Typical 9th Grade Schedule
English
All 9th graders will be automatically enrolled in ENG100- A Second Look: Reading, Thinking, Writing 1.
Math
Course placement will be determined by the Math Department and depends on results of the math placement test and previous performance in math classes.
Science and Computer Science
Most 9th graders take physics: Physics 1 or Physics 1A. Physics 1A requires math placement of concurrent Geometry or above.
Language
Students will select from Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Latin, or Spanish. For students with experience with their chosen language, course placement will be determined by the Language Department and depends on results of the language placement test. All students should visit the Language Placement Module for the placement test or the Language Level 1 Selection Form.
History and Social Sciences
Students may take history in 9th grade, in 10th grade, or in both years. Students will request a 100-level history course in 9th grade. Requests should include a top choice and 2 alternates.
Visual and Performing Arts and Philosophy and Religious Studies
Deerfield has a two-term arts (visual arts or performing arts) requirement and a one-term philosophy or religious studies requirement. Students often complete these requirements before the end of the 10th grade, and some students choose to fulfill these requirements in the 9th grade year.
There are several one- and two-term arts courses from which to choose. Some performing arts courses can be taken either as a fifth graded course, or as a sixth course pass/fail. Courses that can be taken pass/fail will be labeled with (p/f) in the course title. Pass/fail arts courses do fulfill the arts requirement at one term fulfilled for every pass/fail course completed, e.g. Chamber Music or Foundations of Acting taken pass/fail completes one term of the arts requirement.
In Philosophy and Religious Studies, 9th graders can take Ethics in one of the terms opposite arts electives. Students who take a year-long arts course will fulfill their Phil/Rel requirement during another year.
Health
All 9th graders taking only 5 classes will be automatically enrolled in Health Seminar I as a sixth, pass/fail course in Fall Term.
General Advice:
Typical* 10th Grade Schedule
*Please note that students who repeat 10th grade may have a schedule that diverges from the “typical” 10th grade schedule.
English
All 10th graders will automatically be enrolled in ENG200- The Workshop: Reading, Thinking, Writing 2.
Math
Course placement will be determined by the Math Department and depends on results of the math placement test and previous performance in math classes.
Science and Computer Science
10th graders generally take chemistry (Chemistry I or Chemistry 1 Accelerated). Students who have previously taken a year-long high school chemistry course, take biology, physics, or environmental science. Students should check prerequisites before requesting their science course.
Language
Students will select from Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Latin, or Spanish. For students with experience in their chosen language, course placement will be determined by the Language Department and depends on results of the language placement test. All students should visit the Language Placement Module for the placement test or the Language Level 1 Selection Form.
History and Social Science
For incoming 10th graders, a 9th grade history course at a previous school will likely count toward the graduation requirement. If students want to take history in 10th grade, they should request either a 100-level (HIS100, 110, 120, 130) or 200-level course (POL200, HIS209, HIS219) if they have previous history experience. They should request a 100-level course if they have never taken history.
Visual and Performing Arts and Philosophy and Religious Studies
Deerfield has a two-term arts requirement (visual or performing arts) and a one-term philosophy or religious studies requirement. Students often complete these requirements before the end of the 10th grade.
There are several one- and two-term arts courses from which to choose. Some performing arts courses can be taken either as a fifth graded course, or as a sixth course pass/fail. Courses that can be taken pass/fail will be labeled with (p/f) in the course title. Pass/fail arts courses do fulfill the arts requirement at one term fulfilled for every pass/fail course completed, e.g. Chamber Music or Acting Techniques taken pass/fail completes one term of the arts requirement.
In Philosophy and Religious Studies, new 10th graders can take Ethics in one of the terms opposite arts electives. Students who take a year-long arts course will fulfill their Phil/Rel requirement during another year.
Health
All 10th graders taking only 5 courses will be automatically enrolled in Health Seminar II as a sixth, pass/fail course during Winter or Spring.
General Advice:
Typical 11th Grade Schedule
English
Students will request from the 11th grade English options, each of which emphasizes a particular genre, historical context, or unifying theme in American literature. Students should request a top choice and 2 alternates.
Math
Course placement will be determined by the Math Department and depends on results of the math placement test and previous performance in math classes.
Science and Computer Science
Students should continue their science sequence, e.g. physics-chemistry-biology or biology-chemistry-physics. The department recommends that students take one year of each core science before returning for a second year in any one. Students should check prerequisites before requesting their science course.
Language
Students will select from Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Latin, or Spanish. For students with experience in their chosen language, course placement will be determined by the Language Department and depends on results of the language placement test. All students who wish to take language should visit the Language Placement Module for the placement test or the Language Level 1 Selection Form.
History and Social Science
Students have three options for U.S. History: U.S. History (HIS300); American Studies (HIS319); or Honors U.S. History (HIS309). Students who have already taken a full-year U.S. History course will request one of the 200- or 400-level history electives.
Visual and Performing Arts
The entire arts curriculum, including AP courses and other one-term, two-term, and year-long courses are available. Some performing arts courses can be taken either as a fifth graded course, or as a sixth course pass/fail. Courses that can be taken pass/fail will be labeled with (p/f) in the course title. Pass/fail arts courses do fulfill the arts requirement at one term fulfilled for every pass/fail course completed, e.g. Chamber Music or Acting Techniques taken pass/fail completes one term of the arts requirement.
Philosophy and Religious Studies
11th graders may take any Phil/Rel course except Ethics. Please note that students must take one term of philosophy or religious studies for graduation.
General Advice:
Typical 12th Grade Schedule
English
Students will request courses among the 12th grade English options, including either a year-long course, three one-term courses, or a two-term course with a one-term Spring course. Students will request their top choice and include 2 alternates for each term. Alternates should total the same duration as their top choice.
Math
Course placement will be determined by the Math Department and depends on results of the math placement test and previous performance in math classes.
Science and Computer Science
Virtually the entire curriculum is available. Students should check prerequisites before requesting their science course.
Language
Students will select from Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Latin, or Spanish. For students with experience in their chosen language, course placement will be determined by the Language Department and depends on results of the language placement test. All students who wish to take language should visit the Language Placement Module for the placement test or the Language Level 1 Selection Form.
History and Social Science
All 400/500-level courses are available. All history courses must have alternates selected, but the alternates do not have to be history courses.
Visual and Performing Arts
The entire arts curriculum, including AP courses and other one-term, two-term, and year-long courses, is available. Some arts courses can be taken as either a fifth graded course, or as a sixth course pass/fail. They will be labeled with (p/f) in the course title.
Philosophy and Religious Studies
12th graders may take any 400-level philosophy or religious studies course.
General Advice:
Students should work with their advisor to map out their course plan for each year and should consider student interest, exposure to different disciplines, graduation requirements, course level the student desires to reach by graduation, workload, co-curricular requirements, wellness, and college matriculation requirements. Advisors should ensure the following when filling out course requests:
Typical 10th Grade Schedule
English
All 10th graders will automatically be enrolled in The Workshop: Reading, Thinking, Writing 2 (ENG200).
Math
Course placement into the next math level will be determined by the Math Department.
Science and Computer Science
10th graders generally take chemistry (Chemistry I or Chemistry 1 Accelerated) if they took Physics 1 or Physics 1A in 9th grade. Students who already have credit for a year-long high school chemistry course generally take biology or physics.
Language
Students will move into the next level of language after their 9th grade course unless they have fulfilled the graduation requirement and desire to not continue in language courses. For honors courses, requests will be reviewed by the department.
History and Social Sciences
Students who did not take history in 9th grade must take 10th grade history. Students who did not take history in 9th grade should request a 100-level course (with 2 alternates). Students that took a 100-level course may request POL200, HIS209, 219, or another 100-level course.
Visual and Performing Arts and Philosophy and Religious Studies
Many students wish to complete their VPA and Phil/Rel requirements (2 terms of VPA and 1 term of Phil/Rel) before the end of the 10th grade. Often, students who took history in 9th grade take Visual and Performing Arts and Philosophy and Religious Studies in 10th grade. There are several one- and two-term arts courses from which to choose. Some arts courses can be taken either as a fifth, graded course, or as a sixth course, pass/fail or graded, if the student is qualified to do so. Pass/fail arts courses do fulfill the arts requirement at one term fulfilled for every two-terms of pass/fail courses completed. Students must finish the pass/fail course to receive the graduation credit.
In Philosophy and Religious Studies, 10th graders can take Ethics. 10th graders who took Ethics in 9th grade may request special permission to take a 400-level Phil/Rel elective.
Health
All 10th graders taking only 5 courses will automatically be enrolled in Health Seminar as a sixth, pass/fail course
Typical 11th Grade Schedule
English
Students will request from the 11th grade English options, each of which emphasizes a particular genre, historical context, or unifying theme in American literature. Students should request a top choice and 2 alternates.
Math
Course placement into the next math level will be determined by the Math Department.
Science and Computer Science
Students should continue their science sequence, e.g. physics-chemistry-biology or biology-chemistry-physics. Computer Science, engineering, or environmental science are also options. The department recommends that students take one year of each core science before returning for a second year in any one. Students should check prerequisites before requesting their science course.
Language
Students will generally move into the next level of language after their 10th grade course unless they have fulfilled the graduation requirement and desire to not continue in language courses. For honors courses, requests will be reviewed by the department.
History and Social Science
Students have three options for U.S. History: U.S. History (HIS300); American Studies (HIS319); or Honors U.S. History (HIS309). Students who have already taken a full-year U.S. History course will request one of the 200- or 400-level history electives. Alternates are only needed when requesting HIS319. Students requesting HIS319 must also request ENG320, the English co-requisite course.
Visual and Performing Arts
The entire arts curriculum, including AP courses and other one-term, two-term, and year-long courses, is available. Some performing arts courses can be taken either as a fifth graded course, or as a sixth course pass/fail. Courses that can be taken pass/fail will be labeled with (p/f) in the course title. Pass/fail arts courses do fulfill the arts requirement at one term fulfilled for every pass/fail course completed, e.g. Chamber Music or Acting Techniques taken pass/fail completes one term of the arts requirement.
Philosophy and Religious Studies
11th graders may take any 400-level philosophy or religious studies course.
Typical 12th Grade Schedule
English
Students will request courses among the 12th grade English options, including either a year-long course, a two-term course (Fall-Winter) with a one-term course (Spring) in English, History and Social Science, or Philosophy and Religious Studies, or three one-term courses (one of which can be history, social science, philosophy, or religion). Div I or II NCAA hopefuls are required to have 3 terms of English though all students should check their college requirements before requesting English. Two alternates should be included for each term. Comment field should indicate desired number of terms of English, especially if 3 terms are required.
Math
Course placement into the next math level will be determined by the Math Department. Most students do continue math in 12th grade but it is not a requirement.
Science and Computer Science
Virtually the entire curriculum is available. Students should check prerequisites before requesting their science course. 400- and 500- level science courses require two alternates.
Language
Students will generally move into the next level of language after their 11th grade course unless they have fulfilled the graduation requirement and desire to not continue in language courses. For honors courses, requests will be reviewed by the department. Students may also choose to request a new language if their graduation requirement is fulfilled.
History and Social Science
All 400/500-level courses are available. All history courses must have alternates selected, but an alternate does not have to be a history course.
Visual and Performing Arts
The entire arts curriculum, including AP courses and other one-term, two-term, and year-long courses, is available. Some arts courses can be taken as either a fifth, graded course or a sixth course, pass/fail. They will be labeled with (p/f) in the course title. Pass/fail arts courses do fulfill the arts requirement at one term fulfilled for every two- terms of pass/fail courses completed. Students must complete the pass/fail course to receive graduation credit.
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Students may take any 400-level course and should ensure they have fulfilled their graduation requirement.
Before they enter Deerfield, all new students are required to take a math placement test to determine an appropriate class. Students who have already taken a language they wish to continue studying at Deerfield will take a placement test to determine what level class they should take. If the placement in either department is deemed inappropriate after the student arrives, then the teacher may suggest a change of level. Students may also request such a change if they feel they are misplaced, and should consult with their teacher and their academic advisor before contacting the Dean of Studies.
Students have a variety of opportunities to travel abroad through the Center for Service and Global Citizenship travel programs that run domestic and international trips during school breaks.
Study abroad and term-away opportunities are available to students through approved, partnered-programs. Study abroad is available in 10th through 12th grade, but typically students who choose to go abroad will do so during their junior year. Read more about off-campus study opportunities online here.
Yes. In order to garner Honors distinction a student must have a cumulative term average above 90.0%. High Honors requires an average of 93.0% or above. You can read more about Deerfield’s honor roll online here.
Because of its commitment to high-quality academics, Deerfield offers a wide range of rigorous courses. All of Deerfield’s classes are appropriately challenging, but courses designated as “honors,” “accelerated,” or “AP” provide an extra challenge for ambitious students.
All students are assigned a faculty advisor by late summer before they start school. After their first year, students may choose a new advisor, or continue with their original advisor, depending on the relationships they have developed with Deerfield’s faculty. Advisors are responsible for submitting course requests and writing an advisor report every term. They are available for questions a student may have and are involved in every major academic, co-or extra-curricular decision a student makes while at Deerfield. In addition, faculty eat lunch with their advisees every Thursday and may schedule other meetings for their advisees. Advisors are a key component of the Deerfield experience, as they provide guidance and support to students throughout their time at Deerfield.
Students are permitted to miss a maximum of eight (8) combined class days for Pursuits of Excellence, College Visits or other reasons each academic year (no more than 6 days missed per term). Exceptions to the eight-day limit must be approved through the Academic Affairs Office. Requests must be received at least three (3) days prior to the event. Any student requesting to miss class should make sure they are aware of the 20% Rule policy (found in the Student Handbook under the 20% Rule), and, if their request is approved, students should be sure to inform their teacher(s) of their upcoming absence(s) and arrange to make up missed work. Please click here to read more about our Request to Miss Classes Policy.
Alums and current students can request their Deerfield transcript online via our secure credentialing site, Parchment. More information on how to create a Parchment account and order your transcript can be found online here. If you have questions, please contact the Academic Affairs Office at 413-774-1470 or [email protected].
[email protected]
413-774-1470
Fax 413-772-1128
Boyden Library
Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm
7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 87
Deerfield, MA 01342