Curriculum Focus in Classical Studies

​Course of Study
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

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 Fine Arts/Humanities 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.

Approved Fine Arts/Humanities Electives for Classical Distinction

• Fine Arts Courses
  • Visual Arts 
  • Dance
  • Music: Band, Orchestra, Choir, etc.
  • Theater
  • Photography and Visual Media
  • Film Studies
• Humanities Electives
  • Debate
  • Logic & Rhetoric
  • Model UN
  • American Film & Music
  • Asian Studies
  • Latin American Studies
  • Journalism
  • Communications Applications
  • Creative Writing
• Upper Division Social Studies Courses
  • European History
  • Sociology
    
  • Psychology

​
​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."

Subject	9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade
Language Arts	Classical Humanities English I or PreAP English I	Classical Humanities English II or AP English II (Emphasis on Medieval, Renaissance, and World Literature)	AP Language & Composition, Dual Credit Language and Composition, 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, Grade Level US History, or USHist: American Studies	Modern History/Senior Seminar
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	PreCalculus, or Discrete Mathematics, or AP Stats, or Calculus, or Dual Credit Algebra	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	Classical Logic/MAPS	Rhetoric - Year Long OR Debate	US Government (recommended Jr. year) AND Economics	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: Eastern Classics, AP European History, AP Art History, AP Human Geography, Novel/Era Studies (Historicism & Critical Consciousness)