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The APS Upper School Prepares college-bound students for the demands of college studies and to be life-long learners and leaders. The Aiken Prep Upper School
(grades nine through twelve) is one of three divisions of the school.
The Lower School enrolls children in grades four year old Kindergarten to
fifth grade, and the Middle School enrolls children from sixth to eighth grade. The three divisions fulfill
the same mission and there is a clear sequencing of fundamental skills (reading,
writing, computing and study skills) as well as a progression of course content.
This academic structure ensures that each student moves smoothly through
the grades. Graduation Requirements In order to graduate, students must complete 24 credits. While this more than required by the typical school, the requirements allow a student to meet the standards of the highly selective colleges and the LIFE scholarship program
School year The year is divided into two 18 week semesters with grades given every 9 weeks. Full year courses meet a minimum of 200 minutes per week for the entire year and earn one unit of credit, while major electives meet 200 minutes a week for half the year and earn one-half unit of credit. Minor elective courses meet three times a week or even twice a week for a semester and are given credits accordingly. APS accepts credits from other middle schools and high schools, but converts those credits into APS units. UPPER
SCHOOL CURRICULUM ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT English
9 (Required):
Students will read and discuss novels, poetry, short stories, plays and
mythology selected from authors around the world.
Several works are selected to parallel the study of modern world history.
Student writing focuses on descriptive writing starting with sentences,
phrases and paragraphs and concluding with the three-part essay.
Students continue the study of grammar through writing exercises and the
structure of the works they read. English
10 (Required):
Students will read and discuss novels, poetry, short stories, plays,
essays and social/political commentaries by American authors.
The readings are selected to parallel the study of United States history.
Student writing includes literary criticism as well as expository,
persuasive and creative writing. Electives
(Juniors and seniors are required to enroll in English electives in Semester I
and II): Mythology
(Semester I)
Creative Writing (Semester II) Shakespeare
(Semester I)
British Writers (Semester II) COMMUNICATION
DEPARTMENT Electives
(both of these electives are required): Public
Speaking (Semester I) - Students learn the elements
of speaking in public and make speeches of their own. Computer
Applications I (Semester I, Two Days Per Week): A basic course in keyboarding and using the applications in
Microsoft Office for students who have not fulfilled the Computer Applications
requirement. HISTORY
DEPARTMENT Modern
World History (Required):
A study of the major events in world history from the mid-1600's to the
present with particular focus on the rise and fall of colonial empires, the
three-isms of capitalism, communism and fascism and the Cold War. United
States History (Required):
A survey course in U.S. History. Students
write a research report each semester. Comparative
Government (Required) Semester I:
An in-depth look at the United States form of government compared with
other forms of government in practice around the world. Economics
(Required) Semester II: The study
of economic systems (macroeconomics) and the study of personal finances. Electives The
Rise of Nazi Germany (Semester I) - A study of the
original of National Socialism and the coming to power of Adolf Hitler. The
Civil War (Semester II) - An in-depth study of the
causes, conduct and aftermath of the Civil War. FOREIGN
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT Spanish
I, II, III: An
introductory course in Spanish in which students learn the structure of the
language and vocabulary as well as reading passages and dialogue in the
language. French
I, II, III: An
introductory course in French in which students learn the structure of the
language and vocabulary as well as reading passages and dialogue in the
language. Latin:
Courses offered as required by student interest. SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT Biology
I: The
fundamentals of biology from cells through ecosystems and ecology.
This is a laboratory course. Chemistry:
The principles of chemistry with laboratory work.
Applications in biochemistry are introduced. Physics
(Project Physics):
The study of physical forces and the physical universe.
This is a laboratory course. Electives: Ecology
I & II (Semester
I & II. Can be taken as a
semester course, but most effective as a yearlong course) - A study of organisms
and their environment through observation and field study.
Students design and implement a research project and develop study sites
requiring accurate recording and interpretation of data as well as a clear
display/presentation of conclusions. Students
create a virtual symposium on the APS web site that can be accessed by students
at other schools and scientists from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and
Ruth Patrick Science Center, USC Aiken. Also includes selected readings and
discussions and interviews with professional scientists. AP
Biology: An
advanced placement course in Biology covering the syllabus set by the College
Entrance Examination Board. This is
a college level course and students can expect to work at that level.
There are numerous labs, field experiences and visits with professional
researchers. MATHEMATICS
DEPARTMENT Algebra
I: A
comprehensive course in first year Algebra. Geometry:
A comprehensive course in geometry.
Algebra
II: A
comprehensive course in second year algebra. Pre-Calculus:
The study of advanced algebra, trigonometry and vectors.
This course is designed to prepare students to study the Calculus in the
next year. Electives: Probability
and Statistics (1st semester) AP
Calculus AB: (1st and 2nd semester) - An Advanced
Placement course in Calculus covering the
syllabus set by the College Entrance Examination Board.
This is a college-level course and students are expected to work at that
level. FINE
ARTS DEPARTMENT Studio
Art I (Semester 1 and 2):
Students complete project in various media drawing, painting, sculpture
or pottery. Graphic
Arts I (Semester 1):
An introduction to design, paste-up, fonts, and layout.
Students will design and publish a periodical. Graphic
Arts II (Semester 2):
Advanced techniques of graphic design including animation and airbrush
techniques are taught. Students
will design and publish material for a client. Theater Arts (Semester 1 and 2): The study of the arts of theater, acting, set design, stagecraft and technical aspects of sound and lighting. Students will perform. Performing
Groups: Choral
Group - A singing group that will perform at
various functions. Instrumental
Group - Instrumental groups will be formed based on
interest and instruments. Theater
Productions - Productions will be offered after
school. Participation is optional with a variety of skills such as make-up, set
design, sound and light needed in addition to on stage personnel. Productions
are wonderful opportunities for participants but do require significant after
school time. Parents are encouraged to understand the scope of involvement and
potential effect on study time when considering student involvement. PHYSICAL
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Health
and Physical Education: (Required of all new ninth
grade students) Semester 1 and 2. Junior
Research Project During
the Interim Period (three weeks in January), juniors learn how to design a
significant research project. Working
with teachers, students identify an area or field or topic of interest, collect
background on the field, and design a research project that they will complete
in the fall. Students may use this
topic for their Senior Project or have the option of changing the topic as they
approach the end of the year. Senior
Independent Research Project (1/2 credit - Honors, Pass, Fail): All
seniors complete an independent research project that takes the place of an
elective course during the first semester of the senior year. In
the spring of junior year, each student selects a teacher to be a project
advisor and starts to identify the project or area to be researched.
Research is completed prior to the end of the Fall Semester. The
Interim Period (three weeks in January) is used to develop the presentation
stage of the project. The student
makes a presentation of findings to faculty, students and experts in the field
of study. The
Senior Project is the culmination of a student's education at Aiken Prep. Grading scale: We grade on an A-F grading scale. Grades are based on all work completed for a class including homework, quizzes, tests, writing assignments and presentations. Teachers determine the weight of each block of work depending on the subject and level of the class. A: superior work B: good work C: acceptable work D: passing, but not acceptable work E: failing work F: denotes flagrant neglect in a
course, meaning that assignments or test grades are missing and may not be made
up Athletics: APS competes in the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) league and plays against private schools in the CSRA. Teams and individual players qualify for SCISA championships and awards. Soccer (men’s and women’s) Volleyball Basketball (men’s and women’s) Baseball (will be offered if there is interest) Softball (will be offered if there is interest) Golf Tennis Cross Country Other sports will be
offered based on student interest and scheduling opportunities.
This could include sports such as rowing, court tennis, lacrosse, ping
pong, riding. Clubs and activities: APS offers certain clubs each year and others as student interest develops. Student Government Drama Club Yearbook Foreign Language clubs National Honor Society Performing groups: Students are given the
opportunity to perform in a variety of ways.
The daily schedule will be designed to allow as many students to
participate as possible. Drama productions Instrumental Groups Singing groups College Counseling and Placement: The College Counselor is responsible for the college search and application process. The counselor works closely with students and parents throughout the process. The school takes very seriously our responsibility of assisting students with college and eventual career choices. The college counseling process starts in the ninth grade with discussions about course selections and general information about the college search process. Students interested in the highly selective colleges are urged to take CEEB achievement tests when they complete certain courses. In the tenth grade students prepare for and take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude test). While this test is taken again in the eleventh grade, a trial run is recommended. Students start to research colleges and universities and are encouraged to schedule visits. The junior year focuses on taking the PSAT and SAT tests and developing the list of colleges to which a student will apply. In the senior year, students
complete applications and make final choices. Advisors: Students choose a teacher who serves as academic and personal advisor for all four years. The advisor/advisee relationship is intended to be a close one and the advisor is the primary contact between parents and teachers. |
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