Curriculum

Junior Seminar focuses on three separate components - standardized test preparation, college planning, and health education. Students spend the first quarter preparing for the SAT and ACT. They review various test strategies for the exams and spend a significant amount of time reviewing key vocabulary words. During the second and third quarters, the course's focus shifts to health issues, including nutrition, stress management, and sex education. The second semester of the course focuses on the college search, learning about the college admission process, writing the college essay, learning how to complete a college application, and selecting work for a College Portfolio. Read more

The English program strives to improve students' skills in six areas: thinking, reading, writing, speaking, listening, and study and organizational skills. In addition to the study of literature, interdisciplinary work with other departments is emphasized throughout the curriculum. Writing is taught in conjunction with other departments through a multiple-draft process. Read more

The performing arts program is designed to develop language and communication abilities, problem-solving skills and creativity; to promote a positive self-concept, social awareness, empathy, a clarification of values and attitudes, and an understanding of the art of performance. Read more

The visual arts program is designed to support students in achieving the following objectives: the acquisition of essential studio techniques and skills to serve artistic intent; an understanding of how to approach art making as a problem-based process; an understanding of how to develop a theme through visual imagery; and the ability to articulate artistic concepts and use artistic vocabulary to critique work effectively. Read more

The health curriculum includes subjects such as drugs and alcohol, AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases, sexuality and many health-related concerns. Seventh and eighth grade classes are divided by gender. Each course is designed so that students feel comfortable asking questions and discussing current issues pertinent in their lives. All sixth, seventh and eighth grade students attend an outdoor education program. The goal of this course is to inform students so they can make the best possible decisions throughout their life. Read more

The language program offers French, Spanish and Latin. Emphasis is placed in the following areas: Read more

Life Skills and Health is a course designed to promote the healthy academic and social development of students as they prepare to make important life decisions. The components of the course include health education, academic achievement and integrity, social issues, and time management. Topics discussed in Life Skills and Health are strategically scheduled to coincide with important events taking place at school, such as social events, major projects and semester exams.

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The goal of the mathematical program is to assist students in gaining mathematical competence as well as confidence. To this end, the sequencing of the program remains flexible to meet the needs of students who progress at an accelerated rate and those needing additional reinforcement. Read more

Physical education classes at Whitfield School are designed to provide appropriate instruction which maximize an individual's potential for developing and maintaining a healthy body, mind and character. This is achieved through student participation in an instructional program that reflects the needs of the students. The health curriculum is a sub component of the Physical Education and Seminar class time. Read more

The science program is activity and laboratory-based to enable students to learn from experiencing the effects of their manipulations on our world. Students learn to identify and solve problems, recognize and use scientific methods, be observant and make models to replicate an analogy, idea, or structure. They develop and improve skills essential in science, pursue research, record work appropriately and relate science to the world in which they live. Students learn to work efficiently on their own and in teams with peers. Read more

Senior Seminar contains four components, three of which must be completed prior to graduation: College Preparation, Senior Quest, Senior Exhibition and Senior Independent Study. Students are required to successfully complete College Preparation, Senior Quest and Senior Exhibition. Read more

The sixth grade curriculum is designed to provide each student with the opportunity to explore the developing "self." Students have a comprehensive program that includes core subjects in the humanities and the sciences, as well as physical education, fine arts, and foreign language. Read more

Through the study of history, government and geography, students begin to understand societies and cultures of the past and the present. The teaching of critical-thinking skills is emphasized and a premium is placed on helping students learn how to integrate, analyze, synthesize and evaluate both primary and secondary sources and to develop empathy for people in different times and places. In all social studies classes, teachers coach students to express their ideas fluently in research papers, projects and during oral presentations. Read more

A Portfolio is a collection of a student's work garnered throughout the year, often representing both final drafts of assignments and the process through which students created them.

 

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