Non-Departmental Courses
Many students opt to take elective credits in the form of a second Science or Foreign Language class, or an additional class in the Fine Arts. Semester electives also exist in the Social Studies and English and Computer Science departments.
Additional non-departmental offerings are listed below:
Course Descriptions
9th GRADE SEMINAR (full year, two days each cycle)
Required for all 9th-grade students
This year-long course is designed specifically for 9th graders and addresses various issues and developmental needs of young adolescents as they transition to the expectations of the Upper School. The curriculum is based on the four key values of Country Day: Educational Excellence, Character, Community, and Service. Topics include goal setting, time management, decision-making skills, media literacy, study skills, leadership, character and integrity, drug, alcohol, and tobacco education; wellness; emotional well-being; stress management; bullying; harassment awareness; identity development; difference; and cooperation. The purpose of the course is to help students on their way to a healthy, productive Upper School career.
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE: Centering Student Voice (first semester)
“Ethical Leadership in Practice: Centering Student Voice” is a new, upper-level elective for students in grades 10-12 who want to better understand how leadership works—and how student perspectives can meaningfully shape school life at Charlotte Country Day School. This action-oriented course is designed to elevate student voices, ignite and develop the leadership potential and civic engagement of students, and equip the next generation of leaders with the tools to drive transformational change on the issues that matter to them. In this course, students explore key leadership theories and principles often taught in business schools and executive leadership programs (including transformational leadership, servant leadership, adaptive leadership, ethical leadership, situational leadership, collaborative leadership, authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and followership) and learn to apply them directly to real challenges and opportunities in their own school community. This course reflects Country Day’s mission and commitment to developing ethical leaders with intellectual curiosity, principled character, and a responsibility to serve. A defining feature of the course is that student voice
is centered in both the content and the method of learning. Faculty, staff, and—most importantly—students are invited to propose authentic leadership challenges, dilemmas, and opportunities drawn from their own direct experiences at Country Day. These real situations become the focus of inquiry, critical analysis, discussion, and debate, giving students the opportunity to respond thoughtfully and make concrete recommendations to school leadership—learning how student leadership can influence culture, guide decision-making, and shape institutional evolution. Notably, this course is taught by Country Day’s Head of School, Dr. Tara Christie Kinsey, who will engage members of the School’s leadership team to wrestle with key issues in this course as they arise.
PUBLIC SPEAKING (first semester, repeats second semester)
The primary purpose behind this class is to give students the opportunity to be comfortable in front of an audience. Students will write their own material, from short personal stories to longer presentations, from talks about things that matter to them to PowerPoint pitches. By performing in front of their small class first and watching recordings of themselves, they will gain confidence in their own abilities. Students learn how to give and receive feedback and be reflective about their own work. They will also learn how to work within the parameters of an assignment, audience, intent, and length of presentation. By the end of the semester, students should be prepared to present to anyone – from a high-stakes audience to a small, comfortable group – on any topic. Class involves games, free-writing, and viewing great speeches in film and from real life.
STRENGTH TRAINING
Successful completion of this course qualifies as one of the two co-curricular credits needed each year. This course is suitable for all levels (beginner through advanced), athletes, and non-athletes. Students will learn proper weightlifting techniques, functional movement patterns, and the principles of strength development. The course will cover topics such as nutrition, injury prevention, regeneration, and goal setting for performance. Training will include a combination of resistance training, power development, speed development, and mobility exercises. Please note that for in-season student-athletes, workout completion during the Strength Training course will fulfill their after-school training requirements.