Academics Upper School

Upper School Philosophy (Grades 9 through 12)

: Our mission is to provide an encouraging, positive and nurturing environment in which our students' strengths are emphasized and maximum potential is reached. As students grow, we strive to provide an academic program which is both developmentally appropriate and challenging to the intellectual capabilities of all of our students. We are aware of the accommodations needed for our students and address these needs by teaching to and making students aware of their learning styles.; In the Upper School, we strive to teach our students the skills necessary for successful learning and living as young adults. These skill areas include: critical thinking skills; study habits; group dynamics; social interaction and awareness; and active community involvement/service.; We believe that students have the capability to engage in positive decision-making and are able to accept responsibility for those decisions. Therefore, we encourage students to increase their sense of discipline, responsibility and motivation. Our goal is to assist and guide students in the tasks which promote development of self-confidence, self-esteem, and the realization of self-efficacy.

Upper School Academic and Specialty Areas

Upper School English (Grades 9 through 12)

: The English curriculum is divided into two separate disciplines. Literature is taught as a separate course from Grammar and Composition The focus of the latter is the development of language skills through writing, grammar and vocabulary.
: McLean students come to realize the value of literature, found in both classic and contemporary works, through their own increasingly complex and sophisticated interpretations of those texts. The Literature program is closely coordinated with the Grammar and Composition program. Upper-School Literature courses help students to understand and appreciate all literary genres: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Literature is taught by genre, chronologically or thematically, with emphasis placed upon the universality of the human condition. The goal of the curriculum is that students will become increasingly aware of and sensitive to the struggles and needs of others, and will be able to transfer this awareness into their lives.
: The Grammar and Composition program attempts to mirror the themes presented in Literature. The emphasis in this program is on the structure and uses of language. The curriculum is designed to reinforce students' skills in grammar, logic, speaking, writing, and vocabulary development.
: Individual needs of students are met by means of independent practice, private student-teacher conferences, group work, cooperative learning, enrichment, computer software, and other resources.

Upper School Mathematics (Grades 9 through 12)

: The core curriculum in mathematics is designed to challenge McLean students to develop a thorough understanding of and a working knowledge of concepts from basic through secondary mathematics. When students have demonstrated a readiness to make meaningful connections among numbers, variables, equations, graphs, and patterns, they will enroll in Algebra 1. This course is offered on a variety of levels over a one or two year period. After successfully completing basic algebra, students discover in Geometry how to apply logical reasoning as they learn about shapes and measurements as well as traditional definitions, postulates, and theorems. In Algebra II, students then learn advanced algebra to give them a firm understanding of concepts and sound skills needed for higher level mathematics and science courses. Higher level courses in Pre-Calculus, Probability & Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, and/or Calculus will be offered in junior and senior years as is appropriate.
: In all classes, new material is often presented with concrete models in order to give students a kinesthetic as well as visual and auditory experience with the mathematics being studied. Calculators are used for checking work as well as for problem solving. Graphing calculators are required for higher level courses.
: Individual needs of students are met by means of independent work, private student-teacher conferences, group work, cooperative learning, enrichment, computer software, and other resources.

Upper School Science (Grades 9 through 12)

: The Upper School Science program utilizes a hands-on, process-oriented approach. Activities and experiments are based on inquiry, using student curiosity about the world. Individual and group experiments and projects help youngsters process information, build vocabulary, and associate new ideas to previously learned concepts.
: High school students typically take biology freshman year and environmental science sophomore year. Chemistry, physics, and other lab sciences will be offered junior and senior years.
: Methods of evaluation include lab work, tests, quizzes, projects, group work, contributions to class discussion, and oral or written presentations. One or more of these methods may be selected depending upon the appropriateness for the subject matter and on the particular student.

Upper School Mindfind (Grades 9 through 12)

MindFind is an innovative curriculum at the McLean School of Maryland in which students not only discover how they learn best but how they can become advocates for their own learning styles. Through scientific study, students follow a self discovery process that often boosts individual confidence in academics and connects with other daily life skill activities. MindFind can enhance communication skills among students, teachers, and parents. This flexible program was created to benefit the traditional learner as well as those with learning differences. Participants learn if they are an auditory, visual, kinesthetic, or multisensory learner. They also gain an understanding of their styles of communicating, remembering, working either individually or in groups. This is an opportunity to view learning with new perspectives and has a wonderful side effect - enthusiasm for learning!

Upper School Social Studies (Grades 9 through 12)

The social studies curriculum in grades 9 through 12 focuses on the development of geography skills; an appreciation of various cultures, both historical and contemporary; interpretation of current events and their effect on the students; and an understanding of the students themselves and the communities around them.
: Typically, freshmen study ancient history and sophomores study United States history from The Civil War to the present. Juniors and seniors will choose to study among a variety of courses to include Modern European, Asian, and World Histories.
: The students utilize a variety of resources within their studies. Field trips, audiovisual materials, texts, newspapers, internet, and outside speakers are some techniques used to foster an appreciation and understanding of the world around them. Study and research skills are integrated with the curriculum throughout the upper school. The students are frequently evaluated, through quizzes, tests, reports, individual and group projects, and teacher observations.

Upper School Foreign Language (Grades 9 through 12)

Learning a modern foreign language involves the use of many senses. Therefore, the approach must be multi-sensory and comprehensive in scope to enable each grade level to grasp all skills required. Cultural awareness and appreciation is a main emphasis throughout the program. The foreign language courses strive to fulfill the individual needs of our students while challenging them to learn about the language and culture of others.

Spanish

Students may continue their Spanish studies throughout all four years in the Upper School. In an effort to develop the four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), students are challenged and encouraged to complete many different types of individual, pair, and group activities as well as projects. A variety of oral and written activities are used to help students synthesize their vocabulary and grammar knowledge. Students study Hispanic literature appropriate to their level of understanding and regular cultural information on customs throughout the Spanish-speaking world is presented to develop an appreciation of other cultures.

Latin

Students may enroll in Latin as a classical, non-spoken foreign language. Through the study of Roman daily life, customs and mythology, students obtain some level of success learning vocabulary, and grammar. The study of word derivation enables students to expand their own vocabulary. As so many Latin words have entered the everyday language and technical English vocabulary, the course contributes to better understand the students' native language as it teaches how language works, and introduces grammatical structures