Methacton School District

Grades 9 – 12: Methacton High School - All class descriptions can be found in the Program Planning Guide.

English

The English program at Methacton High School is aligned with the Pennsylvania Core State Standards. The curriculum develops students to become both effective communicators and critical consumers of a variety of texts to prepare them for success in our increasingly complex, information-driven society. Over the course of four years, the English classes integrate reading, literature study, writing, speaking, presentation skills, and research skills at each grade level.  Elective classes provide students with experiences in literature, theater, creative writing, and film studies.

Mathematics

High School students are encouraged to explore a world of mathematical thinking and communication that will help them grow into mathematically literate decision-makers and problem solvers. Students can choose from a broad spectrum of math courses designed to meet their individualized needs, all while forming a solid foundation for post-secondary preparation. Math Instruction at the high school is driven by the Pennsylvania Core Standards of Mathematical Practices. Students develop and connect these proficiencies through problem solving, strategic competence, and adaptive reasoning. The lessons foster engagement using rich tasks that emphasize reasoning and sense making, so students can employ math in dynamic and meaningful ways. Students are challenged to develop a deep understanding of mathematics through the synergy of concepts, themes, and mathematical modeling. Ultimately, the high school math program provides experiences that guide students in building critical and analytical thinking skills as they develop mathematical comprehension that supports success in their current and future lives.

Science

High School students elect a minimum of three science credits from a collection of academic, honors and advanced placement courses in the physical and life sciences. Students must enroll in at least one biology, one chemistry, and one physics course during their time in high school in order to meet graduation requirements. The high school program includes core and elective courses at the academic and honors levels and four Advanced Placement courses. Consistent with all outstanding secondary science programs, our program places great emphasis on laboratory work and the integration of technology into the collection, manipulation and presentation of data.

Social Studies

The Social Studies program is a comprehensive program which integrates the disciplines of history, geography, economics and citizenship education aligned with the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards. Instruction with our curriculum utilizes critical thinking and inquiry-based learning. Teachers guide students to examine issues, past and present, from a variety of perspectives and resources. They model and encourage the close reading of authentic primary documents. The aim of social studies is the promotion of civic competence—the knowledge, intellectual processes, and democratic dispositions required of students to be active and engaged participants in public life. High expectations for writing and projects demonstrating mastery of identified skills and knowledge are vital to the success of our students.

Technology Education

Technology Education courses provide hands-on learning experiences along with skill development fostering the understanding of technology by the student. Students develop  insight and understanding of our technological society and the current emerging trends that will affect them. By practicing a variety of methods and processes, students develop the ability to evaluate the quality of finished products as well as develop work ethics in the timely completion of projects. Beginning in grade 7 students learn the proper use of tools, processes, and resources of technological and industrial systems. Technology Education is an academic setting in which success depends on the application of learned skills, cooperation and the social interaction among students. Student planning careers in engineering, the sciences, management, sales, or general employment can benefit from a series of Technology Education courses. Communication courses and drafting courses are particularly valuable for students considering engineering, graphic design, photography, and architecture.

World Language

Methacton’s World Language Department follows the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards, which promote the belief that competence in more than one language and culture enables people to develop lifelong skills related to communication across cultures; insight to personal language and culture; demonstration of greater awareness of self, of other cultures, and relationships to those cultures; ability to access additional bodies of knowledge; and fuller participation in the global community and marketplace. As a result, our World Language department incorporates effective strategies, assessment procedures and technologies to achieve this goal. Our primary resources for World Language are carefully selected to support a curriculum that focuses on concepts and competencies related to culture, reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. World Language classes offered in grades 8 through 12 are German, French, and Spanish.