BCS High School Information
Bible
Berks Christian Bible curriculum for 9th and 10th grades is designed to be an overview of the Early Church. Students will study the book of Acts and continue through Paul's earliest epistles: the letters to the Galatians, Thessalonians, Corinthians, and Romans. The students are able to apply what they learn as they study the Early Church. Further application is made as they note the expansion of the Church. As young believers, they become more aware of the important duty that Christ gave before he ascended, "Acts 1:8- "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Berks Christian Bible curriculum for the 11th and 12th grades is based off of the concept of Missio Dei. The term missio dei literally means "the mission of God". This course provides opportunities for students to explore and engage in God's mission as the foundation for the story of the Bible, as the lens through which we all relate to others cross-culturally, as the centerpiece of history, and as the driving force for living "missionally" in whatever context we find ourselves. The Missio Dei course invites students to enter into a deeper understanding of God through joining Him on the adventure of a lifetime. The course uses a missional hermeneutic to study the Bible and see the world, connecting our individual stories with God's story. This interdisciplinary course includes biblical studies, history, and cultural studies.
Our goal is to give students the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit of God to transform their hearts, their minds, and their souls, in order that they may use their God-given gifts and abilities to make Jesus Christ known in all their ways, no matter what is their vocation nor where is their location. Both courses also have a strong emphasis on Scripture memory, giving the students the tools necessary to hide God's Word in their heart.
Math
High school students see the artistic side of math with geometry. They learn about logic using deductive and inductive reasoning. This helps students unwrap the mysteries of theorems and postulates. We have a kite flying day to apply the Pythagorean Theorem and other triangle relationships. Algebra II enables students to continue to build their understanding of linear algebra and move toward quadratic problem solving. We review questions like— How long does it take varied objects to hit the ground from 1500 feet? Trajectory is measured during our annual golf-ball hitting day. Advanced Math—Trigonometry/Algebra III and Calculus are additional math courses offered to high school students. Students learn to apply concepts to every day life by answering questions such as: How big is a Ferris wheel that holds 260 people? Does the population grow at the rate of projection? What effects the growth or decay? Trig-Sine, cosine, tangent! How do we figure out the magnitude of an earthquake or the brightness of a star? Logarithms! Seniors select a person working in the field of math to research, write about, and present to the class. They participate in a Trading Spaces project where they plan a room-change for a friend with budgeting included. We take a trip to a local thrift store and Home Depot to get input from experts. Middle school and high school students look forward to the math department’s favorite annual holiday—Pi Day, March 14. The celebration includes food, games, songs, and information focused on pi. They also participate in an international, online World Math Day. 1,133,246 students around the world participated this past year with 479,732,613 math equations correctly answered. An independent study in consumer math (day-to-day math) and business math is also offered by the math department.
Science
The Science Department at Berks Christian is a state-of-the-art facility outfitted with microscopes, laboratory equipment, gas lines, and fire retardant lab desks with sinks comparable to most public schools. Isaiah 40:26 graces the wall of our science lab: “Lift up your eyes on high and behold Who hath created these things.” Physical science is offered with an introduction to principles of both chemistry and physics. Biology begins with basic cell anatomy then proceeds through the study of life processes, photosynthesis, anaerobic and aerobic respiration, passive and active transport, genetics, human heredity, and animal kingdoms. In chemistry, students learn all about the structure of the periodic table and elements, physical and chemical changes, types of reactions, stoichiometry, gas laws, nuclear chemistry, acids, bases, salts, and solutions. Physics’ students learn about mechanical physics and forces, electrical physics and circuits, vectors, and sound waves. An Anatomy and Physiology elective is offered to students with an increased interest in the subject or to those students pursuing a degree in the medical field. The study begins with homeostatis, cells, and life functions. An in-depth study of systems, muscles, and bones of the human anatomy prepares students with a well rounded knowledge of the human body. Students are taught proper laboratory procedures for equipment and keyed lab drawers. Weekly labs include dissections, chemical and gas experiments, and online simulations. Students participate in hands-on activities such as—element posters and mobiles, designing a bulletin board project, cell mobiles, and mitosis flip-books. Field trips include visits to the Mutter’s Museum, the Franklin Institute, and Hershey Factory Lab making knowledge come to life. Air Products offers a liquid nitrogen lab for chemistry students in Berks Christian’s science department.
English
Berks Christian’s English department offers a literature-based curriculum which teaches grammar, vocabulary, spelling, writing, and public speaking through selected novels to allow students to see what they are learning in a true-to-life context. The department uses the following novels: The Hiding Place, Pride and Prejudice, The Day I was Crucified, American Nonfiction Writers, Macbeth, Pilgrim’s Progress, The Scarlet Letter, and Oliver Twist. Students utilize previously learned grammar concepts in various mediums such as—research papers, speeches, and journalistic writing. Grammar handbooks are available for editing and “reminder” purposes. A step-by-step process for writing research papers is taught. Students hand in a final research paper of 6-8 pages on a topic of their choice. Speech categories covered are introductory, demonstrative, persuasive, pet peeve, and informative. Parliamentary procedure and debate are also examined.
History
United States History I and II take students at Berks Christian through a time-line from the exploration of America to the Modern Era. Students look at how Christian religions shaped the nation, and they compare what religion looked like in each colony. They look at documents as the key to understanding the past. There is a focus on the understanding of political cartoons, transcripts, treaties and their significance to the climate of the time. The students complete an advertisement to intrigue future settlers to their lands. Simulations of life in the colonial period are accomplished via the school’s computer lab. The students get an opportunity to compare life today to life in the past. Cultural projects help students understand the struggles of different people groups. An example of this is a Harlem Renaissance project that incorporates art, music, and themes of struggle and disappointment. United States Government is also a course offering for high school students. Students learn about each form of government and give speeches. They complete a study of laws that support common issues facing our government. In order to understand the formation of our government - students work to create a timeline of events that shaped our government. Discussions and debates are the main avenue for learning. To enhance the learning of the European history student, they participate in read-alouds and mini-plays. These are written in the time period that is being studied and students analyze the importance of these readings and what they say about the period. We also use computer based museum tours so students may see places that we do not have the luxury of visiting, such as the Palace of Versailles. There is an emphasis on current events as a basis for our students’ understanding of the world around them. In addition, Black history month brings our living museum to life as students become their significant person in history and give a speech regarding their achievements. The Holocaust Remembrance month allows students to participate in artistic creations put together in our very own Berks Christian gallery. It may be a poem, piece of art, piece of music, or a craft that emulates a type of creative expression of the events and emotions surrounding the holocaust. During their years in high school, the students look forward to a field trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Berks Christian is located near the heart of some of the nations most historically rich areas—Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Valley Forge, and Washington D.C. Trips to these locations enable the history department to provide a wealth of knowledge to our students.
Computer Science/Technology
Berks Christian’s computer lab is moving students into the future with relevant technology education. Students explore web applications, office applications, and how to use online tools to collaborate. In addition, they focus on learning HTML programming language, how the web works, and follow current events in technology. They put their technology experience together and look at business applications, careers in technology, learning about multimedia, and additional html. Favorite projects of students are putting together a short film and then creating a web-based multimedia portfolio.
Foreign languages
Berks Christian School offers a variety of languages through the acclaimed Rosetta Stone software, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and many more. 9th grade students are required to take Spanish I, where they are introduced to the language; learning concepts like vocabulary words, present tense verbs, basic grammar concepts, and sentence structure. 10th graders continue with Spanish II, moving to a more advanced level of knowledge with a broader vocabulary. Present tense and past tense verbs are mastered.
Upperclassmen have the opportunity to continue taking Spanish as an elective or to take one of the many other languages offered through Rosetta Stone. This year, languages studied by 11th and 12th graders include French, Russian, Arabic, Swedish, German, and Latin. Foreign exchange students also have the opportunity to take English through Rosetta Stone.
Art
The practice of creating art is an ongoing discipline rooted in rich history. Art classes at Berks Christian offer an exploration in basic art making techniques and historical study. Students are provided the opportunity to work with variety of materials (clay, paint, charcoal, pastels, etc...) while being made aware of issue, concepts, and accomplishments of the past and present. By looking at other artists and art movements, it inspires students and stimulates new ideas. This course will provide students with a greater comprehension of visual language and the vocabulary to communicate about visual images. The goal of this course is to increase each student’s ability to see, analyze, and depict visual images as well as understand the broad cultural and historical context in which art is made and experienced.
Music
The Berks Christian High School choir is for any student who wants to sing and refine their musical skills high school years. We perform two major concerts a year and often are asked to perform once or twice in addition to that. Students may also audition for the select choir, The Vocal Ensemble. This select group performs throughout the community at churches and various events. The music department conducts band for our instrumentalists.
Drama
Please visit our fine arts page for more information on our drama department.
Physical Education & Health
Students participate in team sports at a high school level. Fitness competitions are incorporated throughout the curriculum. High school health is a blend of practical knowledge, common-sense, and Godly principles designed to assist the student in making good life-choices. The curriculum used is Christ centered and incorporates topics that impact ones physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. Topics include the human body and its many systems, nutrition, fitness, and improving one’s spiritual health.
Cooking Elective
High school students may choose to participate in an elective cooking class. Students learn that they can make anything by having the correct ingredients and following directions well. Each class time offers a new selection for the students to practice their culinary arts. Students make appetizers, soups, side dishes, main entrees, international foods, party foods, cookies, pastries, and fun things like—silly putty that require students to carefully follow directions to achieve optimum results. Some examples of foods made in class include—fettuccine alfredo, apple dumplings, twice-baked potatoes, Won Ton soup, egg rolls, cinnamon rolls, apple sauce, beef tips wrapped in bacon, potato filling, rice krispy turkeys, Spanish rice, peanut butter eggs for Easter, funnel cakes, and Rolo caramel cookies to name a few.