Portsmouth Schools  Our mission is to create a comprehensive teaching and learning environment which provides opportunities for all students to become, to their fullest potential, responsible citizens, self-directed individuals, and life-long learners.  

Courses

To provide for as much individualization as possible, classes range from 15-27 students, with the majority of classes in the 20-25 range, depending on the number of students registered in a particular grade and school.

A Complete Curriculum Review Book is available at each school and at the School Administration Building.

Elementary:

Each elementary school houses Kindergarten through Grade 4 classes. A Pre-1 class is housed at two of the elementary schools. A small number of handicapped classes that are self-contained, along with a variety of inclusionary programs, are utilized at the elementary school. Computers are in use with multiple computer stations in every classroom. Currently in use is CCC, Stories and More and Children's' Writing Center. All children have art, music, physical education, and library classes on a weekly basis in specially designed areas for these subjects.

Middle:

At the middle school, each grade level of pupils is placed in a series of learning centers which together are called a house. For 80% of each student's day he or she remains in this area. There is no continual changing of classrooms and it is in this learning center where each pupil has his or her language, arts, science, math and social studies. Virtually all of each student's needs can be handled in the house, except for co-curricular subjects (music, art, physical education, technical arts, library/media science, computer literacy, band and chorus). When these subjects are scheduled, the student leaves his/her house as member of a group from his/her learning center to go to special facilities. Computers are available in each learning center and in three specialized labs.

High:

At the high school, students have a seven period day with a rotating schedule. The various disciplines are housed in different parts of the facility. Up-to-date computer labs are provided for instruction in computer science and labs are available to support the academic programs. A state of the art modern language lab is available in the World Languages Department. Specialized facilities exist for Family and Consumer Science, Technology Education, Music, and Computerized Drafting. Guidance, Health, Physical Education, Library and Audiovisual services and programs are available.The curriculum at Portsmouth High School offers a program of studies appropriate to the needs and abilities of young people. The high school offers a balanced program of required and elective courses designed to prepare students to satisfy their personal and social needs as well as to meet the economic, civic and social demands of the complex world today.

Some courses are required for all pupils in the high school. These courses provide basic understanding and knowledge, and the skills and attitudes that are the foundation of our social, civic, and economic life. These courses constitute the basis of the board educational program essential for all pupils and are recommended for college preparation. The elective courses provide opportunities for the exploration and development of new fields of interest and for the further development of special interests and abilities already discovered. The elective program, like the required program, contributes to the general education of pupils, enriching the educational experience and strengthening self-confidence and poise through satisfying academic achievement.

The following provides a basic listing of the types of courses offered for 1998-99 at the high school:

Art:

Art 1 & 2, Art Advanced, Drawing, Painting, Commercial Art, Oil Painting, Pottery and Advanced Pottery, Visual Arts In Society, and Graphic and Printing Design.

Business & Career Development:

Mastering the Computer as a Productivity Tool, Business Management (Tech Prep), Accounting I (Tech Prep), Accounting for College (Tech Prep), Exploring Spreadsheets, Word Processing I, Administrative Procedures, Marketable Skills, Organizational Skills for Business and College, Sales and Marketing, and Students Exploring Careers.

Computer Programming Science:

Computer 1, 2, 3 , & 4 (AP), and Introduction to Programming.

English:

English 9-12 (Basic, Academic, and Accelerated at each grade level), College/Career Communications I and II, and English 12 Advanced Placement.

Family & Consumer Sciences:

Exploratory, Food Science, Nutrition & Wellness I and II, Textiles and Fashion, Family Dynamics and Child Development I: Children, the Early Years and Parenting, Family Dynamics and Child Development II/Practicum: Working with Young Children (URI).

Mathematics:

General Math 3, and 4, Pre-Algebra, Applied Mathematics for College-Bound Students (Tech Prep) 1 & 2, Algebra 1 & 2, Applied Algebra Part A, Geometry, Review Math, Geometry Honors, Algebra 2 Honors, Advanced Math, Advanced Math Honors, Pre-Calculus, Calculus and Calculus Honors

Modern World Languages:

French 1, 2, 3, 4, and French 1 Accelerated, French 2 Accelerated, French 3 Honors, French 4 Honors/AP/EEP, Portuguese 1, 2, 3, and 4, Portuguese Advanced Studies (EEP), Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4, and Spanish 1& 2 Accelerated, Spanish 3 Honors, and Spanish 4 (Honors/AP/EEP).

Music:

Chorus, Vocal Ensemble, Vocal Classes, Piano 1, Guitar 1, Advanced Guitar/Keyboard, Band, Brass Ensemble, Music Survey (Appreciation), Stage/Jazz Band Ensemble, Music Theory, Woodwind Ensemble.

Physical Education/Health:

Grades 9-12

Science:

Earth Science (Basic, Academic and Honors), General Biology, Biology Academic & Honors, Biology 2, Applied Biology/Chemistry, Chemistry (Regular and Honors), Chemistry in the Community, Chemistry 2, Conceptual Physics, Physics & Physics Honors, Physics 2, Science ISIS (Individual Science Instruction System), and Oceanography.

Social Studies:

World Cultures and Geography (Regular and Honors), U.S. History/Government/Geography to 1898 (Regular and Honors), U.S. History/Government/Geography since 1898 (Regular and Honors, A History of Western Society (EEP), Sociology, Contemporary Issues I & II,Introduction to Historical Archaeology, Anthropology (EEP), Economics, and Youth and the Law.

Technology Education:

Electricity and Basic Electronics, Maintaining and Repairs IBM PC\rquote s and Compatibles, Graphic Communication (Basic and Advanced), Technical Drawing & CADD (Basic and Advanced-EEP), Architectural Design and Drawing (Basic & Advanced), Computer Drafting & Design Satellite, Woodworking Technology (Basic & Advanced), Woodworking Technology Processes, and Construction Technologies.

Electives:

Desktop Publications and Web Page Design, Introduction to Journal I, Journalism II, Creative Writing, Media Studies, Theater Arts, Advanced Composition, Community Service, and Work Experience.

Special sections of some classes are provided for the purpose of adjusting the program to the ability and interest of pupils. Pupils are assigned to these classes on the basis of examination, previous records, and staff recommendations. Teachers and parents are available to help pupils plan their programs. Parents are always welcome to visit the school and discuss problems of program planning with the Guidance Department.

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This page was last modified May 07, 2001
Michele Polselli, Webmaster