The Montessori Secondary Program at New Gate School consists of experiences both in the classroom and outside of the classroom that assist students in gaining greater self-awareness and engagement with a complex world. The Secondary Program is organized into two, three-year cycles of work that parallel current traditional standards for academic course work and set the foundation for college level work. These two cycles are described in more detail below. The program also provides a wide range of experiential learning opportunities interwoven throughout the curriculum to respond to the developmental needs of adolescence including orientation trips, internships, drama immersions, film festival immersions and local, national and international research trips.
First Cycle Students
During early adolescence, between the ages of roughly 12-15, students are intensely aware of themselves. The world of an early adolescent revolves around identity, self-expression, and peer social relations. They are making the gradual move from a concrete to a more abstract understanding of the world and have an intense need to belong. First Cycle students take integrated, multi-age classes each year in science, math, history, English, Spanish, art, physical education, and practical life that parallel current traditional standards for academic course work and set the foundation for Second Cycle, high school level work. Classes are small with a high level of student-teacher interaction, student choice and cooperative peer learning.
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First Cycle Course of Studies
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3 credits
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Language Arts
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1 credit
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Pre-Algebra
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1 credit
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Algebra (for high school credit)
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1 credit
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Geometry (for high school credit)
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1 credit
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Earth Science
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1 credit
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Biology/Anatomy and Physiology
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1 credit
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Physics
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1 credit
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Ancient History/Geography
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1 credit
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American History/Geography
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1 credit
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World History/Geography
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3 credits
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Spanish
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1.5 credits
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Art
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1.5 credits
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Physical Education
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3 credits
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Practical Life Management
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Second Cycle Students
During the second cycle of the Secondary Program, students ages 15-18 continue to work in multi-age learning environments. Second Cycle students are more capable of abstract thought and more comfortable and capable of exercising their independence. They are interested in a wider social context outside of their immediate peers, and they have a desire to more fully understand adult behavior. The coursework in this cycle of the program spirals up to and responds to the Second Cycle student, who is now ready to refine and apply his/her skills and knowledge with deeper understanding. Students take challenging seminar and project-based courses each year in science, math, history, English, Spanish, art, physical education, and service learning that foster the academic and intellectual capacities of adolescents and set the foundation for college level work. The courses require in-depth participation, close attention to detail, independent work, writing, solid research, discussion, and analysis. At the end of the Second Cycle students have a depth of understanding about themselves and the world, sophisticated reasoning abilities and experience with a wide range of tools, modes of expression, and courses that prepare them for college, life and thoughtful citizenship.
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Second Cycle Course of Studies
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3 credits
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English
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1 credit
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Algebra II
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1 credit
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Functions/Statistics/Trigonometry
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1 credit
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Pre-Calculus
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1 credit
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Advanced American History Seminar
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1 credit
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Advanced World History Seminar
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1⁄2 credit
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Comparative Government Systems
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1⁄2 credit
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Comparative Economic Systems
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1 credit
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Biology
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1 credit
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Environmental Science
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1 credit
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Chemistry
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3 credits
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Spanish
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1.5 credits
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Art
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1.5 credits
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Physical Education
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3 credits
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Personal Development
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1.5 credits
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Service Learning
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This course of studies meets or exceeds state graduation requirements and college admissions requirements.