High School Diploma Program

Note: You are not limited to the academic courses listed below. To study anything not listed you can:

• create your own course
• enroll in a community college course
• purchase a course from another educational program

Writing About Literature  (Text)   10 credits
Geared for students in grades 9-10, Writing About Literature teaches students to read and respond to a wide range of literary genres, including essays, short stories, poems, and dramatic pieces.  Reading selections are drawn from diverse cultures and time periods, from the distant past to the present day.  Through hands-on projects that accommodate multiple learning styles, students learn to write for a wide range of purposes and contexts.  Genres include opinion statements, focused descriptions, poetry, problem-solution essays, research papers, oral histories, cause and effect essays, autobiography, creative fiction, and interpretive essays.  The course concludes with a multi-media presentation using resources of the studentís choosing.

Literature of Diversity (Text)   2.5 to 10 credits
Literature of Diversity encourages students to explore social issues through the study of literature.  Selecting from a large number of books from African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, gay and lesbian, and women's literature, students explore a variety of social issues that are personally or politically meaningful to them.  Credit for this course varies with the amount of reading and number of projects completed.  Specific reading selections and activities should be discussed with the student's teacher.

World Literature (Text)   10 credits
A course that takes students from the mythical origins of creation to the development of the written word from oral traditions around the world. Traditional major authors and literary
movements are then covered as well as student choices of foreign writers. The student is finally taken to modern writers, the stories they tell, and why they tell them. The course ends with the student choosing the work of a Nobel Prize Winner in Literature from a foreign
country, and reflections on the purpose and responsibilities of writers in modern times.

American Literature (Text)  10 credits
Using the visual and engaging text, Language of Literature, and novels by U.S. authors, American Literature encourages students to reflect on the different time periods and experiences that have shaped U.S. culture.   In addition to assigned readings, students have the option of selecting different novels and stories to complete unit studies on early American. and Puritan literature, the Transcendentalists, and modernism.  Particular emphasis is placed on the work and perspectives of multi-cultural American authors.  Assignments will cover comprehension of the material, writing skills, critical thinking skills, research methods, and application of the material to today's world.

British/Colonial Literature (Text) 10 credits
While most British Literature courses focus on works written by the so-called "dead white English males" of the traditional British canon, this course draws upon British literature from the diverse cultures that make up the British Commonwealth.  Particular attention is paid to the issues of class, race, and gender as they are reflected in British literary works spanning a two thousand-year period.  Reading selections for the course include the Anglo Saxon epic, Beowulf, Shakespeareís Julius Caesar, literary works by Chinua Achebe and Mary Wollstonecraft, and contemporary fiction such as Marion Zimmer Bradleyís The Mists of Avalon.   Through creative projects and activities, students develop skills in literary analysis and critical thinking.   Colonial and British Literature concludes with the compilation of a course portfolio and the submission of a reflective essay.

Advanced Literature and Composition (Text)   10 credits
This course is intended for the college-bound student, as preparation for college level writing. Students will read twelve classic novels and choose from a list of questions to write an essay, incorporating both the book itself and critical articles discussing the work. A bibliography using the ML Handbook (found at www. mla.org) is required for each paper. Students will learn the difference between citing sources and plagiarism. A central theme of the course is the concept of the journey, considered both literally and figuratively. At the end of the course, students bring together what they have learned from the novels and their own life experiences and opinions in a final essay.

Cultural Geography (Online)  10 credits
Rich with primary source excerpts and cultural vignettes, this course provides a tour of the history, cultures, and environments of numerous continents. The study of geography is further enhanced with access to maps, diagrams, and related cultural information. This course presents geography in an enjoyable, exploratory format. It culminates in planning a trip around the world.

World History (Text)  10 credits
If you thought World History was about remembering names and dates, think again!  This course looks at the achievements of various cultures in recorded history through activities that emphasize critical thinking, open-ended responses, and research projects.  By studying political events and geography through an analysis and comparison of contemporaneous cultures, students learn about the common themes and significant achievements in human history.  More importantly, students consider peaceful solutions to the very modern problems facing the world by studying contributions of diverse cultures over time.

U.S. History (Text)  10 credits
U.S. History provides students with a survey of historical events that have shaped the modern United States as a political and cultural entity.  Using the texts Letters of a Nation, The Americans, and Addicted to War, this course presents history through the reflections of people who witnessed key events in U.S. history.   Through lessons that accommodate a variety of learning styles, students learn how the past influences the present and develop critical thinking skills.  The course concludes with a reflection on responses to the events of September 11, 2001 and a consideration of peaceful alternatives to violence.

U.S. Government (Text with Web)  5 credits
This course will give students a firm grounding in the history and structure of U.S. Government while challenging assumptions and introducing different perspectives on various topics.  The concept of government is explored on many levels though the confines of the course dictate a federal focus.  Students will immerse themselves in lessons about human nature and the Constitution, the media, the branches of government and the political process, among others.  Each lesson begins with a quote that is relevant to the subject matter or the overall themes of the course and ends with a "Going Further," section which lists a few resources that may be of interest to the student who wants to learn more about a topic.  Students will complete a service project which revolves around volunteer work, as well as a final project.

Economics (Text with Web)   5 credits
This course will give students a firm grounding in the theory and structure of U.S. Economics while challenging assumptions and introducing different perspectives on various topics.  The concept of economics is explored on many levels though the confines of the course dictate a focus on American capitalism with an emphasis on globalization.  Students will examine the actions of the U.S. government as well as business and consumer culture in relation to domestic and foreign economies while evaluating the role of ethics and responsibility in economics. Each lesson begins and ends with a quote that is relevant to the subject matter or the overall themes of the course.  There is also a section at the end of the course entitled, "Going Further," which lists a few resources that may be of interest to the student who wants to learn more about various topics covered in this class.  Students will complete a service project which revolves around volunteer work, as well as a final project.

History of Civil Rights in the U.S. (Text with Web)   5 credits
History of Civil Rights in the United States surveys the succession of civil rights movements and issues in America.  Groups and issues studied include: Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Mexican Americans, religious persecution, disability rights, Womenís rights, WWII internment of the Japanese, and gay, lesbian, and bisexual rights.  Course materials include selected Web sites and texts published by Teaching Tolerance.

General Science (Text)  10 credits
Written in an accessible and user-friendly manner, General Science is for students that want to know how the world works without getting mired in technical or scientific jargon.  Accompanied by colorful illustrations and diagrams, General Science emphasizes hands-on projects and practical applications of scientific principles.   Course topics include ecology and the life sciences, the physical and earth sciences, astronomy, physics, and chemistry.  Units on mathematics and computers demonstrate how science has contributed to the development of technology and other disciplines.   In addition to the primary text, The Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science, General Science includes a variety of activities involving field trips and lab experiments using easy-to-obtain materials and Internet research.

Biology (Text)  10 credits
The purpose of our Biology course is to show students how the natural world works.  Students learn about the function of human anatomy and internal systems and the healing processes of the human body; the characteristics of plants, animals, and microorganisms; and the interactions among various life forms.  As a lab course, Biology offers many opportunities for hands-on projects and real world applications of scientific principles.  Because GVS believes in honoring the life of all organisms, the course does not ask students to dissect frogs or other animals.  Lab activities and assignments will vary depending on available materials and the studentís individual learning needs.  We encourage students to discuss ideas and adapt course assignments with their GVS teachers.

Environmental Science (Text)  10 credits
Developed by Oak Meadow, our Environmental Science course introduces students to important ecological concepts, the various interactions within ecosystems, and the interconnectedness of life on earth. Course topics include the biosphere, major biomes, ecosystems, chemical cycles, and the role of living things in ecosystems.  Not only do students learn about common environmental problems such as land, water and air pollution, overpopulation, and habitat destruction, but they also explore constructive solutions for protecting the environment and moving toward a sustainable future.

Physics (Text)  10 credits
Using the popular textbook, Conceptual Physics, this course emphasizes the principles of physics over mathematical calculations.  Topics covered include force, motion, heat, waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, light, and mirrors.  Course activities utilize written responses, experimentation, and thoughtful reflection to teach the principles of physics.

Comsumer Math (Text)   10 credits
In Consumer Math, students learn basic math skills used in everyday situations - paying taxes, buying food, banking and investing, and managing a household. The full-color text helps students become wiser, more informed consumers. Materials include a large, hardbound teacher's edition to accompany the student text.

General Math (Text)   10 credits
In General Math, students learn basic math skills and concepts in preparation for advanced math courses such as Algebra, Geometry, and Calculus.  Topics covered include measurement, fractions and decimals, percents, ratios, and a review of arithmetic.  Students may select from a diverse array of texts, including the Key Curriculum Decimals, Fractions, Percents, and Measurement workbooks, Saxon Math 87, or Spectrum Math.  This course is ideal for students who would like to review select concepts before moving into high school math courses.

Intro to Algebra (Text)  10 credits
As described by Key Curriculum Press, "Key to Algebra offers a unique, proven way to introduce algebra to your students. New concepts are explained in simple language, and examples are easy to follow. Word problems relate algebra to familiar situations, helping students to understand abstract concepts. Students develop understanding by solving equations and inequalities intuitively before formal solutions are introduced. Students begin their study of algebra in Books 1-4 using only integers. Books 5-7 introduce rational numbers and expressions. Books 8-10 extend coverage to the real number system."

Algebra 1 (Text)   10 credits
Our Algebra 1 course used the Saxon math series, designed specifically for the homeschooling student.  The course employs an incremental approach that introduces new concepts while allowing students to review related skills covered in earlier units.  Algebra 1 c