Academic Overview

Fenwick’s English Department guides and encourages students in the study and practice of all aspects of the English language, helping students master skills in order to read critically and appreciatively, to communicate clearly both in writing and speaking, and to use the research tools available, both traditional and technological. Fenwick’s English curriculum has been designed to provide students with greater opportunities for higher academic achievement. The four-year writing program fortifies these efforts by providing a strong foundation in mastering the mechanics of clear writing across disciplines. Fenwick students grow as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and contributing members of society, knowing that the preservation of our democracy depends on an informed, thoughtful citizenry.

We discuss topics such as:

·  Why read fiction? And what is the relationship between fiction and truth?

·  How are the struggles of humankind in early literature relevant to readers today?

·  How does literature reflect a given culture or time period?

·  How can language be used to empower the writer?

The Fine Art Department believes that beauty is related to happiness, love and understanding –it is what the human person was made for. The vision of the Fenwick Fine Arts Department is that every student will learn how to appreciate, sustain and create beauty by the time they graduate. The Fine Arts Department leads in promoting the arts by fostering critical and creative thinking, artistic expression, effective communication, cultural awareness, and community engagement. Our students discuss topics such as:

· If practice makes perfect, what makes perfect practice?

· How does art represent personal expression, exploration, and/or insight?

· How are visual and performing art skills used to help us adapt to an ever-changing technological world?

· What can artworks tell us about a culture or society?

The Science Department vision is to instill the belief in students that they can achieve anything, to treat students as individuals and try to meet their intellectual and emotional needs and to strive to mold students into independent thinkers that try to find solutions for themselves. Through lab work, classroom demonstrations, hands-on projects and class work, each student relates the principles of science to the world at large. Lab work and projects help students develop their teamwork skills and personal integrity while enhancing their understanding of the importance that collaborative work plays in science careers such as engineering, medicine, or research. We discuss essential questions such as:

· How do scientists recognize and use patterns to make hypotheses, perform experiments and draw conclusions?

· How do scientists measure and document changes over time in the natural world?

· How do scientists analyze and interpret evidence to solve problems?

The vision of the Social Studies Department is to build a base of knowledge regarding world issues for young men and women. We strive to teach students how the past plays into our future and how issues of the past connect to issues of today. We build a base of knowledge to critically look at situations and issues of our world and make educated decisions on how to solve them. We address questions such as:

· How can we know what really happened in the past?

· Are the benefits of progress worth the costs?

· Can we have both liberty and security?

We believe that language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. Educating students to be linguistically and culturally prepared to function as world citizens is a hallmark of our program. We discuss topics such as:

· What is effective communication?

· How does language connect us to different cultures, communities, and each other?

· How does learning a language influence how you think?

We meet the needs of our language learners by ensuring a dynamic and responsive classroom that follows the World-Readiness Standards.

The Technology curriculum ensures that students have an understanding of technology's role in society, and the skills necessary for active and responsible participation. All students are required to take a Computer Applications course so that they are proficient in using an integrated office suite, which they will use in other curriculum areas. They may elect to take advanced computer courses, which focus on advanced concepts and problem-solving skills.

Students may apply for an online course through The VHS Collaborative. Although these courses include all curriculum disciplines, students who take computer and software courses are monitored by the computer department.

703/704 Financial Literacy & Business Applications

.This two-part course will introduce the topics of financial literacy and selected topics in Excel. The financial literacy segment will focus on personal finance skills that are relevant for teens and young adults. By using the materials provided by the High School Financial Planning program, the student will build a foundation for financial independence and solid financial decision making. The student will also learn to process, manipulate, and represent numeric data using the features of a spreadsheet in Excel.

711 Virtual High School (VHS)

Full Year

Virtual High School is a collaborative of high schools from around the world which contribute on line courses to students from member schools. As a member, Bishop Fenwick students may apply to take an online course provided certain requirements are met: the course meets the standards of Bishop Fenwick, the course is not offered at Bishop Fenwick, the student meets the pre-requisites for the course. Course lists and descriptions may be obtained from the guidance office or on line at www.thevhscollaborative.org. Some of the more popular courses include AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, Bioethics, Eastern & Western Thought, Investing in the Stock Market, Pre-veterinary Medicine, Entrepreneurship and Irish Literature. Although these courses are taken during the school day they are treated as “independent study” courses and therefore students must be approved before enrolling. Application forms are located in the guidance office and must be filled out in addition to the standard course selection form.

Pre-requisite: Meet pre-requisite of courses as specified by VHS and approved Application form.

713/714 Virtual High School (VHS

First/Second Semester

Sample VHS Courses

See VHS course catalog for more options.

Computer Animation with Scratch Grades 11,12

One Semester One-half Credit

In this course, students will begin by programming simple shapes to move and interact with each other. Then, they will learn how to add sound effects and music to their project. Soon, each student will have a full portfolio of their own art, stories, and games. The class will even have an “interactive dance party!” Students who enjoy working on the computer, creating characters, writing stories, or playing games will all find a fun opportunity with Scratch. Students will spend time every week working on ideas in an online design journal, and they will provide creative and technical feedback to each other through discussions and group activities.

Computer Science - Honors Grades 11,12

One Semester One-half Credit

This course is an introduction to computer science, covering the basic concepts and elements of the Java programming language and introducing object-oriented programming. Students will gain experience writing programs that are well documented according to industry standards and will have the opportunity to create Java Applets and learn about Graphical User Interface programming with swing. Additionally, the students will be encouraged to work both independently and collaboratively to solve practical problems that illustrate application-building techniques.

Programming in Visual Basic Grades 11,12

One Semester One-half Credit

This course is an exploratory programming course that uses one of the easiest programming languages in the world today, Visual Basic. It’s a graphically-oriented language that allows for the easy construction of useful programs. Students will gradually build a vocabulary and syntax to create programs that meet specific guidelines. The logic and creativity used in solving the course problems will enlarge a student’s capacity for problem-solving in all other disciplines.

Web Design Grades 11 12

One Semester One-half Credit

Through collaborative and individual activities, students will gain historical background, explore the current status of web design, and take a peek into what the future holds. They will examine the relationships between goals, audience, content, and function of websites. Students will learn how to effectively plan both basic and advanced design elements, including typography, graphics, audio, video, and animation, in order to develop a website that appeals to both client and audience alike. They will learn to work with a client, solicit feedback from your audience, and respond to suggestions from many spheres.

633 Intro to Contemporary U.S. Security Studies

.This introductory course studies the historical forces that changed national security strategy, policy, and organizational response since September 11, 2001. Terrorism, inter-state conflict, nuclear deterrence, environmental security, and organized crime along with other issues that dominate the modern security will be explored.

Pre-requisite: Guidance Counselor Recommendation.

707 Principles of Sport Management

Students will examine the core elements in sport management and will prepare students to think as sports managers and solve problems utilizing the knowledge obtained through the course. This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of sports as a business enterprise. Application of management concepts and theories to sport organization and the industry will be addressed. Topics studied include leadership, ethics, diversity, and the major managerial functions of planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling.

Pre-requisite: Guidance Counselor Recommendation.

634 Intro to Business and Entrepreneurship

.This course will expose students to business terminology, concepts, and current business practices. Particular attention is offered to establishing a business vocabulary, fostering critical and analytical thinking, and developing business decision-making skills. Topics include basic economics, global business considerations, business ethics, business formation, management, marketing, product development and distribution, accounting, financial management, and information technology.

Pre-requisite: Guidance Counselor Recommendation.

636 Criminology

In this comprehensive introduction to the study of criminology, students will focus on the vital core of criminological theory –- theory, method, and criminal behavior. Beginning with 18^th and 19^th century theories, the course focuses on the sociological, psychological, and political constructions of criminality and their effects on the criminal justice system. With attention to crime typologies students will investigate forms of criminal activity, such as organized crime, white collar crime, political crime, and environmental crime. The methods of operation, the effects on society and policy decisions, and the connection between theory and criminal behavior will be discussed.

Pre-requisite: Guidance Counselor Recommendation.

The Health and Wellness department creates in each student an awareness of the importance the body and mind play in their development. Each student learns that a healthy individual is not only physically fit, but also socially and emotionally well rounded. Through physical activity each student gains self-confidence and realizes the benefit fitness plays in their maturation. Team sports create awareness of total health and its relationship to leading a healthy life.

Through a comprehensive health unit, all freshman and sophomore students learn how to handle breathing and cardiac emergencies that require immediate medical response, and are made aware of the behaviors and decisions that could lead to risk of injury or illness.

901 HEALTH AND WELLNESS

This course will include understanding the importance of a healthy lifestyle and other major health issues including eating disorders, AIDS, smoking, bullying and substance abuse. All Freshmen students will receive a certificate of completion of CPR for Students at the end of the course. The health unit will be one of four quarters and will be academic in nature. Team concepts and individual skills will be covered in a variety of sports such as soccer, flag football, volleyball, basketball and softball.

903/904 HEALTH AND WELLNESS II

This course helps build trust, self-confidence and develops problem solving methods. These skills will be worked on through new games and life-time sports such as archery, tennis and golf. The health instruction will include a refresher in American Red Cross “Adult CPR”, the topics of substance abuse, nutrition, stress management and overexposure to the sun. The health unit will be one-half of the semester, (one quarter), and will be academic in nature.

901       Health & Wellness I

Grade 9 - One-half Credit

This course will include understanding the importance of a healthy lifestyle and other major health issues including eating disorders, AIDS, smoking, bullying and substance abuse.  All Freshmen students will receive a certificate of completion of CPR for Students at the end of the course.  The health unit will be one of four units and will be academic in nature.  Team concepts and individual skills will be covered in a variety of sports such as soccer, flag football, volleyball, basketball and softball.

904 Health & Wellness II

Grade 10 - One-half Credit

This course helps build trust, self-confidence and develops problem solving methods. These skills will be worked on through new games and life-time sports such as archery, tennis and golf.  The health instruction will include a refresher in American Red Cross “Adult CPR”, the topics of substance abuse, nutrition, stress management and overexposure to the sun.  The health unit will be one half of the course, and will be academic in nature.

910 S.T.E.A.M. 1
Grade 9 - One-half Credit
Science, Technology. Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics in Action! Fenwick has designed an engaging competency-based program to enable each freshman student to master key skills regardless of their prior academic experiences –and especially during the pandemic. Our students will forge collaborative groups as they tackle relevant and engaging trans-disciplinary projects. This class will build a solid foundation of pivotal skills needed to thrive in high school and beyond: from problem solving, reading skills, written and oral presentation competencies and the value of the scientific method in even writing persuasive essays and solid labs reports! A MUST class to meet each student where s/he is and have them thrive at Fenwick!   

911       S.T.E.A.M. II     

Grade 10 - One-half Credit

Sophomores in this S.T.E.A.M. II course will learn about coding, robotics and continue developing the written and oral presentation skills. Each Trimester will focus on the following topics:

Coding and Introduction to Computer Science

Coding is applicable to almost any field of study or work. This course will cover the basics of computer programming. It is designed to appeal to a diverse audience of students with little or no programming experience. Topics studied will include programming language syntax, data types, program organization, algorithm design, and control structures, in addition to animation and game development. Among the many projects of the course, students will design their own games, animate their own stories, and design their own web-based quizzes.

Robotics and Engineering/Information Processing

This trimester course will give students a broad-based, hands-on exposure to the world of robotics and microprocessors. This introductory course will teach sophomores basic requisite skills in mechanical/electrical design that will allow students to create electrical and computerized products.

Financial Literacy

This trimester course will introduce the topics of financial literacy and selected topics in Excel. The financial literacy segment will focus on personal finance skills that are relevant for teens and young adults. By using the materials provided by the High School Financial Planning program, the student will build a foundation for financial independence and solid financial decision making. The student will also learn to process, manipulate, and represent numeric data using the features of a spreadsheet in Excel.

225 College Planning

Grade 11 - One-half Credit

This class, taught by the College Counseling department, focuses on all aspects of the post-secondary search and application process. Students learn how to use their personal criteria for a good fit (academics, social/personal, financial) to search for potential matches, what to look for when visiting a campus, how to communicate effectively with college/program admission offices, how to be strategic about standardized testing, and how to put together the most effective applications possible during the senior year. In addition to a deeper understanding of their own academic profile, opportunities, and responsibilities, each student leaves for the summer with a list of potential colleges to explore and an outline of a prospective application essay.

912        Introduction to Entrepreneurship and
      Leadership 

Grades 10, 11, 12 - Full Year - One Credit

Through authentic, experiential learning methods students will develop competence, innovation, integrity and teamwork. Assessments will be mainly rigorous project-based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes. The course will cover units on marketing, business management, finance, and hospitality and tourism career clusters, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, professional writing, and 21st century employability skills. Students will implement ethical and effective leadership through goal setting, consensus building and project implementation. This class is a co-curricular offering with the DECA (https://www.deca.org/) club.  Students are encouraged to join and compete in DECA as well as participate in other various DECA activities throughout the year.

913 Film as Literature

Grades 10, 11, 12 - Full Year - Credits: 0.5

This elective course is designed to give Junior and Senior students a complete understanding of how films are a form of literature.  By viewing and dissecting both classic and more modern films, students will learn that, when films work, they have elements in common with successful works of literature.  Students will be expected to understand a variety of film techniques and elements, as well as the various genres.  Students will also use their knowledge of the various elements of cinema to analyze and critique films. Assessments will include class discussions, film reviews, oral presentations, and a final project. Students will earn 0.5 credits for this course.

914 Music and Poetry of the 20th and 21st Century

Grades 10, 11, 12 - Full Year - Credits: 0.5

This elective course will combine an analysis of both music and poetry; a variety of music will be studied such as rock, reggae, rap, jazz, blues, country, etc. The music and literature will be analyzed in relation to the time they were written, and their social context. Modern poets such as Maya Angelou and Seamus Heaney, Langston Hughes will also be studied, and students will analyze the connection between poetry and music.

This elective course is open to Junior and Senior students who love music and are open minded about the study of poetry. Students will earn 0.5 credits for this course.

236 Speech and Debate  
Grades 11, 12. – One-half Credit

This year-long minor course gives students an exciting and challenging opportunity to strengthen their public speaking skills. Students prepare and deliver speeches that inform, entertain and persuade. They study the rules and techniques of formal debate, learning how to plan and present persuasive arguments. Students will be invited to compete at different debate conferences and deliver speeches that inform, entertain and persuade. They study the rules and techniques of formal debate, learning how to plan and present persuasive arguments. Students will be invited to compete at different debate conferences.

711        VHS Learning

Grade 12 - Full Year - One Credit

Virtual High School is a collaborative of high schools from around the world, which contribute online courses to students from member schools.  As a member, Fenwick students may apply to take an online course provided certain requirements are met:  the course meets the standards of Fenwick, the course is not offered at Fenwick, and the student meets the pre-requisites for the course.  Course lists and descriptions may be obtained from the school and college counseling office or online at www.thevhscollaborative.org.  Some of the more popular courses include AP Environmental Science, and AP Calculus BC. 
Although these courses are taken during the school day, they are treated as “independent study” courses and therefore students must be approved before enrolling.  Application forms are located in the school and college counseling office and must be completed and submitted in addition to the standard course selection form.

Pre-requisite:  Meet pre-requisite of courses as specified by VHS and approved application form.