Departments & Course Syllabi

Academy 9th-12th Grade

The GHHS Business Services Technology Department is committed to equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the 21st century workplace.  We offer an overview of essential business skills in the areas of engineering, product design, entrepreneurship, marketing and finance, as well as technology.  Our staff has networked with business professionals and we bring our own experiences from the workplace into the classroom.  We provide a blended, independent learning environment where students are encouraged to explore solutions and participate in problem-based activities.

Accounting 2
Work Based Learning (Co-op)
Architectural Design
Design and Manufacturing I
Design and Manufacturing II
Marketing/Sales Course
Accounting
Student Assistant Program
iCreate 360

The goal of the Grand Haven High School Language Arts department is to help students to be involved, to be willing to learn and to share what they have learned, and to both be willing to take the risk of voicing opinions and listen to the opinions of others.  We strive for each student to refine critical thinking skills, draw conclusions, and express him/herself through both verbal and written forms of communication.  As teachers of literacy, we hope that all students will grow to enjoy literature and informative texts, and make both a part of their lives as a source of recreation and learning.  We encourage students to move beyond the literal meaning of texts for greater understanding and to be aware of different philosophies and genres of literature. Most of all, we hope to instill a connection between the subjects that are studied and each student’s life.

English 9
English 10 A & B
Honors English 10
English 11 A & B
AP Literature A & B
AP Language A & B
College English
Creative Writing I
Creative Writing II
Contemporary Literature
Independent Reading
Humanities
Media Productions
Public Speaking and Communication I
Public Speaking and Communication II
Reading Between the Lines
Drama I
Drama II
Film Analysis
Folklore and Mythology
Reading & Writing Workshop I
Reading & Writing Workshop II
Yearbook
Health

The Grand Haven High School Math Department has a focus on developing our student's critical thinking skills. Following the Common Core State Standards, we are able to reach all of our students through enrichment type activities or through remediation materials. We currently offer support for our students through our Math Lab, which is staffed with certified math teachers, as well as on-line materials for most of our courses. The math department highly recommends each student have their own graphing calculator (TI-83 or better) in order to practice higher level problems throughout the high school years. We offer elective classes that are outside the graduation requirements to enhance the mathematical experience which include, Personal Finance I & II, Sports Statistics, Visual Math, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB & BC, Trigonometry, and Introduction to Statistics.

Algebra I
Algebra II
Calculus AB
Geometry
Honors Algebra II
Math of Games
Personal Finance I
Personal Finance II
AP PreCalc
Statistics
Trigonometry
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC

The Music Department at GHHS offers a wide variety of musical experiences for all interested students, regardless of previous experience or ability.  Options for both vocal and instrumental students include auditioned, advanced ensembles; non-auditioned ensembles; extra-curricular performing opportunities; musical theatre and guitar. Our mission is to provide safe, family-oriented learning environments through the study of music where students’ self-expression is valued and encouraged. Through the study of music and performance, we teach teamwork, music literacy, cultural appreciation, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Our long standing tradition of excellence includes international and domestic travel, participation in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, State and District Festivals, Solo & Ensemble and regularly requested community performances.

Advanced Women's Choral Ensemble
Chamber Choir
Choral Ensemble
Freshmen Chorale
Women's Chorus
Chamber Orchestra
Concert Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra
Symphonic Band
Music Department Handbook
Color Guard
Concert Band
Intro to Guitar
Jazz Band
Wind Ensemble

The physical education department at Grand Haven High School is focused on giving students the tools, strategies and motivations for being physically active and fit well beyond graduation. We meet these goals by offering a variety of cutting edge physical education classes from traditional team sports, to women's health, trail running, triathlon training, fitness training and outdoor education to name a few. There is a class for every type of student, meeting most any interest level in physical activity and exertion level.

Intro to PE
Fitness Training
Outdoor Ed
Triathlon Training
Advanced Functional Conditioning and Training
Team Sports
Women's Fitness
Yoga, Pilates Fitness
Weight Training

The goal of the Grand Haven High School Science department is to help students become life-long learners and develop the necessary skills to critique scientific evidences regarding the world around them. We strive to assist each student in the development of critical thinking skills, including the ability to make inferences and draw probable conclusions regarding scientific data. We desire the student to not only learn the factual concepts we teach, but also seek to create new alternatives and solutions to many of the scientific problems we encounter today.

AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
Astronomy
Biology
Honors Biology
Greenhouse Bio
Project Science
Wildlife Biology
AP Environmental Science
Earth Science
Science Dept Grading Scale
Science Safety Contract (All Classes)
Honors Physics
Physical Science - Chemistry
Physical Science - Physics
Anatomy Procedures
Anatomy & Physiology
Honors Chemistry

The Social Studies department seeks to foster students’ critical-thinking skills in ways that will help them become well-informed, participatory citizens in our democracy. By grappling with historical, economic, and political challenges, students do not merely learn facts about controversial issues. Instead, we teach them the need to weigh the pros and cons of various political arguments, to seek out informative sources, to weigh bias in those sources, and to construct persuasive arguments that rely on evidence rather than upon logical fallacies. We work with all students to improve their writing, their ability to distinguish correlation versus causation, and their ability to persuade others. We urge students to challenge received wisdom, and to grapple with the implications of history, economics, and the other social studies disciplines for themselves. Our goal is to help all students discover the connection between the events of the past, the circumstances of the present, and the way that both influence the lives of young people.

AP European History
AP Government
AP Psychology
Current Affairs
Economics
Government
Introduction to Psychology
Law
US History
World History

Grand Haven High School offers a wide range of programs and support services for students with disabilities, and ensures that students have access to all educational opportunities. All programs and services are provided based on the individual needs of each student according to their IEP. We provide support in general education classes through teaming and instructional assistants. MERIT and resource room classes are available for students who need more support. Our building also houses categorical programs for students with eligibilities of Autism, Cognitive Impairment, Emotional Impairment, and Severe Multiple Impairment. Support services may also include school psychologists, school social workers, special education consultants, speech and language therapists, occupational and physical therapists and autism specialists.

Adapted Art
ADPE
CBT
LCCE Health
RR Algebra I
RR Algebra II
RR Language Arts 9 AB
SXI Program
Directed Study
Guided Academics
RR Geometry AB
Vocational Math

The goals of the Grand Haven High School World Language Department are to help students become global citizens with cultural awareness and sensitivity, become proficient in another language, and strive to speak like a heritage speaker in the target language. We help students demonstrate their language acquisition through practicing listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. As teachers of world languages, we hope our students develop an interest in learning more about the world in which they live, and discover ways to use their language skills in and out of class. We provide opportunities to learn about culture through authentic materials, recipes, videos, and photographs, and we share our own travel experiences to inspire curiosity in our students. We believe it is important for students to learn different cultural perspectives and we help students make connections to the real world.

Spanish I A & B
Spanish II A & B
Spanish III A & B
Spanish IV A & B
Spanish V A & B
German I 
German II
German III
German IV & V