Curriculum

All freshmen take an introductory-level Foundations of Literature course. In small classes, students read classic novels, shorts stories, and plays while they work on the basics of analytical writing. All sophomores complete a year-long Global Literature course in conjunction with their Global History studies. Juniors may choose between American Literature (juniors only) and Literature of the Modern World (juniors and seniors), while seniors may elect either Meaning and Representation (seniors only) or Literature of the Modern World. Electives vary from year to year and may include classes in creative writing, book into film, and banned books. Students are required to complete twelve Language Arts credits (4 years) to graduate.

The Math Department offers a range of college preparatory options from Math 105 (an Algebra I-based course) through Calculus II with a number of options in between including Advanced Statistics, Calculus I, and Pre-Calculus. The math curriculum is also tailored to meet the entry requirements for the University of North Carolina school system, which currently mandates that every student applicant have a year of high school math beyond Algebra II. To fulfill this requirement students can take Pre-Calculus, Statistics, or Functions and Modeling. Term-long math electives are offered based on student interest. These have explored Advanced Topics in Calculus, Economics, the SAT Math section, or the History of Math (From Zero to Infinity). Math teachers recognize that math is not every student’s first love and realize that there is value in being in a math class where all of the students learn and perform on a similar level. To meet that end, both the 200 level Math courses (Geometry) and the 300 level Math courses (Algebra II/Trigonometry) run in two parallel classes. The 210/310 classes move through material at a faster pace and expect a more in-depth coverage of the curriculum. The 200/300 classes are more project-based and move through material at a slower pace to allow for maximum retention of concepts. Students can move through the curriculum in a variety of ways based on the recommendation of the teachers. Nine math credits (3 years of math) are required to graduate, but most students take four years.

American Sign Language

At our Upper School, students may fulfill their modern language credit requirements by developing knowledge of American Deaf Culture and American Sign Language (ASL). These courses nurture ASL communication skills both receptively and expressively, in regards to fingerspelling, numbers, vocabulary, and grammar and syntax. Based on an understanding of American Hearing culture, students explore American Deaf culture and history. 

French

Our French department offers the language from French I through a class on French Literature and Composition. In the classroom there is an emphasis on the speaking and writing of French. Classes tend to be small, which allows for plenty of individual attention and focused speaking time. Students are exposed to contemporary French literature and cinema. End of Year sessions may offer a trip to France that allows students of French an opportunity to take their skills to another level. This trip includes a short home-stay that allows students to visit a local Lycée (high school) and a community service component. Two years (6 credits) of Foreign Language are required to graduate, although most students continue with the program.

Spanish

The Upper School Spanish department offers classes from Spanish I to Advanced. Spanish classes focus on conversational and written Spanish skills. Students are exposed to contemporary Spanish literature and cinema. In the more advanced classes, students participate in analysis of Spanish poetry among other advanced topics. Occasionally, classes travel into the Durham community to practice their Spanish with native speakers. The End of Year Program frequently includes a trip to a Spanish-speaking country where students can develop their skills through community service work and home stays with local families. Two years (6 credits) of Foreign Language are required to graduate although most students continue with the program.

Dance

There are many opportunities to be involved in the Upper School Dance Department. The program begins with an Improvisation and Dance course that teaches the basics of movement and partnering. This tends to be the first dance class that all students take, regardless of prior dance experience. Students move into a Modern Dance: Collaborations class where they are a part of the Winter Dance Concert in December. Advanced students take Advanced Dance: Choreography and Performance where the focus is on the production of student choreographed works. Each year a few students work over the summer on a proposal and come into the school year ready to set a piece on their peers. Students design the piece, choose the music, design the costumes and lighting, and get their pieces ready for performance. In the spring there have been different dance outreach classes that have worked on designing a work as a service. Some of these classes have taken performances to local schools, others have been focused on a specific topic (like Peace and Poetry Dance Outreach). Dance classes can fulfill the Performing Arts category of the Cultural Arts graduation requirement or they can serve as Physical Education classes.

Music

Classes in music history and theory are supplemented by performance-based classes that include introductory percussion along with ensemble groups that depend upon the talents of the students who make up a particular class. These ensemble courses tend to become student bands, although the particular type of band will vary from class to class. 

Theater

The Upper School Theater Department usually puts on two shows a year, a smaller show in the fall for the Advanced Acting students and a larger show in the spring that is open to everyone who auditions. All students, regardless of experience, start in Beginning Acting, a chance to explore theater games and work in small groups. All students in Beginning Acting are directed in the performance of a monologue and a short scene. Other opportunities in drama include the chance to perform and direct a one-act play or write an original play. Students cast their plays and brought them to performance. All drama and improvisation classes fulfill the Performing Arts category of the Cultural Arts graduation requirement.

Physical Education credit can be earned by playing on one of the Upper School Varsity athletic teams. Students can also take any of the many physical education courses that are offered each term. From biking and hiking to gym sports and weight training, there are a number of courses to fit different abilities and interests. Our yoga classes are taught by a certified instructor. Students are required to take 6 PE credits (2 years) to graduate.

All first-year students take Introduction to Biology as their entry into the science department. From there, most sophomores take Chemistry to fulfill their year of required Physical Science. Other offerings within the science department are varied. Interested students can pursue advanced-level courses in either Biology or Chemistry. Term-long electives offer a term-long focus on specific topics such as forensic science, human anatomy, or biotechnology, while a yearlong class follows the Advanced Placement Biology curriculum. A year-long physics course is supplemented by an advanced physics class when the demand warrants. While students are required to take three full years of science courses to graduate (including at least one year of biological science and one of physical science), most students take four years of science and some take more than one class each year.

Community Service is at the heart of a Quaker education. Service is a part of many of the all school activities that we do, including two full days of service before the Winter Break. On campus service takes a variety of forms. Students work on campus maintenance and repair, build sets for the theater and dance productions, work on the school yearbook and newspaper, or volunteer to help out in other units. Some students travel to Lakewood Elementary School (Durham) where they tutor young students who are English language learners. Seniors may earn community service by teaching a class (based on a proposal subject to approval) in an area of expertise. Students are required to take 6 credits of Community Service (2 years) and at least 1 per year to fulfill graduation requirements.

The first year of upper school is devoted to a year-long study of Geography in which students explore the scarcity of natural resources, human population growth, and globalization. This is followed in the sophomore year by a Global History course, and in the junior year by US History (required for all students). Most seniors choose to elect one two-term social studies seminars for seniors only; courses may include offerings such as Environmental History, Globalization, or The Structures of Power. Nine credits (3 years) of Social Studies are required for graduation.

Studio Art

Art classes work primarily in the studio, which has design space, pottery wheels, a kiln, and a darkroom. Classes work with a variety of media and include: drawing and painting, ceramics, design, printmaking, fashion design, yarn arts, and photography. There are also classes that examine the multi-disciplinary nature of art and history. These include Art History, the History of the Self Portrait, and Art and Politics. Some art classes have a community service focus. Recent classes in this field have designed sets and props for the plays, knitted hats for the infants at the NICU, and made clay mugs for all of the Early School students to reduce their use of paper. Students are required to take eight Cultural Art courses to graduate, at least two of which must be Visual Art courses. There is a Portfolio course that allows students to develop their work and prepare for college admission through the National Portfolio Day regional events. Check out the CFS Instagram account at @cfs_us_art.

Film

Our film program nurtures independent and collaborative filmmaking through personal and experimental projects, service projects, and an Apprenticeship opportunity. Students may explore fictional or documentary filmmaking through its various stages from conception to production, using a variety of techniques.