Academics at Auburn Academy
Auburn Academy bases its curriculum around the "Three A's" model championed by the Musique Unified School District. Students are expected to enrol in courses from each of the three disciplines throughout their time at the Academy. The Academy also emphasises personalised learning, so class sizes will not exceed twelve students.
Preparatory School
The Preparatory School calendar revolves around two terms each academic year. Most courses are programmed for one term, but some may require a two-term commitment.
Students are required to take the following courses:
| Discipline | Minimum Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Science | Six terms (three years) | Two terms each of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics |
| Mathematics | Six terms (three years) | Students must take up to Single Variable Calculus |
| Computer Science | Two terms (one year) | |
| English | Eight terms (four years) | Creative Writing courses can fulfil some aspects of the English requirement |
| Social Science | Four terms (two years) | |
| World Languages | Six terms (three years) | All six terms must be in the same language
Successful challenge testing can waive one or more terms |
| Fine Arts (includes Music) | Eight terms (four years) | |
| Health and Human Development | Eight terms (four years) | Health and Human Development courses are presented in seminar-style on Saturdays for all students |
| Physical Education/Athletics | Two terms (one year) | Every student is required to join a sports team for one season |
A course catalogue is now available. Each course is identified by a three-letter subject-matter prefix and a three-digit number. Introductory-level courses typically taken by first-years are known as "100-level". Courses range up through "500-level" courses, which are primarily targeted towards advanced students and post-graduate (PG) students. Generally, the first digit of the course code references the year in which students typically take it (i.e. 200-level courses are mainly taken by second-years, 300-level by third-years, and 400-level by fourth-years). The subject prefixes are assigned by department (and division, if applicable) as shown below. Departments are led by Departmental Deans and divisions are led by Division Chairs.
| Department | Division(s) |
|---|---|
| Science (SCI) | Biology (BIO)
Chemistry (CHM) Physics (PHY) |
| Mathematics (MAT) | |
| Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) | Computer Science (COS) |
| English (ENG) | |
| World Languages (LAN) | American Sign Language (ASL)
Arabic (ARB) Chinese (CHI) French (FRE) German (GER) Greek (GRK) Italian (ITA) Japanese (JPN) Korean (KOR) Latin (LAT) Russian (RUS) Spanish (SPA) |
| Social Science and Humanities (SSH) | Economics (ECO)
Geography (GEO) Government & Civics (GOV) History (HIS) Humanities (HUM) Psychology (PSY) Sociology (SOC) Speech and Debate (SPE) |
| Music (MUS) | Musicology, Theory, and Composition (MTC) |
| Fine Arts (VPA) | Creative Writing (CRW)
Dance (DAN) Filmmaking (FLM) Musical Theatre (MTH) Theatre/Drama (DRA) Visual Arts (VIS) |
| Physical Education (PED) | |
| Health and Human Development (HHD) | |
| Athletics (ATH) | |
| Career and Technical Education (CTE) | Internships (INT)
Seminars (SEM) Special Committees (COM) |
| Writing Programme (WRI) |
While Academy students do not declare majors or concentrations in specific disciplines, they may elect to pursue certificates. Certificates are awarded to students who complete the entire pathway of an eligible discipline. Students who complete a capstone paper in addition to the pathway for a discipline are eligible for a Certificate with Distinction. Certificates with Distinction are completed under the tutelage of a faculty member.
| Discipline | Certificate Requirements | Certificate with Distinction Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Science | Entire pathway | Research paper |
| Mathematics | Entire pathway | Capstone paper or mathematical proof |
| Computer Science | Entire pathway | Capstone programming project |
| English | Not offered | Capstone analytical paper |
| Social Science | ||
| World Languages | Entire pathway | Completion of Literature course |
| Creative Writing | Not offered | Capstone project |
| Music Performance | Successful jury performance for all four years | Graduation recital in third or fourth year |
| Musicology | Eight courses | Capstone paper |
| Theatre Arts | Involvement in at least one Academy production each academic year | Solo performance |
| Filmmaking | Not offered | Substantial independent film project |
| Visual Arts | Successful portfolio evaluation for all four years | Solo exhibition |
| Design Your Own Certificate | Contact the relevant department/division for information. | |
Each instructor can elect to give a midterm examination which occurs during week eight of the term. Each term is fifteen weeks. A final examination may come in the form of a traditional exam or a project-based assessment at the discretion of the instructor. Lengthier examinations will take place during the final examination period, which occurs one week after the end of the term.
All students are expected to sit for the Secondary School Competency Certificate (SSCC) examinations throughout their time at the Academy. Students may choose which year to take each examination. SSCC examinations are graded from zero through nine. Scores of one or greater warrant receipt of a certification; five or above a certificate with distinction; eight or above a certificate with high honours; nine a certificate with highest honours. A zero is a failing score. Each exam may only be taken once for credit.
SSCC examinations attempt to subvert the traditional high-stakes examination and instead guide students through a series of real-life applications that encourage application of core concepts rather than rote memorisation of many factoids. The aim is to give students a comfortable environment to prove their competency in a subject, not to cause undue stress. To decrease stress levels, there are no time limits, although each section of an exam must be taken in one sitting.
| Core Subjects (Mandatory) |
| Mathematics (up through Pre-Calculus)
Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) Computer Science English World Language History and Geography Arts (choose one from italicised list below) Physical Education |
| Additional Subjects (Optional) |
| Calculus
Statistics Engineering Astronomy Ancient History Psychology Economics Government Visual Art Dance Theatre Filmmaking Music Performance Musicology Photography Graphic Design |
The Preparatory School schedules classes for durations lasting ten minutes less than multiples of half hours (e.g., fifty, eighty, 110 minutes). This allows for the duration of class meetings to be tailored to each course and provides students with increased flexibility during course selection. Classes are scheduled Mondays through Fridays from 08.00 until 16.00 and again from 19.00 until 21.00. The 16.00–19.00 block is reserved for arts, athletics, and other high-commitment extracurricular events. On Saturdays, students attend Health and Human Development and elective seminars from 09.00 until 12.00.
Each academic year consists of two terms. The Autumn Term begins on the first Monday of September and runs for five weeks, with the fifth week containing midterm examinations, followed by two weeks of autumn recess. Five more weeks of instruction follow the autumn recess, after which there is one week for revisions and one week for final examinations. The Winter Ball typically occurs at the end of the final examinations week. Over the winter holiday, certain elective activities are held on campus under the “Wintersession” umbrella. The first Monday of February marks the start of the Spring Term. Like the Autumn term, five weeks of instruction culminate in a fifth week of midterm examinations. Spring recess is four weeks. This accommodates SSCC examinations, with the first week serving as a true recess, the second as a revision week, and the third and fourth as examination weeks. Five more weeks of instruction complete the term, followed by a revision week and a final examinations week that concludes with the Farewell Ball. A week of celebratory events for fourth-years follows, ending with the Commencement ceremony.
Intermediate School
The Intermediate School calendar has two terms each academic year. Most courses are programmed for an entire academic year, but some elective courses are only programmed for one term. Students are referred to as I-1, I-2, and I-3 during their three years in the Intermediate School.
Students are enrolled in the following each year:
- Science
- Mathematics
- English
- History
- Arts
- Physical Education
Primary School
The Primary School operates on a single term for the entire academic year. Students gain exposure to science, mathematics, English, history, arts, and physical education. Primary School students are known as P-1s, P-2s, P-3s, P-4s, P-5s, and P-6s during their six years at the Primary School.