Academic Departments
For more information about academic departments and courses, please visit the LZHS Coursebook & Procedure Manual.
- Applied Technology
- Business Education
- Driver's Education
- English
- Family & Consumer Sciences
- Fine Arts
- Mathematics
- Physical Education
- Science
- Social Studies
- World Languages
Applied Technology
Department Chair
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The high school Applied Technology Department offers students a broad experience by working on design projects that include experience in various professions; including engineering, architecture,
robotics, and industrial design. Applied Technology courses are aligned with the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) Standards for Technological Literacy, National Science Education & Teaching Standards (NSES), and the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics (NCTM)
GENERAL POLICIES
One credit is required in a humanities-related field in order to graduate. Applied Technology is a humanities field.
It is recommended that any student interested in pursuing engineering as a career register for Applied Technology courses.
PARENTS OF INCOMING FRESHMAN
Students interested in taking either Principles of Robotic (I285) or Introduction to Engineering (I287), are recommended to register for both classes during their freshman year. Each course is one semester long.
By taking both classes in one school year, students will have completed the prerequisites to move forward in our course sequence and get the most out of what is offered within the Applied Technology Department here at LZHS.
Business Education
Department Chair
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The high school Business Education Department offers students a broad education in computers, management, marketing, career exploration, communication, accounting, consumer economics, and legal issues. Emphasis of the program includes a variety of computer applications, an understanding of business problems, and the development of managerial skills.
GENERAL POLICIES
One credit is required in a humanities-related field in order to graduate. Business Education is a humanities field.
Consumer Education (or Economics Honors or AP Economics) is a requirement for graduation.
Driver's Education
English
Department Chair
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The high school English Department provides broad coverage of the texts of English, American and world literature. Through these sequential course offerings, students develop extensive knowledge of literature, progressively develop academic and creative writing skills, as well as enhance their knowledge and use of grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills.
GENERAL POLICIES
Every student is required to take four full years of English in order to graduate from Lake Zurich High School.
Successful completion of English I, II, III, IV or two .5 semester courses are mandatory requirements for graduation. This fourth year of English may be completed through elective courses offered within the department if taken during the senior year. However, students need to check with the specific college to find out if such elective coursework would be accepted as the fourth year English requirement.
RECOMMENDATION FOR PLACEMENT
It is strongly advised that students follow their teacher’s recommendation for placement in the next year’s level of English. Teachers are well aware of the requirements and expectations of the various levels. Recommendations for placement are based on the student’s abilities.
It is strongly advised that students who move up a level in placement have maintained at least a B+ in both semesters of their previous English course and have the recommendation of the teacher.
Parents are welcome to contact the teacher or English Department Chair if concern about the recommendation for placement arises.
Family & Consumer Sciences
Department Chair
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The high school Family and Consumer Sciences Curriculum offers students a broad experience in various forms of social education related to the home and family life.
GENERAL POLICIES
One credit is required in a humanities-related field in order to graduate. Family and Consumer Sciences is a humanities field.
Fine Arts
Department Chair
Art + Design
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Art + Design program at Lake Zurich High School is designed to prepare students for careers in Art + Design and for lives that are enriched and enhanced through a relationship with Art + Design. Art + Design is an essential and vital part of modern life, touching on every industry and every part of our culture. Students in Art + Design not only learn to make original artwork, but also develop the skills needed to understand, respond to, and connect to Art + Design that we see in the world every day.
Careers in architecture, marketing, industrial design, education, fashion, entertainment, and many other areas are enhanced through an understanding of Art + Design.
The Art + Design courses at Lake Zurich High School are organized into three areas of study emphasizing the skills needed to succeed in specific areas of interest. You have a choice, you may pick a single track and follow it from beginning to end, or you can choose courses from different tracks to experience all the areas offered. Every student’s needs are different, but the courses are designed to give you options to take a full 4-year course of study in Art + Design, no matter what your interests are. The most successful and serious Art + Design students will strive to take a full 4-year program with an Art + Design class each semester. The three tracks are: 2-D Drawing & Painting, 3-D Ceramics & Sculpture and Graphics & Photography. Art Survey and AP Art History are two courses available for continual study.
Music (Band, Orchestra, Choir)
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The high school Music Curriculum offers a unique opportunity to develop each student’s potential to its highest level. Recognizing that students have unique combinations of abilities, needs, and goals, the Music Curriculum provides a series of learning situations that will fulfill both common and individual objectives.
General Policies
- One credit is required in a humanities-related field in order to graduate. Music is a humanities field.
- Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Women’s Chorale, Blue Notes, Bare Voices, and Concert Choir require that the student has had previous/ appropriate playing or singing experience.
- There will be a $50 fee assessed for each band, choir, and orchestra class the student is enrolled in.
College-Bound Students
College-bound students who aspire to study in a field related to music are recommended to take four full years of music.
Recommendation For Placement
- Recommendation for placement in any course is based on effort, motivation, and performance. Each instructor monitors these three aspects and considers them in making a recommendation of placement for the student for the following year.
- Any questions regarding the appropriateness of your experience level should be directed to the music instructor involved.
Mathematics
Department Chair
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The high school Mathematics Department program offers courses in pure and applied mathematics to assist the students in their pursuit of intellectual, academic, and career goals. The aim of the department is to provide the student with a sound mathematical foundation.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
All students are required to take three full years of mathematics, one of which must include Algebra and one of which must include Geometry, in order to graduate from Lake Zurich High School.
COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS
College-bound students are strongly recommended to take four full years of Mathematics. Students who aspire to study in mathematical-related fields must take four full years of mathematics.
RECOMMENDATION FOR PLACEMENT
The course sequence chart in no way mandates that a student must stay on a given program throughout his/her high school career. With effort, motivation, and improved performance, a student may move to a more difficult level of courses.
Recommendation for placement in any course is based on effort, motivation, and performance. Each teacher monitors these three aspects and considers them in making a recommendation of placement for the student for the following year.
Parents are welcome to contact the teacher or Math Department Chair if concern about the recommendation arises.
Physical Education
Department Chair
DEPARTMENT PHILOSOPHY
The Lake Zurich Physical Education Department is committed to helping students improve their level of health and fitness by developing life-long skills through a variety of challenging physical activities.
GENERAL POLICIES
All Lake Zurich High School students must be enrolled in and receive a passing grade for eight semesters of Physical Education. One of the eight semesters is Health Education. If a student chooses, he/she may take Physical Education as an elective in addition to their regularly scheduled PE Class.
Students enrolled in Physical Education have their choice of five classes: Lifetime Sports, Personal Fitness, Fitness for Life, Strength Training, and Adventure for Education. Students will register for two PE courses with their counselor during the spring registration period for the following year. Freshmen are randomly placed into Freshmen PE sections.
Juniors and seniors can be exempt from Physical Education on a very selected basis. The criteria for exemptions are very specific and are not granted without discussion and review by the A.P. for Student Services and the PE Department Chair. This process is completed during course selection for the following school year. The categories for waiving this requirement are as follows:
A) Students may be exempt if they have junior or senior status during the semester(s) they are actively participating in an IHSA sanctioned sport.
Science
Department Chair
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The high school Science Department provides programs for Earth/Space Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The department provides a program consisting of lecture, discussions, projects, and laboratory experiments. The Science Department also offers learning outside of the classroom. These opportunities may take the form of outside projects, experiments, and various science competitions offered throughout the year.
GENERAL POLICIES
Every student is required to take two full years of Science to graduate from Lake Zurich High School.
A student in an honors course of study may continue to the next course in the sequence as long as they maintain a “B-” or better and are recommended by their teacher. A grade of “B-” must be maintained to remain in the present honors course of study class.
A student may continue to the next course in the sequence as long as they maintain a “C” average or better and are recommended by their teacher. A grade of “D” must be maintained to remain in the current course of study class.
AP Sciences refers to Advanced Placement Science classes. Lake Zurich High School offers college-level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Physics. Biology AP, Chemistry AP, and Physics AP C are double period classes and students completing this college level course will receive double credit. Environmental Science AP and Physics AP 1 are one credit, single period college level classes. Students must meet all the prerequisites for a particular class to enroll or request a waiver for the class.
The Science Department Chair must approve all exceptions to this policy.
COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS
College-bound students are strongly recommended to take three or four full years of science classes. Students who aspire to study in science-related fields are strongly advised to take four full years of Science.
Students wishing to enroll in a second science should consider the following options: Anatomy, Earth Science, Biology II, or any appropriate A.P. Science for which the student has met the prerequisite.
The Science Department at Lake Zurich High School recommends the following course sequence for those students who are planning an emphasis in the sciences in college or have a strong aptitude in science.
Freshmen – Honors Biology, Sophomores – Honors Physical Science or Honors Chemistry, Juniors – Honors Chemistry or Physics AP I, Seniors – Physics AP I, AP Biology, or AP Chemistry, or AP Physics
RECOMMENDATION FOR PLACEMENT
Based upon prerequisites and teacher recommendations, a student may change from one course of study to another course of study. It is crucial that a student master the concepts taught in an initial course before enrolling for the next course in the sequence.
Recommendation for placement in any course is based on prerequisites, effort, motivation, and performance. Each teacher monitors these four aspects and considers them in making a recommendation for placement of the student for the following year. The Science Department Chair must approve all exceptions to this policy.
Recommendation for placement of incoming freshmen is determined by separate criteria.
Parents are welcome to contact the Guidance Department for further information about course descriptions or the Science Department Chair for placement.
Social Studies
Department Chair
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Social Studies Department and its curriculum is designed to help each student become an informed and responsible citizen. The teachers in the department will provide classroom experiences which will help the students learn about our past, democratic ideals, other cultures, and an appreciation of human dignity, justice and compassion for other people.
GENERAL POLICIES
All students are required to complete two semesters of World Studies during their freshman year, two semesters of United States History during their junior year, and one semester of Government in their senior year.
Lake Zurich High School strongly recommends additional Social Studies electives to prepare students for admission to the college or university of their choice upon graduation. Many colleges and universities require three or more credits of Social Studies for admission.
Students who fail a course are strongly recommended to make up the missed course in summer school in order to keep the student on pace with their graduating class.
In accordance with Illinois General Assembly Compiled Statutes (105 ILCS 5/27-3) and Public Act 099-0674, all students must successfully complete a United States Government/Civics course which meets the following criteria: * Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process (Sec. 27-22). * American patriotism and the principles of representative government, as enunciated in the American Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the proper use and display of the American flag, shall be taught in all public schools and other educational institutions supported or maintained in whole or in part by public funds. No student shall receive a certificate of graduation without passing a satisfactory examination upon such subjects. (105 ILCS 5/27-3)
RECOMMENDATION FOR PLACEMENT
All placements and level changes are subject to Department approval.
Levels available within the department are: AP, Honors and College Prep (CP). These levels are based on student ability, motivation, interests, and demonstrated competence. Students will be placed by meeting established standards, prerequisites, and faculty recommendations based on the student’s individual academic needs and future plans.
World Languages
Department Chair
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The high school World Language Department program is designed to provide students with a broad background in French, German and Spanish. There are four skills developed in learning a world language: listening, speaking, reading and writing. These skills are stressed throughout the program as well as the languages’ individual department, culture and history.
GENERAL POLICIES
Freshmen may take Level I or II depending on the recommendation of the high school or the middle school World Language teacher. Those recommended for Level II who opt to repeat Level I will audit the class for no credit. Waivers are required for students NOT following recommendations.
Students may move up to the honors level course for the following year with the recommendation of the teacher.
One credit is required in a humanities-related field in order to graduate. World language is a humanities field.
The course sequence chart in no way mandates that a student must stay on a given program throughout his/her high school career. With effort, motivation, and improved performance, a student may move to a more challenging level of course.
HONORS LEVEL COURSES
Honors courses are designed to be a challenge to the student with excellent ability and motivation by enriching the course and/or accelerating the course content. Internal motivation is important for a student enrolling in an honors level course as they have an increased expectation of independent learning and class participation. Students wishing to be placed in an honors level class must have a desire to be academically challenged and a strong work ethic as well as a desire to continue with their second language studies throughout their high school careers.
RECOMMENDATION FOR PLACEMENT INTO HONORS LEVEL
Placement in the honors level of a course will be determined by a teacher recommendation. Recommendations are made based on a combination of grades, work ethic, previous language performance, oral participation skills, and potential for success at the honors level. Teachers consider each student individually, striving to match the student with the course level in which he/she will be both academically challenged and motivated to succeed. Parents are welcome to contact the teacher or World Language Department Chair if concern about the recommendation arises.
COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS
College-bound students are strongly urged by the World Language Department to complete at least level four of a world language. Students who aspire to study in a world language-related field are encouraged to take five full years of world language (assuming that Level I was completed in middle school).