• Consider what responsibilities come along with membership in a community and what the historical record reveals, as well as how literature helps us figure out who we are and who we want to be
• Study coming-of-age texts to deepen our understanding of our own and others’ evolving identities in a complex world
• Understand that identity is complex and changing with its definition depend on existing power structures, and that studying literature and art empowers self-reflection
• Analyze literature from varied backgrounds and perspectives; employ the writing process to produce polished essays; and develop a personal writing voice
• Study vocabulary in context in order to expand students’ lexicon, as well as to recognize the function of word choice and sentence structure in the context of the course texts
• Refine writing skills to produce analytical, creative, personal and reflective pieces; read actively using annotation to predict, infer and analyze; choose precise vocabulary and effective grammatical structures to convey meaning accurately and with a unique voice.
• Study grammatical structure both in context and using a supplemental resource (NoRedInk.com) to show how grammar shapes not only the meaning of what is written but also its impact
• Representative texts may include Refugee; Night; The House on Mango Street; To Kill A Mockingbird; Persepolis; and Warriors Don’t Cry

• Contemplate if the American Dream is real and the role law has played in the history of the United States
• Discover that studying history makes it possible to understand the human story from the past and to interpret modern events. The development of civic competence requires understanding the foundations of political thought, historical development of power structures, and the fragility of democracy. Explore how personal identity is shaped by cultural, social and institutional influences
• Explore key episodes of United States history: the Revolutionary War, slavery and the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights movements; relate current events to the past; analyze primary source documents (e.g. the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, The U.S. Constitution, landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions), maps and charts 
• Write effectively as critical historians, recognizing multiple points of view; build an argument with relevant evidence; trace cause and effect relationships; draw upon varied sources
• Select sources include Two Miserable Presidents; Freedom: A History of US;  1619 Project; and other primary and secondary sources

• Consider how mathematical evidence supports problem-solving strategies and answers
• Discover and use the basic vocabulary of geometry and the meaning of mathematical symbols and diagrams
• Determine the similarities and differences between functions that are linear, quadratic or exponential and the meaning of a solution to an equation, inequality or system of equations or inequalities
• Manipulate and simplify arithmetic and algebraic expressions including exponential and polynomial expressions
• Identify patterns to understand equations
• Solve linear and quadratic equations
• Graph linear, quadratic and exponential functions
• Use function notation correctly and interpret transformations of functions
• Describe the connection between a function and an equation
• Communicate mathematical thinking effectively verbally and in writing

Consider how to use mathematical evidence to support problem-solving strategies and how to apply what we know about functions and relations to analyze challenges facing our world Determine the symbols and diagrams to express mathematical concepts and equations; model real- world phenomena with equations Identify the similarities and differences between functions which are polynomials, exponential, logarithmic, rational, root powers and trigonometric; express the meaning and significance of a solution to an equation, inequality, or system of equations or inequalities Manipulate and simplify arithmetic and algebraic, exponential and polynomial expressions; solve and graph equations; interpret transformations of functions; and use technology to explore functions and to verify solutions

• Consider how evidence and logical reasoning are used to draw conclusions and solve problems
• Discover and use the basic vocabulary of geometry and the meaning of mathematical symbols and diagrams related to geometry
• Determine the logical steps in a proof, write a mathematical proof using sound logic and use theorems productively to write proofs
• Apply knowledge from multiple areas and many techniques to solve complex problems
• Identify the properties of congruence and similarity
• Employ properties of common geometric shapes, including polygons and circles
• Use trigonometric relationships and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems

• Ponder how mathematical evidence supports problem-solving strategies
• Discover and apply the Pythagorean Theorem geometrically and algebraically
• Identify numbers that are not rational and approximate their value using rational numbers
• Investigate chance processes and develop and evaluate probability models
• Use random sampling to draw inferences
• Employ the slope-intercept form to analyze and solve linear equations
• Evaluate and compare functions
• Employ functions to model relationships
• Work with radicals
• Reason abstractly and quantitatively
• Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others

• Think through how to approach a problem scientifically and how to use findings to draw conclusions and make predictions
• Design and run controlled experiments using lab equipment such as beakers, graduated cylinders, balance scale, scoopulas and pipettes
• Learn modern models of matter; properties of three states of matter; periodic table of elements, bonding, compound formulas
• Explore properties such as surface tension and solubility of polar vs. nonpolar liquids
• Recognize and discuss land use, wildlife, atmospheric and water issues with the application of chemistry
• Analyze human consumption and sustainability in the local and global environments

• Discover that cultural perspectives can vary across age groups, regions and social groups; learn how language modalities allow us to express subjective attitudes or persuade others; understand that people from target cultures wrestle with global challenges that are similar to ours
• Learn approximately 1000 words and a broad range of products and practices from the target cultures; practice vocabulary on abstract topics and themes; use structures necessary for basic communication
• Compare and contrast perspectives, support personal opinions, make suggestions, give advice and produce more elaborate statements

• Discover that cultural perspectives can vary across age groups, regions and social groups; learn how language modalities allow us to express subjective attitudes or persuade others; understand that people from target cultures wrestle with global challenges that are similar to ours
• Learn approximately 1000 words and a broad range of products and practices from the target cultures; practice vocabulary on abstract topics and themes; use structures necessary for basic communication
• Compare and contrast perspectives, support personal opinions, make suggestions and produce more elaborate statements

• Learn to strengthen voice by using supportive tone, layering harmonies and articulating words
• Explore a variety of musical genres, traditional choral repertoire and songs from around the world
• High-level pianists may have opportunities to collaborate with the choir as well as sing in it

• Work together as a team to learn standard repertoire
• Strengthen position, tone production and finger skills
• Learn to listen to the group, read sheet music proficiently and respond to a conductor
• Open to string players with at least two years experience and woodwind/brass players with at least one year experience
• Beginning wind players may join if currently enrolled in weekly lessons
• Pianists can enter Chamber Ensemble starting in Ninth Grade

• Demonstrate movement skills and patterns in a variety of individual performance activities and lifetime physical activities while using critical elements of specialized manipulative skills in a variety of settings
• Apply tactical concepts and performance principles in game-like settings
• Perform specialized skills using critical biomechanical principles properly
• Exhibit responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others with the ability to apply rules and procedures to class activities
• Communicate effectively with others in a way that promotes respect and conflict resolution
• Understand the impact physical activity has one one’s physical, emotional and intellectual health