This course is designed to introduce students to significant works of art and architecture in both the European and Non-European traditions. The goal is to promote the understanding and enjoyment of art. Art History develops students’ abilities to examine works of art intelligently, while acquainting them with the major forms of artistic expression both historically and in their own time. Students examine and develop an appreciation of art from cave paintings to the twenty-first century, in addition to the art of Africa, China, India, Japan, and the Americas. This course requires strong reading comprehension, critical analysis, and writing skills. This course is open to juniors and seniors and may fulfill the studio portion of the art requirement.

This course is a rigorous course designed to explore biology at a college level.  Topics are subdivided into three main areas: molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and population. Twelve lab sessions are included. Special lab sessions may be required. The rigor of this course will require the completion of assignments during the winter and spring vacations. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Biology or Honors Physics and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Honors Precalculus.

This course is a rigorous course covering the topics that are normally part of an introductory college course.  These topics include:  stoichiometry, gas laws, thermodynamics of reactions, acid-base theory, reaction equilibrium, kinetics and electrochemistry. The rigor of this course will require the completion of assignments during the winter and spring vacations. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. 
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry or Honors Physics and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Honors Precalculus. 

AP Computer Science A is a rigorous course designed to explore aspects of computer science at the college level. Through learning the object-oriented programming language Java, students will study fundamental topics of problem-solving, data structures, data processing, and ethical implications of computing. The rigor of the course will require the completion of assignments during the winter and spring vacations. Students are required to take the AP exam in May.

This course is divided into two distinct courses: AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism and AP Physics C: Mechanics. Both courses have separate exams and students can take one or both. Physics C is designed for students planning to specialize in a physical science or in engineering. Special lab sessions may be required. The rigor of this course will require the completion of assignments during the winter and spring vacations. Students are required to take the AP exam in May. The availability of this course is contingent upon student enrollment.  Either AP Physics 1 & 2 or AP Physics C will be offered depending upon student interest. Both AP Physics courses will not run in the same school year. 
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Physics and completion of or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC. 

This course follows the syllabus of the College Board for a semester course in Statistics at the college level. It covers data analysis and inferential statistics. High achievement in reading and writing, as well as mathematics, is also a requirement. Students take the AP exam in May, possibly earning one semester of college credit.
Prerequisite: Honors PreCalculus and teacher recommendation.

This course is typically taken during the senior year. There is a tremendous amount of independent work, thought, and effort that goes into creating the twenty-four pieces of art needed for an AP portfolio. Students design and develop a concentrated body of artwork based on a topic or theme of their choosing. Keeping a sketchbook, visually analyzing artwork, reflecting on the process, and completing a project every two weeks are requirements of the course. Projects will be assigned during breaks and vacations. All students enrolled must submit a portfolio to the College Board.
Prerequisite: Honors Art

This course is a history elective that explores the workings of government at the federal and state level. The focus of the course will be to better understand the system of government under which we all live. Starting with the constitution, the students will progress to topics such as current policy in elections, social welfare, economic policies, civil liberties, foreign and military policy and interest groups. Multi-media, research, debates, panel discussions and other methods will be used in the instruction. Strong reading comprehension, critical analysis, and effective historical writing are crucial to success in the course. Students will take the AP Examination at the end of the course. This course is only open to seniors.

This elective course is designed to explore multiple aspects of leadership. Students will delve deeply into what it takes to be an effective leader. Course material will include the study of leaders from history, as well as examples in current events. The class will host guest speakers from a variety of professions to discuss their leadership journeys. Students will develop their own definition of leadership and reflect on their leadership roles within the life of Sanford and the greater community. Students will develop and deliver several speeches throughout the semester.  This course is open to freshmen to seniors.

The Concert Band is eligible for students with some playing experience. Students in the ensemble develop individual and group performance skills, using various styles of band literature. Emphasis is placed on proper breathing, tone quality, intonation, articulation, development of range, and music reading skills. Students will also have the opportunity to audition for Junior All-State Band, as well as perform at two school concerts in this year-long course. 

While heightening visual awareness by observing and recording the world around them, students will utilize photography as a means of communication and self-expression. They will obtain an understanding of the technical aspects of photography including the operation of a 35mm camera and various darkroom techniques. A background in aesthetics will be established with regards to design, composition, statement, and intent. Weekly critiques offer the opportunity to incorporate art vocabulary to describe, analyze, interpret, and judge the work of other photographers, as well as students’ own work.

Students will obtain an understanding of design principles and photographic techniques through the operation of a digital camera. Simple digital manipulation techniques will be taught using Adobe Photoshop, but emphasis will be placed on taking good photographs. Developing a critical eye for composition, personal expression, and abstract thinking will be addressed.  Students must have a digital camera for this course. 

Students will obtain an understanding of design principles and photographic techniques through the operation of a digital camera. Simple digital manipulation techniques will be taught using Adobe Photoshop, but emphasis will be placed on taking good photographs. Developing a critical eye for composition, personal expression, and abstract thinking will be addressed.  Students must have a digital camera for this course. 

This course will introduce students to mankind’s greatest engineering achievements.  Students will learn the historical and social implications of these achievements as well as a conceptual understanding of the theory behind each design.  They will take this knowledge and apply it to their own group builds.  Students will use Sanford’s “Maker Space” to manufacture parts, and students will work together to join these parts to engineer their own masterpieces.  While this course will have traditional elements of research and assessment, there will also be a heavy emphasis on cooperative problem-solving and hands-on building experience. This class is open to all students.
Prerequisite: Algebra I.

Forensics is a one-semester investigative science and technology course. Students will learn how to observe, collect, analyze and evaluate evidence found at crime scenes. Some of the many topics covered are fingerprint analysis, hair and fiber comparison, serology and crime scene analysis. Forensics is a demanding, fast-paced course covering a new topic of evidence nearly every week. The culmination of the course will include the analysis of a crime scene. This course is open to sophomores through seniors.

This computer-based course investigates the qualities of good design and composition.  By exploring design principles through visual problem-solving exercises, students are introduced to the basic ideas of graphic design and visual communication.  Students develop skills in typography and conceptual thinking using Adobe Photoshop and hand-drawn techniques for projects.

This course is designed to provide an introduction into the basics of stage acting. Students will gain basic skills in acting, improvisation, visualization, breathing, and relaxation, as well as a working vocabulary of theatre terms. No previous acting experience is required. Open to all students.

Jazz band is a select performance group consisting of the standard jazz band instrumentation. Students are selected by audition in the fall. Students auditioning on brass, saxophone, or percussion must be members of the Concert Band. The repertoire performed includes: big band, blues, swing, funk, Latin and rock. The Jazz Band performs several times throughout the year both on and off campus.

Students will familiarize themselves with elements of the digital audio workstation.  Using Garage Band for music creation, Sibelius notation software for composing and arranging, and Reason for sound recording and editing, students will learn the basic concepts of music technology. Through project-based learning, students will explore production of both live and electronic music. Students will apply material learned in class to create a foundation of 21st century technology skills and an understanding of the creative process.

In painting class, students will learn to reproduce images from still life, from imagination, and from nature. Students will explore light, color, composition, and a variety of media and techniques. Students will have the opportunity to develop their personal style and to study the work of master artists.

In this semester course, students are introduced to robotics. A study of the logic and algorithmic processes used by computers will lead to use of the programming language, BASIC, to command robots to perform a series of tasks. As the students develop confidence and mastery in the use of hardware and programming, they will write their own functions to perform simple objectives. As the semester progresses, students will design more advanced programs, based on individual ability and curiosity.  It is strong recommended that students have at least one year of previous programming experience. This class is open to all students.
Prerequisite: Intro to Programming II or similar programming experience.

This course for seniors covers many topics in probability, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics.  In addition, personal finance topics such as banking, investments, insurance, and credit are covered.  In May students do a culminating project where they collect data and test a claim.

Prerequisite: Algebra II.

Vocal Ensemble is a smaller vocal group of select members. Interested students will audition to join this group. The Vocal Ensemble offers many opportunities to sing both on and off campus throughout the year.  The repertoire includes: a cappella selections, madrigals, contemporary music, and classical music.

This semester-long elective is open to juniors and seniors. This course is designed to enhance students’ abilities in mathematical decision-making and financial literacy. Financial literacy topics will focus on banking, credit and loans, investments, taxes, and budgeting. Students will be engaged in hands-on, real-world simulations to increase their knowledge of mathematics used in everyday life. Emphasis is on the mathematical aspects of the topics.  

Prerequisite: Algebra II