York's Approach to Education

York helps students learn how to think on their own—and to think on their feet. It encourages them to embrace the excitement of learning and express their creativity on many levels—in the classroom, on the playing field, in the art studio, and on the performing stage. At York School, we value the process of inquiry, discovery, and creativity that helps shape young minds and take them to the next level of accomplishment and achievement. We invite you to begin that process of exploration through the following pages, which outline the York experience. Then come see it for yourself.

English                                                                                                                                 

Watch 9th grade English students studying Shakespeare.

Communication skills are at the core of nearly every future endeavor. The goal of the English department is to help students learn to read critically, think logically, and write and speak clearly. A strong foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and composition is built in the early years and reinforced by the study of words and literary terms in context and by the process of writing and revising. Written assignments include analytical essays on literature as well as opportunities for self-expression in a variety of written forms that connect with the study of literary genres—poetry, the short story, the essay, the novel, and drama.

Our English classes explore literature from different eras, providing a platform to study the intersection of creative writing, non-fiction writing, and history.  For example, while reading Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, students examine the historical and religious context of the American colonies as well at the conformity of the 1950s and the rise of McCarthyism.  George Orwell’s 1984 offers literary insights into the world history class when students study totalitarianism and the rise of Stalin. Students who read Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness work collaboratively in small groups on interdisciplinary projects that make connections between the novel’s themes and their other courses—Asian and World History, economics, psychology, cinema, advanced Latin, or art history.

Students have many opportunities to develop speaking skills through informal class discussions as well as more formal presentations and debates. They are encouraged to present their opinions and to respect the opinions of others, not just in English class but across all subjects as well.

  • English I, II, III, IV, V 
  • AP English Literature

History

Understanding the past helps to prepare us for the future. History classes at York aim to develop each student’s appreciation for and understanding of the past and its impact on the present.  At every grade level, students use primary and secondary sources accessed through the school library and internet archives to research significant historical issues and events. Innovative assignments challenge students to recreate historical eras through a variety of cooperative projects. In each of the history classes, for example, students work in small groups to bring history to life, creating plays, movies, or Power Point presentations to illustrate a topic for the whole class. They also incorporate technology, using Google Earth to plot the major expeditions of Magellan, Columbus, and Vespucci, or writing articles for Wikipedia.

The study of world geography broadens our students’ understanding of global perspectives, world cultures, and historical interactions and conflicts, creating citizens who are more aware of the world and their place in it.

  • Ancient History, 8th                                    
  • World History I and II (incorporates Geography and World Religions)                                    
  • U.S. History/AP U.S. History
  • Asian History

Humanities Electives

  • Art History                                         
  • Introduction to Cinema
  • Psychology/AP Psychology
  • Economics
  • Philosophy
  • AP U.S. Government and Politics

Modern Foreign Languages

York’s modern foreign language program employs a conversational and immersive approach that focuses on achieving communication skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  The goal is to acquire the ability to function—to speak, be understood, and comprehend—in the target language. In addition, being exposed to a new culture helps develop an awareness and appreciation of the richness of other cultures.  All language programs integrate interactive video and audio materials with workbooks and textbooks that combine oral and written exercises.  The focus is on development of communicative competency and linguistic proficiency.

  • French I, II, III, III Honors, IV, V
  • AP French Language                                                          
  • AP French Literature                                  
  • Spanish I, II, III, III Honors, IV, V
  • AP Spanish Language        
  • AP Spanish Literature
  • Mandarin Chinese I, II, III, III Honors

Watch a snapshot of Ms. Bates' Chinese III class.

Classical Languages

York believes that the study of ancient languages helps students build literacy in modern languages. Since Latin is the foundation of English, Latin is required for one year in the 9th grade after which students may continue through their senior year.  Ancient Greek is offered as an elective.

  • Latin I, II, III, IV            
  • Greek I, II, III

Mathematics                                                                                                                                   

In York’s mathematics program, students learn to solve problems in a logical and systematic way, using the efficient and precise techniques and notations developed in the different branches of mathematics. Students learn to value mathematics by relating equations to models of phenomena in the real world. They become creative mathematical problem solvers by analyzing data in groups, communicating mathematically with their peers, and discovering the significance of their answers in real mathematical applications. Strong algebra skills and deductive reasoning are developed throughout the program, as well as a clear understanding of mathematics concepts. The York math sequence is as follows:

  • Algebra I                                                                                                        
  • Geometry                                                                  
  • Algebra II                                                                   
  • Pre-calculus/Pre-calculus Honors
  • Calculus 
  • AP Calculus AB, BC

All students accepted to York take a math placement exam, usually in mid-May. Students are placed in math classes according to the course level they have attained.  For example, students who are currently in an Algebra I class and pass the Algebra I placement test will be placed into Geometry. Starting in Algebra II, students learn to use graphing calculators. Students also work with computer exploration and data collection programs throughout the math curriculum.

Science

York’s science department helps students develop critical thinking skills grounded in a broad knowledge of the major concepts of science and the scientific method. They learn to understand and interpret natural phenomena through extensive laboratory work, class discussions, field trips, guest lectures, and experimental research projects. All students in grades 9-12 must complete three years of science, including biology, chemistry, physics; a fourth year of science is recommended. 

Biology students are taken step by step through the scientific process as they prepare a project to be presented at the York Science Fair in February. They can choose to refine their project and submit it to the Monterey County Science Fair in March. York has had significant success at the Monterey County Science Fair, with York students consistently placing at the highest level at the Fair and qualifying to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.  In addition, many students have won First Place awards in their divisions at the Monterey County Science Fair, qualifying them to attend the California State Science Fair.

  • 8th grade – Physical / Earth Science
  • 9th grade – Biology

10th grade – Marine Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science, Chemistry* and Physics*  

11th grade & 12th grade – All of the above plus Advanced Physics*, AP Biology*, and AP Chemistry* as second course offerings in these subjects.

*students must meet math prerequisites.

Extracurricular Activities in Math and Science

  • Math Counts
  • Math Challenge Teams
  • Mathletics 
  • American Mathematics Contest (AMC 10 and AMC 12)
  • Otter Bowl (marine biology competition)
  • Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS)
  • Monterey County Science Fair

Technology @ York

TIL (Technology & Information Literacy)
Ninth graders take a team-taught class to explore methods of operating in a network environment. They also become adept at using applications such as Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Flash, and web editing tools to create, manipulate and publish information on paper, on the screen, and on the web. In addition, students use the science fair process as a platform for learning and applying advanced research skills. The school librarian guides these students in efficiently locating and evaluating information in both print and electronic formats. Throughout the course, students explore ethical issues concerning plagiarism, privacy, and security. By the end of the year, students produce several research-based projects related to the evolution of modern technologies or to core class assignments in English and history, as well as developing an electronic portfolio of creative projects involving text, sound, and graphics.

York is committed to using technology across the curriculum. All classrooms have computers connected to our network, most equipped with digital projectors. Our library and much of the rest of the campus is Wi-Fi ready for students with compatible laptops and devices. Most of our teachers host class websites where students and teachers can work together online.