Curriculum
A Coherent Course of Study
From phonograms to the senior thesis
Students learn at different paces, but we believe true education develops over time and within a stable intellectual community. Great Hearts Texas provides individualized attention within a common, one-track curriculum.
Each year builds deliberately upon the last, allowing students to grow in knowledge, intellectual habits, and independence from kindergarten through graduation.
Explore the curriculum by grade level
Kindergarten–Grade 5
Lower School: Building strong foundations
Lower School students develop the knowledge, skills, and habits that support increasingly independent study across the disciplines.
English
Phonograms; spelling and vocabulary; reading and literature; grammar and composition
History and Geography
Core Knowledge History and Geography
Mathematics
Singapore Mathematics
Science
Core Knowledge and FOSS Science
Foreign Language
Latin, Spanish, or French
Fine Arts
Art, music theory, and performance
Physical Education
Physical education and the development of healthy habits
Grades 6–8
Middle School: The disciplines take shape
Students deepen their command of core subjects while beginning more specialized study in history, mathematics, science, language, and the fine arts.
Grade 6
English: Literature and Composition
History and Geography: World History
Mathematics: Fundamentals of Mathematics
Science: Life or Nature Science
Foreign Language: Latin I
Fine Arts: Music Theory, Performance, and Studio Art
Physical Education: Physical Education
Grade 7
English: Literature and Composition
History and Geography: Texas History and Medieval History
Mathematics: Pre-Algebra
Science: Physical Science
Foreign Language: Latin II
Fine Arts: Music Theory, Performance, and Studio Art
Physical Education: Physical Education
Grade 8
English: Literature and Composition
History and Geography: Introduction to American History
Mathematics: Algebra I
Science: Earth Science
Foreign Language: Latin II or III
Fine Arts: Music Theory, Performance, and Studio Art
Physical Education: Physical Education
Competitive athletics are offered as extracurricular activities.
Grades 9–12
High School: Knowledge brought into conversation
High school students encounter history and literature together through Humane Letters while pursuing an increasingly advanced sequence in mathematics, science, language, and the arts.
Grade 9
Humane Letters: The American Tradition
Mathematics: Geometry
Science: Biology
Foreign Language: Latin IV or Modern Language I
Fine Arts: Music Theory and Performance
Physical Education: Physical Education and/or Competitive Athletics
Grade 10
Humane Letters: Modern Europe
Mathematics: Algebra II or Trigonometry
Science: Chemistry
Foreign Language: Latin V or Modern Language II
Fine Arts: Music Theory and Performance
Physical Education: Physical Education and/or Competitive Athletics
Additional Study: Economics
Grade 11
Humane Letters: Ancient Greece
Mathematics: Calculus I
Science: Physics I
Foreign Language: Greek I or Modern Language III
Fine Arts: Studio Art and Drama
Physical Education: Physical Education and/or Competitive Athletics
Grade 12
Humane Letters: Rome to Modernity
Mathematics: Calculus II
Science: Physics II
Foreign Language: Greek II or Modern Language IV
Fine Arts: Studio Art and Drama
Physical Education: Physical Education and/or Competitive Athletics
Capstone: Senior Thesis
Curriculum sequence notes
- This overview accurately reflects the Great Hearts Texas curriculum, although the specific sequencing of subjects may differ by academy.
- Grade 9 Humane Letters includes credit for English I, United States History from 1877 to the present, and United States Government.
- Grade 10 Humane Letters includes credit for English II and World Geography.
- Competitive athletics are offered only as extracurricular activities.
