La Pietra’s Curriculum:

A La Pietra education provides girls with unique opportunities for college preparation, intellectual growth and self-understanding.  Course offerings are grounded in the most current research and practice in the ways girls learn allowing mastery of traditional academic disciplines while exploring new directions through electives and a required Independent Project designed by each student to achieve a personal goal and completed outside classroom work.  Computer technology and online learning enhance instruction throughout the academic departments. 

The breadth of La Pietra’s curricular program allows students to explore their own passions across all areas of study from math and science to the fine and performing arts.  In addition to an impressive offering of traditional courses, La Pietra is a member of the prestigious Online School for Girls, extending access to a large variety of online courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) offerings that may be taken for La Pietra credit.

All La Pietra programs are built around the idea that a girl’s middle and upper school years are a “pleasurable struggle” made up of both challenges and achievements.

Block Schedule

La Pietra’s curriculum schedule for courses consists of a block schedule, consisting of four terms in one school year.  Each term is equivalent to one semester, or one-half credit of study in a traditional schedule.  Each day students attend four eighty-minute blocks of instructional time which every day.  Terms rotate so that a student will take the first half of a full credit course in the first or second term, completing it in the third or fourth term.

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses:

La Pietra offers Advanced Placement courses in Biology, Computer Science, English, Macroeconomics, Music Theory, Psychology, Statistics, U.S. History, and U.S. Government.  In addition, students in our level 5 Foreign Language programs (Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish) and in Calculus are eligible to take their respective AP exams.

Integration of Technology:

La Pietra offers a progressive and interactive learning environment to students through classroom integration of laptop computers, iPads, Smartboard and other technological devices. Each sixth grade student at La Pietra is provided a laptop to use within their classes; additional laptops and iPads are also available campus wide for student use in grades 7-12.  Our new Technology Center offers students a preview of college level information access through use of an access portal commonly used at the college level as well as the only completely digital school library in Hawaii.  Our online learning initiative promotes use of online discussion modules, video lectures, and a truly global learning community.  In addition, two computer labs house opportunities for video, graphic design, and studio style learning. 

International Diploma:

Beginning in the school year 2011-2012, La Pietra will offer an alternate diploma for international students at the high school level honoring courses and credits earned from schools outside of the U.S.  Our International Diploma student will complete the same number of credits required for graduation; however, specific course requirements will be adjusted to accommodate course structures from other countries.  Our International Diploma program welcomes girls coming to the islands with their families from schools abroad and within international school year timeframe enhancing the global nature of the La Pietra learning community.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

Total credits required for graduation are 22, and with the exception of Algebra 1 and Foreign Language Level 1 courses taken in 8th grade, credits are counted from 9th-12th grade.  In addition to total credits needed, the following course requirements must be satisfied:

4 in English:  1 full credit course per year in grades 9-12

2 in Fine Arts:  One credit must be earned by completing 2 of the following courses: Intro to Visual Art, Intro to Theatre, or Intro to Music.  Once completed, students identify which of the three “tracks” they wish to follow to complete their second credit.  If the area of concentration is Visual Art, Art History must be taken in 11th or 12th grade.

3 in Foreign Language:  Levels 1, 2, and 3 in one language are taken consecutively.

3 in Mathematics:  Algebra 1, Geometry, and either Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 with Trigonometry are required.  Students taking Algebra 2 are encouraged to take a 1/2 credit Trigonometry class in either the 11th or 12th grade to be best prepared for the SAT.

2 in Physical Education:  One PE Upper School course is required in each of the 4 upper school years.

3 in Science:  Biology, Chemistry, and one or more additional credits to total three credits in grades 9-12.

3 in Social Studies: European History taken in 10th grade or above and U. S. History taken in 11th or 12th grade.

2 in Electives

Independent Project:  May be undertaken anytime during the sophomore and junior years and must be completed by the first week of April of the junior year.

TYPICAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:

9th- 12th grades:  A typical schedule in any term consists of three academic courses requiring final exams and one low homework bearing course with no final exam. Back-to-back terms may vary in the weight of the academic programming.

9th - The 9th grade program includes English, Math, Biology, World Cultures, Foreign Language, Intro to Visual Art, Intro to Music and/or Intro to Theatre, Upper School PE, and Today's Living.

10th - The 10th grade program includes English, Math, European History, Chemistry, Foreign Language, Intro to Visual Art, Intro to Music, and/or Intro to Theatre, Upper School PE, and electives.

11th - The 11th grade program includes English, US History, Upper School PE, Junior Seminar and electives. For college planning purposes, Math, Science, and Foreign Language are strongly recommended. Students should consult with the College Counselor before selection of courses for their junior year.

12th - The 12th grade program includes English, Upper School PE, and other requirements still to be fulfilled for graduation. Please review “Graduation Requirements” on pages 1 and 2. Students should consult with the College Counselor before selection of courses for the senior year.

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