Twelfth Grade
Striding Forward with Purpose
Having explored the questions of what, how, and who during the previous three years of high school, seniors are ready to ask an even deeper question: “Why?” Why do people choose the actions they choose? Why do people believe what they believe? Why are there cycles in history? Why do human beings exist? Why do people take a stand? Why might I choose a certain path over another?
Students find their inner questioning mirrored in the curriculum, through writers like Thoreau and the American Transcendentalists, through the interrelationships of human life and ecosystems in Environmental Science, and through topics like modern world history and the Harlem Renaissance. Beyond the classroom, Twelfth Grade is a year filled with memorable experiences with friends and vibrant co-curricular activities, which set the stage for lifelong friendships and enduring, diverse interests. (Courses marked with an asterisk are “deep dive” blocks, taught in 105-minute sessions during Morning Lesson.)
Science
- Biology: Zoology & Evolution*; Honors Biology
- Chemistry: Biochemistry*
- Physics: Optics*; Honors Modern Physics
- Earth Science: Environmental Science*
- Elective: AP Biology
Mathematics
- Calculus and Chaos Theory*
- Electives: Precalculus or Honors Precalculus; AP Calculus; Statistics or Honors Statistics
History
- Economics*
- Elective: Contemporary World Affairs or Honors Contemporary World Affairs
Cultural Studies
- Modern World History*
English
- Good & Evil in Literature*
- Modern World Literature
- Senior Essay
- Transcendentalists
- Contemporary Literature
- Elective: Film and Lit or Honors Film and Lit
World Languages
- Spanish V
- Mandarin IV
Aesthetics
- History of Architecture*
Music Electives
- Chamber Choir
- Concert Choir
- Orchestra
- Jazz Ensemble
- Beginning or Advanced Guitar
- Exploring Music
- Drum Ensemble;
- Acting
- Eurythmy Troupe
Senior Project
Have you ever wondered about the physics of music? Do you know what goes into building a hydrogen fuel cell or writing and illustrating a children’s book? Would you like to delve into the workings of the World Trade Organization or learn to fly a plane?
All the topics listed above are recent examples of projects taken up by Twelfth Grade students at San Francisco Waldorf High School as part of their Senior Project—which, along with the Senior Play, is one of two capstone experiences that students complete in their final year. Working with faculty mentors, our students complete a months-long experiential and research project, which is then presented to the school community in the spring semester.
Capstone projects are one of many ways that Twelfth Grade students develop a strong sense of themselves as independent adults and scholars, preparing them for more self-directed work in college and beyond.
Senior Play
The lights go up! An orange bird walks to the center of the stage and starts an intricate dance to attract the attention of two birds sitting at a nearby table.
The lights go up! Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace find themselves on the back of a magical creature named Mrs. Whatsit.
The lights go up! The crew of a ship gather around center stage stomping and clapping. Jason, Hercules, Meleagar, and the rest of the ship's crew sing a song to introduce themselves ahead of their epic journey. "Shabooya, Sha, Sha Shabooya Rollcall."
Zoodate, A Wrinkle In Time, and Argonautika are recent examples of projects taken up by Twelfth Grade students at San Francisco Waldorf High School as part of their Senior Play—which, along with the Senior Project, is one of two capstone experiences that students complete in their final year. Working with a faculty director, our students work together for over six weeks to produce an engaging, fun, and theatrical experience which is then presented to the school community in the spring semester.
Co-Curricular Activities
Latin Rhythms; Paddle Sports; City Walks; Gardening; Yearbook; History of Cinema; Intro to Philosophy; Podcasting; Journalism; Gardening; Constitutional Law; Rice is Nice; Conversacion con Corazon; Folkdancing; Indoor Hockey; Human Psychology; Biomimetics; History of Reality T.V.; Chatting with ChatGPT; Social Change through Film & T.V.; Political Cartoons; the Graphic Novel; Building a Radio; Slam Poetry/Spoken Word; Yoga; 90s Dance; Coding; Fermentation