upper school curriculum

Core Curriculum

• Life Planning

• History

• English

• Math

• Science

• World Languages

• Art Studio Classes

• Physical Education

• Graduation Requirements

The Redwood Day Upper School seeks to redefine the meaning of a college preparatory curriculum and academic program for adolescents. To this end our Upper School will prepare students for life and college. We will do this in many important ways. First, our advanced curriculum will have ample opportunities for students to explore subjects in-depth, create interdisciplinary projects, work in groups, and make meaningful connections to the real world. All graduates will meet or exceed UC admission eligibility requirements. Second, we will have a rigorous four-year, Life Planning curriculum that encompasses the latest in brain research, self-knowledge through emotional development, public speaking, social justice, financial responsibility and philanthropy, service learning, strengths based assessment, career exposure, and a thorough college application process.

Through our academic program and dynamic faculty, students will acquire excellent writing skills, analytical reading abilities, mathematical and scientific mastery, and an appreciation of physical fitness. Through a unique studio arts program students will create thoughtful works of art—visual, performance or music—that will be showcased throughout the year and serve as one window into our broader community. Moreover, graduates of the Upper School will have a firm understanding of their strengths (intellectually, interpersonally, and by activity) as a learner, and how to best use them in life and college.

Participation in the full range of interscholastic athletics will allow students ample opportunities to discover the many lessons that come with participating in team sports. Our athletic program will emphasize sportsmanship and a dedication to being one’s best. We are partnering with the Positive Coaching Alliance to better ensure these outcomes.

Our advisory program will equip students with the necessary skills to take full advantage of their experiences in the classroom as a means for preparation for life, during and after high school graduation. Students will learn how to self-advocate by recognizing when they need help and knowing how to find the resources to meet their needs.

The Upper School will have a strong commitment to developing in each student, faculty and staff member, a deep and meaningful sense of cultural understanding. Our intent is to stretch the typical independent school model into an interdependent model with Oakland and the greater East Bay community. Authentic opportunities for genuine cultural exchanges will be an essential component of the Upper School.

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Life Planning

We will prepare students for life and college. Students will take this four-year course in life planning as a means of developing skills necessary to live a successful and purposeful life. Students in ninth grade will be engaged in units such as self-awareness and cultural understanding, strengths assessment, health and nutrition, career exploration, meditation, public speaking and the successful navigation of difficult conversations.

Later years, in addition to reinforcing skills learned in ninth grade, students will spend a semester during sophomore year in our interdisciplinary course- Your Mind and You. This course encompasses psychology, history, literature, science, self-reflection and analytical writing. As a compliment to the intellectual studying of diversity in the humanities curriculum, students will spend a semester learning about diversity and inclusion principles and their application to real world conditions. In doing so, students will be able to apply an academic and personal perspective to developing a rich understanding of local and global societies.

Continuing into their junior year, students will utilize experiences gained from ninth and tenth grade in our units covering financial responsibility and philanthropy. Through the teachings of experts in the areas of finance and investment, students will learn how responsible management of their income can help provide an avenue to living a purposeful life. In our section on philanthropy, students will incorporate their understanding of themselves and their relation to local and global communities in discovering their ability to positively impact their community.

During their senior year, students will embark on their college application journey by thoughtfully reflecting on the many discoveries they made during their first three years of the Life Planning curriculum. Students will make application to schools that are a direct match with the direction in which the student intends to proceed with their life plans.

All graduates will meet the requirements for eligibility for admission into any school of their choice. Additionally, each senior will be very informed of exactly what they are looking for in the schools to which they apply. Once enrolled in their community of higher learning, RDS graduates will know how to utilize the resources on their college campuses, emerge as leaders, and discover new ways to make a lasting impact on society.

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History

The study of history is a fundamental component to discovering the origin of societal formation and its inherent influence on the world today. With a focus on world cultures, over a two-year sequence in ninth and tenth grades, students will come to understand that their societal position in the world is a direct result of sociological and anthropological change and through the unique relationship between the powerful and powerless. Students will further develop their sense of self and place on the continuum of power distribution and create opportunities to employ service learning projects aimed at addressing issues that contribute to the divide among groups in society.

Core classes:

World History I
World History II
US History (H)

Sample of possible Advanced Curriculum  Electives:

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English

Literature is studied as a method for providing context to historical developments and as a means for analyzing current societal conditions. Students will read texts from various cultural viewpoints that are reflected within our school community. In doing so, each member of our community will have their cultural background reflected in the curriculum, validated through meaningful discussions, and written about through various modes of writing which include narrative essays, research reports, poetry, and autobiographies. All students will develop mastery of the writing process and an in-depth understanding of grammar and parts of speech.

Core courses:

World Literature I
World Literature II
US Literature/English Electives   
English Electives

Sample of possible Advanced Curriculum  Electives:

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Math

We view the study of math as a necessary tool for successful navigation of the real world. Our Integrated Math curriculum provides students an in-depth understanding of the relationships between Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. Integrating these topics help students to discover how math concepts can be applied in everyday life. Upon completion of Integrated Math III, students will have the opportunity to continue on in their study of math by taking pre-calculus, calculus, statistics or economics. Each course will enable each student to consistently make connections between math and everyday life.

Core Courses:

Integrated Math, levels I – III

Sample of possible Advanced Curriculum  Electives:

Pre-Calculus (H)
Calculus AB (H)
Calculus BC (H)
Statistics (H)
Economics (H)

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Science

Scientific study serves as another means of understanding the complex world in which we live. Students will develop mastery through application of scientific principles to real world conditions in a project-based format. Our Foundations course in ninth grade will provide students with an integrated approach to discovering the relationship between physics, biology and chemistry. Students will progress to an in-depth study of these lab sciences in a manner that will provide academic rigor, opportunities for new discoveries and a thorough analysis of ethical dilemmas and decision making. In addition, students will learn about the numerous contributions to the sciences through an inclusion of  theories and discoveries produced by scientists from different parts of the world.

Core courses:

• Foundations of Science
• Chemistry
• Chemistry (H)
• Physics or Physics (H)
• Biology
• Biology (H)

Sample of possible Advanced Curriculum  Electives:

• Marine Biology
• Environmental Science
• Einstein on Race and Racism
• Multicultural Women of Science

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World Languages

The study of world languages is an essential part of our focus on global and local communities. Students will discover the cultural, political and linguistic relationships that contribute to language development and expression. It is the primary goal of the department to provide for students an opportunity for mastery of a language that is not their native tongue.

Core courses:

• Spanish I – V
• Spanish Honors
• Mandarin I – V
• Mandarin Honors

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Art Studio Classes

We view the study of art as a vehicle for students to further express their understanding of the world in which they live. Students will be required to create art work in various mediums that reflect the cultural composition of our school community. Students will also demonstrate their understanding of the material covered in the World Studies curriculum by collaborating to produce theatrical productions, digital art and film documentaries, choreographed dance performances, and numerous pieces of paintings and sculpture. Each student will become proficient in many forms of art, and some, if they choose, will have the opportunity to develop mastery.

Students will be required to take at least 1 studio per year. Studios will cover topics in visual arts, theater, musical productions, and film production. At the end of each studio marking period, students will demonstrate their work during a week-long showcase. Teaching art through our studio format will enable our students to be taught by expert practitioners from the Bay Area who find it rewarding to impart their knowledge onto the next generation of artists.

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Physical Fitness

It is our goal for each student to develop an appreciation of maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes daily fitness, nutritious eating, and thoughtful decision making. In conjunction with our Life Planning curriculum, all students will have the opportunity to learn the importance of health and wellness as it relates to their everyday lives. As a result of a student-centered design of the physical education program, each student will develop habits of mind that will enable them to continue their focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Upper School Graduation Requirements