Academics

Middle School & High School Curriculum

Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

A Hawaii Baptist Academy Graduate...

• grows in relationship to Jesus Christ
• contributes to the community
• directs his/her own learning
• thinks critically
• produces quality work
• practices a healthy lifestyle
• builds a critical range of knowledge

Hawaii Baptist Academy’s middle school curriculum lays a solid foundation for learning by helping students develop a healthy self image, positive attitudes, and good work habits. All students take the core courses: Bible, Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Fine Arts, and PE/Health.  In addition to this core, they may also elect to take classes that meet after the regular school day.  These include Band, Sustained Silent Reading, Guided Study, Keyboarding, Speech and Drama, Choir, Practical Arts, and Journalism.  Students may also participate in many athletic activities.

Twenty-four credits earned in grades 9-12 are required for graduation, including four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of science, four years of social studies, and two years of world language.  Semester requirements exist in Bible, physical education, speech, computer, fine arts, and health/guidance.

English and Journalism

In English 7 through English 9, students focus on developing their writing and critical reading skills. Vocabulary development, grammar, and oral communication are also emphasized. Subsequent English courses include American Literature and Composition 10, English Literature and Composition 11, and World Literature and Composition 12.  Advanced Placement 9 (AP) courses are offered in junior and seniors years and include AP Language and Composition 11 and AP Literature 12.  Communication Skills is a one-semester required course.  Elective Journalism classes, include Newswriting, Newspaper production, Yearbook and Yearbook Production.

Mathematics

The mathematics program is problem-based. It emphasizes critical thinking and active learning in a team setting. In grade 7, students master basic computational skills with decimals, integers, fractions, and percents and explore algebraic concepts. In grade 8, all students take Core Algebra, which addresses traditional basic algebra topics. Based on their performance in Core Algebra, students in grade 9 enroll in either Algebra 1 or Algebra 2. Everyone studies Geometry in Grade 10. In grade 11, students complete their three-year minimum graduation requirement for mathematics by taking either Algebra 2, Algebra 3 with Trigonometry, or Pre-Calculus. Other electives offered by the mathematics department include Introduction to Statistics, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus. Approximately 90% of all students choose to exceed the three-year minimum math requirement for graduation.

Science

Seventh grade Science is a hands-on approach to the study of life and the human body in particular. All five kingdoms are discussed, including, bacteria, fungi, plants, protista, and animalia. Eighth grade Science is a study of the earth’s matter, air, and water as well as the earth’s surface processes, internal processes, history, environment, and place in space. Conceptual Physics is a lab-based approach to physics and is taken by all 9th graders. Tenth graders take Biology, while juniors enroll in Chemistry. Science fair projects are completed in grades 7, 8, 10, and 11. Electives include Astronomy, Marine Science, College Physics, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry. HBA’s science labs are fully equipped to conduct college-level classes and are also equipped with computers with Internet access.

Social Studies

Each year, students take a social studies class as follows: Geography 7, American History 8 (early American to Civil War), Ancient World History 9 and Hawaiian History 9, United States History 10 (Industrial Revolution to the Vietnam era), Modern World History 11 or AP World History, Political Science 12 and Economics 12. Electives offered are AP United States History, AP World History, Psychology, and Life Skills. The program emphasizes application of knowledge and skills as well as content acquisition, including critical thinking, research, historical method, writing, oral presentation, and multimedia.

World Languages

Two consecutive years of the same world language in grades 9-12 are required for graduation. Students may elect French, Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese (Mandarin). All of the world language courses are year-long courses. Hawaiiana 1-A is a one semester elective designed to expose students to the reading, writing, and conversation skills of the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian culture, history and crafts.

Bible

Bible is required one semester each year. In Bible 7, students learn about the life of Jesus Christ. Bible 8 focuses on the Bible characters as role models. The teachings of Jesus are the focal point of Bible 9. In Bible 10, students take a survey of the origin and content of the Bible. Students learn how to relate to others and the world around them through a Christian relationships course in Bible 11 and about Christian Ethics in Bible 12.

Computer

All 7th graders meet a basic keyboarding requirement by either taking a keyboarding class or testing out of the requirement. Computer is integrated into the 8th grade core curriculum. Computer Applications is a required course and is usually taken in the 9th grade. Thereafter, students may choose from courses in BASIC Programming and JAVA Programming.

Fine Arts

Performing and visual arts are part of the core program in the 7th and 8th grades. Choral, band, and theater are electives offered after the regular school day. In grades 9-12, art courses offered in the curriculum include Basic Art, Drawing, Digital Design, Digital Photography, Textile Design, and Art and History of Film. Music courses include Middle School Band, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Soldiers of Light (a select vocal ensemble) and AP Music theory. Each year, HBA holds a spring drama production and students may audition to participate in the cast or crew. Ministry/performance opportunities are available through campus ministry programs.

Physical Education and Health

The focus of the PE curriculum in grades 7 and 8 is the development of gross motor and fundamental skills needed to play team sports and recreational games. Physical fitness activities include stretching, cardiovascular, and strength-training exercises. One semester of coed PE is required in grades 9 and 10. Physical fitness and recreational games form the core of these classes. A tournament format teaches teamwork, game strategy, and sportsmanship in competition.

The study of human growth and development and other age-appropriate mental, emotional, and personal health issues are taught in Health classes. Guidance 11 is required for all juniors and covers healthy living as it relates to the physical body. Students learn responsible living skills as well as the exploration of colleges and careers.