Other Electives

A variety of additional courses offered in the Upper School enables students to study subjects not typically found in traditional disciplines. They are often interdisciplinary in nature, and they involve significant off-campus study. Unless otherwise noted, the courses below are offered to students in Grades 10-12.

Foundations of Computing and Programming I

This is an entry-level course in which students are introduced to computer science and programming. Students gain an understanding of how a computer works, basic algorithmic processes and problem-solving, and introductory coding. Students code using Scratch, Excel, and Python while learning the basics of problem-solving and coding structure. Class discussion and coding work focus on the topics of cryptography, finance, security, and ethics.

Foundations of Computing and Programming II

Programming: Solving Multidisciplinary Problems with Computational Methods

This project-based course teaches computational thinking skills through problem-solving in computer science. Students choose real projects based on their interests in the arts, humanities, STEM, and the world around them, and then leverage the power of computer science to approach these topics. Students might design a website to bring attention to an issue in their communities, draw on big data to answer an environmental or historical question, compose music through code, or explore autonomous vehicles through robotics. Students break down a problem into pieces, build a sequence of steps to solve the problem, and translate those steps into a digital or technological solution. Students often work collaboratively, giving one another feedback and debating ethical questions related to current topics in computer science and the world. This introductory-level course is suited for students who wish to gain a broad exposure to computational methods, coding, and other tools of computer science.

Computer Science Principles

Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology affect the world by learning about the architecture of the internet, file structures, data, and how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. Students will be introduced to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. Problem sets are inspired by the real-world domains of biology, cryptography, finance, forensics, and gaming.

Reaching Across the Divide: Ethics of Global Citizenship

Fueled in part by the conflicting human longings for both safety and novelty, humans have moved across borders into new lands since the dawn of time. How humans have engaged with one another in these encounters has determined much of history and whether groups have lived in peace or strife. Students use five lenses to discover the domestic and international elements of citizenship—economic, political, geographic, cultural, and ethical—exploring topics such as security, immigration, cultural appropriation, NGOs, global health, and diplomacy. The class begins with a discussion of the UN Global Goals and an inquiry into universal ethical issues, including access to food and water, safety, health care, and citizenship. Students participate in field trips to agencies with a global footprint and engage with local speakers who can talk firsthand about their international experiences. Students will have the opportunity to design a culminating project that dives deeply into a global issue that is a priority for them.

Introduction to Psychology

This course is an overview of the field of psychology, the study of human behavior and mental processes. Students examine the nature of human awareness and growth through the lens of recent scientific discovery, as well as famous contributions to the field and their own personal inquiry. Specific content areas include neuroscience, emotion and well-being, human development, ego psychology, mental illness, trauma and recovery, morality, gender, and end of life. Work in the course includes close examination of nightly readings, daily reflection, reaction papers, films, and experiments.

Business and Finance

This class deepens students’ understanding of the current financial and economic climate. Students explore the stock market and investing (including participation in the Stock Market Game), forms of business, business financing, and economics. The role of the Federal Reserve is examined, as is fiscal and monetary policy. By the end of the semester, students will be able to articulate the reasoning behind the current economic and financial situation, as well as future financial challenges that the economy may face. This is a valuable course for those interested in business, finance, and stock investing. This course is open to juniors and seniors only (and sophomores, by permission).

Personal Finance

This class deepens students’ understanding of how the decisions we make affect our financial freedoms. By focusing on both current and future financial situations, students explore loans, taxes, investing for retirement, types of insurance, credit, and the importance of budgeting. By the end of the semester, students will have a strong understanding of their money flow and the steps they can take to improve their financial well-being. This course is open to juniors and seniors only (and sophomores, by permission).

Language Foundations Seminar

Language Foundations Seminar affords students an opportunity to strengthen reading, writing, and executive function skills in a supportive, appropriately paced learning environment. Targeted academic skills include vocabulary, grammar, memorization, reading comprehension, and written expression. Students are grouped by grade level in a small, instructional group setting to help ensure that the mastery of skills is directly applicable to students’ English and history curricula. The class is appropriate for students who want to focus more intensively on core skills before taking a world language. Open to Grade 8 and 9 students. 1 credit for Grade 9 students.