11th Grade

As 11th graders at University School of Milwaukee, our juniors begin their journey as upperclassmen in the Upper School. The junior year is an important step in that journey, with students taking on more responsibilities and typically starting an even more challenging curriculum than they experienced in their first two years of Upper School. By the end of 11th grade, students are ready to return in fall as seniors and begin their final year at USM.

As juniors, USM students begin to refine and expand their roles as leaders in the school and outside communities, and the concept of ethical leadership is heavily reinforced throughout this year. Various leadership models are demonstrated and explained, so that students can learn about their own styles, as well as the styles of others, and better understand how different styles can work together toward the best outcomes.

The college search process also begins in this year, and much of the year is focused on preparing students and their families for the important college application process ahead. Although autonomy and independence are important themes throughout the junior year, teachers, advisors, and college counselors work together to ensure support in this area while continuing to focus on academic success and extracurricular opportunities.

11th Grade Curriculum

In 11th grade, students typically have a maximum of 40 minutes of homework per class meeting, and no homework is assigned over breaks. For Advanced Placement courses, faculty may assign a maximum of 60 minutes of homework per class meeting and also one assignment (60 minutes) over school breaks. There may also be up to three hours of homework over summer vacation for Advanced Placement courses.

English

All juniors take English 3
English 3 asks students to investigate the development of American thought and narrative in literature. Students read, analyze, and respond to a diverse array of poetry, short stories, drama, fiction, and nonfiction in order to further develop their critical thinking skills. At the Round Table, students engage in extensive discussion, inquiry, analysis, independent thinking, and collaboration. English 3 students are expected to lead more lengthy Round Table discussions and take even greater ownership of their learning. Through a variety of essays and projects, students continue to build their writing and revision skills with a focus on synthesis of disparate texts and a more sophisticated development of ideas and support with evidence. Each major unit explores tensions inherent in American society, investigating not only the structure, style, and themes of texts, but the significant social and historical issues surrounding them. Through the processes of examination and self-reflection, students attempt to answer the course’s essential question: What is America?

Fine Arts

Students act during a performance of %22The Birds%22.

All juniors are able to take one or two semesters of Fine Arts classes as part of their four required semesters of Fine Arts. Students may take a full-year course (Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band/Jazz Band, Concert Choir, or Technical Theatre), or one of several semester-long courses:

Ceramics and Pottery 1/2/3
Digital Art
Drawing 1/2
Innovation and Design 1/2
Theatre
Metalsmithing and Jewelry Making
Music Technology 1/2
Music Theory and Composition
Musical Theatre
Painting 1/2
Photography 1/2
Photography and Digital Art Portfolio
Sculpture

History

All juniors take U.S. History or AP U.S. History
This course is a full survey of the history of the United States, from the inception of European colonization to the present. It identifies and follows three major themes to serve as explanatory guides for students, and to make the study of the history of the United States relevant for young Americans in the 21st century. First, students look at the development of American institutions and lofty ideals, and view them as contested historical terrain. Woven into the discussion of republicanism at many junctures during the year is the ever present debate about equality and racial diversity. A third theme is the expansion of the United States and its role in the world. This is a writing-intensive class geared to develop in the student college-level academic skills. The AP U.S. History class is an accelerated course designed to prepare students for the AP exam which covers the major eras in American history. Students also write two major papers: a critical review of a historical monograph, and a primary-document driven research paper.

Mathematics

Students talk while working on math problems on a white board.

All juniors take Geometry, Pre-calculus, or Pre-calculus-Honors
In Geometry, as part of the study of visual patterns, formal proof is emphasized with regards to segment and angle relationships, parallel and perpendicular lines, triangle congruency, and properties of quadrilaterals. Students use both inductive and deductive reasoning to study similarity, right triangles and their connection to trigonometry. Circle and arc properties are studied as well, along with area, surface area, and volume. Pre-calculus is designed to prepare students for the Calculus and Statistics courses. Topics considered include an in-depth review of algebra, functions, polynomials, logarithms, probability, trigonometry, systems of equations, conic sections, and sequences and series. The honors version of this course prepares students for the AP Calculus AB or BC course, delving deeper into polynomial functions and their graphs, inequalities and absolute values, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, and trigonometry. Students also continue their study of trigonometry before moving on to polar coordinates and polar graphs, vectors, determinants and 3D graphing, and sequences and series. Students end the year with an in-depth look at the study of limits of functions and an introduction to differential calculus.

Science

Students use a digital and interactive dissection table in a biology class.

All juniors take Physics or Physics-Honors
The Physics course is for all students who do not intend to take two advanced placement courses in science at USM. This course, in conjunction with the sophomore Chemistry course, will prepare most students (with departmental permission) to take one AP exam in science during their senior year. Making use of inquiry, students will explore topics in mechanics, dynamics, energy, momentum, electricity, circuits, and magnetism. In each topic, particular emphasis is put on practical applications of the study and on a correct conceptual understanding. During the year, students are expected to improve their skills in a number of areas: logical thinking, relating generalities to specific examples, mathematical analysis, and laboratory observation. The honors version of this course is algebra-based and uses significant inquiry and lab experiences, and successfully prepares students to take either AP Physics 2 or AP Physics C. Some students may choose to supplement their coursework with preparation materials to ready themselves to take the AP Physics 1 exam in May of their junior year.

Physical Education

World Languages

Students do a relaxation exercise in Chinese language class.

All modern language courses (Chinese, French, Spanish) at the Novice and Intermediate levels will focus on building oral proficiency skills according to the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language) standards. In addition, students will build proficiency in writing, reading, and listening, and also develop intercultural competency. Units will pertain but not be limited to the six AP themes: Aesthetics and Beauty, Global Challenges, Contemporary Life, Families and Communities, Science and Technology, and Personal and Public Identity. Students may also choose to enroll in Latin III in 11th grade if they took Latin II in 10th grade. Students who have completed the required prerequisites may take AP French Language and Culture I (in preparation for taking the corresponding exam during their senior year) or AP Spanish Language and Culture.

Computer Science

Innovation

Two girls smile while building prototypes in the Lubar Center.

Although there are no required Innovation courses for juniors, students may take one or more of the following elective courses in 11th grade as part of their academic schedules.

Intermediate Robotics 1, 2, 3
Advanced Robotics 1, 2, 3
Engineering Creative Solutions
Entrepreneurship
House of Technology Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration Internship

College Guidance

The college search process accelerates in the junior year, with representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities visiting the USM campus in the fall. The College Guidance office works with students and their families to learn about the college timetable for junior year. Many families begin making college visits on their own, and USM offers optional college trips in the fall to visit different types of schools and campuses. Juniors also meet in scheduled guidance classes to learn how to research schools, how the application process works, ways in which to seek out financial aid and scholarships, how to prepare for standardized tests, and how to draft a college essay. All 11th graders also take the PSAT in October and should take the SAT Reasoning Test and/or the ACT, and in some instances also the SAT Subject Tests, by the end of this year. More details can be found on the Junior Year tab on the College Guidance page.

Electives

Leadership Opportunities and Special Events

Early in the junior year, 11th graders participate in Junior Leadership Days, two day-long retreat days when students visit locations inside and outside our community. This is an integral part of the junior advising program and a very important component in reaching our goal of building strong leaders and citizens, as students are provided many opportunities to better understand and hone their leadership skills. In addition, the junior class is responsible for prom each year, with class board members contacting venues and coordinating menus, tastings, decorations, and other elements of this special event. Juniors are also able to take on leadership roles through opportunities including:

Student council
Junior class board
House captains
Athletic team captains
Student ambassadors

Our 11th grade students also collaborate with their younger classmates in junior kindergarten, with many opportunities throughout the year when they gather together for reading, crafting, and other social engagement activities.

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