I meet lots of NT high school students and work with some of them, and it strikes me how mature they appear. That I'm talking with a high school student is easy to forget. It's like talking to a peer or college grad. Looking back, I believe that I was considerably inept as a teen. Speaking only for myself, the drive and confidence that I'm seeing in today's students wasn't present.
I took some unusual classes, notably British Histroy, Interior Design, and Automotives. In fact, I still use some of the design principles I learned when choosing furniture or carpeting, and I communicate well with dealership service advisors when my car needs work. But business law? Marine Biology? Forensics?
Now you see why NT is such a great school. It offers challenges for the most avid learner that kids in other locales won't have. It more than prepares its students for college, as I recall my college biology and Algebra classes to be repeats of my NT experience, to the point that I felt my tuition money was being wasted. The following are samples of courses offered at NTE for the 2015-16 academic year.
IGSS Integrated Environmental Science
levels 4 & 9
OPEN TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: ONE YEAR OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE OR BIOLOGY
The IGSS (Integrated Global Studies School) science laboratory
course not only emphasizes and covers many of the scientific
concepts usually incorporated in traditional biology, chemistry,
and physics classes, but further connects the concepts of each
discipline in order to understand significant problems of global
impact. The “big ideas” of the main science disciplines are
emphasized in terms of interacting systems between the atmosphere,
hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere and the role
that individuals play in both impacting and protecting our vulnerable
global environment. Throughout the course, students
will participate in a wide range of activities, including many
hands-on laboratories, field studies, current and historical readings,
analysis of scientific data, research, and debates. These
activities will help students become more competent and independent
in the design, analysis, and communication of issue-oriented
science activities. Students will be challenged to connect
the various components of the course as they analyze risks, assess
trade-offs, and make decisions that are based on experience and
scientific data. Hence, students will gain the skills necessary for
making decisions critical to their future and to the future of
other living things on Earth. This course is a science elective.
Biomechanics & Sports Medicine I & II
level 9
PREREQUISITE: ONE YEAR OF BIOLOGY AND ONE YEAR OF A PHYSICAL SCIENCE
BIOMECHANICS & SPORTS MEDICINE I IS A ONE SEMESTER COURSE OFFERED
DURING 1ST SEMESTER
BIOMECHANICS & SPORTS MEDICINE II IS A ONE SEMESTER COURSE OFFERED
DURING 2ND SEMESTER
STUDENTS WHO ENROLL IN BIOMECHANICS & SPORTS MEDICINE II ARE ENCOURAGED
TO HAVE COMPLETED I, BUT ARE NOT REQUIRED.
Biomechanics & Sports Medicine I & II are laboratory courses
that uniquely combine a student’s passion for athletics and science
into one course. The courses will focus on key concepts in
anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics and physical
therapy. Central themes of the courses include the prevention,
diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries.
Students will explore sport science principles such as dynamic &
ballistic motion, heart rate, VO2 max, lactic acid production,
and supplementation. Anatomy and physiology concepts will be
discussed throughout the semester as it relates to the specific
region of the body. Opportunities to observe professionals in a
clinical setting will be available outside the regular school hours.
The courses are designed for students who are interested in the
growing field of sports medicine and biomechanics. It offers
upper class students interested in earning an additional science
credit, but may not necessarily desire an Advanced Placement
course. Although an interest in athletics is helpful, participation
in intramurals or athletic teams are not a prerequisite of the
courses. This course does NOT fulfill the graduation requirement
or AP prerequisite.
Marine Biology
level 9
OPEN TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: BIOLOGY, ONE PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE,
AND SIGNED COURSE AGREEMENT
NOTES: THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SCUBA CERTIFICATION AND
EQUIPMENT. OPEN WATER DIVES MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF
THE SCUBA COMPONENT OF THE COURSE. PLEASE SEE THE SCIENCE OFFICE FOR
DETAILS. STUDENTS WILL SPEND ONE QUARTER OF DOUBLE LAB PERIODS IN THE
POOL. DURING THIS QUARTER, STUDENTS WILL BE RELEASED FROM THEIR KINETIC
WELLNESS CLASS.
This laboratory course is designed to introduce students to
marine ecosystems and organisms in a hands-on laboratory setting
and give them the skills to continue to investigate these
ecosystems through their lifetime. Topics explored will include
ocean profiles, ocean living, species interactions, evolution of
marine life, marine animals diversity, environmental issues, and
marine careers. Each area of study will be explored using laboratory
exercises, library and internet research, group projects, and
presentations. One quarter of the course will be spent in the
New Trier pool with a SCUBA (PADI) instructor. Students will
complete SCUBA classroom instruction during this quarter and
attendance is mandatory. This course does NOT fulfill the graduation
requirement or AP prerequisite.
Business Law
OPEN TO SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: NONE
.5 MAJOR CREDIT AT LEVEL 9 / .25 ELECTIVE CREDIT
This introductory, one-semester course features many aspects of
business and personal law. Topics covered may include the state
and federal court system, contracts, forms of business, owning,
buying, and selling property, employment law, borrowing
money, paying bills, bankruptcy, wills, and estates. Students read
and debate court cases related to each of the previous topics.
Ethics is also incorporated into each unit. Guest speakers and
current news and video clips add to the classroom experience.
This class is recommended for all students, especially those
interested in studying business or law in college. This course does
NOT fulfill the state consumer education requirement but does
fulfill the graduation requirement for fine and/or practical arts.
Marketing: Sports and Entertainment
OPEN TO SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: NONE
.5 MAJOR CREDIT AT LEVEL 9 / .25 ELECTIVE CREDIT
This one-semester course introduces students to the role of marketing
in the sports and entertainment industry. The emphasis is
on basic marketing concepts and strategies, which include target
marketing, branding, new product development, market
research, pricing, promotion, sponsorships, endorsements, and
careers in sports and entertainment marketing. In this course,
students complete a hands-on product development project
with Capt’n Nemo’s restaurant in Winnetka. This course does
NOT fulfill the state consumer education requirement but does
fulfill the graduation requirement for fine and/or practical arts.
Marketing and Merchandising in Fashion
OPEN TO SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: NONE
.5 MAJOR CREDIT AT LEVEL 9 / .25 ELECTIVE CREDIT
This one-semester, project-based course introduces students to the
world of fashion through marketing and merchandising concepts.
Topics include an overview of the history of fashion, trends
and movement in fashion, fashion business fundamentals, visual
merchandising, fashion promotion, special events, and global
fashion. This course also features an in-depth, hands-on project,
partnering with Westfield’s Old Orchard to create a seasonal
outdoor visual display. The course focuses on careers in the fashion
industry and interactions with members of the fashion industry.
This course does NOT fulfill the state consumer education
requirement but does fulfill the graduation requirement for fine
and/or practical arts
AP Statistics
level 4
OPEN TO SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: PRECALCULUS/COLLEGE ALG & TRIG, LEVEL 3 OR ANALYTIC GEOM/
PRECAL & DISCRETE MATH AND CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT IN SENIOR ENGLISH
DEPARTMENTAL APPROVAL REQUIRED
This course provides college-level work in statistics, data analysis,
and probability. The course is built around four broad conceptual
themes: 1) Exploring Data: observing patterns, and
departures from patterns; 2) Planning a Study: deciding what
and how to measure; 3) Anticipating Patterns in Advance:
introducing probability and simulation; and 4) Statistical
Inference: confirming models. Students enrolled in this course
are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in
Statistics. On the basis of the student’s performance on this
examination, the student’s college will determine how much
advanced placement and/or credit in college statistics the student
will receive
Japanese 2
levels 9 & 4
OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS
PREREQUISITE: JAPANESE 1
This combined-level course provides continued development
and practice in the four basic language skills of listening, speaking,
reading, and writing. Language structures and vocabulary
learned in the first year are reviewed, expanded, and refined.
New communicative topics are introduced, along with new
kanji characters and grammar concepts, including the passive
voice, transitive and intransitive verbs, and honorifics. Listening
comprehension and speaking are enhanced through consistent
daily use of Japanese in the classroom and the language lab.
Cultural topics focus on school environment, geography, fashion,
shopping, and holidays. Students increase their language
proficiency and cultural awareness by viewing films and film
clips and by reading short stories. Classroom instruction and
interactions are in Japanese as much as possible. Assessments
include frequent quizzes and oral evaluations, tests, and projects
assigned throughout the year. Students should expect to spend
15-30 minutes a day on homework assignments and review.
Chinese 3
level 4
OPEN TO SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: CHINESE 2
This course provides more extensive development and practice
in the three modes of communication and the four skills of language
learning as well as an increased awareness of Chinese culture.
New thematic topics are introduced, along with grammar
concepts, including directional complements, commands, resultative
complements, the ba structure, and comparisons. Cultural
topics focus on removing taboos, the four Chinese classics, hospitality,
banking, movies, health, and China’s new economic
development. Students increase their language proficiency and
cultural awareness by viewing video and film clips, listening to
audio clips, and reading a novella in Chinese during the second
quarter. The use of Canvas and Internet resources links students
to China and Chinese-speaking communities in Asia. The pace
of the course requires students to learn new material quickly and
independently. Classroom instruction and interactions are
almost entirely in Chinese, and accuracy in speaking and writing
is emphasized. Performance-based assessments are integrated
into the course throughout the year. Students should expect to
spend 30-40 minutes a day on homework assignments and
review.
Good and Evil in Literature
level 9
This course wrestles with the concepts of Good and Evil and the
ways in which they impact and inform our codes of conduct,
value systems, punishments, and rewards. These complex ideas
are examined as they are represented in diverse texts ranging
from classic works to contemporary novels. The objective of this
course is for students to establish compelling answers to key questions
by applying literary texts to their own lives. Do Good and
Evil exist? Are they created by humans, or by something outside of
us? Why do bad things happen to good people? How have beliefs
of Good and Evil created society’s concepts of law, ethics, and
morality? How do we decide what is “wrong” or what constitutes
a “crime?” What does it mean to be “good” in the eyes of society
or family? Through studying literature from many different
genres, cultures, and time periods and engaging ourselves in
debate, writing, and small-group projects, students explore these
issues and their implications for their own ethical viewpoints.
Law and Justice
level 9
OPEN TO SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: WORLD HISTORY AND US HISTORY
In this one-semester course, students will be introduced to the
history and philosophical foundations of the American legal
system. Students will study the constitutional basis of our justice
system and examine both civil and criminal law. They will learn
how laws reflect the values of society at different periods in time
and examine how justice is administered. Students will study
important court decisions and make use of case studies as they
learn the basic concepts of the justice system. As a result of taking
this course, students will develop an appreciation for this
complex and vital part of our nation’s government
Topics in International Relations:
9/11 and the Modern Middle East
level 9
OPEN TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: WORLD HISTORY
How can we come to understand our post-9/11 world? After a
brief historical overview and an introduction to the theoretical
foundations of international relations, the class will focus on
modern Middle East politics since 1979 in an attempt to
address the root causes of the attacks of 9/11. In addition, we
will examine several topics: the connection between religion
and politics, the politics of oil, current responses to terrorism
put forward by the U.S. and the international community, and
the idea that 9/11 represents a clash of civilizations. The course
will also emphasize a study of select Middle East countries such
as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran.
Popular Culture
level 9
OPEN TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: WORLD HISTORY
The study of popular culture is based on the premise that the
United States is increasingly becoming a culture in which mass
media plays a central role. As an academic discipline, Popular
Culture examines contemporary art and entertainment (television,
radio, film, music, sports, toys and games, advertising and
comics) as reflections of cultural myths and as measures of social
attitudes and values. Students read critical essays, review television
programs and films, and critique popular music and contemporary
journals in order to understand the cultural context
of these forms and to develop media literacy.
IGSS US History: The United States and Its
Place in the World
levels 9 & 4
OPEN TO JUNIORS
PREREQUISITE: WORLD HISTORY
Students in IGSS (Integrated Global Studies School) United
States History will develop the skills and knowledge required of
the historian and examine the ways in which the United States
connects and has connected to the world. Students will examine
essential events and trends in United States History, including
required units on the federal and state constitutions, and will
integrate their historical studies with their work in English and
Science. When appropriate, materials and coursework in IGSS
United States History will also be coordinated with the work of
other IGSS classes, with special emphasis on the IGSS Essential
Questions and annual theme. IGSS United States History will
emphasize student inquiry, a variety of traditional and non-traditional
assessment and evaluation techniques, and experiential
learning opportunities. IGSS United States History includes the
study of the federal and state constitutions and fulfills the graduation
requiremen for United States history.
Forensic Science
level 9
OPEN TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS
PREREQUISITE: BIOLOGY, ONE PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE
Forensic Science is a laboratory course that examines the application
of laboratory science to criminal investigation. The role
of the crime laboratory is presented in the context of forensic
science. Students will focus on crime scene processing and the
detection, collection, and presentation of evidence for examination
and court use. Crime scene recording, evidence collection,
equipment and analysis, serology, anthropology, odontology,
DNA, drugs, trace evidence, fingerprints, firearms, and entomology
are some of the topics that will be covered in this course.
This course does NOT fulfill the graduation requirement or AP
prerequisite.
