Academics
Academic Overview
Middle School Course of Study
Each year, middle school students are required to take course work in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and physical education. Sixth-grade students participate in an exploratory program involving world languages and various elective courses offered in 7th and 8th grade.
English: Middle school students must complete three years of study in English. Students who have an interest in writing, publishing, and dramatic expression may elect to take an additional semester course in creative writing and/or drama.
Mathematics: Middle school students must complete three years of mathematics that prepare them for the study of Geometry, Algebra II, and other higher-level courses in the Upper School. Qualified students may be placed in the accelerated math sequence; if meeting all necessary criteria.
Science: Middle school students must complete three years of science. The program features a hands-on, discovery-based curriculum that emphasizes the techniques of scientific inquiry as it explores topics in earth, life, and physical science.
History: Middle school students must complete three years of study that focus in successive years on world cultures, geography, and American Studies.
World Languages: Students in grades seven and eight must pursue a course of study at the appropriate level of instruction in Chinese, French, or Spanish.
Musical Arts: Sixth-grade students must participate in instrumental or choral music; students in grades seven and eight may elect to continue their study of music by choosing among a variety of electives.
Visual Arts: Sixth-grade students study the visual arts as a part of the exploratory program; students in grades seven and eight may elect to continue their study of the visual arts by choosing among a variety of electives.
Physical Education: Middle school students must take Physical Education each semester.
Computer Science: Palmer Trinity operates a school-wide laptop computer program. Sixth-grade students receive a general overview in the basics of their laptops and some of the most widely used applications; seventh- and eighth-grade students may enroll in Middle School Computing. The one-semester graduation requirement of a course in computer programming (including the course named above) can be met at any time in grades seven through twelve.
English: Middle school students must complete three years of study in English. Students who have an interest in writing, publishing, and dramatic expression may elect to take an additional semester course in creative writing and/or drama.
Mathematics: Middle school students must complete three years of mathematics that prepare them for the study of Geometry, Algebra II, and other higher-level courses in the Upper School. Qualified students may be placed in the accelerated math sequence; if meeting all necessary criteria.
Science: Middle school students must complete three years of science. The program features a hands-on, discovery-based curriculum that emphasizes the techniques of scientific inquiry as it explores topics in earth, life, and physical science.
History: Middle school students must complete three years of study that focus in successive years on world cultures, geography, and American Studies.
World Languages: Students in grades seven and eight must pursue a course of study at the appropriate level of instruction in Chinese, French, or Spanish.
Musical Arts: Sixth-grade students must participate in instrumental or choral music; students in grades seven and eight may elect to continue their study of music by choosing among a variety of electives.
Visual Arts: Sixth-grade students study the visual arts as a part of the exploratory program; students in grades seven and eight may elect to continue their study of the visual arts by choosing among a variety of electives.
Physical Education: Middle school students must take Physical Education each semester.
Computer Science: Palmer Trinity operates a school-wide laptop computer program. Sixth-grade students receive a general overview in the basics of their laptops and some of the most widely used applications; seventh- and eighth-grade students may enroll in Middle School Computing. The one-semester graduation requirement of a course in computer programming (including the course named above) can be met at any time in grades seven through twelve.
Upper School Course of Study
A student must earn 23 ½ credits, distributed as follows, to meet Palmer Trinity School’s graduation requirements:
English: Each student is required to earn four credits, one credit in each year of enrollment in the upper school.
Mathematics: Each student is required to earn three credits, including one credit beyond Algebra II. A fourth year is strongly recommended.
Science: Each student is required to earn three credits of laboratory science, specifically in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. A fourth year is strongly recommended.
History and Humanities: Each student is required to earn three credits, specifically in World History and United States History. A fourth year is strongly recommended.
World Languages: Each student is required to earn a minimum of two credits (through the third level of a language). Four years of language study is strongly recommended.
Religious Studies: Each student is required to earn one credit or two semester credits.
Fine Arts: Each student is required to earn two semesters of credit in Theatre, Musical, or Visual Arts.
Physical Education: Each student is required to earn two semesters of credit, including one semester of Wellness.
Computer Science: Each student must complete at least one semester of credit in computer programming; the requirement may be met at any time from grade seven to twelve.
Academic Electives: Each student is required to earn five additional credits in academic courses designed for students in grades eleven and twelve.
A student must enroll in a minimum of five academic courses each semester.
Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
Palmer Trinity School offers Advanced Placement courses in each of the academic disciplines. Some departments also offer upper-level honors courses, some of which serve as gateway courses to the department’s Advanced Placement curriculum.
Most Advanced Placement courses are content driven, a fact that requires students to maintain a brisk pace through the course of study. Furthermore, Advanced Placement course work requires an exceedingly high level of engagement in class activities and written assignments. Palmer Trinity thus limits a student to two Advanced Placement courses a year, unless the student can meet the rigorous conditions for exception. Students who seek exception to this enrollment policy must speak with the relevant departmental chair and the Division Head about the criteria for granting exceptions.
Students who enroll in Advanced Placement courses are expected to remain in those courses for the entire year. Except in extraordinary circumstances, each student enrolled in an Advanced Placement course must sit for the national examination in May.
English: Each student is required to earn four credits, one credit in each year of enrollment in the upper school.
Mathematics: Each student is required to earn three credits, including one credit beyond Algebra II. A fourth year is strongly recommended.
Science: Each student is required to earn three credits of laboratory science, specifically in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. A fourth year is strongly recommended.
History and Humanities: Each student is required to earn three credits, specifically in World History and United States History. A fourth year is strongly recommended.
World Languages: Each student is required to earn a minimum of two credits (through the third level of a language). Four years of language study is strongly recommended.
Religious Studies: Each student is required to earn one credit or two semester credits.
Fine Arts: Each student is required to earn two semesters of credit in Theatre, Musical, or Visual Arts.
Physical Education: Each student is required to earn two semesters of credit, including one semester of Wellness.
Computer Science: Each student must complete at least one semester of credit in computer programming; the requirement may be met at any time from grade seven to twelve.
Academic Electives: Each student is required to earn five additional credits in academic courses designed for students in grades eleven and twelve.
A student must enroll in a minimum of five academic courses each semester.
Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
Palmer Trinity School offers Advanced Placement courses in each of the academic disciplines. Some departments also offer upper-level honors courses, some of which serve as gateway courses to the department’s Advanced Placement curriculum.
Most Advanced Placement courses are content driven, a fact that requires students to maintain a brisk pace through the course of study. Furthermore, Advanced Placement course work requires an exceedingly high level of engagement in class activities and written assignments. Palmer Trinity thus limits a student to two Advanced Placement courses a year, unless the student can meet the rigorous conditions for exception. Students who seek exception to this enrollment policy must speak with the relevant departmental chair and the Division Head about the criteria for granting exceptions.
Students who enroll in Advanced Placement courses are expected to remain in those courses for the entire year. Except in extraordinary circumstances, each student enrolled in an Advanced Placement course must sit for the national examination in May.
