Academics

VPA 101: First-Year Arts Seminar
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
The First-Year Arts Seminar is designed to give students an opportunity to explore the visual and performing arts here at Kents Hill. The course is taught in multiple sections by different instructors, each focusing on a specific scope and topic. Students will be introduced to a variety of artistic media including Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Woodworking, Music, and Theater. The course provides necessary background before students complete more specialized Arts courses. Additional course fees apply.

VPA 201: Ceramics
Full-year course (1 credit visual art)
College Prep
This course is designed to introduce students to multiple methods of creating art with clay. Students will learn the four primary methods of construction, glazing techniques, and various clay bodies. Students will also learn more advanced techniques such as mold making and slip casting, as well as wheel throwing. Projects will range from creating sculptural pieces to functional wares while giving the students creative freedom to develop their artist voices. Additional course fees apply.

VPA 221: Digital Media
Full-year course (1 credit visual art)
College Prep
This two-course series is intended for students who want to explore the ever-expanding world of commercial art, logo design, photo manipulation, and new media. Digital Media combines the principles of art and design with the digital tools of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The basic elements of art and design such as color, composition, visual emphasis, typography and ligature, composition, line, and color are focal points in each project. In the first semester of this course, with the use of Photoshop, digital photographs are manipulated to create expressive artworks. In the second half of the course, Illustrator is used as a creative tool in order to design posters, logos, T-shirts, tri-folds, and other products. Additional course fees apply.
 

VPA 231: Drawing and Painting
Full-year course (1 credit visual art)
College Prep
The first half of this course is designed to help students develop basic drawing skills. Using various mediums including pencil, pen, and charcoal, students will learn how to see as an artist sees and through a series of drawings, will become comfortable rendering from observation. Principles such as proportion, perspective, composition, negative/positive space relationships, value, and shading are all taught through various drawing projects. Upon completion of the first half of the course, students move into painting. Additional course fees apply.

VPA 241: Photography 
Full-year course (1 credit visual art)
College Prep
This full-year course is an introduction to the art and science of taking photographs. Students will explore the history of photography and the technology artists have used over the past century to capture images on film. The class primarily focuses on the use of DSLR cameras, Adobe Photoshop, and Lightroom.  This course introduces concepts relating to studio photography and different lighting techniques. Students will work at cultivating a personal voice through their photos and effectively communicating their ideas and stories visually. Additional course fees apply. 

VPA 251: Sculptural Materials and Metalsmithing
Full-year course (1 credit visual art)
College Prep
This year-long course will introduce students to sculpture making processes and a variety of materials with an emphasis on metalsmithing.  Students will explore concepts and processes associated with: form, volume, line, space, texture, casting, and fabrication. Students will be introduced to materials and processes including; clay, cardboard, wire, and found objects.  The Metalsmithing  portion of the course will introduce students to working with metal from a fine art and jewelry perspective. Students will work with copper and silver as they learn to design functional and sculptural work. Some of the skills they will learn will include using a jeweler’s saw, soldering, riveting, sanding, the development of patinas, and stone setting.  Additional course fees apply. NEW COURSE!

VPA 261: Woodworking and Design
Full-year Course (1 credit visual art)
College Prep
This course will focus on fundamental design principles and woodworking techniques. Students will learn creative problem-solving skills through a variety of projects and construction methods. Students will be instructed on the safe and proper use of woodworking machines including the table saw, jointer, planer, band saw, chisels, and hand planes. Participants will learn how to transform sketches into technical drawings and scale models, then fabricate those ideas into finished pieces. Through slideshows, lectures, and field trips students will be introduced to the techniques and concepts of historical and contemporary furniture design. Additional course fees apply. NEW COURSE!

VPA 301: Art of Short Film
Full-year course (1 credit visual art)
College Prep
This full-year course is an investigation into the art of making short films. All aspects of filmmaking are covered including storyboarding, direction, camera usage and cinematography, editing, sound design, and post-production using Adobe Premiere software. Students create short films of different genres including suspense, action/chase, and documentary-style films. Video cameras are provided. Additional course fees apply.

VPA 311: Community Design and Build
Full-year course (1 credit visual art) 
College Prep
This course will focus on the designing and building needs of the Kents Hill and neighboring communities. Students will identify instances where design can make a positive impact on our campus or community and work together to create project proposals. We will then work as a class to create one-of-a-kind objects of value that enrich the quality of life on campus. Projects will range from garden beds to boat building, office furniture, and furniture restoration. Additional course fees apply. NEW COURSE!

VPA 501: AP Two-Dimensional Studio Art
Full-year course (1 credit visual art)
Advanced Placement
This course is intended for juniors, seniors, and Academic Gap Year students who are serious about art and are considering a major or minor in art in college. Students will prepare an art portfolio for the AP 2-D  or the Drawing Studio Art exam in May and as a supplement for their college applications. The goals of this course are to encourage creative as well as systemic investigation of formal and conceptual issues; to emphasize art as an ongoing process involving informed and critical decision- making; to develop technical skills and to familiarize students with the functions of the visual elements. Prerequisite: instructor permission. Students are required to take the AP Exam and pay the accompanying fee.
 

VPA 511: AP Three-Dimensional Studio Art
Full-year course (1 credit visual art)
Advanced Placement
This course is intended for juniors, seniors, and Academic Gap Year students who are serious about art and are considering a major or minor in art in college. Students will prepare an art portfolio for the AP 2-D, 3-D or the Drawing Studio Art exam in May and as a supplement for their college applications. The goals of this course are to encourage creative as well as systemic investigation of formal and conceptual issues; to emphasize art as an ongoing process involving informed and critical decision- making; to develop technical skills and to familiarize students with the functions of the visual elements. Prerequisite: instructor permission. Students are required to take the AP Exam and pay the accompanying fee.

ENG 101/111/121: English Foundations
Full-year program (3 credits)
College Prep
This program offers a year of comprehensive English instruction to students who are still developing their proficiencies in reading, speaking and listening, and writing. Students enrolled in English Foundations acquire the knowledge and skills needed for further coursework by taking three interconnected classes: ENG 101: Scaffolding for Reading Comprehension, ENG 111: Complex Communication, and ENG 121: Writing Foundations. Like subsequent courses, Foundations explores one unifying topic each year, allowing students to engage with contemporary issues as they develop the competencies that will allow them to thrive at Kents Hill.

ENG 201: The Nature of Self
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
The Nature of Self is an entry-level English course designed to introduce students to several genres of literature and build their communication skills. Throughout the year, students will read essays, personal narratives, poetry, short fiction, and novels that explore the ways in which people construct their identities. They will also embark on their own journeys of self-discovery through the writing they produce, learning how to present their ideas, tell their stories, and form their arguments.

ENG 211: Honors The Nature of Self
Full-year course (1 credit)
Honors
The Honors version of The Nature of Self is a writing-intensive, seminar-style introduction to participating in the literary arts as a conscientious reader, writer, and conversationalist. Students will read deeply across genres and think critically about language as both artistic expression and practical tool for communication. Like the College Prep version of the class, the Honors course will also explore the ways in which works of literature represent and question constructions of identity. Freewriting, journal entries, creative assignments, and formal essays will improve students’ communication skills and instill in them responsible habits for reading, writing, and thinking across academic disciplines.

ENG 301: Multicultural Literature
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
Multicultural Literature is a year-long course that introduces Kents Hill students to literature from around the world. The course examines work from a wide range of cultures and carefully considers each text’s unique social and historical circumstances. Although specific reading assignments vary from year to year, students always encounter multiple genres and forms and grow familiar with such foundational literary elements as character, setting, theme, and point of view. Multicultural Literature also builds upon the heavy skills focus of the 100- and 200-level English courses by continuing to emphasize the development of several skill areas, particularly reading, speaking and listening, and writing.

ENG 311: Honors Multicultural Literature
Full-year course (1 credit)
Honors
Multicultural Literature is a year-long course that introduces Kents Hill students to literature from around the world. The Honors version of this class examines work from a range of cultures and considers each text’s historical contexts, but also features a heavier and more challenging reading load, including multiple college-level reading assignments. Like their peers, Honors students encounter a variety of genres and forms and study important literary elements. Multicultural Literature also builds upon the heavy skills focus of the 100- and 200-level English courses by continuing to emphasize the development of several skill areas, particularly reading, speaking and listening, and writing. Honors students complete activities to bolster reading comprehension and interpersonal communication skills, but also hone advanced skills by giving regular presentations and participating in graded seminar discussions.

ENG 401: American Literature
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course investigates American literature through critical and analytical lenses. Students will explore the diverse American literary experience through its correlation with historical influences and a selection of central themes. The primary goal of the class is to build solid interpretive reading skills and teach the process of analytical writing through intensive classroom discussion and regularly scheduled essays. Students should expect an introduction to a variety of American voices and perspectives through full-length texts, short stories, plays, and/or poetry. Featured authors may include but are not limited to Edith Wharton, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Frederick Douglass, Zora Neale Hurston, Eudora Welty, J.D. Salinger, Sylvia Plath, Jhumpa Lahiri, Ha Jin, and Junot Diaz.

ENG 411: Global Voices, Global Perspectives
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
Global Voices, Global Perspectives is a year-long course that introduces students to writers, artists, and thought leaders from around the world who are speaking about contemporary issues that transcend geographical borders. Through a diverse range of perspectives, we will engage with these voices as mirrors to better understand our own experiences and as windows to investigate the world around us. The course focuses on developing critical skills of reading, writing, thinking, questioning, and engaging in dialogue; seeks to develop strong habits of learning and doing; and intersects with Kents Hill’s focus on character. Through these competencies, students will hone their voices and agency so that they are empowered to think, act, and communicate for impact.

ENG 501: Creative Writing
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
Creative Writing is designed to help students develop their creative expression through the written word. Students will explore the craft and art of creative writing, learn how to identify successful elements of creative writing, develop oral and written articulation skills by properly and thoughtfully giving and receiving feedback, experience the wonders and intellectual empowerment of a “writing community,” and use writing as a tool for self-discovery and scholarly exploration. Students will compose their own creative writing portfolio and they will have the opportunity to broadly publish their work in Juxtapose, Kents Hill’s literary magazine. Texts may include The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott, Creating the Story by Rebecca Rule and Susan Wheeler, and The Truth of the Matter by Dinty Moore.

ENG 521: AP English Literature and Composition
Full-year course (1 credit)
Advanced Placement
Designed to mimic a college-level course, AP English explores a variety of literary genres in intensive, student led, daily discussions moderated by the instructor. In addition to regularly scheduled short papers and longer critical analyses, students prepare for the AP exam by writing weekly in-class essays from previous AP exams. Readings include but are not limited to novels, plays, and poems from authors such as Joseph Conrad, Robert Penn Warren, Toni Morrison, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Virginia Woolf, Leslie Marmon Silko, Walt Whitman, Maya Angelou, Richard Wright, and Samuel Beckett. Prerequisite: instructor permission. Students are required to take the AP Exam and pay the accompanying fee.

ENG 601: College Writing Seminar
Full-year course (1 credit)
Dual-Enrollment
College Writing Seminar is a rigorous, year-long course that focuses on a variety of college-level essay genres. Students will draw on personal experiences, reading assignments, and original research as they explore a unifying course topic or theme; written assignments will include narratives, analyses, argumentative essays, and research papers about the same topic or theme. Prerequisites: instructor permission. Students who successfully complete this course will receive college credit. Additional course fees apply.

LAN 101: Beginner French
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
An introductory course in the French language and culture, Beginner French seeks to build a strong foundation in the language, with equal emphasis placed on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. A variety of methods are employed to help students develop proficiency in the language. These include, but are not limited to, textbook and workbook exercises, grammar lessons, reading comprehension activities, informal conversation, games, music, videos, and Internet research.

LAN 111: Beginner Spanish
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
An introductory course in the Spanish language and culture, Beginner Spanish seeks to build a strong foundation in the language, with equal emphasis placed on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. A variety of methods are employed to help students develop proficiency in the language. These include, but are not limited to, textbook and workbook exercises, grammar lessons, reading comprehension activities, informal conversation, games, music, videos, and Internet research.

LAN 201: Advanced Beginner French
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course begins with a review of the skills taught in Beginner French and then builds upon those skills throughout the school year. The same, multi-modal methods are used to help students continue to develop their ability to read, write, and speak French. Emphasis is placed on grammatical accuracy and conversational fluency. Prerequisite: Beginner French.

LAN 211: Advanced Beginner Spanish
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course begins with a review of the skills taught in Beginner Spanish and then builds upon those skills throughout the school year. The same, multi-modal methods are used to help students continue to develop their ability to read, write, and speak Spanish. Emphasis is placed on grammatical accuracy and conversational fluency. Prerequisite: Beginner Spanish.

LAN 250: Francophone Culture
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course seeks to introduce variations of French and a variety of cultures in the Francophone world. Students are introduced to the concept of “Francophone,” its ideological and political meaning, as well as its cultural and literary expressions. This class will help improve your speaking skills while learning about cultural issues in French-speaking areas of the world. Through the study of films, comics, current events, and cultural comparisons, students will focus on essential communication skills such as comprehension, contemporary vocabulary use, and conversational practice. Students will gain greater fluency and confidence. They will also improve their oral communication skills by exploring contemporary issues and cultural differences between food, music, slang words, economic differences, in a political and historical context. This course aims to help students understand how to use the French language in varied communicative contexts and gain a deeper understanding of French and Francophone cultures. Prerequisite: Advanced Beginner French, or the equivalent. NEW COURSE!

LAN 301: Intermediate French
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course is designed for students who excelled in Advanced Beginner French and who wish to become more competent in the language and deepen their understanding of Francophone culture. The course begins with a rapid and comprehensive review of the language elements presented in earlier levels. Then students learn the remaining tenses while expanding their vocabulary through a variety of readings, films, and discussions in the target language. The course requires students to read, write, and speak extensively in French, demonstrating increasing fluidity and grammatical accuracy. Prerequisite: Advanced Beginner French.

LAN 311: Intermediate Spanish
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course is designed for students who excelled in Advanced Beginner Spanish and who wish to become more competent in the language and deepen their understanding of Hispanic culture. The course begins with a rapid and comprehensive review of the language elements presented in earlier levels. Next, students learn the remaining tenses while expanding their vocabulary through a variety of readings, films, and discussions in the target language. The course requires students to read, write, and speak extensively in Spanish, demonstrating increasing fluidity and grammatical accuracy. Prerequisite: Advanced Beginner Spanish.

LAN 501: Advanced French
Full-year course (1 credit)
Honors
Advanced French is a rigorous course designed for students who have successfully completed Intermediate French. The course is almost fully conducted in French and students in Advanced French are expected to complete readings, watch and react to videos, converse and present fully in the target language. Students will review advanced grammatical structures as they gain in fluency and deepen their knowledge of Francophone culture, while preparing for upper-level language study at the university. Prerequisite: Intermediate French, or the equivalent of three years of high school French. 

LAN 511: Advanced Spanish
Full-year course (1 credit)
Honors
Advanced Spanish is a rigorous course designed for students who have successfully completed Intermediate Spanish. The course is almost fully conducted in Spanish and students in Advanced Spanish are expected to complete readings, watch and react to videos, converse and present fully in the target language. Students will review advanced grammatical structures and increase their knowledge of Hispanic culture, while gaining in fluency and preparing for upper-level language study at the university. Prerequisite: Intermediate Spanish, or the equivalent of three years of high school Spanish.

SCI 201: Biology
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
Biology is the study of life.  In the first part of this laboratory course, students will learn about how chemistry is associated with life and the topic of cells. This includes learning about the criteria for the most basic living organisms, how cells form more complex organisms, and how normal cells become cancerous. The second major topic of this course focuses on genetic traits; specifically, students will learn how traits are inherited and the probability of inheriting particular traits. The last major topic focuses on evolution and ecology. In this unit, students will learn about the amazing diversity of species and how we distinguish species, how species change over time, how species impact each other and their environment.

SCI 211: Honors Biology
Full-year course (1 credit)
Honors
Biology is the study of life. In this laboratory course Honors Biology students will learn the same concepts but in greater depth and intensity. In the first part of this laboratory course, students will learn about how chemistry is associated with life and the topic of cells. This includes learning about the criteria for the most basic living organisms, how cells form more complex organisms, and how normal cells become cancerous. The second major topic of this course focuses on genetic traits; specifically, students will learn how traits are inherited and the probability of inheriting particular traits. The last major topic focuses on evolution and ecology. In this unit, students will learn about the amazing diversity of species and how we distinguish species, how species change over time, how species impact each other and their environment.

SCI 301: Chemistry
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course introduces students to the basic principles of chemistry. Students will learn about the scientific process, the development of the atomic structure, properties of elements, chemical bonding, reactions, thermodynamics, and properties of gasses. Experience in the laboratory is an important part of this course, and experiments are chosen to help students reinforce the course topics and learn good basic laboratory techniques. Prerequisite: Algebra 1.

SCI 311: Honors Chemistry
Full-year course (1 credit)
Honors
This laboratory course covers topics that will enable a student to enter a first-year college chemistry course. These include phases of matter, the scientific process, the development of atomic structure leading to the present quantum mechanical model, the properties of elements, chemical bonding, chemical equilibrium, reactions, and thermodynamics. Experience in the laboratory is an important part of this course, and experiments are chosen to help students reinforce the course topics and learn good basic laboratory techniques. Prerequisite: Algebra 1.

SCI 321: Physics
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course will explore the nature of the physical world and associated laws that apply to these phenomena. Students will be exposed to content associated with physics and engineering as they move through units focused on mechanics (velocity, acceleration, force, etc) and electricity. Each unit will involve regular demonstrations, laboratory work, and design projects that will have students building products based on physics concepts. These design projects will include both design challenges and principles of engineering. Prerequisite: Geometry and Algebra 2 (may be taken concurrently).

SCI 331: Astrophysics
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course is all about exploring the universe. Students will learn and apply conceptual physics while learning about what we know so far about space and what modern astrophysicists are curious about and concerned with. We will start by focusing on our solar system and learning about the objects that comprise our immediate surroundings. We will then focus on stars. Students will learn about stellar characteristics and evolution. Our study of the universe will broaden as students learn about an expanding universe in terms of Hubble’s law and red-shifting. The course will wrap up by exploring dark energy, dark matter, and black holes. Prerequisite: Geometry (which may be taken concurrently).

SCI 341: Maine Field Studies
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
The first part of this course, Ecology of Maine, is a place-based environmental studies course that focuses on understanding the interactions between living and nonliving parts of ecosystems in Maine. In this part of the course, students will explore ecology while building research skills and developing a sense of place. There will be field research through three ecological surveys on forest communities, soil, and invasive species. Skills taught in this topic include data collection, spreadsheets, tree identification, field methods (pacing, sampling transect/quadrat, soil texture analysis, invasive species survey methods), and science communication (informal presentations, formal writing.). The second part of this course focuses on sustainability which is the study of how humans can build new relationships with the natural world that stop further environmental degradation and regenerate damaged ecosystems. Emphasis will be on developing a land ethic as a basis for decision making, understanding systems of power and influence, and identifying opportunities to be an agent of change for sustainability. After exploring various land ethics, the focus will shift to understanding the limits of Earth systems in sustaining life on Earth. The course will culminate in a habitat restoration project, offering students the opportunity to practice local solutions to global problems.

SCI 351: Robotics
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
Robotics is based on a curriculum developed by Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Academy and uses both the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 and the VEX IQ platforms through the year. The course focuses on robotics technologies, math and science concepts including fundamentals in physics, mechanical design, circuit design, engineering and construction techniques, and programming skills. Students will learn how to construct robots and program them using various software and will complete challenges related to various sensors and coding functions. Students will also be introduced to other aspects of Engineering to include CAD design and 3D printing. Prerequisites: Algebra 1.

SCI 361: Environmental Research and Design
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
In this interdisciplinary Environmental Studies and Art class, students will reimagine a sustainable world through nature-inspired design. The course will explore Maine's ecosystems from the forest to the sea and local institutions that focus on sustainability to understand the complex relationships between natural and cultural systems. In our maker's studio, students will develop skills in designing, creating, and making through the exploration of natural materials, forms, and systems in nature to inspire sustainable design processes. We will apply lessons learned from natural systems while focusing on how science and design can positively impact society and the environment. Over the course of the year, students will lead the way in determining why, how, and what sustainable project we choose to design and implement in the spring. Much of this course will take place outdoors, venturing on and off-campus to engage in a variety of experiential learning opportunities. Additional course fees apply for makers lab. Prerequisites: Freshmen Arts Seminar.

SCI 401: Biochemistry of Nutrition
Semester course (1/2 credit): Fall 2020
College Prep
In Biochemistry of Nutrition, students will develop an understanding of the human gastrointestinal system, how nutrition facts are calculated, and how diet impacts health. This class will emphasize the importance of food for energy and maintaining homeostasis within our bodies. In addition to dietary requirements, students will also learn about common dietary allergies, restrictions, and diseases. Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry.

SCI 411: Global Public Health
Semester course (1/2 credit): Spring 2021
College Prep
Global Public Health will investigate real public health challenges facing the twenty-first-century world. Examples include infectious diseases, malnutrition, and pollution. The class will develop statistical analysis and complex system-thinking skills to research these issues and use scientific reasoning to explore their governmental, cultural, and geographical aspects. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify current public health problems, develop plans to address the problems, and present their proposals to classmates and other members of the Kents Hill community. Prerequisites: Biology and Algebra 2.

SCI 421: GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment)
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
GLOBE is an applied environmental studies course that focuses on field-based research to understand Earth systems. In this year-long course, students will follow protocols from GLOBE science, a global collaboration between NASA, NOAA, the NSF, and the US Department of State. Students will explore basic principles of scientific inquiry and communication while learning about properties of the pedosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The course will place a strong emphasis on designing and conduction authentic research, culminating in a student-driven research project. This course is best suited for students eager to transfer knowledge and skills from prior science courses into an applied context.

SCI 501: AP Biology
Full-year course (1 credit)
Advanced Placement
AP Biology is aligned with the College Board standards. Students will be expected to be familiar with fundamental content from their previous biology class. A greater emphasis is placed on laboratory procedures and reports. Students will dive deeper to learn how cells communicate with each other to maintain homeostasis in complex organisms, how cytoplasmic determinants help control development, the impact of single versus frameshift mutations, how genes are activated or deactivated, how enzymes regulate metabolism, impacts of selection on species evolution, how interspecific and intraspecific competitions affect species survival, and the complex connections between organisms with each other and their environments. Broad Topics that will be covered are: Chemistry of Life, Cell Structure and Function, Cellular Energetics, Cell Cycle and Communication, Heredity, Gene Expression and Regulation, Natural Selection, and Ecology. Prerequisites: Honors Biology and Chemistry, recommended concurrent enrollment with Statistics

SCI 511: AP Environmental Studies
Full-year course (1 credit)
Advanced Placement
The goals of this interdisciplinary science course are to provide students with the skills and knowledge to understand the interrelationships of the natural world and to understand and analyze both natural and human-made environmental issues. This course integrates the disciplines of chemistry, biology, and physical sciences as they apply to understanding the interconnectedness of the natural world. Classes will consist of lectures and discussions as well as extended laboratory and field investigations. Topics will include the following concerns from a local and global perspective: interdependence of earth’s systems, population dynamics, resource use, environmental quality, global changes, and the interactions of the environment and society. Students can expect a variety of written assessments plus a cumulative portfolio of their classroom, laboratory, and field work. Students are required to take the AP Exam and pay the accompanying fee.

SCI 521: AP Chemistry
Full-year course (1 credit)
Advanced Placement
The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations as they explore content such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. Students are required to take the AP Exam and pay the accompanying fee. Prerequisites: Honors Chemistry or Chemistry with a teacher recommendation.

SCI 601: Anatomy and Physiology
Full-year course (1 credit)
Dual-Enrollment
A solid understanding of human anatomy and physiology is the foundation of every health-related career. Designed in collaboration with the University of Maine at Augusta, this Dual-Enrollment course offers students the opportunity to establish that foundation. After reviewing the basics of Biology and Chemistry, students will use labs, activities, and a variety of case studies to explore both traditional and contemporary topics, including such timely issues as medical ethics and the recent explosion of healthcare-related jobs. Students will also make use of local healthcare facilities to better understand the ways in which our course material is applied in the real world. Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry.

SCI 611: College Physics 1
Full-year course (1 credit)
Dual-Enrollment
This course is an introduction to the content, methods, and philosophy of science with an emphasis on the principles of physics and their application to topics in research and current issues in science. The course will focus on Mechanics (with specific attention to motion, the forces that cause that motion and conservation principles in energy and momentum) and principles of Thermodynamics. This allows more in-depth study of the topics. Prerequisites: Precalculus (may be enrolled concurrently), instructor permission. Students who successfully complete this course will receive college credit. Additional course fees apply.

SCI 621: College Physics 2
Full-year course (1 credit)
Dual-Enrollment
This course is a second-year physics class with an emphasis on the principles of physics and their application to topics in research and current issues in science. As an advanced course, the focus areas will include Wave Fundamentals (to include Sound and Light, Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics (Quantum Mechanics and Nuclear Physics.) This will allow more in-depth study of the topics. Prerequisites: Successful completion of College Physics 1 or an Advanced Placement Physics Course, instructor permission. Students who successfully complete this course will receive college credit. Additional course fees apply.

SOC 201: Global Studies Seminar
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course begins with a focus on some of the major political, economic, and social principles and systems that have shaped and organized the global community over time. Grounding their study in both history and current events, students will develop their own fictional country and form a global community in miniature, before exploring broad phenomena (conflict, migration, environmental change, cultural diffusion, epidemics, and disruptive technologies) that have challenged communities throughout history to react, adapt, and redefine themselves in relation to one another. Students will apply their knowledge and skills to creatively and collaboratively develop solutions to a series of complicated and contemporary global challenges.

SOC 301: United States History
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
Critical analysis of the entire breadth of the American experience is the theme of this college prep course. This course examines the social, political, and economic history of the United States from the Colonial Era through the nineteenth century. Students will learn to evaluate history, analyze the relationships between people and events, uncover the roots of present-day problems, evaluate the successes and failures of politicians, social reformers, business leaders, military strategists, and everyday people to define and maintain the liberties, rights, and responsibilities integral to the character and ideals of the nation.

SOC 311: Honors United States History
Full-year course (1 credit)
Honors
This course examines the social, political, and economic history of the United States from the Colonial Era through the nineteenth century and is recommended for students interested in taking AP U.S. History later on. Students will learn to evaluate history, analyze the relationships between people and events, and uncover the roots of present-day problems. They will also gain an understanding of how historians develop interpretations of the past through the use of primary sources and scholarly research. Prerequisite: instructor permission.

SOC 401: Comparative Government and Politics
Full-Year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course will introduce students to comparative politics emphasizing the study of the political institutions, identities, and organized interests in countries around the world. Students will learn to make meaningful comparisons between systems in countries with different histories, political systems, and from various regions. They will examine questions about democracies and democratization, electoral systems and political parties, authoritarian regimes, political mobilization and change, economic development and globalization, nationalism and identity politics, among other topics. The comparative method of the course offers a unique way for expanding student understanding of social and political phenomena. Prerequisite: U.S. History. NEW COURSE!

SOC 411: Economics
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
The course introduces students to Economics through a focus on “classical” microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and principles, as well as the emerging field of behavioral economics. Students will explore the mechanics and ethics of individual and collective economic decision- making, navigate such economic challenges as inflation, unemployment, and poverty, and consider the government’s role in setting regulatory, fiscal, and monetary policies. Students will also be introduced to foundational principles of entrepreneurship, as well as the basics of investing and personal economic planning. Prerequisite: U.S. History (may be taken concurrently).

SOC 421: Psychology
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course offers an introductory approach to the study of the human mind and behavior. It covers much of the same content as the AP Psychology course, but in a less comprehensive fashion. Students will be introduced to topics such as the biological foundations of behavior, states of consciousness, learning and memory theories, lifespan development, theories of personality and emotion, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. The course will be taught through a combination of reading, discussion, writing and project-based work with the goal of increasing student understanding of the many aspects of human behavior. Prerequisite: U.S. History (may be taken concurrently).

SOC 431: Contexts for Hip-Hop
Full-year course (1 credit) 
College Prep
In this yearlong course, students will explore the dynamics of hip-hop culture, surveying its historical development, political significance, and social influences. Students will learn about Black culture’s many inspirations by studying events, individuals, and artistic movements from 1619 to the present. They will also examine the connections between popular music and political change and consider the ways in which hip-hop artists from a variety of backgrounds borrow and learn from one another, both in the United States and around the world. Prerequisite: U.S. History (may be taken concurrently). NEW COURSE!

SOC 441: A Global History of the UN
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course will examine the form and function of the United Nations through an historical lens and a study of current events, as well as through project-based learning in effective diplomacy. Founded in 1945 in the wake of World War II, the United Nations is an international organization built to address issues confronting the global community and provide a mechanism for international dialogue, negotiation, and collective action. Since its founding, it has navigated such historical events as The Cold War and the collapse of Communism, revolutions in Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East, and dramatic global economic and social movements. As the class addresses events and topics related to peace and security, climate change and sustainable development, human rights and gender equality, and humanitarian and health emergencies, students will prepare for and participate in the Maine Model United Nations Conference, where they will hone and test their skills in analysis, problem-solving, communication, and compromise. Prerequisite: U.S. History (may be taken concurrently). Additional course fees apply. NEW COURSE!

SOC 451: Introduction to Women’s Studies
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
Introduction to Women’s Studies is a year-long course that introduces students to the Women’s Liberation Movement in the United States through a chronological exploration of the four waves of feminism. Starting with the road to Women’s Suffrage and concluding with the modern-day fight for gender equity, students will explore the evolution of feminist consciousness throughout history, and critically analyze the successes and failures of each wave of American feminism. Utilizing both theoretical and historical lenses, students will be introduced to important authors and individuals within the women’s movement, including, but not limited to, Sojourner Truth, Alice Paul, Susan B. Anthony, Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Bell Hooks, and Audre Lorde. Assignments will include a variety of readings plus regular class discussions, creative projects, and several traditional essays. Prerequisite: U.S. History (may be taken concurrently). Additional course fees apply. NEW COURSE!

SOC 511: AP Psychology
Full-year course (1 credit)
Advanced Placement
In this year-long course, students will cover the content of a college-level Introductory Psychology course. It is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. The course includes topics such as the historical roots of psychology, research design, the biological bases of behavior, memory and cognition, lifespan development, personality theory, states of consciousness, abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Prerequisites: U.S. History (may be taken concurrently) and instructor permission. Students are required to take the AP Exam and pay the accompanying fee. NEW COURSE!

SOC 521: AP United States Government and Politics
Full-year course (1 credit)
Advanced Placement
In this course, students will practice the skills used by political scientists by studying data, political writings from the founding era to the present, the structure of the government as established by the Constitution, and constitutional interpretations handed down by the Supreme Court. They will delve deeply into the three branches of federal and state governments while studying the election cycle, partisan politics and democracy as an institution.  Students will show mastery of these skills on the exam through a variety of means, including concept application, data analysis, Supreme Court case comparisons, and writing political science arguments. Prerequisites: U.S. History and instructor permission. Students are required to take the AP Exam and pay the accompanying fee.

SOC 531: AP United States History
Full-year course (1 credit)
Advanced Placement
In this course, students will investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from 1491 to the present. They will develop and use the same skills and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. The course challenges students to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures. Prerequisite: instructor permission. Students are required to take the AP Exam and pay the accompanying fee.

SOC 601: Principles of Entrepreneurship and Management
Full-year course (1 credit)
Dual-Enrollment
Whether in college or in a rapidly changing global economy, our graduates will navigate a world of change and uncertainty, and entrepreneurship education will help them to develop a collaborative, problem-solving, growth mindset, and the skills associated with learning through setbacks and perseverance. This course will focus on the principles of entrepreneurship and the process of small business development. Prerequisites: U.S. History and instructor permission. Economics strongly recommended. Students who successfully complete this course will receive college credit. Additional course fees apply.

SOC 611: Principles of Investment and Financial Planning
Full-year course (1 credit)
Dual-Enrollment
Demand for our students to be exposed to the topics of personal finance and planning is increasing each year. Many states are making it a requirement for graduation. This course will dive deep into topics such as retirement, tax planning, estate planning, risk management and investments along with budgeting, credit/debt, saving, spending, market trends, insurance, college loans, and more. This course will focus on all aspects of personal finance and how decisions regarding money throughout a person’s life affects long-term investments, wealth building, and planning for the future. Students will acquire knowledge in the world of finance and develop habits that will last through their lives. Prerequisites: U.S. History and instructor permission. Economics strongly recommended. Students who successfully complete this course will receive college credit. Additional course fees apply.

SOC 621: Principles of Leadership
Full-year course (1 credit)
Dual-Enrollment
This course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles of leadership across varied areas of application. While the goal of the course is to familiarize students with leadership theory and terminology, our discussions, activities, and projects will provide opportunities to apply what we learn in different environments. Students will examine leadership in business, athletics, the military, and the outdoors, and develop an understanding of the approaches that are specific to each group and task. We will use school groups, teams, and a backpacking trip to apply our learning. Prerequisites: U.S. History and instructor permission. Students who successfully complete this course will receive college credit. Additional course fees apply.

MAT 101: Algebra 1
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course includes the solution of linear equations and inequalities, graphing, factoring, rational expressions, real numbers, and higher degree polynomials. This course will culminate in an introduction to the Quadratic Equation. Throughout the course, students will gain knowledge and harness skills from a wide range of mathematical concepts, primarily the ones aforementioned, that will enable their success in the topics covered in this course and in their math courses ahead. Students will be given opportunities to display creativity by demonstrating different ways of reaching a solution, to develop collaboration skills by regularly working with classmates, to practice critical-thinking by taking what we learn and applying it outside of our classroom, and to communicate effectively by participating in class discussions and explaining one’s thinking. Adversity is often a part of math, so each student’s character will evolve as they will be expected to strengthen their resiliency. Students will also reflect on their learning through engagement self-assessments and post-test surveys about their study habits.

MAT 201: Geometry
Full-year course (1 credit) 
College Prep
Geometry is a year-long course that introduces Kents Hill students to geometric reasoning as a process for problem-solving. In this course, students will explore the theorems and properties of geometric figures such as circles, triangles, lines, and many other polygons. While gaining knowledge of and speaking a new mathematical language, students will learn to think critically and rationally. While later adding trigonometry, material will become more visual and the course will explore problem-solving methods that are more formal and concept based. Prerequisite: MAT 101: Algebra 1.

MAT 211: Honors Geometry
Full-year course (1 credit) 
Honors
Honors Geometry is a year-long course that delves more deeply, at an accelerated pace than topics covered in College Prep Geometry. This course introduces Kents Hill students to geometric reasoning as a process for problem solving. In this course, students will explore the theorems and properties of geometric figures such as circles, triangles, lines, and many other polygons. While gaining knowledge of and speaking a new mathematical language, students will learn to think critically and rationally. While later adding trigonometry, surface area, and volume, material will become more visual and the course will explore problem solving methods that are more formal and concept based. Prerequisite: MAT 101: Algebra 1.

MAT 301: Algebra 2
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course includes the study of second-degree equations and inequalities, factoring, the quadratic formula, exponents, complex numbers, logarithms, functions, right triangle trigonometry and conic sections. Prerequisite: Algebra 1 and Geometry. The first half of this course delves deeper into the concepts that were introduced in MAT 101.  Students will continue to work collaborative work and explore alternative methods of solving problems. Discussions of core values and how they relate to academic work will be included. During the second half of the course, students will begin the exploration of higher-level math concepts.  Developing the ability to communicate and reflect on one’s solutions and the process used are practiced. Prerequisite: MAT 101: Algebra 1.

MAT 311: Honors Algebra 2
Full-year course (1 credit) 
Honors
Honors Algebra 2 is a rigorous course that includes the study of second-degree equations and inequalities, factoring, the quadratic formula, exponents, complex numbers, logarithms, functions, right triangle trigonometry and conic sections with a greater emphasis on functions and graphing than the college prep level course. Students will become proficient at using a graphing calculator and being able to explain the process they have used for problem solving. Through a project-based unit, students will also conduct research and apply their skills to design a small house that is accessible and affordable. Prerequisite: MAT 101: Algebra 1.

MAT 411: Statistics and Probability
Full-year course (1 credit) 
College Prep
Statistics introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. The four major components of the course are: describing data, finding ways to display and explain what one or more variable data means; collecting data, looking at how to gather data randomly and without bias to the extent that is possible; probability, looking at the mathematical rules that govern the behavior of random events; and those three culminate with the study of statistical inference, estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses. The pace of this course may vary and will allow for deeper investigation of topics that interest the class and will include a larger focus on utilizing technology. Prerequisites: MAT 201: Geometry and MAT 301: Algebra 2.

MAT 421: Precalculus
Full-year course (1 credit) 
College Prep
Precalculus builds on the skills students have gained in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 as they increase their knowledge of graphing inverse, quadratic, and higher degree functions. Throughout the course, they will analyze exponential and logarithmic functions and culminate with a deep dive into the study of Trigonometry. In Precalculus students will work to communicate clearly through words, numbers, and graphs and think critically about where these topics will help them in the real world. Prerequisites: MAT 201: Geometry and MAT 301: Algebra 2.

MAT 431: Honors Precalculus
Full-year course (1 credit) 
Honors
In preparation to take AP Calculus, this honors-level Precalculus course is conducted at an accelerated pace compared with that of College-Prep Precalculus. There is an expectation that students will have previously mastered graphing of functions, polynomial functions, and transformations. Students will gain knowledge of exponential and logarithmic functions, Trigonometry, and Analytic Geometry while incorporating skills gained in prior math courses. The Honors course will cover additional topics over that of College-Prep, including Sequences, Series, & Probability and Limits & an Intro to Calculus. Throughout the course, students will work to communicate clearly through words, numbers, and graphs and think critically about where these topics will help them in the real world. Prerequisites: MAT 201 Geometry and MAT 311: Honors Algebra 2.

MAT 501: Calculus
Full-year course (1 credit)
College Prep
This course is designed as an introduction to Calculus before entering higher-level math in college. Students will incorporate both skills and knowledge from Algebra 2 and Precalculus as they build connections with new mathematical topics of limits, derivatives, and integrals. Because this course is not driven by the external AP Curriculum, this class gives students great flexibility in depth and breadth of topics. Calculus will require students to make connections with the outside world and think critically about how each of the topics helps them to better understand the world around them. Prerequisite: MAT 421: Precalculus and Instructor permission.

MAT 521: AP Calculus (AB)
Full-year course (1 credit)
Advanced Placement
This course follows the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB syllabus, designed to prepare the students for the AP exam in May. Topics include limits, derivatives, integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Students will learn to use these techniques for solving instantaneous rate of change, deepen understanding of exponential growth and decay, finding areas of regions, and volumes of solids.  Students are required to sit the AP Exam in May. Prerequisites: MAT 431: Honors Precalculus. Instructor permission required.

MAT 531: AP Calculus (BC)
Full-year course (1 credit) 
Advanced Placement
This course is a second year of Calculus for students who have completed the AB curriculum and received permission to continue. Topics include integrating using integration by parts, integration using linear partial fractions, evaluating improper integrals, approximating solutions to differential equations using Euler’s method, logistic models with differential equations, arc length of a smooth, planar curve and distance traveled, parametric equations, and series and sequences. These topics are in addition to the AP Calculus (AB) curriculum. Knowledge from the Calculus (AB) curriculum is needed and applied throughout the BC curriculum, and it is assessed on the AP Calculus (BC) exam in May. Prerequisites: MAT 521: AP Calculus (AB). Instructor permission required.

MAT 541: AP Statistics
Full-year course (1 credit) 
Advanced Placement
This course follows the Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics syllabus and introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. The four major components of the course are: describing data, finding ways to display and explain what one or more variable data means; collecting data, looking at how to gather data randomly and without bias to the extent that is possible; probability, looking at the mathematical rules that govern the behavior of random events; and those three culminate with the study of statistical inference, estimating population parameters and testing hypothesis. A Tl calculator is required. Students are required to sit the AP Exam in May. Prerequisites: MAT 301 Algebra 2. Instructor permission required.