students came and to which they transferred. Science courses were equally
blended, with elements of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at all high school
levels.
However, as we continue to refine and align our curriculum with regional high
school programs, college requirements, and the State of Indiana testing protocols,
we have specifically and deliberately returned to a somewhat more traditional
format. The math program for the high school now includes Algebra, Geometry,
Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Finite Math. Science courses included Integrated
Chemistry Physics, Biology, Earth Space, Animal Behavior, Chemistry, and
Physics.
Course requirements in English/Language Arts and Social Studies (called Global
Studies at HAST) are rich in literature, vocabulary development, and analysis of
complex aspects of human development, as represented in literary and historical
forms. Teachers of both ELA and GS courses focus much of instruction on the
analysis of fiction and non-fiction texts. Teachers have created a thorough,
longitudinal approach to the teaching of writing at HAST. Students in 6
th
grade
write their own novels. By the 11
th
and 12
th
grades, students prepare research
papers following college-level guidelines.
At HAST, as early as the 9
th
grade, students have access to Dual Credit/Advanced
Placement courses, continuing through the 12
th
grade. These electives have
included the following courses over the past seven years: Project Lead the Way
(STEM-integrated courses based on the various engineering disciplines, including
a capstone, independent research project at the 12
th
grade level), Sociology,
Psychology, Speech, Composition, US Government, Personal Finance, Calculus,
and Computer Science. All of the aforementioned courses are run through
agreements with PUC/PNW, Indiana University Northwest, Ivy Tech East Chicago
Campus, and the College Board Advanced Placement catalog.
The school also offers Health, Physical Education, Choral and General Music,
Spanish 1, 2, 3, and multiple other electives at the high school level. Students in
the middle school grades study the four content areas, Health/Physical Education,
General Music, Computer Science basics, and Personal Finance (at the 8
th
grade
level only).
Not only is the curriculum introduced to students in a hands-on, project, and
inquiry based approach, but the building is expressly and uniquely designed to
facilitate cooperate and integrative learning. There are no individual desks for
students in any of the classrooms. All classrooms are furnished with tables that
allow for flexible grouping to best suit the content and the needs of that classroom.
At every grade level, there are four classrooms, one for each core content area.
The walls of these classrooms open, allowing tow, three, or all four teachers at
the grade level to teach collaboratively. At HAST, these walls are regularly open,