THE PREP YEAR Curriculum

Language Arts (3 credits) – In language arts, an emphasis is placed on the students ability to become active readers, criticalthinkers and persuasive writers. Through Socratic discussions, learners debate ideas, themes and viewpoints that are presented in both classic and contemporary texts. Students explore a variety of writing genres, including personal narrative, historical fiction, dystopian science fiction and short stories. An emphasis is placed on learning to write persuasively, craft essays and debate ideas through both written and spoken word.

Materials: Online resources

Grading: Assessments include both written and oral compositions, evaluating vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing proficiencies. Grades are also given for homework and class participation.

Social Studies (3 credits) – has a focus on Career, Culture, and Current Events. This course is designed to provide the students with exposure to a variety of careers through research, site visits, and interviews. Our career program emphasizes experiential learning as the students visit and interview people in a variety of careers learning what traits, personalities, strengths, and educations make a certain career path the right fit. This course also includes a review and experience in local culture and history with research and site visits to historical places in the tri-state area. A weekly discussion of current events fosters an interest in the state of affairs in the world and includes important discussion of sources of news and influences on those.

Materials: Career Report Binder, News periodicals

Grading: Points accumulated through variety of modalities including career reports, current events presentations, and written subject area assessments

Mindset, Meditation & Focal Attention (MMFA) – The practice of mindfulness has been long related with a number of enhancements in productivity as well as our quality of life.

A growing number of studies are indicating that mindfulness training can improve attention, focus, as well as retention. Interestingly, researchers have also discovered that we tend to be happier when our minds are grounded firmly in the present moment and that our happiness decreases the more our minds wander aimlessly.

Attention, or directed mental energy, is a precious resource – perhaps even more in the “information age”. There are so many compelling things competing for our awareness. It’s easy to imagine how this ability to harness and steer our cognitive resources where they are needed most, for as long as they are needed, is essential for survival and helps us to thrive. These skills may even be essential to living a meaningful life.

In this course, students will be introduced to some of the tools necessary to control their mindset and harness their mindfulness to keep them in a positive light, and ultimately control their ability to focus.

Materials: Online resources

Grading: Accumulation of points through class participation, tests, and homework assignments.

Foreign Language (2 credits) – This is a widely accepted computer-based platform with students able to choose from a variety of offered languages. The course is highly individualized allowing students to work at their own pace, assess when needed, and chart progress.

Materials: Duolingo subscription

Grading: Progress charted through program by lessons completed

Mathematics – Foundations of Algebra​ (3 credits) – This course follows a college-preparatory Foundations of Algebra curriculum aligned with New Jersey state standards. The primary focus is the mastery of Algebra I concepts, providing students with the skills and confidence necessary for success in high school mathematics. Core topics include equations and inequalities, linear and quadratic functions, systems of equations, exponents, polynomials, radicals, and problem-solving applications.

Instruction is differentiated to meet the needs of individual students, allowing for review of Pre-Algebra concepts while providing advanced learners with exposure to selected topics from Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus. These enrichment experiences help prepare students for honors-level coursework and develop strong mathematical reasoning skills.

The course also includes preparation for standardized assessments and high school entrance examinations, emphasizing problem-solving strategies, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking.

In addition, The Prep offers an optional Honors Geometry Preparation course for students planning to enroll in an Honors Geometry course in high school. This supplemental course introduces geometric reasoning, formal proofs, and other foundational concepts that support success in a rigorous geometry curriculum.

Materials: Glencoe Algebra I textbook, Glencoe Pre-Algebra textbook, HSPT practice workbook, IXL Subscription

Grading: Points accumulated through variety of assessments and homework

STEM (3 credits) –This course emphasizes the integrative nature of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with the goal to help students realize the natural connections between these subjects. The majority of the course will be project-based where students will work independently and in groups on STEM projects. Since the first year course in many high school science programs will be Biology, most project emphasis will be on related topics including ecology, cells, genetics, biodiversity, and the human body and its systems. Some high school programs will have students study Physics in the freshman year, so this course will also include select topics that emphasize physics content such as laws of motion and electricity and electronics.

Materials: Composition Notebook OR Lab Notebook, Various Online Resources, Slide Presentations, Videos, Case Studies, and Current Event News Articles.

Grading: Weighted average based on assessments such as tests, quizzes, labs, projects, and class participation.

Healthy Living (1.5 credits) – This course, created by a registered dietician and college professor, provides an introduction to general nutrition, food preparation, supplements, as well as proper nutrition for student athletes (pre, during, and post activity). There is also a practical component to this with shopping and preparing healthy meals.

Materials: Nutrition & Wellness for Life Textbook

Grading: Weighted average based on a unit test, homework, and participation

Personal Development (1 credit) – This is an independent study that consists of completing a variety of activities throughout the year in 3 main areas; leadership, service, and personal growth. The students log their activities throughout the year and present periodically on those experiences. This class meets weekly for discussion on the 3 elements of this course and has readings and other multi-platform assignments to support instruction.

Materials: Personal Development Activity List

Grading: Accumulation of points through completion of available activities