Chelmsford Public Schools-Chelmsford High School

Early College Access Coursework at CHS

Chelmsford High School Dual Enrollment Courses

In the Spring of 2018, Early College Access (formerly Dual Enrollment) with Middlesex Community College was introduced to Chelmsford High School students in grades 10 and 11 for the upcoming school year. After course selection and collaboration with MCC, CHS was able to offer five courses during the 2018-19 year that awarded students who performed to the MCC standard with college credit.

For the upcoming academic year, juniors and seniors will be offered more courses through the MCC/CHS Early College Access Program. 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.

Below is a listing of courses CHS currently offers.

Grade 9 Career and College Exploration

Grade 9: Career and College Exploration I

This Dual Enrollment 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.

Grade 10 Career and College Exploration II

Career and College Exploration II (Grade 10)

Beginning in the winter of 2023, this online course is for all sophomores and juniors 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.

Business

Accounting I (Grades 9-12)

Accounting 1—CP is a one semester course open to all students. Students will explore the fundamental concepts of Financial Accounting. High emphasis is placed on computerized Accounting practices. Students will complete a variety of short and long term projects using Aplia 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. Accounting Students are eligible for DECA team and competition.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Business Career Pathways (Grades 9-12)

In this course we will investigate various industries and careers within those industries through research, speakers and field trips. We will gain a general understanding of business in the 21st century, such as US and Global Business Environments, Entrepreneurship, and Personal and Business Finance, through the use of hands-on, enjoyable, and challenging activities. Lastly, students will develop skills essential to success no matter the career they choose such as time management, communication, leadership, social media etiquette, public speaking and accountability. Introduces students to the world of business. Topics include basic economic ideas that explain domestic and global business activity, business ownership, management, marketing, financial institutions, personnel, labor relations and the interaction of business and society.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

E-Commerce Marketing (Grades 9-12)

This CP level course is ideal for students interested in exploring how to conduct business online. Students will study how implementing technology can 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.

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. DECA eligible course.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Introduction to Entrepreneurship (Grades 10-12)

This course will introduce individual components of entrepreneurship and their implications for society. Special emphasis is placed on decision-making and problem solving in society through an understanding of opportunity recognition, economic/financial models, value creation, and basic entrepreneur-related concepts. This course also introduces students to the theory of entrepreneurship and its practical implementation. Students will have the opportunity to use state of the art software and apparel decoration equipment to aid in the learning process. Centered around a mixture of theoretical exploration as well as case studies of real-world examples and guest lectures, students will develop an understanding of successes, opportunities and risks of entrepreneurship. Students will also develop skills in written business communication and oral presentations that allow students to integrate entrepreneurship concepts and interact with business experts.

Students in this course are eligible for DECA team and competition.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Management (Grades 9-12)

This semester course introduces basic functions and how organizations (businesses) are owned, managed, and controlled. The managerial roles of planning, leading, organizing and controlling provide the framework that course materials will be built around. Areas of concentration include legal and ethical considerations in management, decision-making and communication skill development, and leadership principles.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Marketing (Grades 9-12)

A college oriented course designed to cover key topics such as: the role of marketing in our economy; consumer behavior; market planning; the development of the marketing mix; market segmentation; pricing strategies; selling and advertising. Discussions, case studies, oral presentations, and writing assignments will be a part of the required coursework. Computer simulation programs will be used to enhance student understanding in multiple areas. Students are eligible for and are encouraged to participate in DECA and compete with other students in specific areas of study they are interested in: concert/event promotion, fashion buying, displaying and showcasing. Students will explore the determination of target markets, the psychological influences that cause people to buy, and the appropriate advertising methods used to reach the appropriate audiences.

Students will be encouraged to participate in DECA competitions and events where they will have a chance to successfully apply their knowledge in a variety of academic and hands-on settings.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Microsoft Office Certification (Grades 9-12)

This course provides an overview of key software applications needed in today’s business world. Students will learn and master the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access. Utilizing an interactive and engaging software, students will learn to create and work with documents, presentations, spreadsheets and databases. These skills are essential in the world of work and this course will teach students how to effectively design and present in appropriate business applications.

Course Outcomes:

Create professional documents using standard industry software
Identify topics through research and use the appropriate application to summarize data accurately
Analyze, organize and verify quantitative data accurately in appropriate formats
Organize and share data using collaborative applications
Design and present information professionally using business applications
- CHS 5 Credits
- MCC 3 Credits

MoneySmart (Grades 9-12)

In today’s unstable economic and financial climate, it is essential that students become financially literate citizens who will understand the concepts of financial security today and in the future. They will develop knowledge, skills, and confidence to begin assuming responsibility for their financial future. Students will develop critical thinking skills with respect to financial planning concepts as they relate to their own individual situations. Topics will include:

Education and Employment
Financing a car loan
College Financing
Credit Cards and Debit Cards
Budgeting
Saving and Investing Basics
Impacts of Credit Use
Consumer Decision Making
Insurance

Students will take part in a variety of realistic experiences throughout the semester including the H&R Block Virtual Business 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.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 1 Credit

English Language Arts

English 11 CP (Grade 11)

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.

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation required for English 11H
CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Journalism (Grades 10, 11, 12)

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.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Modern World Literature, CP

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.

CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Writing for College (Grade 12)

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.

CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Fine & Performing Arts

Studio Art 3 (Grades 10, 11, 12)

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.

Prerequisite: Studio 2
CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Introduction to Digital Photography (Grades 9-12)

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.

Prerequisites: None
CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Health, Family & Consumer Sciences

Exploring Early Childhood 3-Directed Study, CP

This year-long advanced course is a continuation of Exploring Early Childhood 1 and 2. This course gives high school students a more comprehensive understanding of the day-to-day operations of a preschool, kindergarten, elementary or middle school classroom. Throughout the course, students work as teacher assistants with a mentor teacher within the school system. With the help of the mentoring teacher, each student will be expected to teach at least six lessons to the young students they are working with. Students will also do independent research on early childhood theorists. The final assessment of the course is the completion of a portfolio. Students who are 18 years old will be asked to fill out a C.O.R.I. form and provide photo identification before they begin working with young children. This course is designed for students pursuing a career working with children. This course is considered a practical art.

Prerequisite: Exploring Early Childhood 2
CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Nutrition: The Power of Choice, CP

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 53 and portion control; fuel analysis; meal prep and meal planning; and fitness planning. The Power of Choice is yours!

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Life Management Skills Class
CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Discover Teaching, CP

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, Fundations, 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.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Child Growth and Development. Grades 11 & 12
EDU 150, 5 Credits (#67424)

Supervised Education Practicum and Seminar, CP

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 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.

Prerequisite: Discover Teaching
EDU 100, 10 Credits (#67623)

Mathematics

Introduction to Statistics CP (Grades 11, 12)

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.

Prerequisite: Algebra II H or CP
CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Science

Biotechnology I-CP (Grades 10-12)

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.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of a Biology course
CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Chemistry H, CP (Grades 10, 11, Lab-based)

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).

Prerequisite for Honors: Successful performance in Honors Biology, successful performance in an Honors level Algebra-based Mathematics course or advanced performance in CP algebra-based mathematics course, teacher recommendation.
CHS 10 Credits
MCC 4 Credits

Environmental Studies, CP (Grades 11, 12 Lab-based)

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.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology or Chemistry
CHS 10 Credits
MCC 4 Credits

Forensic Science CP (Grades 10-12 Lab-based)

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.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology
CHS 5 Credits
MCC 4 Credits

Social Sciences

Introduction to Criminal Justice-CP (Grades 10-12)

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.

Pre-requisites: Completion of World History
CHS 5 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Sociology-CP (Grades 11, 12)

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.

Pre-requisites: Completion of both World History and US I
CHS 5 Credits
MCC3 Credits

US History II-CP (Grade 11)

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.

Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed US History I
CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Technology

PLTW: Introduction to Engineering Design – CP, H (Grades 9-12)

This full year Science course is ideal for students who want to dig deeper into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. Students work both individually and in teams to design solutions to a variety of problems using 3-D modeling software, and use an engineering notebook to document their work. The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses engage students in hands-on activities, projects and problems, empower them to develop in-demand knowledge and skills, and inspire them to reimagine and see themselves as successful in STEM fields.

Prerequisites: None
CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

World Languages

French 4 H, CP (Grades 11, 12)

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.

CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

Spanish 4 H, CP (Grades 11, 12)

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.

CHS 10 Credits
MCC 3 Credits

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