Our curriculum relies on Socratic dialogue - rhetorical conversations involving respectful questioning and critical thinking - and the classical model of education called the Trivium as its academic corner stone. The three phases of the Trivium include:
- Grammar – In this phase students acquire fundamental knowledge in all disciplines.
- Logic– As students become world-class citizens, they learn how to reason and debate. Students apply their knowledge as they discern and evaluate, compare and contrast, and discover cause and effect relationships in any given subject.
- Rhetoric – As students progress through the Trivium, they learn to apply the rules of logic to the information they have acquired. Students learn to think rationally and articulate ideas effectively.
Our rigorous, classical, liberal arts model
As a college-preparatory school, we prepare all students for entrance into and success in college. We offer a rigorous classical, liberal arts curriculum that produces graduates with strong critical-thinking and learning skills.
Our curriculum employs the Socratic method and the Trivium across all subject areas. Each course is designed to build fundamental knowledge, develop the ability to reason and debate, and cultivate critical-thinking skills with the ability to articulate ideas. Our curriculum equips students with the fundamental knowledge and skills that are necessary for success in college and beyond.
All students must take:
- Four years of Latin or two years of Latin plus two years of another language (Spanish, French)
- Four years of each of the traditional core subjects (English, mathematics, science and social studies)
- Two elective courses per semester
We offer a strong electives program in the arts, in addition to foreign languages and social sciences. We have an extensive Advanced Placement (AP) program, in core subject areas as well as electives. All students are encouraged to take at least one AP course during their four years in preparation for the rigors of college-level courses. Additionally, senior students in good academic standing can receive academic credits for an internship.
Our rigorous curriculum is aligned to state standards. Our graduates typically graduate with at least a Core 40 diploma and have the academic record necessary to earn admission and succeed in college.
- More than two-thirds of our students graduate with an academic honors diploma, the state’s most rigorous academic degree track.
- Nearly 80 percent of students graduate having taken at least one AP exam during their time as an HHS student.
- Our average AP pass rate exceeds state, national, and global averages.
- Approximately one-half of our graduating seniors have earned college credit while in high school.
- In each of the past three years, graduating seniors have earned a cumulative $17 million in college scholarship offers.
Herron High School uses a mastery-based grading scale. In order to receive course credit, students must demonstrate that they have mastered at least 70 percent of course content. Students are required to remediate areas that need extra attention during the academic year.
Academic Enrichment and High Ability Learners
Herron High School’s normal school hours are from 9 AM – 4 PM on Monday – Thursday and 10 AM – 4 PM on Friday, allowing faculty to attend weekly professional development. Herron High School uses block scheduling, with students attending 4 classes and a 22-minute Advisory period per day.