Course Catalog

Students explore photographic and digital media and compile a personal portfolio.

Students study biochemistry, cell structure and function, cell division, cell signaling, molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, evolution/origins, and ecology.

Students learn properties of functions, limits, differential calculus, and integral calculus.

Students analyze planar curves given in parametric form, polar form, and vector form and expand study of limits, derivatives, definite and indefinite integrals.

Students study equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, atomic structure, molecular structure, electrochemistry, phases of matter, and solution behavior.

Students learn both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java language.

Students develop their skills as close readers of text and adept writers of arguments.

Students engage in careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative (fictitious and poetic) literature through the ages.

Students identify and analyze environmental problems and their effects and evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions.

Students learn to read carefully, clearly analyze both evidence and ideas, and express historical understanding orally and in writing.

Students develop skills in composition, dictation, harmonic analysis, structural analysis, ear training, and sight-singing.

Students explore Newtonian mechanics as well as work, energy, power, momentum, and fluid statics and dynamics.

Students are introduced to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.

Students study U.S. history from the early settlement of the nation through the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

Students expand skills by further developing their drawing and conceptual abilities.

Each student collaborates with the instructor to develop a body of artwork in the medium of his or her choice.

Students learn to formulize and generalize the concepts of arithmetic into a set of algorithms useful in other settings.

Students study linear equations, inequalities and functions, systems of linear equations and inequalities, matrices and determinants, quadratic functions, and much more.

Students develop craftsmanship, skill, consistency, and correct terminology, while learning the seven elements and principles of art.

Students survey western art and aesthetics from the Renaissance to the present.

Students continue to build skills on their instruments with emphasis on developing a good concept of ensemble sound and tone quality while performing in the Middle School Concert Band.

Grade 7 students are introduced to the Old Testament and trace the narrative of salvation history from creation to the establishment, judgment, and restoration of Israel.

Grade 8 students are introduced to the New Testament and trace the narrative of salvation history through study of the Gospels, discussion of growth in the Church in Acts, and examination of basic Christian belief and practice as presented in the Epistles.

Students investigate and articulate core biology topics through the framework of human anatomy and physiology.

Students explore limits, derivatives, and definite integrals.

Students learn basic concepts of general inorganic and physical chemistry.

Students learn and practice basic choral techniques and are exposed to different types of music while performing in the Middle School Concert Choir.

Seniors explore how several worldviews are expressed in culture.

Students experientially learn not just the major events of the war in the Pacific theater during World War II but also enter the decision-making process.

Students learn elements of the software development process, including commenting, testing, error handling, basic debugging, and game development.

Students study mechanics, matter, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear energy.

Students continue to master their skills on a musical instrument and perform as an ensemble in the Upper School Concert Band.

Students continue vocal training and perform as an ensemble in the Upper School Concert Choir.

Students learn not only the skills and tools with which to be creators and innovators but also the design thinking process needed to solve real-world problems for real people.

Students produce original work while engaging in critical analysis of diverse literary texts.

Students write poetry, reflections, fiction, and creative nonfiction pieces.

Students learn photography and integrate elements of design and technology using software applications.

Students engage in the history and technique of theater and showcase their own performance techniques in a theatrical production.

Grade 8 students discover the connections between the Earth systems: atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and hydrosphere.

Students explore the breadth of engineering fields, learn the narrative of engineering, and develop engineering design skills and habits of mind.

Grade 7 students read and analyze literature from and about the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

Grade 8 students explore identity as followers of Christ and citizens of the United States through study of a variety of texts from and about American history.

Students explore the possibilities of storytelling through film and animation.

Students are introduced to the French language and Francophone cultures.

Students are exposed to high frequency language and learn to express themselves in the present and past tenses.

Students grow in their ability to comprehend, speak, and write more complex content.

Students develop accuracy and nuance in speaking and writing French.

Students develop geometric proofs and learn basic trigonometry.

Students examine the principles of design utilizing modern digital technology.

Students delve deeper into the creative opportunities of Adobe^® Creative Cloud applications.

Students build strength, endurance, and confidence through diverse movement styles.

Students who need more extensive academic support have quiet work time and receive instruction in executive function.

Freshmen learn the integration of physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions of a healthy lifestyle.

Freshmen study the theology of the ancient Church while connecting yesterday's faith lessons to our life of faith today.

Freshmen study the foundations of Western Civilization by examining ancient cultures of the Near East, Greece, and Roman world.

Freshmen engage in the careful reading and study of ancient stories from Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome.

Students cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry in greater breadth and depth.

Students learn what the American experience looks while developing a personal and academic writing style.

Students analyze the juxtaposition of Roman and Christian worldviews and how they both clash and synthesize in the European context.

Sophomores read various genres of medieval and Renaissance literature, including epic poetry, drama, and novel.

Students cover functions, trigonometry, systems of equations, sequences, probability, analytic geometry, vectors, and limits.

Students explore and express their convictions through discussion, essays, and creative writing.

Students explore geographic, political, cultural, and economic characteristics of American history from the settlement of Jamestown through the presidency of Bill Clinton.

Students deepen their understanding and application of logical principles.

Grade 7 students learn lab methods, cell structure and function, genetics, anatomy and physiology, diversity of organisms, and interactions of life.

Students learn to play jazz styles and perform as an ensemble. All instruments welcome.

Grade 7 students learn basic elements of Latin grammar and vocabulary, with special emphasis given to proper pronunciation, composition, and listening and reading comprehension.

Grade 8 students advance in careful listening and reading, grammar and comprehension, written compositions, and speaking.

Students are introduced to the complex sentence and double their Latin vocabulary.

Students master the components of the complex sentence and read unadapted passages of classical Latin literature.

Students learn more Latin grammatical structures, read selections from classical Latin literature and write Latin compositions.

Students strengthen their command of Latin grammar by reading canonical works of Latin literature.

Grade 7 students study the fundamentals of thinking well and learn how to use language to reason.

Students investigate and articulate core biology topics through the framework of marine biology.

Grade 7 students learn the story of Western Civilization from Diocletian’s Great Persecution to Luther and the Protestant Reformation including Feudalism, Monasticism, and Hundred Years’ War.

Grade 8 students learn the story of the birth of the modern world, from the gradual rejection of medieval thinking during the Enlightenment through the Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, French Revolution, World War I, World War II and the Cold War.

Students are introduced to multivariable differential calculus, double and triple integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates, the chain rule, and more.

Students learn specific methods for cultivating musical fluency using notes, key signatures, scales, intervals, chords, and rhythms.

Students act, sing, and dance in Bear Creek’s quadrennial musical production.

Students collaborate to compose short plays and learn the process of building a stage-worthy script.

Students learn how to play various types of percussion instruments with a focus on reading music and playing as a group.

Juniors explore theological concepts through the lens of philosophical methods.

Students work with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, digital photo editing, and basic photo composition.

Students explore photography as an art form.

Students participate in a wide range of sports and activities to improve physical fitness as they learn to serve the Lord and each other.

Students perform in the musical's pit orchestra as well as at special events.

Students begin solving algebraic word problems.

Students cover functions, trigonometry, systems of equations, sequences, probability, and analytic geometry.

Students study human thought, feelings, mental processes, and behavior at an individual and group level.

Students develop writing, public speaking, and critical thinking skills by composing speeches and analyzing the work of others.

Students cultivate eloquent speaking through time-tested exercises in rhetorical theory.

Students explore real-world challenges using robotics to investigate possible solutions.

Students explore the relationship between form, space, and concept.

Seniors to develop and pursue a challenging, meaningful, and self-directed project during the last few weeks of the spring semester.

Students are introduced to basic spoken and written Spanish.

Students learn the past, future, present perfect, past perfect, and present and past progressive tenses, and conditional mood.

Students comprehend and communicate orally and in writing about a wide variety of personal, cultural, and ethical concepts.

Students develop accuracy in speaking and writing through the use of more abstract vocabulary and more advanced grammatical structures.

Students participate in weight and conditioning programs.

Students increase body strength by training with weights and plyometrics.

Students explore foundational skills and techniques in various drawing media, including pencil, pen, and chalk pastel.

Students utilize and integrate the elements of art while being introduced to the principles of design.

Students expand skills by further developing their drawing and conceptual abilities.

Sophomores wrestle with Christianity’s seminal questions.

Students learn audio engineering, stage lighting, set design, set construction, and stage management.

Students collaborate and perform a classical or contemporary play.

Seniors study origin, structure, and functions of the United States government

The yearbook editor plans, directs, and executes the Upper School yearbook and performs the following required duties.