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Midland Academics |
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 "Midland educates kids about real issues in the world that all citizens should know about, and helps them decide what they want to do with their lives." ~Blaze Elation, `09 (UC Berkeley)
Midland's Academic Program provides authentic, experiential learning opportunities that give students the chance to use their minds, hands, and in some cases, their feet. We use our 2,860-acre campus endlessly, with classes that involve field studies, solar energy explorations, camping, and just getting outside. A Midland education attempts to teach environmental stewardship, self-reliance, and scholarship for the sake of scholarship. By the senior year, students are writing 10-15-page theses about a topic of their choice, making presentations about environmental issues, and enrolling in small class seminars about subjects like Anthropology, Naturalist Studies, and Water in the West. In its uniqueness, a Midland education sets students apart by giving them the chance to think, and care, deeply about their subjects. Midland's curriculum is aligned with the UC and CSU systems, meaning that every graduate will be eligible for admission to UC and CSU schools, so long as they've passed their classes.
A Midland graduate must fulfill the following graduation requirements (19 academic credits):
• Four years of English
• Three years of mathematics (including Algebra II and Geometry)
• Two years of history, including one year of U.S. and one year of world history
• Two years of laboratory sciences (including Chemistry & Biology)
• Three years of a foreign language
• One year in the visual or performing arts
• At least two elective courses (one elective consisting of a social studies elective)
• One year of Midland 101 (if entered as a freshman)
• Senior thesis; a year long research project that results in a scholarly paper and project (if applicable).
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9th grade |
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 Midland 101 (1 credit): A team-taught course designed to incorporate a scientific study of our land with a history of the school and our local surroundings. Topics and skills include: topographic mapping, data collection, field studies, field notation, compassing, GPS, ecology, Midland history, Chumash history, California history, anthropology, local agriculture. Course will include outdoor work and camping.
Algebra I or Geometry (according to skill level) (1 credit): This traditional mathematics course will include applications of skills to an on-campus environmental project that requires longitudinal information for measurement and assessment.
English (1 credit): This course will focus on skills and content. Rigorous work on written and verbal expression; cross-disciplinary work with Midland 101 on research papers, lab reports and presentations. In addition to studying classical literature, students will be introduced to works in the genre of Literature and Environment, with a focus on works of local interest and application.
Foundations in Visual Art (1 credit): This yearlong course will introduce students to the fundamental tools and language of visual arts, from the two- to the three-dimensional. The environment and the Midland landscape serves as the core instruments for practicing learned skills like line, shape, texture, color, space, perspective, and value.
Spanish I (1 credit): While learning and practicing the foundations of the Spanish language, students will consider Spanish culture, its local influences, and Spanish impact on the land and indigenous peoples. The course will focus on written and verbal communication skills and include several local field trips. A student may be placed in a higher Spanish section if appropriate.
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10th grade |
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 World Studies (2 credits): This team-taught, interdisciplinary course combines topics from world literature and world history and geography.
Geometry or Algebra II (according to skill level) (1 credit): This traditional mathematics course will include applications of skills to an on-campus environmental project that requires longitudinal information for measurement and assessment.
Chemistry (1 credit): This course will include topics covered in a traditional Chemistry course, with particular emphasis on application of this knowledge to Midland and its water sources and system.
Spanish II (1 credit): A student may be placed in a higher Spanish section if appropriate.
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11th grade |
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 American Studies (2 credits): This team-taught course combines topics covered in U.S. history and American literature. Honors designation is available.
Biology (1 credit): Honors designation is available.
Spanish III (1 credit): This class will include a two-week trip to a Spanish-speaking country for an immersion experience. A student may be placed in another Spanish section if appropriate.
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12th Grade |
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 English 12 (1 credit) (required). Honors designation is available.
Senior Thesis (.5 credits) (required) 3-5 Electives (see list below of offerings)
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Electives |
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Electives 2011-12 Full year: 1 credit Calculus Honors
Calculus English 12 Honors Statistics Physics Honors Geology Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Advanced Art (Honors Art) Metals Ceramics Advanced Ceramics (Ceramics Honors) Spanish 4, 4 Honors, 5 Pre-calculus
Semester: 0.5 credits Macro Economics (2nd semester) Micro Economics (1st semester), Advanced Micro Economics (all year, meets 2x week) Water and the West (2nd semester) SAT/Modeling Writing and a Sense of Place (2nd semester) Drawing & Painting (2nd semester) Marine Biology (1st semester) Conservation and Agriculture (1st semester) Mindfulness (0.25 credit, 2nd semester) Foal Training (Winter sport season, crosses 1st and 2nd semester, 0.25 credit) Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Latin American Studies (designed for upper level students) * Electives are subject to change (based on faculty availability and scheduling).
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