High School Curriculum
Bible
9th grade
Bible 9 – Summit "Understanding the Faith" (1 credit) prepares young believers to defend a Christian worldview against other belief systems. Students learn how to identify and counter opposing worldviews.
10th grade
Bible 10 – Summit "Understanding the Faith" (1 credit) prepares young believers to defend a Christian worldview against other belief systems. Students learn how to identify and counter opposing worldviews.
11th grade
Bible 11- Summit "Understanding the Culture" (1 credit) prepares young believers to defend a Christian worldview against other belief systems. Understanding the Culture outlines the key social issues of our time and how to positively shape culture.
12th grade
Bible 12 – Summit "Understanding the Culture" (1 credit) prepares young believers to defend a Christian worldview against other belief systems. Understanding the Culture outlines the key social issues of our time and how to positively shape culture.
English
9th grade
English (Honors): This course offers a balanced focus on composition and literature. Typically, students learn about the alternate aims and audiences of written compositions by writing persuasive, critical, and creative multi-paragraph thematic essays and compositions. The study of literature encompasses various genres as students improve their reading rate and comprehension and develop the skills to determine authors' intent and theme and to recognize the techniques employed by the author to achieve the goal. (1 credit)
10th grade
American Literature (Honors): The immense physical and psychological devastation of the Civil War and Reconstruction ushered in a period of radical transformation in American life. These changes found their way into literature in a variety of new forms and through a number of new and exciting voices who offered stunning critiques of American society while simultaneously challenging what it meant to tell a story “realistically.” 10th grade English focuses on American Literature and explores the changing face of American literature. In addition to studying American literature, students develop their grammar and writing skills, which include argumentative essays, persuasive writing, critical lens essay, research papers (both literary and topic related), and S.A.T. vocabulary prep. (1 credit)
11th grade
English Literature (Honors): Through the voices of a diverse group of authors, thinkers, and prominent political and cultural figures, British Literature surveys the history of the English language from the Old English period through the contemporary writers of today. Through the careful study of poetry, prose, essay, drama, and other literary genres, students refine the skills of critical thinking and rhetoric with thought- provoking writing and research assignments. (1 credit)
12th grade
World Literature (Honors): The course surveys world literature through 20th-century short stories, novels, speeches, and poetry drawn from a wide variety of languages and cultures. Topics include colonization, cultural identity, alienation, gender roles, family life, and social class. In further examining world literature, students will analyze select works of major writers, relate the literary works and their authors to one another and to their common heritage, discuss how literature has influenced the ideas and images that people hold about class, race, and gender, and apply the conventions of standard written English to the creation of expository discourse that is clear, coherent, sufficiently developed, and stylistically sound through analysis and reflection papers and a final thesis paper. (1 credit)
History
9th grade
Global Studies 9 (Honors): Through a study of World History, students will gain an understanding of and an appreciation of past civilizations, governments, cultures and religions. They will compare past history to the present state of both foreign nations and that of the United States. Through comparison, students will evaluate problems and solutions for present day issues facing peoples of the world. (1 credit)
10th grade
Global Studies 10 (Honors/Regents): Through a study of World History, students will gain an understanding of and an appreciation of past civilizations, governments, cultures and religions. They will compare past history to the present state of both foreign nations and that of the United States. Through comparison, students will evaluate problems and solutions for present day issues facing peoples of the world. Students take the World History Regents at the end of this two year course. (1 credit)
11th grade
American History (Honors/Regents): Students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the history of the United States of America from the first Americans to its current importance and position within the world. Students will examine the importance of various movements, wars, prominent individuals, policies and documents and the impact they had on shaping our nation. Students will take the American History Regents at the end of this course. (1 credit)
12th grade
Government/Civics: Students will analyze levels and branches of American government. The course provides students with an overview of the changes and developments of our government along with discussions about current issues. Students also examine the Constitution, political parties, elections, interest groups, mass media, and political behavior. (1/2 credit)
12th grade
Economics: Students survey basic economic topics, including supply and demand and the circular flow of income and products. Case studies are reviewed. Students will study the comparative economic systems, business, competition, money and banking, and national economics concerns such as productivity, unemployment, and inflation. Students consider personal economic concerns such as budgeting, managing credit, saving, and financial planning. (1/2 credit)
Mathematics
9th grade
Algebra I (Honors): This course includes the study of multiple representations of linear and non-linear functions. It includes concepts for working with rational numbers, various expressions, analyzing and solving linear equations and inequalities, data analysis, probability, statistics, and polynomials. (1 credit)
10th grade
Geometry (Honors): This course includes the study of the properties and applications of common geometric figures in two and three dimensions. Inductive and deductive thinking skills are used in problem solving situations. Writing proofs are an integral part of this course. (1 credit)
11th grade
Algebra II (Honors): This course builds on algebraic and geometric concepts. It develops advanced algebra skills such as systems of equations, advanced polynomials, imaginary and complex numbers, quadratics, matrices, and concepts and includes the study of trigonometric functions. (1 credit)
12th grade
Pre-Calculus (Honors): This optional course is a preparation for advanced Calculus courses. It covers topics that include polynomial, rational, and exponential functions, conic sections, and trigonometric concepts. Students learn analytic geometry and calculus concepts such as limits, derivatives, and integrals. (1 credit)
Science
9th grade
Earth Science (Honors/Regents): Students will gain an understanding of and appreciation for the sciences in all aspects pertaining to the Earth. Through an extensive study and synthesis of the various branches of Earth Science, students will explain the question of why Earth is capable of supporting life. (1 credit)
10th grade
Living Environment (Honors/Regents): Students will demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the life sciences, including biology, ecology, zoology, and botany. Students will explore the structure and life cycles of living things from their basic cellular foundation to their impact on and interaction with their environment and other living things. Students take the Living Environments Regents at the end of the course. (1 credit)
11th grade
Chemistry (Honors): Students will demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the relationships and interactions between energy and matter. They will apply and evaluate various methods of problem solving to understand their world through the science of chemistry and will connect the importance of chemistry to all other branches of science.
Time will also be dedicated to focus on the physical, emotional, mental, and social sides of health. Students will explore ways to live a healthy life with class discussion, hands on experiments, as well as projects on how to bring an awareness of health to the world around us. Time will be researching what is currently happening in the topic of Health in our society. (1 credit)
World Languages
9th grade
Spanish II (Honors): Spanish II begins with a detailed review of Spanish 1 grammar. There is an emphasis on increasing opportunities to use the language through speaking, writing, reading and listening. Students will learn new vocabulary and grammar necessary for more sophisticated readings and more complex dialogues. Students will be engaged in a variety of activities to foster a better understanding of the language and culture. (1 credit)
Physical Education
9th-12th grades
The high school Physical Education program entails a variety of physical activities and sports such as units in callisthenic exercises, basketball, volleyball, and many more. The program enhances students' knowledge on the importance of daily participation in physical activities. It is designed to give students the opportunity to gain personal fitness skills, to be empowered to meet challenges and develop positive behaviors toward fitness. (0.5 credit each year)
Fine Arts
Music Performance - Worship Team 9th-12th grades: Students will develop an understanding of the different roles in worship ministry. The VSCA worship team is responsible for leading their peers in worship during the Friday chapel. It consists of selecting songs, singing, and/or playing an instrument for chapel. (.5 credit per year)
Visual Arts 9th – 12th grades: The Visual Arts program at Valley Stream Christian Academy seeks to develop a personal vision and greater depth of understanding of art and its application of the elements and principles of design. Creative problem solving, critical thinking and a broad range of experiences from a Christian perspective help build the foundation for effective communication through various art media. Studio experiences include drawing, painting, illustration, and sculpture. (.5 credit per year)
*Students choose either Music or Art
Leadership
12th grade: This course will be divided into three parts: Christian Leadership, Life Skills, and Emotional Intelligence. We focus on Christian Leadership, specifically on how to develop leadership abilities and strategies. Some of the focuses will be compiling a resume, interview skills, event planning, community outreach, servant leadership, organizing events, public speaking, fundraising, and school outreach, as well as a time for personal growth. This class will sharpen the student to become more effective Christian leaders in our school, church, and community. Students will also learn Life Skills including cooking, sewing, car and home maintenance, personal finance, and developing emotional intelligence. (1 credit)
Psychology
12th grade: This course is designed around the American Psychological Association’s National Standards for High School Curricula. This class helps students gain an understanding of key principles of psychological science and see applications in the real world. Topics covered include life development, perception, learning, memory, personality, and motivation. (1 credit)