Curricular Pathways

The English Department challenges students to strive for mastery in all areas of Language Arts in order to become excellent scholars across all disciplines. The Department promotes effective expression, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. The Department is committed to fostering a passion for literature and a love of reading and writing for every student. The texts taught in English classrooms are chosen based on literary merit, importance in a college-preparatory curriculum, and character-education themes. English classrooms are nurturing environments where students of all abilities feel safe taking risks and challenging themselves. 

Peak to Peak offers a literature-based curriculum that introduces students to a variety of high-quality works, many of which are recommended by Core Knowledge and others as classic pieces of literature. Each course focuses on responding to and analyzing written works, both orally and in writing, with a strong emphasis on writing essays and other full-length products. In addition, the English Department weaves grammar study throughout each level, with topics introduced or re-taught as necessary.

Mathematics not only facilitates logical thinking but also helps describe and analyze our world. At Peak to Peak, our math classes teach students to value mathematics as a discipline in its own right, to make connections between mathematics and other disciplines, and to examine its applications in our world. We balance the development of formal mathematical algorithms with critical reasoning and investigation of mathematical properties and ideas.  We expect students to think through the mathematics behind formal skills rather than simply following set procedures. Through practice, students become proficient in their formal skills and develop strategies for critical thinking.  

Graduation Requirement:  Peak to Peak students must successfully complete four years of mathematics. Many engineering schools require four years of mathematics and strongly recommend Calculus. Any course below Algebra 1 in Peak to Peak’s math course pathway does not receive high school credit.

Historically, approximately 32% of Peak to Peak students follow the grade-level pathway, 22% follow the Level 1 pathway, 39% follow the Level 2 pathway, and 7% follow the Level 3 pathway.

The Peak to Peak Science Department seeks to create excitement for, and excellence in, the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Students are asked to approach scientific problems both critically and creatively, while developing a fundamental understanding of science as a thought process and applying those skills to real-world situations in all disciplines. Specifically, students will be encouraged to develop their ability to interpret current events, both scientific and otherwise, through inquiry and logic-based thinking. Science and technology go hand in hand in today’s world, and an understanding of the technology that underpins modern life is essential to success in college and most careers. For this reason, Peak to Peak expects each of its students to have facility with and an understanding of technology and its role in modern society.

The Social Studies Department engages its students in a learning process in which every student’s ideas and participation are valued. Students are encouraged to be intellectually curious, seek multiple perspectives in reading and discussion, and question what they read and hear in and outside of the classroom. Critical thinking skills and relevant content pieces are taught and supported at each level, which is essential to understanding a complex and constantly changing world. Students use the content knowledge they gain in each course to discuss and engage academically with their local, national, and global communities, in which an understanding of the past is crucial to understanding current historical conflicts, modes of decision-making, and political, economic, and social paradigms.  

Ultimately, the department’s objectives are: to excite students about social studies and lifelong learning, to attend to students’ academic needs, and to assist students in achieving their academic potential. To motivate student involvement in the school and local communities, the department promotes creative decision-making, engages students in current events and international affairs, and teaches the skills necessary for students to become active, engaged citizens. Department members make social studies relevant and challenge their students to grasp the interdependence of diverse peoples and cultures, both past and present.

The World Languages Department believes that through the dedicated study of French or Spanish, our students will graduate with both a functional fluency in the language and a greater awareness and appreciation of other cultures.  These will promote lifelong language learning, provide students with a better understanding of the global community, and help them take an active role as world citizens. The department strives to develop each student’s ability to attain at least an intermediate-high level of proficiency in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). To further this goal, we believe in using the target language as much as possible. The classroom experience includes minimal English in order to immerse students in French or Spanish. 

Five skills of language acquisition are emphasized: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture. The “communicative approach” to teaching languages is used, which involves creating as many opportunities as possible for students to speak. Furthermore, we use the immersion method of teaching a language: if you want to learn Spanish/French, you will hear and see Spanish/French. Teachers strive to create a comfortable learning environment in which students feel at ease making mistakes and experimenting with the language in this immersion environment.

French Language Pathway:

• French 1A
• French 1B
• French 2

Spanish Language Pathway:

• Spanish 1A
• Spanish 1B
• Spanish 2
• Spanish for Heritage Speakers (for students who demonstrate emerging or established bilingualism)

All Middle School students are required to enroll in and complete at least one semester of Technology over the course of their three years of Middle School.

Technology Pathway:

• Exploratory Computing
• Gateway to Computing
• Introduction to Computer Programming

When students can demonstrate creative applications of knowledge, then learning has taken place. Art helps students understand themselves and the world they live in by challenging their perceptions of both the physical and the intrinsic. The discipline of art involves teaching students how to create art using various media through the visual language of the elements of art and principles of design.

All Middle School students are required to enroll in and complete at least one semester of a Visual/Performing Arts course over the course of their three years of Middle School.

Visual Arts Courses (no prerequisites):

• 2D Art & Design
• 3D Art & Design
• Exploratory Art
• Mixed Media Approaches

The Music Department is committed to providing students with a broad base of performing opportunities at Peak to Peak and in the community. Through participation in choir, band, strings, or other musical activities, students can find personal expression and engage in team-building endeavors. The benefits of performing in musical activities include: Fostering a sense of cooperation and participation, while not discouraging healthy competition; providing a channel for students’ creative impulses while developing problem-solving skills through a forum that meets the needs of aural, kinesthetic and visual learning styles; and encouraging students to engage in performing music at ever higher levels of ability; this character building aspect requires that students develop self-discipline and motivation to master complex tasks over a long period of time. Music at Peak to Peak is an integral part of the students’ entire learning experience. 

The Music Department believes that a thriving music program supports the Peak to Peak philosophy of preparing well-rounded students. Placement in ensembles is based on grade level, years of experience, and/or a placement audition. All Middle School students are required to enroll in and complete at least one semester of a Visual/Performing Arts course over the course of their three years of Middle School.

Band Pathway:

• General Band
• Concert Band
• Wind Symphony
• Jazz Band (audition required)
• Advanced Jazz Band (audition required)

Choir Pathway:

• Peak Singers Choir
• Phoenix Fire Choir (audition required)

Orchestra Pathway:

• Sinfonietta Orchestra
• Con Brio Orchestra
• Stringendo Orchestra
• Concert Orchestra

Other Music Courses:

• Guitar Lab
• Music Technology (formerly Garage Band)
• Piano Lab

The Theatre Department strives to provide a comprehensive introduction to the various dramatic arts as well as production techniques and processes. All Middle School students are required to enroll in and complete at least one semester of a Visual/Performing Arts course over the course of their three years of Middle School.

Theater Courses:

• Theatre
• Studio Theatre: Special Topics

Health Education introduces students to information necessary to make smart decisions throughout their lifetime. The material presented is relevant to everyday life and takes into account the diverse physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of middle school students. Subjects include wellness, food choices, physical fitness, substance use, disease awareness, personal well-being, and sexual and reproductive health.

The Physical Education Department fosters a love of physical activity and play in order to develop a lifelong pursuit of physical fitness. The department focuses on fostering fair play, cooperation, and self-esteem, with an emphasis on skill development, knowledge, and practice. Department members share new teaching strategies, provide feedback, and support one another. Teachers within the Physical Education Department will encourage and promote a positive environment where students are safe, are empowered to take risks, and are successful. This class includes a variety of sports and games, as well as a fitness component that focuses on skill development, with an emphasis on fun and competitive play. Some examples of sports and activities include flag football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, hockey, and many others. There will also be an element of educating students to explore and understand the importance of making exercise and/or playing sports part of living a healthy lifestyle.

All Middle School students are required to enroll in and complete at least one semester of Physical Education over the course of their three years of Middle School. Students are also required to take Middle School Health during their 7th grade year.

To develop well-rounded, passion-driven students, Peak to Peak offers a number of choice classes, selected by the student, that empower them to dive deeper into their passions and maintain a healthy school-life balance.

Choice Classes:

• Introduction to Engineering & Design
• Multimedia Storytelling
• Nutrition & Kitchen Chemistry
• Transitions (required for 6th grade)
• THRIVE Leadership Seminar
• Independent Seminar
• Student Aide
• Study Hall