In order to graduate from ARHS, students are required to earn a minimum of eight (8) credits in laboratory science courses, although most students choose to take four years of science. Students entering the ninth grade are encouraged to make a four-year plan for their science course of studies in order to take advantage of the offerings that are best suited to their critical skill development, interests, and possible college and career goals. The core courses in the Science Department are Ecology & Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Each year, students may choose between College-Prep, Honors, or Advanced Placement courses based on their interests and skill level.
Only four (4) credits of the laboratory science requirement may be earned in courses taught outside the Science Department. Laboratory science credit can be earned for certain Electronics or Engineering courses. Each year, some students receive science credit for independent work through ALP (Alternative Learning Program) contracts.
Massachusetts has instituted a graduation requirement that all students pass a Science or Technology MCAS, starting with the class of 2010. Students will be tested in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Engineering and Technology. Most ARHS students will take the Biology MCAS in 10th grade.* The following courses are designed to prepare students for this test:
*Note: Students who wish to take the 3-trimester AP biology course in 11th grade will take honors chemistry in 10th grade. As a result, these students will take the chemistry MCAS.
All ninth graders are required to take Ecology & Environmental Science or Ecology & Environmental Science/Honors. After that year, students have a variety of options to choose from. Students are not locked into only honors or only college prep courses throughout their high school careers. Students can take a college prep course one year and an honors course the next (or vice versa). Listed below are two possible sequences that allow students to take all four of our core courses:
STUDENT #1:
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9th Grade |
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10th Grade (MCAS) |
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11th Grade |
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12th Grade |
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Ecology & Env. Sci. or Ecology & Env. Sci. /Honors
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Biology or Biology/Honors |
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ChemCom or Chemistry or Chemistry/Honors or Electives |
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Physics or Physics/Honors or Physics/AP or Electives |
STUDENT #2:
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9th Grade |
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10th Grade (MCAS) |
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11th Grade |
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12th Grade |
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Ecology & Env. Sci. or Ecology & Env. Sci. /Honors
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Chemistry/Honors* |
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Biology or Biology/Honors or Biology/AP (3-term)* or Electives |
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Physics/Honors or Physics/AP or Electives |
*Chemistry/Honors is open to tenth graders who plan to take AP biology (3-term) in eleventh grade.
We welcome your feedback to the Science Curriculum Guide. Please send comments to .