Upper School Curriculum
English
In English courses throughout the Upper School, certain goals remain constant as students develop and progress. All English courses help students to read intelligently, write well, speak effectively, and listen attentively. Students are taught to analyze, criticize, judge—with eye, ear, mind, voice, and pen to express these skills in an appropriate fashion. Since students make use of their analytical, critical, evaluative, and judging capacities in all disciplines, the English Department coordinates with other Departments to provide students with many opportunities for practical application of their knowledge and skills throughout their courses.
Activities that train students to analyze, criticize, evaluate, and judge are the mainstays of the language arts: reading, writing, speaking and listening. In our English courses, students develop a sense of the chronology of literature and of one’s heritage, which includes elements of Greek, Roman, and Judeo-Christian civilizations, as well as the diverse cultures that constitute aspects of both our diverse student population and our American experience. Through the use of essential questions, the English Department seeks to provoke deep thought, lively discussion, sustained inquiry, and new understandings within its students, as well as spark meaningful connections with prior learning and personal experiences. At the heart of all the English Department’s activities is the conviction that reading, writing, speaking, and listening demand a high degree of intellectual sophistication, emotional conviction, and personal discipline, which we address in developmentally appropriate ways as the students progress throughout their years at SRDS.
In the English program each course builds on the skills and experiences students acquire in previous grades. Throughout the Upper School English courses, students learn vocabulary and grammar; explore the reading and writing of major literary genres including poetry, short story, drama, essay, memoir, graphic novels and traditional novels; and hone their oral presentation skills with presentations to their classmates and larger audiences. Every Saddle River Day School student takes at least one English course every year. A robust selection of electives are also offered in the upper grades. Advanced Placement Literature and Language are offered in Grades 11 and 12 for students of demonstrated ability and superior motivation.
New Courses for 24-25:
- Semester Elective classes for 11th/12th grade (college prep and honors)
- Fantasy
- Love in the West
- Murder Mysteries
- Madness and Mayhem
- Humor
- Sports Literature
- English 9/English 9 Honors
- English 10/English 10 Honors
- English 11 and 12 Semester Electives (CP and Honors)
- AP English Literature
- AP English Language & Composition
English 9/English 9 Honors
English 10/English 10 Honors
English 11 and 12 Semester Electives (CP and Honors)
AP English Literature
AP English Language & Composition
Mathematics
All students are required to complete the following three courses of mathematics for graduation: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, and it is highly recommended that students continue their study of mathematics beyond Algebra II. Enrollment in a mathematics course during all four years of high school is strongly encouraged.
New Courses for 24-25:
- Advanced Pre-Algebra (6th grade)
- Financial Algebra
- College Algebra
- Algebra I/Algebra I Honors
- Geometry/Geometry Honors
- Algebra II/Algebra II Honors
- Precalculus/Precalculus Honors
- Advanced Placement Precalculus
- Financial Algebra
- Statistics/Statistics Honors
- AP Statistics
- Calculus Honors
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- Multivariable Calculus Honors (Post AP)
- Linear Algebra Honors (Post AP)
Algebra I/Algebra I Honors
Geometry/Geometry Honors
Algebra II/Algebra II Honors
Precalculus/Precalculus Honors
Advanced Placement Precalculus
Financial Algebra
Statistics/Statistics Honors
AP Statistics
Calculus Honors
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Multivariable Calculus Honors (Post AP)
Linear Algebra Honors (Post AP)
Science
The science department's courses are designed to be comprehensive as well as diverse in order to meet the needs of every student. In the Upper School, three years of laboratory science are required for graduation. In all cases, biology, and chemistry are required for graduation, and physics is strongly recommended as the third lab science. Three advanced placement science courses are offered for those students who demonstrate an extremely high aptitude in science.
new Courses for 24-25:
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Physics I: Algebra Based
- AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
- Biology (College Prep/Honors) Grade 9
- Chemistry (College Prep/Honors) Grade 10
- Physics (College Prep/Honors) Grades 11 or 12
- Environmental Science Honors, Grades 11 or 12
- Forensic Science (College Prep/Honors) 11 or 12 (yearlong)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology Honors, Grades 11 or 12
- Applied Physics and Engineering (College Prep/Honors) Grades 11 or 12
- Astronomy and Space Science, Grades 11 and 12 (Semester long or yearlong)
- Advanced Placement Biology Grades 11-12 (alt years with AP Chemistry)
- Advanced Placement Chemistry Grades 11-12 (alt years with AP Biology)
- Advanced Placement Physics I: Algebra Based Grades 10-12
- Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics Grades 11-12
- Advanced Placement Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Grades 11-12
- Advanced Placement Environmental Science
- Professional Science: Introduction to the Research Process (Summer), Grades 7 to 11
- Independent Research with Drosophila melanogaster (Post AP)
- Computer Science I
- Computer Science Principles
- Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles
- Advanced Placement Computer Science A
- Artificial Intelligence Honors
- Natural Language Processing Honors (Summer)
Biology (College Prep/Honors) Grade 9
Chemistry (College Prep/Honors) Grade 10
Physics (College Prep/Honors) Grades 11 or 12
Environmental Science Honors, Grades 11 or 12
Forensic Science (College Prep/Honors) 11 or 12 (yearlong)
Human Anatomy and Physiology Honors, Grades 11 or 12
Applied Physics and Engineering (College Prep/Honors) Grades 11 or 12
Astronomy and Space Science, Grades 11 and 12 (Semester long or yearlong)
Advanced Placement Biology Grades 11-12 (alt years with AP Chemistry)
Advanced Placement Chemistry Grades 11-12 (alt years with AP Biology)
Advanced Placement Physics I: Algebra Based Grades 10-12
Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics Grades 11-12
Advanced Placement Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Grades 11-12
Advanced Placement Environmental Science
Professional Science: Introduction to the Research Process (Summer), Grades 7 to 11
Independent Research with Drosophila melanogaster (Post AP)
Computer Science I
Computer Science Principles
Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles
Advanced Placement Computer Science A
Artificial Intelligence Honors
Natural Language Processing Honors (Summer)
Social Sciences
The purpose of the study of history and the social sciences is to help students understand themselves and their relationships to history and culture through an investigation of the varieties of the human experience. The History and Social Sciences Department curriculum emphasizes a world perspective, which asks students to appreciate the global connectedness that has existed for most of human history. The curriculum in the upper school provides opportunities for students to investigate many areas of this experience: intellectual, aesthetic, religious, philosophical, political, economic, social, and psychological.
In the history and social sciences program, each course builds on certain skills students have acquired in previous grades. For example, students learn to analyze critically both primary and secondary sources. There is a strong emphasis in all courses on developing students’ abilities to express themselves clearly and logically, both verbally and in writing. Many courses use art, literature, and music to enrich understanding.
In the Upper School, students are required to complete three year-long courses: Big History, Modern World History or AP European History, and United States History. In addition to these required courses, the department offers a number of electives in history and the social sciences. Qualified students may also enroll in various Advanced Placement courses. In addition, students interested in contemporary domestic and international issues can become involved in related extracurricular activities often supported by the department.
New Courses for 24-25
- AP Microeconomics
- Foundations in World History: A Big History Approach, Grade 9
- AP Human Geography, Grade 9
- World History, Grade 10
- United States History, Grade 11
- Advanced Placement United States History, Grade 11
- Psychology, Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12
- Philosophy and Ethics, Grades 11 or 12
- Middle Eastern Studies, Grades 10-12
- Advanced Placement World History, Grade 10, or 12
- Advanced Placement European History, Grade 10 or 12
- Advanced Placement Macroeconomics, Grade 12
- Advanced Placement Microeconomics Grade 11-12
- Advanced Placement Psychology, Grade 12
- Business & Entrepreneurship, Grades 8-12
- Business & Entrepreneurship II, Grades 9-12
- Business & Entrepreneurship III, Grades 9-12
- Business & Entrepreneurship IV, Grades 9-12
Foundations in World History: A Big History Approach, Grade 9
AP Human Geography, Grade 9
World History, Grade 10
United States History, Grade 11
Advanced Placement United States History, Grade 11
Psychology, Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12
Philosophy and Ethics, Grades 11 or 12
Middle Eastern Studies, Grades 10-12
Advanced Placement World History, Grade 10, or 12
Advanced Placement European History, Grade 10 or 12
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics, Grade 12
Advanced Placement Microeconomics Grade 11-12
Advanced Placement Psychology, Grade 12
Business & Entrepreneurship, Grades 8-12
Business & Entrepreneurship II, Grades 9-12
Business & Entrepreneurship III, Grades 9-12
Business & Entrepreneurship IV, Grades 9-12
World Languages
The principal goal of the World Language Department is to instill a love of language and an appreciation of the cultures beyond these languages. We encourage our students to achieve an excellent level of communication in speaking and in writing at the end of their third-year requirement. Students may continue their study of language beyond the Advanced Placement level. Listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing are the traditional skills that are stressed throughout the world language experience. Field trips and trips abroad may be offered as further enrichment.
In Upper School, students need to complete through level III of one language: Spanish, French or Arabic (Latin will replace Arabic starting in 24-25. Students currently in Arabic program will be able to finish their sequence). Courses are offered at the college preparatory and honors levels, and AP classes are offered in each language. The World Languages Department encourages students to pursue their studies beyond the three-year requirement and/or to start another language.
New Courses for 24-25
- Latin I and II - We are excited to add Latin to our world languages program.
- French I
- French II and French II Honors
- French III and French III Honors
- French IV/French IV Honors
- Advanced Placement French Language and Culture
- Spanish I
- Spanish II and Spanish II Honors
- Spanish III and Spanish III Honors
- Spanish IV and Spanish IV Honors
- Spanish Language and Culture (Spanish V) (enrollment depending)
- Advanced Placement Spanish Language
- Advanced Placement Spanish Literature (enrollment depending)
- Arabic Language and Culture I
- Arabic Language and Culture II
- Arabic Language and Culture III
- Arabic Language and Culture IV
- World Language and Culture Across the Curriculum
- Latin I
- Advanced Latin
French I
French II and French II Honors
French III and French III Honors
French IV/French IV Honors
Advanced Placement French Language and Culture
Spanish I
Spanish II and Spanish II Honors
Spanish III and Spanish III Honors
Spanish IV and Spanish IV Honors
Spanish Language and Culture (Spanish V) (enrollment depending)
Advanced Placement Spanish Language
Advanced Placement Spanish Literature (enrollment depending)
Arabic Language and Culture I
Arabic Language and Culture II
Arabic Language and Culture III
Arabic Language and Culture IV
World Language and Culture Across the Curriculum
Latin I
Advanced Latin
Visual Arts - Studio and Graphic Arts
The visual arts are a means to gain personal satisfaction through individual accomplishment in the creation of images and forms. The program is solidly based on a respect and understanding of where students are creatively, what they require from their work, and the means to move them from one developmental stage to another as they become more expressive, inventive, and perceptive. The program focuses on artistic creation as the central component throughout, with perceptual and reflective elements growing out of the students’ active involvement with materials and processes. Through expressive/creative experiences, students become familiar with such facets of artistic thinking as; the ability to formulate problems and create multiple solutions, the ability to pursue a project over time, the willingness to solve problems inventively, the ability to take risks, and finally to reflect critically on one’s own work. Students develop a way of thinking that functions beyond the studio into other areas of the curriculum.
The program focuses primarily on the uniqueness of the individual, fostering and valuing the specific expressive qualities and interests of each student as she/he progresses through K - 12. Collaborative work exists, but its goals are secondary to the individual.
New Courses for 24-25
- AP Art History
- Studio Art (Introductory)
- Art Major
- Portfolio Art (Honors)
- Graphic Design I, Grades 9-12
- Graphic Design II, Grades 9-12
- Graphic Design III, Grades 10-12
- Graphic Design IV
- Digital Photography
- Advanced Photography
- Videography/Broadcast Journalism
- Advanced Videography
- Advanced Videography Practicum
- Advanced Placement Art History
Studio Art (Introductory)
Art Major
Portfolio Art (Honors)
Graphic Design I, Grades 9-12
Graphic Design II, Grades 9-12
Graphic Design III, Grades 10-12
Graphic Design IV
Digital Photography
Advanced Photography
Videography/Broadcast Journalism
Advanced Videography
Advanced Videography Practicum
Advanced Placement Art History
Performing Arts - Theater, Instrumental and Choral Music
SRDS has a dynamic and diverse instrumental music program that provides a solid foundation of the skills needed to play an instrument and to perform with it in an ensemble. Instruction begins in the Lower School, continues through the Middle School, and culminates with our students participating in our Upper School Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, and Guitar Ensemble.
The choral program is designed to provide the opportunity for each student in grades pK-12 to learn the proper vocal techniques and skills needed to perform various vocal repertoire. Special emphasis is placed on learning rudimentary skills such as proper air support, proper resonance, sight-reading, audible acuity, blending, style, and showmanship. Participation in an SRDS choir provides opportunities for the students to express their personal creativity, build their self-esteem, learn self-discipline, and master a variety of skills which can be applied to their lives both on and off the stage.
- Upper School Acting (a series of semester-long courses taken individually or yearlong)
- Music Theory I
- Music Theory II
- Music Theory III
- Advanced Placement Music Theory
- Upper School Band, Grades 9–12
- Concert Choir, Grades 9–12
- US Jazz Ensemble, Grades 9–12
- US String Ensemble, Grades 9–12
- Vocal Master Class, Grades 9-12