Academic Level Courses
The topics that are taught in academic levels are aligned to the state standards and are covered in both Accelerated and Honors courses.
- Teachers will spend time working to develop science skills
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Modeling
- Less scientific vocabulary is used
- More time re-teaching introductory elementary or middle school concepts
- More time to review old topics when they are tied into new topics
Full year courses offered at this level:
Grade 7, Grade 8, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science
Accelerated Level Courses
Accelerated courses include more enrichment opportunities and move at a faster pace than academic courses
- Higher level lab activities
- More difficult science concepts introduced
- Less assistance with science skills
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Modeling
- Scientific vocabulary used
- Less time reviewing middle school concepts
- Less time re-teaching when making connections of concepts
Full year courses offered at this level:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Honors Level Courses
Honors courses include more rigorous topics moving at a more rigorous pace than accelerated in order to help prepare students for future honors and Advanced Placement courses.
These courses have a semester lab associated with them. 1 extra period of science either fall or spring semester (this does not apply to Grade 8 Science Honors)
- Some of the courses have a summer assignment that students are expected to complete
- Biology Honors
- Chemistry Honor
- AP Chemistry
- Physics Honors
- AP Physics
- AP Biology
- AP Environmental Science
- More complex use of science skills, especially
- More complicated data and scientific evidence
- More difficult critical thinking scenarios
- Introduction of science concepts need for AP courses or high school honors courses
- More independent learning skills expected
- Ability to self advocate
- Ability to make connections between concepts - minimal re-reaching when concept connections occur
Full year courses offered at this level:
Science 8, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology