Departments - Ascension Academy

Academic Departments

Our Students want to learn. It is one of the great things I find at Ascension: our students are always asking for more in different ways because the learning process is important to them."

Elisa Johnson, Dean of Academics

A middle school boy writing on a paper in a classroom.

The Senior class of 2023 in graduation gowns toss their caps into the air in front of the school.

ENGLISH

Students begin the process towards excellence in language arts by immersing sixth graders in a two-class English program which helps to build a solid foundation in both reading and language arts. Students are introduced to a wide variety of literature to enhance reading comprehension and critical thinking skills through class discussion and close reading. Writing at the middle school level begins with the core elements of grammar and includes incorporating embedded quotes from literary sources.

High School Overview

Freshmen and Sophomores develop vocabulary, emphasize sentence structure, and focus on analyzing literature through student writing. There is a focus on student proficiency in narrative expository, argumentative, and persuasive modes, while literature includes all genres to encourage continued development in analysis. Students also focus on understanding basic rhetoric concepts in analyzing and evaluating text in order to write essays that are rhetorically effective, organized, grammatically correct, and audience specific.

MATHEMATICS

Courses Offered

Middle School Overview

Students strengthen their basic computation skills and begin to create a foundation based on numeric and algebraic operations and number theory. They are introduced to functions and various graphing techniques and continue to master the skills of interpreting graphs and data. These skills lay the groundwork for high school classes and allow students to move into more advanced and abstract concepts, realizing that the fundamental operations in mathematics extend far beyond mere number manipulation.

High School Overview

Students continue to apply their knowledge of functions and move into higher order equations. Every class focuses on solidifying an understanding of algebraic and function manipulation. With a solid foundation, students can advance into higher level classes and more rigorous material, providing them the opportunity to qualify for dual credit courses. Students can successfully apply the knowledge gained in their math classes in other courses such as chemistry and physics.

SCIENCE

Courses Offered

Middle School Overview

High School Overview

We teach our students the scientific knowledge they need to be successful in a college classroom and skills to apply that knowledge in life. We develop a scientific mindset while engaging students in multiple laboratory investigations every week. By incorporating independent and cooperative group learning experiences, we encourage the development of critical thinking, decision making and collaboration. While nurturing curiosity about the natural world, we include opportunities to engage in science and engineering practices using technology.

HISTORY

Courses Offered

Middle School Overview

High School Overview

WORLD LANGUAGES

Courses Offered

Middle School Overview

High School Overview

Students are offered advanced language courses to build on the grammar, vocabulary and cultural knowledge introduced in the middle school classes or Level I. Learning the grammar, structure, and vocabulary of any of the languages has many positives: according to the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), students receive, among other benefits, improved cognitive, spatial, and verbal abilities, as well as improved memory skills and problem solving skills.

AP CAPSTONE

Courses Offered

General Overview

In this challenging program, students learn how to research using academic databases and journals; ascertain the credibility and accuracy of source material; cite sources accurately and credibly; integrate and synthesize complicated information; and write for an academic audience. Students also learn to collaborate with a team to write an argument and present information in an engaging way. To finish the program, they complete an independent research project that deeply explores an individual area of passion or interest.

Overall Department Goal

TECHNOLOGY

Courses Offered

Middle School Overview

High School Overview

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA

Course Offered

Middle School Overview

High School Overview

FINE ARTS

Courses Offered

Middle School Choir

High School Choir

Wind Ensemble I, II, III

Orchestra I, II, III

Middle School Art

Studio Art I, II, III

Senior Portfolio

Drama

Middle School Theater Production

HighSchool Theater Production

Middle School Theater Production

Theater Internship

Technical Internship

Film I, II, Film Internship

Video Production and Marketing

Humanities

Art Appreciation

Music Appreciation

General Overview

All of our music classes include learning proper instrumental and singing techniques, basic music theory, and listening skills. Students learn to interpret their pieces and as they advance through our program, are able to perform with creativity and confidence. Our studio artists produce many beautiful projects, frequently hold art shows, and love to talk about what inspired them to create their art. Our theater productions are held to packed audiences every year. They explore different genres, and produce comedies and dramas to high acclaim. Our film students write their own scripts, and act, direct, and produce their short films. Fine arts students at Ascension have gone on to significant accomplishments in their artistic fields such as television production, college theater performances, professional orchestras, and installations in art galleries.