11th Grade

Eleventh Grade: Identity
By the eleventh grade, the students are developed thinkers. They are quick to analyze and synthesize in formation. They begin to utilize their power of reason. They also begin to take responsibility for themselves, to explore and find their identities as individuals. Eleventh graders want to know why things are as they are. They need to know the intentions that lie behind the world in order to define themselves and their opinions and ideas. They are ready to think about what is invisible to the eye and transparent to the thinking.

Main Lesson Curriculum

The academic focal point of a Waldorf high school is the main lesson, a two-hour concentrated lesson at the beginning of each school day. Each main lesson block presents one of the “core subjects”: literature, mathematics, history or natural sciences, for a period of three to four weeks.

Biology
Shakespeare
Astronomy
Medieval History
Literature: Parzival
Physics
Chemistry
Romantic Poetry
Projective Geometry
History through Music

Practicum
High school students participate in a one-week practicum each year. This activity meets the group developmentally, reinforces the curriculum, and provides experiences that will carry the students into the future.

To honor the increased independence of Grade Eleven students, their practicum is dedicated to an apprenticeship of their choosing. The students find their own mentor and work with them for a week keeping a detailed journal of the experience, the results of which are later presented in a school-wide forum.

Arts Courses
Each student takes four hours per week in the fine and practical arts. All students take part in chorus, which meets regularly each week. Thirty hours of community service are required of students in grades 9-11.

Painting
Sculpture
Stained Glass
Joinery
Eurythmy