Curriculum
English
Your skills in reading, writing, thinking and speaking will be developed and strengthened through our rigorous English program. 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 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 trimester 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 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
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; a grade of A- or better in sophomore history or A- in sophomore English is expected for application; 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; a grade of B- or better in Advanced Placement U.S. History, or B or better in U.S. History, or sophomores who have taken Western Civilization or World History as a freshman with a grade of A- or better is expected for application; 1 credit
Psychology
two trimesters; winter and spring; for seniors only; 2/3 credit
Model United Nations
winter trimester only; 1/3 credit
Economics
one trimester; open to sophomores, juniors and seniors; 1/3 credit
World Religions
one trimester; open to sophomores, juniors and seniors; does not fulfill religion requirement; 1/3 credit (Prerequisite: Biblical Studies)
Global Women’s Issues
fall trimester only; open to sophomores, juniors and seniors; examines the roles and challenges of women in various societies, especially in the developing world. The course will particularly focus on women’s leadership, studying such figures as Wangari Maathai and other Chatham Hall leaders-in-residence.
Biblical Studies Old Testament
recommended for sophomores, open to juniors and seniors;
1/3 credit
Biblical Studies New Testament
recommended for sophomores, open to juniors and seniors;
1/3 credit
NOTE
Students who register for Biblical Studies may have to take whichever course best fits their schedule; both courses fulfill the Biblical Studies requirement.
Ethics Research Seminar
offered each trimester; open to seniors only; 1/3 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 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)
Advanced Algebra
full year; 1 credit (Prerequisite: C- or above in Algebra II)
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)
Applied Mathematics
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. 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
Honors Biology
full year; by permission of the Academic Dean; 1 credit
Chemistry
full year, 1 credit
(Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra II; one may be concurrently enrolled in Algebra II)
Honors Chemistry
full year; 1 credit
(Prerequisite: A- or better in biology and math classes; student must at least be in Algebra II)
Physics
full year; 1 credit (Prerequisite: Algebra II and a laboratory science)
Honors Physics
full year; 1 credit
(Prerequisite: A- or better in chemistry, strong math PSAT and student should be eligible for Honors Precalculus or AP Calculus)
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)
DNA
trimester elective; 1/3 credit (Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry)
Robotics
trimester elective; 1/3 credit
Veterinary Science
full year or by trimester; 1 credit or 1/3 credit each trimester (Prerequisite: Biology)
Anatomy and Physiology
fall trimester
Diagnostic Tools
winter trimester
Preventive Medicine for Animals
spring trimester
Forensic Science
trimester 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. 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
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 is 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
Panache Dance Company
full year; admission is by audition; 1 credit
Drama
Acting Tragedy
fall trimester; 1/3 credit
Technical Theatre
winter trimester; 1/3 credit
Acting Comedy
spring trimester; 1/3 credit
Music
St. Mary’s Choir
full year; 1 credit
Advanced Placement Music Theory
full year; by application and permission of the Fine Arts Department and the Academic Dean; 1 credit
Music Composition I
winter trimester; 1/3 credit
Music Composition II
spring trimester; 1/3 credit (Prerequisite: Music Composition I)
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 trimester; open to seniors, juniors and sophomores; 1/3 credit each trimester
