Course Selection

As you select your courses from the online Curriculum Coursebook, please know you do not need to make selections alone! Your advisor, teachers, and the College Counseling Office are here to assist you in the selection of your academic plan of study. While your advisor and others are ready to help in making decisions concerning the number and difficulty of courses you might take, ultimately the decisions are up to you if you are deciding between recommended courses. You are responsible for your own program and performance.

Course Recommendations

Department recommendations for the following year are made in late January/early February and shared with students. These recommendations are based on factors that include, but are not limited to: classroom performance, ability to work independently, preparation for and participation in class, and standardized test scores, where appropriate. A recommendation means that a student may take that course, not that he/she must take it. After final assessments, recommendations may be reviewed and amended. Students in ninth grade and their families are notified of these recommendations in late spring. Upperclassmen are aware of their recommendations prior to course sign up in early March. Our goal is to make sure you are in the appropriate course of study based on your abilities, interests, strengths, and weaknesses.

Enrollment Against Recommendations

To request enrollment in a course against recommendation, a student must contact the course teacher and the Department Chair to schedule a conversation. After this meeting occurs, if the student and family still wish to change his/her/their course of study, they must submit a written request to the Department Chair and Head of Upper School, stating his/her/their reasons for the request. In submitting the request, students and their families must indicate that they understand that: sectioning and staffing decisions will be based on the number of students recommended for the course; students may not be able to change courses; and teachers are not required to provide unlimited extra help to students in courses elected against recommendation. Enrollment is not automatic. Students who end the year on Academic Probation may not request any course against recommendation. The Department Chair and Head of Upper School will make the final decision regarding a student’s placement.

Honors and Advanced Courses

Honors and advanced courses are accelerated courses for qualified students who have shown exceptional ability and who work well independently. Honors and advanced designation indicates one or more of the following about a course as compared to a standard course or offerings at that grade-level: it moves more quickly, covers more topics or delves more deeply into subject matter, and/or requires a greater level of inquiry. Honors and advanced courses require students to produce more creative and extensive individual work. Placement in honors and advanced courses is not appropriate for all students, and a manageable course load is important. Students are recommended for honors and advanced courses after meeting specific academic prerequisites.

Self-Advocacy and Student Responsibility

Since an important part of the learning process occurs through interaction in classes and student self-advocacy, it is important for you to be prepared to participate actively and intelligently. Therefore, you are expected to do your work and prepare daily for each class. Should you encounter any difficulty in your coursework, you should immediately seek help from your instructor. It is important for you to do so as early as possible so that you do not fall behind. Our marking system serves to inform you, your advisor, and your parents about your progress and to give colleges some indication of your potential in various areas.

Course Credits, Academic Loads, Requirements

Full-year major courses = four credit units each Semester major courses and certain full-year electives = two credit units each Electives = one credit unit

Minimum Credit Units/Courses Required by Year

Grade 9 (22 units)

● Biology or Honors Biology ● English 9 ● Math ● Language ● Modern World History ● Minimum of one credit unit from visual art and design, technology, theatre, music or yearbook ● Freshman Seminar

Grade 10 (21 units)

● Chemistry or Honors Chemistry ● English 10 ● Health and Decision Education ● Language ● Math ● U.S. History or Advanced U.S History

Grade 11 (20 units)

● One major English course each semester ● Math ● At least two major courses each semester ● Four additional credit units

Grade 12 (18 units)

● One major English course each semester ● At least three other major courses each semester ● Additional courses needed to reach 18 units and complete the graduation requirements

Advanced Courses

● Advanced/honors course prerequisites: ● Permission is normally required. ● Permission depends on background, academic load, and extracurriculars.

Graduation Requirements

● English (16 units) ● English 9 ● English 10 ● Plus one major course each semester of the junior and senior years

History (12 units)

● Modern World History ● U.S. History or Advanced U.S. History ● Plus four additional credit units

Language (8 units above level one)

● Satisfied by completing either: ● The third level of one language or ● The second level of two different languages

Math (12 units above a first-year algebra course)

Science (12 units)

● Biology or Honors Biology ● Chemistry or Honors Chemistry ● Plus four additional credit units (Physics recommended)

Electives requirement (4 units minimum)

● From approved courses in: Visual Art and Design, Theater, Music and/or Yearbook

Experiential Learning

● Winterim at the end of first semester ● Tower Term at the end of second semester ● Community Engagement is expected of all students throughout Upper School

Winterim

Winterim is a dedicated period of time between first and second semesters when each grade level will focus thematically on a topic. Freshmen will continue with an extension of their seminar on Self Care, sophomores will contribute in Sophomore Service, juniors will participate in a College Counseling seminar, and seniors will participate in a Life Skills course to help prepare them for their next chapter.

Tower Term Tower Term is a requirement for every Tower Hill student which must be completed for each year he/she attends the Upper School. It is a limitless space where the Tower Hill community can explore learning together in an interdisciplinary, experiential way. This time allows for creative and dynamic programming that promotes deep engagement, critical thinking, and real life application. This dedicated period allows students and faculty to explore ideas, take risks, and run experiments. These courses will set the stage for collaborative, interdepartmental, student-driven activities that provide diversified preparation for lifelong learning and personal growth. Spring Tower Term will take place after Upper School exams.