9-12 Curriculum
9-12 Math
Graduation Requirements – 3 credits (6 semesters) of High Schools math coursework
Regents Admission requirements (University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa) Three years, including one year each of Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra (Algebra 2). Check specific University requirements.
Courses offered in the math department –
Algebra I
Geometry and Geometry Block
Algebra 2 and Algebra 2 Block
Advanced Algebra
PreCalculus (Concurrent Course – Dual Credit)
High School Calculus
Calculus I (Concurrent Course – Dual Credit)
Calculus 2 (Concurrent Course – Dual Credit)
Statistics & Probability
Prep for College Math 2
Prep for College Math 1
9-12 World Language
Courses offered in the World Language Department
Spanish 1,2,3, and 4
Heritage Spanish
9-12 Science
Graduation Requirements – 3 credits (6 semesters) of High School Science coursework
Regents Admission requirements (University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa) Three years, including one year each from any two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Check specific University requirements.
Courses offered in the Science Department
Physical Science
Biology
Advanced Biology
Unified Science – Forensic Science (Crime Scene Investigations)
Applied Bio-Chemistry
High School Chemistry
Pre-General Chemistry I
General Chemistry I (Concurrent Course – Dual Credit)
General Chemistry II (Concurrent Course – Dual Credit)
Organic Chemistry
Conceptual Physics
Physics
Advanced Placement Physics
College Physics (Concurrent Course – Dual Credit)
Anatomy (Human)
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses – elective science credit
Principles of Bio-Medical Science (PBS)
Human Body Systems (HBS)
Medical Interventions (MI)
Principles of Engineering (POE)
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
Computer Science Principles (CSP)
PLTW Computer Science A
9-12 Social Studies
Graduation Requirements: World History (1 credit) Class of 2022 and after, American History (1 credit), Social Studies elective (½ credit) Government (12th grade/ ½ credit), Financial Literacy (1/2 credit) Class of 2020 and after.
Regents Admission requirements (University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa : Three years is essential, but four is better. Take at least one year of U.S. history and one year of world history. Check specific University requirements.
Courses offered in the Social Studies Department
World History
Adv. World History
US History (Concurrent enrollment, Dual Credit)
American History I
American History 2
Contemporary U.S. Issues
AP European History
General Psychology
Advanced Psychology
Introduction to Psychology (Concurrent enrollment Dual Credit)
Government
AP Government
Sociology
9-12 Language Arts
Graduation Requirements: 4 years to include English 9, English 10, English 11, and 4th year of ELA Credit course
Regents Admission requirements (University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa): Four years of coursework. Check specific University requirements.
Courses offered in the English Language Arts
English 9
English 9 Honors
English 10
English 10 Honors
English 11
AP Language and Composition
Composition I and II (Concurrent Enrollment Dual Credit)
Creative Writing
Drama I and II
English Composition with Film Analysis
Journalism
AP Literature and Composition
Multicultural Literature (Concurrent Enrollment Dual Credit)
Science Fiction
English 12
9-12 Fine Arts
MUSIC
Instruction provided by: Music/Band/Orchestra Instructors
Music Standards- General Music Standards
Curriculum:
- The music curriculum is guided by the music performance standards grouped under the artistic processes of: Creating, Performing and Responding.
- For instrumental music, students at MHS can be a part of Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band and Orchestra.
- The vocal music options consist of Treble Choir, Concert Choir and Show Choir at the high school level.
- Students participate in individual and ensemble groups for performance and competition.
- One of the music standards is performing. All students share their talents with families, friends and communities in performances at the MHS/Community Auditorium.
ART
Instruction provided by: High School Art teachers
Art Standards- Visual Arts Standards
Curriculum:
- Art Mission Statement: The Marshalltown Art Department works together to grow a well-rounded student who has the ability to do multiple tasks with skill, creatively solve problems, empathize and relate to others around them.
- Artistic Processes are the cognitive and physical actions by which arts learning and making are realized. National Core Arts Standards are based on the artistic processes of Creating; Performing/ Producing/Presenting; Responding; and Connecting.
- All students in the Marshalltown Community School District have the opportunities to grow through art experiences starting in kindergarten. All students receive art instruction through grade 8 and students at the high school have a selection of electives to continue their exploration.
- At MHS, students can take a variety of electives to continue to hone their artist’s skills. Classes in basic and advanced Art 1, 3-D concepts, Design, Digital Photography, Drawing, Graphic Design, Painting, and Pottery are offered as electives at the high school.
- Art also develops critical thinking, social skills and 21st Century Skills. Students are engaged in their own learning to develop skills, and concepts through sensory awareness, aesthetic discrimination and authentic, creative projects. They acquire skills important to lifelong success, such as communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Formatively and continually reflect upon their own and others’ artistic processes, learning how intent,artistic choices, visual media, and communication influence one another.
- Be encouraged to discover that multiple solutions exist within an artistic problem, therefore fostering innovation and creative practice.
- Examine diverse local and world art cultures and histories.
- Bolster social-emotional learning for themselves and others through studio environments supported by peer critiques and collaborative inquiry .
9-12 Physical Education
Instruction provided by: 9-12 PE teachers
PE Standards – SHAPE America
Curriculum:
- Marshalltown School District Physical Education will empower physical learners with the skills, knowledge, and healthy mindset to pursue lifelong fitness.
MOVE – CONNECT – LEARN
- Healthy kids learn better. Physical activity can help students be healthier but more and more research is showing that physical activity may also impact academic achievement. Physical activity wakes up the brain, improves behavior and increases concentration. One of the goals of the Physical Education program is for students to celebrate physical literacy, which is the ability, confidence and desire to be physically active for life.
- The MHS PE program provides a choice based physical education program. Students can select their individualized course for their PE credits. Courses range from Soccer for Fitness, Sports Activities for Fitness, Personal Fitness, and Strength and Conditioning. The focus as the “fitness” of each course is to improve each student’s overall health and understanding. The health related components of fitness are cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, and body composition. Nutrition and healthy choices are also stressed with the goal to improve and achieve a balance in each of these areas.
- They use heart monitors to help students understand their levels of activities and its effect on their bodies. The department has recently added the Drum Fit curriculum to their PE program as a means to integrate music, rhythm and movement.
- One of the most important skills learned in the physical education program is the social aspect. The students learn cooperation, teamwork. best effort and positive attitudes along with a growth mindset. An active life can enhance the student’s social and emotional learning. Being physically active can release endorphins which can alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, depression, and frustration to name a few. Body control and personal and team success can boost positive energy and confidence.
Library Services
Instruction provided by: Teacher Librarians/Media Specialists
Library Standards –Iowa School Library Standards
Curriculum:
- Mission Statement: We develop students and staff who become effective users of information and embrace a love of reading and literature through personalized learning experiences.
- The Marshalltown Community School District Libraries follow a curriculum aligned with the American Association of School Librarians, the National Education Technology Standards, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Iowa Core Curriculum.
- All schools offer a fully staffed and full-service library with a teacher librarian who is uniquely prepared and strategically positioned to:
- teach students to think critically and independently to construct new understandings and insights from varied information sources.
- lead and embrace the integration of technology to enhance learning.
- connect communities of learners in virtual and physical spaces.
- collaborate with the school community to design and enact rigorous learning experiences and participate as positive digital citizens.
- maximize access to quality print and digital resources.
- champion and support the reading life of students.
- nurture curiosity to develop in students a passion for learning for life.
- Teacher Librarians enhance the student literacy and technology experiences. Each school maintains a library with print and digital resources and maintains websites with online resources for inquiry and research. Students are also introduced to information literacy, digital citizenship and Project Lead the Way coding in their library experiences starting as early as kindergarten. Various additional activities such as Battle of the Books, Lit over Lunch, and Poetry Out Loud and a positive relationship with the Marshalltown Public Library provide students additional opportunities to explore reading as a lifelong passion.
- At the middle school and high school levels, the Teacher Librarians co-teach with content teachers to provide instruction in research strategies and formats.
Technology
- Students in the district use various forms of technology. The district is one on one with Chromebooks for students in grades PK through 12. The district uses the Google Suite of products to promote communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Coding is introduced at the elementary levels and continues at all grade levels through middle school.