Secondary School Curriculums

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students sitting at a cafeteria table listening to a speaker

curriculum guide for grades six through twelve

Welcome to the Secondary Curriculum page, where you can explore the diverse and dynamic educational experiences offered across our ten middle and high schools. Serving students in grades 6 through 12, our schools provide a rich variety of curricula tailored to meet the unique needs of each learning community. Each school offers distinct pathways for student success. Whether preparing for college, career, or lifelong learning, our curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity at every stage.

General Academics Information

Mathematics

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Overview	The Red Clay Consolidated School District’s mathematics program is grounded in the belief that all students can achieve high levels of mathematical proficiency. Students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts through a rigorous pathway aligned with college and career readiness standards and learn to apply this knowledge to real-world situations.

Mathematics Standards Additional resources are available through the Delaware Department of Education

English Language Arts

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Overview	Red Clay’s middle and high school students engage in a high-quality English Language Arts program, which aligns to grade level Common Core State Standards, and builds on the strong literacy foundation developed in our elementary program. It is imperative with all curriculum and program design to consider grade level alignment, and also the vertical alignment across grade levels. We strongly feel the common ELA instructional strategies, lesson design, complex text, academic vocabulary, and content-rich material presented across grades K-12 provides a smooth transition for our students, and in depth learning.

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Red Clay’s middle and high school students engage in a high-quality English Language Arts program, which aligns to grade level Common Core State Standards, and builds on the strong literacy foundation developed in our elementary program. It is imperative with all curriculum and program design to consider grade level alignment, and also the vertical alignment across grade levels. We strongly feel the common ELA instructional strategies, lesson design, complex text, academic vocabulary, and content-rich material presented across grades K-12 provides a smooth transition for our students, and in depth learning.

English Language Arts Standards Delaware Literacy Standards and Plans

Science

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Overview	In the Red Clay Consolidated School District, students engage in diverse, inquiry-based explorations and investigations of the natural world through science instruction from kindergarten through graduation. As a member of the Delaware Science Coalition, students receive instruction in physical science, life science, earth/space science, and engineering through the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS, adopted by Delaware in September 2013, incorporates a three-dimensional approach to challenge all students at every grade level to create a deep understanding of the world, the universe, and living things. Through the NGSS, Red Clay science educators prepare students for a post-graduation experience in which they can participate fully in a global workforce.

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In the Red Clay Consolidated School District, students engage in diverse, inquiry-based explorations and investigations of the natural world through science instruction from kindergarten through graduation. As a member of the Delaware Science Coalition, students receive instruction in physical science, life science, earth/space science, and engineering through the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS, adopted by Delaware in September 2013, incorporates a three-dimensional approach to challenge all students at every grade level to create a deep understanding of the world, the universe, and living things. Through the NGSS, Red Clay science educators prepare students for a post-graduation experience in which they can participate fully in a global workforce.

Science Standards Delaware Department of Education Science page

Social Studies

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Overview	The Red Clay Consolidated School District’s social studies program prepares young people to become informed and active citizens who accept their responsibilities, understand their rights, and participate actively in society and government. Effective citizens must be able to research issues, form reasoned opinions, support their positions, and engage in the political process.

Social Studies Standards Additional resources are available through the Delaware Department of Education

Visual Arts

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Overview	The Red Clay Consolidated School District believes in the power of the arts to engage students, increase creativity, encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Every student in grades K-5 participates weekly in an art class. Secondary students have opportunities to take art classes that form pathways and electives toward graduation. Delaware has adopted the National Core Arts Standards. The standards emphasize the artistic processes of Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting.

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The Red Clay Consolidated School District believes in the power of the arts to engage students, increase creativity, encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Every student in grades K-5 participates weekly in an art class. Secondary students have opportunities to take art classes that form pathways and electives toward graduation.

Delaware has adopted the National Core Arts Standards. The standards emphasize the artistic processes of Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting.

Delaware Department of Education -- Delaware Arts Standards National Core Arts Standards

Music

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Overview	The Red Clay Consolidated School District believes in the power of the arts to engage students, increase creativity, encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Every student in grades K-5 participates weekly in a music class. Secondary students have opportunities to take music classes that form pathways and electives toward graduation. Delaware has adopted the National Core Arts Standards. The standards emphasize the artistic processes of Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting. Units of study are based on the National Anchor Standards

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The Red Clay Consolidated School District believes in the power of the arts to engage students, increase creativity, encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Every student in grades K-5 participates weekly in a music class. Secondary students have opportunities to take music classes that form pathways and electives toward graduation.

Delaware has adopted the National Core Arts Standards. The standards emphasize the artistic processes of Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting.

Units of study are based on the National Anchor Standards

Delaware Department of Education -- Delaware Arts Standards National Core Arts Standards

Health and Physical Education

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Overview	The Red Clay Consolidated School District supports educating the whole child, and advocates for every student to build mental, emotional and physical health skills. School based health and physical education programs teach students various concepts and practices that sustain movement and support overall wellbeing. Students build skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain active lifestyles. In Delaware, health and physical education programs align to the National Standards.

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The Red Clay Consolidated School District supports educating the whole child, and advocates for every student to build mental, emotional and physical health skills. School based health and physical education programs teach students various concepts and practices that sustain movement and support overall wellbeing. Students build skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain active lifestyles.

In Delaware, health and physical education programs align to the National Standards.

National Health Education Standards National Physical Education Standards DOE Health Education Website DOE Physical Education Website

Library

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Overview	Red Clay Libraries enrich and support the district’s curriculum while ensuring that students and staff become effective users of information and ideas. Each school in the district is equipped with a library media center and librarian. The librarians are committed to helping students use different types of information resources - books, magazines, videos, online databases, Internet resources, and other new technologies. They also provide enriching experiences such as makerspaces, video creation, instruction using various online creation tools, cultural activities, reading programs, and book talks. Red Clay has a web-based circulation system. All district library collections are searchable for students, parents, and guests. Students may go online to see what books they have checked out, place holds, and create personal bibliographies. School catalogs are available by clicking here. The District provides access to eBooks and audiobooks through SORA and the Delaware Library Online system for all Red Clay students.

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Red Clay Libraries enrich and support the district’s curriculum while ensuring that students and staff become effective users of information and ideas. Each school in the district is equipped with a library media center and librarian. The librarians are committed to helping students use different types of information resources - books, magazines, videos, online databases, Internet resources, and other new technologies. They also provide enriching experiences such as makerspaces, video creation, instruction using various online creation tools, cultural activities, reading programs, and book talks.

Red Clay has a web-based circulation system. All district library collections are searchable for students, parents, and guests. Students may go online to see what books they have checked out, place holds, and create personal bibliographies. School catalogs are available by clicking here.

The District provides access to eBooks and audiobooks through SORA and the Delaware Library Online system for all Red Clay students.

Delaware follows the American Association of School Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner:
AASL Standards Framework
Red Clay librarians also support the ELA Common Core Standards:
English Language Arts Standards Future Ready Libraries The Big 6: Information and Technology Skills for Student Success

World Languages

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Overview	Twenty-first century lives are not lived in isolation. People live and work with others from diverse backgrounds who speak different languages. Advances in technology have made instantaneous global communication possible. In order to thrive in this global society, today’s learners must be able to communicate in other languages at higher levels of proficiency and with greater cultural competence than ever before. The Red Clay Consolidated School District follows the Delaware World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. They prepare students to be full participants in the global workforce, as well as become citizens of the world. Our curriculum is focused on proficiency, what students can do with the language. We use authentic sources in the target language as well as textbooks and online resources. 90% of instruction and class responses are implemented in the target language.

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Twenty-first century lives are not lived in isolation. People live and work with others from diverse backgrounds who speak different languages. Advances in technology have made instantaneous global communication possible. In order to thrive in this global society, today’s learners must be able to communicate in other languages at higher levels of proficiency and with greater cultural competence than ever before. The Red Clay Consolidated School District follows the Delaware World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. They prepare students to be full participants in the global workforce, as well as become citizens of the world.

Our curriculum is focused on proficiency, what students can do with the language. We use authentic sources in the target language as well as textbooks and online resources. 90% of instruction and class responses are implemented in the target language.

World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages What are World Language Readiness Standards? Delaware Department of Education - World Language page

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

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Overview	Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a program that combines academic and technical skills to prepare high school students for college and careers: Curriculum: CTE programs integrate core academic courses with career-focused courses, hands-on training, and real-world projects. Skills: CTE students develop technical and employability skills like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Work experience: CTE students can gain work experience through internships, job shadows, and industry-mentored projects. Credentials: CTE students can earn industry-recognized credentials and early college credits. Career guidance: CTE career experts can help with resume writing, interview preparation, and job searches. Pathways: CTE programs can help students create a pathway to post-secondary education and certifications.

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Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a program that combines academic and technical skills to prepare high school students for college and careers:

Curriculum: CTE programs integrate core academic courses with career-focused courses, hands-on training, and real-world projects.
Skills: CTE students develop technical and employability skills like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.
Work experience: CTE students can gain work experience through internships, job shadows, and industry-mentored projects.
Credentials: CTE students can earn industry-recognized credentials and early college credits.
Career guidance: CTE career experts can help with resume writing, interview preparation, and job searches.
Pathways: CTE programs can help students create a pathway to post-secondary education and certifications.