The content and standard of courses at Portsmouth Abbey School prepare students for the academic work of colleges and universities by providing them with a broad and liberal education in the Benedictine tradition. In addition to traditional secondary disciplines, Portsmouth Abbey offers a number of electives to broaden the student's preparation for college including offerings in the fine arts and advanced work in classical and modern languages. Portsmouth Abbey offers a wide range of honors, accelerated, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The academic year is divided into three terms: Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term. Each term ends with a formal examination period which determines twenty-five percent of the term grade. At the end of each term, grades and detailed comments from the student's teachers, houseparent, and athletic coach are reported to parents.
The Form III course of study is a coordinated program focused on understanding the foundations of Western Civilization. All Form III students study Basic Theology, Introduction to Literature, Latin 1, Ancient/Medieval History and the appropriate course in Mathematics. (Students with previous experience in Latin may elect to take Latin 2 or fulfill the Latin requirement by successfully completing a Latin 1 placement test.) The study of Latin fosters greater fluency in written language by providing students with an understanding of grammar and syntax and by giving them a better sense of the composition of ideas into a coherent sentence. Ancient/Medieval History lays a foundation for an historical sense by recognizing what is common in the beliefs, language, thought, and institutions of other cultures and of our own. In addition to the core described above, students choose one or two more courses from the areas of Modern Languages, Conceptual Physics, and the Arts. Portsmouth Abbey believes that its Form III curriculum is an excellent way for a student to begin a secondary school career. The core curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in our language and culture as well as developing the skills and techniques necessary for future study.
Students in Form IV fulfill their Christian Doctrine, English, and European History requirements by taking an integrated course in Humanities (see page 5 of the Guide). In addition to Humanities (which counts as two courses), Form IV students take foreign language (classical or modern) and mathematics. Also, Form IV students elect one or two courses (normally two) from Conceptual Physics, Chemistry, the Arts, a second foreign language, or other electives. In fact, the "three-for-two" nature of Humanities presents an excellent opportunity for Form IV students to continue their study of both classical and modern languages or to pursue an interest in the Arts.
Students in Forms V and VI normally carry a course load of Christian Doctrine, English and four other courses. A wide range of elective courses is available to students in Forms V and VI, including advanced work in English, foreign language, history, mathematics, science, and the Arts. AP courses are available to qualified students in many areas of study. Students in Form VI are encouraged to pursue independent study in place of a traditional course or take on a Sixth Form Project.
The Portsmouth Abbey curriculum is not built around the Admissions Testing Programs of the College Board, but we do recognize the importance of standardized tests in the college placement process. All students take the PSAT in the Fall of Forms IV and V and the SAT Reasoning Test during Form V. Form V students take the SAT Reasoning Test here on campus at the December and May test dates. Form V students are encouraged to take SAT Subject Tests at the June test date where their academic preparation warrants. Almost all students take Mathematics Level IC. Almost all students repeat Reasoning and Subject Tests in the fall of their Form VI year.
Graduation Requirements
To fulfill the graduation requirements, a student must complete twenty units from the following courses:
Christian Doctrine: 1 course in each year of attendance
English: 1 course in each year of attendance
Humanities: 1 course in Form IV (combines English, History, and Theology and counts for 2 credits)
Mathematics: 3 years (all students are strongly recommended to take math during each year of attendance)
Laboratory Science: 2 years (all students are strongly recommended to take at least the core of Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
Foreign Language: 3 years of one or 2 years of two Languages (French, Greek, Latin, Spanish or Chinese); students with native fluency may be exempted from this requirement.
Classical Language: Students entering in Form III are required to take Latin.
History: Students entering in Form III are required to take Ancient/Medieval History.
Students entering in Form IV are required to take Humanities.
All students are required to take 1 year of US History
Arts (Visual or Performing): 1 full credit course or an approved equivalent
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
In addition to its formal curriculum, Portsmouth Abbey offers several programs:
Form III Health
The purpose of this course is to provide information and discussion opportunities for students on selected topics. Topics include stress (recognizing and dealing with), sleep, disease, medication use (over the counter and prescription), nutrition, tobacco, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol. The Medical Services Department and professional guest speakers present topics.
Form IV Community Service
The school maintains a ten-hour community service requirement for all students, to be completed by the end of Form IV. This program provides a window on existing volunteer work, and includes some classroom reflection on the role of service to the community. Independent projects are accepted in fulfillment of the requirement - students can be creative, take some initiative, and put together their own volunteer project or work with friends. The direct service element of the requirement may be completed in either Form III or Form IV.
Form V Health
This series of presentations begins with a discussion on stress and sleep. Other topics include: alcohol, reproduction, sexuality, and disease (in general and what's new in the news). The Medical Services Department and professional quest speakers present topics.
Sixth Form Projects
Form VI students may elect to pursue a project as part of their Form VI program. These projects range from very formal academic activities that carry academic credit to less formal projects that allow students to pursue a particular interest. Some projects allow students to take a short leave of absence.
Private Music Instruction
Instruction in piano, guitar, drums, voice, and standard orchestral instruments is readily available to students at Portsmouth Abbey. At the recommendation of the Director of Music, academic credit may be given for instrumental lessons if taken for at least two years.
Afternoon Instrumental Practice
Students may, with departmental approval, elect to use the afternoon activity time to practice an instrument. This practice may be dedicated to individual instrumental rehearsals, geared toward a student recital or other venues. During the Winter Term, students may, with the approval of the Director of Music, choose to practice in preparation for performing in the pit orchestra for the Winter Musical.
Chamber Ensemble
During the afternoon activity time, students have the opportunity to work in small musical groups to learn the art of chamber music. The students learn how to work together as a single entity in achieving a unified effect and goal. The repertoire (primarily classical) also provides opportunities for practice in sight-reading, solo performance, and improvisational skills. Each group performs publicly at various school functions.
Abbey Singers
The Abbey Singers is the premier choral ensemble at Portsmouth Abbey. Focusing on concert repertoire both sacred and secular, the Abbey Singers is a versatile group that performs music, both on and off campus, ranging from Palestrina to Billy Joel. Past collaborations have included concerts with Ponagansett High School and musicians from the United States Coast Guard Band. All Abbey students are welcome to participate. At the recommendation of the Director of Music, academic credit may be given to a student in the Abbey Singers following two years of participation.
Abbey Orchestra
The Abbey Orchestra is the principle instrumental ensemble at Portsmouth Abbey. With members playing instruments ranging from piano to piccolo, the Abbey Orchestra learns and performs a wide variety of music ranging from orchestral classics to movie scores. The Abbey Orchestra performs both on and off campus and will often collaborate with the Abbey Singers. Any Abbey student with approximately one year or more of experience with an instrument is welcome to join. At the recommendation of the Director of Music, academic credit may be given to a student in the Abbey Orchestra following two years of participation.
Abbey Schola
The Abbey Schola is a small vocal ensemble that provides liturgical music for school liturgies, particularly the Sunday Mass. The group is comprised of students taking a Form VI Christian Doctrine elective, or under formers who may fill in spaces as needed. This is a select group capable of learning and performing more advanced liturgical music. Abbey Schola members may also enroll in the Abbey Singers.
Jazz Ensemble
The Abbey Jazz Ensemble provides an opportunity for students to learn and perform jazz standards and explore improvisation and ensemble skills. Any Abbey student with approximately one year or more of experience on an instrument is welcome to join. The Jazz Ensemble performs both on and off campus.
A Cappella Groups
There are two a cappella groups at Portsmouth Abbey, one for boys and one for girls, that have proven to be very popular. Each group rehearses weekly and is primarily student run with guidance from the Director of Music. Frequent performances for campus functions provide great exposure for each group.
Pro Deo
The chamber orchestra rehearses twice a week and performs both with the Abbey Singers and alone at special occasions throughout the year.
Abbey Players
The Abbey Players' philosophy is that there is something for everyone in theater: acting, singing, dancing, and stagecraft. Three formal dramatic productions are staged each year, including the annual Winter Musical. Participation as an Abbey Player is open to the entire student body by audition at the beginning of each term. Recent shows include: You can't take it with you, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Anything Goes, Macbeth, Fiddler on the Roof, Antigone, Romeo and Juliet, The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, and The New Play Festival: featuring student-written plays.
Independent Study
Students may pursue formal independent study for credit at points in their academic careers where experience and interest warrant. Independent study allows a student to take full advantage of the expertise and availability of our faculty. Students normally elect independent study to pursue special academic interests that are not usually available in a secondary school curriculum.
