Upper School: Academic Offerings & Student Life

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UPPER SCHOOL

A C A D E M I C OFFE R I NG S A N D S T U D E NT L I FE


MISSION & CORE VALUES Miami Country Day School empowers every student, every day, everywhere to learn with vigor, explore with purpose, strive for excellence, and serve with honor, respect, and compassion as global citizens. We do this in a community where every student is known and included by engaging the whole child, in and out of the classroom as they discover their full potential.

CORE VALUES Purpose: Cultivates the curiosities, motivations, and interests of all our learners to build individual and collective purpose. Honor: Fosters integrity and honesty in all that we do and ensure trust and confidence within our community. Respect: Upholds dignity and rights of each member and values our diverse perspectives and experiences. Wisdom: Grows through our commitment to the intellect, spirit, and character of every person and of the whole community, as well as seeking truth, knowledge, and excellence. Compassion: Builds on the foundation for empathy and is indispensable to learning, productive inquiry, and civic engagement.


CORE COURSE REQUIREMENTS

4-YEAR ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

Core #2

Core #3

Core #4

Core #5

English (8)

Math (8)

History/Social Studies

Science (6)

W. Language (6)

(6) + Choice (2)

+ Choice (2)

+ Choice (2)

World History

Biology

World Language

(F) Health

(F) Elective

Literature

Credit #1

Credit #1

Credit #1

Credit #1

& Life Skills

(S) Elective Art #1

(S) Elective

American

Math

U.S. History

Chemistry

World Language

(F) Physical

(F) Elective

Literature

Credit #2

Credit #2

Credit #2

Credit #2

Education

(S) Elective Art #2

(S) Elective

Choice

Math

English

Credit #3

Credit #3

Comparative Government / Economics Both courses = Credit #3

Physics Credit #3 (Can be taken as senior)

World Language

(F) Choice Elective

(F) Choice Elective

Credit #3

(S) Elective

(S) Elective

Humanistic

Humanistic Studies #2

(Can be taken as senior)

12th Grade

Non-Core

Math

Credit #2 11th Grade

Non-Core

World Credit #1

10th Grade

ISP

Choice

Math

English

Credit #4

Credit #4

3 Additional Core Courses in any of the five core subject areas are required in the senior year. NOTE: C. Gov./Econ and/or Physics may be taken in either 11th or 12th grade.

NOTE: Courses in red are required.

Studies #1 (F) Choice Elective

(F) Choice Elective or ISP

(S) Choice Elective

(S) Choice Elective or ISP

(8)

Independent Study Period

9th Grade

Core #1


ENGLISH

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL English: Course Offerings (8 credits required)

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

World Literature (CP, H)

2

American Literature (CP, H)

2

British Literature (CP, H)

2

Gender Studies (H)

2

AP English Language & Composition

2

AP English Literature & Composition

2

Detective Fiction (H)

1

Contemporary African American Literature (H)

1

Worlds in Motion: Literature of Migration (H)

1

Revising the Classics: Contemporary Retellings (H)

1

Literature of Social Activism (H)

1

College Composition

1

Shakespeare Then & Now

1


HISTORY & SOCIAL STUDIES

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL History & Social Studies: Course Offerings (6 credits required)

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

World History (CP, H, AP)

2

U.S. History (CP, H, AP)

2

Comparative Government (CP, H)

1

AP Comparative Government

2

Any of the following meet the economics requirement: Economics (CP, H)

1

Microeconomics (H)

1

Macroeconomics (H)

1

AP Microeconomics (online)

1

AP Macroeconomics (online)

1

Courses that count as a 5th core once the three required courses have been completed AP Human Geography

2

AP European History (online)

2

AP Art History

2

AP Psychology

2

AP U.S. Government & Politics (online)

2

Ancient Civilizations of Africa and Asia

1

Ancient Civilizations of Western Europe and the Americas

1

Revolutions Throughout History (H)

2


THE SCIENCES

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL Science: Course Offerings (6 required credits)

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

Biology (CP, H)

2

Chemistry (CP, H)

2

Physics (CP, AP)

2

Courses that count as a 5th core once the three required courses have been completed AP Biology

2

AP Chemistry

2

Environmental Science (CP, AP)

2

AP Physics 2

2

AP Physics C: Mechanics (online)

1

AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism (online)

1

AP Computer Science Principles

2

AP Computer Science A

2

Marine Biology I

1

Marine Biology II

1

Human Anatomy & Physiology I (H)

1

Human Anatomy & Physiology II (H)

1


MATHEMATICS

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL Mathematics: Course Offerings (8 required credits)

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

Integrated Math I (CP)

2

Integrated Math II (CP,H)

2

Integrated Math III (CP,H)

2

Precalculus (CP, AP)

2

Calculus

2

AP Calculus AB

2

AP Calculus BC

2

Multi-variable Calculus (post AP, online)

2

Data Modeling & Functional Analysis (H)

1

Discrete Mathematics (H)

1

Probability & Statistics

2

AP Statistics

2


WORLD LANGUAGES

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL World Languages: Course Offerings (6 sequential credits required) Chinese 1 Chinese 2 Chinese 3 Chinese 4 (CP, H) AP Chinese Language & Culture (online) English as a Second Language (ESL) French 1 French 2 French 3 (CP, H) French 4 (CP ,H) French 5 (H) AP French Language & Culture Advanced Topics in French (post AP) Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Spanish 3 (CP, H) Spanish 4 (CP, H) Spanish 5 (H) Hispanic History & Culture Hispanic Film & Literature Spanish Speakers I Spanish Speakers II (CP, H) Spanish Speakers III (CP, H) AP Spanish Language & Culture AP Spanish Literature

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2


PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH COURSE OFFERINGS

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH COURSE

Fall Term

Spring Term

Take Again?

Credits

NO

1

Team Sports

YES

1

Fitness & Wellness

YES

1

Yoga

YES

1

Dance 1

NO

1

Take Again?

Credits

Beats & Tracks

NO

1

Guitar

YES

1

Music Theory (H) Introduction to Music Theory (online)

NO NO

2 1

Concert Jazz Band (CP, H) Full-year & half-year options available

YES

1 or 2

Early Bird Orchestra (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced (CP,H))

YES

2

Physical Education & Health Course Offerings (1 Health & 1 PE credit required)

9

10

11

12

Full Year

Health & Life Skills Select one of the following courses to complete the Physical Education Requirement

THE ARTS - MUSIC! The Arts Course Offerings (2 credits required)

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year


THE ARTS COURSE OFFERINGS

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL The Arts - Dance & Theater ( 2 credits required) Dance 1 Introduction to Acting Acting Techniques 1 Acting & Directing for TV/Film (H) Acting & Characterization (H) Advanced Theater Voice & Movement (H) Dialects, Vocal & Physical Characterization (H) Creating, Working and Starring in a Short Film (H) Thespian Performance Studies Thespian Technical Theater Lab Spring Performance: Production & Performance (online) Culminating Theater Performance (H) Musical Theater Workshop Stage Make-up & Design Beginning Costume Design & Construction Technical Theater: Stagecraft

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

Take Again?

1

NO NO NO YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES NO YES YES NO NO

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1


THE ARTS - STUDIO

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL The Arts - Studio ( 2 credits required) Ceramics I Ceramics II Advanced Ceramics Advanced Painting Digital Photo & Imaging I Digital Photo & Imaging II Fiber Studio Fiber & Materials (H) Sculpture Open Studio Art Explorations in Art Processes and Technologies AP Studio Art Printmaking (online) Perspective Drawing (online)

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

Take Again?

1

NO NO YES YES NO NO NO NO NO YES NO YES NO NO

1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1


COMMUNICATIONS

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL General Elective Course Offerings *This course may also count as a core course Debate & Mock Trial Digital Story Telling Produce a Documentary Short (CP, H) Self-Directed Language* Leadership! Research & Writing for College Focus on Success (online) Yearbook American Sign Language Levels 1-5 (online)

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

Take Again?

1

NO NO YES YES

1 1 2 1 1 2 2

NO YES NO


BUSINESS & STRATEGY

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL

General Elective Course Offerings Business & Entrepreneurial Studies Social Media Marketing Business & Finance Innovation & Entrepreneurialism Finance and Investing (online) Analysis, Strategy & Action Design Thinking & Creativity (online) Advanced Chess Strategies Intro to Sports Medicine The Impact of Fashion: Re-Thinking the Aesthetics of Being Human The Impact of Visual Culture on the Now

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

Take Again?

1 1

NO NO NO NO NO NO YES NO

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

NO NO


SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, & TECHNOLOGY

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL

General Elective Course Offerings A History of Science Space Science Engineering Design for Living Engineering Design for Architecture Engineering and the Design Process (online) Meteorology & Climatology Natural Disasters The Science of Human Disease (online daytime) Evolution (H, online) The War on Science? (H) Python 1 Python 2 (H) Introduction to Web Design Mobile App Development 3D Animation Studio 1: Foundations for Impact Studio 2: Models for Impact The Impact of Climate on Indigenous Cultures in Guyana The Impact of Climate on Indigenous Cultures in Florida

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

Take Again?

1

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1


HUMANISTIC STUDIES

LENGTH OF COURSE

GRADE LEVEL Humanistic Studies Course Offerings ( 2 credits required) *This course may also count as a core course AP Art History* AP Psychology (online)* AP/AS African American Studies* Confronting Global Issues (CP, H) American Foreign Policy Global Citizen Sovereign Lands, Nations Within (H) The Impact of Roadtrips: American Travel Identity Fearless: Studies in Popular Culture Psychology (H) The Modern World Through Graphic Novels (online) Art History: Modern to Abstract (online) Sports in American Culture (online) Racism, Identity & Cultural Understanding (online) Philosophy: The Problem of Knowledge (online) Understanding Film (online) Art History: Pop to Present (online) Popular Culture Studies (online, day & evening) Holocaust Studies (online) Philosophy: Ethics & Morality (online) Intro to Portuguese Language & Culture (online) Intro to Hindi - The Language of Bollywood! (online) Arabic 1 (online)* Chinese 1* French 1* Spanish 1* Latin 1* (online)

9

10

11

12

Fall Term

Spring Term

Full Year

Credits

Take Again?

2

NO NO NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2


PATHWAYS TO PERSONALIZED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Miami Country Day School believes that the future of education lies not only in providing an education of excellence in the traditional tenets of learning, but also creates space for today’s learners to follow their interests and passions. With this in mind, we are proud to offer our high school diploma endorsement programs. Global Studies Endorsement As embodied in our mission and core values, we believe that global citizenship is an essential part of that lifelong learning. As today’s world becomes more interconnected, our graduates must enter life beyond Miami Country Day School prepared to face the challenges of a multicultural and multinational world complete with the complexities of managing relationships, navigating cultural mores, and brainstorming solutions to global issues. For students interested in embracing these challenges by dedicating time, creativity, compassion, and energy to being an involved global citizen, the upper school offers a Global Studies Diploma Endorsement. To earn this endorsement, students complete specific learning and service opportunities in the following areas: community service, global learning, travel, world language, and design and complete a global project. Click here for more information: GSE Arts Endorsement Miami Country Day School seeks to inspire a lifelong involvement in the arts for each of our students. The Arts Endorsement allows students who have a particular passion in Music, Theater or Visual Art, the opportunity to have an in-depth, personal learning experience with their craft. Finding one’s artistic voice whether on a canvas, on the stage or beyond, requires deep learning, discipline and commitment. This program provides the space and coursework for this to develop while at the same time, cultivates students who are empowered to share their art with the world. To earn this endorsement, students complete specific learning and community service opportunities in the all areas of the arts, and culminates with each student designing and delivering a performance or exhibit. Click here for more information: FAE Impact Studio Endorsement All young people have incredible potential to be positive disruptors in our world. We know if we set the conditions for students to tap into their natural curiosity, provide them with opportunities to test their ideas, and foster an environment that embraces action, they will thrive. Students must be empowered to engage in learning that transcends the traditional bounds of school to impact the world around them. Impact Studio is a diploma endorsement program that extends beyond the walls of a classroom in order to create a connected community of changemakers and engaged citizen-leaders committed to making a positive impact in our community and beyond. Impact Studio courses are real-world deep dives culminating in the creation of projects or products that make an impact. To earn this endorsement, specific learning and service opportunities in the following areas: studio and elective course work, travel, a self-directed experience, a project and portfolio. Click here for more information: ISE


A DAY AS A SPARTAN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A DAY LOOKS LIKE 8:30AM START DAYS (MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY)

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

7:30am-8:23am

EBO

EBO

EBO

EBO

8:30am-9:43am

TRACK 1

TRACK 5

TRACK 1

TRACK 5

9:50am-10:29am

COMMUNITY TIME

COMMUNITY TIME

COMMUNITY TIME

COMMUNITY TIME

10:36am-11:49am

TRACK 2

TRACK 6

TRACK 2

TRACK 6

11:49am-12:00pm

BREAK

BREAK

BREAK

BREAK

12:07pm-1:20pm

TRACK 3

TRACK 7

TRACK 3

TRACK 7

1:20pm-2:00pm

LUNCH

LUNCH

LUNCH

LUNCH

2:07pm-3:20pm

TRACK 4

TRACK 8

TRACK 4

TRACK 8

School begins at 8:30 am Monday through Friday with dismissal at 3:20 pm every day except for Wednesday when school begins at 9:15 am. Students participating in EBO (Early Bird Orchestra) begin school at 7:30 am daily.


COMMUNITY COMMUNITY TIME Daily rotations include: College Counseling, Academic Advising, Capstone Project, Meetings for Clubs, Honors Societies, and Affinity Groups, Upper School Assembly, Class Meetings, Service Programs, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Education, and Social-Emotional Learning Education. COMMUNITY SERVICE Miami Country Day School is rooted in the belief that it is our spiritual and civic duty to serve others in need and that service should be meaningful and personally relevant. Our community service embodies our core values of honor, respect, wisdom, compassion, and purpose. As a requirement each student is required to complete at least 25 hours per year for a total of 100 hours of community service for all non-profit organizations, as a graduation requirement.

STUDENT OPTIONS FOOD OPTIONS Lunch is included in tuition and available at four locations around campus including a cafeteria. Offerings include vegetarian, organic, and gluten-free options with a full salad bar. Break time snacks are also provided. UNIFORMS Miami Country Day School red, blue or white polo shirt and khaki bottoms purchased through Risse Brothers. EARLY BIRD ORCHESTRA (EBO) EBO is a string orchestra class that takes place before school every day, 7:30 - 8:23 am. There are three EBOs: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced, all being skill-based. Students in Upper School can play in any of the three ensembles. EXTRA HELP Each Upper School teacher has extra help sessions available after school twice weekly. Students are encouraged to attend extra help to reinforce concepts learned in class and prepare for upcoming projects and assessments.


GATEWAY GATEway, or Global Access To Education, offers global programming that supports, enhances, and develops our students’ views of the world, its diverse cultures, and people. In the Upper School, students have the opportunity to spend four weeks living and learning at one of our multiple sites across Europe. They may choose to explore different cultures through one of our X-Term travel experiences around the globe or may spend one week working at an orphanage in Central America. Upper School students can also use their experiences abroad to earn a Global Studies Diploma Endorsement at graduation.


EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

X-TERM

X-Term offers Upper School students the opportunity to explore a whole child passion not typically found in the traditional curriculum. Opportunities exist on campus, in the greater Miami community, and at domestic and international locations. X-Term transports students to experiential endeavors where the real world serves as the classroom and education is reimagined.


ORGANIZATIONS STUDENT CLUBS Amused Book Club Chess Club Contemporary Music Ensemble Debate Club Dungeons and Dragons Geography Bee Team Model United Nations STEM Club The Spartacus Thespians V3ssel


The MCDS Garner Center for Innovation is a hub of experiential and project-based learning for our entire PreK3-12 campus. In the GCI students are immersed in innovative technology, skills, and their applications. Using the principles of design thinking, engineering, programming, invention, and innovation; students and teachers work with the Garner Center Team, to bring hands-on, design, and interactive projects to life. The Innovation Center experts collaborate with teachers to design and facilitate projects that thoroughly engage and motivate students to think beyond the classroom, critically analyze, problem solve, and often, to create solutions in the form of original prototypes and products The GCI is the home to our, EI², Product Development Program and Honor Society for 9th – 12th graders. Students who are a part of our EI² programs become experts in the tools, and technology of the Innovation Center and learn to apply these tools in a semester or year long project, in one of three focal areas: Programming and Robotics, Invention and Product Development, or Educational Development. The Garner Center is also home to our Lower, Middle, and Upper School competitive FIRST Robotics Teams. Our Student Teams serve as engineers, programmers, fundraisers, marketing experts, and overall problem solvers, to design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams.

GARNER CENTER FOR INNOVATION


THEATER

Upper School holds auditions for a musical, a play, and a Theater for Social Change production yearly. Auditions are open to all Upper School students. To learn more about theater opportunities at Miami Country Day School click here www.miamicountryday.org/arts/drama.


ATHLETICS

Our athletics help to foster team-building skills, problem-solving skills, self-discipline, and self-confidence. The program also promotes a healthy lifestyle with physical activity. Practice is every day after school during each season. FALL

WINTER

SPRING

GIRLS SPORTS

Volleyball Golf Swimming Cross Country

Soccer Basketball

Tennis Water Polo Lacrosse Softball

BOYS SPORTS

Football Golf Swimming Cross Country

Soccer Basketball

Tennis Water Polo Lacrosse Baseball


COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AI SCHOLARS (STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND MIT) This program exposes high school students to fundamental Al concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1. SOCIAL INNOVATORS PROGRAM (UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA) The Social Innovators Program is a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice, Miami Country Day School, and Schoolyard Ventures. This twelve-week virtual program helps students develop an entrepreneurial mindset while in Upper School. It also gives students substantive differentiation from their peers, better insight into their future educational and career opportunities, and more grit and resilience to accomplish their goals, as entrepreneurship is much more than merely learning how to start a business. It’s a mindset.


ACADEMIC SUPPORT

STUDENT SUCCESS NETWORK The Student Success Network offers a variety of one on one or small group tutoring. Services available include subject tutoring, English language support, and ISEE, SAT, and ACT test preparation. This service is available at an additional cost. Contact Valerie Bosman for information. SPARTANS AROUND Miami Country Day School is a founding school in the online learning consortium for independent schools called Constellation Learning. There are 16 nationally based schools from Hawaii to New York who are members. The consortium allows MCDS students the opportunity to take online courses with teachers and students from different learning environments. Students interested in these courses must have approval from the academic dean before registering for an online course. WRITING LAB Drop-in writing support across the disciplines offered at selected times during the day and after school MATH LAB Accessible to all US students throughout the school day on a drop-in basis; peer tutors from Mu Alpha Theta are available to assist on-site as well.“


CAPSTONE Capstone encourages students to develop a sense of purpose through action. This dynamic approach to learning invites students to pair interests with impact as they address real-world issues through solution-based and/or serviceoriented projects. At Miami Country Day, we have created an intentional program inspired by original passions and influenced by lessons around our past and present as well as our real world and local community.

COLLEGE COUNSELING We believe in a personalized approach that seeks to maximize the admission opportunities of every student. In 9th grade, students are introduced to the College Counseling program and advising. Starting in 10th grade a full-time College Counselor is assigned to each Miami Country Day student to help guide them and their families through the college admissions process. Each year representatives from over 200 colleges and universities visit our campus to meet in small groups with our students. With a 100% college matriculation rate, two-thirds of our students are accepted into a top 100 institution.

As a result, Capstone Projects explore a variety of fields and subject-areas, but all have the Miami Country Day School values of Honor, Respect, Wisdom, Compassion, and Purpose at their core. Capstone directly speaks to our mission. The process involves reflecting, asking essential questions, identifying needs, and mapping out an action plan as students consider the ways these projects might come to fruition. All the while, Capstone asks that students remain authentic to who they are as learners, members in our MCDS community, and, on a larger scale, an active participant in the world we are charged with nurturing.


MATRICULATION OUR 2022-2023 GRADUATES MATRICULATED TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD: Alfred University Babson College Barry University Bentley University Boston University Brown University Case Western Reserve University Clark University College of Charleston Colorado State University Columbia University Cornell University Florida Atlantic University Florida Gulf Coast University Florida International University Florida State University Fordham University George Washington University Georgetown University Harvard University Indiana University Bloomington Marion Military Institute Marymount Manhattan College Mercer University Michigan State University New York University Northeastern University Nova Southeastern University

Oakland University Occidental College Pace University Queen’s University Salve Regina University School of the Art Institute of Chicago Southern Methodist University Suffolk University Syracuse University The American University of Paris The New School Tufts University Tulane University University of California, Los Angeles University of Central Florida University of Chicago University of Colorado Boulder University of Florida University of Illinois at Chicago University of Miami University of Michigan University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of North Florida University of Pennsylvania University of Vermont University of Wisconsin-Madison University of the Pacific Western Connecticut State University


Every Student. Everyday. Everywhere.


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