Programs of Study

Wayland's Academic Departments provide students with world-class preparation for college and life beyond the classroom.

The Academy offers courses on three levels of instruction: Advanced Placement (AP), Honors (H), and College Preparatory (CP). Placement into one of these levels is determined by various evaluative criteria, including previous grades within a strong curriculum, standardized test results, and teacher recommendations. Parent and student expectations and desires are taken into account in the annual personal learning plan development. At the Advanced Placement level, students enroll by invitation of the instructor and academic department. The Academy reserves the right to make professional assessments and decisions about student placement within these levels by academic discipline.

English

Wayland Academy’s English program is designed to give students a working knowledge of the tools of the language so they may speak, write, and think effectively. It aims to give them a background of reading that will lead them to look upon literature as a human experience, enable them to read with understanding and enjoyment, and to develop in them a standard of taste and criticism. It seeks to familiarize students with traditionally great literature and with recognized literary types.

Courses may include:

Humanities—team taught with history/social studies faculty
American Literature and Composition
British Literature and Composition
Creative Writing
Modern and Contemporary Literature and Composition

Fine Arts

Wayland Academy recognizes the aesthetic, intrinsic, and educational value of including Fine Arts in a comprehensive learning experience. Our program strives to enhance our students’ appreciation and examination of fine arts in various cultural heritages. The Academy offers a variety of classes and performing opportunities in visual arts and music.

Courses may include:

Music Lessons for—accordion, cello, clarinet, drums, flute, french horn, guitar, oboe, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, viola, violin, voice
Music Theory
Art Explorations in 2D and 3D—entry level, independent study, and advanced
Graphic Arts and Media
Performance Opportunities—Contemporary A Cappella Choir, Concert Band, and Concert Choir

History/Social Studies

The foundation for the study of the social studies and history at Wayland Academy is designed to assist students in studying topics as seemingly disparate as economics and world history. It is evident in terms of content that these subjects are quite different and have their own peculiar demands.

Courses may include:

Humanities—a team taught course with English faculty
Comparative Government
United States History
European and Medieval European History
Mindful Service
Modern Cold War
Music History
Jazz History

Modern Languages

The major goals of the Wayland Modern Languages Department are:

to develop the students’ powers of understanding a native (or standard dialect) speaking at natural speed
to develop students’ powers of oral expression using good accent and grammar
to develop students’ powers of written expression
to lead students to the appreciation of the literature in language other than English through the reading and critical analysis of selected literary works; and
to bring students into contact with ways of thought which differ from their own.

The language department offers classes in German and Spanish (five levels in each) through the Advanced Placement level.

Mathematics

The Mathematics program at Wayland provides an opportunity for all students to extend their study of mathematics to whatever level they choose after first fulfilling graduation requirements. The underlying idea of the curriculum is to provide a strong preparation for college, while also providing each student with tools to become an intelligent consumer and a contributing member of society.

Courses may include:

Algebra 1, 2, and 3
Pre-Calculus and Calculus (AP)
Geometry and Geometry, Logic, and Proofs
Statistics

Science

The Science curriculum strives for a continuing cross-disciplinary thrust in all its course offerings. There are three primary objectives in teaching science at Wayland. First, to make available scientific knowledge that will challenge the students. Second, is to see that the science offerings assist students to gain a sense of the order and coherence of scientific inquiry. Finally, and most importantly, is to teach students that scientific facts only have transitory value if they are used to help us grow as human beings.

Courses may include: