While the Upper School program is designed to prepare students for college, it avoids any tendency to prepare for a specific career or institution of higher learning. Instead, introductory courses in most curriculum areas are required in the early years and a broad general experience is assured by graduation requirements. As a student approaches graduation, more electives are available. Each department offers an opportunity for advanced work through courses, which are designated Honors or Advanced Placement. The latter courses prepare students for specific AP examinations through which students may earn college credit and/or placement.
English 4
Foreign Language 3
(through level III of same
language)*
History and Social Studies 3
(5 terms of World History; 4 terms of U.S. History)
Mathematics 3
(Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
Science 3
(Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Visual and Performing Arts 1
Physical Education/ Athletics 1
Health (Wellness) 1
Additional Electives 2
*At least two of the required credits must be earned in Upper School. Students beginning Upper School in level 3 must complete through level 4 of the same language.
Upper School students also must complete 40 hours of community service before they graduate. During the final three weeks of their senior year, students participate in a Senior Projects program.
Students are required to earn at least four credits each year from among the course offerings of the English, Visual and Performing Arts, Foreign Language, History and Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science Departments. While courses vary in their meeting patterns, those that are equivalent to one forty-minute class period per day for the entire school year earn one credit. (Note: Many one-credit science courses have additional laboratory periods.) Term courses satisfying the above criterion earn one-third credit. Term and year courses, which do not have the equivalent of daily meetings, have their credit offerings listed after the course title. Students may earn credit for Upper School mathematics and foreign language courses that have been completed in Middle School, provided they successfully complete the next level of study in the Upper School. Additional credits are earned by selecting additional courses (full or partial credit), taking summer courses, or completing independent study projects.
We believe that most McDonogh students should be able to perform beyond the minimum expectations. For example, most students should plan to select five academic courses each year even though the graduation requirements can be met without doing so. The quality of a program should not be judged by credits alone, but rather by its depth and breadth.
The Honor Code establishes integrity as the foundation for relationships among those in the Upper School. It reads as follows:
I will not lie, cheat, or steal.
I will respect the rights and well-being of myself and others.
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