Curriculum Guide and Handbook
Introduction:
This curriculum guide is designed to give the student of Stoughton Academy an overview of the course offerings and to help that student make appropriate course selections. The guide also contains information about other policies and procedures such as attendance, class cancellation, grading and graduation.
Since all prospective students have individual needs and varied educational backgrounds, it is essential that students meet with the Director of Stoughton Academy prior to any course selection. In some cases, a reading assessment will be administered to help in choosing the appropriate courses.
The following pages offer much information about the offerings and opportunities at Stoughton Academy. Read carefully. Ask questions. Get answers.
Stoughton Academy is here to serve you in the best way possible.
Graduation Requirements:
In order to be admitted to Stoughton Academy you must obtain a transcript from the school you last attended, including MCAS test results. If you are a former student in the Stoughton System, your records are here. If you attended another high school, you must contact that school and ask that a transcript along with copies of your MCAS scores, be sent to the office of Stoughton Academy, 232 Pearl Street, Stoughton, MA 02072, or fax it to 781-344-6417 as soon as possible.
When you meet with the director, your transcript will be read and credits will be assigned to you based on the courses you have completed, and the grade level you had reached prior to leaving school. The Director of Stoughton Academy will have full discretion to determine your appropriate placement in Stoughton Academy.
The following chart outlines the typical course requirements to earn a diploma from Stoughton
Academy. The best way to read the chart is to first determine which grade you have completed prior to making application for registration.
A student who has completed 8th grade must complete 12 courses:
Note: 1 year = 1 course
English - 4 years
Math - 2 years
Science - 2 years
U.S. History I & II - 2 years
2 Electives
A student who has completed 9th grade must complete 9 courses:
English - 3 years
Math - 2 years
U.S. History I & II - 2 years
Science - 1 year
2 Electives
A student who has completed 10th grade must complete 6 courses:
English - 2 years
Math - 1 year
U.S. History I & II - 2 years
Science - 1 year
1 Elective
A student who has completed 11th grade must complete 4 courses:
English - 1 year
Computer - 1 year
American Government - 1 year
1 Elective
Course Descriptions:
English:
English, Level 1 - for the student who has yet to complete Grade 9
This course will provide the student with an in depth review of study skills as he/she addresses the fundamentals of reading literature and responding to that literature. Students will also focus on other communication skills such as speaking and writing. Students will review fundamentals of grammar and usage as they respond to fiction and non-fiction in various literary forms. Sentence structure, paragraph development, and multi-paragraph themes will be the focus o the writing section of this course.
English, Level 2 – for the student who has yet to complete Grade 10
While this course continues the elements of study skills and paragraph development, the major focus will be on the various forms of literature: poems, plays, short stories, and short novels. Students will be required to respond to the assigned reading through the essay, with the focus being the three and four paragraph theme. Also included will be review of grammatical structure and usage. The goal is to assist the student in clear thinking and clear expression of thought.
English, Skills for the Work Place Level 3 and 4
Accurate and appropriate language is essential to success in the work place. Students in this course will concentrate on accuracy in both written and spoken language. Writing skill will be reviewed and strengthened. Letters of application as well as other forms of business correspondence will be presented and practiced. Exercises will be developed to meet the needs of the class.
Contemporary Authors Level 3 and 4
In this course, students will work on written structure while they investigate the work of current writers (contemporary authors). A variety of forms of literature will be addressed and writing about that literature will also be an important part of this course. Students will continue to develop skills as they read and discuss contemporary works.
Mathematics:
Algebra I & II
Students in Algebra I will learn the basic topics covered in an elementary algebra program including equations, inequalities, graphing, etc. This is the foundation course for all upper level mathematical courses and an introductory level course in preparation for college. Concepts studied in Algebra 1 will help the student in all aspects of problem solving. Algebra II will continue according to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
Geometry
The central focus of this course is to help the student approach problem solving with an open mind and a sense of discovery. Time will be spend on the applications of geometry as they relate to everyday life. Students will investigate traditional geometric topics such as proofs, similar and congruent triangles, area, volume, etc.
Science:
Earth Science
This investigative course will allow the student to explore fields such as geology, meteorology, and astronomy. The student will use an inquiry approach to the sciences, one that sill allow him/her to understand and appreciate the way in which we are all related and involved in our physical world. We have a place among the rocks, minerals, the ocean and space, and this course will help to define and explain that place.
Biology
An investigation into the science of life, cell structure, inheritance factors, the human body, and its relationship to the environment, this course will help the student to develop appropriate sills based on the scientific method. Students will study classification of plant and animal life and participate in several laboratory based studies.
Chemistry
This course will address chemical concepts as they are developed from observation and the study of data. Students will study chemistry as it related to health, industry, and home. Laboratory investigation will be a major component of this course.
Social Studies:
U.S. History I
This course will trace the formation of the United States as a colonial experience and its development into an independent nation. Topics addressed will include colonization and interaction with native populations revolution, expansion westward, The Civil War, and reconstruction. The course will trace events in American History up to the end of World War I and the growth of a sense of isolationism.
U.S. History II
the United States experienced a prosperity and growth during the 1920’s which was followed by a major depression in the 1930’s. This depression lasted until the second World War. This course will follow the progress of the United States as a major player, “the most powerful nation on Earth,” through the Cold War against communism and the current position of the United States in today'’ world. Topics will include the Civil Rights movement, America's struggles in such places as Viet Nam and Iraq, and the American involvement in current international affairs.
American Government
To be an informed and active citizen or resident, one should know the role of the government. This course will focus on the foundations and workings of our government on the local, state and national levels. Students will investigate Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidency, along with the formation of budgets and the process of spending on a national level. Study will be expanded to investigate governments in other countries and political relationships with those nations. Topics will also include current events on the international platform.
Computers:
Microsoft Office
This modern age of instant communication and information processing requires its workers to be skilled in computer use and application. This course is designed to investigate and learn the use of the more common software such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint. Students electing this course must have taken a typing/word processing course or have equivalent experience.
Contact Information:
Stoughton Academy Office
The office of Stoughton Academy is located in
Stoughton High School and is open on
Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the school year.
Messages may be left on the office telephone at any time.
781-341-8701
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Admission to Stoughton Academy
Stoughton Academy welcomes applicants who are not registered in another high school and who wish to complete a course of study leading to a high school diploma. Stoughton Academy will accept a student registered in another high school if they need to take a course for credit to be applied to the current school to fulfill a graduation requirement. Prospective candidates who have attended high school in the past must submit a transcript of grades for review prior to being offered admission. If an applicant has been excluded or expelled from school, he/she must present a letter from the Superintendent of that school to the Superintendent of the Stoughton School System explaining the nature of the expulsion/exclusion.
A student who withdraws from Stoughton High School may not enroll in Stoughton Academy for a
period of time equal to one semester.
Guidance Services
Appointments may be made to meet with the Director before or after classes or at another mutually agreeable time.
Class length and hours
All classes meet from 7:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on either Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Courses run for 16 weeks: Semester One begins in September and ends in late January. Semester Two classes begin in early February and ends in June.
Class Attendance
Students are expected to be in attendance for all class meetings in order to achieve the maximum benefit form the course. Since class participation is an important aspect of any course, absences from class hurt not only the student in question but also diminish the learning experience of all other students in the class.
Since there are only 16 class meetings, three absences shall be considered excessive. Should a student be absent a fourth time, he/she will be allowed to continue attending the course but will receive no credit for that course. In addition, tardiness to class is both detrimental to the learning process and a discourtesy to the instructor and the other students and therefore should be avoided at all costs. Tardiness in excess of ten minutes will be treated as an absence.
Homework
The success of any academic program is always dependent upon two things: the instruction provided, and the effort put forth in preparation for each class. In short, homework is essential. The nature of the class will determine how much study any student will have to do in any given week. Students should plan to put aside a suitable amount of time and an appropriate place for homework.
Grading Policy
All students will be given a letter grade at the end of the course. In addition, teachers may, at their discretion, give students a mid-term notice of progress. Such a notice will accomplish two goals: indicate specific strengths of the student in question, and, in some cases, indicate where a student needs improvement.
Grade Scale
A+ |
97-100 |
C+ |
77-80 |
A† |
94-96 |
C |
73-76 |
A- |
90-93 |
C- |
70-72 |
B+ |
87-89 |
D+ |
67-69 |
B |
83-86 |
D |
66-60 |
B- |
80-82 |
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Graduation
The graduation requirements are listed on page two of this handbook and must be met in full in order to be eligible to receive a Stoughton Academy Diploma.
Graduation Ceremonies will be held at Stoughton High in the month of June following completing of the second semester. A student who completes graduation requirements in January may receive his/her diploma at that time but that student is also most welcome to participate in the Graduation ceremonies in June provided that arrangements are made with the Office of Stoughton Academy.
Cancellation of Class due to Inclement Weather
If school has been canceled in Stoughton due to snow or other weather conditions, classes for Stoughton Academy and Stoughton Evening School will also be canceled. Announcements about school closing can be heard on TV stations Channel 4, 5 and 7, or by calling 781-341-8701.
Books and Materials
All materials needed for specific courses are the responsibility of the student. Some books may be provided by Stoughton Academy when possible. Individual instructors will notify students of needed texts and payment for those texts will be the responsibility of the individual student.
Payment of Tuition
Tuition payments of $195.00 per course are due and payable before the first class begins. Payment must be made in cash, bank check, or postal money order. Personal checks are NOT accepted, as per the policy of the Stoughton Public Schools.
Since Stoughton Academy is a tuition driven program, courses will not run if there is not sufficient enrollment. In addition, staff are hired based on enrollment. If a student withdraws for a course after the first meeting, he/she will be entitled to a 50% refund. After the second class, there will be no refunds. Should a course be canceled due to lack of enrollment, students will receive prompt notice and immediate refund. (The student also has the option to transfer to another course.) It is therefore necessary that students keep all tuition receipts both as proof of payment and guarantee of refund should one be necessary.
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