Ninth grade student will have the option to enroll in a 1 credit course, Career and College Exploration I, which aligns to MCC IDS 101. This gives students a preliminary foundation for subsequent concurrent enrollment and career focused courses. Sophomores who completed IDS 101 can be enrolled in IDS 106, Career and College Readiness II.
Below is a listing of courses CHS currently offers.
This self-paced 1 credit online course is for all freshmen and provides an opportunity to obtain 1 credit from Middlesex Community College during their PLUS Block, at no cost to the student. Students learn essential success skills, behaviors, and habits of mind in this course that they are then able to apply to increase their success in high school and beyond. With an emphasis on self-assessment and reflection, students will work to generate a personalized academic plan for their time at CHS and beyond. Students will also be introduced to MCC’s Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs), and engage with the high school and college’s academic, student support and co-curricular services, along with other resources, to develop and strengthen those skills and abilities.
This online course is for all sophomores who have successfully completed Career and College Exploration I. Students can work through this self-paced course during their PLUS Block. This course will introduce students to the main components of identifying interests aligned with career paths. Through self-assessment, students will explore their work interests, personality, skills, values and life goals in order to find purpose in their academic curriculum. This course will include career mapping and organization research to formulate a real-world perspective on current jobs and the requirements needed to achieve them. Students will self-assess their competency with MCC’s Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs) and engage with CHS and MCC’s academic, student support and cocurricular services, along with other resources, to develop and strengthen skills and abilities.
Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of accounting? Accounting 1—CP is a one-semester course designed just for you! In this class, you’ll uncover the essential concepts of Financial Accounting, with a strong focus on computerized accounting practices that are vital in today’s business environment. Students will explore the fundamental concepts of Financial Accounting. High emphasis is on computerized Accounting practices by completing a variety of short and long-term projects using Mindtap Online Working Papers and customized Google Sheets spreadsheet templates. Students will also get a taste of authentic Accounting in action as they observe and assist in the bookkeeping activities of DECA’s Lions Locker School Store and Custom Apparel business.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Regardless of the career path our students choose, having strong business skills and knowledge is essential for success. In this engaging course, we’ll explore various career options through research projects, guest speakers, and exciting field trips. In addition, the American Economy is changing at a rapid pace, and we’re educating students for careers that haven’t even been invented yet. Students will gain a general understanding of the major disciplines of business in the 21st century, such as US and Global Business Environments, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Personal and Business Finance, through the use of hands-on, enjoyable, and challenging activities. Lastly, students will develop skills essential to success in any career such as time management, communication, leadership, social media etiquette, public speaking and accountability. Students in this course are also eligible and encouraged to participate in DECA.
Dive into the exciting world of online business with our E-Commerce Marketing course! Designed for students in grades 9-12, this CP level course is perfect for those eager to explore how to successfully conduct business in the digital realm. Students implement technology that engage cardholders, merchants, issuers, payment gateways and other parties in electronic transactions. The importance of proper integration between an e-commerce website and various social media promotions will be a heavy focus of this course. You’ll also consider the competitive landscape while constructing a solid online business model. The creative possibilities are endless, allowing you to express your ideas and innovations!In this experiential learning students will evaluate and update a working internet commerce site for the Lions Locker, CHS school store.
Students will learn the importance of positioning a retail brand against target consumers, choosing category assortment, negotiating certain terms with vendors, setting prices and promotions, managing inventories, developing messaging and advertising through traditional methods as well as social media marketing while factoring in competition, and constructing a viable online business model. The creative outlets for students in the class are endless. Students in this course are also eligible and encouraged to participate in DECA. This Dual Enrollment course gives students the opportunity to produce and market products in today’s heavily e-commerce environment
Ready to become a tech-savvy pro in the world’s most widely used business software? This hands-on course will teach you how to master Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and even introduce you to the Access Database. Through interactive tutorials, real-world projects, and instructor-led demonstrations, you’ll learn the tips and tricks to use Microsoft Office efficiently and creatively. By the end of the course, you’ll have the confidence to tackle academic assignments, manage data, and deliver standout presentations like a true professional.
Master Your Money, Master Your Future. Are you ready to take control of your financial future? In this interactive and practical course, you’ll learn the essential skills for financial success in today’s world. Whether it’s saving for college, managing credit, or making smart investments, MoneySmart equips you with the tools to make informed financial decisions for life. Through hands-on activities, simulations, and engaging presentations by banking professionals, you’ll develop the confidence to take charge of your personal finances. From budgeting and car loans to the stock market and credit cards, this course turns complex financial concepts into skills you can use every day.
Key Topics Include:
Students will take part in a variety of realistic experiences throughout the semester, including Personal Finance Simulation, as well as, a customized Investopedia stock market game. Banking professionals will engage the students in several interactive presentations. Financial Planning students are eligible for DECA competition.
For the upcoming 2022-23 academic year, juniors and seniors will be offered more courses through the MCC/CHS Early College Access Program. For the 2022-23 academic year, each ninth grade student will be enrolled in a 1 credit course, Career and College Exploration I, which aligns to MCC IDS 101. This gives students a preliminary foundation for subsequent dual enrollment and career focused courses. Sophomores and juniors who completed IDS 101 will be enrolled in IDS 106, the career exploration focused 1 credit course.
This course is a one-semester elective open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The purpose of this journalism course is two-fold. First, through learning the history of journalism and the role the media plays in society, students will be challenged to critically analyze the news media. The course will foster an environment where students can question bias and develop the ability to identify authentic and “good” (reliable) sources and information. With this information, students will also build upon the skills taught in their English courses to experience non-academic writing and writing for an audience outside of the high school community. Additionally, students will acquire the knowledge and skills to not only be published, but also to publish newspapers, understand the different story styles and requirements, execute layout and graphic design.
Students will study local, metropolitan and national newspapers and magazines. They will examine the work of accomplished journalists and establish standards for their own writing. While the course will focus primarily on journalistic writing for newspaper and magazine, students will investigate the impact of radio, television and Internet on the news media. These units will investigate the writing behind these forms of communication and discuss the impact they have made on newspaper writing and media overall. This course may be taken for Dual Enrollment credit, pending approval.
This year-long course is designed to expose students to a variety of literary themes and genres through the use of both classic and modern literature in order to provide them with a diverse learning experience. A wide range of topics and themes will be covered through genres including contemporary literature, world literature, film, graphic novels, theology, and philosophy.
The core themes of this class will include, but are not limited to, ethical choices, the hero, self and society, identity, and the human response to conflict. Reading, writing, and speaking activities that relate to the works and themes studied will foster student skill development and critical thinking. Students will work individually, in pairs, in small groups, and in teacher conferences to continue their development of reading, writing, and analytical skills and to increase their understanding and appreciation of a wide variety of literature. This course may be taken for Early College Access credit.
To be successful in this class a student must be self-motivated and capable of working independently. Writing for College is a workshop in which students work to develop writing skills that will both help them with their college application process and enable them to be successful writers at the university level. During the semester, students prepare essays following the writing process from topic search to final draft.
As they bring each essay to publishable form, students develop a number of skills that enable them not only to produce essays for their college admission packages, but also to meet the demands of writing in college classes. Professional and student-written models help students to define effective writing and set personal writing goals. The process of continual response and revision encourages students to work cooperatively with their peers and with their teacher to develop their personal writing strengths and to eradicate persistent problems, especially in the areas of clarity and correctness.
In this class, students are expected to be active participants who contribute meaningfully to the peer response process, seek response to their work from their teacher and their peers, and, most importantly, are willing to revise, revise, revise. Students are required to attempt a number of different types of prose writing, drawing upon a variety of resources: observation, personal experience, interviews, and research. By the end of the course, students should regard and practice writing as a continuing process of drafting, feedback, and revision. Success in this class includes, but is not limited to, writing essays of personal experience, persuasion, description, definition, and social and cultural issues. This course may be taken for Early College Access credit.
This class is for all students who wish to continue to develop their artistic skills. Projects will involve extensions of knowledge and skills learned in Studio 1 and Studio 2 as related to drawing, painting, and 3-dimensional art.
This course will focus on incorporating the principles and elements of art into digital photography. Students will learn how digital cameras work, the history of photographic technologies and artists, as well as Photoshop editing skills. Students will be required to complete weekly assignments and will create a portfolio of their work by the end of the course. It is strongly recommended that students use their own digital camera for this course.
Do you wonder how to “Fuel the Teen Machine”? Students interested in becoming empowered with the tools necessary to make healthy lifestyle decisions will benefit from this course. You will find the answers to: How do you gain nutritional balance to maintain the energy for family, school, friends, and….life? How do you detect myth from fact in choosing the components of your diet? How do you use current resources to create your personal plan to perform at your optimal level? In this class, students will develop the following skills all within the context of nutrition: goal setting; your personal nutritional needs; food labeling; measurement and portion control; fuel analysis; meal prep and meal planning; and fitness planning. The Power of Choice is yours!
This course provides a chronological overview of the theory and principles of child growth and development from birth through age twelve, exploring the interrelationships between theory, research, and practice. Students will also learn about understanding children with special needs and keeping young children safe and healthy. The focus of this course is to prepare the student with knowledge of growth and development to enhance their ability to provide educational experiences. This course is especially designed for students interested in pursuing course work or careers in education, health, or human services fields. Throughout the course, students will work, on a rotating basis, in the in-house preschool, Lion’s Pride North. Students who are 17 & 18-years-old will be asked to fill out a C.O.R.I. form before they begin working with the young children.
This course will explore the major aspects of teaching and learning and is intended to help students decide if they want to pursue a career in Prek-12 education. Course topics will focus on the field of education as it relates to curriculum development, lesson planning, assessment, licensure as well as an overview of historical and theoretical foundations of education. Students will be introduced to the curricula used in the Chelmsford Public Schools: Math Expressions, Foundations, and Fountas and Pinnell. Included will be discussions around diversity, equity, and inclusion and will provide students with time to combine classroom instruction with hands-on participation working with preschool children in the Lion’s Pride North Preschool (our in-house preschool). Students who are 17 & 18-years-old will be asked to fill out a C.O.R.I. form before they begin working with the young children.
In this full-year field-based practicum, students will progress from observing, to working with individuals and small groups, to applying what has been learned through coursework and fieldwork experiences in a Prek-8 classroom within the Chelmsford Public Schools. With the help of the supervising teacher and by working with the students in their chosen classroom, students will gain a more comprehensive understanding of the day-to- day operations of teaching. In this course, students will have an opportunity to talk with current educators and administrators in the field of education to broaden their knowledge and help support them in their next steps. The seminar portion of the course will serve as an open forum to self-assess, discuss, and reflect on what has been learned from practicum experiences. This course is especially designed for students interested in pursuing course work or careers in education, health, or human services fields. Students who are 17 & 18-years-old will be asked to fill out a C.O.R.I. form before they begin working with children in the classroom.
This full-year course is designed for students who have successfully completed Algebra II. The course will introduce students to statistical reasoning and methods that are relevant in the fields of medicine, business, education, political science, psychology and entertainment. Topics will include design of experiments and sampling techniques, data analysis and displays, probability and counting principles, discrete probability distributions, normal probability distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Students will be required to keep an organized notebook, read and interpret the textbook, and do independent work. Emphasis will be placed on investigating and solving real world problems that will include open response questions for a variety of applications.
This second year Biology elective provides students with basic biotechnology laboratory skills in order to introduce them to biotechnology concepts, in addition to the business aspect of the industry. A “hands-on” laboratory course, it focuses on widely used biotechnological techniques and theoretical application in biotech industry standards including biological molecule manipulation, transformation and identification. Students will learn techniques that apply to biological drug applications, bioinformatics, and Good Lab Practices (GLP), such as sterile technique and maintaining a lab notebook.
The major focus of chemistry is on matter and its interactions. Quantitative and qualitative methods can be used to explain how matter interacts. Fundamental basics of matter are determined by the structure of atoms and the compounds they compose. Reactivity and properties of compounds are explored through a variety of inquiry-based laboratory activities. Topics covered include: atomic theory, stoichiometry, gas laws, bonding, solutions, and thermodynamics.
Honors Chemistry is a full year course created for students who have demonstrated a sincere interest in the sciences with students independently using algebra skills in the context of the chemistry curriculum. Honors students should expect to have 1-2 hours of independent work per night. Chemistry CP provides a foundational understanding of chemistry and may be taken as an Early College Access course with Middlesex Community College as a general science credit (CHE 121).
This is a full year lab based elective course designed for students who intend to go to college as non-science majors, and replaces last year’s Environmental Science course. The course focuses on local, national and world sustainability of resources, such as conservation of material cycling, human and environmental influences, succession, and environmental problems. Students will demonstrate mastery of the concepts by addressing authentic issues that affect the world today through completion of a variety of group and individual projects, presentations, and other collaborative exercises.
Students will explore forensic skills by integrating criminal investigative techniques with hands-on experience in the scientific procedures now used in the modern crime laboratory. Students will learn evidence collection, chemical and physical analysis of the evidence and crime scene, and focus on how modern techniques affect investigations. Students will also focus on how to present results in investigative reports both written and oral.
Introduction to Criminal Justice is a one semester course where students will study the legal, judicial, and correctional systems of the United States. The class will focus on the foundation of the U.S. Constitution, fundamental legal principles, court procedures, civil and criminal laws, and the laws which impact our daily lives. The goal of the course is to provide students with practical and problem-solving skills that will develop in the students understanding of key legal concepts and their ability to be civic and legal minded citizens in a law-saturated society. The course will implement the use of case studies, mock trials, guest speakers, small-group exercises, and hands-on activities.
Sociology is strongly recommended for college-bound juniors and seniors. It is designed to aid students in understanding today’s dynamic and rapidly changing world. This course has been developed to show the complexity of social life with its interconnections between social events and conditions. It includes a study of major social institutions, socialization, social stratification and the relationship of the personality problems of youth to these social forces. Through a series of experiments and research projects, students explore some examples of the sorts of problems sociologists study utilizing the methods of sociologists.
In United States History 1, students examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States from the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. Students review the basic framework of our Democratic Republic in order to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of civics and civic responsibilities. Students will investigate the cause and consequences of persistent social, economic and political changes that happened between the establishment of the Early Republic through World War I. Students will utilize a variety of resources including primary sources and secondary sources, images, videos, maps, and data to critically consider events of the past. Students will develop the skills to respond to enduring questions and challenges in the “American Experiment”. This course requires analytical reading and writing. Students in the Honors course will briefly review the eras of exploration and colonization before exploring the topics through to the Reconstruction Period. Additional writing and summer reading assignments are required in the Honors level course.
In United States History II, students investigate and analyze the dynamic history of the United States from the 1920s to modern day. Students will utilize a variety of resources including primary and secondary sources, images, videos, maps, and data to critically consider events of the past. Students will continue to develop the skills to respond to enduring questions and challenges in the “American Experiment”. This course requires critical thinking, analytical reading and writing. All students will participate in an action civics project designed to offer practice and build skills in citizenship.
This Advanced Placement course in American Government and Politics is designed to give students a critical perspective on government and politics in the United States of America. It involves the study of general concepts used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It requires familiarity with various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that make up the American political reality. Students will be prepared for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those of full year introductory college courses. Students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Exam in American Government and Politics. Students are required to complete a summer reading assignment prior to the first class of the school year.
Transform Your Ideas Into Reality: Join Our Full-Year Technology Course! Are you ready to take your creativity and problem-solving skills to the next level? This yearlong course is perfect for students who love hands-on projects and want to dive deep into the exciting world of engineering and design.
You’ll get to:
This course provides an introduction to essential computer science concepts, including problem-solving, algorithms, debugging strategies, and coding best practices, all taught through the Java programming language. Students will start with foundational topics such as data types, variables, arithmetic operations, conditional statements, loops, and methods. As they advance, they will explore data structures like arrays, deepen their understanding of object-oriented programming by working with classes and objects, and design interactive applications featuring graphical user interfaces. Through hands-on projects and engaging activities, students will build confidence and develop the skills needed to continue with Java programming in AP PLTW Computer Science A.
PLTW Computer Science A is a rigorous course that focuses on the design, development, and analysis of programs using the Java programming language to solve real-world problems. Key topics include object-oriented programming, algorithm development, and abstraction. Throughout the course, students will build strong computational thinking, logic, and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities and projects. By its conclusion, students will be thoroughly prepared for the AP Computer Science A exam and equipped with the knowledge and skills to continue studies in computer science at the collegiate level.
This intermediate level is designed for students who have successfully completed French 3. Students will continue to build proficiency in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. In open-ended and culturally contextualized situations, students will narrate and discuss, question and debate, and reach consensus on topics which explore the question of individual identity in relation to society. Themes to be explored include education and career choices, current events, advertising and the media, art and technology, and health. Students will watch select audio visual clips, discuss news articles, and analyze authentic literary sources spanning several centuries. Vocabulary acquisition will be guided by topics discussed in class and grammar explanations will highlight exceptions. Class will be conducted exclusively in French. Participation in the Honors course is by teacher recommendation.
This intermediate level is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish 3. Students will continue to build proficiency in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. In open-ended and culturally contextualized situations, students will narrate and discuss, question and debate, and reach consensus on a variety of topics which relate to social relationships, education, government, and technology. Students will consider a variety of authentic text sources and watch select film and video clips. Students will continue to build their vocabulary and expand their knowledge of verb tenses and other grammatical topics relevant to the themes discussed in class. Class will be conducted exclusively in Spanish. Participation in the Honors course is by teacher recommendation.
