With more than 240 courses in 7 departments, our academic program offers
a breadth and depth most students will not experience until they reach college.
The core curriculum covers English, the arts, foreign language, history,
mathematics, and science. All departments offer electives, independent studies,
and advanced courses at the AP level and beyond. Whether you want to write
and direct your own theater production, carry out environmental research
in the surrounding wetlands, or explore a new learning environment with
one of our affiliated off-campus programs, Hotchkiss can help you pursue
your talents and interests as far as you want to go.
Diploma Requirements
Courses and classes at Hotchkiss prepare students for college. Above
all, however, our academic program is designed to help students make
informed, imaginative, thoughtful decisions, and become enthusiastic
learners throughout life.
A real Hotchkiss distinction: within a rigorous framework, we give each
student the opportunity to pursue an academic program suited to individual
needs. Students have the freedom, the opportunity, and the support
to pursue their academic and artistic interests.
-
To graduate from Hotchkiss, students must both earn a minimum number
of credits and satisfactorily complete specific course requirements.
Yearlong courses receive one credit, while single-semester courses receive
a half credit.
At Hotchkiss, ninth graders are called preps, tenth graders are
called lower mids, eleventh graders are called upper mids, and
twelfth graders, not so unusually, are called seniors.
Students entering in the prep class must earn a minimum of 19 credits
at Hotchkiss. Diploma requirements:
- 4 years of English
- Math through the third level, including geometry, or the equivalent
- 2 credits in laboratory science
- Humanities & Social Sciences: Prep Humanities, Lower Mid Humanities
- A classic or modern foreign language offered at Hotchkiss through the third-year level (as determined by placement)
- Visual and Performing Arts: Prep and Lower Mid Humanities (dance, theatre, music, photography, or studio art)
- The human development course
Students entering in the lower mid class must earn a minimum of 14 credits at Hotchkiss. Diploma requirements:
- 4 years of English, with one credit from their previous high school and three more from Hotchkiss
- Math through the third level, including geometry, or the equivalent
- 2 credits in a laboratory science, which may include high school credit earned for the equivalent of one year of biology, chemistry, or physics
- Lower Mid Humanities and one credit, which may include high school credit earned prior to enrollment for the equivalent of one year of history, philosophy, or social science
- Classical or modern foreign language offered at Hotchkiss through the third-year level (as determined by placement)
- Visual and Performing Arts: Lower Mid Humanities (dance, theatre, music, photography, or studio art)
- The human development course
Students entering in the upper mid class must earn a minimum of 9 credits at Hotchkiss. Diploma requirements:
- 4 years of English, with two credits from their previous high school and two more from Hotchkiss
- Math through the third level, including geometry, or the equivalent
- 2 credits in a laboratory science, which may include one or two high school credits earned prior to enrollment for the equivalent of two years of biology, chemistry, or physics
- Humanities and Social Sciences: If you have already taken a year of U.S. history at your previous high school, you may apply to the history department for a waiver of this requirement. Should this waiver be granted, you would be required to take the equivalent of one year of history, philosophy, or social science.
- A classic or modern foreign language offered at Hotchkiss through the third-year level (as determined by placement), or through the second-year level if you begin your course of study at Hotchkiss.
Students entering in the senior class (including postgraduates) must earn a minimum of 4 credits at Hotchkiss. Diploma requirements:
- 4 years of English, with three credits from their previous high school and one more from Hotchkiss
- Huanities and Social Sciences: U.S. History
- Math through the third level, including geometry, or the equivalent
- Laboratory science: Students must have received credit for one year of biology, chemistry, or physics at their previous school in order for the Hotchkiss requirement to be waived.
- New seniors must take one year of a new language or continue a previously studied language at placement level for one year, or complete the third-year requirement by placement. Postgraduates are strongly encouraged, but not required, to enroll in a foreign language.
Classics Diploma
A student may qualify for this diploma with extensive work in Latin and Greek. Typically, students complete four levels of Latin and three of Greek, or five levels of Latin and two of Greek, or four levels of Latin and two of Greek, plus a classics independent study. Students qualifying for this diploma are released from their American History requirement.
Schedules and Grades
Most students enroll in five courses each semester. On occasion, some students take more than five courses with permission from the faculty. Courses meet four to six times each week, depending upon the academic discipline and level.
The academic year at Hotchkiss is divided into two semesters, each of which has two marking periods. At the end of each marking period, grades are given and can be accessed electronically. At the conclusion of each semester, these grades are supplemented by written comments from teachers, dormitory faculty, and advisors. Only the final grade for each course is reported on student transcripts. The school uses letter grades, on a scale of A+ to F. Students with an A average place on the first honor roll. Students with an A- average place on the honor roll.
Academic Honors
For more information about academic honors, please click here