Upper-school students at Hillsdale Academy follow a common, college preparatory course of study.  This includes four years each of Humane Letters (history and literature, including civics and economics in the senior year), Latin, laboratory science and mathematics (in addition to Algebra I which is taught in eighth grade).  French is begun in grade 1; students may elect to continue their study of modern languages in the Upper School by taking either French or Spanish.  Students also complete the following: three years of rhetoric and composition and two years of art, music and physical education.  After completing pertinent courses, students may elect to take Advanced Placement examinations in United States history, chemistry, biology, physics, calculus, English Literature, French Language, Spanish Language and Latin.

To receive a diploma, a student must maintain a minimum overall grade point average of C- (1.67) as well as fulfilling a minimum attainment level of C- (1.67) in Latin 2, Algebra 2 and American civics/economics.

9th Grade

Required Courses:

• Humane Letters – The Classical and Biblical World
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Biology
• Latin 1
• Geometry (prerequisite: C- or above in Algebra 1)
• Art/Choir
• P.E.
• Computer Skills

Elective Courses:

• French 1, 2 or 3 (prerequisite for French 2 and higher: C- or above in previous course)
• Spanish 1
• Orchestra

 

10th Grade

Required Courses:

• Humane Letters – Medieval and Modern Europe (to A.D. 1900)
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Physics (prerequisite: C- or above in Biology)
• Latin 2 (prerequisite: C- or above in Latin 1)
• Algebra 2 (prerequisite: C- or above in Geometry)
• Art/Choir
• P.E.

Elective Courses:

• French 1, 2, 3 or 4 (prerequisite for French 2 and higher: C- or above in previous course)
• Spanish 1 or 2 (prerequisite for Spanish 2: C- or above in Spanish 1)
• Orchestra

 

11th Grade

Required Courses:

• American Studies (History and Literature – A.D. 1620 - Present)
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Chemistry (prerequisite: C- or above in Physics)
• Latin 3  (prerequisite: C- or above in Latin 2)
• Advanced Math (prerequisite: C- or above in Algebra 2)

Elective Courses:

• French 1, 2, 3 or 4 (prerequisite for French 2 and higher: C- or above in previous course)
• Spanish 1, 2 or 3 (prerequisite for Spanish 2 and higher: C- or above in previous course)
• Art
• Choir
• Orchestra
• P.E.

 

12th Grade

Required Courses:

• American Civics and Economics
• British Literature
• Advanced Biology or Advanced Physics/Astronomy (prerequisite: C- or above in Chemistry)
• Latin 4 (prerequisite: C- or above in Latin 3)
• Calculus (prerequisite: C- or above in Advanced Math)

Elective Courses:

• French 1, 2, 3 or 4 (prerequisite for French 2 and higher: C- or above in previous course)
• Spanish 1, 2, 3 or 4 (prerequisite for Spanish 2 and higher: C- or above in previous course)
• Art
• Choir
• Orchestra
• P.E.