Upper School

The Upper School English department encourages students to take a deep dive into the nature of language, story, character, conflict, plot, setting, mood, creativity, and imagination. English at Bay Ridge Prep is a community-based event. In contrast to traditional models of English engagement that prioritize teacher-lead discourse and lecture-based education, we think of English–both reading and writing–as dynamic processes where students formulate, champion, and, invariably, own both textual interpretations and written forms. In doing so, we prioritize both canonical and contemporary works, seeking to expose students to a wide range of literary authors and voices from a multitude of traditions throughout the world. As writers, our students learn to express themselves personally, creatively, and academically, graduating with a rich awareness of not just the authors we read, but also with a heightened sensitivity to and acquisition of their own voices, beliefs, ideas, and values. Collectively, we believe that English gives us the tools to read the world of today as well as the strength to write the world of tomorrow.

Student experience

• Exposure to a broad range of authors (both canonical and contemporary) from throughout the world.

• Develop a heightened sensitivity to elements of craft, style, symbolism, and intent.

• Explore both metaphoric and literal components of text.

• Gain comprehensive exposure to various forms of literature–from poetry and short stories, to plays, novels, and screenplays.

• Imagine literature as something that extends beyond conventional texts–expanding into visual art, music, theater, and film.

• Acquire a heightened understanding of their personal identity through reading, writing, and discussing literature.

Skills gained

• Acquire knowledge of MLA and APA referencing styles.

• Master the ability to propose and corroborate a thesis driven paper.

• Corroborate claims utilizing evidence from the text.

• Learn to put texts in conversation with other texts, the world, and themselves.

• Master elements of grammar, style, spelling, and syntax.

Course Sequence

English I: Journeys, Histories, and Identities

Literature and Our World

American Literature

Dramatic Literature: Elizabethan to Contemporary

Electives

The Art of Writing

College Essay – Writing Workshop

Creative Writing

Literature & the Adolescent Experience

AP Courses Offered

AP English Literature & Composition

The Upper School History department is committed to utilizing the study of history as a tool for inspiring students to become informed citizens of the world. At Bay Ridge Prep, we do not believe that history is a thing of the past–instead, we see it as a story that begins in the past, impacts the present, and has the capacity to prime us for a better, more productive and equitable tomorrow. Through an integrative approach–one that embraces history’s connections to economics, art, philosophy, politics, literature, and science–our students become aware of the complexity of historical events, learning how to distinguish reliable from unreliable sources, and to take arms against historical perspectives and inaccuracies that promote racist, misogynistic, exclusionary values.

When we imagine a historically literate Bay Ridge Prep student, we envision an individual who looks at the events of today as a byproduct of the legacies, histories, and narratives that have led up to the present moment–students who are capable of thinking about the way that various historical epochs and events speak in conversation with one another (from ancient Mesopotamia and Greece, to Medieval England, the Renaissance, slavery, the American Civil War, the roaring 20’s, civil rights, etc.). At Bay Ridge Prep, the historically literate scholar can utilize historical documents, analyze figures, articles, and data to infer, predict, analyze, judge, and hypothesize. Invariably, these skills and this awareness not only deeply inform our students’ understanding and appreciation for the complexities of our past and present, but also enhance and help delineate the contours of their own identities, values, and personal histories.

Student experience

• Expose students to a broad range of historical sources and perspectives.

• Develop an understanding and knowledge of major historical events that shape our world.

• Conceptualize and comprehend the story of history, from antiquity to the modern age.

• Teach students to think of themselves as historical detectives.

• Become civically engaged citizens–locally, nationally, and internationally.

• Interrogate their own biases–becoming more cognizant of how their personal histories and contexts affect the way they see the world.

• Think of history beyond simple events, but rather as a concept encompassing economics, geography, philosophy, psychology, art and other disciplines.

Skills gained

• Identify the difference between primary and secondary sources.

• Analyze sources for context and bias/acquire media literacy.

• Develop a historical lexicon for use and application.

• Acquire the structure of historically specific expository and rhetorical essays.

• Determine how to vet and authenticate various sources used in scholarly research.

• Acquire knowledge and utilization of MLA and APA referencing styles.

• Learn to put historical events in conversation with other historical events, the world, and themselves.

• Gain literacy and interpretive skills related to cartography, statistics, judicial milestones and miscellaneous demographics.

Course Sequence

Global History/Ancient World History

Global History/Medieval Global History

American History

Modern World History

Electives

Myths, Legends, & Comic Book Heroes

AP Courses Offered

AP European History
AP United States History

The Upper School Math department offers students the opportunity to experience math from Algebra to advanced math topics  in a way that is welcoming, engaging, rigorous, exciting, and practical.  We believe that every student can succeed in math and our focus is on developing confidence and persistence while also encouraging mathematical risk taking.  Through differentiated instruction and practical experiences, students have multiple access points to our curriculum. Students gain knowledge of concepts and various pathways to solutions through the active and empathetic facilitation of our math teachers. Our students are encouraged to be flexible in their thinking, to be creative problem solvers, and use sound logical reasoning. Through projects students are able to further explore and apply abstract concepts to the real world. Some examples of projects include: applying linear functions to plan a trip on a budget, designing a city and bridges using geometry, designing and creating physical models of real world objects with calculus, and applying exponential equations to financial projections. The creativity and freedom to explore offered in these projects allow for a deeper understanding and empower our students to take ownership of their knowledge. Throughout their mathematical experience students learn to express their knowledge graphically, numerically, analytically and verbally. We encourage students to employ these skills in creative ways to solve unique problems, expand the limits of their understanding, and to use math as a critical lens for analyzing greater world issues.

Student experience

• Exposure to different levels of math

• Development of logical reasoning/critical thinking skills

• Teachers foster and encourage conceptual understanding 

• Students develop confidence & appreciation of math from the empathetic approach of math teachers

• Math department provides rigorous and engaging classroom instruction and practical experiences that meets students at their various levels through differentiated instruction

• Multisensory approach to learning  & evaluation

Skills gained

• Rule of Four-  Ability to Graphically, Numerically, Analytically and Verbally express understanding

• Problem solving skills

• Flexibility in thinking (encourage multiple approaches to problem solving)

• Appropriately apply the application of mathematical knowledge to real world situations

• Ability to assess reasonableness of answers

General Course Sequence:

Algebra 1

Geometry

Algebra 2

Electives:

Precalculus

Finance

Statistics

Introduction to Calculus

AP Courses Offered:

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC

The Upper School Science program at Bay Ridge Prep prepares students with the knowledge and skillset needed to be lifelong learners of science. We recognize the scientific curiosity that all students possess and strive to foster agency in our students to further explore and refine their scientific identity.  By  nurturing curiosity and creativity and developing critical thinking and analytical skills, students and teachers at Bay Ridge Prep collaboratively curate the tools needed to be informed and engaged citizens of our world.

Throughout their four years in the program, students are exposed to several domains of science, exploring in-depth the real world applications of each. Scientific literacy is centered in our course-work through engagement with classic and current research, extensive hands-on laboratory and field work, and opportunities to engage in critical argumentation and questioning. In addition, honors work, AP courses and the Science Research and Design Elective program create more opportunities for students interested in pursuing science and engineering at the university level and beyond. 

The Bay Ridge Prep science faculty is a tight-knit group of scientists with passion for and expertise in our respective disciplines and in education. Throughout each year, we collaborate closely to ensure that all courses are tailored to meet the needs of every student. This creates a clear vertical alignment of knowledge and skills, while allowing students to explore and pursue their personal interests. 

Ultimately, by developing deep expertise, building scientific literacy and exploring their passions through the lens of science, students at Bay Ridge Prep will succeed as engaged, participatory, and active scientific citizens today and in the future. 

Student Experience:

• Actively participate in knowledge construction and scientific argumentation 

• Connect course content and laboratory experiences to real world situations 

• See themselves as belonging to and striving to actively participate in the field of science and in scientific discourse 

Skills Gained:

• Ability to modeling, describe and represent data 

• Accurately and safely follow laboratory procedures with comfort and confidence

• Analyze and evaluate scientific claims from a variety of sources

Course Sequence:

Biology

Chemistry 

Physics

Elective Science 

Electives:

Earth Science

Science Research and Design (3 year sequence)

Animal Behavior

Science, Technologies, and Society Studies

Epidemiology

Current Topics in Science

AP Courses Offered: 

AP Biology

AP Chemistry

AP Physics 1

AP Environmental Science

The Upper School World Languages department offers French, Italian and Spanish. The curriculum is designed to help students acquire an ease of written and oral expression, a knowledge of cultures and nations outside of the United States and an understanding of French, Italian and Spanish literature.

Year 1 (9th grade) 

During our first year we will focus on learning basic phrases, vocabulary, grammar and short stories. We will also explore the different French/Italian or Spanish speaking countries and their cultural customs. 

Year 2  (10th Grade)

In our second year we will once again focus on vocabulary and grammar while exploring cultural aspects. This year we will ease into writing compositions, having dialogue and exploring literature. The end goal for this year is for students to understand and be able to reply when someone is having a conversation with them. 

Year 3 (11th Grade)

By now students should have the basics of the Italian/Spanish or French language. In our third year we will specifically be focusing on grammar, dialogue, composition and literature. Students will end the year with a strong proficiency in the target language.

Student experience: 

• Ability to write and express oneself in the target language

• Cultural festivities will be celebrated

• A taste of various cuisines from different parts of the world

• Awareness of international current events

Skills gained:

• Gain more prospective

• Boosting of non verbal intelligence and visual awareness

• Boosting of memorization

• Collaborative work

• Appreciation for other cultures, adaptability to different environments

• Positive attitudes towards other languages and cultures.

The Physical Education Department strives to inspire a lifelong commitment to physical wellness through a variety of positive experiences in sports, activities and games. Every class challenges students cognitively and physically, ultimately resulting in an enhancement of physical and social skills as well as character.

We instill within each student respect for themselves, physical activity, and other individual goals through class participation and sport interaction. Students will learn the fundamental skills, rules, and regulations involved in specific team sports and activities as well as the necessary knowledge to establish and maintain physical fitness, health and wellness. 

The Arts program is designed for students of all levels, allows students to explore, interpret, and reflect on the discoveries within themselves and the world they are a part of. 

Students are required to enroll in at least 1 arts course, but most students enroll in an arts course each semester.

The following is a list of arts courses offered at Bay Ridge Prep:

Intro to Dance

Dance 1-4

Dance: Independent Study

Instrumental Ensemble

Jazz Ensemble

Theater 1-3

Theater Portfolio

Film

Digital Arts 1-4

Digital Photography

Studio Art 1: Foundation

Studio Art 2: Intro to Artists, Art Periods, Techniques and Materials

Student Art 3 Intro to Contemporary Artists, Techniques and Materials
Studio Art 4: Intro to Contemporary Artists, Techniques and Materials II

College Art Portfolio Preparation

AP Courses:

AP 2-D Art & Design

AP Drawing

AP 3-D Art & Design

Learn more about our Arts Department:

Arts at Bay Ridge Prep

The Computer Science department offers students the opportunity to explore the details of the computer world and create unique projects, software solutions, and experiences under the guidance of experts within the field of computer technology.  Students learn sequential and abstract logic, reasoning, flow control, as well as object and program structure in a hands-on manner using the same tools used in the professional world. We believe that every student can succeed in their study of software development through persistence, experimentation, and study. Students gain knowledge that allows them to understand technology and create the digital solutions that will be the driving force of tomorrow’s systems. Through differentiated instruction, personalized and customized tools, and guided experiences, students have multiple access points to our expansive computer curriculum. Students are encouraged to explore their creativity and learn from the innovators of the past to become the drivers of the present and future. Creative problem solving, sound logic, and critical thinking is pressed through the crucible of peer discussion, program testing, and group reasoning. In our project-based classes, every student is a critical and valued member of a development team which encourages students to collaborate.  Some examples of projects completed within the program include: a full-length action puzzle game, a full-length dungeon crawler, a build a story RPG, a stock trading program, several remakes of 80s arcade classics as well as chatbots, monopoly, memory and several other projects.  Projects are often undertaken at the student’s request. This allows students to take a deep dive into the subject of their own choosing through the algorithmic lens of a computer.

Student experience

• Exposure to various programming languages: C#, Java, Python, GML, and more

• Development of logical reasoning/critical thinking skills

• Teachers foster and encourage conceptual understanding 

• Students develop problem solving and teamwork skills through project-based work with their classmates

• Computer Science department provides rigorous and engaging classroom instruction and practical experiences that meets students at their various levels through differentiated instruction

• Multisensory approach to learning & evaluation

Skills gained

• Meta-cognitive development: Taking tasks and breaking them down

• Building a step-by-step algorithm to complete tasks

• Problem solving skills

• Flexibility in thinking (encourage multiple approaches to problem solving)

• Appropriately apply the application of mathematical and practical knowledge to real world situations

• Ability to assess reasonableness of answers

• Study the structure of classes and object-oriented programming principles

• Study how tasks can be combined to create software solutions to real world problems

Electives:

Computer Science I

Video Game Design and Coding Projects

AP Courses Offered:

AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science Principles

AP European History
AP US History
AP English Literature & Composition
AP English Language & Composition
AP Macroeconomics
AP Drawing
AP 2D Art
AP 3D Art
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Physics