Upper School

English 9

Why do authors make the choices they do? This course asks you to get to the heart of what makes effective texts, from novels to newspapers and from plays to travel blogs. As you formulate your big ideas, you will share your message through narrative, expository, and persuasive writing to make your mark on your school and the world.

AP English Language and Composition

AP English Language and Composition is a college-level course centered on the ways writers use language to communicate ideas, influence audiences, and participate in meaningful conversations. Students read and analyze a wide variety of nonfiction texts, examining how authors make purposeful choices based on audience, context, and rhetorical situation.

Throughout the course, students develop their own voices as writers while learning to construct evidence-based arguments, synthesize information from multiple sources, and communicate ideas with clarity and purpose. Students engage with complex issues, evaluate the credibility and effectiveness of evidence, and refine their writing through ongoing practice and revision. The course prepares students for the AP English Language and Composition Exam while building communication and critical-thinking skills applicable across academic disciplines and beyond high school.

AP Seminar

AP Seminar is an interdisciplinary course that teaches students how to investigate complex academic and real-world questions from multiple perspectives. Rather than focusing on one subject area, students explore issues that cross disciplines and learn to ask meaningful questions, locate and evaluate credible evidence, analyze arguments, synthesize information, and develop well-supported conclusions.

Students communicate their thinking through research-based writing, collaborative work, and individual multimedia presentations. They learn not simply to defend an initial opinion, but to consider competing perspectives and allow evidence to shape their conclusions. The course culminates in College Board performance tasks and an end-of-course AP examination and serves as the foundational course of the AP Capstone program.

AP Research

Building upon the skills developed in AP Seminar, AP Research gives students the opportunity to conduct an extended, yearlong investigation into an academic topic, problem, or issue of their own choosing. Students develop an original research question, review existing scholarship, select an appropriate research methodology, gather and analyze information, and evaluate the significance and limitations of their findings.

The course gives students an unusually authentic experience with academic research at the high school level. Students document their research process and ultimately communicate their work through a 4,000–5,000-word academic paper, presentation, and oral defense. Unlike most AP courses, AP Research does not conclude with a traditional end-of-course exam; students’ AP scores are based on their research project and presentation.

Algebra 1

Algebra 1 establishes the mathematical foundation students will use throughout high school. Students develop a deeper understanding of variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, and mathematical relationships while learning to represent problems symbolically, graphically, numerically, and verbally.

Rather than viewing algebra as a collection of isolated procedures, students learn to recognize patterns and use mathematical reasoning to solve increasingly complex problems. Major areas of study include linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, functions, exponents, polynomials, and introductory quadratic relationships. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, mathematical communication, and developing both accuracy and confidence.

Geometry

Geometry challenges students to explore the mathematical structure of the world around them. Students investigate relationships among points, lines, angles, polygons, circles, and three-dimensional figures while developing their ability to reason logically and support mathematical conclusions.

The course incorporates transformations, similarity and congruence, coordinate geometry, measurement, area, volume, and introductory trigonometry. Students also develop skills in constructing and evaluating mathematical arguments and proofs. Throughout the course, students apply geometric principles to both abstract problems and real-world situations while strengthening the reasoning skills necessary for advanced mathematics.

Algebra 2

Algebra 2 builds upon the foundations of Algebra 1 and Geometry as students investigate increasingly sophisticated mathematical relationships. Students work with linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and learn to analyze how different representations reveal important information about those functions.

The course emphasizes mathematical modeling, problem solving, and the ability to select appropriate strategies for unfamiliar problems. Students strengthen their algebraic fluency while exploring complex numbers, systems of equations, sequences, probability, and other concepts that prepare them for advanced high school and college mathematics.

Precalculus/Calculus

Precalculus/Calculus prepares advanced mathematics students to move from the study of algebraic relationships into the mathematics of change. Students deepen their understanding of functions, including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, while learning to analyze their behavior using multiple representations.

As students progress, they are introduced to fundamental concepts of calculus, including limits, rates of change, derivatives, and applications of differentiation. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding alongside mathematical fluency, helping students see connections among algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus and preparing them for continued study in college-level mathematics.

Conceptual Physics

Conceptual Physics introduces students to the foundational ideas that will support their study of high school science. While physics provides the framework for much of the course, students explore essential concepts from physics, chemistry, and biology, building connections among the major scientific disciplines rather than studying them in isolation.

Students investigate topics such as matter and energy, forces and motion, atomic and molecular interactions, chemical processes, and the organization and behavior of living systems. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on scientific reasoning, experimentation, data analysis, mathematical thinking, and the ability to use evidence to explain natural phenomena.

Designed as a foundation for Ivy Hall’s advanced science pathway, Conceptual Physics gives students the background knowledge and scientific skills they will need as they progress into AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and Advanced Physics. Rather than simply memorizing scientific facts, students develop an integrated understanding of science that prepares them to tackle increasingly complex questions in future courses.

AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is an introductory college-level chemistry course in which students investigate matter and the interactions that produce the materials and changes observed in the world around them. Students explore atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, and thermodynamics while developing increasingly sophisticated models of chemical phenomena.

Laboratory investigation and scientific reasoning are central to the course. Students design procedures, analyze experimental data and sources of error, create and interpret models, perform quantitative calculations, and support scientific claims with evidence. The course prepares students for the AP Chemistry Exam while developing the analytical and laboratory skills expected in introductory college science.

AP Biology

AP Biology is a college-level introductory biology course that asks students to explore not only what we know about living systems, but how scientific evidence allows us to know it. Students examine biological processes across scales, from interactions among molecules and cells to organisms, populations, ecosystems, heredity, and evolution.

Throughout the course, students use scientific practices including data analysis, quantitative reasoning, experimentation, modeling, and evidence-based argumentation. Laboratory investigations allow students to ask questions, analyze biological phenomena, and connect experimental evidence with larger scientific principles. The course prepares students for the AP Biology Exam and for continued study in biology and related sciences.

Advanced Physics

Advanced Physics extends students’ understanding of the principles introduced in Conceptual Physics and challenges them to analyze physical systems with greater mathematical and conceptual depth. Students explore complex applications of motion, forces, energy, momentum, waves, and other physical phenomena while strengthening their ability to build and evaluate mathematical models.

Emphasis is placed on multi-step problem solving, experimentation, data analysis, and explaining physical phenomena from evidence. Students are expected to approach unfamiliar problems independently, connect mathematical relationships to observable behavior, and develop the analytical habits needed for further study in physics, engineering, and other STEM fields.

Music Appreciation

Have you ever heard a piece of music that made you want to get up and dance? Cry your heart out? Sing at the top of your lungs? Whether pop, classical, or anything in between, music provides a powerful way for people to celebrate their humanity and connect with something larger than themselves. Music Appreciation: The Enjoyment of Listening not only will provide a historical perspective on music from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, but it will also teach you the essentials of how to listen and really hear (with a knowledgeable ear) the different music that’s all around you. Learning how to truly appreciate sound and melody is the best way to ensure a continued love of this delightful art form.

Art History

The course looks at characteristics of culture and art, primarily in the Western world, from prehistoric times up to the modern day. By exploring major turning points in history such as the first tools made, the first civilizations formed, and the rise and fall of major empires and religions you will more easily make connections to the artworks created. The course will also emphasize the impact culture itself has on the artworks produced in various times and places. You will examine the different types of value we assign to various types of art including aesthetic value, economic value, and social value. And lastly, you will learn about principles of design, which will help to build a common vocabulary for discussing and critiquing art.

Fine Art Elective

To be determined.

Geography

Geography explores the relationship between people, places, environments, and cultures around the world. Students develop geographic literacy while examining how physical landscapes, resources, migration, economics, culture, and political systems influence human communities.

The course asks students to move beyond memorizing locations and instead consider why communities develop as they do and how people and environments continually shape one another. Through maps, data, primary and secondary sources, and contemporary examples, students build a broader understanding of an increasingly interconnected world.

AP World History: Modern

AP World History: Modern challenges students to investigate significant developments, processes, and connections in world history from approximately 1200 to the present. Students examine how societies have developed and interacted over time through themes including governance, economic systems, social structures, cultural developments, technology, and interactions between humans and the environment.

The course places particular emphasis on historical thinking. Students learn to analyze primary and secondary sources, identify historical context, compare developments across societies, recognize patterns of continuity and change, evaluate causation, and construct evidence-based historical arguments. Students prepare for the AP World History: Modern Exam while developing the ability to approach history as an ongoing process of inquiry and interpretation.

AP United States History

AP United States History is a college-level survey of American history that asks students to examine the events, ideas, individuals, and movements that have shaped the United States. Students explore political, economic, social, cultural, and geographic developments while considering how competing perspectives and historical circumstances have influenced the nation’s development.

More than a study of names and dates, AP U.S. History emphasizes historical reasoning. Students analyze primary and secondary sources, evaluate evidence, make connections across historical periods, and construct arguments supported by historical evidence. Through this process, students prepare for the AP U.S. History Exam while developing a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the American experience.

AP United States Government and Politics

AP United States Government and Politics is a college-level course examining the ideas, institutions, interactions, and processes that shape the American political system. Students explore the constitutional foundations of government, federalism, the relationships among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, civil liberties and civil rights, political participation, elections, political parties, interest groups, and the forces that influence public policy.

Throughout the course, students analyze foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, political data, and competing perspectives on constitutional and political questions. They learn to evaluate evidence, interpret quantitative information, explain relationships among political institutions and behaviors, and develop arguments supported by relevant evidence.

The course prepares students for the AP United States Government and Politics Exam while helping them develop a deeper understanding of how American government functions in both principle and practice. Students leave the course better prepared to analyze political claims, understand contemporary civic issues, and participate thoughtfully in the democratic process.

AP Psychology

AP Psychology introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Students explore the biological, cognitive, developmental, social, and behavioral factors that help explain why people think, feel, learn, and behave as they do.

The course also emphasizes psychology as a science. Students learn to evaluate research methods, interpret data, consider ethical issues, and use psychological concepts and evidence to explain behavior. By applying psychological theories and findings to real-world situations, students develop a richer understanding of human behavior while preparing for the AP Psychology Exam.

Learning at Ivy Hall extends beyond traditional academic courses. Each afternoon, students participate in Workshops and Masterpiece Studio, two complementary experiences designed to help students discover new interests, develop practical skills, pursue meaningful work, and take increasing ownership of their learning. The master schedule provides dedicated time for both experiences each afternoon. 

Workshops

Workshops give students opportunities to explore subjects, skills, and experiences that may not fit within a traditional course schedule. Offered in multi-week sessions, workshops are intentionally varied and may focus on areas such as the arts, technology, entrepreneurship, life skills, communication, service, health and wellness, career exploration, or other areas of student interest.

Students choose from available workshop offerings, allowing them to try something completely new or deepen an existing interest. Workshops may be led by Ivy Hall teachers as well as parents, professionals, community members, and others who can bring authentic experience and expertise into the classroom.

Because workshop offerings change throughout the year, students are continually exposed to new possibilities. The goal is not simply to add more classes to the school day, but to give students the opportunity to discover what interests them, build useful skills, and encounter people and experiences that may help shape what they want to pursue next.

Masterpiece Studio

Masterpiece Studio gives students dedicated time to turn their interests, questions, and ideas into meaningful work. Rather than receiving the same assignment as everyone else, students identify something they want to investigate, create, solve, improve, or contribute and develop a project around that goal.

Projects can take many forms. A student might design a product, conduct research, create a work of art, write a book, develop a business idea, produce a documentary, learn a new skill, organize a service project, work with a mentor, or pursue another project connected to an authentic interest or goal. What matters is that students are doing purposeful work with a clear outcome rather than simply filling independent work time.

Students move through a structured project process that begins with developing and pitching an idea and culminates in sharing what they have created or learned. Along the way, teachers serve as coaches and mentors, helping students set goals, make plans, manage their time, solve problems, seek feedback, revise their work, and reflect on their progress.

The Seven Habits provide a foundation for this process. Masterpiece Studio creates an authentic setting in which students practice taking initiative, beginning with an end in mind, prioritizing their time, collaborating effectively, listening to and learning from others, and continually reflecting on how they can improve.

Together, Workshops and Masterpiece Studio allow students to move between exploration and ownership. Workshops help students discover new possibilities; Masterpiece Studio gives them the time, support, and responsibility to pursue those possibilities more deeply. As students progress through high school, the goal is for them to become increasingly capable of identifying what matters to them, directing their own work, and turning their ideas into meaningful action.

Fitness for Life

This course’s three units include Getting Active, Improving Performance, and Lifestyle. Unit activities elevate students’ self-awareness of their health and well-being while examining topics such as diet and mental health and exploring websites and other resources. In addition to being effective as a stand-alone course, the components can be easily integrated into other health and wellness course.

PE Skills

This course takes a more in-depth look at the five components of physical fitness touched on in Fitness Fundamentals 1: muscular strength, endurance, cardiovascular health, flexibility, and body composition. This course allows students to discover new interests as they experiment with a variety of exercises in a non-competitive atmosphere. By targeting different areas of fitness, students increase their understanding of health habits and practices and improve their overall fitness level. Students take a pre- and post-fitness assessment. Throughout this course students also participate in a weekly fitness program involving elements of cardio, strength, and flexibility.

PE Elective

Computer Science Principles (Digital Studies)

This is an introductory course in Computer Science Concepts and Principles. Computer Science is a very broad topic that includes much more than just writing programs. This course is designed to introduce you to several of those areas including: 1) How digital information can represent text, numbers, pictures, colors, audio, and video. 2) How large amounts of information can be collected, visualized, interpreted, and manipulated. 3) How digital information is sent and received over the internet, including how data is routed as it travels to and from your device, how the data can be compressed for sending then decompressed when received, and how data can be encrypted to protect sensitive information. This is a hands-on course where every concept you learn is first demonstrated and then you practice doing it yourself in creative ways. For example, after you learn how web pages are created using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, then you will create your own web page using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Another example, after learning about data compression you will use a simple app to create your own data compression program. Lastly, the goal of the course is to provide familiarity with electronic devices and information technology processes/careers that will help students learn computational and critical thinking processes.

Web Development 1

This semester course will provide students with advanced Internet skills and techniques as well as a major emphasis on beginning Web page design. Students will explore resources on the Internet through search engines and create their own websites.

Computer Programming 1

An introductory course in computer programming/software engineering and applications. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer programming. Students will learn to design, code, and test their own programs while applying mathematical concepts. Teachers introduce concepts and problem solving skills to beginning students through a programming language called Python. Second semester introduces students to more complex data structures and their uses, including sequential files, arrays, and classes. Students will learn to create more powerful programs.

French 1

In the first level, you will learn the language basics, greetings and introductions, work and school, shopping, travel, and about past/future as you build grammar and vocabulary of the language. You will also learn about the culture of the language speaking countries.

French 2

In the second level, you will continue to build your grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills as you explore friends and social life, dining and vacation, home and health, life and world, everyday things, and places and events. Continue to explore the culture of the language speaking countries.

Spanish 1

Spanish is the most spoken non-English language in U.S. homes, even among non-Hispanics, according to the Pew Research Center. There are overwhelming cultural, economic, and demographic reasons for students to achieve mastery of Spanish. Spanish 1A and B engage students and use a variety of activities to ensure student engagement and to promote personalized learning. These courses can be delivered completely online, or implemented as blended courses, according to the unique needs of the teacher and the students.

Spanish 2

In the second level, you will continue to build your grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills as you explore friends and social life, dining and vacation, home and health, life and world, everyday things, and places and events. Continue to explore the culture of the language speaking countries.

Leader In Me

Developing life-readiness skills prepares you to lead your own life and face difficult challenges. Everyone is a leader, including you. But not everyone is an effective leader. Effective leaders do things in ways that yield lasting positive results and live by timeless, universal principles. Principles provide constancy amidst change; this course is based on principles of effectiveness that will guide you through life’s greatest challenges.

Entrepreneurship

You will get a front row seat and see how early-stage business investors make their investments. You first look through the lens of an investor. Then you will learn the fundamentals of identifying opportunity, creating value, and capturing value with the Three Pillars of Entrepreneurship™. You will prepare their own rubric for investing, and develop startup investment recommendations. Next, you will look through the lens of the entrepreneur and will apply insights and understanding to develop a business concept of your own, and develop your ideas into an investor pitch deck.

Entrepreneurship 10

Information coming.

Entrepreneurship 11

Information coming.

Entrepreneurship Practicum

Information coming.

Technology Practicum

Information coming.

Innovative Collaboration Lab Prep

Information coming.

Innovative Collaboration Lab Travel

Information coming.