ADVANCED 9/10
SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITY

Overview

Churchill's Advanced 9/10 block is college preparatory and attracts students who want to pursue a rich, in-depth humanities curriculum that leads to Advanced Placement (AP) college level courses in English and Social Studies. Students study history and geography, read and interpret literature, write expository essays, and complete independent and group projects. SLC cohort members report a strong sense of community built upon respectful discussions and dynamic instructional strategies. In addition, experiential learning activities such as debates, simulations, inclusive games, and mock trials engage students as active participants in the learning process.

This integrated block has a strong tradition built upon the outstanding intellectual curiosity and achievement of current and former students. The Advanced SLC emphasizes development of the reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills necessary to enroll in other upper-division high school Honors classes. Students are prepared to take advantage of 10th-12th grade courses that offer opportunities to earn college credit while in high school.

In 9th grade, students study history and geography, read and interpret literature, write expository essays, and complete independent and group projects. Literature such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Animal Farm, Separate Peace, Cantora, Things Fall Apart and The Good Earth is integrated to parallel with global studies content. Social studies units include in-depth analysis of cultural geography, unresolved problems of the modern world and the war years (1900-1945). A unifying theme for this challenging course of study is the inherent nature of humankind.

10th grade students explore American history and literature. Emphasis is placed on American Dream(s) from 1860 to the present. Students analyze primary source documents, dramatize major events, and read classic literature such as The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird and the Crucible.

Advanced 9/10 teachers and students are committed to academic excellence, high expectations, and participation in a rewarding program of study. There are no prerequisite course requirements to join this SLC. All motivated students can thrive in this rigorous and encouraging community.

Sample 4-Year Program

English : Social Studies

9th Grade
Honors Global Literature : Honors Global Studies

10th Grade
Honors American Literature : Honors American Studies

11th Grade
Honors Junior English : AP U.S. History

12th Grade
AP Literature [or] Writing 121/122 : AP Human Geography