Curriculum Guide
Arts
Arts
The arts are vibrant at Oldfields School and are an integral part of our Academic Program. As a part of our core curriculum, Oldfields Arts Program has both depth and breadth with beginner through advanced levels of dance, theatre, and visual art studio courses in addition to photography, ceramics, public speaking, and applied design courses. Our courses support artists of all levels, whether brand new to the arts or experienced pre-professionals. We provide individualized instruction based on previous experience and learning needs while establishing a safe space for creativity and discussion. We embrace art not only as a means to capture history, but also to respond to history while encouraging adaptability and problem-solving. Students enrolled in these year-long courses have numerous opportunities to showcase their work in venues both on and off-campus throughout the year.
Humanities
Welcome to the Humanities Department!
The Oldfields Humanities Department offers courses that are both rich in content and rigorous in their expectations. Through the study of English, History, and World Languages, our departmental mission is to awaken a deep respect and passion for the learning process and the human experience. Students study the language, literature, culture, and history of various countries in English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish, depending on the course. Humanities classes emphasize critical analysis of written work and encourage the expression of concrete and abstract thinking through thesis-driven compositions. Our classes focus on students achieving proficiency in writing analytically, and our teachers use unique, engaging methods to help them reach this goal. By the end of each year, students will have become increasingly perceptive readers, deeper thinkers, and more persuasive communicators.
Global Awareness Day, prominent guest speakers, field trips, and May Program all reinforce and expand the lessons learned in the classroom. Opportunities for students to teach their peers about their culture, experience the beauty of Shakespeare's language on stage, or travel abroad to use a second language to help understand the context of major historical events. Through these experiences, the lessons from the pages of a book and the voices of the past come alive for our students in a relevant way.
English
- Strategies for Academic Success
- Literature: Beyond the Bounds
- Coming of Age through Literature
- Finding your Literary Voice
- Finding your Literary Voice Honors
- Literature: The Origin and The Destination
- English Language and Composition Honors
- Globetrotting: World Literature
- English Literature and Composition Honors
- Publications Design
History
World Languages
- French I
- French II
- French III
- French IV
- French V
- French Language and Culture Honors
- Modern French Society and Politics Honors
- Mandarin I
- Mandarin II
- Mandarin III
- Mandarin IV
- Spanish I
- Spanish II
- Spanish III
- Spanish IV/V
- Spanish VI Honors
- Spanish Culture and Conversation
- Spanish Language & Culture Honors
Math and Science
Math and Science
The Oldfields approach to math and science is based on the philosophy that problem-solving in all areas requires students to become logical thinkers. From Elements of Algebra and basic Physical Science to Calculus BC and Honors Physics, students are equipped with the skills necessary to achieve a balance between mathematical structure and the process of creating and testing hypotheses through laboratory experiences. By developing fluency in the language of math and science and reinforcing basic mathematical skills, students develop an understanding and appreciation for fundamental scientific processes while learning to make informed decisions about scientifically related social issues.
Our personalized combination of mathematics and science ensures that every girl with a thirst for knowledge is prepared to pursue the additional challenge and enrichment of courses in technology and engineering. Numerous enrichment opportunities in STEM-related activities such as field trips, May Programs, guest speakers, and special projects are designed to foster our girls’ natural curiosity and further expose them to career paths in the STEM field. The goal is for all to become creative thinkers who can apply their knowledge to real-life problem solving through systemic, measured, and informed analysis and reflection.