skills, readying them for college and career. This course is rich in feedback, allowing you multiple opportunities to develop mastery. The course is first and foremost founded on the readings which range from short stories and poetry to informational articles and essays. You are guided through these readings through activities that allow you to practice by sharing your initial thoughts and ideas on a reading, receive immediate feedback to confirm what you know and learn from mistakes, preparing you as well as possible for quizzes and exams. There will be regular work on vocabulary and grammar as well as writing assignments or presentations for each lesson. Our hope is that you find the work enjoyable, easy to manage, that you feel supported, and that you are able to learn and grow!

Prerequisites: English 9A & 9B or full grade 9 equivalent

Description: Welcome to English 10B! This 10th grade English course builds on the skills introduced in English 9A, 9B, and 10A. The course is first and foremost founded on the readings which range from short stories and poetry to informational articles and essays. You are guided through these readings through activities that allow you to practice by sharing your initial thoughts and ideas on a reading, receive immediate feedback to confirm what you know and learn from mistakes, preparing you as well as possible for quizzes and exams. There will be regular work on vocabulary and grammar as well as writing assignments or presentations for each lesson. Our hope is that you find the work enjoyable, easy to manage, that you feel supported, and that you are able to learn and grow!

Prerequisites: English 10A or grade 10 first semester equivalent

Description: 11th grade English builds on everything you've learned in the past about reading and interpreting literature as well as language and writing.  In 11th grade, there is a major focus on American Literature.  In this first half of the course, we will follow the timeline from Native American literature all the way up to the start of the Civil War.  We will spend a lot of time on active reading strategies for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and historical documents.  In the writing department, you will get regular opportunities to respond to readings and writing assignments will focus on personal connections to the readings.

Prerequisites: English 10A & 10B or full grade 10 equivalent

Description: This course is a continuation of 11th Grade English, First Half Unit. Both courses approach American literature chronologically, but the first half unit covered literature from America's earliest days through the Civil War and the romantic period. The second half unit picks up at that point and covers the realism/regionalism movement through the twentieth century. While reading and working with the texts in this course, you will evaluate them with a variety of ways and examine their literary development (plot, characters, figurative language, tone, etc.) and connection to the time periods in which they were written. You will also learn about the authors and their roles in American literature.

Students will need a copy of The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts" by Arthur Miller, Penguin Classics, ISBN: 978-0142437339

Prerequisites: English 11A or grade 11 first semester equivalent

Description: In addition to presenting a thorough review of general writing skills, this course surveys selections from the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and Elizabethan periods and also from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Prerequisites: English 11A & 11B or full grade 11 credit equivalent

Description: This course surveys selections from the Romantic and Victorian Ages and gives students the opportunity to express themselves in writing by responding to the reading selections. The required textbooks are also used for 12th Grade English, First Half Unit.

Prerequisites: English 12A or grade 12 first semester equivalent

Description: Welcome to English 9A! This 9th grade English course introduces students to core literature skills, readying them for college and career. This course is rich in feedback, allowing you multiple opportunties to develop mastery. The course is first and foremost founded on the readings which range from short stories and poetry to informational articles and essays. You are guided through these readings through activities that allow you to practice by sharing your initial thoughts and ideas on a reading, receive immediate feedback to confirm what you know and learn from mistakes, preparing you as well as possible for quizzes and exams. There will be regular work on vocabulary and grammar as well as writing assignments or presentations for each lesson. Our hope is that you find the work enjoyable, easy to manage, that you feel supported, and that you are able to learn and grow! Here are the main course objectives: be able to read, interpret, and analyze a variety of texts be able to recognize, understand, and interpret meaning of literary devices such as figurative language, story and poem structure, author's purpose, and structures of different types of writing be able to respond to literature in writing that is well organized with an introduction, body with supporting details, and conclusion

Prerequisites: None

Description: Welcome to English 9B! This 9th grade English course introduces students to core literature skills, readying them for college and career. This course is rich in feedback, allowing you multiple opportunties to develop mastery. The course is first and foremost founded on the readings which range from short stories and poetry to informational articles and essays. You are guided through these readings through activities that allow you to practice by sharing your initial thoughts and ideas on a reading, receive immediate feedback to confirm what you know and learn from mistakes, preparing you as well as possible for quizzes and exams. There will be regular work on vocabulary and grammar as well as writing assignments or presentations for each lesson. Our hope is that you find the work enjoyable, easy to manage, that you feel supported, and that you are able to learn and grow! Here are the main course objectives: be able to read, interpret, and analyze a variety of texts be able to recognize, understand, and interpret meaning of literary devices such as figurative language, story and poem structure, author's purpose, and structures of different types of writing be able to respond to literature in writing that is well organized with an introduction, body with supporting details, and conclusion

Prerequisites: None

Description: In this course, you will learn research skills using the library and online resources. We will practice different search strategies and techniques to evaluate information so that you can use information resources as genuine learning tools and become successful students and researchers.

Prerequisites: None; Grade level recommendation: 9 or above

Description: This course reviews the essential skills of arithmetic, as they relate to the study of algebra. Lesson topics include solving expressions, equations, and functions; exploring real numbers and their properties, solving linear equations; graphing linear equations and functions; and writing linear equations.

Prerequisites: 8th Grade Math or Pre-Algebra

Description: This course continues the study of Algebra I. Lesson topics include solving and graphing linear inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, factoring polynomials, and quadratic equations and functions. NOTE : Students are encouraged to perform their own mathematical computations rather than rely on the use of a calculator. Calculators are NOT permitted with the midterm. Calculators may be used with the final exam. Students will need access to a graphing calculator (e.g., TI-83 or newer). The same textbook is also used for Algebra I, First Half Unit.

Prerequisites: 8th Grade Math or Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 FHU

Description: This course begins with a review of the essentials of algebra. Then it presents linear functions; linear equations and inequalities; and linear equations in three variables. It concludes with the factoring of polynomials and the solving of quadratic equations.

Prerequisites: Algebra 1

Description: This course will introduce you to the several processes available to solve many types of equations. These equations involve polynomial equations, quadratic systems, exponential equations, and logarithmic equations. You will also be introduced to interesting graphs of parabolas, circles, ellipses, and hyperbolas. The course ends with statistics and probability. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I. Successful completion of Geometry is highly recommended.

Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Algebra 2 FHU

Description: This course studies the fundamentals of geometry. Lesson topics include: segments, angles, and polygons; inductive and deductive reasoning; an introduction to reasoning and proofs; parallel lines cut by a transversal; the properties of parallel and perpendicular lines; an introduction to triangles and triangle congruence; using congruent triangles; triangle centers and the relationship between triangles; similar polygons and proving similar triangles; and similarity transformations and proportionality.

Prerequisites: Algebra 1

Description: This second half unit of Geometry builds off of many concepts from the first half unit. It continues to explore right triangles, but in more depth than the first half unit. Congruence transformations will be introduced, and similarity transformations will be revisited. Students will learn about the properties of circles, and how to write and graph equations of circles. They will also work with perimeter and area of two-dimensional figures, as well as the surface area and volume of solids. In addition, students will be introduced to probability for independent and dependent events. This course forces students to continue using a variety of skills they acquired in Algebra 1. Students should be comfortable manipulating and solving equations, and they will need a scientific calculator. If students want to purchase a graphing calculator, I recommend the TI-84 Plus. Information will be given throughout the course on how to use the Graphing Calculator to solve a variety of problems.

Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Geometry FHU

Description: The principle goal of Precalculus is to prepare you for the rigors of calculus. This course is designed to give you a better understanding of the concepts, functions, and applications of calculus, and to deepen your understanding of mathematical concepts previously studied to make the transition to calculus as smooth as possible. It is in Precalculus that all of the earlier material studied in mathematics begins to come together. Concepts and applications that might have seemed abstract and useless at times will take on new and more concrete meaning! Precalculus A will cover linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric equations and functions; graphing and analyzing these various types of functions and their transformations; linear and nonlinear inequalities. In Precalculus B we will dive into analytic trigonometry; and how to use the laws of trigonometry to solve triangles and represent vectors and further ease your transition into Calculus.

Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2

Description: The principle goal of Precalculus is to prepare you for the rigors of calculus. This course is designed to give you a better understanding of the concepts, functions, and applications of calculus, and to deepen your understanding of mathematical concepts previously studied to make the transition to calculus as smooth as possible. It is in Precalculus that all of the earlier material studied in mathematics begins to come together. Concepts and applications that might have seemed abstract and useless at times will take on new and more concrete meaning! Precalculus A will cover linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric equations and functions; graphing and analyzing these various types of functions and their transformations; linear and nonlinear inequalities; analytic trigonometry; and how to use the laws of trigonometry to solve triangles and represent vectors.

Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus A

Description: This introductory course will provide students with a background in probability and statistics that they can use for basic data analysis and decision making. Lesson topics include summarizing and graphing data; statistics for describing, exploring, and comparing data; probability; probability distributions; normal probability distributions; estimates and sample sizes; and correlations and regressions.

Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2

Description: This course is the study of general biology. Biology is the study of all aspects of life. This course covers cell structure, function, reproduction, and biochemistry. The course will also cover inheritance, molecular genetics, and genetic technology. It will continue with a study of the history of life and diversity. Students will conclude the course with ecology, the study of the interactions of organisms with each other and their environment.

Prerequisites: None

Description: This course continues the study of general biology started in the first half unit course. Biology is the study of all aspects of life. Organizing life’s diversity through classification will be a main theme of the course. Organisms are placed into groups and organized based on different features or characteristics. Students will study characteristics of different organisms as they are organized into kingdoms. In addition, genetic technology, infectious diseases, and the human immune system will be discussed.

Prerequisites: None

Description: In this introductory chemistry course, students will explore chemistry and learn how it influences our daily lives. Lessons focus on the scientific method, theories, and scientific laws; matter and change; scientific measurement; atomic structure and the periodic table; electrons in atoms; ionic, metallic, and covalent bonding; chemical names and formulas; and chemical quantities. Students will engage in both virtual experiments and ones that can be conducted at home.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra 1

Description: In this second chemistry course, students will continue to explore chemistry and learn how it influences our daily lives. There will be eleven lessons in the course. Lessons focus on the States of Matter, Behavior of Gases, Aqueous Systems and Solutions, Chemical Reactions including heat and energy changes, reaction rates, acid/base reactions, oxidation/reduction reactions and organic chemistry. The final lesson will cover Nuclear Chemistry. Students will engage in both virtual experiments and ones that can be conducted at home. Each lesson will consist of a reading assignment in the text book, answering LessonCheck questions at the end of each section in the lessons (the text reading is usually broken into three or four sections), an end of lesson quiz consisting of 10 multiple choice questions and 10 short answer questions, and a Laboratory Activity report. At the end of each lesson in the text there are also review questions which have selected answers at the end of the book.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra 1

Description: Physical Science A is a conceptual science course that teaches chemistry concepts by using crosscutting concepts that link all branches of science. The concepts include patterns; cause and effect; scale, proportion, and quantity; systems and system models; energy and matter; structure and function; and stability and change.  In this course, students will explore matter and energy with a focus on properties of matter, the structure of the atom, chemical bonding and reactions, solutions, nuclear reactions, and organic chemistry.

Prerequisites: None

Description: In Physical Science, Second Half Unit, students will learn the basics of chemistry. They will investigate the concepts of matter, atoms, elements, and reactions (both chemical and nuclear). As they move through the lessons, they will develop both problem solving and inquiry skills as they apply what they learn to everyday situations. After completion of this course, students will have gained the knowledge and skills to continue to earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics.

Prerequisites: None

Description: In this introductory physics course students will learn about physics of motion, heat, and the nature of matter. They will investigate the nature of motion, what makes things move (or change their motion), the interactions of matter and energy, and the macroscopic nature of matter. The course’s laboratory component is an integral portion of most lessons. Students may choose to purchase an optional laboratory kit from the Virtual Bookstore that includes only items that may be less easy to obtain on their own. View the full list of Laboratory Activities Materials to determine which option works best for you. This course is academically challenging. Any student who has an interest in the subject and has met the prerequisites (if any) may enroll.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least two years of high school math, including Algebra I, Algebra II is strongly recommended. Additionally completion of Chemistry is strongly recommended. Some background in trigonometry is required.

Description: Physics is the foundational study for a deep understanding of any area of science. The study of physics provides us with a basis for describing the universe around us. Physics is the study of matter, space, energy, and time. It describes space-time, the way objects move, the many forms of energy, as well as how energy interacts with matter. There are many fields of physic such as mechanics, electricity, heat, sound, light, condensed matter, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and elementary particle physics. Physics is the foundation of all the physical sciences, including chemistry, material science, and geology, and it is important for understanding many other fields of human endeavor such as biology, medicine, computing, ice hockey, television…the list goes on and on. One of the key ideas in physics is that there is an underlying simplicity and unity in nature behind the complexity of the world around us. This is often expressed through all-embracing fundamental concepts such as the principle of conservation of energy. Physics is fascinating and can be fun. At its heart, physics is about finding things out—about understanding what lies behind everyday phenomena such as rainbows, red sunsets, and blue skies, as well as the more revolutionary concepts of quantum theory, relativity, and cosmology. This second half unit of the course takes you through an adventure of understanding how and why things move. It provides you with a basic understanding of the nature of matter and the properties of matter.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least two years of high school math, including Algebra I, Algebra II is strongly recommended. Additionally completion of Chemistry is strongly recommended. Some background in trigonometry is required. Successful completion of Physics A.

Description: This course provides a greater understanding of economics ranging from the viewpoint of the individual consumer or small business owner to the global economy. Students will study the law of supply and demand, forms of business organizations, types of economic systems, the influence of financial markets, the importance of global trade, and how to apply economic principals to everyday life.

Prerequisites: None

Description: This Psychology course provides students with a systematic and scientific approach to the study of human behavior and mental processes. Students will explore various aspects of human behavior including neuropsychology, theories of personality, aspects of thought processes, states of consciousness, motivation, and emotion, and the basic areas of mental illness.

Prerequisites: None

Description: What makes a society? Take a moment to think about your family, community, and other groups in which you may, or may not, belong. How does society affect our lives and interactions with others? How do the parts of society fit together and change, as well as makes us aware of the consequences of that social change? These are the types of questions you will be answering as part of your journey into Sociology.

Prerequisites: None

Description: The United States Government course begins with the background for and writing of the U.S. Constitution, the document that embodies the underlying principles of the governmental institutions, as well as the rights and responsibilities of citizens. In addition to the Constitution, this course examines the make-up and functions of the three branches of government, the basic rights of citizens in our democracy, the roles of political parties and interest groups, and the major policy-making issues facing the nation. Finally, this course explores the Missouri Constitution. Successful completion of the course meets Missouri state requirements to earn .5 credits for Government, as well as requirements for the study of the constitutions of the United States and the state of Missouri.

Prerequisites: None

Description: US History A is designed to give students a better understanding and appreciation for the United States. The course will cover United States history from early indigenous civilizations to the closing of the American western frontier in the 1890s. Emphasis will be given to the development of political, economic, and social institutions, as well as the changing role of government in the lives of Americans.

Prerequisites: None

Description: In US History B, students investigate significant events, individuals, and developments from the 20th and 21st centuries, including the emergence of the United States as a global superpower, the changes created by the civil-rights type movements in the lives of citizens, and the country’s military involvement in various global conflicts. Throughout this course, students will have the opportunity to analyze primary and secondary sources, develop historical arguments, and make historical comparisons.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of a US History A course

Description: World Geography A looks at the Earth’s physical geography, such as landforms and oceans, as well as the human geography of people and cultures on Earth’s surface. For this course, the focus will be on the Americans, Europe, and Russia.

Prerequisites: None

Description: World Geography B takes students on a journey around the Eastern Hemisphere. With a focus on physical and human geography, students will learn about a region's history as well as examine its political, economic, and cultural characteristics. Oceania, Asia, Africa, and Antarctica are the continents introduced in this course.

Prerequisites: None

Description:

Prerequisites: None

Description: In this course, you will explore various religious traditions through the examination of history and traditions, literary analysis of religious texts, and cultural studies involving current events in religion. The first module will introduce the major concepts and style for the course. Modules two through nine will follow a similar sequenced structure, each examining a different religion. Module ten will guide you through your final project.

Prerequisites: None