Torah
Studies Discription | General Studies Discription
| Curricula
WITS operates a four-year high school program (grades 9-12) consisting of both Limudei Kodesh and General Studies.
The curriculum emphasizes the study of Gemorah while focusing on a broad
scope of other Torah subjects as well. In addition to the daytime schedule,
there is an evening Se
There are five levels of Shiurim. A student is placed in a Shiur that matches
his abilities. As his mastery of skills increases, he moves on to the next level.
Highly motivated, gifted students
can advance into one of the Bais Medrash Shiurim as they demonstrate preparedness
to do so.
The specific objectives that the Torah Studies program sets for its Talmidim
are:der during which the students review the daily
Gemorah Shiur with their Chavrusas and older Bais Medrash students.
The Shiurim
stress student participation and the development of learning skills.
•
To acquire the language and analytical skills necessary for independent
learning of Gemorah, Rashi, Tosfos, Rishonim, Achronim; Chumash with Rashi,
Ramban and Sforno and Shulchan Aruch with Mishnah Berurah.
•
To become clear and careful thinkers who can combine a logical thinking
process with a developed sense of Svorah.
•
To acquire a well-rounded knowledge of Torah, its theoretical and practical
aspects, Torah Hashkafa and Mussar
WITS operates an intensive highly accountable General Studies program.
The school is accredited by the North Central Association of Schools
and Colleges and has been granted their Award of Excellence. The accreditation
report notes, "The program stresses excellence and this is carried
out as something that is natural. Each student is looking for challenge.
Feelings of support, encouragement and belonging are fostered."
The curriculum is designed for a college preparatory Yeshiva High School.
Within the programs, which are tailored to meet the needs of each
individual, students confront a wide range of academic challenges. They
learn how
to grapple with independent research, oral presentation and laboratory
experiments.
Nationally normed standardized tests are administered annually to evaluate
each student's progress and the program's effectiveness. All candidates
for admission take the TAP tests: Freshmen the NEDT; sophomores the
NEDT and PSAT; juniors the PSAT and SAT, and seniors the SAT.
There are two operational goals in the program:
- Each student will become highly knowledgeable in subjects including
English language, literature, history, mathematics and the sciences.
- Each student will have the prerequisite basic skills and study habits
necessary to succeed in future academic endeavors.
General Studies Overview
Science | Mathematics | English
| Social Science| Computers|
Physical Education
Students are required to attend academic classes during four of the five General Studies periods. The fifth period is physical education, individual study, or tutoring.
Science
Ninth Grade - General Science - the philosophy and
value systems of science, basic chemistry, chemical reactions, and
equations, laboratory
techniques,
laws of motion, energy, temperature, heat, electricity, optics and
conservation of energy. Special units on environmental topics are also
studied.
Tenth Grade - Biology - the science of human, animal and plant life;
the basic life processes such as photosynthesis, cell reproduction,
genetic
determination, nutrition and health; the functions of and relationship
between various parts of organisms; and ecological relationships
between the earth and all of its inhabitants
Eleventh grade - Chemistry - atoms, molecules, chemical formulae
and equations, the elements, electronic structure, gas laws, liquids,
solids, organic
compounds, chemical reactions and environmental reactions
Twelfth Grade - Physics - matter, energy, forces, gravitation,
thermodynamics, wave motions, sound, sight, electrostatics, magnetism,
atomic theory and environmental reactions
Mathematics
The Mathematics curriculum is organized along traditional fines
with courses in algebra, geometry, advanced algebra/trigonometry,
advanced
mathematics/pre-calculus
and calculus. The range of courses is structured to service individual
needs. Students are placed in mathematics courses based on their
past success, math proficiency test scores and teacher judgment.
This allows
students to advance to higher-level math courses solely on the
basis of their proficiency and ability.
Algebra - properties of real numbers, solving equations,
interpreting word problems, polynomials, algebraic fractions,
graphing, solving
for two equations with two unknowns, properties of numbers and
quadratic equation
Geometry - terminology, theorems and proofs, properties
of shapes, areas, volumes, coordinates and loci
Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry - logarithms, exponentials,
word problems, identities, trigonometric equations, functions,
probability and
complex numbers
Advanced Math/Pre-Calculus - theory of equations, probability
and statistics, logarithms and exponential functions, limit theory,
sequence and series
Calculus - limits, continuity, derivation, maxima and
minima of functions
Math Honors Program - Advanced mathematics students are
encouraged to take an accelerated program in which they complete
algebra, geometry
and
advanced algebra in their freshmen and sophomore years. They then
take advanced math/pre-calculus and calculus in their junior and
senior years.
English
English instruction, although graded into ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth
grade classes, is organized so that each topic necessary to learning the
English language - grammar, composition, literature, oral communication,
written communication and library research - is studied each year.
Grammar and composition instruction progress logically to advanced levels,
from basic sentence and paragraph structure and simple conventions of
grammar and style, to content analysis, examination of syntax and creative
composition. The accumulation of skills is reinforced through continuous
usage that builds upon prior knowledge. The study of literature is divided
as follows:
Ninth Grade - short story, novel and play
Tenth Grade - Shakespeare, drama, non-fiction, expository prose
Eleventh Grade - American literature
Twelfth grade - English and world literature
Social Science
Ninth Grade - World History
Concentration is on world civilizations from their beginnings to the present
day. Emphasis is on the development of all civilizations, Oriental and
Occidental, not solely on those, which contributed directly to the stream
of Western Civilization.
Tenth Grade - World History/American
The study of world history continues through the first semester of tenth
grade. During the second semester students begin the study of American
history, focusing on the formation of the United States and its emergence
as a nation.
Eleventh Grade -American History
The study of American history continues as the social studies offering
for eleventh graders with emphasis on the development of the United States
and its relationship with the rest of the world.
Twelfth Grade - Government and Economics
In government, students learn about the three branches of government,
how laws are passed and the responsibilities we have as citizens. Economics
is designed to help students better understand the economic principles
that influence business as well as their personal lives.
Computers
WITS provides its students with access to current computer technology.
The new computer laboratory contains twenty-one Windows-based computers
linked by a Novell Netware server, readily available for student use.
The server client environment enables students at the workstations to
share files and network based applications.
A CD tower utilizing as many as 125 CD-ROMs provides all workstations,
simultaneously, with access to reference materials necessary for papers
and projects. Teachers utilize the CD-ROMs to augment their instruction
and to afford their students the opportunity to benefit from up-to-date
information sources. Most instructors require the use of word processing
software for papers..
Physical Education
Organized instruction in physical education is built around the students'
interests in seasonal sports activities such as football, softball, basketball,
etc. Conditioning calisthenics and exercise are regularly included. Attendance
in the physical education program is mandatory for each student.
