Course Descriptions
At Wilbraham & Monson Academy, partnership among students, parents, and faculty is a vital part of our mission. The alliance provides a nurturing environment for learning and personal growth. With the guidance of both parents and faculty, students are free to set their own goals, to take risks, and to strive for high standards both in our rigorous academic and extracurricular programs as well as in all their pursuits. Because we are a small school, you can receive individual attention from teachers who know you well and are genuinely interested in helping.
Our approachable faculty helps create an environment in which students become well prepared not only for the challenge of higher education, but for life. In partnership with your parents and teachers, you will graduate from Wilbraham & Monson Academy with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and moral framework needed to confront a rapidly changing world and to thrive in it.
Core Requirements for a WMA Diploma
Students must take a minimum of 5 credits per trimester. Each yearlong course is equal to 3 credits, with the exception of some music courses. Trimester courses equal 1 credit. We require a total of 57 credits for graduation, 42 of which are to be earned from our core requirements across six disciplines. The 15 remaining elective credits allow flexibility for
students to broaden their intellectual development as they prepare for the challenges of higher education and for success as contributing global citizens and leaders in an increasingly interdependent world. Equivalent transfer credits from other schools will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Credits
| Department |
| 12 | English |
| Each student must be enrolled in an English course every trimester. We require successful completion of English 9, English 10 (or Honors English 10), English 11 (or AP English 11) and 3 credits from Grade 12 trimester courses (or AP English 12). Grade 12 students not taking AP English 12 must take Writing Seminar, Reasearch & Writing, or Writing & Rhetoric. ESL students who successfully complete Advanced ESL are then likely to be placed into the English level that is one below their grade level. ESL students are expected to complete courses through English 11 for diploma requirements. |
| 9 | Mathematics
|
| We require 3 years of mathematics, including successful completion of Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. This is the recommended sequence. All students take mathematics through Grade 11. Students must pass and receive departmental permission to advance from Algebra 1 to Geometry and from Geometry to Algebra 2.
Many colleges prefer to see mathematics through grade 12.
Note: All students are required to have a graphing calculator. We recommend the Texas Instruments Model TI-nspire (non-CAS model). |
| 6 | World Languages |
| We require 2 years of the same language. Students must receive a minimum grade of a C- before advancing to the second year.
Many colleges prefer 3 or 4 years of the same language. |
| 6 | Center for Entrepreneurial & Global Studies |
| We require 2 years of CEGS credits, including U.S. History in grade 11 or 12. Most students take U.S. History in grade 11. ESL students who take Advanced ESL also take U.S. History for International Students their first year. This course fulfills their U.S. History requirement. Global Studies 1 is required of all students in Grade 9. Courses in the CEGS program are equivalent to social science credits that colleges require.
Many colleges prefer to see at least 3 years of CEGS/history/social sciences. |
| 6 | Science |
| | We require 2 years of laboratory science. Physics 9 is required of all students in Grade 9.
Many colleges require at least 3 years of laboratory science.
|
| 3 | Fine & Performing Arts
We require 3 credits in the Fine & Performing Arts, which is equivalent to three trimester
electives or one yearlong class.
|
| 42 | core credits
|
| 15 | elective credits selected from any discipline credits required for graduation |
Postgraduates
In
order to receive our diploma, postgraduates are required to take:
1) One English elective each trimester, of which one course
must be Writing Seminar or Research & Writing.
2) An appropriate mathematics course.
3) A yearlong course in science, foreign language, or CEGS.
4) Two additional yearlong courses (or a combination of three trimester
courses) in CEGS, mathematics, science, world languages, fine &
performing arts, or academic computing.
Postgraduates who elect not to follow the above
course schedule receive a Certificate of Attendance from the
Academy.
Diploma Requirements also include:
1) All Grade 9 students are required to take Health, which meets two times per week in either the winter or spring trimesters. This class is worth 0.5 credit.
2) Students are enrolled at the Academy throughout the senior year, and they participate in Commencement.
3) Seniors must pass the equivalent of five yearlong courses in which they are enrolled in order to receive our diploma.
4) All students must successfully complete the afternoon requirement as stated in the Afternoon Program section of the Student Parent Handbook as well as the necessary arts enrichment obligation.
