Courses at NGA
2023-2024
Note: All facilitators listed for each course are subject to change
9th Grade
9th Grade Program of Study:
Elective Options:
Del Norte Options
*Freshmen taking these electives must make up Health during Summer or eCademy.
10th Grade
10th Grade Program of Study:
World Studies, Chemistry, Art I, Math Selection (Geometry or Algebra 2),
World Language Selection (French or Spanish)
Elective Options:
11th Grade
Del Norte Options
Not 1st period electives
Uses one 2/3 or 6/7 block, NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
College Dual Credit- 1st period
1 semester, on-site options
Dual Credit- 6th period
Full semester, at Del Norte
11th Grade Program of Study:
American Studies, Physics, Math Selection (Algebra 2 or Pre-Calc), World Language Selection (French II or Spanish II)
12th Grade
12th Grade Program of Study:
12th Grade Humanities (English, Government, and Economics)
ESS (Eco-Biology, and Probability and Statistics)
Del Norte Options
Not 1st period electives
Dual Credit- 1st period
1 semester, on-site options
Dual Credit- 6th period
Full semester, at Del Norte
Driver Ed
Instructor: Dr. Neuber
Offered both Fall and Spring Semesters
Successful completion of this course qualifies the student for a certificate required by the state of New Mexico to apply for a NM Driver’s license.
Did you know that you can save hundreds of dollars by taking Defensive Driving at nex+Gen?
Our Driver’s Ed program is FREE for nex+Gen Students.
*Note: you must be at least 15 years old to take this course
You will learn (nex+Gen style):
nex+Gen Rocks!
Media Studies
Semester 1 of Media Studies focuses on journalism and writing for print media. We will be creating newspaper articles, zines, blogs, and much more. We will also be exploring software like Adobe InDesign and Google Sites to create print materials in an environment that mirrors real-world situations. This semester covers the foundational knowledge needed for semester 2.
Semester 2 of Media Studies focuses on Marketing and Marketing Communications, including how to make a comprehensive Integrated Marketing campaign. At the end of the day, marketing’s only purpose is to make money. This class is a must for any student interested in becoming a business owner someday.
Media Studies is facilitated by Mr. Minella, who worked in advertising for four years before becoming a teacher.
Creative Writing.
Course driving question: How can we as unique writers gain confidence and proficiency in the craft of creative writing?
Students will be encouraged to use their imagination and creativity to express their thoughts and ideas through the development of their personal and unique writing style.
This course will help students understand and implement the tools of creative writing through lecture, discussion, assigned reading, writing exercises, story crafting, peer critiques and much more. Students will also explore topics such as narratives, character development, fiction and non-fiction writing, short stories, poetry, playwriting and more.
Introduction to Engineering
(formerly known as MESA)
Do you like hands-on activities? Do you like creative problem-solving? Join our class!
Reel History
Open to all grades
Exploration of fact and fiction told via various film genres (.5 Credit)
Film Examples:
*See Ms. Kinney for more information.
Drama
This is a really fun class. Students in this class participate in performances of many forms: improvisation, stage plays, original writings, and film. This is the class that produces the plays you see during first period. The course can be repeated twice, meaning you can take it three times. It is an active, exciting hour. Be prepared to participate every day. It’s a riot of fun. This is not a “sit and take notes” course.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Computer Science for All
Facilitator: Michael Steele <michael.steele@nexgenacademy.com>
Please email or talk with me if you’re interested in this course.
Grades: 11-12
An example model used to represent a scenario.
Course Goals:
-Further development of technical skills in various artistic mediums.
-Further ability to utilize visual communication as a means of self-expression.
-Further develop rendering & compositional skills through a series of assignments.
-Incorporate research and written personal reflection into projects.
-Further the ability to analyze & speak about art using the conventions of Art Criticism.
-Begin to develop an artistic voice and more independence in the studio process.
Students will further their artistic development by having evolved experiences in art production and criticism.
ART II
Grades: 11th & 12th
French III
This course is an opportunity to go deeper in your study of French language and culture. It is open to Seniors who have done well in French I and II. Focus is on speaking, listening, reading, and writing in French about cultural topics. It will be 6th period, combined with the French II course.
Technology Leadership (Techsperts)
Teacher Academy I & II (CNM Dual Credit)
4 CNM Credits:
Education 1120 Introduction to Teaching
Education 1190 Teaching Practicum (Lab)
1 APS Elective Credit
Class is taught at Del Norte High School
(6th period for 2021-22 school year)
Fall Semester:
Field Trips, Observations, Guest Speakers, College Visits & Classroom Instruction
Spring Semester:
45 Hours Internship in a classroom as a Teacher Cadet
***Watch to learn more! https://youtu.be/KYe0vSWVgws
Questions? Contact
Christine Beverly
beverly@aps.edu
Mr. Matherne
Click The Trumpet!
Do you play a Band Instrument, Drum, or want to spin a FLAG?
Then band is for you!
Guided Study*
Course is open to learners with Gifted IEPs (opening of this course will depend on student interest)
Gifted learners have two course options at nex+Gen.
First, Drama class is a combination of gifted and general education. Learners in this class have some different (not extra) activities in which they participate.
Second, gifted students can opt to take an independent study. This independent study has typically been used by students to research and apply for college scholarships. Students interested in this option should see Dr. Adamson.
nex+Gen’s Artificial Intelligence Project(AI)
Elective Grades 10-12 Can Be Repeated!
Environmental Science & Statistics
Facilitator: Laura White
* Dual Credit option for Spring 2024
*$30 field trip fee
Chemistry: college preparatory course
IBio (Biology & PE)
A uniquely integrated course that combines Biology and the Foundations of Physical Education. A scientific and fitness-based approach is used to study the biological mechanisms that underlie the beneficial effects of physical fitness on mental and physical health.
Health
Skills-Based Approach
Develop skills, attitudes and functional knowledge needed to maintain, enhance or promote health and wellbeing across multiple dimensions of wellness.
Studies
We begin and end our humanities explorations with the concepts of story and multiperspectivity. We peer through political, intellectual, religious, artistic, technological, economic, and environmental lenses in order to better understand the human experience beyond our own.
A combination of World History and English 10, this humanities course is a framework for developing critical thinking. Students develop concrete skills such as analytical and argumentative writing, literary analysis, and historical research.
World
American Studies
American Studies is an integrated humanities course that will provide students the opportunity to explore and define the American experience. By coupling the historic study of our nation with literature, students will begin to develop an understanding of how social, cultural, geographic, economic and political factors create an inseparable wave that changes over time. Through projects, students will explore topics that define the United States by examining and weighing the historic foundations of issues.
Project Themes Include
Thinking like a Transcendentalist
The Pitfalls of Reconstruction
Industrial America and the Modern Consumer
Voices of Dissent during Wartime
How the Other Half Live
Poverty and its Impacts on the Community
Speaking our Mind
Mass Movements Motivated by Fear
Mass Movements Motivated by Justice
Valuing Personal Histories
Students will be expected to work as experts in a variety of professional scenarios in order to fulfill the expectations of each project, including professional advertisers, journalists, producers, and public leaders.
THIS COURSE FULFILLS THE CREDIT EXPECTATIONS FOR U.S. HISTORY AND 11TH GRADE ENGLISH
MR. POTTER
12th Grade Humanities
12th Grade Humanities is a combination of English Language Arts and Civics. This course has a strong emphasis on writing as a method of communication and self-advocacy.
Semester 1 of Humanities 12 will focus on government and political science. We will exploring the concepts of what makes up a nation, a government, the US Government, and what we can do as citizens of the United States.
Semester 2 of Humanities 12 will focus on life skills in personal finance. We will be exploring smart money management as well as the basics of macro- and microeconomics.
12th Grade Humanities is facilitated by Mr. Minella
Course Goals:
-Development of technical skills in various artistic mediums.
-Focus on the ability to utilize visual communication as a means of self-expression.
-Develop rendering & compositional skills through a series of assignments.
-Incorporate research and written personal reflection into projects.
-Focus on the ability to analyze & speak about art using the conventions of Art Criticism.
-Develop an artistic voice and more independence in the studio process.
Students will develop their artistic skills by having evolved experiences in art production and criticism.
ART I
Grade: 10th
Special Education at nex+Gen
Students with an IEP are served in an inclusion setting. We help students with their work in the regular-education classroom.
In addition, we have an elective course for students with an IEP: Study skills. This is available to all four grade levels, and it can be repeated year after year. In this course, we help students with homework and we also provide some specific teaching as well.
At nex+Gen, we have a reputation for being one of the most effective special-education programs in the city. Our graduation rate is proof that we have earned our reputation.
Algebra I
Problem-Based Learning (PrBL) curriculum from Illustrative Mathematics, and as outlined by the New Tech Network.
Course Overview: Starting with data collection and analysis sets a tone for the course of understanding quantities in context. Gathering and displaying data, measuring data distribution, and interpreting statistical results encourages students to collaborate, communicate, and explore new tools and routines.
From there, students move on to expand their understanding of linear equations, inequalities, and systems of linear equations and inequalities. They use these representations to model relationships and constraints but also reason with them abstractly. They then take these insights to a unit on two-variable statistics.
Over the next few units, they deepen their understanding of functions and deepen their ability to represent, interpret, and communicate about them—using function notation, domain and range, average rate of change, and features of graphs.
Bungee Barbie Project
From Two Variable Statistics Unit
A+ example:
Too many rubber bands!
Geometry
Students build on their middle school study of geometric figures, transformations, properties of lines and triangles, and area and volume allowing them to construct proofs and solve geometric problems on a deeper level.
Course of study includes:
Students must successfully complete Algebra 1 (whether in middle school or 9th grade) to take Geometry.
Algebra II
Pre-requisite courses: Algebra I and Geometry
Course Overview: Students begin the course with a study of sequences, which is also an opportunity to revisit linear and exponential functions. They use logarithms to solve for unknown exponents, and are introduced to the number e and its use in modeling continuous growth. In solving quadratic equations students encounter rational and irrational solutions, providing an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the real number system. This work leads to looking at situations that are well modeled by polynomials before pivoting to a study of the structure of polynomial graphs and expressions. Students learn to transform functions graphically and algebraically. This work is useful in the study of trigonometric functions used to model periodic relationships.
Ring of Fire Project
from Quadratics Unit
Successful Launch:
AP Calculus AB
Students build upon their algebra and trigonometry skills in new high-level contexts. Instruction takes place through short lectures, rich tasks, and practice problems through the Khan Academy AP®︎/College Calculus AB course. Use of correct mathematical notation in order to prepare for college-level courses is also emphasized.
Students who feel comfortable with the course material can choose to take the AP exam in order to have the opportunity to earn college credit.
Units: Limits and continuity, Differentiation: definition and basic derivative rules, Differentiation: composite implicit, and inverse functions, Contextual applications of differentiation, Applying derivatives to analyze functions, Integration and accumulation of change, Differential equations, and Applications of integration.
Pre-Calculus
The first semester of Pre-Calculus is an extension of Algebra 2. We pick up where they left off and work our way through the different function types.
Second semester we learn all about Trigonometry!
In order to take Pre-Calc, Students must successfully complete Algebra 2.
AP Computer Science Principles (9th)
In AP CSP students will be introduced to foundational concepts of computer science and explore how computing and technology impact the world.
Key Questions: How do computers work? How does the internet work? How are apps made? How should we effectively and safely use technology?
Students will have the opportunity to earn AP credit, which is worth college credit.
Below: Some python code written for a project, and the frog & mushroom image it generated (bottom right)
Team & Individual Sports (10th-12th) Mr. Smolensky
Course Activities Can Include
Information
For the student who likes