College Credit

In this rigorous college-level course, students engage in a more thorough study of the regions, structure, and function of the human body with an emphasis on tissue organization and organ systems. Students complete laboratory exercises involving microscopy of tissues, dissection of Felis domesticus, and investigations of contemporary scientific research. Students complete summer coursework (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

ECSU equivalent course: Biology 204: Human Biology and Disease (3 credits).

Fine Arts students further develop observational drawing skills, enhance knowledge of basic drawing tools and techniques, and explore the conceptual ideas of image making by emphasizing concepts in composition and organization and creation of volumetric space. Students maintain required sketchbooks for personal exploration and idea development. Studio fee (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

*Prerequisite: ADR664

**UConn equivalent (ART1030) Drawing 1 (3 Credits)

Students continue to develop skills using basic design principles and color theory as they create projects like posters, photographic imaging, invitations, and text, etc., using the Adobe Programs. Students develop and present a portfolio at the end of the year. Studio fee (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

*Prerequisite: AGA201

**UConn equivalent: DMD 1101 Design Lab I (3 Credits).

Students seriously committed to studying visual art and developing a portfolio of individualized artwork for college preparation develop aesthetic understanding through studio projects that stimulate the imagination, encourage creative problem-solving, and refine skills. Students maintain a required sketchbook and submit a required portfolio to the College Board. Studio fee (full year – 1 credit) 12.

*Prerequisite: Successful completion of two or more advanced art electives and teacher recommendation

Designed for students seriously committed to studying 3D mediums ( Jewelry, Ceramics, Sculpture) while developing a portfolio of individualized artwork for college preparation. Students develop aesthetic understanding through studio projects that stimulate the imagination, encourage creative problem-solving, and refine skills. Students develop a portfolio concentration theme that focuses on their creative process while maintaining a detailed sketchbook. Students will then submit a required portfolio to the College Board. Studio fee (full year – 1 credit) 12.

*Prerequisite: Successful completion of two or more advanced 3D art electives and teacher recommendation

Students will get an introduction to essential topics in personal finance for individuals and entrepreneurs. Financial literacy and personal finance topics including recordkeeping, budgeting, risk, insurance, credit, purchasing decisions, savings/investment options, income taxation of individuals and small businesses, and retirement savings. (½ year – ½ credit) 11 & 12. 

*UConn Equivalent Course BUSN 2235: Personal Financial Literacy (3 credits)

Students participate in an intensive college-level acting Cambridge University course that provides opportunities to develop practical skills in performance, both as an individual and within a group. Learners will understand the artistic choices made by actors, directors and designers in presenting performances for an audience. They will also learn about theatrical styles and genres. Learners will explore how to develop their own ideas in creating original drama (½ year – ½ credit) 12.

*Prerequisite: DDR511

In this course, students will discover their identities as writers and hone their analytical skills as they prepare to take the AP English Language and Composition exam. Students will explore the topics of rhetoric, argumentation, and style by reading and responding to both works of nonfiction and classic works of literature, as well as by studying rhetorical figures and grammatical structures. Primarily, students will work to become more aware of the choices writers make in order to achieve a purpose as well as the effect those choices have on readers. This course is ideal for students planning to pursue careers in fields like law, political science, journalism, or communications, for those who want to hone their writing skills in preparation for college, or for those who simply love to write-- or argue! (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

*Prerequisite: Honors English 2 strongly recommended; exceptionally strong students may take the class with teacher recommendation

UConn's introductory writing courses for first-year students expose students to academic writing practices which involve formulating inquiries, developing extensive intellectual projects, and producing knowledge for diverse audiences. Students engage in assignments where they choose and define topics to spark class discussions through various media. Additionally, students analyze genres, themes, and texts, with the option to sit for the AP Literature and Composition Exam. This course emphasizes the overall process of crafting academic writing over particular formats and platforms. Students build skills in topic selection, inquiry, drafting, revision, citation, audience awareness, and more (full year – 1 credit) 11, 12.

*Prerequisite: teacher recommendation

This advanced course offers students a rigorous exploration of the intersection between sport and contemporary society. Through a diverse selection of historical and modern texts, alongside documentary films, students will critically examine key issues in sport, including race and ethnicity, religion, and gender and sexual identity, athletes' amateur status, coaching styles, deviant behavior in sport, and more. Students will develop a sophisticated understanding of these complex subjects by engaging in thoughtful debates and crafting written arguments. This course encourages deep analysis and fosters an appreciation for the multifaceted role of sport in today's world (full year – 1 credit) 11,12.

*Prerequisite: Previous honors coursework recommended; exceptionally strong students may take the class with teacher recommendation.

**UCONN equivalent course: EDLR 2001: Contemporary Issues in Sport.

This ECSU-equivalent course offers students an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of speech communication and the opportunity to earn university credit. Students listen to, deliver, discuss, research, write and respond to informative, persuasive, interview and impromptu speeches. Students explore topics like rhetorical situations, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style while writing and delivering their own speeches. Speeches are videotaped and critiqued. Prerequisite: teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 11, 12.

ECSU equivalent course COM230: Basic Speech (3 credits)

“If You Love it, Teach It” engages students interested in working in K-12 settings in studies about teaching, learning, and schooling in the United States. It explores teaching and learning as processes that can relate to personal passions as well as how those passions are shaped, cultivated, or denied in different educational contexts. Course topics will include introductions to historical, philosophical, and social foundations of education, as well as how those foundations and personal passions relate to teaching as a profession, school organization, educational reform, and the reimagining of educational futures (½ year – ½ credit) 12.

*Prerequisite: FIT601 and/or FIF705 or Instructor Approval

**UConn equivalent course:  EDCI 1100: If You Love It, Teach It (3 Credits)

Students learn about microeconomics by developing a thorough understanding of the economic principles that apply to consumers and producers within an economic system, the nature of markets, and the government’s role in the economy. Students learn about macroeconomics by studying the economic system as a whole including economic performance measures, the financial sector and international economics (full year – 1 credit) 12.

Students examine in depth the core concepts and theories of psychology to understand psychology as the study of the mind and human behavior. Students learn about important psychologists past and present, research methods, experiments and terminology, and students prepare for the AP Psychology examination (full year – 1 credit) 12.

This course helps students understand the interconnection between society, groups and the individual. Students explore general themes, such as diversity, religion, culture, family, and various societal forces which intersect with one another to shape everyday lives. (full-year) 1 credit. Open to 11 &12.

UConn course equivalent SOCI1001: Sociology (3 credits).

Students develop the skills and factual knowledge to critically analyze events in U.S. history.  Students assess historical materials and weigh evidence and interpretations in historical scholarship and complete research projects,  including participation in Connecticut History Day (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

Students focus upon intensive development and use of grammar and vocabulary, develop fluency in oral communication, reading and writing, and exploration and research of aspects of Chinese culture, history and literature (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

*Prerequisite: Successful completion of LCH654 or permission of teacher.

**UConn equivalent course CHIN 1114: Intermediate Chinese II (4 credits).

Intense study of oral French, learning of oral techniques of communication through dialogues, interviews, round tables, and oral reports.  With an advanced study of French texts and extensive written practice in a variety of forms ranging from compositions, essays, summaries, and film reviews.  Prerequisite LFR855 or teacher recommendation.  (full year - 1 credit) 11 & 12.

*UConn equivalent courses:  FREN 3250: Global Culture 1 (3 credits); FREN 3268: Grammar and Composition (3 credits).

**This course is currently called UConn French and Global Cultures.  Next year this will be called UConn French, Conversation and Composition.

Students attain proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Italian at a college level and to develop and refine skills acquired over several years of study. Prerequisite: LIT856 (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

UConn equivalent course ILCS 3240: Italian Composition and Conversation II (3 credits).

Students expand their lexical and reading skills to understand, analyze, interpret, and enjoy the literature of late Roman Republic and early Empire. Students complete outside readings in English and Latin to develop analytical skills and a background in literary criticism. Prerequisite: LLA655 or equivalent (full year – 1 credit) 12.

UConn equivalent course CAMS3102: Topics in Advanced Latin (3 credits).

Students attain proficiency to understand, speak, read, and write Spanish at a college level and to develop and refine skills acquired over several years of study. Students focus upon mastery of language skills, rather than on the content of specific texts. Fee: Cost of textbook (full year – 1 credit) 12.

*Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation.

**UConn equivalent course SPAN3178: Intermediate Spanish Composition (3 credits).

At an in-depth and accelerated pace students prepare for Calculus by deepening their understanding of Algebra topics ranging from polynomials, systems of equations, sequences, trigonometry concepts, and inverse, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Prerequisite:Teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

ECSU equivalent course: MAT 155 - PreCalculus Mathematics (4 credits)

Students study topics of limits, derivatives, and integrals and their applications. Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 12.

ECSU equivalent course MAT243: Calculus 1 (4 credits).

In this class, comparable to a first-semester college-level class, students design, implement, and analyze programs and basic data structures, standard algorithms, and general computer systems knowledge with JAVA programming language. Does not meet the mathematics graduation requirement (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

*Prerequisite: MCC551 and teacher recommendation

Students learn standard and nonparametric approaches to statistical analysis; exploratory data analysis, elementary probability, sampling distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing, one- and two-sample procedures, regression and correlation. Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

UConn equivalent course: UConn equivalent class: STAT1100Q.

This course explores the historical and societal forces that shape health and education in urban communities. Topics of study will include poverty, culture and identity and how these phenomena affect people’s health, nutrition, schooling and opportunities for success. Through readings, films, discussion, and reflection class members will analyze policies, norms and beliefs in our society. We will consider how these trends may lead us to a more just society and how these may perpetuate injustice. The biggest learning experience in this course will be a required three independent projects and 15 hours of community service to fully immerse into the impact we can have in our community by serving others. Class time will be available to meet this requirement and there will be additional opportunities for students outside of the school day. The PE portion of this course will be focused on the impact that sports and fitness play in building a healthier community physically, mentally, and socially. Prerequisites: Successful completion of 1 year of Wellness or teacher recommendation. (1/2 year - 1/2 credit) 11, 12.

UConn Equivalent EDLR 1162 Health & Education in Urban Communities.

This rigorous course provides an overview of the five pillars of health (exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress and relationships), specifically emphasizing the role that exercise plays in health promotion and disease prevention across the lifespan by presenting the impacts of exercise in multiple domains including leisure time, culture, community, careers, and the workplace. Prerequisites: Successful completion of 1 year of Wellness or teacher recommendation. (1/2 year - 1/2 credit) 11, 12

UConn Equivalent KINS 1100 Exercise and Wellness for Everyone (3 credits).

This college-level course provides an overview of a variety of Allied Health professions and discusses the team approach to healthcare. Speakers representing each profession will be invited to describe their work/general duties of the profession, the work environment, educational requirements and employment trends. This course will also explore the health care system, medical terminology, employment skills and cultural diversity of patients. Students will become CPR and First Aid certified. (½ year – ½ credit) 10, 11 & 12.

In this rigorous college-level course, students study the ever-changing universe while exploring galactic, stellar and planetary formation; investigate the relationships among math, physics, and astronomy; and study the history of astronomy. Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation (½ year –½ credit) 10, 11 & 12.

ECSU equivalent course AST214: Descriptive Astronomy w/Lab (4 credits)

In this rigorous and rewarding course, motivated, enthusiastic and interested students study all of the concepts and unifying themes in biology and meet the expectations of college freshmen in an introductory biology course. Students are expected to be self-motivated learners who complete assignments promptly, work independently, and think critically. Class attendance for lecture and laboratory is critical, and students work independently and think critically. Inquiry-based labs require cooperation with partners/groups (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

*Prerequisite: SBY004 or SBY075 and teacher recommendation.

Students study general chemistry in depth at the college level and perform required after-school lab work and tests. UConn supplies tests, labs, online homework, and bookwork. Students complete summer coursework. Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and SCH485 (full year – 1.25 credits) 11 & 12.

Students prepare for AP Environmental Science by studying ecosystem ecology, human populations, biomes, biodiversity, and conservation, and by participating in hands-on laboratory investigations and fieldwork. Emphasis is placed upon the skills to be successful in an AP course (½ year – ½ credit) 9, 10 & 11.

Students investigate the Earth’s biotic and abiotic systems and how humans influence and depend upon them. With sustainability as a central theme, specific course topics include ecology, natural resources management, energy, pollution, human population dynamics, and climate change. Students have opportunities for field study. (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

UConn equivalent course NRE1000: Environmental Science (3 credits).

Students gain in-depth knowledge of basic biological and clinical aspects of viral and bacterial pathogens and the diseases they cause by studying principles of epidemiology, disease detection, and prevention, chain of infection and human immunology. Students learn laboratory procedures and principles vital for entry into various healthcare fields. Course SHM701 is recommended, though not required, prior to this class.  (½ year - ½ credit) 11 & 12.

Uconn Equivalent course: PUBH 1001: Introduction to Public Health (3 credits).

In this algebra-based physics class, students will explore Newtonian mechanics, work, energy, power, mechanical waves and sound, and simple circuits through laboratory work to investigate phenomena. Prerequisite: B or higher in Algebra 2 strongly recommended (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

ECSU equivalent course: PHY204 General Physics I w Lab (4 credits).

Students expand upon technical drawing concepts using AutoCAD for two-dimensional and 3D solid modeling applications. Students explore additional software tools used in the industry including Solidworks and Chief Architect. Students have the opportunity to earn college credit while engaging in real-life projects and develop teamwork, design and problem-solving skills. Strong foundations in algebra are highly recommended for success in this course (½ year – ½ credit) 9, 10, 11 & 12.

Students explore the changing high-tech, innovative nature of advanced manufacturing with emphasis upon manufacturing systems & processes, safety, materials, production and career paths. Students create everyday products and prototypes with CNC machines, 3D printers and a variety of materials (metals, woods, plastic). Students can earn college credit and entry into the (YMPI) Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Program Initiative (½ year – ½ credit) 11 & 12.

To learn more about the Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Program (YMPI), click here.

Students accepted into the YMPI Pipeline Program will prepare for career opportunities in advanced manufacturing after high school.  Students learn the safe use of essential manufacturing tools and equipment.  Integrated throughout the class are opportunities for students to strengthen manufacturing mathematics, spatial reasoning, and workplace preparedness skills (resumes, interviewing, etc.) Students have the opportunity to gain OSHA 10 certification, 150 pre-apprenticeship hours, four college credits and interview with local employers (½ year - 1 credit). Second semester, double channel, grade 12.