Curriculum
The Upper School’s four-year course of study seeks to recognize and develop individual strengths as well as to build competence in areas of greater challenge. Pace and schedule vary with the individual. The program is designed to introduce each student to a wide spectrum of scholastic endeavor while encouraging in-depth studies in fields of major interest.
Graduation Requirements
A diploma from Rowland Hall indicates successful completion of four years of planned high school experience. This includes completion of the minimum core requirements established by the individual departments. In addition, students may choose elective courses of special interest. Each student, in consultation with the assistant principal and college counselor, is encouraged to plan as broad and rigorous a program as possible.
The following are minimum requirements for a Rowland Hall diploma:
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English |
Four credits |
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Social Science |
Three credits |
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Mathematics |
Three credits |
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Science |
Three credits |
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World Language |
Two credits (same language) |
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Health |
One credit (composed of three trimester classes) |
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Physical Education/Athletics |
Two credits |
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Fine Art |
One and 1/3 credits |
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World Religion |
1/3 credit (one trimester) |
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Ethics |
1/3 credit (one trimester) |
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Activity Elective |
1/3 credit (one trimester) |
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MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS: |
24* |
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* The average four-year high school student graduates with 27.5 credits.
ROWMARK STUDENTS in grades nine through twelve earn a full-year credit for their participation on the ski team. During the winter trimester these students take four academic core classes each morning, which enables them to train on the slopes in the afternoons. During the fall trimester Rowmark students participate in afternoon dryland training, and during the spring trimester they may carry a heavier academic load.
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Homework
Homework is an extension of learning experiences that take place in the classroom. Homework should establish independent work habits, provide practice in skills already learned, promote intellectual curiosity, and prepare the student for full classroom participation. Students in the Upper School will average two to two and a half hours of homework per week per class. Students in Advanced Placement classes average four to five hours of homework per week for those classes. No homework will be given over Fall Break, Thanksgiving weekend, Winter Break, Spring Break, or Interim.
Academic Support
The academic support counselor assists students with learning differences, working closely with parents, teachers, and academic advisors to make the Rowland Hall curriculum accessible to all students. The counselor will recommend outside tutors whenever necessary. Additionally, classroom teachers are available before and after school to work with the students.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled in October and February, during which ten minutes are allotted for discussion with each requested teacher and/or administrator. Nearly all parents attend these conferences, and teachers and principals are very responsive to questions and concerns communicated by email or telephone at any time.
Grading System
Grade point averages are calculated according to the following scales:
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A |
4.0 |
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A- |
3.67 |
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B+ |
3.33 |
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B |
3.0 |
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B- |
2.67 |
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C+ |
2.33 |
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C |
2.00 |
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C- |
1.67 |
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D+ |
1.33 |
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D |
1.00 |
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D- |
0.67 |
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F |
0.0 |
Program Model
The program model below outlines all requirements for Upper School. Each student’s program takes into account previous work and accommodates individual interests in areas in which the school offers options.
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| Ninth Grade |
English 9 or Honors English 9
Eastern Civilizations or Honors Eastern Civilization
Algebra I, Geometry, Honors Geometry/Algebra II, or Algebra II
Biology or Honors Biology 9
World Language: Latin III or IV, French I or II, Spanish I or II, or Mandarin Chinese I
Fine Art (3 trimester course or by trimester)
Ninth Grade Health: Skills for Transition (1 trimester)
Physical Education or participation in interscholastic athletics (by trimester)
Activity Elective (by trimester)
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| Tenth Grade |
English 10 or Honors English 10
Western Civilization 10 or Honors Western Civilization 10
Geometry, Algebra II, Honors Algebra II/Pre-Calc, or Pre-Calc
Chemistry or Honors Chemistry
World Language: Latin III or IV, French I, II or III or Spanish I, II or III, or Mandarin Chinese I or II
Fine Art (3 trimester course or by trimester)
Health I: Healthy Lifestyles (1 trimester required)
Physical Education or participation in interscholastic athletics (by trimester)
Activity Elective (by trimester)
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| Eleventh Grade |
English 11, American Literature or AP Language and Composition
United States History 11 or AP United States History 11, Political Science
Algebra II, Pre-Calc, AP Calc AB
Physics I, Physics II, Honors Physics, AP Biology, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Environmental Science
World Languages: Latin III, IV, or AP Latin, French II, III, IV or AP French, Spanish II, III, IV, or Mandarin Chinese II or III
Fine Art: (3 trimester course or by trimester)
World Religions, Ethics (1/3 trimester required junior or senior year)
Health II: Adolescent Issues (1 trimester required)
Physical Education or participation in interscholastic athletics (by trimester)
Activity Elective (by trimester)
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| Twelfth Grade |
English 12 or AP Literature and Composition
Political Science, AP Psychology, AP European History, Art History
Pre-Calculus, Math Applications, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC,
Honors Physics, AP Physics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or Environmental Science, AP Psychology
World Language: Latin III, IV or AP Latin Literature, French III, IV or AP French, Spanish III, IV or AP Spanish, Mandarin Chinese III or IV
Fine Art (3 trimester course or by trimester)
World Religions, Ethics (1/3 trimester required junior or senior year)
Physical Education or participation in interscholastic athletics (by trimester)
Activity (by trimester)
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Daily Schedule
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Period 1 |
8:15 - 8:57 |
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Period 2 |
9:01 - 9:43 |
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Assemblies/ |
9:46 - 10:09 |
(Mondays & Thursdays - Morning Meeting in Larimer Center) |
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Class Mtgs./ |
9:46 - 10:09 |
(Fridays - Class Meetings) |
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Advisories |
9:46 - 10:09 |
(Tuesdays/Wednesdays - consultation, club meetings) |
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Period 3 |
10:13 - 10:55 |
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Period 4 |
10:59 - 11:41 |
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Lunch |
11:41 - 12:21 |
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Period 5 |
12:25 - 1:07 |
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Period 6 |
1:11 - 1:53 |
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Afternoon Break |
1:53 - 2:08
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Period 7 |
2:12 - 2:54 |
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Period 8 |
2:58 - 3:40 |
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| Block days schedule: Tuesday even numbered classes, Wednesday odd numbered classes |
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