Curriculum

The Advisory program ensures that all students are well-known and supported academically, socially, and emotionally. The Habits of Mind & Heart curriculum is the foundation of our advisory experience, helping students to understand themselves and others, and to grow into healthy, well-balanced human beings. The program also includes developmentally appropriate, research-based discussions of community norms, social media and mental health, and study strategies.  Through this curriculum, students also foster an appreciation for the strengths of others in their advisory group and work throughout the year to build trusting relationships.

Students build character, purpose, and passion in an environment that prioritizes communication, connectivity, and innovative thinking. Students develop
an appreciation of the power and beauty of the English language by exploring both traditional and contemporary literature, and through sustained focus
on the writing process. Organized around essential questions and thematic literature selections, each English course combines collaborative experiences and
individualized instruction, the hallmark of which is writing as a process. Learner-centered design means that students examine ideas, read critically, make
presentations, design media products, and propose arguments using a variety of technological resources, balancing deep thinking and concrete skill acquisition
to prepare them for college, careers, and citizenship.

Students develop language and communications skills, creative problem-solving strategies, confidence, and perseverance through music, performing, and visual arts classes. In the visual arts, students develop essential studio techniques and skills, gain an understanding of how to approach art-making as a problem-based process, and create themes through visual imagery. They also develop the ability to articulate artistic concepts and use artistic vocabulary to critique work effectively. In the theater and the performing arts (including band and choir), students discover and develop their skills and talents, working onstage and behind
the scenes to imagine, create, and move others.

Mathematics
The goal of the math program is to provide a strong foundation in mathematics through challenging courses that are appropriate to the ages, abilities, and needs of our students. At all levels, students learn to work collaboratively as well as on their own. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics. In all courses, emphasis is placed on collaboration, problem-solving, computational thinking, and clearly communicating mathematical ideas and concepts.

Computer Science
The computer science program brings practical applications of computer science topics into classrooms to inspire innovative thinking and learning. The program is designed to provide all students at Whitfield with a foundation in technological and computing principles so that they are adequately prepared with both the knowledge and skills to live and meaningfully participate in our increasingly digital society, economy, and culture.

Physical Education
The Physical Education program provides activities to develop students’ awareness of terms, scoring, rules of play, skill techniques, safety principles and basic offensive and defensive strategies for the sports covered in the instructional program. Activities for students may include the following: field hockey, fleetball, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, net games, hockey, weight training, soccer, lacrosse, track, softball and fitness testing.

Health
The health curriculum gives students the knowledge and tools to make healthy decisions throughout their lives. The curriculum is based upon the three areas of
health: physical health, mental/emotional health, and social health. Physical health includes first aid, injury prevention, nutrition, sleep, physical activity, hygiene,
body systems, human growth and development, disease prevention, and avoiding the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Mental/emotional health includes character development, self-awareness, stress management, mental disorders, and spiritual health (a sense of meaning and purpose in life). Social health
includes communication, conflict resolution, peer pressure, and healthy relationships.

The seven-year science program is designed to produce well-rounded, confident individuals who are well-versed in scientific procedure and theory, have an appreciation for the natural world, and who can thrive in a demanding college environment and beyond. The Whitfield science department is dedicated to the development of critical thinking and collaboration skills by immersing students in scientific theory, process, and technique within a challenging laboratory environment. Students are also challenged to attain a sophisticated level of scientific literacy and technical writing ability.

Through the study of history, government, geography, psychology, sociology, and economics, students gain an understanding of the behavior and traditions
of societies and cultures of the past and the present. Students explore the experience of diverse historical actors and a range of historical narratives. Students learn
to integrate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate both primary and secondary sources and to develop an understanding of human experience across time and space. They master critical thinking, writing, and research skills, and learn to present their ideas through papers, projects, and oral presentations.

The primary emphasis of the world languages program is oral proficiency. Students work toward speaking in the target language and gain confidence to navigate
successfully through a culture different than their own. Pair/group speaking activities in the target language involve face-to-face communication, active listening
with a focused and conscious engagement with a partner, being respectful, and continually engaging in the learning process. Languages offered are French, Spanish, and Mandarin.

This required course for 9th grade students enhances the Physical Education and Health curriculum. Special emphasis is placed on the practical application of the
Habits of Mind & Heart to develop life-long wellness skills.

Neuroscience and Self: This rotation focuses on developing the abilities necessary for recognizing and regulating one’s emotions, thinking, and behavior. Skills explored include adolescent brain development and executive function, emotional agility, self-management, and problem-solving.

Technology and Society: This rotation focuses on the role today’s culture plays in building tomorrow’s tools and communities. Units emphasize social identities, dialogue, privacy, data structures, and implicit bias.

Physiological Awareness: This rotation focuses on topics and trends related to physical development and well-being. Units emphasize nutrition, CPR, sexual health, relationships, and addiction.