Curriculum Overview

NATURAL SCIENCES AND EARTH SCIENCES

The study of science trains students to observe carefully and think clearly about the world in which they live.  Beginning with the questions raised by the experience of a physical or chemical phenomenon, students work and think toward theoretical explanations instead of from them.  In the earth sciences, the acquisition of knowledge is as important as learning to appreciate our partnership with the natural world.  Laboratory observation and fieldwork are integral parts of the science curriculum.

 

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics demonstrates the mind’s ability to discern truth in the intangible. The challenge of a truly creative mathematical education is to make the conceptual world concrete, practical, and artistic. In addition to building skills in the traditional areas of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus, the mathematics curriculum is designed to develop clear and logical thinking.

 

HUMANITIES

Adolescents find the reflection of their personal struggles for freedom and individual expression in the pivotal events of history and social studies, and in the spiritual struggles portrayed by the great authors of literature.

Students are taught to observe the symptoms or phenomena of history to discover what these say about different time periods, cultures, and events. By the time students graduate, they have a real sense for global geography and global issues so that they may become responsible and active citizens of the world.

English classes are laboratories for discovering the joy of language. Students sharpen their thinking with work in grammar, mechanics, usage, and vocabulary. They explore their emotional and spiritual development through the study of great literature, and they develop the art of writing in all forms—the critical essay, the research paper, the short story, and the poem.

 

HONORS CLASSES

ACADEME of the OAKS offers honors classes in Mathematics throughout the four high school years.  Students also have the opportunity to earn an A with Honors distinction in the Sciences, History, English, and Spanish.

 

ADVANCE PLACEMENT EXAMINATION

ACADEME of the OAKS administers AP Exams during the spring semester.

 

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Our language curriculum is designed to develop a living connection to another language—one that goes beyond basic reading and conversational skills and fosters an appreciation for the literature of a foreign culture. All students are required to take four years of a foreign language.

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

The ACADEME of the OAKS Foreign Exchange Program offers students the opportunity to greatly expand their worldview by becoming immersed in the language and culture of another country for a period of time.  Participating in an exchange is both exciting and challenging for high school students.  It strengthens their self-confidence and their ability to meet new challenges.  The best time for an exchange is in the 10th grade year or in the beginning of the 11th grade year. ACADEME of the OAKS takes great care in assessing a student’s readiness for an exchange, with the intention of insuring that the student will enjoy the experience and thrive.

 

THE ARTS

Courses in the performing, fine, and practical arts are integral to Waldorf education. Through the arts curriculum, students develop a lasting appreciation and understanding of the role of aesthetics. Art classes may include drawing, painting, and sculpture; choral and instrumental music; theater and eurythmy (an art of movement); woodworking; ceramics; blacksmithing; and bookbinding.  Students are encouraged to study privately either voice or an acoustic instrument.

 

SENIOR PROJECTS

Senior Projects are courses of independent study in which twelfth graders deeply examine a subject of their own choice. Through this work, the seniors take complete responsibility for disciplining their time and effort. Their research concludes with a written report and a substantial public presentation.

 

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

It is critical for today’s adolescents to know what is going on in the “real” business world.  Therefore, all ACADEME of the OAKS senior students have the opportunity to work for two weeks, full-time, in a business of their choice.  They experience the structure of a workplace and how it functions.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Students at ACADEME of the OAKS are actively involved in the community through our service learning program.  This program gives the students the opportunity to help and care for others beyond the classroom and to gain moral and social responsibility.  A minimum of 40 community service hours is required each year.  The school directs some of these service hours; however, the students are responsible for their own service program.  This allows the students to pursue their own interests in service learning.  The completed hours are documented by the students along with a personal reflection of their experience during the service.

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS

Competitive team sports provide opportunities for learning good sportsmanship and citizenship, along with athletic skills.  Cooperation, fairness, and the pure joy of playing are fundamental values of the athletic program.  Sports offered include basketball, volleyball, track and field, and ultimate frisbee.