Click here for the complete 2011-2012 Curriculum Guide.
Curriculum
English
Your skills in reading, writing, thinking and speaking will be developed and strengthened through our rigorous English program's boarding school curriculum. In each year of study, you’ll be challenged by stimulating reading assignments, frequent writing projects, a comprehensive vocabulary program, and oral presentations. And, if you are ready for a still greater challenge as a junior or senior, Honors English and Advancement Placement English classes are available.
Meet Your English Department Faculty
Graduation Requirements
4 credits of English, one from each level
Courses Offered
English for International Students (EIS) – full year; for non-native English speaking students; 1 credit
English for International Students II (EIS II) – full year; for non-native English speaking students; 1 credit
English I –full year; required for freshmen; 1 credit
English II – full year; required for sophomores; 1 credit
English III – full year; required for juniors, unless taking Honors English III; 1 credit
Honors English III – full year; on recommendation by sophomore teachers, for juniors only; 1 credit
English IV – Seniors not in AP English are to take a fall semester course in Advanced Writing & Literary Analysis, plus one English elective in each of the winter and spring terms.
Advanced Placement English – full year, by application and permission of the English Department and the Academic Dean, for seniors only; 1 credit
History and Social Sciences
The history and social sciences program's boarding school curriculum is design to help you appreciate and understand the global community in which you will live, as well as the diversity of the American culture and heritage. Not only will you learn about the challenges and complexity of recording and interpreting history, but you also will learn to examine assumptions, biases and hypothesis in your sources. By studying the past, you’ll be preparing to lead in the future.
Meet Your History and Social Sciences Department Faculty
Graduation requirements
3.67 credits including U.S. History or AP U.S. History, Biblical Studies and Ethics Research Seminar
Courses Offered
Social Studies for International Students (SSIS) – full year; 1 credit
World Cultures - full year; recommended for freshmen; 1 credit
Western Civilization - full year; recommended for sophomores; 1 credit
Modern European History – full year; required of sophomores, 1 credit
U.S. History - full year; required for juniors, unless taking AP U.S. History; 1 credit
Advanced Placement U.S. History - full year; for juniors only, by application and permission of the department and Academic Dean; 1 credit
Advanced Placement European History - full year; by application and permission of the department and Academic Dean; 1 credit
Advanced Placement Human Geography - full year; by application and permission of the department and Academic Dean; 1 credit
Psychology - fall semester or full year; for juniors and seniors only, .5 credit
Model United Nations - winter semester only; .5 credit
History, Humanity and the Holocaust – spring semester; open to juniors and seniors, .5 credit
Nietzsche, Freud, and the Birth of Modernism – fall semester; open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, .5 credit
Germany, 1919-1933: The Origin and Rise of Fascism – fall semester; open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, .5 credit
Topics in Philosophy – spring semester; open to juniors and seniors, .5 credit
Hebrew Scriptures - recommended for sophomores, open to juniors and seniors; .5 credit
Christian Scriptures - recommended for sophomores, open to juniors and seniors; .5 credit
World Religions - spring semester only; does not fulfill religion requirement; .5 credit
Ethics Research Seminar - offered each semester; open to seniors only; 1/3 credit
Economics - fall semester only; open to sophomores, juniors and seniors; .5 credit
Mathematics
Whether math is your passion, or you find it more than a bit frightening, Chatham Hall’s mathematics program is for you. Our small classes and extra assistance help allay the math anxiety that many girls feel. And our results are exceptional. In a 2000 survey, nearly 92 percent of our graduates reported receiving a high level of encouragement in math, science and technology. In addition, the average SAT math score for our alumnae completing our boarding school curriculum was 588, compared to 477 nationally for females and males combined.
Meet the Mathematics Department Faculty
Graduation requirements
3 credits of math including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II
Courses Offered
Algebra I
full year; 1 credit
(Prerequisite: none, but a C- or above in Algebra I is required to register for your next Chatham Hall math course)
Geometry
full year; 1 credit (Prerequisite: C- or above in Algebra I)
Algebra II
full year; 1 credit (Prerequisite: C- or above in Algebra I)
Precalculus
full year; 1 credit (Prerequisite: B- or above in Algebra II)
Honors Precalculus
full year; 1 credit
(Prerequisite: A- or above test average in Algebra II and recommendation of teacher)
Statistics, Mathematical Modeling, and Intro to Calculus
full year; 1 credit
(Prerequisite: for students who have completed Algebra II or Precalculus)
Calculus
full year; 1 credit
(Prerequisite: B or above in Precalculus and recommendation of Precalculus teacher)
Advanced Placement Calculus AB
full year; 1 credit
(Prerequisite: A- or above test average in Precalculus and recommendation of Precalculus teacher)
Advanced Placement Calculus BC
full year; 1 credit
(Prerequisite: Completion of Calculus or AP Calculus AB with recommendation of Calculus teacher)
NOTE: Sophomores may take Geometry and Algebra II during the same year with math department approval.
Science
In Chatham Hall science classes, be ready to question, observe, experiment and evaluate as you study such subjects as robotics, chemistry, veterinary medicine, environmental science and physics. Through our boarding school curriculum, you’ll learn to inquire purposefully, think critically and judge wisely. You’ll also get the background needed for further scientific pursuit – which many of our students opt for in college. In fact, a 2000 survey showed that those who attend all-girls schools are seven times more likely to major in math and science in college than those who go to coed schools.
Meet the Science Department Faculty
Graduation requirements
3 credits of laboratory science including Biology and Chemistry. Physics is strongly recommended.
Courses Offered
Biology
full year, 1 credit
Chemistry
full year, 1 credit
Physics
full year; 1 credit
Advanced Placement Biology
full year; by application and permission of the Science Department and the Academic Dean; primarily for seniors, but juniors may take it with departmental approval; 1 credit (Prerequisite: B+ average or better in Biology and B+ average or better in Chemistry)
Advanced Placement Chemistry
full year; primarily for seniors; by application and permission of the Science Department and the Academic Dean; 1 credit (Prerequisite: B+ average or better in Biology, B+ average or better in Chemistry and
A- average or better in Algebra II)
Environmental Science
full year; 1 credit (Prerequisite: Biology)
Robotics
semester elective; 1/3 credit
Forensic Science
semester elective; 1/3 credit; prerequisite Biology and Chemistry, or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry
Foreign Language
Study a language – or two – at Chatham Hall and gain a highly coveted professional, social and cultural asset in the global economy. If you choose to learn Spanish or French, you’ll be offered a solid foundation of grammar and vocabulary in both oral and written communication and will also study culture and history as part of our foreign language boarding school curriculum. If you opt for Latin, you’ll learn about language roots, cultural influences and classical allusions as well as syntax, pronunciation, vocabulary, history and literature.
Meet the Classical and Modern Languages Department Faculty
Graduation requirements
3 credits of one language or 2 credits each of 2 languages
Courses Offered
Latin
Latin I
full year, 1 credit
Latin II
full year, 1 credit
Latin III
full year, 1 credit
Latin IV
full year, 1 credit
Advanced Placement Latin Literature
full year, 1 credit (by application and recommendation of Latin instructor)
French I
full year; 1 credit
French II
full year; 1 credit
French III
full year; 1 credit
French IV
full year; 1 credit
French V
full year; 1 credit
Advanced Placement French Language
full year, by application and permission of the Foreign Language Department and the Academic Dean; 1 credit
Advanced Placement French Literature
full year, by application and permission of the Foreign Language Department and the Academic Dean; 1 credit
Spanish I
full year; 1 credit
Spanish II
full year; 1 credit
Spanish III
full year; 1 credit
Spanish IV
full year; 1 credit
Spanish V
full year; 1 credit
Advanced Placement Spanish Language
full year; by application and permission of the Foreign Language Department and the Academic Dean; 1 credit
Chinese I
full year, 1 credit
Chinese II
Full year, 1 credit
Advanced Hispanic Literature
full year; 1 credit
Home-stay Language Program
2 weeks, summer; (additional fee); 1/3 credit
Fine Arts
Our fine arts program features a boarding school curriculum targeted to help you reach your artistic potential in drama, music or the visual arts. At Chatham Hall, you can gain the skills of creative expression, as well as self-knowledge. Formal training, practical experience and an academic approach will help you set high standards for your art and enable you to take risks in a supportive environment.
Meet the Fine Arts Department Faculty
Graduation requirements
1 credit in Fine Arts from any discipline
Courses Offered
Visual Arts
Art I
full year; 1 credit
Art II
full year; 1 credit
Art III
full year; 1 credit
Art IV
full year; 1 credit
Advanced Placement Studio Art
full year; by application and permission of the Fine Arts Department and the Academic Dean; 1 credit
Ceramics
one trimester; 1/3 credit
Graphic Design
one trimester; 1/3 credit
Photography I
fall trimester; 1/3 credit
Photography II
spring trimester; 1/3 credit (Prerequisite: Photography I)
Dance
Modern Dance
full year; meets 3 times a week; 2/3 credit
Jazz and Ballet
full year; meets 3 times a week; 2/3 credit
Drama
Fall Production
1/3 credit
Winter Musical
1/3 credit
Spring Production
1/3 credit
Music
St. Mary’s Choir
full year; 1 credit
Music Theory
full year; by application and permission of the Fine Arts Department and the Academic Dean; 1 credit
Audition Workshop
one semester, 1/2 credit
Music Appreciation
full year, 1 credit
Chamber Choir
full year; by audition only; 1/2 credit
Private Voice and Instrument Study
full year; meets 1 time a week plus practice time; voice students must be able to read music before beginning lessons; 1/2 credit
Publications/Writing
Journalism
full year; design and publication of The Columns; 1/2 credit
Yearbook Design and Production
full year; design and publication of The Chathamite; 1/2 credit
Creative Writing
full year or by semester; open to seniors, juniors and sophomores;
