Middle School & High School Curriculum
Expected Schoolwide Learning Results
A Hawaii Baptist Academy Student is a...
- Truth Seeker
- Community Builder
- Responsible Decision-Maker
- Reflective Learner
- Resourceful Problem-Solver
Hawaii
Baptist Academy’s
middle school curriculum lays a solid foundation for learning by helping
students develop a healthy self image, positive attitudes, and good work
habits. All students take core courses
in Bible, math, science, language arts, social studies, fine arts, physical education,
and health. In addition to this core,
they may also elect to take classes that meet after the regular school
day. These electives include art, band, choir, drama, reading, journalism, Japanese, programming, practical arts, and robotics.
In grades 9-12 students are required to earn
twenty-four credits for graduation. This
includes four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of
science, four years of social studies, and two years of world language. Semester requirements exist in Bible (4),
physical education (2), and visual and performing arts (1).
English and Journalism
In English 7 through English 9, students focus on developing
their writing and critical reading skills.
Vocabulary development, grammar, and oral communication are also
emphasized. Subsequent English courses
include American Literature and Composition 10, English Literature and
Composition 11, and World Literature and Composition 12. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered
in junior and senior years, and include AP Language and Composition 11 and AP
Literature and Composition 12.
Communication Skills is a one-semester required course for the Class of 2014 and earlier. Elective journalism classes include
Introduction to Newspaper and Yearbook, Newspaper Production, and Yearbook
Production.
Mathematics
The mathematics program emphasizes critical thinking and active
learning in a team setting. In grade 7,
students master basic computational skills with decimals, integers, fractions,
and percents, and explore algebraic concepts.
All 8th graders take Algebra 1 followed by Geometry in grade 9, Algebra
2 in grade 10 and a third math class in grade 11. Upper level courses in the program include
Trigonometry, Algebra 3, Pre-Calculus, Introduction to Statistics, AP Calculus
and AP Statistics. More than 90 percent
of all students choose to exceed the three-year minimum math requirement for
graduation.
Science
Seventh grade science is a hands-on approach to the study of
life and physical science. Topics of study include electricity and magnetism, as well as cells, genetics, and ecology. Eighth grade science is a
study of the earth’s matter, air, and water as well as the earth’s surface
processes, internal processes, history, environment, and place in space. In
high school, 9th graders take biology, while sophomores enroll in chemistry. Students choose from an array of science
electives (forensic science, AP physics, AP biology and AP chemistry) to
fulfill the third year requirement.
Science fair projects are completed in grades 7, 8, and 9.
Social Studies
Students take a social studies class each year as follows:
Geography 7, American History 8 (colonial to civil war), Ancient World History
9 / Government 9, United States History 10 (Industrial Revolution to the
present), Modern World History 11 or AP World History, Political Science 12 or
AP US Government / Economics 12. The
program emphasizes development of the skills of each discipline as well as
content. Electives include Psychology and AP World History.
World Languages
All of the world language courses are year-long courses and
emphasize reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Basic vocabulary and language expressions are
further developed through various real-life situations that students are most
likely to encounter in a foreign culture.
Two consecutive years of the same world language in grades 9-12 are
required for graduation. Students may
elect Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese (Mandarin), and have the opportunity to
take higher level world language courses beyond the two-year requirement.
Bible
The
Bible curriculum
is designed to help students know and understand the biblical story with the
hope that they all will find their places in it. In 7th grade, students are
introduced to the life of Jesus. Students are challenged by the examples
of key figures in the biblical story in 8th grade. Freshman-year Bible
class is set aside for “Exploring the New Testament,” while the intent of
sophomore-year Bible is “Exploring the Old Testament.” These classes
survey the key points of the broader biblical story while teaching students how to read the Bible well. In their 11th grade semester of Bible, students
are introduced to Christian Thought through areas such as worldview, the
arguments for God’s existence, the question of evil, and the nature and history
of the biblical text. In their final semester of Bible, students are
confronted with Critical Issues in Christian Thought. Students compare
Christianity to other major world religions as well as consider Christian
responses to controversial topics like abortion, the death penalty, and
reproductive control.
Visual and Performing Arts
An element of humanity's God-given abilities, the arts, provide avenues for exploration, contemplation, appreciation, and self-expression. It is because of this that the Visual and Fine Performing Arts are an integral part of the curriculum at HBA. Fine arts survey classes are part of the core program in the Middle School. Students in the 7th and 8th grades also choose arts electives such as Art, Choir, Drawing, Band, and Hula. Visual arts courses offered in the high school include Basic Art, Advanced Drawing & Painting, Textile Design, Drafting & Design, Photography, Photoshop, The Art & History of Film, and Digital Filmmaking. Performing arts courses include Theater Production, Wind Ensemble, Beginning Band, Hawaiian Music, Handbells, Choir, Select Choir, and AP Music Theory. The HBA art program provides a wide variety of opportunities for art performances and displays. Semester culminating theater productions, wind ensemble, choral, and handbell concerts are testimonies to a solid arts program. In addition to these venues, the HBA Arts & Film Festival, an annual evening event, showcases many more of the artistic talents of students through art galleries, student produced films, live music and entertainment.
Technology
HBA's approach to technology is an integrated one. Using an "in context" strategy, this method provides technology tools and training in all disciplines. The purpose of this strategy is to enable students to learn technological skills and produce quality work in real-world situations. At the middle school level, all students meet a basic keyboarding requirement by either testing out or taking a keyboarding class.
Physical Education and Health
The
PE curriculum emphasizes knowledge, skills, and attitudes to promote life-long
physical fitness and habits of a healthy lifestyle. PE 7 and PE 8 are a part of the middle school’s
core curriculum. PE 9 and PE 10 are
required semester-long courses. Students
who participate in two or more sports may choose to earn this credit through
athletics. The health program supports
the emotional, social, physical and spiritual development of teenagers.
Overview
