Parker School offers a wide variety of courses for middle and upper school students to prepare them to successfully reach their post-secondary goals of college and beyond. The purpose of this upper and middle school course catalog is to provide a brief description of every course offered so students and families can make informed decisions for the coming academic year.
Each spring, students are empowered to create a course schedule and long term plan that is right for them. As students consider which courses to choose, it may be helpful to consider the following FAQs.
2-D art and design explores several art mediums including drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed-media, graphic design, sequential art, book art, and digital design. Additionally, students learn about artists and various art movements throughout history. An emphasis is placed on formal elements of composition and principles of design in preparation for subsequent work opportunities in AP […]
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Yearlong
This course will explore several art mediums including stone carving, fused glass, fashion, clay, wire, found object art, assemblage, earthworks, book arts, conceptual art, jewelry and installation art. We will study various artists and art movements throughout history as we progress through the hands-on projects. Our design based lens will meet with an inquiry based […]
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Fall Semester, Spring Semester
Computer Science 3D Design and Modeling introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer-aided design and modeling and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. More than a traditional introduction to fabrication, it is a rigorous, engaging, and approachable course that explores many of the foundational ideas of design thinking […]
Grades Offered: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Fall Semester
This course offers two levels of acting classes at the same time and can be taken as a semester or a yearlong course. In both classes, students learn how theatre is the study of human experience by exploring a broad range of theatre skills including pantomime, improvisation, and play production. The leveled courses support a […]
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Yearlong, Fall Semester, Spring Semester
Advanced Topics in Computer Science goes deeper into foundational concepts of computer science and challenges students to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. By co-creating topics of study, students learn and teach collaboratively. They demonstrate progress with learning objectives by investigating problems in a rapidly changing world, integrating new knowledge with current […]
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Topics
Course Length: Fall Semester, Spring Semester
Advanced Topics in Spanish is a fourth-year course designed to enhance students’ communicative abilities in Spanish by providing exposure to essential language skills. This course combines a content-based language instruction with an interactive task-based approach.Throughout the course, students will explore and deepen their understanding of cultural themes related to the Spanish-speaking world. They will analyze […]
Grades Offered: 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Topics
Course Length: Yearlong
Alegbra I includes the study of rational number properties, variables, equations, inequalities, functions, exponents and polynomials, and factoring. Students write, solve, and graph linear, quadratic, and exponential equations, and solve systems of linear equations and inequalities.
Grades Offered: 7, 8, 9, 10
Course Type: Core
Course Length: Yearlong
Algebra II/Trigonometry is designed to build upon concepts learned in previous math classes. Students study the characteristics of different functions such as linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions as well as their applications.
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Core
Course Length: Yearlong
In Human Anatomy and Physiology students explore structural (anatomical) and functional (physiological) aspects of each system in the human body including anatomical terminology, basic biochemistry, cells and tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic/immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Designed to include various inquiry-based labs and experiments, students engage in discussions […]
Grades Offered: 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Core
Course Length: Yearlong
Advanced Placement (AP) Biology is a fast-paced and rigorous college-level course. This course includes eight units including: chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular energetics, cell communication and cell cycle, heredity, gene expression and regulation, natural selection, and ecology. Students take a national AP exam at the end of the year for which college […]
Grades Offered: 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
AP Calculus AB focuses on the understanding of calculus concepts and provides experience with methods and applications. This AP course covers topics in differential and integral calculus, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Students learn how to approach calculus concepts and problems when they are represented […]
Grades Offered: 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
AP Calculus BC extends the content learned in AP Calculus AB to different types of equations and introduces the topic of sequences and series. This AP course covers topics in differential and integral calculus, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, definite integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and series. Students learn how to use […]
Grades Offered: 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
This course is a continuation of the honors chemistry course. The course is designed to build on the students foundation of knowledge concerning the laws of chemistry, solidify their understanding of these laws through laboratory and student activities, and finally lead to the successful completion of the AP exam. Learning is the responsibility of both […]
Grades Offered: 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
Advanced Placement (AP) Government is a study of the American political system from its constitutional origins to its contemporary applications. Students learn about the Constitution, civil rights, the three branches of government, the media, current events, and political campaigns. Students take a national AP exam at the end of the year for which college credit […]
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition is offered as an elective for students in grade 11. This course focuses on the study of rhetoric, persuasion, and analysis of texts. Students study thematic units like education reform, protest writing, nature writing, and others as means to develop an understanding of effective writing. Students take a national […]
Grades Offered: 11
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
AP Literature is a college-level course in which students learn to read and analyze texts critically. Students take a national AP exam at the end of the year for which college credit can be earned with a passing grade.
Grades Offered: 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
AP Physics C provides students the opportunity to cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study,activities, and hands-on laboratory work as they explore concepts like change, force interactions, fields, and conservation. This AP course is the equivalent of a one-semester, calculus-based, college physics course, and is especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major […]
Grades Offered: 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
AP Spanish Language and Culture course is an advanced language course in which students acquire proficiencies that expand their cognitive, analytical and communicative skills. As its foundation, it uses the three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational) as defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. The course is designed […]
Grades Offered: 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
Designed for students who are seriously interested in creating an inquiry based portfolio in either 2-D design, 3-D design, or drawing. Students must provide both visual and written evidence of a sustained investigation that is guided by their inquiry and shows evidence of practice, experimentation, and revision. Artists are challenged to show visual synthesis of […]
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
Designed for students in grade 11 who are interested in a college-level experience, AP US History is centered around the foundations of the United States of America and how that impacts our world today. Students are asked to critically investigate what it means to be American in the 21st century. The course tasks students to […]
Grades Offered: 11
Course Type: Advanced Placement (AP)
Course Length: Yearlong
Athletes participating in a Big Island Interscolastic Federation (BIIF) sport season may receive 0.5 credit toward their physicial education requirement. Sports we have every year: Co-ed Cross Country, Girl’s volleyball, Co-ed Paddling andCo-ed Tennis. Sports we try to have every year but rely on interest and coaching availability: soccer, basketball, golf, boys volleyball
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Fall Semester, Spring Semester
Biology is designed for students in grade 9 to gain a better understanding of life processes, the structure and function of living organisms, how living organisms interact and impact one another, and the relationship between living organisms and their environment. Topics covered include: the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, […]
Grades Offered: 9
Course Type: Core
Course Length: Yearlong
This course integrates both Precalculus and Calculus I topics, with the precalculus topics reviewed before the calculus topics are introduced. Students learn fundamental calculus topics, including limits, derivatives, optimization, and their applications.
Grades Offered: 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Yearlong
Chemistry is the study of the structure and composition of matter that makes up living things and their environment. Chemistry also deals with the study of the changes of matter and the mechanisms by which changes occur. Students will learn about chemical and physical properties of matter, atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, chemical reactions, the Mole, […]
Grades Offered: 10
Course Type: Core
Course Length: Yearlong
Designed for both the experienced and inexperienced musician, students develop a strong grasp of choral music, a broadened base of performance experience, and a desire to explore more advanced literature in this year-long course. Beginning with an introduction to the choral program at Parker, students learn the basics of vocal technique, sight reading, music theory, […]
Grades Offered: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Yearlong
Specifically designed for students in grade 6, Computer Discoveries offers a wide-lens view of computer science by covering programming, physical computing, web development, and user-centered design, as well as data and society. Students will build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices. Each student in grade 6 receives a BBC micro:bit computer to […]
Grades Offered: 6
Course Type: Core
Course Length: Fall Semester, Spring Semester
Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. More than just a traditional introduction to programming, it is a rigorous, engaging, and approachable course that explores many of the foundational ideas of computing so all students understand how […]
Grades Offered: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Fall Semester
This year-long course covers several computer science concepts, including computational solution design, data analysis and storage, algorithms and programming development, syntax of common script programming elements, abstraction in programming development, code analysis, and analysis of computing innovations and impact of computing.
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Yearlong
Conditioning exposes students to the different approaches to fitness they can incorporate into their lives. While it requires daily setup and takedown, our makeshift gym provides enough space and equipment for students to spread out and get to work, and most are well into their day-to-day routines. In addition to weightlifting, students engage in a […]
Grades Offered: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Fall Semester, Spring Semester
This course traces the origins, evolution and modern day applications of natural resource management. Students explore theories, applications and approaches taken from real life conservation efforts, with a strong emphasis on both historical and current issues faced here in Hawaii. Elements of conservation to be covered include wildlife and plant identification, habitat restoration, population management, […]
Grades Offered: 12
Course Type: Elective
Course Length: Fall Semester
* Contents of this course catalog are subject to change without notice. *
Parker School
65-1224 Lindsey Road
Kamuela, HI 96743
Parker School
65-1224 Lindsey Road
Kamuela, HI 96743
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Parker School is a 501(c)(3) corporation. Federal Tax ID #99-0329799.
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