List of required texts students will need to purchase – La Chica de los. Zapatos
Verdes and Marianela. • Approximate homework time per night – 15 minutes.
North Raleigh Christian Academy
AP/ HONORS INSIDER’S GUIDE 2012-2013 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 1
From the Editors Choosing classes can be tricky. Amidst all the rumors about the best way to get into the top universities, students are often left with a multitude of questions regarding their paths through the high school curriculum. A few years ago, taking every AP and honors course offered was considered the best bet for getting into a competitive university. Then came word that college admission officers prefer to see well-rounded academics as well as extracurricular activities. The prevailing thought from many universities today is that course curriculum and rigor are the most important pieces of the admissions puzzle, with depth being superior to breadth. Namely, a student should choose one or two interests and pursue those to the highest level possible at a given school. So how do you decide what class is right for you? The AP and Honors Insider’s Guide is designed to help students navigate the course-selection process at NRCA. It provides an overview of each AP and honors course along with first-person insights from students currently enrolled in those courses—insider information. NRCA is a college preparatory school, which means that all students are taught the foundational principles that will prepare them for a full-term college education. AP and honors courses require more time and effort for most students than CP-level classes; therefore, it is essential for students to have clear understanding of the expectations going into the registration period. In selecting courses, have a definite set of goals in mind and an overall plan to achieve those goals. Our suggestion to students would be to take classes that are challenging and relevant to their interests. For students who have a specific major in mind, we recommend choosing classes that pertain to that major. As you plan, keep in mind that AP courses are offlimits to students who have not completed the honors prerequisite. Finally, remember that extracurricular activities are an important piece in the college admissions process too. Athletics, fine arts, spiritual growth, leadership roles, and community service will balance out the academic load. Prayerfully consider what works best for you in light of all areas of life. Marissa Liu, Design Editor Emily Hayward, Insider’s Guide Editor Mikaela Sullivan, Assistant Insider’s Guide Editor 2
COLLEGE-PREPARATORY ACADEMICS Bible History
GRADE 9
GRADE 10
GRADE 11
GRADE 12
Biblical Theology
Systematic Theology
Christian Apologetics
Practical Theology
World History
US Constitution Honors US Constitution
AP US History Honors US History US History
AP European History Honors Economics
Math
Algebra I Geometry Honors Geometry
Algebra II Honors Algebra II Geometry Honors Geometry
AP Calculus AB Honors Pre-Calculus Advanced Functions & Modeling
AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC Honors College Math Honors Pre-Calculus Statistics
Science
Biology
AP Biology Anatomy
Chemistry Honors Chemistry
AP Chemistry AP Physics Ecology Honors Ecology
English
English I Honors English I
English II Honors English II
AP English & Composition Honors American Lit. American Literature
AP English & Composition Honors British Literature British Literature
Language
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Honors Spanish III
Spanish II Honors Spanish III Spanish IV AP Spanish Language
Electives
Art I Band* Choir* Drama/Dance* Drama/Tech* Teacher Assistant Journalism/Graphic Design Yearbook
Art I Art II, III Band* Broadcast Production Choir* Drama/Dance* Drama/Tech* Journalism/Graphic Design Honors Philosophy Teacher Assistant Yearbook*
AP Music Theory AP Psychology Art I Art II, III Band* Broadcast Production Choir* Drama/Dance* Drama/Tech* Journalism/Graphic Design* Honors Philosophy Teacher Assistant Yearbook*
AP Music Theory AP Psychology Art I Art II, III Band* Broadcast Production Choir* Drama/Dance* Drama/Tech* Journalism/Graphic Design* Honors Philosophy Teacher Assistant Yearbook*
Zero-Hour Classes: AP Studio Art Honors Jazz Ensemble Honors Dance Honors Ensemble Honors Competitive Speech & Debate Honors Creative Writing Honors Production & Film
Zero-Hour Classes: AP Studio Art Honors Jazz Ensemble Honors Dance Honors Ensemble Honors Competitive Speech & Debate Honors Creative Writing Honors Production & Film
Trades & Shop Domestic Arts Athletic Training Honors Allied Sciences II
Trades & Shop Domestic Arts Athletic Training Honors Allied Sciences II
*potential Honors Credit
Pre-School Classes Jazz Ensemble Dance Ensemble
Vocational Electives
Trades & Shop Domestic Arts Athletic Training
Trades & Shop Domestic Arts Athletic Training
Computer Technology
Honors Computer Engineering AP Computer Science Honors Computer Science Honors Computer Engineering Computer Technology Honors Computer Science Computer Technology
*potential Honors Credit
Computer *potential Honors Credit
Zero-Hour Classes: AP Studio Art Honors Jazz Ensemble Honors Dance Honors Ensemble Honors Competitive Speech & Debate Honors Creative Writing Honors Production & Film
AP Computer Science Honors Computer Engineering Honors Computer Science Computer Technology
3
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS GENERAL TRACK
COLLEGE PREPARATORY
HONORS TRACK
English: 4 units
English: 4 units
English: 4 units
Math: 2-3 units
(Not eligible for Honors level classes)
Two years in Honors or AP American & British Literature
Math: 4 units
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one additional math beyond Algebra II
Math: 4 units
(Not eligible for Honors level classes)
Science: 2-3 units
Algebra I required
Geometry, Algebra II, Honors PreCalculus, and Honors or AP Math
Science: 4 units
Biology and Chemistry or Honors Chemistry required
Science: 4 units
(Not eligible for Honors level classes)
History: 4 units
History: 4 units
History: 4 units
Foreign Language: 2 units
Foreign Language: 3 units
Electives: 9 units
Electives: 6 units
Electives: 6 units
TOTAL: 22 units
TOTAL: 24 units
TOTAL: 25 units
Biology required
World History and U.S. History required (Not eligible for Honors level classes)
Biology and AP Biology or Biology and Anatomy, Honors Chemistry, and Honors Ecology or one additional AP Science Course
World History and U.S. History, World History, U.S. Constitution/ Honors U.S. History or AP U.S. History Honors U.S. Constitution, Honors or required AP U.S. History, and one additional Honors or AP History
zz A minimum of 12 hours per year of Community Service is required at North Raleigh Christian Academy in grades 9-12. zz One elective unit of Bible is required for each year of attendance in grades 9-12. zz The ACT must be taken during the senior year.
4
AT - A - GLANCE AP Studio Art •
Prerequisite – Students must have a completed Advanced Art courses with at least a B average or have had a portfolio approved to enter the class.
•
AP Studio Art, divided into three disciplines – Drawing, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design, is not based on a written exam; instead, students complete and submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year in chosen discipline. The class is designed for the student who is seriously interested in and pursuing a degree in art production.
Honors Ensemble •
Requirements—A spring audition which includes a theory assessment, sight-singing, and a solo chosen by the person auditioning. The requirement of a subscription to SmartMusic (www.smartmusic.com) which is practice software used for assessing student progress. Approximate cost: $30. Parents also sign a contract stating expectations for the class.
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Class format—Daily rehearsals from 7:00-7:45 a.m.; test each quarter to check memorization deadlines; performances throughout the year including ACSI and NCMEA adjudication festivals; repertoire from the 6th Century to today’s hits in both sacred and secular music.
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Number of students allowed in class—A balanced group of twelve to eighteen sopranos, altos, tenor, and basses. Females in grades ten through twelve; males in grades nine through twelve. All students must also be in concert choir.
zero hour 5
Honors Dance •
Prerequisites – One year of dance at NRCA and active at dance studio outside of school.
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Class format – Structured like a regular studio class (stretch, learn choreography), choreograph and practice a dance (if assigned).
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Number of quizzes and tests per quarter – Participation grades, recital is a test grade.
Honors Production & Film •
List of texts –ApplePro Training Series for Final Cut Pro X.
•
Approximate homework time per night – Varies according to projects.
•
Class format –Lecture/class involvement/project driven.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter –Varies; end of year class goal is to test for Final Cut Pro Level 1 certification, also end of year student short film.
Honors Jazz Ensemble •
Requirements – Five hours of rehearsal per week (four full-band, one self-assessment sectional/theory), required outside listening, two concerts per year plus the ACSI Festival, and outside performance venues such as special events and NRCA chapels.
•
Class format – Daily grades based on attendance, punctuality, rehearsal participation, and preparation for class; quiz grades assigned for playing skills review or written work; tests may be written or played on an instrument; concerts count as a double test grade.
zero hour 6
Honors Creative Writing •
List of texts – Various articles on the craft of writing.
•
Writing tools – 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by: Roy Peter Clark (selected writings).
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Approximate homework time – one to two hours per week.
•
Class format – Lecture, discussion, and writer’s workshop.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays (per quarter) – two to three workshop exercises per week, two to three major writing projects per quarter, and 20 journal/blog entries/posts per quarter.
Honors Competitive Speech & Debate •
Approximate Homework Time – This depends upon what a student wants to “get out” of the course. To adequately prepare for a forensic competition, with the hope of “placing” in an event, you’ll need to prepare continuously, like training for an athletic event. When no preparing for a competition there is little homework. You are expected to keep up with current events both nationally and internationally.
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Class format- relaxed.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays (per quarter- five to six quizzes, two to three tests and one project).
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This course requires participation on Saturdays (approx. four to five in first semester and two to three in second semester) with an occasional school excused school day to go to speech tournaments as a part of the National Forensic League (NFL). Going to tournaments credit as test grades provided you make every effort to be successful.
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Students are also responsible for any hotel/ food expenses as well as registration fees.
zero hour 7
AP Computer Science •
List of required texts students will need – Online course, all materials provided through course website.
•
Approximate homework time per night – one to two hours.
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Class format – All online; read material, complete assignments, and exercises at individual pace.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Due to the online nature of the course, tests and quizzes are rolling throughout the year.
AP Music Theory •
List of required texts students will need – The school provides The Practice of Harmony and Barron’s AP Music Theory text book and workbook. Computer Listening software is also provided, and manuscript paper is also needed. The instructor may suggest supplemental materials, websites, and software that would be the responsibility of the student to purchase or use. A teoria (www.teoria.com) subscription is required.
•
Approximate homework time per week – Approximately three or four hours.
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Class format – Two days are used for computer ear training and dictation; the remainder of the week builds on advanced music theory concepts leading toward their use in original compositions in the style of 18th-century writing.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – One or two listening and ear-training tests, one project, tests, homework grades, and quizzes as needed to cover material taught.
electives 8
Honors Computer Engineering •
List of required texts students will need—Student will be given access to a personalized website with the curriculum on it where they will also upload assignments and take assessments.
•
Approximate homework time per night—Varies.
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Class format—70% class lecture with the remaining in hands on lab assembling and disassembling computers.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter—Three tests, 20-ish chapter review worksheets, quizzes and projects vary.
Honors Computer Science •
List of required texts students will need - Text book (this year; may change next year) is Learning to Program with Alice (supplied by the school).
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Approximate homework time per night - 15 to 30 minutes (only a couple of times throughout the year).
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Class format - Mix of lecture and in-class projects; lots of hands-on programming.
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Numbers of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Typically three tests and five to seven quizzes per quarter; larger programming projects may also count as test grades.
electives 9
Honors Philosophy •
List of required texts students will need - Questions that Matter, Moral Darwinism, and If Minds had Toes; Selections from C.S. Lewis.
•
Approximate homework time per night - Varies depending on reading assignments. Normal average is one and a half hours a week.
•
Class format - Lecture, group work.
•
Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter - Quizzes vary, three tests, one project per quarter, essays vary.
Honors Allied Health Sciences II •
List of required texts students will need – You will need Diversified Health Occupations (American Heart) Healthcare Provider CPR & AED. You will also need one set of navy scrubs, a stethoscope, and a watch with a second hand.
•
Approximate homework time per night – 15 minutes on average plus 45 hours outside of class on Wednesdays (from 2:25 pm-6:15 pm) and Saturday one to eight hours and one to four hours.
•
Class format – Three per week of note taking and two days of lab demonstration/practice.
•
Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Approximately four tests, two quizzes, and one to two homework grades.
electives 10
Honors English I •
List of required texts students will need – List of selected novels including Frankenstein, Great Expectations, Julius Caesar, As You Like It, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Animal Farm. Required summer reading of The Scarlet Pimpernel plus one outside reading project per quarter.
•
Approximate homework time per night – Averages about 45 minutes to an hour.
•
Class format – Lecture/discussion, writing, vocabulary drills, pop quizzes on novels, group activities, and outside reading projects.
•
Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Seven to ten quizzes, three to five tests, one speech and two to four projects.
Honors English II •
List of required texts students will need – Night will be the summer reading, and during the year you will read Julius Caesar, Les Miserables, Things Fall Apart, And Then There Were None, Mythology, and additional books that will be announced throughout the year.
•
Approximate homework time per night – Varies from none to a few hours.
•
Class format – Discussion, lecture, reading, group work, and writing.
•
Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Varies each quarter.
english 11
Honors American Literature •
List of required texts students will need—The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain; The Scarlet Letter, Nathanial Hawthorne; To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee; The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald; The Chosen, Chaim Potok, and A Separate Peace, John Knowles. Approximate homework time—Two to four hours per week, consisting mainly of reading and writing.
•
Class format—Normally consists of discussion and analysis of the texts that are being read.
•
Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter—Quizzes over reading, a test for each novel, and usually one project.
Honors British Literature •
List of required texts students will need—Screwtape Letters, Macbeth, Hamlet, Lord of the Flies, and additional books which will be announced in class.
•
Approximate homework time per night—30 to 45 minutes.
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Class format—Lecture with heavy discussion.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter—Six to eight quizzes, three tests (including an essay), and two major projects.
english 12
AP Language & Composition •
List of texts students will read – Book list each year varies, but a few books you’re guaranteed to read include The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter, and Amusing Ourselves to Death by: Neil Postman. Approximate homework time – three to four hours per week.
•
Class format – Independently driven student interaction in a heavily Socratic environment.
•
Number of quizzes, homework, essays, and projects per quarter – Guesstimations: about 15 quizzes, 10 graded homework assignments, three tests, four to five test essays, plus one major project per quarter.
AP Literature & Composition •
List of texts students will read – book list is to be determined (the summer reading is on the NRCA website along with a book list), but you can be sure that Heart of Darkness, Hamlet, and Crime and Punisment will be there.
•
Approximate homework time per night – It varies, but it usually takes an hour to do a thorough job.
•
Class format – A combination of lecture and discussion, both teacher and student led.
•
Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – six to ten quizzes, one test essay, plus numerous homework grades, and one major projects per quarter, one of these being a research paper.
english 13
Honors US Constitution •
List of required texts – Framed for Posterity: The Enduring Philosophy of the Constitution, and Barron’s AP U.S. Government notecards.
•
Approximate homework time per night – 45 minutes.
•
Class format – Class is dominated by discussion and group work, and lecture on occasion.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Three tests, eight to ten quizzes, and one project.
Honors US History •
List of required texts students will need - 1776, David G. McCullough; April 1865, Jay Winik; Character, Chris Wallace, and a 4th book for 4th quarter.
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Approximate homework time per night - Average 40 minutes to an hour.
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Class Format - Teacher created study guides ask questions based on the textbook. They are answered in homework, then discussed in class. The study guide is the basis of all mastery testing.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – four to six quizzes, four to six tests, and two to four 4-page essays.
history 14
Honors Economics •
List of required texts students will need – Economics “Principles in Action”, Dave Ramsey’s Financial Freedom Workbook.
•
Approximate homework time per night – 30 minutes.
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Class format- Required classroom interaction with limited lecture.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – A weekly quiz and test (with two to three essays per test), and one major project per semester with periodic minor group projects.
AP US History •
List of required texts students will need – Students need to purchase Mayflower: A Story of Community, Courage, War by Nathaniel Philbrick, and Barron’s AP U.S History notecards.
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Approximate homework time per night – 50 minutes on nights when homework is assigned. Majority of the homework is assigned several days before it is due, so students may manage their time accordingly.
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Class format – Mostly discussion, group work, and lecture-based.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Eight to twelve quizzes, three tests, and one project per semester.
history 15
AP European History •
List of required texts students will need – Other than the provided textbook we have used a book titled Sources of the Western Tradition (it’s a specific volume, edition, and version but you don’t need it until second quarter), and an AP workbook for the exam.
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Approximate homework time per night – Depends on your reading pace, usually 30 minutes to an hour.
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Class format – Lecture/discussion.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – A LOT of quizzes, about four to five tests, DBQ’s, and two to three essays. Essays count as quiz grades.
Honors Geometry •
List of required texts students will need – Textbook supplied by the school.
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Approximate homework time per night – 30 minutes.
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Class format – Lecture, hands on/student interaction, and working through problems from the book and extra problems outside of the textbook.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Six to eight quizzes, four to five tests, and nightly homework.
history/math 16
Honors Algebra II •
List of required texts students will need – Textbook supplied by school.
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Approximate homework time per night – About 30 minutes.
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Class format – Review homework of the previous night, learn a new lesson, and assign homework.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – At least three tests, daily homework grades, pop quizzes (approximately one per week), and about four or more announced quizzes.
Honors Pre-Calculus •
List of required texts students will need—Text book which is Precalculus with Limits (Houghton Mifflin Company 2007).
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Approximate homework time per night—30 to 45 minutes.
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Class format—Lecture and guided/independent practice solving math problems.
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Number of quizzes, test, projects, and essays per quarter—Three to four tests, five to seven quizzes, and daily homework grades.
Honors College Math •
List of required texts students will need – Text is supplied by school. It is: Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry 3rd edition.
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Approximate homework time per night – 30 minutes.
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Class format – Lecture-based.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – One project, one math journal, three to four tests, several quizzes, and daily homework.
math 17
AP Calculus AB •
List of required texts students will need – Textbook.
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Approximate homework time per night – One to two hours.
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Class format – You work through the book, every day there’s an AP question, then you go through homework, then you learn the new lesson, then she assigns homework.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Three tests per quarter and one homework grade per day. A few (maybe five) pop quizzes on homework. Five-ish online homework assignments.
Honors Chemistry •
List of required texts students will need – Chemistry, Connections to our Changing World and accompanying lab manual.
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Approximate homework time per night – 30 minutes.
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Class format – Lecture, group works, and labs.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – About six quizzes and three tests.
Honors Ecology •
List of required texts students will need – Textbook supplied by school, internet.
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Approximate homework time per night – 15 to 30 minutes.
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Class format – Lecture, outside observation, and student purchased resources.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Three or more tests, six or more quizzes, and projects in the third quarter.
math/science 18
AP Psychology •
List of required texts students will need - Barron’s AP Psychology Study Guide and flashcards.
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Approximate homework time per night – Approximately 30 minutes to an hour.
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Class format - Lecture and discussion based; Powerpoint.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter - One project, four tests, about 12 quizzes, and an occasional essay.
AP Chemistry •
List of required texts students will need – Chemistry by: Zumdahl/ Zumdahl, 8th Edition, chemical equations handbook, lab notebook, Laboratory Experiments for AP Chemistry, and The Ultimate Chemical Equations handbook.
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Approximate homework time per night – Maybe 30 minutes to an hour.
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Class format – Lecture every day. Labs on Wednesdays in the mornings and afternoons.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – No projects, seven to eight homework grades, one to two quizzes, four to five tests. Quiz grades in lab notebook.
science 19
AP Physics •
List of required texts students will need –Textbook and electronic textbook.
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Approximate homework time per night – An hour.
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Class format – Mostly working through the book, some days there are labs.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – No essays or projects. We have at least three tests and several lab reports per quarter. Quiz and homework amounts vary, labs and quizzes count for 30%, homework counts for 10%, tests count for 60%.
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Wednesday 7 a.m. lab.
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Online quizzes.
AP Biology •
List of required texts students will need – See Mrs. McInnis’s website in June for the determined textbook.
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Approximate homework time per night – About an hour.
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Class format – Lecture and group work, along with labs.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Anywhere from four to six tests, about eight quizzes, projects vary per quarter (one or two, but not every quarter).
science 20
Honors Spanish III •
Class conducted in Spanish
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List of required texts students will need to purchase – La Chica de los Zapatos Verdes and Marianela.
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Approximate homework time per night – 15 minutes. Independent Spanish medial conversation: log 4 hours every two weeks.
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Class format – Discussion, speaking and listening exercises, group work, video project, testimony and gospel presentation.
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Two quizzes per week, three written/oral/listening test per quarter, one project per quarter (test grade), one to two essays per quarter.
AP Spanish Language •
List of required texts – Textbook provided by school. Students need to purchase a cassette tape for oral practice and a composition book for journal assignments. Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Sentence Builder, and Nissenburg.
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Approximate homework time per night – 30 minutes spent studying, 30 minute assignment.
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Class format – Class conducted in Spanish; reading authentic Hispanic literature and current event articles; presentations; listening to authentic Spanish news articles and music.
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Number of quizzes, tests, projects, and essays per quarter – Two quizzes per week, three to four tests – tests and quizzes may be oral, listening comprehension, reading comprehension or writing, participation.
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At least once per year the students have the opportunity to watch movies in Spanish and/or go to a dinner/play.
spanish 21
A CLOSER LOOK
22
HONORS SPEECH & DEBATE Honors Speech and Debate is taught by Mrs. Robinson, the head of the middle school English department and longtime speech coach. If you want to take this class you must be willing to wake up a little bit earlier and be in class at seven o’clock. Honors Speech and Debate teaches you how to speak properly in front of people and debate effectively and accurately. Even if you are terrified of public speaking, with the help of your fellow classmates and Mrs. Robinson, you will build your confidence and have the ability to speak comfortably in front of others in no time. If you’re interested in debate, then you will be taught everything from organizing arguments to using parliamentary procedure. The debate team travels to several tournaments during the school year and matches up against other debate teams in the state. If you’re more interested in the speaking or the drama aspect of the class, you will learn dramatic and humorous interpretation speeches to perform individually or with a partner. If you do interpretation pieces, you will also travel to tournaments and perform in front of judges. Once you’re in the class, you will have the opportunity to become a member of the National Forensic League, “an honor society established to encourage and motivate high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking, and interpretation” (www.nflonline. org). Members of the NFL are the best public speakers and debaters in the nation. Alumni include former US Presidents, senators, Supreme Court justices, and Academy Award winners. Every time you participate in an NFL event you are given points, and once you accumulate 25 points you enter the first level of the NFL. Not only does the honors credit and the National Forensic League membership look excellent on a college application, the skills learned in public speaking will benefit you for the rest of your life.
by: Matt West
zero hour 23
HONORS CREATIVE WRITING I am not a big fan of waking up in the morning, but it is worth it for this class. The assignments are very original, and the class certainly does not stifle the creative spirit. However, if you wish to make a good grade in the class, turn in your assignments on time. Deadlines and due dates are important. Honors Creative Writing is a class that equips students with tools for good creative writing skills. A few days a week, the class will read a chapter form the book Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark and then do a quick writing assignment in relation to the reading. This way, students learn ways to improve their writing through fun bits of work, but they are rarely stressed with homework. Other days, the class will go to the computer lab to work on long-term short story assignments, screenplays, poetry projects, and blogs. You don’t have to be a professional writer to take Honors Creative Writing – in fact, it’s the perfect class for anyone who simply wants to learn how to write better. Most of the work is done in class, and each quarter includes several assignments from Writing Tools, 20 blog posts, and a major assignment such as a short story or a poetry collection. The class even offers an opportunity for students to submit some of their works for publication. If you like writing or reading or just being creative, I definitely recommend this class.
by: Kelsey Weekman
zero hour 24
HONORS JAZZ ENSEMBLE
The jazz band is just another one of the great avenues offered at NRCA to improve and expand your musical talents. This class caters to anyone who has an interest in jazz and is not afraid to put in some additional hours of class each week. The class is offered before school and consists of morning rehearsals every day of the week at seven o’clock. Yes, you have to get to school before everybody else. These rehearsals consist of learning jazz scales and practicing music for the three performances over the course of the year: the Christmas concert, ACSI Band Festival, and Spring Concert. For a class with honors credit, this is certainly not very much to ask.
by: Kenan Michaels
zero hour 25
HONORS PRODUCTION & FILM With this being my second year in Honors Production and Film, I can definitely say that I am glad I decided to make my demo reel and enter the class. The whole year is spent in preparation for the exam at the end of the year which makes all the work worthwhile. We go through Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro X chapter-by-chapter so that we may receive our level one certification by passing the exam in April. Yes, the work can sometimes be challenging, and the exam is tough, but it is worth it. I received my level one certification in Final Cut Pro 7 last June, and I have realized the many perks that come along with it: it is impressive on a college application or a work resume, and it opens so many doors since it enables me to work with video. Although the class is challenging, there are also many fun aspects. We get to help in making videos for various school projects, get to film NRCA productions while getting in for free, and get to watch movies in order to evaluate their uses of shots and their editing. Honors Production and Film is such a fun class, and I would highly recommend it.
by: Mikaela Sullivan
zero hour 26
HONORS DANCE
Having to be at school at 7:00 every morning is not easy. Being dragged out of bed knowing you have to actively participate when you get there can be tiring. But it is all worth it. Being in the Honors Dance class gives you an opportunity to spend 45 minutes with some amazing people that you will become very close to and have a lot of fun with. Honors Dance is a before school class that starts at 7:00 and ends at 7:45. Students have to try out the year before and are chosen based on their technique, attitude, stage presence, potential and what they could add to the class. This class offers every style of dance such as tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. During the previous school year, the student dance directors are chosen by Mr. Green. The following school year the chosen students will be in charge of and lead the before-school class. A typical class will always begin with stretching and warm ups and then move on to either choreography, working out or combinations. Throughout the year, guest choreographers are brought in to choreograph pieces for the dancers. The dancers work on their many dances throughout the year for their recital in the spring, and a few performances in chapel and teachers’ devotions. I strongly urge you to participate in this class if you have a passion for dance. Yes, it is early, but it gives you an opportunity to meet some wonderful people and become a part of what we call the “H.D. family.” We work hard together and help one another to achieve our individual goals that we have set in the dance world.
by: Kelsey Middleton
zero hour 27
HONORS ENSEMBLE
Arriving at school at 7:00 in the morning may not be my favorite thing to do, but when we’re all there singing together it surprisingly turns out to be a great way to start the day. The relationships you will form in this zero-hour class will be ones you will remember forever. If singing to honor the Lord is one of your favorite things to do, then this is definitely the class for you. We look forward to welcoming a new choral program director next year. Traditionally, the Honors Ensemble performs at Tryon Palace, the NCMEA festival and the ACSI festival, but we are excited to see what the new director will bring to the choral program at NRCA. This group is auditioned so you must be prepared to sing a solo as well as read sight music, and the requirements and responsibilities are a little bit harder than just any elective so be prepared to practice your music every night in order to excel as an individual and as a group. In this class, you will learn what it really means to blend your voice with many other talented singers. You must love performing, learning and reading music in order to produce excellent results. Most importantly, we use our talents to glorify the Lord and strive to be a testimony of his love to others. Although this class requires hard work as well as a significant amount of your time and sleep, you will feel blessed to be a part of it by the end of the year. I encourage you to come participate with us.
by: Lacey Worsham
zero hour 28
AP STUDIO ART AP Studio Art is different from the other art electives offered at NRCA. It is for the students who are serious about the class and who are willing to work on their own time outside of class, in order to fulfill the 29-project quota for the exam. You can choose from three categories: Drawing, 2-D Design, or 3-D Design. Within these three areas you can explore photography, sculpture, fashion design, or even jewelry making. The exam is graded on a scale of one to six, and, depending on the score, can place you out of the first art class required in college. The opportunity to place out of an introductory course in college art is great for those students who hope to follow a career in art, but the class is also for those who want to do it just for fun and enjoy being challenged. Taking on this class also requires you to take on more responsibility and integrity as your assignments do not have set due dates and are not limited in what subject, medium, or size you would like to work. Although this may seem stressful, Mrs. Minguez will be there to help you in any way possible. When things begin to get overwhelming, she brings you back with simple yet freeing art exercises. You start class every morning with devotions and usually end in discussion (while working) about the Bible, family or random art finds. I would recommend this class to any serious art students out there, guys or girls, and do not let the waking up earlier stop you. You will get used to it.
by: Meredith Gay
zero hour 29
HONORS ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES II Honors Allied Health Sciences II is an elective for rising juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a medical career. The prerequisite for this elective is an A or B in either anatomy or athletic training. Instead of the usual second-period elective, this class meets during seventh period daily. The goal of this course is to prepare students for the test at the end of the year to become a North Carolina Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA). In order to qualify to take this test, students must have a specific number of clinical hours. These hours are gained every Wednesday, starting second quarter, at a long-term health care center. Students leave the school at the beginning of seventh period and return to the school around six that evening. So if you plan on taking this class, make sure your Wednesday afternoons are free. As a student in this class, you will be expected to buy scrubs and a stethoscope and pay to take the state test. Nurse Brosnahan is a really cool teacher, and she is really good at her job; but the tests are still difficult, and you will be expected to study hard just like in all your other core classes. The most important thing to keep in mind concerning Honors Allied Health Sciences II is that you should not take this class if you have a problem with changing diapers, washing patients, or caring for the elderly. (These things are really not that bad once you get used to them.) Last year, I started out in this class not really knowing if I would enjoy nursing, but I ended up loving it, and I’m even thinking about studying it in college. I would strongly recommend this class because it is really fun and an opportunity not many high school students get to experience.
by: Nicole Gemmell
electives 30
HONORS PHILOSOPHY
Honors Philosophy is not for the weak at heart. It is a very demanding class, and that doesn’t necessarily mean the workload. The bulk of the work is reading. Lots and lots of reading. In the course of the year, we have read approximately five books and numerous articles and excerpts. We have studied the work of philosophers and great thinkers like Aristotle, Plato, Descartes, Kierkegaard, C.S Lewis, and many others. But the reading is only where it starts. Honors Philosophy demands a higher level of thinking. You have to be willing to stretch and exercise your mind in a way that you are probably not used to. In addition Mr. Ridlehoover focuses not just on the philosophy, but how it plays out in Scripture and in our Christian faith. For me, the workload is heavy and the concepts are difficult at times, but at no point do I regret taking Honors Philosophy. I have been able to learn a lot about philosophy but also learn a lot about myself. This class is not a cake walk. It’s not an easy A elective. It is a class that is meant to challenge you and expand your mind. It is meant to give you the opportunity to examine your own life. Socrates said it himself, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Honors Philosophy is one of the best classes offered at NRCA, but it is by no means the easiest.
by: Jack Lundie
electives 31
HONORS COMPUTER SCIENCE Honors Computer Science is a course in which students are allowed to experiment with the basics of computer programming. Using a program, Alice, students are able to create their own virtual worlds. Most classes consist of a short lecture on the basics of the chapter currently being studied, followed by the completion of an assignment that is worth a quiz grade. After the chapter is taught in full, students are given more difficult projects that can require additional thought and planning in order to achieve the desired result. These projects are generally worth test grades as they are more challenging. Although this may sound intimidating at first, all assignments may be completed in groups as well as individually. Honors Computer Science is a rewarding course to take for those desiring to experiment with problem-solving in order to create various virtual worlds. In addition to being an interesting way to dabble in the early stages of computer programming, honors credit can be earned by those who apply themselves in order to earn the A. This class is highly recommended for those wishing to expand their knowledge of computers and learn the basics of programming.
by: Addie Rush
electives 32
HONORS COMPUTER ENGINEERING In order to be in Honors Computer Engineering, it is important to actually care about computers. If you take the class simply to get the honors credit, you will be in over your head. The class is lecture style: the whole 50 minutes is essentially spent listening to the teacher explain various bits of information about computers, printers, the CPU, etc. Like most classes, there are about three tests per quarter that cover large amounts of information. For each topic, there is a worksheet that is typically assigned for homework. The class requires time outside of class only for this homework (which is only about once a week) and studying for tests. I would definitely recommend taking this class if computers are interesting to you and you desire to learn about computers. While the amount of work outside of class is not large, it will be completely overwhelming if you do not work well with computers. Additionally, there is a certification associated with this class. The CompTia A+ certification is the test you must take in the fourth quarter to receive the honors credit. It costs about $75 to take the certification, so it is only practical to take the exam if you have a chance of passing. The certification is basically a review of everything covered throughout the course of the year.
by: Marissa Bane
electives 33
AP MUSIC THEORY AP Music Theory is a class based upon Bach’s Part Writing Rules, common methods of composition, and various harmonic progressions. First semester is all about the basics, including key signatures, time signatures, scales, etc. The goal of the basic training is to get the musicians and vocalists on the same page and on the same level of music theory. The second semester is primarily focused on learning Bach’s Part Writing Rules, composition methods, and practicing skills by taking older AP Music Theory Exams. Homework is mostly done on a personal schedule. Each week, students are required to complete one hour of exercise time on Teoria.com. These exercises include harmonic progression recognition, melodic dictation, triad construction, etc. This website is an essential tool in the music theory learning process. I also recommend learning the basics of the piano before entering the class. This skill will greatly help you throughout the remainder of the year. There are occasional lengthy assignments, but they are graded primarily on completion and used to discuss different musical techniques and ideas. Tests and quizzes should be expected, but if you pay attention in class and are diligent in your Teoria practice time, everything will become easier at a faster rate. The work load of the class varies throughout certain times of the year with band concerts, choir concerts, and play performances since most students are involved in Fine Arts activities. If a student is interested in pursuing music of any kind at the collegiate level, this class is strongly encouraged. This class will prepare students with a solid foundation of music theory and place them a step ahead of students who did not have the opportunity to take this class in high school.
by: Mckinley Watson
electives 34
AP COMPUTER SCIENCE AP Computer Science isn’t like other AP courses. Generally, when you walk into a class, you expect to sit down, listen to your teacher and receive some sort of assignment. AP Computer Science in its current form presents another method of learning – namely, an online course. While in many ways this can be convenient, steadily learning the material, sticking to your pace chart, and completing assignments over time can be difficult without someone standing over your shoulder reminding you to work. Basically, the course requires a fair bit of personal responsibility, as well as some organizational skills. However, this class does have several good aspects. The site does a pretty good job at teaching a solid foundation of the Java programming language, and you can easily continue work on the site at home if you run out of time at the school, and vice versa (especially if you bring your own laptop). You also get a lot of freedom in how you choose to use your class time – if you really need to study for a test, for example, you can spend some class time doing that, as long as you’re willing to do a little extra homework. In Honors Computer Science, you get to work with drag and drop icons and 3D models of bumper cars and rabbits. In AP, you’re typing out lines of code. It may not be as “fun,” but this class is manageable and worthwhile for the AP credit.
by: Connor Shipway
electives 35
HONORS ENGLISH I Taking Honors English I is a big commitment, but one worth doing. The main difference between Honors English I and CP English I are the pace and workload. In addition, Honors has a little bit more homework because the pace in class is faster. Three days a week, students will have a journal that is given on a specific topic of Mrs. Salinas’ choice. They will be required to write a page on each topic and turn in the journal at the end of the quarter for a test grade. Every week, students have a vocabulary unit they must memorize, and every three units there will be a cumulative test. Both of these things will prepare the students for the upcoming years of high school in vocabulary and writing. Another major part of Honors English I is the amount of reading students will do. Over the course of the whole year, students will start off by reading short stories and gradually more into longer novels. They will read two Shakespearean classics and complete at least one outside reading project every quarter. Students will then take a quiz on the book or make a project to assess their comprehension of the work. Lastly, Honors English I offers a comprehensive review of grammar. This is important because grammar is part of the students’ everyday lives, so much practice is needed. Once a week, students will be given a worksheet for bellwork, focusing on a specific grammar topic. These worksheets allow students to review grammar they learned in middle school, identify weak areas and work to improve. Overall, even though it may be harder and require more work, students will greatly benefit from the work they will participate in and the many new things they will learn to do.
by: Caroline Jonkers
ninth grade 36
HONORS GEOMETRY Honors Geometry. To some people it comes easily, but to others, it is far from easy. Honors Geometry is a math class for students who are ready for a challenge. Some students find that geometry is different than algebra, dealing with more shapes and angle measurements. The class goes generally faster than the CP course, having a new lesson taught every day after the previous night’s homework has been corrected and explained. Homework takes about 25-30 minutes per night to complete. Before a test, the material is thoroughly reviewed through a worksheet. Tests are given about every two weeks, going over four to five sections in a chapter. Studying for a test may take 30 minutes to an hour for some, but others may take two to three hours to go over worksheet and old quizzes and to rework problems. Students are able to get extra help through afterschool help class. When deciding to take either an honors class or a CP course, there is not necessarily a difference between how smart the student is, but rather how much effort the student wants to put in. If the student is willing to work, then Honors Geometry is a good class to take. However, if the student doesn’t have the time, then that student might want to consider the CP course.
by: Lauren French
ninth grade 37
HONORS ENGLISH II During 10th-grade Honors English you will learn all types of new things as well as review past concepts. You get the privilege of acting out The Merchant of Venice, Antigone, and Our Town with your classmates and reading the French classic Les Miserables. Along with the plays and the literature you’ll read, you learn about Greek mythology and classical literature. You will also read, Things Fall Apart, which has a foreign culture, and And Then There Were None, which is fun. Beyond these books, you also get to read other self-selected outside reading pieces, which counts as a grade. In writing, you stick with your basic five-paragraph essays but also learn how to write a critical essay, and throughout the year you will occasionally practice writing in a short time period from prompts as on the SAT. This class is definitely one of my favorite classes from my tenth-grade year, because the class is taught in a fun, beneficial way.
by: Carly Brown
tenth grade 38
HONORS ALGEBRA II Honors Algebra II is challenging but manageable throughout the year. Mrs. Thomason strives to help her students in every way possible. The year begins with a review of Algebra I, but soon after the class will dive right into new material. A normal day consists of going over homework from the previous night, asking any questions you may have, and learning a new lesson. During class it is imperative to listen attentively and take good notes. For example, while in class Mrs. Thomason may hint to a pop quiz later in the week, but if you are not paying attention then you will not be prepared. The notes students take in class are a great indication of what types of questions will be on the quizzes and tests, along with the wording they will be asked in. If extra help is needed to succeed, Mrs. Thomason holds help class on certain days after school to assist you in working though problems and answer any questions you may have. This extra help could have a major impact on your scores and overall knowledge of key concepts. Honors Algebra II may be a challenging course, but if you do the assigned homework, listen attentively, take notes, study, and have a willingness to learn, you will do well. I highly recommend this course for students with the qualities listed above as it is worthwhile for the honors credit.
by: Mabry Griffin
tenth grade 39
HONORS US CONSTITUTION Honors US Constitution is a class that provides a different experience than most history classes and covers incredibly useful information dealing with our government. Rather than focusing on a large amount of history and taking only a cursory glance at a long period of time, Honors US Constitution focuses on the writing, content, and principles of the Constitution. Class usually begins with students answering a bell work question, which then leads into a discussion of the pages read the night before. There are periodic quizzes on the reading, but they are almost always open-note, so diligent note-takers do well. The class also has a focus on writing, and students are asked to summarize certain speeches and principles, making their points clear and precise, while also presenting all of the ideas in the section. In summary, if you enjoy writing and enjoy discussion, Honors US Constitution is the class to take; you won’t regret it.
by: Austin Miller
tenth grade 40
AP BIOLOGY AP Biology is definitely not an easy class. The beginning is the hardest part, but it does get more bearable once you get the hang of it. Mrs. McInnis gives the class monthly calendars, informing you of the work load that month. These are definitely helpful, so take advantage of them and work ahead; it will help you in the long run, since you can manage your time better. Instead of studying three or more hours the night before a test, look over the material you learned that day in class, and make sure you understand it. If you study a little every night, you will spend less time cramming the night before a test. This is a college course, so you do need to understand that you will have to spend more time studying and doing homework for this class than any other so far. If you are willing to do the work, you will find that the class isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. I can assure you that if you use your time wisely and take this class seriously, you will enjoy it; it’s a very fun and interesting class!
by: Jordan Jares
tenth grade 41
HONORS AMERICAN LITERATURE Honors American Literature is offered to juniors and taught by Mr. Beaver. It is a vigorous and challenging course, taking students a level above what they are used to. “The goal of this course is to give students a better ability at discerning an author’s intent and context within a text using the meta-narrative of American literature as the foundation,” says Mr. Beaver. Throughout a year in this course, students will study several major American literary works, including: The Crucible, The Chosen, The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, The Old Man and the Sea, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Students will also choose an independent novel to read and present to the class, focusing on character, theme and literary devices. Students also write a research paper on a chosen topic. Vocabulary contributes to the growth of students as speakers and writers. This course has high expectations, but they can be reached.
by: Olivia Wolf
eleventh grade 42
HONORS PRE-CALCULUS
Honors Pre-Calculus is designed to prepare the foundation for AP Calculus senior year. Taking this honors class does not mean you have to go to AP Calculus, but it will help those who do not know if they are able to take calculus the next year. It also helps those who will not even go into calculus and lays a firm foundation for other math courses available the following year, such as Honors College Math and statistics. Also the skills learned in “pre-cal” will help even further into college. Honors Pre-Calculus is a math course that may challenge you but will not push you too hard. The course combines what you learned in both algebra and geometry, so it would be best if you comprehended both subjects well. If you have trouble, the teachers are great and will help you every step of the way. I would definitely advise every student to take Honors Pre-Calculus. It may be challenging at times, but if you can push through the hard parts (mainly around Christmas), you will be fine.
by: Adren Rigdon
eleventh grade 43
HONORS US HISTORY
Honors US History is a fantastic middle ground between a more easygoing CP US History course and a rigid, fact-heavy AP US History course. Honors US History is only a small departure from CP; honors requires the same amount of attention, but with the prerequisite of a higher level of understanding of historical facts. Along with this, students interested in taking Honors US History must have good reading comprehension skills (if you plan to take this class, you’ll have summer reading assignments, as well as extra books to read for class) and must know how to summarize and formulate opinions on historical events in the form of essays and opinion-based honors questions on study guides. These additions make the Honors US History course more difficult than CP, but more enriching and relevant. If you’re not willing to put extra time into assignments beyond the already-rigorous US History curriculum, honors might not be the route to take. Homework each night for the average Honors US History student includes a decent number of questions on a study guide; students must read through the textbook carefully in order to find the answers. In class, we discuss these questions as well as the greater historical context from which these questions were derived. Honors has the same study guide as CP with a few added questions. On the days homework is due, it is not unlikely to see a pop quiz over the information filled in the study guide on the previous night. The tests in Honors US History are based entirely on the study guide questions and answers that the teacher gives in class, so always be attentive during teaching in order to ensure good test grades. For honors students, extra essays are also assigned as test grades. Honors students, as well as CP, have “Timeframe” quizzes— important dates in US history in chronological order. These dates are the framework of our nation’s history and mark the most important events we have reached in the history of our country. These quizzes come frequently and without warning, so students should continually study the dates in order to get good quiz grades. For the Honors US History student, strong work ethic at home, solid test grades, and continual effort in trying to understand effectively US history are the only things necessary to obtain a successful grade.
by: Amy Hanna
eleventh grade 44
HONORS CHEMISTRY
Honors Chemistry is not your typical science class. In years past, students became accustomed to biology and anatomy, memorizing bodily functions or cell makeup; however, chemistry forces students to combine scientific concepts with mathematic equations. A student previously gifted in science will excel in this course, as well as students gifted in math. Anyone gifted in both science and math should do extremely well with Honors Chemistry. Each month, students are given a calendar listing upcoming homework assignments, tests and quizzes. This calendar, if used properly, can help each student organize their time for working and studying outside of class. Early in the year, students are required to memorize, in groups of ten, the first 60 elements. While this may seem to be a difficult feat, with some practice it is definitely achievable. A familiarity with those first 60 elements can save a lot of time on future tests and quizzes. Fortunately, students are allowed to use the table of elements for reference on their other tests and quizzes. Not only do students study the formulas, but numerous experiments are conducted in class. Once every one or two weeks, a lab is conducted as a class, which can help students understand and apply the concepts they are learning. These labs do not require a lab report, other than one lab report in the third quarter. Students must not only memorize the formulas, but must also remember how to apply the formulas; otherwise the formula is no help whatsoever. The best tool for success is practice. A day or two before a test, it is important that students run through as many problems as possible so that, come test time, there are no surprises. With a little bit of outside class work as well as note-taking and focusing in class, it is very easy to do well in Honors Chemistry. Before Honors Chemistry, I did not particularly enjoy science classes, whereas now I plan on majoring in a chemistry-related subject. Honors Chemistry can be enjoyable through the experimentation as well as the problem solving aspect, so do not be afraid—you may just love it.
by: Paul Burke
eleventh grade 45
AP LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION
Mr. Beaver’s 11th-grade AP English Language and Composition class transcends your stereotypical English class. Although this class can be known for its fast pace and vast workload, Mr. Beaver tackles the material using a technique that encourages the students to comprehend material on their own. In this class, you will be preparing for the AP exam for college credit, as well as covering American literature. You can expect weekly reading quizzes, as well as a wide variety of writing activities and assignments in order to better your writing techniques and ability to analyze, synthesize, and interpret a text. You will exercise these skills by working out of an AP preparatory book that will help prepare you for the AP exam. The discussions during class never cease to keep you on the edge of your seat, but may leave you with more questions than answers, forcing you to step out of your comfort zone and think deeper about certain things you may have never recognized or understood. This shift between reading a novel, writing, and practicing AP quizzes can be overwhelming, but by using your time wisely and putting forth your best effort, you will be successful. Self-motivation, responsibility, and time-management will take you very far in this AP course. Students will find themselves under time restrictions when writing and taking AP quizzes, as well as going home the day before a test without a study guide or step-by-step instructions for test preparation. If you are willing to work hard and engage in your learning, 11thgrade AP English Language and Composition will be well worth your efforts.
by: Paige Johnson
eleventh grade 46
AP US HISTORY Although AP US History has a reputation of being one of the hardest classes at NRCA for including intense memorization and long essays, its reputation is no reason to write off the class. APUSH is not a class you should take if you’re unwilling to work, but it’s one of the most rewarding classes you may ever take, if you are eager to put in the effort. Although it may seem challenging at times, you will emerge from the class being well-versed in the history of America and the events that led us to where we are today. Main activities in the classroom include tests on note cards, essays, quizzes, and class discussion. I encourage you to engage in the class discussions, because participating will better your public speaking skills, and class engagement will help you learn. Even though this class is rigorous and can be time-consuming, if you’re willing to put work into it, you will appreciate what knowledge and life skills you acquire throughout the year in APUSH.
by: Maggie Sowisdral
eleventh grade 47
HONORS BRITISH LITERATURE
Honors British Literature is a fantastic course to take if you are trying to find a happy medium that is both academically challenging and enjoyable. This course will give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the many literary movements that have occurred in Britain history and to experience fully the culture of those times through many classic literary works. The workload varies, but students should expect to spend at least 30 minutes to an hour on homework every night. Homework involves, but is not limited to, reading, vocabulary and writing. Essays are usually assigned for each piece of literature after it has been completed and include prompts that focus on character analysis, comparison/contrast and analysis of literary themes. Novels and plays are completed roughly within a two to three week period, keeping students busy and on-task but not completely overloaded. Along with essays, class discussions are a big part of the course. As reading is assigned, the class will discuss and break down novels according individual literary elements so that the students can have a clear understanding of what they are reading. Once or twice a week, journal prompts will be assigned where the student will put their understanding into words. This class, although it requires hard work, is altogether very rewarding and is guaranteed to give you a greater appreciation for British literature.
by: Hannah Roe
twelfth grade 48
HONORS COLLEGE MATH
As every senior knows, the last year of high school must be enjoyed. If you took Pre-Calculus your junior year and are eligible to take Honors College Math, then you are well-prepared for the class. The class begins each day with a warm-up math problem. The first semester consists of warm-ups that are problems preparing you for the ACT; the second semester focuses on problems from North Carolina college placement tests. After the warm-up problem, homework is checked and then the lesson is taught. The class lessons are various concepts from statistics, trigonometry, and calculus. On a difficulty level, the class is challenging, but not as challenging as Honors Pre-Cal. The homework load is nowhere near what you would have come to expect from the junior-year math. Each night you can expect around 15 minutes, though time is occasionally allotted for it in class. If you plan to pursue a mathematics-based major in college, then AP Calculus would be more beneficial, but Honors College Math prepares you better for college math classes like statistics and college algebra. In my personal opinion, Honors College Math has been the most enjoyable math class in high school. You’ll definitely get a lot out of it if you pay attention and don’t let senioritis catch up to you!
by: Steve Myrick
twelfth grade 49
HONORS ECONOMICS In 12th-grade Honors Economics, students will learn about the economy and how it functions and the history of the economy. They will also learn how to handle their own individual finances when they are out on their own. The class helps with giving the students a clear explanation of economic details that one cannot simply learn on his own. This year the class studied Modern Times by Paul Johnson. The class also watched a Dave Ramsey video series on how to manage money. In this series, Ramsey explains how the economy works and how we can manage our own finances through budgeting and investing intelligently. Staying up-to-date on current events and paying attention in class will help when it comes to class discussions. If you can do these things, you will succeed in this course.
by: Jeff Wilson
twelfth grade 50
HONORS ECOLOGY
In Honors Ecology, Mr. Mack uses his wealth of knowledge to teach his students about the world God has created around us. He uses many ways to teach and reach out to all types of learners, including movies as visual aids and hands-on experiments outdoors and indoors for the labs. Planet Earth and other documentaries are also a big part of the curriculum. Some of the major grades for this class come from multiple choice tests, bird-call tests, and an occasional essay on the topic being learned. Though some of these things may seem overwhelming and somewhat difficult, Mr. Mack makes each lesson clear and understandable, using examples from his personal life and everyday occurrences to help make the lesson applicable to all his students. The subject is taught well, and if at times the material in class begins to be confusing and complicated, Mr. Mack will work with you as late or as long as you would need in order to be able to succeed. I highly recommend any upcoming juniors to take this class. It’s a decision you will not regret.
by: Amanda Blom
twelfth grade 51
HONORS SPANISH III Honors Spanish III is the perfect outlet for those hoping to hone their Spanish language skills. Class time consists of nothing but speaking Spanish, but do not let this be frightening. Señora Mitchell is a fluent and clear-speaking Spanish teacher who is very helpful when a student does not understand a concept or simply a word. During the year, the class goes through two books: Marianela and La Chica de los Zapatos Verdes, as well as going over household, travel, and clothing vocabulary. Much of the class is review and reinforcement of concepts learned in Spanish II. I encourage anyone who meets the requirements to take this class as it is fun and you really expand your knowledge of the Spanish language. Honors Spanish III also focuses on Hispanic culture. Throughout the year we study Central America, South America and Spain. Students memorize geography as well as learn about the various societies and histories of Spanish-speaking nations. One of the best projects of the year was making a film for La Chica de los Zapatos Verdes. This allowed students to better understand the novel as well as have some fun, too. While both books we read are completely in Spanish, they are short and filled with simple vocabulary. Señora Mitchell is very helpful when it comes to helping students comprehend the novel. Honors Spanish III is a great way to enrich a student’s knowledge of the Spanish language and the cultural influences that shape the language.
by: Nathan Cole Honors Spanish IV will be available to qualifying students beginning the fall semester of 2012.
twelfth grade 52
AP LITERATURE & COMPOSITION A student interested in AP English Literature and Composition must be prepared to work hard. This class requires more reading than any other English class offered at NRCA. The class focuses on grasping the many types of figurative language and being able to identify the literary devices within the context of literature. Throughout the year, students journey through many types of poetry, short stories, and novels. Generally, students tend to enjoy the works of literature covered in AP English Literature and Composition. If I were choosing whether or not I would take this class I would ask myself the following questions: Do I want/need the college credit? Do I want to major in an English-related subject in college? Is high school class rank important to me? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you definitely need to take AP English Literature and Composition. If English really isn’t your thing, then you might want to choose the CP or Honors level for English. Also consider how much work you can handle. You get only one senior year of high school. If you aren’t sure if you want to take AP English your senior year, then you can try it for the first week and switch classes if you like. However, if you are up for the challenge, then I encourage you to go for it.
by: Drew Meyer
twelfth grade 53
AP CALCULUS AB When you enter the AP Calculus classroom, you will turn in your homework and begin working on a problem exam, written on the back board, from a previous year’s AP Calculus. After the mental contortionism necessary to solve the problem, you will review it as a class to ensure that everyone got it correct and then look over the homework from the previous night. This time of reviewing homework will be critical for maintaining a high grade. Mrs. Keown periodically gives “notebook quizzes” in order to ensure that you have been checking your homework and copying down example problems correctly. During a notebook quiz, you will not have time to re-work any problems; just copy them down from your existing work. So already having the right answers is critical to making a good grade. The three most important things to do in in AP Calculus are the following: 1) Complete your homework. Every night, no excuses. Catching up is extremely difficult. 2) Study. This class’s rigorous nature requires that students work in an extracurricular fashion to do well on the AP Exam. 3) Seek help when you’re confused. Other students may be just as confused as you are, but I promise that someone knows the right answer. Mrs. Keown has Help Classes after school at least twice a week; be sure to take advantage of those. AP Calculus is a challenging class, not for the faint of heart, but it can be managed if you put some effort into it.
by: Chris Waldon AP Calculus BC will be availabe for students who have completed AP Calculus AB. For more information, please contact Mrs. Debbie Monahan.
twelfth grade 54
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
AP European History is, in my opinion, one of the most enjoyable AP courses offered at NRCA. Whether a student loves history or not, this class taught by Mr. Watkins is beneficial and fun. The words AP and fun usually do not go together, but the teaching style – lecture and questions – keeps students engaged. Mr. Watkins tells numerous historical stories and narrates them with much excitement. He also expects students to make a contribution to the lecture by answering questions. Because Mr. Watkins frequently asks questions, students should pay attention and be prepared to answer intelligently. Although AP European History is enjoyable in the classroom, the course does involve a significant amount of work. Students should expect to have a quiz every day over reading assignments or vocabulary terms. During second quarter there are also quizzes over a primary source book. Mr. Watkins adds AP Euro Spark Chart quizzes during third quarter. Homework takes from ten to 30 minutes a night, depending on the assignment. This workload may seem large, but Mr. Watkins accommodates busy students by providing thorough test reviews. It is reasonable to get an A or a B in AP Euro if a student does his homework, pays attention in class, and studies for about 30 to 60 minutes for tests. AP European History is beneficial for every high school senior. Mr. Watkins stresses critical thinking and wants students to be able to evaluate history on a college level. This college level thinking will benefit students in other high school courses and eventually at their universities. AP European History is an enjoyable course that presents a moderate challenge for students.
by: Kaitlyn Speer
twelfth grade 55
AP CHEMISTRY
AP Chemistry. I know I just lost about half of you my simply mentioning that course, but it’s the other half I really want to address. AP Chemistry is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is probably one of the hardest classes you will take senior year, but if you stay determined and fight senioritis, you will succeed. Regardless of how easy chemistry comes to you, AP Chemistry can be conquered. I cannot stress enough how important it is to read the chapter, pay attention in class, work the practice problems, and study for the tests. Reading the chapter not only prepares you for class, but draws your attention to the concepts that you do not immediately understand so that you can focus on asking questions on that topic during class. Mrs. McInnis not only explains the key information, but also explains each concept in-depth and is more than willing to answer any question. Working the practice problems is the most important advice I can give you for AP Chemistry. While you do get assigned a fair number of problems, each one demonstrates the specific types of things you can find from the information in that chapter. Occasionally, Mrs. McInnis will provide a practice test with additional problems for practice. Always take advantage of the practice tests because they often look like the test! Finally, studying for the test should be mandatory. I know teachers always tell you to study, but seriously it is imperative. When you study, focus on the problems, but also read through your notes and make sure you understand why you solve problems the way you do. If you are willing to work hard and do what it takes to pass, you will be able to.
by: Ashley Waugaman
twelfth grade 56
AP PHYSICS
AP Physics may have a reputation for having a load of work (which is true), but it is manageable. Normally we have about an hour to an hour and a half of homework each night, and we have 7:00 lab on Wednesday mornings (DON’T BE LATE), so there are many lab reports. The physics book is online and you download it onto your computer at the beginning of the year so you have one less book to carry home every day. You need to stay caught up because the class covers material quickly and some chapters build on previous ones. You will also have occasional quiz grades through a website on which Mrs. Keown posts assignments and problems. The assignments are given a due date, and once that date passes, the assignment is no longer available. Again, the class requires quite a bit of work. However, typically the class size is small and we often work together on assignments. If you don’t understand a problem, the likelihood is that someone else does and can help. Also, Mrs. Keown is always willing to help, and you can email her at any time and ask questions or ask her to work problems and post them on her website. Some of the concepts are difficult to grasp, so make sure you understand each one before moving on, and always bring your calculator. If you manage your time well, work hard, and have excelled in past math and science classes, then I recommend you take this class with confidence that you will do well.
by: Trinity Walls
twelfth grade 57
AP PSYCHOLOGY
There’s one thing guaranteed from AP Psychology at NRCA: instructor Suzanne Lyczkowski, or “Miss L” for short, will present students with everything they need to know and more in order to pass the AP exam and master the material of any basic college freshman psychology course. However, whether they retain that information is largely up to individual students. Miss L does her utmost to prepare her students. Her PowerPoint-based, interactive lectures include plenty of videos and illustrations in order to demonstrate the material taught in class. Each chapter is covered in one to two weeks, depending on the subject material, with one test per chapter, and one or two possible quizzes. Once each quarter, students will also create a project based on the material learned in class, which counts for a test grade. In addition to the new information students learn daily, Miss L also reviews continuously throughout the year for the AP exam, quizzing on AP flashcards and Barron’s AP review book, so that old information is never forgotten. Though the class itself is not demanding, with about 30 minutes of homework a night, in order to score highly on the exam, students must be willing to devote some time to their own independent study of the material they’ve learned in class and the many supplements that Miss L provides. If students are willing to put forth the effort, Miss L will guide them towards success on the AP exam.
by: Haley Solomon
eleventh & twelfth grade 58
AP SPANISH LANGUAGE
AP Spanish Language is equivalent to a third-year college course and conducted completely in Spanish. This class covers aural/ oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar and composition. The class structure might seem intense for some people, but in actuality, it provides a good challenge and is fun to learn. If you have completed Honors Spanish III and you are ready for an exciting year of listening, speaking, reading, writing and breathing Spanish, this is the class for you. All of this information many seem overwhelming now, but in AP Spanish, you will receive a detailed outline of what you will be reviewing and learning throughout the academic year. Mrs. Mitchell, also known as Señora, guides you and prepares you for the AP exam at the end of the course. By the time the class is over, you will be glad that you decided to take the course and proud of yourself for taking on the challenge.
by: Charlotte McElroy
twelfth grade 59
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