BPS High School Course Catalog 24-25 - Flipbook - Page 46
Honors Flexible Scheduling ~ FLEX (Seaholm)
Since 1964 The Flexible Scheduling Program (Flex) has offered Seaholm students the opportunity to be
a part of a democratic community of inquiry. Flex is an honors English and Social Studies program,
open to students in grades 9-12, which combines the study of literature, history, philosophy, and media
within a four-year cycle. A daily, two-hour block of time for two semesters allows for the Flex team to
provide an integrated approach to the units of study within the interdisciplinary curriculum, and to be
active in the intellectual and developmental growth of each student. Flex students are expected to
delve deeply into core-related materials through the mini-courses offered within the program, and to
take advantage of the leadership and civic engagement opportunities presented throughout the
course of their four years. In addition to the close study of fiction, non-fiction, and media materials, Flex
students also develop crit-ical thinking and analytical writing skills. As a writer, a Flex student can
expect to study the foundations of essay writing in 9th grade, then advance to writing across genres
and preparation for AP Seminar (pending board approval) in 10th grade, preparation for the AP
Language and Composition exam in the 11th grade, and a capstone research writing project in the 12th
grade. The Flex Program continues to provide an excellent opportunity for teachers and students to
work together within a dynamic community of learners and students who remain in the program all
four years will complete the English and Social Studies requirements for graduation. The Economics
requirement is met in the 11th grade; and the Government requirement is met in the 12th grade. AP
Seminar (pending board approval) will be incorporated into the Flex 10th Grade Writing Curriculum.
Students will research and collaborate as they write research-based essays and design and give
presentations both individually and on teams. At the conclusion of the 10th grade year, students will be
eligible to sit for the AP Seminar Exam.
Prerequisites: None
Grades Taught: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0 per year for English (10th grade AP Seminar- pending board approval); 1.0 per year for Social
Studies; .5 Economics credit granted after 11th grade; .5 U.S. Government credit granted after 12th grade
NCAA approved
Flex Concentrations
2024-25: Our World: Flex students examine the history and context of globalization and global
economics. Students will also explore the world through the literature and history of Africa, Latin
America, India, and China. Focus Question: What does it mean to be a member of a global community?
2025-26: Our America: From the classic works of American literature like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great
Gatsby and Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, to the great historical events of the American Revolution and
the Civil Rights movement, Flex students will work to define the American experience. Focus Question:
What is America?
2026-27: The Human Experience: Cultural anthropology is the basis for this year as students read
literature including Frankenstein, investigate cultural perspectives of Russia and the Middle East, and
study the act of genocide with an in-depth exploration of the Holocaust. Focus Question: What does it
mean to be human?
2027-28: The Examined Life: From Socrates to the Twentieth Century, Flex students will ground their
study of Western literature and Western civilization in philosophy. Students study major periods in
European history and read literature including Oedipus Rex and works from William Shakespeare. Focus
Question: Where is knowledge taking humanity?
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