Curriculum   Focus   in   Classical   Studies

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highlights of the student experience

• Explore the deeper questions of life and analyze the impact of philosophical ideas on our present day lives
• Participate in frequent Socratic Seminars, inquiry-based learning, and research activities
• Grow in critical thinking and oral and written communication skills
• Create a critically conscious lens with which to examine and question the world
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pillars of learning

Classical Studies students:

• ​​Think Logically
• Speak Eloquently
• Write Persuasively
• Live Ethically

Classical Studies Graduation Distinction

​In addition to meeting all of the requirements set by the state of Texas for the Recommended diploma, Classical Studies students are asked to complete additional requirements to meet the mission and graduate profile of the academy. Students who complete these additional courses/experiences are eligible to earn the Classical Studies Graduation Distinction:

• 80 Civic Engagement Points
• 3 Humanities & Fine Arts Electives (or other approved Classical Studies electives)
• 1 credit of Latin *
• Senior Capstone/Independent Research Class

 * Note: Students who take 4 Fine Arts/Humanities electives may opt out of Latin and still earn the Graduation Distinction.

​Certificate of Participation
Students who do not complete all of the requirements for a distinction (ie. missing the Capstone course, insufficient # of civic engagement points, etc.) will still be recognized as a graduate of the academy through a "Certificate of Participation."

humanities-based electives

​COURSES APPROVED FOR GRADUATION DISTINCTION
​The Academy for Classical Studies centers around four core courses (English, Social Studies, Math, and Science) working as a team to blend these disciplines within the required coursework. In addition to the Texas graduation requirements, ACS students take at least 1 credit of Latin and 3 Fine Arts/Humanities courses OR students who opt out of Latin may take 4 Fine Arts/Humanities courses.

​APPROVED ELECTIVES (FOR CLASSICAL DISTINCTION)

Electives for ACS students include weighted and unweighted courses in many disciplines.

Humanities Electives

• Debate
• Logic
• Model UN
• American Film & Music
• Asian Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Journalism (Newspaper/Yearbook)
  
• Creative Writing
• Literary Genres

Fine Arts Courses

• Visual Arts 
• Dance
• Music: Band, Orchestra, Choir, etc.
• Theater (+ Musical Theater, Tech Theater)
• Photography. Visual Media, Animation
• Film Studies

Upper Division Social Studies Courses

• European History
• Sociology
• Psychology

SUGGESTED ACS COURSE SEQUENCE

Subject	9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade
Language Arts	ACS English I or ACS Advanced English I	ACS English II or Advanced ACS English II (Emphasis on World Literature)	AP Language & Composition, Dual Credit Language and Composition, Dual Enrollment Rhetoric with UT OnRamps, or English 3: American Studies	AP Literature, English IV, or a Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Literature and Composition Course
Social Studies	ACS Geography or ACS Advanced Geography	ACS World History, ACS Advanced W. History, or ACS AP World History	AP, Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, Grade Level US History, or AP or Grade Level USHist: American Studies	US Government and Economics
Science	ACS Biology or ACS Advanced Biology	ACS Chemistry or ACS Advanced Chemistry	Upper Level Science Course: Physics recommended for future Science majors	Upper Level Science Course
Math	ACS Advanced Geometry Based on the math sequence started in middle school, students may also be in a blended-academy math course: Algebra I, Adv Alg I, or Alg II	ACS Advanced Algebra II Based on sequence, students may also be in a blended-academy Geometry or Pre-Cal course.	Math Course: Depending on sequence, students may choose UT OnRamps Pre-Cal, Statistics, AP Statistics, Calculus, College Algebra, etc.	Math Course (see options in the course schedule)
Language	Latin or Modern World Language	Latin or Modern Language	Latin, Modern Language, or Elective	Latin, Modern Language, or Elective
Academy Elective	MAPS ​(recommended, not required)	Logic, Debate, or Model UN (recommended)	Advanced Fine Arts Elective	Senior Seminar
Choice Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective
Choice Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective

Notes:

• 3 or more years of Latin is recommended for Classical Studies; to earn the Graduation Distinction, a minimum of 1 year of Latin is allowed with a continuation of another World Language or Computer Science courses, OR students may pursue 4 Fine Arts/Humanities electives and opt out of Latin (but 2 credits of the same world language are required for graduation).
• Electives Required for Graduation: . 5 Health Credit, 1.0 PE Credit, and 1.0 Fine Arts Credit
• Suggested Humanities-based Electives (these may be used to earn the Graduation Distinction): Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, Women's Studies, Contemporary Issues, AP European History, AP Human Geography, Literary Genres, Creative Writing, Debate, Model UN, Logic