Freshman

CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

LATIN I

Latin I presents the fundamentals of Latin grammar and vocabulary in the context of graded readings. Students acquire fundamental linguistic skills as they learn through listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The contact with the linguistic organization provides disciplinary value and emphasis on the nature of words contributes to the students’ command of their own tongue. The most important objective of the work in first year is the establishing of a firm foundation in vocabulary, forms, syntax, and basic reading.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

FRESHMAN COMPUTER SCIENCE

This course is a one-semester lab-oriented course. It is the goal of the course to ensure that all students who complete it are computer literate and are prepared to meet the demands of a college prep curriculum which is rich in technological applications. Topics covered in the course include introductory computer concepts, file management, word processing, use of a spreadsheet, network navigation, research strategies, making use of electronic resources, and authoring desktop presentations.

ENGLISH

Freshman English is designed to give students a solid understanding of and facility in English through the study of literature, writing, and language study. Foundational in nature, this course is an integration of reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. The introduction to and the development of critical thinking skills form an important aspect of freshman literary study. Students study four different genres of literature. Beginning with the novel in a required summer reading program, freshmen continue to study this genre throughout the year. To complement their study of the novel, students examine the structure and content of the short story, poetry, and drama. The study of writing is an integral component of Freshman English. Effective writing is emphasized through the core program of writing that develops sentence structure through varied grammatical and rhetorical patterns. During the year, students study paragraph development and write a wide variety of essays and use the MLA format for their essays. Freshmen develop their research and library skills and have a research project that requires them to exercise and demonstrate these skills and correct MLA documentation. Vocabulary development is an on-going and integral part of Freshman English. Words are selected from their reading and past PSAT tests.

FRESHMAN SEMINAR

The Freshman Seminar course is designed to offer a structured and safe environment that enables first-year students to explore the many realities of the high school transition. Through a collaborative effort between the school counselors and the Alumni Service Corps., students learn about and discuss academic-related topics including public speaking, study skills, and time management, and also on matters related to overall mental health such as managing anxiety and stress, grieving loss, and developing good coping skills. The course is required for all freshmen and is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

HEALTH EDUCATION

This is a one semester course which focuses on desirable health habits and practices. These habits and practices are vital to each student in terms of his/her own physical, mental and social well-being. The importance of the individual’s contribution to society is examined with a strong emphasis on personal, family and community health. The health education course presents to the students numerous opportunities to explore, understand, develop and apply lifelong goals toward optimum health.

MATHEMATICS

Following a placement exam in May of their 8th grade year, students are enrolled in one of the following courses for their freshman year.
Students can qualify for the accelerated mathematics program as an incoming freshmen, if they achieve an “above average” score on Prep’s freshman placement exam, exhibiting a solid understanding of Algebra I. To remain in the accelerated program, students must maintain a sound academic record.

ALGEBRA I

This course introduces the student to the basic structure of mathematics through a thorough study of the real number system. An understanding of the concepts and mastery of necessary skills is emphasized throughout. The need for precision and exactness in expression and thought is constantly stressed. Other topics covered are equations, inequalities, rational and irrational expressions.

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

This course continues a student’s study of the real number system begun in an 8th grade Algebra I course. After a brief review of basic algebra concepts, students will deepen their understanding of equations, inequalities, rational and irrational expressions, and quadratic equations and functions. The course concludes with a study of the basics of probability. An understanding of the concepts and mastery of necessary skills is emphasized throughout.

ALGEBRA II ACCELERATED

This course is a continuation of Algebra I with the repeated topics covered in greater depth than in the first year. New topics include complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, and higher-order polynomial equations. The course also includes a unit on binomial expansion and a unit on probability.

SCIENCE

Chemistry 1

This introductory course in chemistry lays the foundation for success in all subsequent science courses taught at Scranton Prep.  This course has a quantitative emphasis on the traditional content areas of a first-year high school chemistry course while meeting national standards.  Hands-on laboratory skills and problem-solving skills will be a major focus of the class.

Accelerated Chemistry 1

This introductory course in chemistry is intended for students who have proven via placement test that their science problem solving skills are strong enough to cover material at a faster pace than the Chemistry 1 course.  This course has the same qualitive emphasis on traditional content areas of a high school chemistry course while exceeding national standards.  There is also the same integrated hands-on laboratory component as Chemistry 1.

SOCIAL STUDIES

WORLD CULTURES

In freshman year, World Cultures strives to focus the student’s first year of historical studies through reading development, essay writing, and special projects which draw upon the skills of the individual student. Throughout the year, vocabulary development, note-taking skills, and essay writing are honed. Current events are tied thematically through the year to historical events. The goal, finally, is to build critical and creative skills that can be used in the later studies of American Cultures and other department offerings.

THEOLOGY

THEOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO SACRED SCRIPTURE

Students will read selected sections of the Hebrew Bible. Among Christians, the Bible is normative for the study of theology for worship and for daily living. A presentation of the context in which the Bible was written (i.e. the historical background, the literary styles of writing, and the cultural patterns) will help the students to understand the meaning of the passages. Thus, all students will be able to use this process for their own study, prayer, and application to contemporary situations.