ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Middle and upper school students attending Rising Tide have the opportunity to learn, explore, and develop critical thinking and communication skills through a wide breadth of academic offerings. They can expect to be challenged under the guidance of devoted and experienced teachers in an environment that is physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe. In such a setting, they can take creative and intellectual risks, build increasing personal and academic responsibility, and develop an understanding of themselves and others.
The curriculum at Rising Tide is guided by our Mission and Goals and by the school’s four Schoolwide Objectives. By the time each student graduates from Rising Tide, he or she should feel confident in his or her ability to be an effective Communicator, Investigator, Self-Directed Learner, and Community Steward.
As a public school, we are required to align our curriculum with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Using Rising Tide’s inquiry and skills-based approach, teachers have the flexibility and autonomy to teach the students in front of them, differentiating instruction to ensure that all students have opportunities for success.
Through this curriculum design and implementation, we foster the development of skills, the exploration of content, and the deepening of understanding. We provide a rigorous program in which all students are held to high academic standards. We believe that this approach fully prepares students for college and beyond.
At Rising Tide, the adults work hard to know each child. In such an environment, we are able to focus our attention on teaching and learning, where students can develop the self-confidence to take risks, ask questions, and work to find solutions. Central to the identity of our school program is our approach to teaching and learning. We use an inquiry and skills-based approach, for both personal and academic growth.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Middle School operates on a six-day, cascading block schedule. Each day includes six 60-minute periods, including an elective period. Each core class meets five out of six days in the cycle. Additionally, students meet twice each day with their Advisory groups.
Academic Courses
(For a full list of courses and descriptions, please see the Program of Studies.)
Grade 5
English
Mathematics
Physical Education (one semester)
Science
Social Studies
STEM
Visual Art (one semester)
Grade 6
Dance & Theater (one semester)
English
Humanities
Mathematics
Music (one semester)
Science
Social Studies
Grade 7
English
Latin 1A
Mathematics 7 or Pre-Algebra
Physical Education (one semester)
Science
Social Studies
Visual Art (one semester)
Grade 8
English
Dance & Theater (one semester)
Latin 1B
Mathematics 8 or Algebra I
Music (one semester)
Science
US History I
Elective Period
In the period before lunch each day, all students participate in four components of the Rising Tide program: Advisory, Academic Support, Skills Workshop, and Discover or Exposition. For further details about Advisory, please see the Advisory Curriculum section in the Program of Studies.
Academic Support affords teachers and students the opportunity to work together to further develop students’ skills, content knowledge, and understandings. Some students may also participate in targeted academic assistance during this time. Academic Support occurs once or twice per cycle, depending on the term.
The Skills Workshop provides an opportunity for students to practice Benchmarks Skills while exploring Digital Literacy, Library Skills, Mindfulness, and Team Dynamics. Skills Workshop occurs once per cycle.
Discover courses are designed by teachers to help students build skills while exploring academic, artistic, and athletic topics. These courses are part of the elective program in the first, second, and third terms. A wide range of offerings have included courses such as Robotics, Cross-Stitching, Music Tech, Animation, and Jump Roping. Some students may also participate in targeted academic assistance during this time. Exposition courses allow students to investigate questions on topics connected to our local community through project-based learning. These courses are part of the elective program in the fourth term. Students explore topics such as agriculture, tourism, and ecology, conducting field work and developing their inquiry skills. The investigations culminate in a schoolwide exposition in which students share their findings or products with the school community. Discover and Exposition courses occur twice per six day cycle.
UPPER SCHOOL
The Upper School operates on a six-day, rotating block schedule, with four 85 minute periods per day. Courses meet on alternate days, and students have an expected course load of eight courses, including six core courses and two elective courses per semester. Additionally, students meet two to three times a week with their Advisory groups and have Academic Support twice a week for 45 minutes.
Graduation Requirements
Twenty-eight (28) credits are required for graduation from the Upper School at Rising Tide. Full-year courses are given one (1) credit. Semester courses are given a half (.5) credit. Once a student is enrolled at Rising Tide, only credit earned at Rising Tide is accepted for the student’s course placement or graduation requirements. Each student must also pass the MCAS tests in high school English, Mathematics, and Science and Technology/Engineering.
Academic Courses & Credits
(For a full list of courses and descriptions, please see the Program of Studies.)
English – 4 credits
Mathematics– 4 credits
Science– 4 credits
Social Studies– 3 credits
World Languages– 3 credits in one language
Arts 3– credits
Physical Education– 2 credits
Grade 9
Arts: Theater Foundation (one semester)
Visual Art Foundation (one semester)
English I
Mathematics: Algebra I or Geometry
Science: Introductory Physics
Social Studies: U.S. History II in the World
World Languages: Latin or Spanish
Grade 10
Arts: Dance Foundation (one semester)
Music Foundation (one semester)
English II
Mathematics: Geometry or Algebra II
Science: Chemistry
Social Studies: Global History I
World Languages: Latin or Spanish
Grade 11
English III
Mathematics: Algebra II, Algebraic Functions & Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus
Science: Biology
Social Studies: Civics & Economics
World Languages: Latin, Spanish
One Choice Block: Offerings in Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages
Grade 12
English IV
Mathematics: Algebraic Functions & Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Applications of Probability & Statistics, Advanced Statistics & Programming
Science: Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Physics, Earth & the Environment, Technology & Engineering
Three Choice Blocks: Offerings in Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages
In exceptional cases, a student may be offered an option for an Independent Study course if the student excels in a discipline and the existing program offerings are not sufficient to meet the student’s needs.
Elective Block
During the elective block, students participate in academic elective courses and fitness classes. Some students may also participate in targeted academic assistance or Individualized Support. All freshmen also participate in a Digital Literacy and Computer Science Principles course.
Semester-long, academic elective courses offer students choice beyond the core program offerings. Elective courses either introduce students to or allow students to explore in greater depth topics, fields, or skills in a cohesive manner. A wide range of offerings have included courses such as Astronomy, Chamber Ensemble, Computer Programming, Personal Finance, Public Speaking, and Psychology.
Seniors may, through an application process, participate in the Senior Internship Course, a community-based internship program during the elective blocks for one semester. Students gain career experience in an unpaid internship in a field of their choice, and meet regularly at school with a faculty member.
