Academic Courses

		English This course introduces students to a collection of America’s greatest authors, such as Wendell Berry, Annie Dillard, Annie Proulx, Linda Hogan, Alice Walker and Walt Whitman – all of whom took their artistic inspiration from the natural world. As a complement to their readings, students will participate in creative and expository writing exercises, providing them with the opportunity to discover their own literary voice and source of inspiration.
Over the course of the semester, students create handmade journals, participate in independent projects and field trips and develop writing portfolios.

		Natural Science Natural science classes provide students with the unique opportunity to take their studies out of the classroom and into the natural world, bringing them face-to-face with the subjects they study. Classroom lectures set the stage for field studies and provide students with a comprehensive introduction to our local mountain ecosystems.
Students will keep field notebooks to document their experiences as they explore the biological systems of the mountains.

		Mathematics Designed to complement the math curricula at students' sending schools, OA courses include Trigonometry, Geometry, Algebra I and II and Pre-calculus. Additional courses, such as Integrated Mathematics, Logic and Statistics may also be offered as needed. In all math classes, students participate in hands-on activities. Students may find themselves building a solar oven, designing an intricate quilt or surveying natural features of our landscape, such as trees, mountains or streams.
A detailed assessment form completed by the sending school, as well as the level of demonstrated ability, determines appropriate course placement. Every effort is made to ensure that students are well-prepared to re-enter their sending school math sequences upon their return.

		French and Spanish We require detailed information from each student’s sending school to determine appropriate language course placement. OA courses include instruction at all ability levels in French and Spanish. Classes are conducted in the language of study, emphasizing skill development in speaking, reading, writing, grammar and cultural studies.
In addition, The Outdoor Academy supports tutorials for students who study German or Latin.

Appalachian History
This course explores the Southern Appalachians' past from prehistoric times, through the emergence and removal of the Cherokee people, the advent of European settlements, the divided loyalties of the Civil War and the effects of industrialization on the mountain people. Field trips into surrounding communities, interviews with local residents and special presentations enhance our class readings and lectures.

Independent Appalachian Studies Project
Central to the Appalachian History course is the Independent Appalachian Studies Project (IASP). Designed to promote interdisciplinary learning and research, the IASP is a project and presentation developed by each student over the length of the semester that focuses on a cultural, historic, economic, political, ecological, geographical or artistic aspect of the Southern Appalachians. Recent projects range from Cherokee hunting and regional toy design to artistry of Appalachian quilting and 19th century ladder-back chair construction.

Students use reference materials, area museums and interviews with local and regional experts to help them complete their projects. Many OA graduates consider the completion of this project one of the artistic and personal highlights of their semester.

		World History This course studies the people, events and ideas that have come to shape our modern world. Combining history with geography and anthropology, this course helps students to cultivate a global perspective of their local setting.
Students take a close look at political institutions, economic systems, religious beliefs and cultural identities of the past to help them understand historic themes and modern issues from multiple perspectives. Critical thinking and thorough research are central to both written assignments and exams.

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts class focuses on design concepts used in creating hand-built surfaces - collages, monoprints, batiks, mixed media drawings, bookbinding and ceramics. For inspiration, we explore patterns and materials found in our natural surroundings. Student presentations and discussion follow each project, providing students an opportunity to explore their technical and aesthetic choices.

Music

The Southern Appalachians are home to a diverse group of musical styles. The musical instruments encountered in this course reflect this same diversity: Native American flute, African drum, banjo, guitar, mandolin, tin whistle and mountain dulcimer. Students have the opportunity to develop proficiency on an instrument of their choice while playing in various ensembles. In addition, students are encouraged to compose original pieces and are always welcome to share the songs and stories brought from home.

Theater
Our Theater class nurtures the adventurous spirit and the inner artist dwelling within each student. Opportunities for self-expression abound in this course. Students are challenged to use their creative talents to explore different acting and production techniques. Classes will focus on improvisation, discussion and critique. The course concludes with a student-led final project in the form of a production.