Theme

How do scientific, historical, and mythic origin stories shape how we see the world?

CORE

Biology – Life & Cells

• Characteristics of life; levels of organization from molecules to biosphere.

• Nature of science: scientific method, experimental design, variables, data analysis.

• Chemistry of life: atoms, molecules, water properties, macromolecules (carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), enzymes.

• Intro to ecosystems: basic biotic and abiotic factors.

• Cell theory: prokaryotic vs eukaryotic; plant vs animal cells.

• Cell structures: major organelles and their functions.

• Cell membrane and transport: diffusion, osmosis, active transport.

English

• Read myths, epics, and short nonfiction about origins and beginnings.

• Compare scientific and cultural explanations of how the world began.

• Practice basic literary analysis: theme, worldview, key details.

• Build expository writing skills: clear thesis, organized paragraphs, using evidence.

• Practice sentence structures: simple, compound, complex.

• Learn common Greek and Latin roots connected to science and history.

• Practice evaluating simple sources and identifying author, purpose, and audience.

• Build early speaking skills: short, clear presentations and storytelling.

World Civilizations – Origins & Foundations

• Human origins, Paleolithic life, Neolithic Revolution and farming.

• River valley civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus, early China.

• Classical foundations: early Greece, Persia, early India and China.

• Classical civilizations at their height: Greece, Hellenistic world, Rome, Maurya/Gupta India, Han China.

• Major belief systems and their impact: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism.

OPTIONAL INTEGRATED ELECTIVE

Intro to Humanities

• What the humanities are: art, literature, philosophy, religion, music, history, culture.

• Myths, epics, origin stories from many cultures.

• Classical ideas: Greek philosophy and drama; Roman art, architecture, law.

• Major world religious and philosophical traditions.

• Art and architecture as expressions of belief and power.

• Literature as a mirror of society, including marginalized voices.

• Music, theater, performance across time and cultures.

• Big ideas from Renaissance to modern: humanism, enlightenment, nationalism, rights movements.

• Culture, identity, representation in arts and media.

• Skills: close reading of texts and images; connecting past works to current issues.

Theme

How do energy systems keep bodies and the planet in balance?

CORE

Biology – Energy & Homeostasis

• Cell cycle and mitosis; optional intro to meiosis.

• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration (aerobic and anaerobic).

• Homeostasis and overview of major human body systems and their interactions.

English

• Read children’s/YA literature and essays about nature, environment, and health.

• Study mood, imagery, and personification of natural and body systems.

• Write clear informational pieces about how systems work and what happens when they are disrupted.

• Use transitions to show cause and effect in writing.

• Build academic vocabulary for biology, geography, and environment.

• Read informational texts with graphs and charts; summarize key ideas.

• Practice basic note‑taking and distinguishing fact from opinion.

• Practice short, informative talks supported by simple visuals.

Geography – Earth Systems & Environments

• Earth in space: latitude/longitude, seasons, time zones, basic map skills.

• Landforms: plate tectonics, mountains, plains, plateaus, volcanoes, earthquakes.

• Atmosphere and weather: weather vs climate, global wind belts, storms, climate zones.

• Hydrosphere: oceans, currents, rivers, watersheds, lakes, groundwater, water cycle.

• Biomes and ecosystems: major world biomes and climate–vegetation–wildlife links.

• Environmental issues: natural hazards, resource distribution, basic sustainability ideas.

OPTIONAL INTEGRATED ELECTIVE

Health & Nutrition

• Whole‑person wellness: physical, mental, social health.

• Mental health basics: stress, coping skills, depression, anxiety, help‑seeking.

• Healthy relationships and communication; consent and boundaries.

• Human growth and basic sexuality education at an age‑appropriate level.

• Substance use prevention: tobacco, vaping, alcohol, other drugs; decision‑making skills.

• Nutrition basics: macronutrients, micronutrients, food labels, body image, media influence.

• Physical activity and fitness for teens and long‑term health.

• Disease prevention and personal health habits.

• Safety, injury, and violence prevention, online and offline.

• Health literacy and simple advocacy for self, family, and community.

Theme

How do inner forces—genes and beliefs—drive people and societies to change?

CORE

Biology – Genetics & Heredity

• DNA structure and function; chromosomes and genes.

• Central dogma: DNA → RNA → protein (transcription and translation).

• Mutations and their effects on proteins and traits.

• Mendelian genetics: alleles, dominant/recessive, Punnett squares, genotype vs phenotype.

• Patterns of inheritance: simple, incomplete dominance, codominance, pedigrees.

• Genetic variation from meiosis and sexual reproduction.

English

• Read stories and speeches about identity, family, and social change.

• Analyze characterization, conflict, and how leaders argue for change.

• Practice argumentative and persuasive writing on “inheritance vs ideas.”

• Learn logical connectors and how to build clear arguments.

• Learn to recognize basic logical fallacies.

• Practice using semicolons in more advanced sentences.

• Learn to evaluate sources and use simple MLA citation.

• Practice structured discussions and debates using evidence.

US History – War, Cold War & Rights Movements

• World War II: causes, major events, Holocaust, home front.

• Early Cold War: containment, nuclear arms race, Korean War, McCarthyism.

• Later Cold War: Vietnam and other key events.

• Postwar prosperity, suburbanization, social change in the 1950s–1960s.

• Civil Rights Movement and related movements (Chicano, Native American, women’s, LGBTQ+).

• Late 20th–early 21st century: end of Cold War, globalization, 9/11, War on Terror, changing American identity.

OPTIONAL INTEGRATED ELECTIVE

Intro to Psychology

• History of psychology and major perspectives.

• Research methods: experiments, surveys, case studies, ethics.

• Brain and nervous system basics and their link to behavior.

• Sensation and perception; how we interpret the world.

• Learning and memory: conditioning, observational learning, encoding and retrieval.

• Lifespan development from childhood through adolescence.

• Personality theories and individual differences.

• Motivation and emotion: needs, goals, stress.

• Social psychology: groups, conformity, obedience, prejudice, helping.

• Psychological disorders, mental health, stigma, basic treatment ideas.

Theme

How do species and societies adapt in times of crisis and rapid change?

CORE

Biology – Evolution & Ecology

• Evidence for evolution: fossils, anatomy, molecular data.

• Natural selection, adaptation, speciation, population change over time.

• Classification: domains, kingdoms, major groups and common ancestry.

• Ecology: food chains/webs, energy pyramids, water/carbon/nitrogen cycles.

• Population dynamics: carrying capacity, limiting factors.

• Human impacts: pollution, habitat loss, climate-related issues, conservation, biodiversity.

English

• Read poetry, short fiction, and songs about war, oppression, displacement, and crisis.

• Analyze tone, imagery, symbolism, and how artists respond to crisis.

• Practice literary-analysis writing that connects texts to historical or scientific contexts.

• Learn figurative language terms and use them purposefully.

• Practice advanced punctuation (em dashes, colons) for emphasis.

• Analyze primary documents and propaganda for bias and techniques.

• Learn early guidelines for using AI wisely in research and writing.

• Practice multimodal presentations that combine text, history, and arts.

World Civilizations – War, Decolonization & Globalization

• World War I: causes, consequences, interwar crises, rise of totalitarian regimes.

• World War II: major events, Holocaust, effects on civilians and world order.

• Decolonization and independence movements in Asia, Africa, Middle East.

• Cold War: superpower rivalry, proxy wars, arms race, fall of the Soviet Union.

• Recent global themes: globalization, human rights, terrorism, environment, democracy and development struggles.

OPTIONAL INTEGRATED ELECTIVE

Music History & Appreciation

• Early human music: rhythm, chant, ritual, folk traditions.

• Ancient and medieval music; Renaissance and Baroque music.

• Classical and Romantic eras and nationalism in music.

• Early jazz and blues; 20th-century popular music.

• Global music traditions from multiple regions.

• Film scores and media music; how music shapes mood and story.

• Listening skills and building personal musical taste.