Alumni/ae Weekend

This required class explores the basic concepts in human sexuality essential to healthy adolescent development. Sexuality education in the Upper School is an important part of our work in diversity, equity, justice, and belonging. As such, the values of equity, integrity, stewardship, and respect guide decisions about course procedures and content. Major topics studied include: defining and developing healthy sexuality throughout the lifespan; sexual anatomy and physiology, body image, and care of the sexual systems; gender and sexual orientation as biological and sociological constructs; developing and maintaining healthy relationships; and the key role of deliberate, values-based decision making in developing healthy sexuality.

This yearlong exploration of observational drawing and painting is designed to advance students’ technical abilities and to give them the mental skills to see in new ways. Through a combination of short studies and longer term projects, students will be presented with different conceptual and material challenges, including work in charcoal, pencil, and oil paint. Students can expect to develop a deeper understanding of how to draw convincing spaces and architectural forms, how to render objects realistically with depth, and how to draw faces and portraits with an introduction to paint and color. The class is run as a studio with lecture and instruction followed by demonstrations, practice, and individual/group critique.

In this project-based STEAM course, students will learn to design, build, and present models and solutions that develop their empathy, encourage ideation, teamwork, and metacognitive awareness. Students will utilize the process of Design Thinking which is an interdisciplinary, human-centered, collaborative, and iterative methodology of innovation. Working with their peers, students will determine the unique needs of an identified audience, conceptualize ideas, and develop rapid prototypes as possible solutions. They will then test and improve their prototypes into three-dimensional models guided by aesthetics, research, divergent thinking, computer design, graphic design, and hands-on building. Additionally, students will practice giving compelling in-person presentations of their creations while considering the form and function of their final carefully constructed products.

In 3D Design, students explore a broad range of 2D and 3D art and design principles within a stimulating hands-on, studio-based curriculum. Analytical skills in schematic drawing, design, three dimensional forms, material craftsmanship and sculpture are covered as well as hand-building and digital techniques, all of which contribute to the development and understanding of visualizing an idea from a 2D drawing into a 3D form. A variety of media including traditional (paper & chip board construction) and digital (laser etching and 3D printing) materials will be utilized. Creative and critical thinking, visual problem solving, and technique will be explored, and all students will participate in the formal critique process.

This course is designed to consider the sources of the individual atmospheric chemical constituents that are known to be the greenhouse gases, or gases that trap earth-borne radiation from escaping thus causing the rise in average global temperatures, how the constituents differ in their Greenhouse Warming Potential, and subsequent climate change impact that the constituents will likely impose on the global communities. Although global climate change is often discussed by considering average rise in global temperatures, there are select global regions that are being impacted to a greater extent by climate change than others. Students will consider these regions, specifically the Arctic region, explore the impact the melting ice sheet, the thawing permafrost, and the deterioration of Greenland’s ice mass will have on the state of the global climate, and evaluate the human toll in the regions by the rapidly changing conditions. A consideration of the scientific predictions for the future climate change impact on weather, ocean temperatures, and sea level rise will be made. We will also discuss climate policy and solutions, looking at how nations plan to both lessen the effects of climate change and adapt to our changing world.

Sing with FCS Quaker Noats!
Open by audition, the Quaker Noats sing music from a variety of genres, focusing primarily on contemporary a cappella. They perform independently at school concerts and at other community events throughout the school year, including Singing Valentines and the Main Line A Cappella Sing-Off. Student leaders within Quaker Noats help to choose and arrange songs for the ensemble, which is largely student conducted.

The theme of Latin II is “Language, Structure, and Discovery.” In addition to completing the basics of Latin grammar, students read and translate selections in prose adapted from various ancient Roman authors. The focus is on the development of translation and grammar skills. By approaching Latin from a design point of view, students will discover much about their own language and about human languages generally. They can expect their own reading and writing to develop new levels of sophistication. Students explore ancient beliefs about power, justice, and violence that are encoded in language and story.

This course introduces students to 2D art through a variety of mediums and processes which could include: perspective, observational drawing, collage, graphic design, and digital imaging. The fundamentals of design principles: form, composition, line, shape, value, texture and content will be explored in a studio-based practice. Subject matter will range from realism to abstraction. Creative and critical thinking, visual problem solving, digital drawing, and technique will also be explored.

Algebra 2 builds on students’ understanding of algebraic relationships while strengthening mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Topics include solving equations and inequalities, functions and function notation, linear and quadratic functions, systems of equations, polynomial operations, exponential and logarithmic functions, and transformations of functions. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to recognize patterns, make connections among multiple representations (algebraic, graphical, and contextual), and explain their thinking clearly. The course emphasizes depth of understanding over speed, with intentional pacing and support to help students build confidence and flexibility as they prepare for future mathematics coursework.