Course Descriptions

Biology w/ Lab – Instructor Megan Perry

In this course, high school students will gain insight into the living things of the world around them by learning the characteristics of living things and by exploring topics such as cell structure, function, and division, the flow of energy within an ecosystem, and the diversity of living things. This will be done through various readings, interactive lessons, and frequent labs.

The main goal of this course is to provide students with a general understanding of Biology, equipping them with the skills needed to analyze and solve problems critically, to think outside the box, and appreciate how the living world around us functions. There is no prior science experience required, but students will need to be present in each moment, willing to participate and learn, and expected to give their best each day.

The living world around us is a beautiful place and the hope is that the students will come to know this as they work through the course. Students should expect to spend 3-4 hours outside of in person instruction time on this course.

Labs will be held every other week from 1:05-2:05.

Course materials not yet listed.

Intro to Computer Science – Instructor Scott Lusk

This course introduces high school students to key computer science concepts, including programming, networking, databases, AI, and cybersecurity. Students will gain a foundational understanding through interactive lessons, hands-on coding, and real-world applications. They will also explore career opportunities in technology.

The goal is to provide students with a broad introduction to computer science, equipping them with basic coding skills and an understanding of how digital systems function. No prior experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. Students will also explore different career paths, such as cybersecurity, AI, software development, and cloud computing. Students should expect to spend about 3 hours outside of in person instruction time on this course.

For extra credit, students can participate in hands-on learning days, hackathons, and specialized labs focusing on a variety of topics. These interactive sessions provide practical experience and deeper insights into key topics. These events will be held outside of normal Academy hours.

Course materials not yet listed.

Spanish 1 – Instructor Amelia King

Spanish I is an introductory course—no previous language experience is required. Students will build knowledge and skills for immediate communication as well as a strong technical foundation for long term Spanish learning excellence, while also learning about the rich culture of Hispanic peoples around the world.

This course will integrate all four modalities of language—speaking, reading, writing, and listening—and cover topics including conversational phrases and interrogatives; verb conjugation including the present indicative, present progressive, and imperative in regular and irregular verbs; usage of hay; and plenty of useful topical vocabulary. Accurate grammar, spelling, and pronunciation are emphasized throughout. Students should expect to spend about 3 hours outside of in person instruction time on this course.

The following course materials are required:

Complete Spanish Step-by-Step, Premium Second Edition by Barbara Bregstein (ISBN-13: 978-1260463132, ISBN-10: 1260463133)