Support Courses
Grade 10
Grade 11, 12
Course Descriptions
Community Forum
Type: Ungraded
Available To: grade 9 students, required for those students
Schedule: meets one day out of each eight-day cycle
Special notes: This course does not count towards any diploma requirement
Community Forum is designed to foster a sense of community and to help grade 9 students with the transition to high school at Stevenson. The director of community education guides a carefully selected group of grade 12 leaders, who facilitate the curriculum for the grade 9 students. With a focus on healthy relationships and values-based decision-making, students discuss topics such as substance use and prevention, time management, peer pressure, community standards, self care and boundaries. Much of the focus is on developing intra- and interpersonal skills by teaching effective communication and creating a space where students can explore their habits, choices and aspirations in a safe, respectful, and trusting environment. These lessons lead to a clear understanding of how to engage in community and build the foundation for grade 9 students to become effective citizens and leaders.
Collaborative Study Hall
Type: Ungraded
Available To: grade 9 students, required for those grade 9 students who are not taking Skills for Academic Success
Schedule: meets two days out of each eight-day cycle
Special notes: This course does not count towards any diploma requirement
Collaborative Study Hall (CSH) is for all grade 9 students who are not enrolled in the Skills for Academic Success class. The students meet in their class sections twice per eight-day cycle in the Learning Commons in order to learn good study habits, familiarize themselves with studying in the Learning Commons, engage with the Learning Center faculty and resources, use their peers and upperclassmen as study resources and get work done during school hours.
Skills for Academic Success
Type: Pass/F
Available to: grade 9 students, required for those grade 9 students who are not taking Collaborative Study Hall
SPECIAL NOTES: This course does not count towards any diploma requirement. Final placement in Skills for Academic Success is at the discretion of the staff of the Learning Center.
Skills for Academic Success offers academic support as well as structure around assignment completion for students who may need these services. The class meets four times during the eight-day schedule cycle. Each class has built-in organization and habit forming. Students analyze who they are in the classroom and how their academic behaviors impact their overall performance. During the first week of school, they learn the one-binder system of organizing their materials, they utilize Google calendar and set up their schedule for the year, and they learn best practices for navigating Canvas. The goal of this class is to serve Grade 9 students who are in need of more structure throughout the week and who are still developing executive functioning skills. Students will be required to bring their binder and computer to each class. Cell phones will be collected at the beginning of every class.
Health & Life
Type: Ungraded
Available to: grade 10 students, required for those students
Schedule: meets one day every other eight-day cycle
Special notes: This course does not count towards any diploma requirement.
The Health & Life course builds on our community curriculum by providing a space for our students to continue their learning and engagement around topics of mental health & wellness, cultural competency, and healthy relationships. This course meets one time every other cycle (approximately 9 times over the course of the school year) and is taught by members of the student life office. As a continuation of the conversation we start in community forum during their 9th grade year, faculty engage students in a variety of topics that take into consideration the changes students experience during their 10th grade year. The goal of this course is to provide students with resources and tools that allow them to navigate their Stevenson experience and ultimately help them make informed and healthy decisions.
Learning Strategies
Type: Pass/F
Available to: all students
Schedule: decided after the start of school in collaboration with members of the Learning Center
Special notes: This course does not count towards any diploma requirement.
In Learning Strategies, students meet one-to-one with a member of the Learning Center every week to gain effective skills such as note-taking and test-taking strategies, organizational techniques and ways to utilize assistive technology. Students learn about their strengths and needs as learners, how to communicate with classroom teachers, how to effectively allocate time and energy, and how to thrive using sustainable and empowering techniques. The goal of this course is to build essential academic skills and establish resources needed to be successful Stevenson students
Learning Strategies
Type: Pass/F
Available to: all students
Schedule: decided after the start of school in collaboration with members of the Learning Center
Special notes: This course does not count towards any diploma requirement.
In Learning Strategies, students meet one-to-one with a member of the Learning Center every week to gain effective skills such as note-taking and test-taking strategies, organizational techniques and ways to utilize assistive technology. Students learn about their strengths and needs as learners, how to communicate with classroom teachers, how to effectively allocate time and energy, and how to thrive using sustainable and empowering techniques. The goal of this course is to build essential academic skills and establish resources needed to be successful Stevenson students