Secular Studies
The Secular Studies curriculum encompasses course work in English, social studies, mathematics, science, French and Spanish. Students are encouraged to seek knowledge, ask questions and explore new areas of interest. Interdisciplinary study is an important component of the curriculum. Teachers collaborate in order to prepare an integrated curriculum, one that gives students the opportunity to gain a broad-based outlook on events around them. Students participate in projects that combine, for example, the study of general history with that of Jewish history, or the study of science from a Halachic perspective. Current events are also integrated into all areas of the Secular Studies curriculum. Front page scientific news, such as the addition of element 118 to the Periodic Table is examined by students and faculty in Chemistry class. We extend integration beyond the classroom walls when students venture into the outside world through activism and advocacy. Students participate in rallies, attend lectures and view films, in an effort to integrate their entire academic experience with the outside world.
At the same time, WHHS offers numerous levels of instruction for most courses. Students who do best while studying at a slower pace are able to do just that, while more advanced students have the opportunity to progress quickly and to undertake independent study projects. Either way the academic setting at WHHS is challenging. Students are encouraged to reach their potential and are given the tools to help them do so. The faculty and administration are intent on meeting the needs of every WHHS student in an environment that inspires students to succeed.
English
Ninth Grade Curriculum
The English Curriculum in ninth grade is designed to give our students a solid foundation on which to develop language arts proficiency. A literature-based survey of Western, African, Asian and Latin American works complements students learning in Global Studies. Instruction in literary analysis is emphasized, focusing on the short story, the novel, the play, and the poem as art forms. Technical language, critical reading and writing skills and developmental vocabulary are taught. By the end of the year, students are able to write a cohesive literary essay and read textual materials with ease and depth. Oral communication is an imperative and students are challenged to speak in an organized fashion, to support their ideas with facts, and to project their voices. The creation of a literate, elegant speaker and writer is our goal.
Texts: The Iliad, Homer; The Odyssey, Homer; The Lord of the Flies, Golding; The Chocolate War, Cormier; Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare; Our Town, Wilder; Literature World Masters, published by Prentice Hall
Tenth Grade Curriculum
British Literature is taught in conjunction with the tenth grade Social Studies Curriculum, putting the content into an historical and cultural context. Reading comprehension is improved by approaching literature as a series of puzzles and thought experiences. Students analyze the various genres, gaining an appreciation of language and diversity of style. Emphasis is put on both the mastery of the mechanics of writing and the execution of essay writing. This is accomplished through a series of drafts, peer evaluations and oral presentations. Authors studied include the Anglo-Saxon poets, Chaucer, Malory, Raleigh, Spencer, Shakespeare, Dickens and others. Significant attention is given to vocabulary from the literature and other sources.
Texts: Oedipus Rex, Sophocles; The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer; Pride and Prejudice, Austin; Measure for Measure, Shakespeare; Beowolf; Grendel, Gardner; Slaughterhouse Five, Vonnegut; The Kite Runner, Hosseini; The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde; Ordinary People, Guest; England in Literature, Scott Foresman
Eleventh Grade Curriculum
Beginning with primary sources from the early settlers, this course charts the development of American Literature. Through the study of Edwards, Franklin, Jefferson, Hawthorne, Twain, Hemingway and Fitzgerald, and contemporary authors such as Toni Morrison, students appreciate the evolution of the character and imagery of our national literature. An interdisciplinary approach is taken to emphasize the importance of the historical context of works. Particular attention is placed on the analysis of genre, character and imagery. Students write longer and more analytical essays with exercises in the imitation of the writing styles of various authors. Student work is used to teach the mechanics of achieving college level writing skills and the art of debating is introduced.
Texts: Thirteen Short Stories, Welty; Lost Horizon, Hilton; The Scarlett Letter, Hawthorne; The Lovely Bones, Siebold; Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain; The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald; Warriors Don’t Cry, Beals; Ethan Frome, Wharton; Song of Solomon, Morrison; Macbeth, Shakespeare; Adventures in American Literature, published by Holt, Rinehart, Winston
Twelfth Grade Regents
A survey of British Literature from the Renaissance to the Modern Era, this curriculum was devised to enhance the analytical reading and writing skills of students. The reading of scholarly journals and literary criticism, along with the writing of in-depth literary essay readies students for the demands of college composition. This course emphasizes the culture and history of the British Empire and includes African, Asian, and Caribbean authors.
Texts: Hamlet, Shakespeare; Pride and Prejudice, Austen; Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Stoppard; Literature, Prentice Hall.
Twelfth Grade Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement English stresses literary analysis, critical reading, scholarly research, and expository writing. Though the basic structure of this course is similar to the Regents course, students are exposed to a more complex and diverse curriculum of multi-cultural literature, reading such varied authors as Homer, James Joyce, Thomas Mann, Nagib Mahfouz, Kafka, Soyinka, Kogawa and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Texts: Hamlet, Shakespeare; Pride and Prejudice, Austen; Their Eyes were Watching G-d, Hurston; The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger; The Metamorphosis, Kafka; Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Stoppard; A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Joyce & Dean; A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Haddon; Literature, Reading Fiction, Poetry and Drama, Di Yan.
Social Studies
Ninth Grade Global History I: Honors & Regents
Global History is a two year course beginning with pre-man in the ninth grade and concluding in the tenth grade with the world today. Students in the ninth grade begin their course of study with pre-history and continue with a global perspective through the Middle Ages with a heavy concentration on the ancient classical civilizations of Greece, Rome and China. Students are taught a conceptual approach which incorporates the foundations, ideas and facts of the history of human existence. The course includes the study of history with emphasis on geography and its effects on the historical development of the countries of the world. As with all Social Studies classes, Jewish History is weaved into the curriculum regularly. Both the Regents and Honors level are offered. The difference in the sections is in the reading and writing requirements.
Texts: World History-Patterns of Interaction, Beck et al.; The Human Record-Sources of Global History (Vol. I), Overfield.
Tenth Grade Global History II - Regents
The second part of this Regents preparatory course is a comprehensive, integrated curriculum where students begin to study world history from the Renaissance through the present day. Interpreting different types of data including the use of numerous maps, charts and graphic organizers are used to illuminate major events, concepts and developments throughout history. Emphasis is placed on analytical skills through primary source material and the use of thematic and document-based essay questions. As part of the school’s interdisciplinary approach, art and literature are studied within an historical context. Major areas of concentration include: The Renaissance, the development of democracy in England and France, nationalism and imperialism around the globe and the world since 1945. The course underscores the role of the Jewish People in Western Civilization and the impact of Western Civilization on the Jewish People. Students learn about the Holocaust, the emergence of anti-Semitism and racial ideology, the Nazi implementation of the “Final Solution,” and the birth of the State of Israel.
Texts: World History-Patterns of Interaction, Beck et al.; World History-Connections to Today, Ellis.
Tenth Grade Advanced Placement European History
The Advanced Placement course in European History is intended for qualified students who wish to complete a course of study equivalent to a college introductory course, while still in high school. The class reflects college and university program in terms of subject matter and approach. Therefore, instruction in the cultural, diplomatic, economic, intellectual, political, and social history form the basis of the curriculum. Students are expected to demonstrate a knowledge of basic chronology and of major events and trends from approximately 1450 (the high Renaissance) to the present. The entire chronological scope and a range of approaches are incorporated throughout the year of study. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of the AP program in European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing.
Texts: A History of Western Society, McKay; Panorama of the Past, Snyder; The Human Record-Sources of Global History (Vol II), Andrea.
Eleventh Grade United States History and Government - Regents
The scope of this course incorporates various disciplines in the social sciences to explain the historical development of the United States and to emphasize the workings of the American government. It is, in essence, a chronological examination of American History from the post-Civil War era to the present. With the aid of maps, charts, graphs, newspapers and primary source materials, students focus on the role of the United States in world affairs as well as other historical aspects of American history and culture. Students are required to prepare either a persuasive or research paper. The influence and inter-relationship of European history on the United States is also a central theme of our course of study.
Texts: Rise of the American Nation, Todd.
Eleventh Grade United States History - Advanced Placement
This college level course entails a chronological study of American history from the founding of the colonies through the 1980’s. The major events of this exhaustive period in history are covered and the students are exposed to the political, social, economic, diplomatic, intellectual and cultural history of the U.S. with specific emphasis on document based material. Students develop thinking and reasoning techniques while writing traditional research papers or papers comparing historical interpretations. Students learn to write well-written essays, which document the point of view presented. AP students gain experience interpreting cartoons, graphs, and charts, as well as evaluating traditional written sources.
Texts: The American Pageant, Bailey; The American Spirit (Vol. II), Bailey; Sources of the American Republic, Meyers; A Sense of the Past, Arnof; The American Nation-A History of the U.S., Garraty.
Twelfth Grade Government & Economics
The year begins with an overview of Political Science, designed to give students an in-depth understanding of the complex forces at work within our federal government. Students explore the branches of government and how they interact with interest groups, the media, political parties and the bureaucracy. Through the course work and class discussions students learn the value of becoming responsible and active participants in the political process. The second half of the year is devoted to the study of Economics with units on the role of the consumer, the government and business in our economy. This course also deals with the banking system, international trade, and a comparison of the U.S. economic system to other economic systems.
Texts: American Government-Macgruders, Clenaghan; Economics-Principles and Practices, Clayton.
Twelfth Grade Political Science and Economics - Advanced Placement
These college level courses are similar to the Political Science and Economics courses listed above, but students are asked to study each area in more depth and extra projects are assigned. All students enrolled in these courses must take the Advanced Placement Exams in May. College credit may be earned as a result of these examinations.
Texts: Readings in American Politics, Woll; Principles of Economics, Case Government in America-People, Politics and Policy, Wattenberg; American Polity, Serow.
Mathematics
Math A
Math A teaches the integration of Algebra and Geometry and introduces students to Transformation Geometry, Logic and Probability. Students are introduced to formal word problems, which include both inequalities and equalities. While learning techniques and strategies for problem solving, Math A students also learn how to use scientific calculators. This three-semester course culminates with the New York State Regents Examination which is given after semesters one, three and four, depending on a student’s level.
Math B
This three-semester course focuses on the integration of Geometry, Intermediate Algebra and Trigonometry using an approach promoted by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Algebra and Geometry skills learned in Math A are reinforced and strengthened. Complex numbers are introduced and Transformation Geometry is expanded to the coordinate system. Functions are introduced and a large portion of the year is spent working on trigonometric functions, exponential functions and logarithmic functions. Statistics and probabilities with an infusion of the binomial theorem complete the curriculum. Students learn how to use graphing calculators for the trigonometric and logarithmic functions and regression equations. This course also integrates its curriculum to include problems and projects that draw from other disciplines. For example, students solve problems that integrate mathematics and baseball and probability and Sudoku. Prerequisite: successful completion of Math A.
Pre-Calculus
The goal of this course is to prepare students for a first course in Calculus. We study functions (polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric), conic sections, and vectors in the plane, complex numbers and the De Moivre Theorem, polar coordinates, sequences, mathematical induction and the Binomial Theorem. Emphasis is placed on graphing as well as algebraic and numerical approaches and techniques include the use of technology (graphing calculator) and graphing. Prerequisite: successful completion of both Math A & B.
Advanced Placement Calculus
This is an honors course offered to students who have successfully completed the Pre-Calculus program. The course follows a college syllabus that introduces the students to the two fundamental concepts of the derivative and integral. Techniques for finding derivatives are explored and applications studied. Integration follows the fundamental question of finding the area under a curve. Volumes of irregular shapes are found. Students use graphing calculators to illuminate the abstract ideas they are studying. Prerequisites: Final exam grade of at least 85% in Pre-Calculus, teacher recommendation.
Advanced Placement Statistics
Statistics is a college level course that gives students an understanding of the main ideas of statistics and useful skills for working with data. Students use real data from sports, economics, psychology and biomedical research. Using a graphing calculator and other technology, students focus on concepts and problem solving rather than on calculations that are now automated. The major units include organizing data, producing data, probability and the foundations of inference (conclusions with confidence). Special attention is also given to simulation; the imitation of chance behavior. Prerequisites: Final exam grade of at least 85% in Pre-Calculus, teacher recommendation.
Foreign Languages
French
Ninth graders are offered an introductory course where students practice speaking, reading, writing and listening to basic French. Pronunciation and reading skills are enhanced through the use of audio and visual materials. A trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art helps illustrate the cultural aspects of French history and society.
In tenth grade, students strengthen and expand their active language skills through vocabulary enrichment and grammar studies. A number of new sources are introduced. French language newspaper articles and short films are used to make the course more relevant. Students are encouraged to speak in French and to write to French pen pals. In addition, students compose original poems in French for publication in the school’s French newsletter. Prerequisite: Successful completion of French I.
The eleventh grade Regents level course prepares students to be successful on the NY State Regents Exam in June. Students are encouraged to converse with fellow classmates in French and to see French as more than a collection of facts to be memorized. The students strive to obtain improved control of grammatical structure and vocabulary through guided conversation, composition and reading. Students review films, read newspaper articles, poems and short stories. In addition, Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is read and discussed in class. This course is conducted in French with grammatical explanation as needed in English. Prerequisite: Successful completion of French II.
Twelfth grade French (elective) emphasizes the use of language for active communication. Course content reflects intellectual interests shared by students and faculty (the arts, current events, literature, etc.). Materials include audio and video recordings, films, newspapers and magazines. Students refine reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and are encouraged to speak French as much as possible and contribute to the school’s French newsletter.
Spanish
In ninth grade, students participate in an introductory program designed to make the study of Spanish an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Students learn four basic skills: listening (understanding), reading, speaking, and writing. To facilitate comprehension, the teacher uses cognates to show the students that Spanish is not “foreign.” Students also receive views and insights into Hispanic Culture. By the end of ninth grade, students master the present tense, regular and irregular verbs, weather expressions, telling time, articles of clothing, parts of the body and idiomatic expressions.
In tenth grade, students broaden their level of accomplishment in the four basic skills, and master the preterit, the imperfect, the future and the conditional tenses. Students are required to read short stories, answer questions about the reading and write short compositions, taking the vocabulary from the stories. These techniques enhance the students’ performance in all basic language skills. Other points of grammar taught are commands, object pronouns, reflexive verbs, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns.
Eleventh grade Spanish is intended to complete the study of Spanish for most students. More attention is given to spoken Spanish and less emphasis is placed on grammar. Reading comprehension, composition in Spanish and “pleasure reading” help to improve the student’s basic skills. Students are taught to recognize compound tenses, subjunctive pronouns and double object pronouns. Idioms and useful phrases are introduced and practiced.
The twelfth grade Spanish elective emphasizes the use of language for active communication. Course content reflects intellectual interests of students and includes the arts, current events, sports and literature. Students view films, read newspapers and magazines and conduct interviews. The course develops language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) that can be used in various activities and disciplines. Training in the organization and writing of compositions is also emphasized.
Sciences
Biology
The Biology course is designed to provide students with a complete understanding and awareness of the phenomena of the world around them, their relationship to it and their place in it. Students explore the study of life processes and cover topics such as scientific method, chemical aspects of living systems, cell structure and function, cell division, evolution, classification, genetics, reproduction in plants and animals, human anatomy and ecology. Students conduct hands-on laboratory experiments that prepare them for microscopic work and basic lab techniques used in future science classes. There is a special emphasis on human structure and genetics as a growing field in Biology. Students follow current events to learn more about scientific issues in the news, such as stem cell research. The course is offered at different levels to meet the needs of each and every student.
Chemistry
Chemistry students explore matter and energy, bonding, molecular and atomic structure, the periodic table, solids, liquids and gases, kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, organic chemistry and the application of principles of reaction. Students develop a capacity for reasoning and note the application of chemistry in the modern world. They gain the necessary scientific knowledge needed to participate in resolving societal issues. Topics covered include: Scientific Method, controlled experiments, chemical quantities, the Newton SI derived unit, dimensional analysis, scientific notation, and relative abundance.
Physics
This course emphasizes the study of the physical world with respect to matter and energy. Every unit makes a contribution to the understanding of matter and energy. Students become aware of the unifying principles in mechanical and nuclear physics, electricity, magnetism, light, sound and thermodynamics. The course is divided into four basic units: Mechanics, Wave Electricity, Magnetism and Nuclear Physics. Part of the course is devoted to student controlled experiments that coincide with the course contents.
Astronomy
The Astronomy course provides students with a general understanding of the physics that govern the universe. Topics include: the history of the universe, light and gravity (Einstein’s theory of relativity), the telescope, the earth and the moon, our solar system, the sun and the stars, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and cosmology. Each student receives the Starry Night Planetarium Software Package which is designed to help students become active observers of our universe. Students are able to observe a total eclipse of the moon, watch the sun set from the surface of Mars, and ride on a comet. In addition, students explore the ‘big bang theory’ as well as other scientific premises in light of Jewish and Halachic perspective.
Environmental Sciences
This course integrates different science disciplines, particularly biology, chemistry and geology in order to understand the complex interactions between living organisms and the environment. We focus on the gemology, the food chain and its ramifications, chemicals in the environment and global warming, both from a scientific and political perspective. Through this course students uncover the science behind modern day environmental debates.
Computer Sciences
Computer Curriculum
Students begin in ninth grade with an overview of Microsoft Office, focusing on the use of Excel, Word, Power Point and Outlook. Students are given instructions on producing basic and more advanced documents using these programs. In tenth grade, students focus on programming, including C++ and other relevant languages. In eleventh grade, students focus on web design and maintenance. Class projects include work on the WHHS website, as well as design of multi-media presentations for use by students and faculty, throughout the year.
Art
Studio Art
Students are introduced to studio art by a hands-on approach that encourages them to experiment with a variety of media. Some of the media used to draw upon the creative potential of students are graphite pencil, gouaches, watercolor, illustration and collage. Students explore concepts and techniques such as color, light, shape, line, composition, texture, pattern and movement.
Secular Studies Electives
Advanced Placement Psychology
This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavioral and mental processes of humans and other animals. Students are exposed to psychological data, principles, and theories associated within each of the sub fields of psychology. Among these are methods research, learning principles, cognition, sensation and perception, theories of motivation and emotion, and social and developmental psychology. Students learn the important role of neurochemistry involved in normal and abnormal perceptions, thoughts and behaviors. Prerequisites: an overall grade point average of at least 85%, Head of School recommendation.
Advanced Placement Biology
This course is a comprehensive study of Biology from an organic point of view to a population and ecology point of view. Emphasis on biochemistry and Molecular Biology permeate the entire course of study. Students learn through lectures, discussions and labs. We cover college level topics such as DNA Molecular Genetics, Evolution, Comparative Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology and Ecology. The course requires a large amount of student preparation. Prerequisite: a final average of 90% in Regents Biology and Regents Chemistry, teacher recommendation.
CPR & First Aid
This course introduces the theory of and techniques used in first aid and CPR. Students learn basic first aid as well as CPR and receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
Creative Writing
This program is offered to students in our Scholar’s Program. It allows these budding writers to explore and develop their written expressions beyond the English Language curriculum. Students are challenged to think critically and express themselves creatively in numerous genres of writing including poetry, prose and essay. In addition, participants in the Creative Writing Workshop read their works aloud and offer constructive criticism to classmates as they seek to refine their pieces. Students meet with local authors to exchange ideas and gain insight into the creative writing process.
Criminal Law
This course provides a practical understanding of U.S. law and the legal system and an appreciation of the fundamental principles and the key values of our Constitution, laws and judicial system. Awareness of current issues and controversies relating to the law are discussed. The Criminal Law course was designed to encourage students to become effective and informed citizens who participate in our legal system. Some of the skills incorporated into the curriculum include critical thinking and reasoning, communication, observation and problem solving. Students explore the roles of law enforcement officers and lawyers, as well as the career opportunities that exist within the legal system. The text for this course is Street Law, A Course in Practical Law, by Arbetman and O’Brien.
Hospitality Management/Hospitality and Tourism
The basic principles of management and their relationship to the hospitality industry are taught in this course. The future of the restaurant industry, travel and tourism, hotel/motel operations, leadership and the directing function in hospitality management, as well as many other current topics are discussed.
Introduction to Accounting
Students develop an appreciation for and understanding of the quantitative and conceptual frameworks supporting personal banking and business decision-making. The course introduces standard accounting procedures as they apply to personal, professional or small business entities. Students learn practical skills as well, such as balancing a check book and the use and misuse of credit cards.
Music Appreciation
This course surveys the history of Western classical music from the Middle Ages to the present. The course focuses on great compositions and composers and is designed to be an enjoyable introduction to the world of classical music. No musical background or training is required.
Psychology and Religion
This course is a survey of psychological theory and research investigating religious beliefs, experiences, and practices. We focus on those parts of the religious life that can be described and understood from a psychological perspective. We attempt to explore the psychology of universal religion, although we do not comprehensively survey the beliefs and practices of different religious traditions. Also, we do not attempt to prove or disprove religious claims. Instead, our main focus is on the psychological elements of religious life.
Science Research Initiative
Advanced science students are given the opportunity to select a current research topic, and then meet to devise and implement a course of study on the topic of choice. Faculty mentors guide students throughout the process. Students focus on the scientific aspects of the project and then explore any ethical and Halachic implications. In the past, students have studied solar energy as an alternative to conventional fuel, beginning with the scientific concepts required to understand this topic and concluding with the building of a “home made” solar cell using simple household items. Another group of students tackled the important issue of organ donation – medically, ethically and as it relates to Halacha. Their project culminated in a high school conference on organ donation, coordinated by WHHS students. Students from tri-state area high schools attended the conference at Yeshiva University, where WHHS students as well as transplant surgeons, Rabbinic authorities, organ donors and recipients, addressed a wide range of issues related to organ donation.
Physical Education
The physical education program enables students to develop the personal habits and routines that promote physical health and well being throughout their adult lives. The curriculum is designed to develop athletic skill in a variety of sports and to encourage sportsmanship. Students are encouraged to set individual goals in terms of physical fitness and to develop a program that helps them realize these goals.
