The High School offers a culminating experience to an MCDS college-preparatory education. Recently accredited as an IB World School, MCDS offers students the opportunity to participate in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, an internationally recognized pre-university program which provides an exceptional pathway to colleges and universities around the country and world. Students continue to develop independence of thought and action, reflected in seminar-style classes and increasing autonomy in student learning. Through a carefully sequenced program, our college advisor guides students to successfully apply to the institutions that best match their strengths and goals.
Curriculum Overview
ENGLISH: During High School, students develop first-hand knowledge of the best of Western literature and the means to express themselves in a variety of contexts. They move through the reading list within the Socratic Seminar format, reading such works as Homer’s The Odyssey, Sophocles’ Oedipus trilogy, and Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Students also build their fundamental writing skills by practicing the four primary types of writing: narration, description, exposition, and persuasion. As a result, students become more versatile writers and more skilled in choosing the appropriate method for expressing themselves and their ideas. In addition to writing, they also practice speech.
MATHEMATICS (Algebra and Geometry): Like all mathematics at MCDS, this course emphasizes the ability to “see” mathematics both algebraically and geometrically. Square roots introduce the irrational numbers; we prove the square root of two is irrational, compute rational approximations, and work with radicals. Students factor polynomials. They solve quadratic equations by factoring, by completing the square, and by the quadratic formula, which we derive. We build general understanding of functions by working with specific functions. Geometry includes the circle, similarity of plane figures and of solids, and the theorem of Pythagoras which students apply to plane figures and solids. Some combinatorics, probability, and statistics are included. Through lecture, discussion and purposeful practice, students in this course develop the knowledge, skills, intuitive sense and confidence necessary for continued success in mathematics.
SCIENCE (Chemistry): By its very nature, this subject is considered to be the central science. From the materials that make up a high-tech computer chip to the DNA that carries the genetic makeup of our bodies, chemistry provides the basis for further scientific studies. Students in this course learn the principles of structure, matter-energy relationships, thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium. They study the vocabulary of chemistry as well as the processes involved in chemical change in a lab setting. Specific topics include matter, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical formulas, chemical reactions, molecular structure, kinetic theory, liquids, gases and solids, acids, bases and salts, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry and the basics of biochemistry.
HISTORY: Students cultivate the necessary skills to read history objectively by studying ancient civilizations and important non-Western cultures. The course focuses upon ancient Greece and Rome, the study of early society in the British Isles and the history of such non-Western cultures as East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. Special emphasis is placed upon the history of Japan, consistent with the study of Japanese language and culture in the Middle School curriculum. The knowledge of world history and fundamental historical skills provides students the foundation to undertake more advanced work in history.
SPANISH: This course is taught entirely in Spanish with emphasis upon communication skills. A student’s proficiency with the language determines class placement. Students refine their narration skills using past, present and future while learning to express oneself using the subjunctive. Class discussion, oral presentations and cultural exploration form an integral part of the course. Students also read Spanish language literature. During 9th grade, students and their families host students from our sister school in Santiago, Chile for a two-week stay.
JAPANESE: This course is taught mostly in Japanese except for grammatical explanations. It accommodates both students who are new to the language and those with varying degrees of proficiency. Students develop four primary skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Ninth grade Japanese emphasizes communication through conversational skills. Students learn verb conjugations such as potential and volitional forms, and add transitivity pairs to their knowledge. Students may begin communicating in Japanese with students from a sister school in Japan. They will learn thirty more Kanji as well as extending their use of Hiragana and Katakana. Throughout High School, students deepen their understanding of Japanese culture through field trips, movies and crafts, by reading authors like Shiga Naoya and by participating in Japanese celebrations.
MUSIC: During High School, students are expected to be proficient with a major instrument (or voice) and may add a second instrument (or voice). Classes cover music history with particular emphasis on the mature baroque period. The course integrates aural, sight-singing, written, composition and analytical skills in the development of the student’s approach. Building on this foundation, the course progresses to include composition of a bass line for a given melody and the realization of a Roman numeral progression. The class uses the ABRSM curriculum as the basis for theory instruction and for preparation for practical exams. Throughout their High School career, students are also expected to play an important role in the various instrumental and vocal performing ensembles and are given the opportunity to participate in musical and dramatic productions, concerts, master-classes and monthly recitals.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: The PE program is made up of specific units, many of which coincide with the sports seasons offered in our competitive sports program. The year begins with a water sports unit during which students enjoy the Yahara River by canoeing and kayaking. Other units throughout the year include fitness conditioning and assessment, soccer, flag football, volleyball, basketball, team handball, floor hockey, softball, archery, cross country and track and field. Events enjoyed on our state-of-the-art track and field facility include 50- and 100-meter dashes, mile runs, long and high jump, hurdles, relays, shot put, discus, and javelin.
Students develop the confidence and motivation to participate in organized and individual physical activities. Classes emphasize lifelong fitness, leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship and strategy in both team and individual sports.
Optional school-sponsored, after-school, competitive sports for High School students include boys and girls crew. Additional sports will be added in the coming years based on student interest.