Academics
Upper School students are encouraged to delve more deeply into specific areas of
interest. By Form 7, they can decide to focus on an area––Business,
Science and Technology, Humanities,
and Fine Arts––in which to take additional courses
and get involved in a variety of practical activities. Apprenticeships, both off
campus and on, are a significant aspect of those activities, as are
Student Government activities,
Student Services and practical projects.
Throughout Forms 7 and 8, students spend increasingly less time in the courseroom
and more of their time in the "field" involved in practical application.
Entry
All students entering the school for the first time will begin on an Entry Program
to not only orient them to the study methods and the Delphi curriculum, but to help
them fill in any "holes" from previous academic programs. The initial step of the
Entry Program is to develop an individualized program for each student, setting
a student up for success in the rest of the programs.
Science & Tech
In the area of mathematics and computers, the focus in the Upper School is on real-world
application. Mathematics is required through Form 8 and goes through
Applicable Geometry
and
Applied Trigonometry. Computer skills are developed in word and data
processing as well as in spreadsheets, Internet usage and programming. Science and
Technology majors will be required to take
Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Parts
1, 2 & 3 in addition to advanced mathematics courses based on their particular
area of interest.
In the sciences, the focus is on the basics of biology, chemistry and physics, and
the opportunity to explore specialized areas of interest. Sciences are required
through Form 8. Science and Technology majors take additional courses in advanced
biology, chemistry and/or physics, depending on their field of interest.
Arts
Arts courses, including music and theater, are not required in the Upper School,
but all Upper School students are encouraged to participate in arts-related electives.
Offerings include drawing, painting, and ceramics regularly and occasionally scheduled
courses in photography, graphic design, and sculpture. The Upper School Drama Department
puts on two major theatrical productions annually, one in December and one in May.
Arts majors additionally study art history, from ancient times to the present, and
do further research into the history of their chosen field. They will also spend
much of their practical time on producing their specific form of art for exhibition
or performance.
Business
All Upper School students take courses in organizational structure and management
skills as part of the Delphi curriculum. A basic understanding of these tools is
useful to any student, whether or not she or he chooses to major in business at
Delphi. In addition to substantial practical requirements, Business majors are required
to take The Basics of Organization and Financial Planning courses.
Humanities
The Delphi Humanities major covers literature, language, history, and government.
By the Upper School, students have moved beyond the Heron Basics program and into
literature, reading a wide range of literary works designed to broaden the student's
framework for understanding the culture and civilization. They also participate
in weekly literature seminars which invite discussion of selected literary classics
and ensure students delve more deeply into these books. In history and government,
the emphasis in the Upper School is on enabling the student to trace influential
ideas through time and see the relationship between historic and current events.
At this level, students participate in weekly Current Events seminars which require
the student conduct research and participate in discussions on significant issues
of the day. By Form 8, this takes the form of Headmaster Tea, a rigorous
research and discussion activity in which presentation skills as well as research
integrity are challenged and improved upon.
go to top