ENGLISH I- (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 9th grade)

This course will focus on literature and composition, reinforcing a study of standard grammar usage, mechanics, and vocabulary. In literature, the course includes the short story, the novel, drama, poetry, mythology and nonfiction.

ENGLISH II- Prerequisite: English I or English 1 Honors, Composition or Composition Honors (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 10th grade) 

This course will provide opportunities for students to develop skills in composition and to analyze a variety of literary works. It will focus on poetry, drama, short stories, and novels from world literature. Students are required to take the English II End-of-Course exam for this course. 

ENGLISH III- Prerequisite: English II or English II Honors (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 11th grade) 

This course will focus on the historical and literary aspects of American literature with emphasis on selections by major American authors. Students will read independently, write papers, and conduct research. Attention is given to students’ ACT and SAT verbal skills. Independent reading is required. 

ENGLISH IV- Prerequisite: English III or English III Honors (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 12th grade)   This course will emphasize the study of the literature of England and the development of the English language. It will include composition study from essays to major research projects as well as vocabulary development. The senior project will be completed during this course. 

COMPOSITION (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 10th grade)

This course is designed to be a transition course for tenth grade students needing reinforcement of the skills necessary to be successful in English II and future English courses. This course will emphasize expository writing in preparation for the English II End-of-Course exam. Grammar usage and vocabulary will also be included. Students will read world literature selections as a focus to model and analyze in writing.

ENGLISH I HONORS (Fulfills English I Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 9th grade)

This course will focus on the study of literature and composition by concentrating on the development of critical thinking and study skills. Emphasis is given to the development of written and oral communication skills with a focus on paragraph and essay writing, creative writing, principles of research and debating, and a comprehensive review of grammar and mechanics. Independent projects, enrichment activities, and reading will be a major part of the course work. This course is designed for those students who are academically gifted, achieving beyond grade level or are motivated to do so.

COMPOSITION HONORS (Fulfills Composition Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 10th grade)

This course is designed for the academically advanced, highly motivated, gifted and/or talented student. This course will emphasize the finer points of composition, focusing on expository, descriptive and argumentative writing. A variety of literary works will serve as a resource for writing compositions. Grammar, usage, and vocabulary will be included.

ENGLISH II HONORS- Prerequisite: English I or English 1 Honors, Composition or Composition Honors (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 10th grade) 

This course emphasizes composition, analysis, independent study and research, and specific thinking and vocabulary skills. Focus is also on oral and written communication skills and the building of interpretive and critical reading/thinking skills with emphasis placed on analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of world literature. 

ENGLISH III HONORS- Prerequisite: English II or English II Honors (Fulfills English III Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 11th grade) 

This course is designed for the academically advanced, highly motivated, gifted and/or talented students. This course will survey the history of American literature to develop analytical and interpretive skills. There will also be a focus on enhancing writing skills and vocabulary development. Independent reading is required.

ENGLISH IV HONORS- Prerequisite: English III or English III Honors (Fulfills English IV Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 12th grade) 

This course will concentrate on comprehensive grammar skills, a critical and analytical study of British literature selections, outside reading of novels, and proficiency in composition. It is designed for seniors who possess advanced communication skills. 

AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION- Prerequisite: English II or English II Honors. Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 required. (Fulfills English III Graduation Requirement: Taken in 11th grade)
This 1-semester course is a college level course and is offered for students who will take the AP exam. An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.

AP SEMINAR  (Fulfills Composition Graduation Requirement; required for the AP Capstone Diploma) Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 required.  AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments. This course will paired with Honors English II on an A-B schedule. Those students wishing to take this course after the 10th grade, will choose an online course to pair with it in place of the English II. 

AP RESEARCH (Elective) Prerequisite: AP Seminar.  Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 required.

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. Students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test in the spring. This course will be taken along with AP Language and Composition on an A/B Schedule.

AP LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION Prerequisite: English III or English III Honors, Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 required. (Fulfills English IV Graduation Requirement: Taken in 12th grade) 

This 1-semester course is a college-level course and is offered for students who will take the AP exam. There will be independent, analytical readings, and critical analysis of important American and British works. Students must be self-motivated, avid, and critical readers who possess superior skills in reading and writing. Advance reading is required before starting this course.

JOURNALISM/YEARBOOK I-IV (FALL) (Elective) Application Required. Prerequisite: English I or English 1 Honors  This course is designed to teach the procedures and concepts involved in producing and creating a yearbook. Students will be asked to participate in all aspects of production, including layout and design, copywriting, photography, advertising, finance, and business. 

JOURNALISM/YEARBOOK I-IV (SPRING) (Elective) Application Required. Prerequisite: English I or English 1 Honors. This course is designed to complete the school yearbook, edit copy, and help produce any other journalism-related documents. Basic journalism skills will be enhanced and practiced.

FOUNDATIONS OF MATH I (If needed, typically taken in the 9th grade) 

This course is a preparatory course for Math I. Students are introduced to algebra, geometry, and other mathematical topics that are integrated in a format that connects mathematics to students’ lives and the world of work.

NC MATH I (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 9th grade)

Math I provides students the opportunity to study concepts of algebra, geometry, functions, number and operations, statistics and modeling throughout the course. These concepts include expressions in the real number system, creating and reasoning with equations and inequalities, interpreting and building simple functions, expressing geometric properties and interpreting categorical and quantitative data.  The final exam is the North Carolina End-of-Course (EOC) Test based on the Common Core Math 1 Standards.

MATH II- Prerequisite: Math I or Math I Honors.  (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 10th grade)

This course continues a progression of the standards established in Math I. In addition to these standards, Math II includes: polynomials, congruence and similarity of figures, trigonometry with triangles, modeling with geometry, probability, making inferences and justify conclusions. 

NC MATH III- Prerequisite: Math II or Math II Honors (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 11th grade)

Progresses from the standards learned in Math I and Math II. In addition to these standards, Math III extends to include algebraic concepts such as: the complex number system, inverse functions, trigonometric functions and the unit circle. Math III also includes the geometric concepts of conics and circles. The final exam is the North Carolina End-of-Course (EOC) test.

NC MATH IV- Prerequisite: Math III or Math III Honors (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 12th grade)

This course provides an in-depth study of modeling and applying function. Home, work, recreation, consumer issues, public policy, and scientific investigations are areas from which applications should originate. The student will analyze data and apply probability concepts to solve problems and use functions to solve problems. Content is half algebra, half statistics. This course satisfies the 4th math requirement for the public universities in the UNC system.

NC MATH I HONORS (Fulfills Math 1 Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 9th grade)

This is an accelerated, expanded, and demanding course designed to cover the topics of Math I in depth.  The final exam is the North Carolina End-of-Course (EOC) Test based on the Common Core Math 1 Standards.

MATH II HONORS- Prerequisite: Math I or Math I Honors (Fulfills Math II Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 10th grade)

This is an accelerated, expanded, and demanding course designed to cover the topics of Math II in depth.  “B” in Math I and/or Level IV on EOC recommended. 

NC MATH III HONORS- Prerequisite: Math II or Math II Honors (Fulfills Math III Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 11th grade)

Designed for those students who have potential for outstanding performance in mathematics, Math III Honors is an accelerated, expanded, and demanding course. Students will work with real, irrational and imaginary numbers, solving systems of equations, problem solving with logarithms, conic sections and polynomials. The final exam is the North Carolina End-of-Course (EOC) test.

AP PRECALCULUS Prerequisite: Math III or Math III Honors, Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 required. (Fulfills 4th Math Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 11th or 12th grade)

AP Precalculus prepares students for other college-level mathematics and science courses. Through regular practice, students build deep mastery of modeling and functions, and they examine scenarios through multiple representations. The course framework delineates content and skills common to college precalculus courses that are foundational for careers in mathematics, physics, biology, health science, social science, and data science.  Final grades in Math I, Math II with A or B recommended.

AP CALCULUS AB*- (Elective) Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus (AP or Honors)
*In person course offerings are dependent upon student enrollment. This is a college level course and is offered for students who will take the AP exam. The course emphasizes a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. This course satisfies the 4th math requirement for the public universities in the UNC system.

AP STATISTICS*- (NCVPS)(Elective) Prerequisite: Completion of Math 3 (Honors) with a B or higher. 

*In person course offerings are dependent upon student enrollment. Advanced Placement Statistics introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students will observe patterns and departures from patterns, decide what and how to measure, produce models using probability and simulation, and confirm models. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, should be used regularly for instruction and assessment. 

*In person course offerings are dependent upon student enrollment. 

More Higher Level Math Options are offered through the NCSSM Connect Program and the CCP/Dual Enrollment Program.

EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 9th grade)

This course focuses on the function of the earth’s systems. Emphasis is placed on matter, energy, crustal dynamics, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth’s system. Oceanography, astronomy, meteorology and geology are included.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 10th grade)

Introductory course to the concepts of Physics and Chemistry. The study of metric measurements, differentiation between chemical and physical properties, change, and energy are covered. Mathematical calculations and laboratory experience applicable to science concepts are stressed throughout the course.  

BIOLOGY (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 11th grade)

Biology involves the study of living organisms and their relationship to their environment. Laboratory work includes a study of a select group of plants, animals and microorganisms. The final exam for this course is the North Carolina End-of-Course Test.

EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE HONORS (Fulfills Earth and Environmental Science Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 9th grade)

This course is designed to challenge students as they explore, in greater depth, the function of the earth’s systems. Emphasis is placed on matter, energy, crustal dynamics, environmental awareness, materials availability, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the earth’s system. Oceanography, astronomy, meteorology and geology are included.

CHEMISTRY HONORS (Fulfills Physical Science graduation requirement. Can also be taken as an elective)

This course is designed to challenge students as they explore, in greater depth the study of the properties and structure of matter and the relationship between energy and matter. Topics include atomic energy, chemical reactions, stoichiometry solutions, and nuclear chemistry. Students will perform lab activities and solve mathematical calculations.

BIOLOGY HONORS (Fulfills Biology Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 11th grade)

This course is designed to challenge students as they explore, in greater depth the living organisms and their relationship to their environment. Laboratory work includes a study of a select group of plants, animals and microorganisms. The final exam for this course is the North Carolina End-of-Course Test.

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE* (Elective) Prerequisites: Biology or Physical Science.  The AP Environmental Science course is designed to engage students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.

FORENSIC SCIENCE- HONORS* (Elective) Prerequisites: Biology or Chemistry
Forensic Science is a laboratory-based course in which students will apply their prior knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics to the popular field of crime scene investigation.  Students will use a structured and scientific approach to the investigation of crime of assault, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, accidental death, homicide, and the psychology of criminal behavior.  Students will learn terminology and investigate procedures related to crime scene, questioning, interviewing, criminal behavior characteristics, truth detection, and scientific procedures used to solve crimes.  Using scientific methods, students will collect and analyze evidence through case studies and simulated crime scenes such as fingerprint analysis, ballistics, and blood spatter analysis.  Students will learn the history, legal aspects, and career options for forensic science.

AP PHYSICS: Algebra-Based- (NCVPS) (Elective) Prerequisite: Physical Science or Chemistry Honors

AP Physics continues the study of the physical phenomena studies in Honors Physics in more depth and at a more advanced mathematical level. Students are prepared for the AP exam through problem-solving and use of questions from the AP exam.

*In person course offerings are dependent upon student enrollment.

More Advanced Science Options are offered through the NCSSM Connect Program and the CCP/Dual Enrollment Program. 

WORLD HISTORY HONORS (Graduation Requirement: Typically Taken in the 9th Grade)

This course is designed to challenge students as they explore and analyze recurring themes of human experience common to civilizations around the globe from ancient to contemporary times.

AMERICAN HISTORY and AMERICAN HISTORY- HONORS (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 10th grade)

This course will explore the overarching themes, trends, and concepts of our nation’s history, including the development and evolution of the American system of government, the patterns and impact of migration and immigration, cultural development through the arts and technological innovations, relationships with foreign nations, and the role of both the individual and diverse groups in building the American story. Students in this course will be asked to investigate major turning points in American History to develop an understanding of multiple causation, to determine patterns of change and continuity, and to be able to compare multiple perspectives of the past. Rooted in inquiry-based skills, students will trace American development while learning to craft compelling questions, synthesize and evaluate evidence, develop claims, communicate ideas, and take informed action.

FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA: CIVIC LITERACY and  FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH CAROLINA: CIVIC LITERACY- HONORS (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 11th grade)

This course will allow students to examine the ways in which power and responsibility are both shared and limited by the U.S. Constitution and how the judicial, legal, and political systems of North Carolina and the United States embody the founding principles of government. Students in this course will analyze and evaluate the extent to which the American system of government guarantees, protects, and upholds the rights of citizens. Through the integration of inquiry-based learning, students will also investigate how the American system of government has evolved over time while learning how to analyze topics, issues, and claims in order to communicate ideas and take action to effect change and inform others.

ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE and ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE- HONORS (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in the 12th grade) 

The Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course is intended to be a study of economics, personal finance, income and education, money management, critical consumerism, and financial planning. This course supports the development of students who understand economic decisions, use money wisely, understand education and career choices, and understand how to be financially responsible citizens. Students will be provided with the agency, tools, and knowledge necessary to live in and contribute to a financially sound society.

PSYCHOLOGY HONORS*- (Elective)

Psychology is designed to engage students in the understanding, articulation, and dissemination of psychology as a science. Students are introduced to psychology with a focus on the scientific study of human development, learning, cognition, biology, society and culture. The course emphasizes the empirical examination of behavior and cognitive processes and offers perspectives that foster students' growth, development, and understanding of cultural diversity. Students of psychology acquire information from a variety of sources, use information as they make decisions and evaluations, solve problems and relate psychology to their personal life.

This advanced course offers an in-depth exploration of psychological concepts, emphasizing greater complexity, originality, and a more rigorous pace. The Honors designation reflects a higher standard of academic performance, focusing on the quality of analysis and critical thinking rather than an increase in workload volume.

Some AP Courses are taught in person, but are based on course requests and teacher availability. 

AP PSYCHOLOGY (NCSSM or NCVPS) (Elective)  

Students study the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. The study of psychology enables students to recognize and cope with uncertainty and ambiguity in human behavior. Substantial out-of-class reading, writing, and research are expected. Students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test in the spring..

AP WORLD HISTORY* (NCVPS) (Can be taken in place of World History or additionally as an elective) 

The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts in different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in global frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. It emphasizes relevant factual knowledge, leading interpretive issues, and skills in analyzing types of historical evidence. Specific themes provide further organization to the course, along with consistency attention to contacts among societies that form the core of world history as a field of study. Students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test in the spring.

AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (NCVPS) (Elective)

AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behaviors. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they will complete a political science research or applied civics project. Students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test in the spring. 

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY (NCVPS) (Elective)

In AP European History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from approximately 1450 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 also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction of Europe and the world, economic and commercial development, cultural and intellectual development, states and other institutions of power, social organization and development, national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovations. Students enrolled in this course will take the College Board Advanced Placement test in the spring.
 

AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES (NCSSM)  (Elective) 

Embark on a groundbreaking journey through an interdisciplinary exploration of African American history and culture. From ancient African kingdoms to today's societal challenges and achievements, this course invites you to engage with history through diverse perspectives. Develop critical skills in history, literature, and data analysis while shaping the future of this pioneering course. This course foregrounds a study of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora. AP African American Studies Exam participation at your public high school is expected in the spring. Enrolling in this AP course will require great study habits and skills in time management, reading, and writing. A willingness to learn content, read and analyze sources, and write short essays quickly is essential.

*In person course offerings are dependent upon student enrollment.

More Advanced Social Studies/Humanities Options are offered through the NCSSM Connect Program, NCVPS and the CCP/Dual Enrollment Program.  

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION (Graduation Requirement: Typically taken in 9th grade) 

The health portion of the course offers a comprehensive treatment of personal and community health and safety. The physical education section stresses participation in activities, which help develop basic motor skills. Skills are taught for some team participation.

BOYS WEIGHT TRAINING (Elective)- Prerequisite: Health and Physical Education

This course will consist of lifting through a strenuous upper and lower body workout, running, and physical conditioning. It is designed to improve fundamentals that will prevent injury on athletic fields and for the person serious about his/her strength and physical conditioning.

GIRLS WEIGHT TRAINING (Elective)- Prerequisite: Health and Physical Education

This course will consist of lifting through a strenuous upper and lower body workout, running, and physical conditioning. It is designed to improve fundamentals that will prevent injury on athletic fields and for the person serious about his/her strength and physical conditioning.

SPORTS MEDICINE I- HONORS (Elective)- Prerequisite: Health and Physical Education

This course is designed for students interested in the career of athletic training. The primary focus includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: The Athletic Training/Sports Medicine (ATSM) Team, organization and administration, injury prevention, physical training and conditioning techniques, nutritional considerations, protective sports equipment, psychology of sport injury/illness, mechanisms and characteristics of sports trauma, tissue response to injury, human anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, CPR/blood borne pathogens, injury assessment and evaluation, environmental concerns, basic taping and bandaging, explanations of therapeutic modalities, basic exercise rehabilitation, drug use/abuse in sports, and skin disorders. Students may be required to engage in practical experience outside of class for the purpose of applying knowledge and techniques learned in class

SPORTS MEDICINE II- HONORS (Elective)- Prerequisite: Sports Medicine I 

This course is designed for students wanting to further their knowledge in the field of athletic training through the integration of information presented in Sports Medicine I. The primary focus includes but is not limited to the following topics: human anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, specific sports injuries or conditions related to the foot/ankle/lower leg, knee, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist/hand, hip, thigh, groin, pelvis, abdomen, thorax, lumbar/thoracic/cervical spine, head, face, in addition to other health considerations and advanced taping techniques. Students may be required to engage in practical experience outside of class for the purpose of applying knowledge and techniques learned in class.

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