Curriculum | The Rock School

CURRICULUM
Rock Academics is a relationship between The Rock School for Dance Education and The Keystone School. The Keystone School offers a college-preparatory program that draws upon current research in distance learning to create an effective learning environment and provides a compelling alternative to traditional public and private schools.

Through a full curriculum of online middle and high school courses, The Keystone School offers the flexibility needed to address the needs of young, pre-professional artists. As part of Rock Academics, students experience a technologically enhanced learning environment combined with textbooks, group workshops, and individualized instruction to learn at a pace suited to their needs.

Keystone National High School is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, they are privately licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.

COURSEWORK FOR ROCK ACADEMICS STUDENTS

Although the progression of each Rock Academics student is based on his/her particular needs, all Rock Academics students are encouraged to enroll in college preparatory courses, including advanced sciences and mathematics courses and Advanced Placement courses. Rock Academics students take the PSAT and the SAT, and all seniors are supported through the college enrollment process. The Rock Academics Headmaster serves as a guidance counselor to each Rock Academics student.

Middle School students take English, History, Mathematics, and Science courses along with one elective: Art Appreciation, Health, or Music. High School students enroll in 5 or 6 courses, including Rock Academics in-house high school courses.

Our students have several other options for their Elective credits. In the Language Arts our students can enroll in: Business Writing or Creative Writing for 9th or 10th graders, Grammar and Composition for first-year International students, or World Literature for 11th or 12th graders. In Social Studies students can choose between: Civics, Economics, Psychology, Sociology for 9th through 12th grades or Philadelphia: 1681-1930 for 10th though 12th grades. Philadelphia: 1681-1930 is a history course that includes field trips to historical sites in the city of Philadelphia; a Rock Academics instructor teaches this course. In Mathematics, Consumer Mathematics is an option for 9th or 10th graders. Environmental Science, Earth Science, and Life Science are Science electives for 9th through 12th grades. Nutrition & Wellness is a half-credit elective available to those students (10th or 11th grade) interested in the Health/Life Sciences. Students who enjoy studying Fine Arts can enroll in Art and Music Appreciation or Fine Art. Career Development is a mandatory elective course for 11th graders that explores post-secondary school options in both college and dance; a Rock Academics instructor teaches this course.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available through The Keystone School. Sample courses taken by students include: AP English Literature, AP Psychology, AP U.S. History, and AP U.S. Government and Politics. Rock Academics students can dual-enroll in college-level courses with the University of Missouri’s distance learning program. Sample courses taken by students include: Creative Writing, African American Literature, Spanish, and French.

STANDARDIZED TESTS AND COLLEGE

All Rock Academics students are expected to take the PSAT and SAT exams. Additionally, all seniors are expected to apply to colleges, even if they intend to pursue professional appointments. Special preparatory workshops and practice exams are offered to all Rock Academics students.

THE PSAT
Rock Academics students average PSAT scores are 53 in Critical Reading, 49 in Math, and 53 in Writing.
Compare: For U.S. college-bound students in 2011, the average PSAT scores are 45 in Critical Reading, 47 in Math, and 43 in Writing.
ROCK ACADEMICS PRIDE: Since its inception, Rock Academics has had seven National Merit Candidates.

THE SAT
Rock Academics seniors average SAT scores are 532 in Critical Reading, 531 in Math, and 546 in Writing.
Compare: For U.S. college-bound seniors in 2011, the average scores are 501 in Critical Reading, 516 in Math, and 492 in Writing.

SAMPLE COURSE SCHEDULE
Ninth Grade
English 1
Geography
Algebra 1 or Geometry
Physical Science
Health or Foreign Language or Elective

Tenth Grade
English 2
American History
Geometry or Algebra 2
Biology
Health or Foreign Language or Elective

Eleventh Grade
English 3 or AP English
American Government or AP History
Algebra 2 or Trig/PreCalculus
Chemistry
Health or Foreign Language or Elective
Career Development

Twelfth Grade
English 4 or AP English
World History or AP History
Trig/PreCalculus or Calculus
Physics
Health or Foreign Language or Elective
College Counseling