Honors

HWT806 

Students study the major developments of Western Civilization from ancient times through the early Renaissance (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Early Christianity, Crusades), and examine evidence surviving from the Ancient and Medieval Periods and the historian’s challenge to interpret these materials. Students develop research skills and participate in a project using Slater Museum’s collections (full year –1 credit) 11 & 12.

UConn course equivalent HIST 1300: Western Traditions before 1500 (3 credits)

BAC655 

Students learn the principles of Accounting 1 and 2 in this fast-paced, honors course. Students use an internet-based electronic workbook, and home internet access is highly recommended. Prerequisite: B- in MAL654 or accounting teacher approval (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

MAL005

Students develop skills in basic and beginning algebraic functions, solving and graphing equations, inequalities, and systems of equations, and apply these skills to solve real-world problems. This course is recommended for 9th-graders who have taken 8th-grade mathematics and who intend to follow a college preparatory mathematics sequence including Principles of Geometry and Algebra and Algebra 2 (full year – 1 credit). All ninth-grade mathematics courses require a scientific calculator (TI-30XIIS preferred).

MAL585 

At an in-depth and accelerated pace, students develop advanced algebra skills through the study functions and their graphs, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic equations, rational and radical expressions, exponents/powers, as well as, an introduction to trigonometry. Prerequisite: Current mathematics teacher’s approval (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

LAS855

Students continue to develop proficiency in receptive, presentational and interactive signing, interactive communication, and culture and language concepts. Students expand their understanding of deaf culture and history through discussion, ASL literature and inter-action with members/organizations of the local deaf community. Students complete written assignments, read and analyze literature, conduct a video-taped interview, and complete an expressive presentation. Prerequisite: LAS654 and/or permission from of teacher (full year – 1 credit) 12.

SHB805 

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: Human Biology, Lecture & Lab (4 credits)

SAY685

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: B or better in Honors Integrated Science and/or Recommendation from current science teacher (½ year –½ credit) 10, 11 & 12.

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

SBY075 

Honors students undertake a more rigorous study of the essential biological concepts with an emphasis on biological chemistry, structure and function and energy transformations at all levels of organization (cellular, individual, and ecosystem). Students participate in extensive laboratory work. Prerequisites: 9th-grade teacher approval (full year – 1 credit) 10.

MIC955 

At an in-depth and accelerated pace, students will strengthen their understanding of functions in preparation for the process of differentiation and integration. Calculus concepts explored include limits and continuity, derivatives, anti-derivatives, and application of derivatives.   Prerequisite: B in MFS854 or MCA855 and current mathematics teacher’s approval (full year – 1 credit) 12.

SCH805 

Students undertake a more rigorous and fast-paced study of the nature and Interactions of matter.  Topics include atomic structure, matter, chemical formulas, bonding, reactions, thermochemistry, the mole, stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions, and acids and bases. Prerequisite: B or higher in Algebra I (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

MCC875 

Students continue to develop problem-solving abilities with JAVA (object-oriented programming language). Prerequisite: MCC551 and teacher recommendation. (Does not meet the mathematics graduation require-ment.) (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

HEC905 

Students learn about microeconomics by studying the relationship among scarcity, opportunity, cost, and supply and demand, and individual consumer and firm behavior. Students learn about macroeconomics by studying the economy as a whole, and by examining unemployment, productivity, inflation, trade, and development (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

ECSU equivalent course ECO100: Political Economy of Social Issues (3 credits)

EEN005 

At an in-depth and accelerated pace, students develop their ability to recognize and write well-constructed English sentences and paragraphs and to speak effectively. Additionally, vocabulary study and reading literary classics encourage growth of reading fluency and comprehension. Recommended for highly motivated students whose middle school indicate a level of proficiency in critical reading and writing skills to be successful in grade 9 honors-level coursework (full year – 1 credit).

EEN485 

Students cover the EEN404 curriculum at a more advanced pace and depth. Prerequisite: 9th-grade teacher recommendation, and strong independent reading, writing, and analysis skills (full year – 1 credit) 10.

EEN785 

At a more advanced pace and depth, students become more sophisticated in paragraph and essay development in oral and written work and continue to enrich their vocabulary. Students read and respond to British Literature, continue to develop research skills, and write essays for the college application process. Prerequisite: 10th-grade teacher recommendation and strong independent reading, writing, and analysis skills (full year –
1 credit) 11.

ACP875

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 sketch-books for personal exploration and idea development. Studio fee, Prerequisite: ADR664 (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

UConn equivalent ART1030: Drawing 1 (3 Credits)

AFP875

Fine Arts students continue to refine their drawing skills, arrange compositional elements, and develop technical expertise using a variety of media. Students focus on observational drawing of the human figure and its relationship to its environment. Students maintain required sketchbooks. Studio fee, Prerequisite: B in ADR664 or ACP875 (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

APT875 

Fine Arts students learn a problem-solving approach to color theory, both practical and historical, and develop observational painting skills to describe form and structure. Students explore current and past artists while developing a variety of design and painting techniques. Studio fee – students purchase all personal painting supplies, Prerequisite: ADR664 or ACP875 (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

APT975 

Fine Arts students continue to explore color as a means of expressing form and concepts with emphasis on the figure as subject matter. Students study the contributions of painters, past and present, and maintain required sketchbooks for resolving compositions. Studio fee, Prerequisite: B in APT874 (full year – 1 credit) 12.

LFR655 

Students who have successfully completed French 1 and have a teacher recommendation broaden and deepen listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in French at an accelerated pace to prepare to take more advanced language study and earn college credit. Students also deepen cultural understanding. Prerequisite: LFR304 and teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

LFR855 

Students develop fluency in oral communication by focusing upon intensive study of grammar and vocabulary, and by exploring and researching aspects of French culture, history and literature. Prerequisite: LFR655 (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

HGS425

Students study the major regional issues shaping today’s world, explore the foundation of U.S. democracy, examine the role of the United States in the world, develop advanced writing skills, and complete major research projects, including participation in Connecticut History Day (full year – 1 credit – meets Civics requirement) 10.

SIR385 

Before enrollment, students submit a written plan of study for independent research for Science Department Head approval and gain approval of a science faculty member to serve as a mentor. Students may enter the Connecticut Science Fair and comply with all regulations. Prerequisite: Science Department Head approval (full year – 1 credit) 9, 10, 11 & 12.

SIS005 

Through scientific experimentation, research and discussion, students explore a wide range of topics from the origins of the universe to present day conditions that support the diversity of life on Earth. Recom-mended for highly motivated students whose score on the HSPT indicates a level of proficiency in computing, reasoning, and reading skills to be successful in grade 9 honors-level coursework (full year – 1 credit).

LIT655 

Students recommended by their teacher to advance into honors broaden and deepen listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Italian at an accelerated pace to prepare to take more advanced language study and earn college credit.  Students also deepen cultural understanding. Prerequisite: LIT304 or teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

LLA655 

Students acquire the vocabulary and reading strate-gies to understand, analyze, interpret, and enjoy the language and literature of the late Roman Republic and early Empire. Prerequisite: LLA354 or equivalent (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

SMB675

In this honors level class students study organisms from the major marine phyla and marine ecosystems with emphasis on organisms from Long Island Sound and the New England coast. Students learn how organisms interact with their environment and study man’s environmental impact, including fisheries and aquaculture. Field trips to local marine environments are part of the class (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

HWH004 

Students learn the history of the modern world from the Renaissance through the twentieth century and those political, economic, geographic, and social concepts most applicable to life today. Students develop the inquiry skills to become engaged high school students and active community members. Recommended for highly motivated students proficient in critical reading and writing skills. Students will complete major research projects, including participation in Connecticut History Day (full year – 1 credit).

TOR365 

Students will audition for Honors during the regular audition time in May of the previous school year.  Students will be required to audition for festivals, partici-pate in additional performances, and submit playing assessments of increased difficulty. Prerequisite: 1 year of TOR361 (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

TAB365

Students will audition for Honors during the regular audition time in May of the previous school year.  Students will be required to audition for festivals, participate in additional performances, and submit playing assessments of increased difficulty. Prerequisite: 1 year of TAB361 (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

MGS555 

At an in-depth level and accelerated pace, students study lines, planes, angles, triangles, circles, and polygons and learn about coordinates, three-dimensional geometry, probability, statistics and data analysis. Prerequisite: Honors Algebra 1 and current mathematics teacher’s approval; (half year – 0.5 credits) 10, 11 & 12. 

MCA855 

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: B+ in MAL585 and current mathematics teacher’s approval (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

MGS605

Students will reinforce and build on their Algebra skills through their study of foundational Geometry topics at an in depth, accelerated pace. Topics include the study of points, and planes as they relate to 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional objects, including area and volume. Students also study topics related to probability, statistics, and data analysis. Prerequisite: MAL004 and teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 9, 10, 11 & 12.

ESP985 

Students learn the fundamentals of speech communication. They listen to, deliver, discuss, write about and respond to informative, persuasive, interview and impromptu speeches. Speeches are videotaped and critiqued. Literature, grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and critical thinking are central to the course (full year – 1 credit) 12.

ECSU equivalent course COM230: Basic Speech (3 credits)

LSP375 

Students, highly successful in Spanish in eighth grade or previously, take this more intensive, accelerated, advanced course to broaden and deepen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and their cultural understanding. Coursework focuses upon building proficiency in the spoken language, and students in this level prepare to take Advanced Placement in their senior year.  Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 9, 10, 11 & 12.

LSP655 

Students in this accelerated course continue to deepen and broaden their listening, speaking, read-ing, and writing skills in Spanish and further develop their cultural understanding. Coursework focuses upon building proficiency in the spoken language, and students in this level prepare to take Advanced Placement in their senior year. Prerequisite: LSP375 or special teacher recommendation (full year – 1 credit) 10, 11 & 12.

LSC855 

Students prepare for AP Spanish Language by furthering their oral fluency and synthesizing their acquired skills and experiences in role play and interaction in Spanish. Students study grammar as appropriate. Prerequisite: LSP654, LSP655, LSL855 or equivalent; not intended for native speakers (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.

LSL855 

Students deepen comprehension and interpretive skills by studying poetry, music, essays, and short stories reflecting the culture and history of Spanish-speaking countries. Students develop writing style, refine gram-mar and extend vocabulary. Prerequisite: LSP461, LSP654, LSP655, LSC855 or teacher recommendation (full year –1 credit) 11 & 12.

TAB375 

Students will audition for Honors during the regular audition time in May of the previous school year.  Students will be required to audition for festivals, participate in additional performances, and submit playing assessments of increased difficulty. Prerequisite: 1 year of TAB371 (full year – 1 credit) 11 & 12.