Upper School

All students are required to complete four years of English study for graduation.

All students are required to complete three and one third years of History study for graduation, including one required year of United States History or AP® United States History. Students traditionally complete Foundations of the Modern World as freshman, Modern World History as sophomores, and either United States History or AP® United States History as juniors. The combination of three History term courses in either their junior or senior year can also satisfy the completion of one year of History study. Students may take Art History or AP® Art History but NOT both. Students are required to complete one term (equal to one credit) of an eligible religion elective for graduation.

All students must complete three years of science for graduation. The science department subscribes to the Physics First model which means that students traditionally complete Physics as freshmen, Chemistry as sophomores and Biology as juniors. Students enrolled in ESL Composition and ESL Literature classes may be required to take ESL-1110 Physics.

All students are required to complete three years of mathematics up through Algebra 2 or the equivalent. The traditional sequence is: Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry/Honors Geometry and Algebra 2/Trigonometry or Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus/Honors Pre-Calculus, Calculus/AP® Calculus AB, AP® Calculus BC. International students planning to enroll in AP® Statistics must have completed ESL Advanced classes or have the approval of the ESL Program Director.

Upper School students are required to take two consecutive years (in Upper School) of the same world language regardless of whether or not they took world language courses in middle school. Three or four years are preferable for college admission. Qualified ESL students who transition into mainstream classes may be encouraged to take two to three consecutive years of the same world language.

Students are required to complete one year of fine and performing arts study. Band and chorus meet every other day and taken in tandem satisfy the fine and performing arts credit. Two consecutive years of band or chorus also satisfy the fine arts requirement.

Students must supplement the required 49 course credits with 11 additional course credits of their choosing.

Health requirements are completed through the School’s Wellness Curriculum.

Perkiomen School does not offer physical education classes for upper school students. To satisfy the physical education requirement students must participate in after school activities. One trimester must be an interscholastic athletic team. There are several options each trimester.