Computer Science – Computer Applications
COMPUTER SCIENCE – COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Grade level 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0 credit
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to help students create letters, research papers, spreadsheets, and presentations. Processes for both Microsoft Word and OpenOffice will be presented.
Computer Applications Syllabus
Grade level 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0 credit
Prerequisite: None
Students do assignments and one final project relating to web design, including creating and designing their own web page. They learn the basics of HTML coding, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and do research on their own to learn about the Web, search engines, and troubleshooting.
Computer Science – Web Design Syllabus
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisites: None
This course offers a broad view of the development of western art from early Greece to the present. Lessons link the development of art forms to their political, cultural, and religious settings. Students visit the world’s heritage sites, museums, and galleries on- line to view examples of painting, architecture, and sculpture. Students learn characteristics of major art periods, acquire a basic art vocabulary, and develop skills in analyzing and observing art.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: Approved proposal of art work being completed
Creative Arts 1 allows students to independently pursue their interest in art and earn credit. You will write a proposal of the artwork you will complete and you will need the approval of the instructor to be enrolled in the course. Whether you are a painter, sculptor, photographer, or potter, you will log your hours spent working in your chosen art form and upload images of your works in progress.
You will also conduct research about a famous artist and the history of your chosen art form. Students will complete 50 hours to earn 0.5 credit and 100 hours to earn 1.0 credit.
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: English 10
This course focuses strongly on composition using various styles and techniques (including different genres and perspectives), manipulation and use of the written language, how to create or enhance the student’s own voice, and how to enhance writing through analyzing and editing. Students are expected to engage the teacher in discussion regarding work. They edit their work for errors in sentence structure, usage, mechanics, and spelling.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to help you develop your skills as an artistic digital photographer. Although the lessons describe the functions of a digital camera, if you do not own a digital camera, you can use your smartphone to complete the assignments. Each assignment will ask you to shoot a series digital photos that demonstrate the concepts of the lesson.
Intro to Digital Photography Syllabus
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Music Appreciation students learn about the basic elements of sound as well as a brief history of Western music from the Baroque period to the modern era. For a final essay, students choose a specific style of music to write about.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: Approved proposal of performing art being completed
Performing Arts 1 allows students to independently pursue their interest in performing arts and earn credit. You will write a proposal of the performing art you will complete and you will need the approval of the instructor to be enrolled in the course. Whether you are a singer, acrobat, dancer or actor, you will log your hours spent in working in your chosen performing art and upload images, videos or audio files of your performing art.
You will also conduct research about a famous artist and the history of your chosen performing art. Students will complete 50 hours to earn 0.5 credit and 100 hours to earn 1.0 credit.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Spanish 1 is an Introduction to the Spanish language and includes lessons on pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Students learn the basic structure of Spanish, with an emphasis on verb conjugation, gender agreement, and commonly used irregular verb forms. The class also discusses the diverse culture of Spanish speaking countries.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: Spanish 1
Spanish 2 is a continuation of Spanish 1 and is the equivalent of the second year of High School Spanish. Along with occasional review from Spanish 1, this course focuses on new grammar, greater comprehension, and more vocabulary. Students work on advanced verb conjugation, the use of prepositions, and Spanish writing. All lessons include dialogues (with sound), which emphasize the vocabulary and grammar of the lesson.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: Spanish 1, Spanish 2
Spanish 3 is an Honors level course that builds on the skills learned in Spanish 1 and 2. This course builds on verb conjugations using the subjunctive, present and past perfect, the future, and conditional tenses. Students will use these verb tenses in conjunction with advanced grammatical structures with the use of por vs para, si clauses, affirmatives, and negatives, pero vs. sino to describe a trip through eight Spanish-speaking countries and explore the past, present, and future of those countries. Lessons include writing, listening, speaking/video, and reading components.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: None
This course is offered to our Diploma PLUS and Diploma PLUS Math Tutoring students. Academic Success is taught by the students’ Guidance Counselor and is designed to help students transition successfully to online school and mastery learning.
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Career Planning directs students in determining and preparing for a career path according to their interests. Students compile a resume and associated documentation, engage in research, and utilize communication skills in preparation for an interview. Students edit their work for errors in sentence structure, usage, mechanics, and spelling.
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: None
This course is offered to our Diploma PLUS and Diploma PLUS Math Tutoring students. Career Readiness introduces students to career interests and future employment opportunities to apply for or explore after graduation. Students will take several career interest surveys and conduct virtual job shadowing as they research career options.
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: None
This course is offered to our Diploma PLUS and Diploma PLUS Math Tutoring students. Career Readiness 2 focuses on resume and cover letter writing, as well as preparing for a job interview.
Grade Level: Adult Diploma Program
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Career Skills is a course where you submit a proposal to receive elective credit for your career experiences and skills. Once your proposal is approved, you will write an essay detailing your experiences, what you have learned and how you have benefited from the experience.
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: None
This course is offered to our Diploma PLUS and Diploma PLUS Math Tutoring students. In College Readiness 1, students are guided through beginning the process of planning for college admissions. Students reflect on their personality and goals and apply these insights to researching potential colleges. Students begin to grapple with college admissions requirements and strategies to meet them. Since College Readiness 1 tackles the very beginning stages of college planning, it is helpful for Sophomore and Junior students.
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: None
This course is offered to our Diploma PLUS and Diploma PLUS Math Tutoring students. In College Readiness 2, is a continuation of College Readiness 1. Students focus on preparing for the SAT and or ACT testing, completing the college application, completing the FAFSA and searching for funding sources such as student loans and scholarships.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Students will volunteer for a community organization in their neighborhood or in their home. These activities must not be compensated for monetarily or be part of regular family chores. The purpose of this course is to teach students how to give back to the community.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Recommendation through English Language Assessment
English Language Lab is a course designed for students whose first language is not English. This course builds on strategies and key academic vocabulary needed to successfully complete Whitmore School courses. The lessons teach basic grammar, vocabulary building for all content areas, reading, listening, and speaking skills. This class will help English learners develop note-taking, research, and essay writing skills.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Independent study allows students to choose a topic of interest to them and to research it. With an emphasis on composition, students learn how to choose and narrow their topics appropriately, and they learn how to research them using various online and print sources. The course culminates with the students writing a well-organized research essay on the topic. Students must learn and demonstrate proper techniques for citing their sources in their essays as well as demonstrating the use of proper grammar, mechanics, and spelling. Students also learn to proofread and edit their essays for the aforementioned elements.
Grade Level: Adult Diploma Program
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Life Skills is a course where students submit a proposal to receive an elective credit for their life experiences and skills. Once your proposal is approved, you will write an essay detailing your experiences, what you have learned and how you have benefited from the experience. Here are just a few of the life skills that have been approved: learning to play guitar, becoming a ranch hand, becoming a professional house painter, learning photography while traveling, and learning to weld.
Grade level 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
The mentorship course encourages students to partner with a mentor from any of a wide range of professions in order to learn about that profession during a six-week period. The students will shadow their mentors for two to four hours a day, at least three days a week, for the six-week period. At the end of each week during the mentorship, the student will file updates on the process, usually explaining what s/he has done and what s/he has learned from each week’s work. In the sixth week, students write an essay on the experience. They must demonstrate proper writing techniques in grammar, mechanics, and spelling, as well as demonstrating organization and clarity of purpose.
Grade level 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
This course focuses on grammar and sentence structure. Students analyze sentences to identify their underlying structure. Once analysis is mastered, students will learn to properly punctuate sentences. Students also write essays and learn some basic skills for essay writing.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Grade level 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: By invitation only
This honors-level course focuses on editing and publishing the Whitmore NAU Newsletter, a publication designed to showcase student works such as short stories, poetry, photography, artwork, and performing arts. The student editor must be invited by the Advisor. Students wishing to submit work for publication are encouraged to do so through the link found on their Student Desk.
Guidelines for Submitting Work
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: None
Speech is a half credit course designed to teach students how to effectively listen to and finally give their own speech. Students will listen to and critique the speech-giving skills of three speakers, one of which must be physically attended and viewed by the student. They will also learn how to lead a group discussion and maintain order and focus among the group. Nonverbal communication is also covered in the course, so that students may learn that not all communication needs to be spoken, and that some things can be conveyed in a gesture. The final project is a 3-5 minute speech prepared and presented by the student in audio or video format.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Students in this course will study the physiology of stress and the relaxation responses of the body. They will be provided with opportunities to gauge their own stressors and adaptation techniques and will have chances to learn tools for managing stress. In addition to learning the foundational work done on the study of stress and its effects, students will be able to identify stress in others and to develop programs of stress reduction.
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Test Prep is a course designed to teach students how to prepare for a variety of tests. Not only does this course cover strategies for the SAT and ACT, but it also helps students manage test anxiety. Students will learn time management leading up to the test, how to manage the day of the test, and what to do after the test has been completed. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned with a comprehensive test at the end of the course.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Must be a full-time Whitmore School student
Test Prep SAT by Everydae is an intensive SAT prep course offered through our affiliate, Everydae. With daily mini-challenges, that can be completed on a phone, tablet or computer in a little as 10 minutes a day, students boost their SAT score. On average, students have increased their total SAT score by 200 points! Additionally, students learn test-taking strategies and learn how to manage test anxiety. Students will learn time management leading up to the test, how to manage the day of the test, and what to do after the test has been completed. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned with a comprehensive test at the end of the course.
Note: Through our affiliation with Everydae, students receive a substantial discount over the public price. You pay a one-time fee of $299 for up to 4 years. (public price $468 per year) Your counselor will send your username and password to access this course after payment has been received.
Test Prep SAT by Everydae Syllabus
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: none
“Think About It” is a course designed to engage students in the research and writing process in order to develop a more complete understanding of a particular topic. Students choose their topic and demonstrate that they can successfully narrow their focus of it. They are encouraged to fully develop their ideas in an organized essay once they have done their research, and they demonstrate that they can add their own voices to ongoing conversations using proper citation methods. Additionally, students must demonstrate the ability to use proper grammar, mechanics, and spelling to convey their ideas, and they practice editing their work for these elements.
WORK ETHICS with WORK EXPERIENCE
Grade level 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0 credit
Prerequisite: Must be working or have worked within the last 12 months
Students will learn about accountability and responsibility in the workplace. Some covered topics included are proper dress, attitude, honesty, and respect. They will also learn about work safety practices, conflict management, working in teams, and effective communication skills. Students will submit a log of work experience hours for this course. Students are required to journal about how the topics covered in the lessons relate to their experiences on the job.
Work Ethics with Work Experience Syllabus
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: By invitation or transfer membership
Membership in the Whitmore Schoo National Honor Society is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the NHS Faculty Council and is based on the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Students who have a minimum GPA of 3.80 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted GPA) may be considered membership. Invitations are sent to eligible students in December each year. New members are welcomed during a ZOOM Induction Ceremony held in January.
Each year, NHS members meet monthly from January – June through ZOOM in order to collaborate with other WS-NHS members from around the world. During the first meeting, students discuss and plan the WS-NHS community service project for the year. Each student will volunteer in their local community to complete the project. Students develop strong leadership skills while making a difference in their own community.
WS_NHS Community Service 1 Syllabus
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: By invitation or transfer membership
Returning WS-NHS members, in good standing, participate in another community service project and serve as leaders and mentors for the new WS-NHS members. Returning members are invited to participate in the ZOOM Induction Ceremony held in January.
Each year, NHS members meet monthly from January – June through ZOOM in order to collaborate with other WS-NHS members from around the world. During the first meeting, students discuss and plan the WS-NHS community service project for the year. Each student will volunteer in their local community to complete the project. Students develop strong leadership skills while making a difference in their own community.
Grade Level: 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: By invitation or transfer membership
Returning WS-NHS members participate in another community service project and serve as leaders and mentors for the new WS-NHS members. Returning members are invited to participate in the ZOOM Induction Ceremony held in January.
Each year, NHS members meet monthly from January – June through ZOOM in order to collaborate with other WS-NHS members from around the world. During the first meeting, students discuss and plan the WS-NHS community service project for the year. Each student will volunteer in their local community to complete the project. Students develop strong leadership skills while making a difference in their own community.
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Do you need to make up credits to get back on track for graduating? This guide is for you. Learn about several options to make up lost credits.
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