Graduation Requirements

English and Language Arts instruction at St. George’s gives students the key ingredients for success: the abilities to read and comprehend, to communicate clearly in speech and written word, and to think critically. The 21st century abounds with vast opportunities to both consume and produce information. St. George’s students learn to think clearly, critically, and creatively in their English classes and across the curriculum. Strong writers evolve from a curriculum that intends to connect the lessons taught to us by great works such as The Iliad and Crime and Punishment with decisions that affect students’ daily lives. The English department strives to engender sound thinkers and avid readers by engaging the life of the mind with the great works of civilization. Students in grades six through twelve experience focused writing instruction that benefits their college preparations. Core to this instruction is vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. This integrated approach ensures that the goal of the department is met: students know how to read well, think clearly, and write with purpose.

Department Chair: Heidi Rubin de la Borbolla

COURSES

English I or English I – Honors
English II or English II – Honors
English III: American Literature
AP English Language and Composition
English IV: Fairy Tales in Fiction and Film
English IV: Tales of Difference, Tales of Strength
English IV: We Read Memphis
English IV: The Graphic Novel
English IV: War, Trauma, and Literature
English IV: Creative Writing
English IV: Page and Stage
English IV: Wakanda Forever in Fiction and Film
English IV: We Can, But Should We? Humanity and Technology in Literature
AP English Literature and Composition

It is said that history is to the human race what memory is to each person. It sheds the light of the past upon the present, thus helping one to understand oneself, by making one acquainted with other peoples. History is, as Allen Nerins states, “a bridge connecting the past with the present and pointing the road to the future.” St. George’s endeavors to make the lives of our students richer by broadening their outlook on the cultures, traditions, and forces of a global world as well as creating experienced analytical thinkers and writers. Ultimately, our personal stories create who we are and who we are becoming. 

The Purpose of History, Social Science, and Religion Courses

History does the same for the identities of nations, ideas, races, and ethnic groups. Learning these stories and how they connect with the daily lives of students forms the foundation for understanding historical thinking and analysis at St. George’s. To that end, students continue to focus on thinking critically about information, sources, and conclusions. The clear expression of new ideas and critiques through writing and reading finds reinforcement in the history and social science curriculum at St. George’s. To have a greater respect for the changing world and the differing perspectives brought to it by those of various faith traditions, St. George’s has a deep commitment to the non-doctrinal study of religions. As future global citizens and leaders, we believe strongly that our students must have a firm understanding of the world’s religions. At the same time, religion courses allow students to reaffirm their own faith traditions as they study those of people from around the world.
 

COURSES

World History I or World History I – Honors
World History II
AP World History
United States History
AP United States History
AP United States Government & Politics
World War II
Economics: Finance and Theory
Economics: Management
AP Economics
Citizenship I: Exploring My Citizenship
Citizenship II: Citizenship in Action
Global Current Events
African American History
Religious Studies
Philosophy
Ethics
Introduction to Psychology
AP Psychology

At St. George’s, we believe the coalescence of math and science is necessary to create highly adept, numerically and scientifically literate students. An intentional and well-planned mathematics and science curriculum prepares St. George’s students for an evolving and global world as well as for advanced study in college. An integrated approach to the curriculum and its emphasis on technology seeks to combine mathematical concepts with concrete matters that are addressed in other areas of academic disciplines. High standards with regard to skill development and conceptual understanding are reinforced through project-based learning that encourages students to apply ideas in real-life settings. Through such integration the mathematical concepts being learned in the specific math classes are reinforced and enriched.

Department Chair: Page McMullen

COURSES

Algebra I or Algebra I – Honors
Geometry or Geometry – Honors
Algebra II or Algebra II – Honors
Advanced Topics in Applied Math
Precalculus or Precalculus – Honors
Math Analysis
Introduction to Calculus
Introduction to Statistics
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Multivariable Equations and Differential Equations
Mathematical Aesthetics

The science curriculum at St. George’s is designed to help students develop an understanding of the methods and findings of science through meaningful experiences.  Students learn major concepts of the life, physical, and earth sciences through interactive discussions, hands-on experiments, and explorations of the environments surrounding them.  With the goal of producing scientifically literate citizens, the science curriculum is designed in accordance with the National Science Education Standards from the National Academies and Project 2061 from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Science is much more than facts, theories, laws, and information. The American Association for the Advancement of Science articulates a scientifically literate person as one “who is aware that science, mathematics, and technology are interdependent human enterprises with strengths and limitations; understands key concepts and principles of science; is familiar with the natural world and recognizes both its diversity and unity; and uses scientific knowledge and scientific ways of thinking for individual and social purposes.” This type of disposition is espoused by faculty in the St. George’s science department.

Department Chair: Mike Smothers

COURSES

Conceptual Physics or Conceptual Physics – Honors
Chemistry or Chemistry – Honors
Biology  or Biology – Honors
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Environmental Science
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
AP Physics C – Mechanics
Introduction to Engineering
Engineering Design I
Engineering Design II
Astronomy
STEM in the 901
Science Research

Children in language programs have demonstrated greater cognitive development, creativity, and divergent thinking than monolingual children. Several studies show that people who are competent in more than one language outscore those who are speakers of only one language on tests of verbal and nonverbal intelligence. The language program at St. George’s is designed to expose students to other languages, increase students’ understanding of and appreciation for other cultures, and, eventually, strengthen their command of the English language through comparative reflection of grammar and structure. St. George’s is committed to offering a quality program of language study. For success in the adult world, becoming multilingual and aware of other world cultures may be a necessity rather than an option. Communication is the focus of St. George’s language program. Schoolwide integration of the language program involves celebration of international holidays (Cinco de Mayo, Mardi Gras), cross-cultural service projects (corresponding with and collecting clothing for children in Mexico), and chapel or assembly programs that are partially conducted in a second language.

Department Chair: Mary Reed

COURSES

French I
French II
French III 
French IV – Honors
AP French Language and Culture
Latin I
Latin II
Latin III
Latin IV – Honors
AP Latin: Vergil
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III             
Spanish IV – Honors       
AP Spanish Language   
AP Spanish Literature    

COURSES

Introduction to Practical Musicianship
Intermediate Practical Musicianship
American Music Ensemble
St. George’s Singers
St. George’s Men’s Chorus
Stage and the Screen
Acting
Advanced Acting
Technical Theater Workshop
Introduction to the Visual Arts - IVA
Drawing
Painting
Pottery A
Pottery B
Principles of Design
Photography
Visual Arts II
Advanced Art Portfolio
Advanced Art Studio

Inherent in St. George’s holistic educational philosophy is a commitment to the importance of athletics and wellness. The curriculum for St. George’s wellness programs continues to help students develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and behaviors necessary to initiate and maintain lifelong participation in wellness activities. The wellness program in middle and upper school seeks to promote mental, emotional, and social health in addition to the physical development necessary for an active life. Students participate in wellness classes that address specific aspects of physical fitness and wellness. Intramural activities are also offered as a means to enhance students’ fitness. All students must be swim proficient and have taken one semester of wellness in high school to meet the graduation requirement. New students who arrive in upper school will be required to pass a swim proficiency test to fulfill the swim requirement. Failure to pass the swim proficiency test would require the student to enroll in basic swim instruction with our aquatics director.  This instruction is free of charge. All students must pass the swim proficiency test before graduation. There are ZERO exemptions for upper school wellness requirements.

Wellness Coordinator: Tony Whicker

COURSES

Intro to Strength and Conditioning

Strength and Conditioning

Wellness & Fitness PLUS

COURSES

AP Computer Science A
Media Literacy and Design I
Media Literacy and Design II
Newsmagazine Journalism
Yearbook Journalism

Specialized Independent Study

Individual student requirement
This is not a class but a graduation requirement that students participate in during their senior year.

The St. George’s Independent School Specialized Independent Study (SIS) is a multifaceted project which serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students. The SIS committee, which consists of faculty members, oversees the approval of ideas, serves as guides for students, and evaluates the level of success with which each student implemented his or her project. Students’ projects fall under one of four strands: Community and Service-Based Learning, Personal Growth, Design and Production, and Academic Research. Students work with their strand leader to create a final artifact of their learning, along with writing appropriate for that particular strand. Students present their projects to peers and the greater community in the spring.

The SIS serves as an opportunity for students to demonstrate the core values of the St. George’s Portrait of a Graduate by the way they: solve problems, mend fences, take chances, chase dreams, build bridges. In the end, students leave this experience having designed, planned, executed, and communicated a meaningful project of their own design.