9th GRADE 10th GRADE 11th GRADE 12th GRADE. *The number of courses, not credits. Note: Humanities is a double credit course for English and history.

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1 LEARNING AT SEQUOYAH HIGH SCHOOL Sequoyah s high school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum in a student-centered, experiential, collaborative learning environment. Students are presented with real-world situations and challenges and, together with their teachers, they embrace a process of learning that values diversity, social justice and environmental stewardship. They learn that what is important is not just what they know, but what they can do with what they know. So, practicing the values articulated in Sequoyah s Habits of Mind, they thoughtfully and creatively explore and improve their world. Teachers encourage all students to share their backgrounds and individual interests so that their unique perspectives enrich the educational experience. The trusting relationships formed through the school s collaborative culture allow students to feel comfortable sharing their opinions and ideas. This culture promotes intellectual risk-taking which empowers students to learn from failure, confidently seek out feedback, and develop a greater sense of ownership of their learning. ACADEMIC PROGRAM Sequoyah s modular schedule provides ample time for a rich and focused learning experience. Designed to support student engagement, individual attention, and a range of course selections, the schedule offers sufficient time for extensive field studies real-world experiences beyond the classroom that reinforce deeper understanding of academic skills and concepts. With this schedule, feedback can be more detailed and frequent. The modular schedule also offers increased choices for required courses allowing students more options for exploring their interests and advancing their studies. Nightly homework becomes a natural part of the project-based work done during the day, limiting the amount of stress that could be caused by doing homework in 5 or 6 subjects each night. Load* Students can complete all the required courses, taking no more than 4 courses three required courses plus one elective course during any given 5-week segment or MOD (see page 2). The following chart represents the typical course load for each year. 9th GRADE 10th GRADE 11th GRADE 12th GRADE 5 Required s 3 Elective s 5 Required s 3 Elective s 6 Required s 3 Elective s 4-6 Required s 2 Elective s Foundations Mathematics (1, 2 or 3) Conceptual Physics Humanities 1 (English & History) Spanish (1, 2 or 3) Visual or Performing Arts (3 MODs) Advisory (SIP) Sport or P.E. option Mathematics Chemistry Humanities 2 Spanish (2, 3, 4) Additional 3 MODs of electives Advisory SIP Sport or P.E. option Mathematics Bio or Advanced Bio American History English 3 Spanish (unless level 3 completed) Additional 3 MODs of electives Advisory SIP Impact Project Sport or P.E. option English 4 (3 MODs) Additional 15 MODs of electives Advisory SIP Internship Sport or P.E. option *The number of courses, not credits. Note: Humanities is a double credit course for English and history. 301 North Orange Grove Boulevard Pasadena CA ext. 327 hs.sequoyahschool.org rev. April 19, :54 AM

2 School Year The school year is divided into seven modules (MODs), each lasting approximately five weeks. During each MOD, a student takes three required courses per day (85-minute block), plus one elective course* (45-minute block). One of the seven MODs each year serves as dedicated time for camping trips, social innovation projects, international expeditions, and internships. The year includes a five-day exhibition week at mid-year and year s end. There is a new student orientation at the beginning of the 9th-grade year. 1 School Year = 7 MODs MOD 1 MOD 2 MOD 3 MOD 4 MOD 5 MOD 6 MOD 7 5 Weeks 5 Weeks 5 Weeks 5 Weeks 5 Weeks 5 Weeks 5 Weeks s s s s s s Camping Trips & Projects A BLOCK 1 = 1 Block per Day B BLOCK C Z BLOCK BLOCK 85 Minutes 85 Minutes 85 Minutes 45 Minutes 1 Required 1 Required 1 Required * Students are required to take elective courses or independent study during Z Block. See page 6 for course requirements. 2

3 Weekly Schedule Each day, Monday through Thursday, students attend classes in four time blocks. The A, B, and C blocks are required courses, the Z blocks are elective courses. The Friday schedule includes All-School or Grade-Level Meetings, three 45-minute blocks (A, B, C), and a 2.5-hour block for the (SIP) which allows time for both students and teachers to take off-campus trips. TIME MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 8:15 8:40-10:05 MORNING MEETING Mindful Awareness Practice & Dialogue A Block A Block A Block A Block C Block 8:15-9:05 B Block 9:10 10:00 BREAK 10:10-10:45 Advisory Math/Spanish Review Or Study Hall/ Office Hours Advisory Advisory & Clubs A Block 10:15 11:05 BREAK 10:55-12:20 B Block B Block B Block B Block FLEX Block 11:10 12:00 Stewardship, SIP, or All-School Meeting LUNCH 1:00-2:25 2:30-3:15 C Block C Block C Block C Block Z Block Z Block Z Block Z Block Program 3:15 DISMISSAL 3:30-5:00 Sequoyah Sports & After-School Programs 5:00 CAMPUS CLOSED 3

4 Planning Prior to each five-week MOD, students spend time in advisory planning their future courses. Students and their parents may also meet with the student s advisor, and in some cases the college counselor, to make final decisions with the student s long-term interests and goals in mind. Sample 9th-Grade-Year Plan ORIENTATION MOD 1 MOD 2 MOD 3 EXHIBITION MOD 4 MOD 5 MOD 6 MOD 7 EXHIBITION Foundations 2: Geometry Conceptual Physics Advisory & Clubs Spanish Review Advisory & Clubs Math Review Orientation to High Sierras Humanities I (English & History) Music Gryphon Ensemble Spanish 2 Humanities I (English & History) Graphic Design Backpacking & Cultural Immersion Deep Dive Music Technology Arduino Robotics Photography Latin American Film Cross Country Basketball Swimming Sample 10th-Grade-Year Plan FIELD STUDIES MOD 1 MOD 2 MOD 3 EXHIBITION MOD 4 MOD 5 MOD 6 MOD 7 EXHIBITION Foundations 3: Algebra 2 Chemistry Advisory & Clubs Advisory & Clubs to High Sierras Humanities 2 (English & History) Program International Expedition Humanities 2 (English & History) Improvisation Drawing 1 Spanish 3 Brain & Cognitive Science Technology Java Script Animation Intro to Design Thinking Theatre Spring Play Dance Basketball Volleyball 4

5 Sample 11th-Grade-Year Plan FIELD STUDIES MOD 1 MOD 2 MOD 3 EXHIBITION MOD 4 MOD 5 MOD 6 MOD 7 EXHIBITION SAS Biology* Pre-Calculus to High Sierras Graphic Novel Advisory & Clubs English 3: American Literature Music Gryphon Ensemble Advisory & Clubs SAS American History* SAS Spanish 4* Impact Project Student Leader for 9th-Grade Mathematicians Documentary & Change Public Narrative & Leadership Ecology and Conservation of the Arroyo Debate Mountain Biking Tennis Sample 12th-Grade-Year Plan FIELD STUDIES MOD 1 MOD 2 MOD 3 EXHIBITION MOD 4 MOD 5 MOD 6 MOD 7 EXHIBITION SAS Calculus* SAS English: Joyce & Woolf* Modern Africa to High Sierras Advisory & Clubs Advisory & Clubs Advisory SAS Physics* SAS Studio Art* Slavery, Abolition, Civil War & Civil Rights Spanish 5: Literature Internship Slavery, Abolition, Civil War & Civil Rights Spanish 5: Literature SIP Gryphon Media Gryphon Media Yearbook Cross Country Archery Swimming * SAS = Sequoyah Advanced Studies. See page 6. 5

6 ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS Graduation Requirements Credits Students are expected to earn 23 course credits to complete the academic program, with six of the 23 required credits are elective courses. To earn credits, students take three blocks of required courses in each five-week MOD. In some cases, a course may require 2 or 4 blocks per credit; and year-long courses are spread over three blocks, one taken during each of three different MODS. University of California Admission Requirements High school courses meet the A-G requirements for the University of California, with a grade of C or higher. All courses will challenge students to demonstrate advanced mastery through complex performance tasks or challenges that require critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. The UC system evaluates the grade point average of UC-approved courses taken between the summer before 10th grade and the summer after 11th grade. Most colleges and universities will consider all four years of a student s course selection and performance, using weighted or unweighted GPAs. AREA OF STUDY SEQUOYAH REQUIREMENT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REQUIREMENT A: HISTORY 3 years = 9 MODS 2 years B: ENGLISH 4 years = 12 MODS 4 years C: MATHEMATICS 3 years 1 MOD = 10 MODS (4 years recommended) 3 years Algebra II D: LABORATORY SCIENCE 3 years = 9 MODS 2 years E: WORLD LANGUAGE 3 years 1 MOD = 10 MODS, through Spanish 3 2 years of same language F: THE ARTS 1 year = 3 MODS 1 year of same art G: COLLEGE PREPARATORY 1 year = One 3-MOD elective course 1 year of same course OTHER ELECTIVE BLOCKS FIELD STUDIES SOCIAL INNOVATION PROGRAM (SIP) 5 credits = 15 MODS (18 MODS recommended) 9th & 10th grades: 4 trips required 11th & 12th grades: optional 4 years 0 PHYSICAL EDUCATION 4 seasons of P.E. or a sport 0 Total Required Credits 23 Credits Field Studies, SIP & PE 15 Credits 0 0 Sequoyah Advanced Studies (SAS) Program Sequoyah students are encouraged to rise to the challenge of the Sequoyah Advanced Studies program. These courses meet honors-level criteria for the University of California and the highest standards of college admissions offices. Each year, advisors guide students in making course selections that meet the prerequisites for desired SAS courses. Sequoyah Advanced Studies courses offered: 6 SAS Mathematics: Calculus & Advanced Topics SAS Science: Biology, Physics, Chemistry SAS English SAS History: US & Global SAS Spanish SAS Visual Arts SAS Theater SAS Ensemble

7 Learning Outcomes & Rubrics At the beginning of each course, students will review the course rubric that outlines 12 process- and productoriented Learning Outcomes. Each of the 12 Learning Outcomes clearly defines the type of learning students are encouraged to develop. Each Learning Outcome is also weighted differently in each course Sequoyah s Learning Outcomes, in all areas of the curriculum, include both process-oriented goals based on the school s Habits of Mind, and product-oriented goals that focus on content-area concepts, skills, and factual knowledge. The following chart is an example Outcomes for a course: GENERAL AREA LEARNING OUTCOMES (Examples) EVIDENCE APPROX % of COURSE GRADE PROCESS Focus on noncognitive and meta-cognitive domains Perspective: demonstrates ability to observe topics from multiple points of view Inquiry: regularly asks clarifying and open-ended questions to advance learning for oneself and others Collaboration: demonstrates when to lead and follow Communication: clearly expresses ideas in a way best suited for the needs of the audience Engagement in class, work samples 30% Creativity: approach challenges with an open mind and willingness to take imaginative risks while generating ideas and refining solutions Application: transfers learning to novel and authentic contexts Stewardship: demonstrates empathy and concern to advance learning of all students in the class Ownership: initiative, engagement, ability to learn from mistakes and use feedback PRODUCT Focus on cognitive domains Conceptual Knowledge: well-reasoned analysis and synthesis of central constructs, concepts and frameworks within a discipline Procedural Knowledge: ability to use subject specific skills when appropriate Performance tasks, quizzes, tests 70% Factual Knowledge: fluent recall and appropriate use of subject specific facts, terms and vocabulary Assessment & Feedback Sequoyah s reporting system uses a mastery-based approach to grading that articulates the different Learning Outcomes the student must master during the course. Based on the process and product Learning Outcomes, teachers provide ongoing feedback and end-of-term notes, and a final course report upon the completion of a course. Year-end grades are reflected on the student s transcript. Public exhibitions of learning and periodic formal reflection are essential pieces of the learning process in which teachers and parents are encouraged to celebrate and honor accomplishments, while supporting individual learners to take ownership of and communicate what they have learned. These exhibitions showcase student learning from the classroom, clubs, Stewardship, and the Program, and take place in the first weeks of January and June. 7

8 The Program Sequoyah, the Cherokee leader who invented the Cherokee syllabary, referred to written documents as talking leaves papers that conveyed the important thoughts of individuals. The school s Program challenges students to prepare presentations for the. Students write essays and prepare speeches to demonstrate their depth of thought on essential questions from their courses and to participate in ongoing dialogues on contemporary issues. Grading The following grading chart articulates the criteria and corresponding grade for each Learning Outcome (LO). GRADE SYMBOL DESCRIPTION MEETING APPROACHING BEGINNING NO CREDIT M App Beg NC NUMERIC GRADE Fully meets the criteria for the LO; the student is able to transfer learning to novel and authentic contexts Nearly meets the criteria for the LO; the student is able to apply solid proficiency to challenges provided in the course Meets some of the basic criteria for the LO; shows limited evidence of understanding Has been introduced to the LO; lacks evidence of understanding Grade Point Average (GPA) Scale & Grade Translations In addition to listing the student s GPA on the transcript, overall course grades will be presented using the following translation: GPA GRADE A A B B B C C D D- 0 F 8