ENGLISH
English I
This course emphasizes the study of different genres, such as the short story, biography, poetry, essay, drama and the novel. Students will become familiar with literature terms and will learn how to respond creatively to literature. Writing components are included.
English II
Building on the skills they learned in English I, students will begin in-depth analyzation literature. Special emphasis will be placed on world literature and young adult literature. Writing components are included.
Prerequisite: English I
Honors class available
English III
English III is a survey of American Literature within a historically based context. Students read classics from major American authors. Emphasis is given to developing critical thinking skills as students write formal and informal essays and answer questions from selections. Originality and creativity are fostered through oral presentations, projects and research. The clear expression and exchange of ideas is practiced through participation in class discussions and cooperative learning groups. Students are encouraged to interpret, analyze, and synthesize concepts and themes and evaluate literature within the context of Biblical truths. Writing components are included.
Prerequisite: English II
English IV
English IV is a survey of British literature within a historically based context. Students read classics from major British authors. Emphasis is given to developing critical thinking skills as students write formal and informal essays and answer questions from selections. Originality and creativity are fostered through oral presentations, projects and research. The clear expression and exchange of ideas is practiced through participation in class discussions and cooperative learning groups. Students are encouraged to interpret, analyze, and synthesize concepts and themes and evaluate literature within the context of Biblical truths. Because this is their last high school literature class, students will be asked to write in-depth, college-style papers.
Prerequisite: English III
HISTORY & ECONOMICS
World Geography
World Geography is the study of geographical locations, land forms, bodies of water, and nations with a brief inclusion of their cultures. This class introduces the student to their world and the process of a global connection.
US History
U.S. History covers American History from Pre-Colonial times to the late 20th century. Special focus on the: events, ideas, institutions, conflicts, economic factors, immigration, technological advances, along with social and political movements throughout this period. An honors section is also offered for this course.
World History
This course emphasizes the historical developments throughout the entire breadth of the world. Attention will be paid to the earliest civilizations through to modern history and current events. This course builds upon the students' knowledge from World Geography while going deeper into specific events, conflicts, religions, and technological advances along with social and political movements that have shaped and continue to shape our world. An honors section is also offered for this course.
American Government & Economics
This course considers the theory of government and the origins of American democracy. It emphasizes the organization of government, the principles of constitutional law, the justice system and the role of the citizen in a democratic society. Study of Supreme Court Cases will be required. This course also offers students a look at micro and macroeconomics, the American free enterprise system of economics, the role of government in the American economy, the American system in relation to the world and issues in consumer economics. An honors section is also offered for this course.
Current Events class
This is a course studying some of the major issues of the world today. Students use the quick access ability to events through the use of the news agencies, government reports, and live reports. Students will acquire knowledge of economic, cultural, and environmental issues, the causes and possible outcomes that can occur. Also, the class will discuss how these issues and events could fit into our Biblical teachings and beliefs.
SCIENCE
Biology
Biology means the study of life so our goal as biology scholars will be to examine and probe into the complex life forms that our Designer and Creator has given us. We will study what living organisms are and their similarities and differences. We will investigate how all living organisms interact with each other and their environment. We will also learn how scientists work by using the scientific method so we can look at problems objectively and make intelligent decisions concerning biological issues. This will be a more in-depth study of biological concepts and give us a chance to assess how we can use biological applications in our daily life.
Chemistry
The objective of chemistry is to show how all the elements of the periodic table relate to each other in different ways to produce everything that makes up our universe. You could say the periodic table is God's recipe book for all matter and depending on what elements join together and in what ratio determines what matter is formed and what state it will be. We will explore how elements join together to form compounds and how it's possible to even predict the products of a chemical reaction. We will do experiments to help us understand the concepts of chemical bonding and element interaction that will help us understand how the elements are used to make all matter known to man.
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology is a class that goes deeper into the study of the human body by taking a closer look at the eleven different systems it is comprised of. We start out at the cellular level and learn about the cell, which is the building blocks of tissues and work our way up to the different organs that make a complete organism we know as man or woman. This class is beneficial to those who are interested in the medical field because we will begin memorizing bones and muscles as well as studying the different physiological processes that are taking place in the human body. The project the students will work on during the semester is to pick a preserved specimen of their choice, dissect it and compare the systems of their specimen to that of a human and list the similarities and differences between the two species, and present their findings to the class.
Prerequisite: Biology
Physical Science
Physical science is an introduction to two different fields of science that are
important to those who are interested in working in the medical field, engineering,
chemical engineering, pharmacy, or chemical research. The two sciences we will be
studying are chemistry and physics. In chemistry, we will begin by taking a look at the
smallest particle of an element, the atom, and learn of its composition and how it
interacts with other atoms to form every known substance in the universe. Next, we
will take a look at some of the basic formulas used in physics to calculate motion,
force, work, energy, and waves. We will also study some of the most well-known
laws of physics derived by Sir Isaac Newton himself who some consider being one of
the greatest scientists of all time. A project the students will do to demonstrate their
knowledge of these principles is to design a vehicle with bulsa wood and see how
fast and how far they can get it to travel.
Physics
This course examines the nature of energy and the relationship between energy and matter from the mechanics through nuclear reactions. Topics investigated include resolution/composition of forces, heat and thermal effects, conservation of energy and momentum, magnetism, electricity, simple circuit waves, atomic structure, and nuclear reactions.
Prerequisite: Algebra II and Geometry with minimum B- grade or a B- in Pre-Calculus.
MATHEMATICS
Foundations of Algebra
Foundations of Algebra will provide many opportunities to revisit and expand the understanding of foundational algebra concepts. This course is taught to make arithmetic approachable, even if students have no exposure to algebra or little confidence in their current mathematics skills. The course will emphasize both algebra and numeracy in various contexts, including number sense, proportional reasoning, quantitative reasoning with functions, and solving equations and inequalities. Foundations of Algebra will provide students with those skills needed to prepare students for success in Coordinate Algebra.
Algebra I
This study of algebra focuses on application of appropriate techniques, tools and formulas to interpret and solve problems with an ability to analyze results and draw appropriate conclusions. The concepts covered include but are not limited to the study of expressions, equations, functions, rational numbers, linear equations, polynomials, factoring and quadratic functions.
Algebra II
This is a continued study of topics covered in Algebra I. Also studied are logarithms andexponential functions, rational and radical functions, polynomial functions.
Prerequisite: Algebra I with minimum C grade or special permission.
Geometry
This course focuses on the development of deductive proofs with emphasis on plane geometry. It also covers trigonometry, constructions and coordinate geometry.
Prerequisite: Algebra I or special permission.
Pre-Calculus
This is a continuation of Algebra II. Topics covered are trigonometry, conics, sequences and series, functions, probability, limits, derivatives and integrals.
Prerequisite: Algebra II and Geometry with minimum B grade in both.
Advanced Mathematical Decision Making
The course will give students further experiences with statistical information and summaries, methods of designing and conducting statistical studies, an opportunity to analyze various voting processes, modeling of data, basic financial decisions, and use network models for making informed decisions.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II
Accelerated Coordinate Algebra/Analytic Geometry A
This is the first course in a sequence of courses designed to provide students with a rigorous program of study in mathematics – two years for the traditional 3-year sequence of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. This course studies expressions, equations, linear equations and systems, functions, ways of describing data, coordinate algebra and geometry, the study of plane geometry, the development of deductive proofs, right triangle trigonometry, circles and volume.
Prerequisite: high score on freshman math placement test; minimum grade of B in the first semester to continue in the course second semester
Accelerated Analytic Geometry B/Advanced Algebra
This is the second course in a sequence of courses designed to provide students with a rigorous program of study in mathematics – two years for the traditional 3-year sequence of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. It includes
the study of polynomial functions, quadratic functions and factoring, coordinate proof, the complex number system, statistical inference, rational, radical, logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, and mathematical modeling
Course Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry (Accelerated Coordinate Algebra/Analytic Geometry A) with a minimum of B
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education I
This course provides students with an opportunity to develop individual and cooperative sport motor skills, and fundamentals. Rules, regulations, some game strategies, and safety are emphasized for each activity. Social skills development is taught throughout the entire curriculum. All students will engage in Cardio and Physical Fitness activity. Students will develop an understanding of the purpose of physical education, be given a historical view of physical education and sports while learning to understand and appreciate movement from both a personal and social perspective. Course content includes: principles of movement, learning through movement patterns, motor skill performance in sports, pro-social skills for human development, participation in lifetime activities, and exploring careers in physical education and health.
Personal Fitness
The purpose of this course is to (a) acquire knowledge of physical fitness concepts (b) understand the influence of lifestyle on health and fitness, and (c) begin to develop an optimal level of fitness. High School Students will be taught content that includes, but is not limited to, the following: -safety practices -technology applications -assessment of health-related fitness -components of physical fitness- individual and dual sports -health problems associated with inadequate fitness levels -psychological values of physical fitness, including stress management -evaluation of physical activities in terms of fitness value -fitness program design- nutritional values -benefits derived from participation in lifetime sports and physical activity. ***This course may be required for graduation and is one-semester credit.
Team sports
The purpose of this course is to provide learning experiences that will lead to the development of basic and advanced skills in team sports. In addition to skill acquisition, the course will focus on how to plan and implement various stages of skill development in games, through the use of extending, refining, and application tasks.
Students will be expected to achieve an intermediate level of skill in the selected team sports. Practice outside of class time and individual tutoring may be necessary for some students to achieve the expected performance level.
Health
Health class will introduce students to a wide variety of topics in which the overall goal is to help them make wise choices to maximize their health. We will discuss topics such as nutrition, safety, and exercise just to name a few, so they will have the information they need to get the most of the complex and amazing body and mind God has given to each one. The course is designed to help each student gain a deeper appreciation of the body not just in a physical sense but also mentally and spiritually.
RELIGION
All Religion courses follow the North American Division Bible Encounters’ Curriculum. The curriculum was designed with the natural process of brain learning in mind to keep all types of learners engaged in encountering Jesus Christ through the reading of His Word and the Spirit of Prophecy, Journaling, Journalism, Christian Media, and hands-on/group activities.
Bible I
Old Testament Studies beginning with the character and reality of God, His creation, the Sabbath, the fall of humans into sin, yet God’s promise of the coming Savior. Follow the seed of the Savior-to-come through the Old Testament stories and learn of God’s unending love for His wayward children.
Bible II
New Testament Studies begins by summarizing God’s love with the allegory of
Hosea’s life and love for his wayward wife Homer in the OT book of Hosea. Love becomes flesh as students meet Jesus and follow His life and teachings through the New Testament gospels. Once risen and ascended to heaven, students will see Jesus’ gospel lived out by the young Christian church in the Book of Acts as they too are taught to use the principles of the Kingdom of God to live in the waiting of Christ’s return.
Bible III
Prophetic Studies begins by delving into the textbook itself: The Bible – trustworthy and enduring. Once students are immersed into the principles of what makes this a book worth trusting, they are ready to enter the Book of Daniel to learn principles to live by as well as prophecies that span thousands of years into the present. The Daniel study contains a mini-unit on Sanctuary studies (to better understand the 2300 day/yr. prophecy) and moves naturally into Adventist Heritage as the students discover the roots and identity of the Advent message.
The year culminates in the book of Revelation where the Great Controversy is outlined in Biblical times, Christian History as well as experienced in the students’ present time.
Bible IV
Practical Christianity. Through their last high school year, the student will use what he/she has learned to apply the Bible teachings to everyday life and future profession by participating in learning units/activities such as Christian Relationships, Christian Ethics, World Religions, all while studying and gleaning life lessons from the Book of John.
LANGUAGE
Spanish I
This course includes a broad series of lessons and activities that offer a variety of modalities for ultimate student engagement and content retention. Students are introduced to the Spanish language through basic conversational patterns, guided written exercises, illustrated vocabulary words. Students are also offered to use online resources as much as possible, practicing the language through Video Projects creations, music production, and virtual field trips during a country presentation.
Spanish II
Spanish II introduces students to more complex conversational patterns and verb tenses. Students engage in comprehension exercises and practice writing original sentences and paragraphs. This course includes a strong emphasis on providing context for the language concepts presented in each unit. An appreciation for the Hispanic culture is fostered through reading and translating informational articles and engaging in activities that highlight various aspects of life in Spanish-speaking countries.
Students participate in real conversations with Spanish speakers and respond appropriately to conversational prompts, analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and perspectives of various Spanish-speaking countries. Students are requested to communicate in different scenarios and take frequent assessments where their language progression can be monitored.
Prerequisite: Spanish I with a minimum C grade
OTHER CORE CLASSES
Service Learning
Service Learning is a vital part of the Atlanta Adventist Academy experience. The Atlanta Adventist Academy student handbook states that, “Because we believe that true education involves the development of a sense of value of selfless service, students at Atlanta Adventist Academy will engage in a variety of service experiences as part of their overall education program. Through these experiences, students will practice the command of Jesus to love their neighbor and sacrifice their own time and energy for the benefit of others”.(p.8) In recent years service of Atlanta Adventist Academy students has made a positive impact in our communities through involvement with local churches, schools, youth and children’s ministry events, helping feed homeless, disaster relief, mission trips, and numerous other volunteer activities.
Life Skills
This course will present a variety of topics aimed at preparing you for success in the areas of:
Digital Citizenship
Standardized Testing
College Planning
Critical Thinking
Career Preparation
Personal Finance
Setting Personal Goals
Interpersonal Communication
EXTRACURRICULARS
ACT / SAT Prep
ACT / SAT Test Prep is an elective designed to aid students in taking the ACT (American College Testing) or the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). Targeted lessons, practice tests, and test-taking strategies will be used to increase the student’s understanding and competence in English, Math, Reading, and Science.
Advent Ringers(Bells) and Adoramus (Concert Choir)
Advent Ringers and Adoramus music ensembles offer targeted learning experiences designed to develop students’ skills in sight-reading, ear training, rhythmic precision, and handbell and vocal techniques.
The techniques for delivering instruction will be centered on creating a safe environment for learners to develop their self-concept as musically literate individuals.
Art 1-2
These Fine Art classes consist of a series of exercises concentrating on the foundation of all art, realistic drawing. We use both drawings and paintings which teach the techniques and thought processes of the Old Masters of art: the Dutch, Italian and French painters, as well as the great artist, John Singer Sargent, who put all these ideas and concepts together to convey his message. Basic color theory is also introduced.
Auto Fundamentals
Auto Fundamentals provides an understanding of the design, construction, and
operation of automotive systems. It contains information on the developments in
the field of automotive technology and provides materials in the text that are easy to
understand and applicable to most vehicles. The text explains each system starting
with basic theory, then parts are added until the system is complete. By following
this procedure the function of each system is explained and its relationship to the
complete vehicle is made clear.
It also provides students the opportunity to have a hands-on
experience of what it is like to maintain a vehicle, ex. oil changes, brake jobs
and learning how to change a flat tire.
Computer Science
Students learn the essential structures of computing. Also covered, are topics such as internet safety, digital citizenship, cyberbullying and the role of technology in our lives. Emphasis is also placed on using computers efficiently and safely. Students are introduced to programming basics using Python platform.
3D Design/Print - CAD
Students learn the basics of 3D Design using CAD Software such as TINKERCAD and Autodesk Fusion 360. Emphasis on 3D printing history, applications, materials, prototyping and industrial manufacturing is included throughout this course.
Disaster and Safety Training
Atlanta Adventist Academy has joined with 2Serve.live to provide training for students by involving them in the mission of the Seventh Day Adventist Church through FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and opportunities to safely and effectively aid survivors of a disaster.
During the course, the student will be CPR/First Aid trained and FEMA CERT qualified based on these eight modules: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety and Utility Control, Disaster Medical Operations 1 and 1, Light Search and Rescue Operations, CERT Organization, Terrorism and Cert and Psychological and Spiritual First Aid. As part of the course, the student will be expected to participate in the local CERT training, disaster simulations, and triage as well as deployment when the school responds to a local disaster. At the conclusion of the course the student, should he/she comply with all requirements, will be eligible for CPR/First Aid and CERT certifications.
Entomology
Entomology is the study of insects. This course will help the student with the identification, classification, and understanding of insects along with their benefits and problems. The goal is to take away any irrational fears of some of the most interesting creatures in creation, and instead stoke the natural curiosity we all have. Students will be required to complete an entomology collection as their final project for this course.
Forensics
The course is designed to build upon students’ previous concepts of science and further enhance them based on the investigation of crime scenes. Students will learn scientific protocols for analyzing a crime scene, legal protocols for handling evidence, chemical and physical separation methods, analysis of biological information.
Media and Communications
This course introduces the basic elements of digital and print journalism. Students will compose pieces fit for publication, have the opportunity to choose the topics they write about, be exposed to a variety of types of journalistic writing and will have the opportunity to edit and revise both their work and the work of their peers.
Newspaper
The Newspaper team is dedicated to the craft of writing, editing,
photographing, filming, and documenting life at Atlanta Adventist Academy.
The course students will write, edit, and layout five issues of the “Aardvark Insight” both in print and online. Students will develop their writing abilities, editing skills, and also skills in photography, graphic design, and comic drawing.
Student Worker
Students may be hired to perform general office duties, work in the
library, for grounds, for school maintenance, or the Assist Program. Certain age restrictions may apply. Students will be graded on their job performance, attendance and appearance.
Yearbook (Retrospective)
Students are tasked with producing a timeless, creative, and innovative publication that will record our school’s community, memories, and events. As students create the AAA yearbook, students will gain skills in the following areas: page design, publishing techniques, copywriting, editing, photography, marketing, teamwork, and leadership skills.
DUAL COLLEGE CREDIT
English 101
Offered through Southern Adventist University, is a class designed to
improve your writing and critical thinking skills. Students will develop proficiencies in
the writing process, analysis, and college level writing.
Life and Teachings of Jesus
This class is a study of the Message and Teachings of Jesus through a study of the Gospels and the Book Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White. Offered ONLINE ONLY through Southern Adventist University.
Andrews University Credit for High School Students
College Writing I
College Writing II
College Writing III
Environmental Science
Civilizations and Ideas I
Civilizations and Ideas II
Precalculus
Calculus
Intro to Psychology
Cultural Anthropology
Doctrines of the Adventist Faith
Nutrition
Medical Terminology
