Introduction to Literature
This course strives to enable introductory-level students to communicate effectively through writing, reading, speaking, viewing, and listening. Students will have the opportunity to learn the skills in English which will enable them to compete successfully in a highly academic environment. Students will also develop self-awareness and an awareness of others through curriculum content, teaching methods, activities, evaluations, and our multi-ethnic campus. They will begin gaining the ability to function successfully in a society which demands that students be prepared for college-level academic work. This literacy will be achieved through students’ mastery of the writing process, which will be taught in context with various literary and historical genres. Emphasis will also be placed on reading skills, MLA-style classroom reports, college-level literary terms, and SAT vocabulary. This course of study encourages students to discover relationships among what they learn in other disciplines, and what they learn from their non-academic experiences. Proficiency gained in this course will be fundamental to the students’ success in our entire academic environment. Prerequisite: freshman standing

British Literature
This course surveys British literature from its earliest surviving text to contemporary authors with overviews of British history as it pertains to the literary movements being discussed. The course will include British poetry, prose, drama, and essays. Authors to be examined include Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Austen, Shelley, Dickens, Eliot, and Yeats. Students will also read excerpts from the Bible and Beowulf. Literary terms, themes, and devices will be introduced and reviewed while grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension will be reinforced. Students will be required to maintain a journal and to read four novels (two per semester) in addition to class readings. Students will be graded on class work, homework, and participation, but essays, tests, and creative projects will constitute the larger percentage of that grade. Prerequisite: sophomore standing

American Literature
In American Literature, students will analyze a variety of literary works as they reflect social perspectives and significant historical events of their respective eras, as well as how they correspond to modern times & society. Students will strive to conceptualize and define social and political issues, arguments, and theories, and explore the reasons various works have been canonized as American literary classics. Emphasis will be placed on the development of various genres; more specifically, how literature through the ages reflects the events, attitudes, and beliefs of each respective era. Authors to be examined include the early Puritan writers (Bradstreet, Edwards, etc.), Thomas Jefferson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Kate Chopin, Frederick Douglass, J.D. Salinger, and Martin Luther King, Jr., to name a few. Students will write literary critiques and expressive, expository, & argumentative essays. Students will develop skills for critical analysis of texts through reading, writing, speaking, & listening. Methods of assessment include unit tests, in-class essays, term papers, quizzes, and nightly homework assignments. Prerequisite: junior standing

World Literature
This course is a yearlong course designed to run through the four quarters of the school year. The aim is to introduce high school seniors to selected masterpieces of world literature. Most of the works that will be studied were originally written or conceived in languages other than English, but have been made available in English through translation or original writing in English by non-native speakers. In time, they range from the works of the ancients that have stood the test of time to some fairly recent works by twentieth century writers. Typical authors whose works will be sampled include Homer, Virgil, Ovid, Dante, Petrarch, Rabelais, Cervantes, Moliere, Voltaire, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Camus, Soyinka, and other authors of similar caliber. Evaluation of student performance in the course will be done through a combination of methods: monitoring class participation, judging homework assignments, giving unannounced class quizzes, and through periodic unit tests and a semester final examination. There will be two term papers, one term paper per semester. Prerequisite: senior standing

College English—Introduction to Literature (M, W, F)
This course is a literature course as well as a writing course. For the literature part, the class will study selected outstanding works of literature in three genres—fiction, poetry, and drama. The aim will be to help students develop techniques and skills for interpreting literary works and appreciating excellence in literature. For the writing component, students will study some skills and techniques for writing about literature and will be expected to write at least one essay on a literary work in each of the three genres that will be studied. Student performance in the course will be based partly on examination performance and partly on writing performance; both parts will be given equal weight in determining a student’s overall course performance. Prerequisite: senior standing and college-level academic performance

Yearbook (After School Activity)
Cadets, including those who worked on their yearbook in other schools and are familiar with Photoshop and cameras, would be very welcomed to work on the yearbook which is published before graduation each year.

Journalism
An elective course offered by the History Department, the Journalism course examines the methods, ethics, and development of journalism as a profession. The course is also responsible for the creation and regular publication of the high-school newsletter, The ORMILA Times.

SAT Preparation (Verbal)
This one-semester course prepares the college-bound cadet for the requisite SAT test by exploring the verbal reference section of the examination. The materials used for the course are from previous SAT tests, and the comprehensive questions and answers have been chosen and sanctioned by the College Entrance Examination Board. Through the use of these materials, cadets will learn that the test is predictable and that they can use this predictability to their benefit; hence, the students will be able to take this confidence into the examination room with them. The focus will be on vocabulary, sentence completion, critical reading, and essay writing. The cadets will be given tips on test-taking skills, strategies, vocabulary, and timing. Concentrated test preparation techniques will also be examined through in-depth studies of vocabulary via expanding root and prefix teams and comprehensive lists of common SAT vocabulary words. Diagnostic tests and timed practice tests will be administered throughout the course. The diagnostic tests will allow cadets to hone in on strengths and weaknesses so they may focus their preparations accordingly. As a consequence of this grounding, cadets will feel less stress and earn higher scores, thus distinguishing them from the thousands of other students applying to college each year. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing

Introductory Composition I (Freshman/Sophomore) & II (Junior/Senior)
The aim of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the writing process, and to achieve mastery in a variety of writing styles. The course will be divided into two levels: freshman/sophomore and junior/senior; students will be placed according to their class standings. The material will focus on writing beginning at the elemental level (sentence structure, thesis statement, etc). Students will also develop their grammar skills through numerous drills and activities designed to address common grammatical mistakes. Students will then learn how to compose strong paragraphs, using a topic sentence, supporting sentences (primary & secondary), and concluding sentences. Composition of a basic essay will follow, along with a thorough examination of the writing process, to include outlining, rough drafting, editing, and final drafting. Students will then compose more comprehensive essays. At each step, students will be shown examples of stellar writing to serve as exemplars in the formation of their own skills. The culmination of these skills will be a final argumentative essay due at the end of the year. Throughout the course, students will be assessed via numerous drills, activities, practice exercises, quizzes, and tests.

Pre-Algebra
Pre-Algebra provides students a survey of preparatory topics for high school mathematics, including the foundations for high school algebra and geometry. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.

Algebra 1
Algebra 1 continues the study of algebraic concepts. It includes operations with polynomials and matrices, creation and application of linear functions and relations, algebraic representations of geometric relationships, and an introduction to nonlinear functions. Students will be expected to describe and translate among graphic, algebraic, numeric, tabular, and verbal representations of relations and use those representations to solve problems. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.

Geometry
Geometry continues students’ study of geometric concepts building upon middle school topics. Students will move from an inductive approach to deductive methods of proof in their study of two- and three-dimensional geometric figures. Reasoning skills will be emphasized and students will broaden their use of the coordinate plane. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and graphics software, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.

Algebra 2
Algebra 2 continues students’ study of advanced algebraic concepts including functions, polynomials, rational expressions, systems of functions and inequalities, and matrices. Students will be expected to describe and translate among graphic, algebraic, numeric, tabular, and verbal representations of relations and use those representations to solve problems. Emphasis should be placed on practical applications and modeling. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.

Advanced Functions and Modeling
Advanced Functions and Modeling provides students an in-depth study of modeling and applying functions. Home, work, recreation, consumer issues, public policy, and scientific investigations are just a few of the areas from which applications will originate. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.

Pre-Calculus
Pre-Calculus provides students an honors-level study of trigonometry, advanced functions, analytic geometry, and data analysis in preparation for calculus. Applications and modeling will be included throughout the course of study. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.

Calculus
Calculus develops the student’s understanding of the concepts of calculus. It includes limits and continuity, derivatives, applications of derivatives, and an introduction to integration and its applications. During the semester students will learn to recognize and express mathematical concepts graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally and understand the connections between these representations. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.

SAT Prep (Math)
This one-semester course prepares the college-bound cadet for the requisite SAT test by exploring the math section of the examination. The materials used for the course are from previous SAT tests, and the comprehensive questions and answers have been chosen and sanctioned by the College Entrance Examination Board. Through the use of these materials, cadets will learn that the test is predictable and that they can use this predictability to their benefit; hence, the students will be able to take this confidence into the examination room with them. The focus of this course will be on numbers and operations, algebra and functions, geometry, statistics, probability, and data analysis. Students will practice thinking strategies, become thoroughly familiar with the structure of standardized exams, and build verbal competence and mathematics reasoning. Diagnostic tests and timed practice tests will be administered throughout the course. The diagnostic tests will allow cadets to hone in on strengths and weaknesses so they may focus their preparations accordingly. As a consequence of this grounding, cadets will feel less stress and earn higher scores, thus distinguishing them from the thousands of other students applying.

Biology
Biology is a study of life. This course will emphasize the fundamental unity in the diversity of life. We begin with a review of scientific methods, microscope use, laboratory and safety techniques. The first semester is a study of cell biology covering cell structure and function, including the movement of molecules and the cycling of energy. Cell division and DNA structure finish the semester. Second semester is a study of classification. Students will study the evolutionary relationships among organisms and how they adapt to their changing environment. Labs are included with every unit to help reinforce concepts that were covered and to emphasize the scientific method.

Chemistry
In this introductory college preparatory course students will gain a basic understanding of principles of inorganic chemistry, both qualitative and quantitative, to provide a foundation that will prepare them for success in college chemistry. Students will also be introduced to nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental chemistry. There will also be applications of major concepts to our daily lives. Topics will include atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonds, the understanding and use of the Periodic Table, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, acid-base chemistry, food chemistry, and drug actions. Laboratory experience will acquaint students with basic laboratory practices in the qualitative and quantitative study of inorganic chemistry.

Environmental Science
This is a course that relates organisms to their environment and their interdependence on one another. Students will have an in-depth study of environmental processes and their role in sustaining life on Earth. They will study the relationships among biotic and abiotic factors and how they affect the environment. Evolution is included as a naturally occurring process that includes the changing Earth and all of its organisms as they continue to adapt to their changing environment. We will also study environmental laws and how politicians affect our ever-changing world. Labs are included with each unit. Research papers are assigned each quarter on current topics that affect their lives directly.

Physical Science
Physical science is an introduction to chemistry and physics. The course begins with fundamental scientific concepts and procedures. The first semester is a study of chemistry. Students will learn the structure of atoms and how this relates to chemical and physical properties. They will gain an understanding of the Periodic Table and how it can be used as a helpful scientific tool. They will finish up with a lesson in writing chemical formulas and balancing equations. The second semester is a study of physics. Students will learn the principles of waves as well as study a unit on the electromagnetic spectrum. The principles of wave energy will be covered including electricity and magnetism. Students will finish with a unit on movement, force, and acceleration. Labs will be included with each unit to reinforce the concepts that were learned.

Physics
The Physics course is an in-depth study of topics of classical Physics which include measurement, straight-line motion, forces, dynamics, momentum, projectile, circular and rotary motion, energy, matter properties, heat & engine waves. This course also introduces students to topics of light and optics, electricity, magnetism, and semiconductors. This physics course is planned for college preparatory students, whether or not they intend to study more of the physical sciences beyond high school. Through this course they should develop knowledge of both the concepts and applications of important topics of physics. This should lead to a better understanding of our technological environment and to preparation for further work in science, engineering or technical fields. Problem-solving is emphasized, both with textbook problems and hands-on applications. Some topics follow the historical developments of physics, showing how these ideas have affected western culture and have led to unexplored areas of the sciences. Laboratory projects and demonstrations are continually integrated with lectures and audio-visual presentations.

Introduction to History

This course will study the history of ancient civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece, Rome, China, and India. It is also designed to introduce students to the various methods by which history can be examined and understood. The course touches upon the great intellectual, political, and philosophical ideas that fostered Western Civilization. It also touches upon the economic and religious forces have shaped Western Civilization. Students who graduate from this course will have a solid grounding the history of the ancient world and of historical ideas, themes, and trends. This will allow them to better understand the other history-based subjects taught at ORMA.

American Government

American Government is a multi-level course that focuses upon the evolution of the United States government from the founding of the Republic in 1776 to the present. Students will examine some of the European philosophies that helped create our government and they will examine the roles played by federal, state, and local governments. Students will also examine the three main branches of the federal government: legislative, executive, and judicial. By analyzing these branches students will gain a better understanding of the legitimate role of government in our society.

United States History

United States History is a comprehensive survey course which examines the history of America from the earliest European exploration and settlement to the present. The course focuses upon the political, military, and economic history of the Republic; however, both social and ethnic history are also touched upon. The course stresses note-taking and organizational skills; critical thinking skills are also emphasized through class discussions. Students will leave the course with a broad knowledge of the main events and ideas which have dominated American life since 1492.

Western Civilization

The Western Civilization course is a high-level course usually offered to upperclassmen at ORMA. The course builds upon the Introduction to History course; students briefly trace the origins of Western Civilization in ancient Greece and Rome. Students will then examine the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation, the development of the various nation-states of Europe, and European history through the twentieth century. The course emphasizes the critical thinking and writing skills that students should expect to encounter in college. Students should leave this course with a broad knowledge of the growth of Western Civilization, and well-prepared for the academic rigors of a college or university environment.

World Religions

An elective course offered by the History Department, the World Religions course examines the history, ideas, and practices of the world’s major religious traditions. Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and other religious beliefs are surveyed and analyzed.

College U.S. History (History 211 – The United States to 1877)

College U.S. History (History 211) is an elective, semester-length course offered for college credit through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). The course is the same survey course offered to freshmen at the college level; students who earn a grade of “C” or better will receive three hours of college credit that will transfer to most colleges and universities. Students will do much of their work over the internet, where they will listen to lectures offered by UNCG professors and complete assignments online. The course focuses upon a wide range of political, social, cultural, and ethnic history in tracing the development of the American people from Native American societies to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Only seniors and juniors who are approved by the Academic Dean are eligible for this course.

College U.S. History (History 212 – The United States Since 1877)

College U.S. History (History 212) is an elective, semester-length course offered for college credit through UNCG. The course is virtually identical in design and practice to the History 211 course described above. Students will survey American history from the end of Reconstruction through the twentieth century. Students who complete the course with a grade of “C” or better will receive three hours of college-transferable credit. Only seniors and juniors who are approved by the Academic Dean are eligible for this course.

MUSIC PROGRAM

Band – Requires at least one year of instruction on a band instrument. Cadets use a standard book of instruction for the first two years of playing. Marches are used for parades and outdoor occasions. Concert music is used for indoor concerts such as Mother’s Day. Cadets are in Band Company so they can work as a group out of class. Public performances constitute tests and exams. Cadets audition for the Bandmaster before being placed in Band Company.

Choir – Music of various types are used for music instruction and if talent is available, for public performances also. Basic instruction in breathing, intonation, unison and part singing are studied. Class can advance as fast as abilities allow.

History of Music – Lectures, records, and video will be used to expose students to music from Bach to Rock. The history and customs of each period of music will also be used to help students understand the music of that period.

ART PROGRAM

Ceramics - Students in this one-semester elective course will learn the art of creating pottery and ceramics. Students will touch upon the history of these art forms, and will practice and create their own works of pottery and ceramics using traditional and modern methods.

Photography - Students in this one-semester elective course will learn the art of photography. Students will learn to use a darkroom to develop photographs, will learn of the best cameras and methods used to take photographs, and will practice the art of photography. Students will have their work displayed on bulletin boards in the classroom building.
Studio Art l R11; Studio Art l is an introductory class designed to expose students to an in-depth approach to the fine art of Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture. Students will be introduced to perspective drawing, composition, figure drawing, pastels, watercolor painting, along with various sculpting techniques. Grading for this class is based on participation, talent, and project commitment.

Studio Art ll – Studio Art ll is an advanced class designed as a continuation of Studio Art l. Students will be exposed to more advanced Drawing and Sculpting methods along with Acrylic and Oil painting techniques. Grading for this class is based on participation, talent, and project commitment.

Art History – Art History is a detailed oriented class designed to expose the student to Painting, Sculpture and Architecture from the Ancient World to the Modern World. A large concentration of European history is studied, along with Asia, Africa, and the Americas for a comprehensive world overview. Students should leave this class with a broad Art related experience.

As a high school level cadet at Oak Ridge Military Academy, you will be required to participate in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Program. The JROTC curriculum is based on a learning model in which lecture and reading is minimized, and in which group discussion, learning by doing, and teaching others is emphasized. Leadership Education Training (LET) levels I-IV each include 180 hours of classroom instruction, testing and administration, and leadership laboratory. In your LET class, you will use the following course material.

Unit 1: Foundations of JROTC, A Character and Leadership Development Program helps develop new skills you can use in school and throughout life. This introductory unit gives you a greater appreciation of American symbols, customs, and traditions and the history and purpose of Army JROTC. An introduction to the Department of Defense and other services presents the differences and similarities of each service and their unique roles in the defense of the nation.

Unit 2: Leadership Theory and Application teaches you about leadership: How to BE a leader; what you need to KNOW when you are influencing others; and what things you DO when you are leading. You will learn about character and values, leadership theories and principles, and human behavior. You will have the opportunity to take the leadership lessons learned in the classroom to the drill field. Most important, this unit will help you build your relationships in your community service projects and your daily participation in school, work, and community.

Unit 3: Foundations for Success is designed to provide young cadets with hands-on experiential learning activities that will build self-awareness, essential life skills, and the ability to set and achieve goals. Content areas include communication, diversity, study skills, conflict resolution, decision-making, and service learning. These lessons expose cadets to complex content, such as the structure and function of the human brain, personality, and learning theory in a simple, easy to understand manner, with ample opportunity for application and practice. This unit focuses on the life skills necessary to build better citizens for tomorrow.

Unit 4: Wellness, Fitness, and First Aid provides training on getting started on total fitness, split second emergencies, handling common emergencies, and lifesaving measures. There is also training on substance abuse awareness, intervention, and prevention. By teaching the value of physical exercise and conditioning, personal hygiene, and proper diet through the Cadet Challenge program, you will feel good about yourself - both physically and mentally.

Unit 5: Geography and Earth Science helps cadets develop a global perspective and awareness of environmental issues by engaging them in interactive activities that explore the use of maps, map reading, and orienteering (an outdoor sport using maps to find one's way). Beginning lessons provide cadets with a basic overview of the globe and the continents. Each continent is further explored based on its physical and human characteristics. Subsequent lessons on maps and map reading provide instruction on the use of the compass and orienteering basics to lay the foundation for participating in orienteering activities or competitions. The unit is concluded with instruction that assists cadets in enhancing their own awareness of environmental issues.

Unit 6: Citizenship and American History introduces you to the You the People process and its Citizenship Skills. Using these skills and various activities your class will explore American history from 1776 through the present day. Each history lesson is focused around the development of citizenship and the You the People process. The unit also includes advanced history lessons for juniors and seniors as well as appropriate service learning projects.

Unit 7: Air Rifle Safety and Marksmanship teaches elements of air rifle safety and marksmanship. The focus is on history, safety, and operation, taking aim, firing techniques, positions, scoring, and firing for record.

Physical Education
This course is designed to produce physically educated individuals. They will learn skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities, become physically fit, know the implications of and the benefits from involvement in physical activities and understand the values of physical activity and its contributions to a healthful lifestyle.

Health
Students explore issues of personal health, nutrition, drug and tobacco education, sex education, including Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) and AIDS, physical fitness, and stress management.