Course Catalog

Renaissance School offers
the following classes on campus

Courses in many other subjects are made available through dual enrollment with UVA and other universities. Not every course is available every year; some are on rotation and some are based on student interest in a given school year. Teaching Assistant positions are also available on a case-by-case basis. Students may pursue AP exam preparation in any relevant subject with faculty guidance.

Arts

Visual Art
Studio Art
Portfolio Art
Music Theory
Music Performance I-III
Introduction to Theater Arts
Theater Arts I-III
Physical Activity I-IV

Sciences

Biology
Chemistry
Advanced Chemistry
Physics I-III
Environmental Science I-II
Synthetic Biology (Gene Editing) I-II

Mathematics

Geometry
Algebra II
PreCalculus
Statistics
Calculus AB
Calculus BC

Humanities

Literary Genres
Critical Thinking & Composition
American Literature
Literature & Philosophy
Local History
African-American History
Women’s History
World History
American History
American Government
Spanish I-VI
French I-VI

Electives

Digital Applications
Business I-III
Civic Engagement I-III
History Seminar
Astronomy

Independent Studies & College Counseling

Headmasters Class
College Counseling 10-12
Junior Year Independent Study
Senior Thesis

Other academic courses taken while enrolled

Renaissance School understands high ability students may have unique and individualized academic needs. Meeting the academic needs of high ability students sometimes requires advanced course options not normally offered in high school. For those students, Renaissance School has a long history of working with outside institutions to ensure students have access to courses that extend beyond a traditional high school curriculum. Courses have included:

Calculus III
Ordinary Differential Equations
Elementary Linear Algebra
Cinematography
Jazz Improvisation
Music Composition
American Sign Language
Advanced French
Ancient Greek

Standardized Testing

Renaissance School, based on the evidence regarding the relatively low correlation between standardized test scores and future academic and career performance, does not base admissions on standardized test scores. Likewise, curriculum is not designed to teach to a set of standardized tests. Rather, Renaissance School believes in cultivating creativity, hard work, critical thinking, perseverance, teamwork, and other approaches to knowledge that are highly correlated to lifelong learning, success, and well-being.

However, as a college prep school, we recognize that standardized test performance is often a part of the process of college admissions. We provide many opportunities for students to practice the specific skill of taking a standardized test. Weekly mini practice tests are offered throughout the year for Juniors, “boot camps” are offered during the summer, and all 9th, 10th, and 11th graders take time to meet with the Academic Dean to analyze their PSAT scores each year in order to identify areas to practice. Overall, students at Renaissance School are able to tackle the challenge of standardized tests without it disrupting the core learning experiences of high school.

Renaissance School students frequently use the AP tests as an opportunity to challenge themselves. Students are invited each year to consider which subjects they would like to prepare for an exam. They have help and guidance from the relevant faculty, but taking on the AP as a choice gives them a very different context. As it turns out, a large percentage of our students do pursue AP exams, but this is on top of the Renaissance School curriculum that emphasizes creative problem-solving on projects, and an individual achievement of which they can be proud.

Ultimately, Renaissance students participate in the SAT, ACT, and relevant AP Subject tests.