Academics
Academic Departments
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Willard has a college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement offered in all disciplines. All students have schedules that include at least five courses each semester. Classes meet four times each week for 50 minutes. However, the schedule allows for extended periods of study twice a day to accommodate labs, special projects, or to provide students with opportunities to meet with faculty members.
An ESL program offered at the advanced level supports a small number of international students for whom English is the second language. Core requirements for graduation include a minimum of four years of English; three years of history, foreign language, and mathematics; two years of lab science (one each in physics and biology); two units in the arts; and participation in the life skills seminar and community service program each year.
All students must take physical education or its equivalent each semester in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades (seniors must take at least 10 weeks). Class rank is not calculated. The grading system uses letter grades with plus and minus notations ranging from A to NC (no credit).
Emma Willard’s extensive independent study program, Practicum, allows students to pursue class work at area colleges, career internships, community service, and individualized athletic training and competition off campus for academic credit. Over one-third of the students participate in Practicum each year.
