Academics
Curriculum
Indian Springs Curriculum
Our curriculum provides both a rigorous academic experience and the freedom to explore your passions.
Our students have the opportunity to individualize their educational experience. We offer 130+ courses, including 19 AP classes, dozens of electives, and numerous independent study options that allow juniors and seniors to work one-on-one with faculty members. Twenty-five fine arts electives anchor a remarkable arts program that offers multiple opportunities in visual arts, drama, and music and gives students a chance to study with world-renowned talent.
Our students have the opportunity to individualize their educational experience. We offer 130+ courses, including 19 AP classes, dozens of electives, and numerous independent study options that allow juniors and seniors to work one-on-one with faculty members. Twenty-five fine arts electives anchor a remarkable arts program that offers multiple opportunities in visual arts, drama, and music and gives students a chance to study with world-renowned talent.
In 2015, we became one of the first schools in Alabama to have classrooms equipped with Clear Touch Interactive Learning Panels to support global connectivity. We also participate in the Malone Family Foundation’s prestigious Malone Scholars Program and are the only school in Alabama—and one of only eight schools in the Southeast—to offer virtual courses through the Malone Schools Online Network.
Graduation requirements include four English credits, three history credits, three math credits (at least through algebra II & trigonometry), three science credits (including biology, chemistry, and physics), three PE credits (including wellness & fitness), one art credit (including either art or music history), three credits in modern and classical languages (must be in the same language).
Graduation requirements include four English credits, three history credits, three math credits (at least through algebra II & trigonometry), three science credits (including biology, chemistry, and physics), three PE credits (including wellness & fitness), one art credit (including either art or music history), three credits in modern and classical languages (must be in the same language).
Individualized Learning
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Independent Studies
Upper-level students are encouraged to work with our faculty members on meaningful independent study topics that support their specific interests, personality, and preferences.Read More -
Malone Courses
Taught by faculty from participating Malone Scholars Schools and the Stanford Online High School, MSON courses give our students the chance to take intensive classes in an interactive, online discussion setting.Read More -
Makerspace
Our Makerspace is a flexible and personalized learning environment that fosters creative problem solving, curiosity, collaboration, and iterative learning.Read More
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Course Offerings
List of 8 items.
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English
- English 8
- English 9
- Critical Reading and Analytical Writing
- AP English Language and Composition (or two English electives)
- Advanced Poetry*
- The Art of the Personal Narrative*
- Comparative Literature: Victorian Times*
- Contemporary African American Voices*
- Creative Writing Workshop*
- Crime Fiction*
- Film Rhetoric*
- The Graphic Novel*
- Literary Theory & Analysis*
- Literary Genres: The Comedy*
- Major Authors: Harlem Renaissance*
- Major Authors: Salinger & O’Connor*
- Modern African American Voices*
- Shakespearean Comedies & Tragedies*
* indicates a one-semester course
BOLD indicates a course required for graduation -
History
- Social Studies
- World History: To 1500/AP World History: To 1500
- AP European History/AP World History: 1500 to Present
- AP U.S. History
- American Government*
- Constitutional Law & Civil Rights*
- Economics*
- Economics: Business Entrepreneurship*
- Feminist Theory*
- Great Depression & Film*
- Historical Methods*
- History of American Democracy*
- International Relations*
- Moral Philosophy*
- Political Economy*
- Reconstruction*
- Religious Literacy*
- The 1960s*
- The Cold War*
* indicates a one-semester course
BOLD indicates a course required for graduation -
Math
- Foundations in Algebra & Geometry
- Algebra I/Advanced Algebra I
- Geometry/Advanced Geometry
- Algebra II & Trigonometry/Advanced Algebra II & Trigonometry
- Precalculus/Advanced Precalculus
- Calculus
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Statistics
- Multivariable Calculus*
- Differential Equations*
- Linear Algebra*
* indicates a one-semester course
BOLD indicates a course required for graduation -
Science
- Science 8
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Conceptual Physics/AP Physics I
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics C
- AP Environmental Science
- Advanced Topics in Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Anatomy & Physiology I*
- Anatomy & Physiology II*
- Exploration of the Microscopic World*
- Forensics I*
- Infectious Disease*
- Introduction to Marine Biology*
- Psychology*
* indicates a one-semester course
BOLD indicates a course required for graduation -
Fine Arts
- Art 8
- Art History* or Music History*
- Advanced Acting*
- Directing & Stage Management*
- Playwriting*
- Theatrical Design & Stagecraft*
- Advanced Methods in Drawing*
- Advanced Methods in Sculpture*
- AP Studio Art*
- Drawing & Design*
- Sculpture*
- Adobe Photoshop I*
- Advanced Methods in Photography*
- Digital Photography*
- Introduction to Black & White Photography*
- Yearbook Design & Layout*
- Intro to Music Theory*
- AP Music Theory*
- Classical Music Ensemble
- Choral Conducting & Literature*
- Introduction to Contemporary Music Ensemble*
- Contemporary Music Ensemble*
- Advanced Contemporary Music Ensemble*
- Recording Arts*
* indicates a one-semester course
BOLD indicates a course required for graduation -
Modern & Classical Languages
- French: I-IV, French VI
- AP French Language & Culture
- Latin: I-IV
- AP Latin
- Intro to Ancient Greek
- Spanish: I-IV
- AP Spanish Language & Culture
- Chinese: I-V
- AP Chinese
Three courses in the same language required for graduation -
Physical Education
- Physical Education (Grades 8-9)
- P.E. Athletics (Grades 10-11)
- Wellness & Fitness*
- Foundation of Sports Medicine & Safety*
- Injury Prevention & Weight Training*
- Sports Medicine*
* indicates a one-semester course
BOLD indicates a course required for graduation -
Computer Science
- Advanced Topics in Computer Science*
- AP Computer Science A
- Big Data, Machine Learning, and AI*
- Intro to Computer Programming*
- Intro to Engineering - 3D Design*
- Intro to Engineering - Electronics*
- Linux*
- Python Programming*
- Web Design*
* indicates a one-semester course
Sample Curriculum
List of 5 items.
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Grade 12
Advanced Poetry/The Graphic Novel
American Government/Political Economy
Physics
AP Spanish Language & Culture
AP Calculus BC
Forensics/Nutrition & Metabolism
MSON Course (with prior approval from Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs) -
Grade 11
AP English Language & Composition
AP U.S. History
AP Chemistry
Spanish IV
Advanced Precalculus
Economics/Introduction to Black & White Photography
Theatrical Design & Stagecraft/Introduction to Engineering - Electronics -
Grade 10
Critical Reading & Analytical Writing
AP World History: 1500 to Present
Chemistry
Spanish III
Advanced Algebra II & Trigonometry
Music History/Introduction to Computer Programming
P.E. Athletics -
Grade 9
English 9
World History: To 1500
Biology
Spanish II
Advanced Geometry
Acting I/Sculpture
Wellness & Fitness/Physical Education -
Grade 8
English 8
History 8
Science 8
Spanish I
Advanced Algebra I
Art 8
Physical Education
