Urbana High School (Maryland)

Infobox school | name = Urbana High School


imagesize=150px
motto=
established = 1996
type = Public high school
address = 3471 Campus Drive Ijamsville, MD 21754
location = Urbana, Maryland
enrollment = 1600
mascot = Hawks
colors = Navy, Grey, and White
information =
principal = Dr. George Seaton II
website =http://uhsmd.org

Urbana High School is a public high school in Urbana, Maryland, and is the only International Baccalaureate Diploma School in Frederick County. The school colors are navy, gray, and white, and the mascot is the hawk. The principal is Dr. George M. Seaton II, and the Vice Principals are Dr. Don Hindman, Mr. Jeff Marker, and Mrs. Sara Ring.

Mission Statement

* Our students, staff, parents and community are partners in the educational process.
* Our school provides a safe and supportive learning environment.
* Our educational program provides a rich selection of challenging opportunities to develop life-long learners and responsible citizens.
* Our school community expects compassionate, ethical conduct.
* Our school community respects diversity and individual differences.

United by High Standards, Urbana High School empowers students to achieve their full potential and make a positive difference in their local and global communities. "Together we learn."

Courses

Urbana High School has two 90-day semester, with two 45-day terms per semester. First semester usually runs from the end of August to the middle of January, and second semester usually runs from the middle of January to the beginning of June. First term ends at the end of October, and third term ends at the end of March.

The school day is broken up into four 90-minute periods, or blocks, with four 30-minute lunch shifts. First block runs from 7:30 to 9:00, second from 9:05 - 10:35, third from 10:40 - 12:40, and fourth from 12:45 - 2:15.

Third block holds the lunch shifts, with first lunch going from 10:35 - 11:03, second from 11:07 - 11:35, third from 11:39 - 12:07, and fourth from 12:11 - 12:40.

A few classes are year-long, but most are only one semester long. Most courses are taught in both semesters, as well. All International Baccalaureate courses are year-long.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) courses allow the students to learn college-level material while still participating in a high school environment. AP Exams are administered nation-wide in early May. The Advanced Placement Program is regulated by the College Board [http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/] .

"Urbana High School" offers classes for 30 of the 37 available AP exams:
*Art History
*Biology
*Calculus AB
*Calculus BC
*Chemistry
*Chinese Language
*English Language
*English Literature
*Environmental Science
*European History
*French Language
*German Language
*Human Geography
*Macroeconomics
*Microeconomics
*Physics B
*Physics C
*Psychology
*Spanish Language
*Spanish Literature
*Statistics
*US Government and Politics
*US History

Courses are added yearly to the Urbana HS course list, so the list will continue to grow until all 37 available AP courses are offered at this high school.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a European-based educational system that, in the US, replaces the normal high school curriculum and stimulates the students to relate what they are learning to their lives and the world in which they live. In Europe, IB is a leading college or university preparation program, although in the US, IB has not taken such a strong hold in advanced education, and it is common to receive more college credit from an AP course than an IB. More and more colleges are accepting the IB program as a valid high school education, however.

Urbana's IB program began in 2004, thus the first IB Diploma class was the graduating class of 2006. It is a 2-year program, and it encompasses all disciplines of academia, from music and the arts to advanced biology and chemistry. There are two levels to the IB program: Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL). Almost all classes are taught in both levels, although some are restrained to one or the other.

UHS offers these courses:
*Art (SL, HL)
*Biology (SL, HL)
*Chemistry (SL, HL)
*Computer Sciences (SL, HL)
*English (HL)
*European History (HL, SL)
*French (SL, HL)
*History of the Americas (SL, HL)
*Latin (SL, HL)
*Math (HL)
*Math Methods (SL)
*Math Studies (SL)
*Music Theory (SL, HL)
*Physics (SL, HL)
*Spanish (SL, HL)
*Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge is a required course for everyone in the International Baccalaureate program, integrating what different populations and individuals think to worldly current events, and thus does not require distinction in levels of difficulty.

Social Studies

"There are three required Social Studies / History courses at Urbana:"

U.S. Government

This course examines the social, economic, and political forces that shaped American life from the Colonial Period through the late 1800s. The structure and function of the American political and economic system is also covered in preparation for the Maryland High School Assessments in Government. "(9^th Grade)"

Modern World History

This course covers the development of modern nations beginning in the 15th century and continuing to the present. This course surveys the progress of humans in areas including science, technology, art, music, government, philosophy, and culture. Topics include exploration, imperialism, social movements, and global conflicts in the 20th century. "(10^th Grade)"

American Studies II

This course continues the time-line of U.S. history beginning in the late 1800s and ending in the late 20th century. The social, political, and economic issues that shaped 20th century America are analyzed. The "Junior Project" in required in American Studies II. This is a significant research paper that is reflective of a topic relevant to 20th century America. "(11^th Grade)"

AP U.S. History and Seminar can replace American Studies II, but is a year-long course, as opposed to being only a semester.

All required courses are offered at three academic levels: "Honors", "Merit", and "Directed".

"Other Social Studies courses offered at Urbana include:"

Ancient History

This course studies the history of the world before 1450. Students are exposed to the rise and fall of ancient civilizations and learn to understand and study the various costs and benefits of empires such as the Romans or Aztecs. While examining the ancient and medieval worlds, students have the opportunity to explore the different elements of culture and why civilization grow strong and then weaken.

Antebellum America: Civil War

This course is an in-depth study of the Civil War and the times that surrounded the war that divided America. The social, political, economic, military, and technological events that shaped the United States in the 19th century will be explored.

Economics

This course covers the study of the individual's role in the economy as a consumer as well as systematic economic concepts, such as economic systems and controls. Topics include the history of economic thought, the stock market and investing, the role of the Federal Reserve System, and international economic systems.

Law & Society

This course examines the justice system and its impact on society. Topics include Constitutional rights, the Supreme Court, juvenile and family law, crime and punishment, law enforcement, legal proceedings, and civil and property law.

National & Global Issues

This course covers the public policy making process, social science research, and the ongoing analysis of current issues. Students will conduct both written and oral reviews of current issues and complete a research project that includes a web page design.

Psychology

This course includes the study of the biological basis of behavior, states of consciousness, memory, intelligence, motivation and emotion, development, human sexuality, personality, psychological disorders, and treatment.

Sociology

This course focuses on the study of human society, social behaviors, and human interaction as it occurs in group settings. Topics include social norms, counter-cultures, deviance, criminal incarceration (includes field trip to local jail), racism, sexism, families, social classes, poverty, homelessness, religious cults, and much more.

U.S. History 1950 - Present

This course examines the political, economic, and geographic history in the United States since 1950. Students will explore significant events, trends, and developments in American domestic and foreign policy since WWII.

WWII History

This course offers students an opportunity to study the background of the elements that created the United Nations and power struggles that currently exist. While exploring the causes of this conflict, students will examine social, political, and economic events that led to increased hostilities and the expansion of the U.S. as a major world power. Lessons will address major campaigns, political battles, technological developments, civilian involvements, and the changes experienced by various minority groups such as women and Black Americans. Additionally, the course will approach this period of history from a world view, giving the students a chance to study the course of events from a decidedly different vantage point.

External links

* [http://www.uhsmd.org Urbana High School Website]
* [http://www.fcps.org/cms/sp/getschool.cfm?RecordID=66 Frederick County Public Schools-School Profile for Urbana High School]
* [http://www.urbanaband.org/ Urbana Mighty Hawks Marching Band Website]