Foreign Language

Why can't I study the language that I am fluent in to meet the graduation requirements for foreign language credits? BFA values the experience of learning a foreign language, of learning to understand its grammar, structure, and vocabulary. Language acquisition as a child is for the most part an unconscious process that produces wonderfully native speakers but does not teach the "how to's" of language learning as an abstract-thinking (young) adult. It is beneficial both intellectually and personally for a student to study a foreign language. He/she will acquire new skills, gain a better understanding of his/her own language, and learn to understand and appreciate another (truly foreign) culture.

Why are some students allowed to study the language of the country where they lived? As a general rule a student is required to study a language other than the one of their country of residence or passport. However, some exceptions have been made for a student who has been out of his/her second language or out of school in that language for a significant length of time and can no longer use the language effectively (particularly grammar and writing). This student will take a placement test and the Department Head will decide where that student is placed. Another case would be a student who speaks the language to a greater or lesser degree but has little or no experience reading and writing it.

Music

Why is Music Appreciation mandatory? Black Forest Academy has a unique music distinctive. Music Appreciation displays an intention to create well-rounded globally minded Christians. Mandating a course which explores the arts allows our students to encounter different questions than they would in other arenas. The arts are vehicles of ideas that might be even farther reaching than engineering or science - a lot of what we know of history has been preserved by the arts. Culture continues to celebrate its uniqueness through the arts.

If I have studied music outside of school or taken lessons for X number of years, do I have to take Music Appreciation? With a written course description from a previous high school and an interview with the music department, exemptions may be made based on whether the course of study at the previous school has been similar to the overall course at BFA.

Can AP Music Theory meet the Music Appreciation requirement? This is an acceptable practice. Music Appreciation is not a pre-requisite for Music Theory AP as the courses are vastly different.

Health/PE

If I have studied "health" in my science courses, do I have to take Health? Yes. A science course is not specific to health-related issues. Black Forest Academy's Health course covers: Nutrition, Body Composition, Mental and Emotional Health, Personal Care (hygiene), Healthy Behaviors, Stages of Life, Diseases, Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, First-Aid, CPR, Sex-Ed, Healthy Relationships, Conflict Resolution. These subjects are taught from a spiritual, social, and practical perspective. While we acknowledge that most students will have received some instruction in some of these subjects, it is our purpose to go more in-depth and to focus on practical and spiritual applications.

If I play varsity sports, can I be exempted from a Physical Education credit? No. The purpose of the Lifetime Wellness program is to help students...

• Acquire knowledge about the benefits to health and wellness and about the principles of fitness.
• Become physically active while pursuing goals to become physically fit.
• Become independent decision makers who can plan their own personal fitness programs.

Science

Do I have to take Chemistry before AP Chemistry? Biology before AP Biology? A student may take AP Chemistry/AP Biology without having Chemistry/Biology if:

• The teacher of the AP science course has personally checked the student's grades and standardized test scores.
• The student can provide a viable reason for "skipping" ahead.
• The student has an interview with the teacher of the AP course.

When can a ninth grader take Biology instead of Physical Science?

• By recommendation of the 8th grade science teacher (returning student).
• Physical Science was taken in 8th grade (incoming student).
• Academic records (grades and standardized test scores) that would indicate success in Biology without the need for Physical Science (incoming student).

Math

Can I take Algebra I, Algebra II and then Geometry? (The normal sequence is Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II.) Traditionally, it is better to take the normal sequence in preparation for the SAT and ACT to be taken during the junior year. The Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry sequence is only considered in special cases:

• A student who is weak in Algebra may benefit from taking the two years successively.
• A student who is taking Chemistry as a sophomore and needs Algebra II concurrently.
• A student who does not plan to graduate from BFA and requires modification for future education.

In the Middle School, if I do not test into Algebra I in grade 8 is there a way to get to Calculus?

• A sophomore, with the recommendation of his Algebra I teacher and approval from the Department Head, may take Geometry and Algebra II concurrently. This would allow the student to take Advanced Math during the junior year and Calculus the senior year.
• A junior is given the opportunity to test into Algebra III and if she then attains 90%+ in Algebra III, she may take Calculus during her senior year.

English

From students who come after grade 9 and do not have an English credit for their high school years: Why do I have to take a correspondence course to make up the credit? For college prep and for a successful experience at BFA, it is imperative that students have some knowledge of formal writing and literary analysis. The groundwork for all aspects of higher-level English courses is founded in grade 9 English. Students who jump into BFA's program without having had an intensive English 9 program struggle with adjusting to writing papers, using English grammar, and reading at the upper grades. Ideally this credit would be made up before entering BFA. For example, in the summer before entry or during the last year of national school in lieu of an ESL credit at the national school.

Can Creative Writing or Journalism meet the graduation requirements for English? Both of these courses are designed to be electives, which means they do not develop college prep skills. They do not equally match the core courses in content, in strenuous focus on formal writing and literature analysis, or in standards and expectations. Exceptions have been made in the past in that we have allowed a student to do one or the other of these electives along with a 1-semester correspondence course in Composition or Literature from an approved outside source.