Upper School – Academics
Welcome to the Gerstell Academy Upper School Academics Page. Feel free to contact us with any questions pertaining to our program.
Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to fulfill the Gerstell Academy Mission with an emphasis on the four areas of: leadership education and skill development, college preparatory academics, physical training, and modern language fluency.
Minimum Graduation Requirements
Academic credits: An academic credit is awarded for the successful completion of each academic course’s requirements or the equivalent of such. Credits are awarded based on the time and expectations of the course. In order to graduate from Gerstell Academy a student must have accumulated a minimum of 26 credits; the Maryland state requirement is 21 credits. All students are encouraged to complete the maximum amount of credits they are capable of that fit with their academic and career interests. Upon enrollment credit may be awarded for prior academic courses taken at an accredited or state approved school. Seniors must take a minimum of 5 academic credits and pass all courses as well as meet all their graduation requirements. The minimum credit and course requirements are as follows:
Subject Credits Required courses
English: 4 credits English I-IV
Math: 3 credits Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
Science: 3 credits Physics, Chemistry, Biology
History: 3 credits World I, World II, and US I
Leadership: 4 credits Leadership I-IV
Arts: 1 credit
Spanish 4 credits Spanish I-IV
P. E.*: 4 credits Health/Strength & Fitness
26 credits
*Note: Physical Education: All students must take Health, Strength, and Fitness in 9th grade. Physical Education credits will be earned by participating in extra curricular athletic activities or taking a Physical Education elective. Participating in a sport for one season will earn 1/3 of a P.E. credit. The credit is earned based on the fitness component of a sport; not the time requirement for the extracurricular activity; therefore managers and trainers do not earn the physical education credit. However, the hours served as a manager count as school service hours.
