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

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."

course of study

CORE COURSES
​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:

• Literature
• History
• Art
• Music
• Philosophy

• ​Religion
• Political Science
• Life and Physical Sciences
• Mathematics

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
• Creative Writing
• Literary Genres

Fine Arts Courses

• Visual Arts 
• Dance
• Music: Band, Orchestra, Choir, etc.
• Theater
• Photography and Visual Media
• 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	Classical Humanities English I or PreAP English I	Classical Humanities English II or PreAP English II (Emphasis on Medieval, Renaissance, and World Literature)	AP Language & Composition, Dual Credit Language and Composition, Dual Enrollment Rhetoric with UT OnRamps, or English 3: American Studies	AP Literature (Modern) or Approved Humanities Course
Social Studies	Classical Humanities Geography or PreAP Geography	AP, PreAP, or Grade Level World History	AP, Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, Grade Level US History, or AP or Grade Level USHist: American Studies	US Government and Economics
Science	Biology or PreAP Biology	Chemistry or PreAP Chemistry	Advanced Science Choices	Advanced Science Choices
Math	Algebra I, or PreAP Algebra I, or PreAP Geometry	Geometry, or PreAP Geometry, or PreAP Algebra II, or Stats, or Algebraic Reasoning	Grade Level Or Dual Enrollment OnRamps PreCalculus, or Discrete Mathematics, or AP Stats, or Calculus, or Dual Credit College Algebra	Grade Level Or Dual Enrollment OnRamps  ​PreCalculus, or Discrete Mathematics, or AP Stats, or Calculus
Language	Latin or Modern Language	Latin or Modern Language	Latin, Modern Language, or Elective	Latin, Modern Language, or Elective
Academy Elective	MAPS	Logic, Debate, Model UN	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 Electives: Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, Contemporary Issues, AP European History, AP Human Geography, Literary Genres, Creative Writing