Academics

Curriculum

Indian Springs Curriculum

Our curriculum provides a rigorous academic experience and the freedom to explore your passions.

Our students have the opportunity to individualize their educational experience. We offer 120+ courses, including 18 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 visual arts, drama, and music opportunities 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.

Our top Alabama boarding school’s 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), and three credits in modern and classical languages (must be in the same language).

Individualized Learning

Course Offerings

List of 8 items.

  • 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*
    • 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 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*
    • Reconstruction*
    • Religious Literacy*
    • The 1960s*

    * 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 Physics C
    • AP Biology
    • AP Chemistry
    • 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
    • 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*
    • Linux*
    • Python Programming*
    • Web Design*


    * indicates a one-semester course

Sample Curriculum

List of 5 items.

  • Grade 8

    English 8
    Social Studies
    Science 8
    French I
    Advanced Algebra I
    Art 8
    Physical Education 
  • Grade 9

    English 9
    World History: To 1500
    Biology
    French II
    Advanced Geometry
    Drawing and Design/Introduction to Computer Programming
    Wellness & Fitness/Physical Education
  • Grade 10

    Critical Reading & Analytical Writing
    AP World History
    Chemistry
    French III
    Advanced Algebra II & Trigonometry
    Art History/Contemporary Music Ensemble
    Foundation of Sports Medicine & Safety/Injury Prevention & Weight Training
  • Grade 11

    AP English Language & Composition
    AP United States History
    AP Physics I
    French IV
    Advanced Precalculus
    Theatrical Design & Stagecraft/Introduction to Black and White Photography
    Economics/Psychology
  • Grade 12

    The Art of the Personal Narrative/Crime Fiction
    International Relations/History of American Democracy
    AP Chemistry
    AP French Language & Culture
    AP Statistics
    Web Design/Introduction to Marine Biology
    MSON Course (with prior approval from the Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs)

Staff

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Jonathan Gray

    Jonathan Gray 

    Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs, Math Teacher
    205.332.0608
  • Photo of Weslie Wald

    Weslie Wald 

    Dean of Faculty, Spanish Teacher
    205.733.2631
  • Photo of Christine Copeland

    Christine Copeland 

    Academic Center Coordinator
    205.332.0582
190 Woodward Drive, Indian Springs, Alabama 35124
Phone: 205.988.3350
Indian Springs School, an independent school recognized nationally as a leader in boarding and day education for grades 8-12, serves a talented and diverse student body and offers admission to qualified students regardless of race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Located in Indian Springs, Alabama, just south of Birmingham, the school does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

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