Comparison of Public School and School of Choice Curricula

The School of Choice is run by educational reformers who believe in higher standards for gifted students. How does the School of Choice curricula compare to standard public school curricula? The chart below lets parents see on a grade-by-grade basis.

Grades 4-6
School of Choice Accelerated and Enhanced Curriculum Public School Standards
History
  • Ancient and Medieval
  • Cultural Literacy
  • Geography
  • Cultural Literacy
  • Basic Geography and Politics
English
  • Teen/Easy Adult Reading
  • Narrative, Persuasive, Comparative, Descriptive Papers
  • Basic Literary and Rhetorical Terms
  • Advanced Vocabulary and Grammar
  • Basic Speeches, Drama, Poetry
  • Literature
  • Parts of Speech
  • Types of Sentences
  • Poetry
Math
    Pre-Algebra
  • Exponents
  • Word Problems
  • Simple Statistics
  • Simple Geometry
  • Fractions
  • Percents
  • Numerical Operations
  • Factoring and Multiples
  • Difficult Multiplication and Division
  • Exponents, Negative Numbers
  • Decimals and Percentages
  • Fractions, Rates, and Proportions
  • Simple Geometry and Formulas
  • Introduction to Word Problems
  • Basic Algebra
  • Graphs, Tables, Charts, Grids
Science
  • Scientific Formulas
  • Lab Reports
  • Space and Solar System
  • Force and Gravity
  • Light and Sound
  • Electricity, Magnetism, Electronics
  • Basic Atomic Properties
  • Periodic Table
  • Photosynthesis
  • Ecosystems
  • Structures of Plants and Animals
  • Solar System
  • Electricity and Magnetism
  • Basic Atomic Properties
  • Earth Science
  • Introduction: Scientific Investigation
  • Basic Physical Science
  • Structures and Functions of Plants and Animals
  • Ecosystem Components

Grades 7-8
School of Choice Accelerated and Enhanced Curriculum Public School Standards
History
    Seventh Grade
  • 1300-1850 European
  • Colonial and Revolutionary America
    Eighth Grade
  • Europe 1850 to the present
  • America 1800 to the present
  • Greece
  • Rome
  • Religion, Ideology
  • Medieval
  • Asian Culture
  • America 1770-1879
  • Renaissance/Reformation
  • Political/Industrial Revolution
  • Liberalism, Nationalism, Socialism
  • World Conflict
  • Colonial America
  • Modern America
English
  • Short Stories and Poetry
  • Research Essays
  • Advanced Grammar and Vocabulary
  • American/World Literature
  • History Organized Speech and Debate
  • Novels
  • Poetry
  • Short Stories
  • Drama
  • Literary Analysis
  • Research Papers
  • Persuasive Speeches
  • Persuasive Essays
  • Accurate Bibliographies
  • Word Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes, Origins
  • Outlines and Rough Drafts
  • Identifying Themes
Math
    Seventh Grade
    Algebra I
    Eighth Grade
    Algebra II
  • Some Trig
  • Some Geometry
  • Scientific Applications
    Algebra 1 or Pre-Algebra
  • Linear Equations
  • Graphs
  • Factoring
  • Solving Equations
  • Percentages, Ratios, Proportions
  • Rational/Irrational Numbers
  • Exponents
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Perimeters and Areas
  • Basic Geometry
  • Functions
  • Word Problems
Science
    Seventh Grade
  • Scientific Forumlas
  • Applied Math I
  • Newton's Laws of Force and Motion
  • Atoms and Periodic Table
  • Zoology, Anatomy, and Physiology
  • Scientific Debates
    Eighth Grade
  • Scientific Formulas
  • Applied Math II
  • Newton's Laws
  • Electromagnetism, Energy, and Heat
  • Compounds and Chemical Reactions
  • Evolution and Genetics
  • Cellular Structures and Functions
  • Lab Reports
  • Scientific Debates
  • Motion in Solar System
  • Force and Gravity
  • Mass, Velocity, Density/Buoyancy
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Atoms and Compounds
  • Structure of Matter
  • Geology
  • Animal and Human Physiology
  • Genetics and Evolution
  • Genetics and Cell Biology
  • Making Models
  • Research
  • Applying Mathematical Formulas

Grades 9-12
School of Choice Accelerated and Enhanced Curriculum Public School Standards
History
    Ninth Grade
    World Civilizations Program
  • Modern Asia
  • Continental
  • Hispanic Literature and History
  • [AP European History]
    Tenth Grade
    AP World or European History (World History)
    Eleventh Grade
    AP American History
    (American History)
    Twelfth Grade
    AP Politics, Economics
  • Electives: AP Psychology, AP Geography, AP World History
  • America as a World Power
  • U.S. Social and Economic History
  • The Post-War World
  • Imperialism, Nationalism, Warfare
  • Role of Revolutions and Liberalism
  • Constitution and the Growth of Government
  • Revolution and Ideology in America
  • World War and Totalitarian Governments
  • Effects of Industrial Revolution
  • Influence of Classical Ideas
  • Economics
  • Government
English
    Ninth Grade
  • Literary Trends
  • Rhetorical Analysis
  • Literary Elements
  • Visual Aids
  • Formal Debate
  • Adult Level Reading
  • Effective Note-Taking
  • Criticism/Outlining
    Tenth Grade
  • British Literature
  • Journalism
  • Website
  • Drama
  • Speech and Debate Electives
    Eleventh Grade
  • AP Literature and Composition (American Literature)
    Twelfth
  • AP Language Composition
  • Electives: AP Studio Art, Art History, Music Theory
  • Forensics
  • Speeches
  • Debates
  • Discussions
  • Advanced Grammar
  • "Quote Sandwich"
  • Transitions
  • Poetic Analysis
  • Literary Analysis
  • Imagery
  • Applications
  • Research Papers
  • Creative Writing
  • Persuasive Essays
  • Poetry
  • Short Stories
  • Critical Essays
Math
    Ninth Grade
  • Trigonometry
  • Geometry
    Tenth Grade
  • Pre-Calculus
    Eleventh Grade
  • AP Calculus AB
    Twelfth Grade
  • AP Calculus BC
  • Electives: AP Statistics
    Geometry
  • Properties of Angles, Chords
  • Coordinate Geometry
  • Geometric Proofs
  • Chords, Secants, Tangents, Polygons
  • Equations about 3-D Shapes
  • Theorems and Postulates
    Alg II/Trig
  • Absolute Value
  • Logarithms
  • Quadratic Functions
  • Polynomials, Complex Numbers, Imaginary Numbers
  • Basic Trigonometry Functions
  • Functions/Inverse Functions
  • Sines, Cosines, Tangents, Secants, Cosecants, Cotangents
  • Conic Sections
  • Roots
  • Probability
  • Distributions
    Pre-Calculus
    [AP Math Courses]
  • Statistics
  • Calculus BC
  • Calculus AB
Science
    Ninth Grade
    Integrated Science Program (I-IV)
  • Mathematical Concepts
  • Lab Reports
  • Thermodynamics
  • Waves and Particles
  • Electricity and Electronics
  • Newton's Laws
  • Einstein's Relativity Theory
  • Advanced Atoms and Molecules
  • Ionic/Covalent/Hydrogen Bonding
  • Acids and Bases
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Life Cycle Digestion
  • Reproduction
  • Evolution and Mendelian Genetics
    Tenth Grade/Eleventh Grade
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Biology
    Twelfth Grade
  • AP Physics
  • Electives: AP Physiology, AP Enviromental Science
    Integrated Science
  • Sex Ed
  • Basic Biology
  • Basic Chemistry
  • Basic Physics
  • Basic Power and Energy
    Chemistry
  • Properties of Gas/Heat/Light
  • Periodic Table
  • Elements' Properties
  • Nuclear Processes and Radioactivity
  • Solutions and pH
  • Ionic and Covalent Bonding
  • Biochemistry
  • Reaction Rates and Chemical Equilibrium
  • Matter Conservation and Stoichiometry
    Biology
  • Reproduction and Genetic Variation
  • Mutation, Meiosis, Mitosis
  • DNA and RNA
  • Phenotypes and Genotypes
  • Cells, Enzymes, Proteins, Viruses
  • Human Immune Response
  • Human Anatomy and Systems
  • Physiological Stability
  • Evolution and Natural Selection
  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystem Stability
    Physics
  • Electirc/Magnetic Phenomena
  • Waves: Sound, Light, Radio
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Newton's Laws
  • Force and Motion
  • Gravity and Planet Motion
  • Rotational Kinematics
  • Particle Physics
  • States of Energy
  • Heat and Thermodynamics
  • Conservation of Energy/Momentum