New Courses Proposed At Darien High School

DARIEN, CT — Three new courses are being proposed at Darien High School for the 2025-2026 school year, according to the latest agenda from the Board of Education Curriculum Committee.

The committee will hold a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 4, at 8 a.m. to discuss the proposals for the following new courses:

Astronomy

"The goal of the Astronomy course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the universe and our place within it," a description of the course says in associated meeting materials. "The course will cover a variety of topics including the history of astronomy, the structure and composition of the solar system and stars, the nature of galaxies and the expanding universe, and emerging research and developments."

The course would be a STEM/elective graduation credit (.5 credit, 300 level) for interested 11th and 12th-grade students.

American Sign Language: 3

"This proposal aims to introduce American Sign Language (ASL) 3 to the World Languages curriculum at Darien High School for the 2025-2026 academic year. ASL offers students a unique learning experience, distinct from more traditional world language courses, while fostering a deeper connection to the culture and language of an underrepresented community in both Connecticut and the broader United States," an intro for the course proposal says. "By offering a level 3 course, students will have the opportunity to further advance their skills and continue their ASL studies beyond the initial two years."

This course would be worth 1 credit each (300 level elective for grades 11 and 12.)

Students would have the opportunity to fulfill a complete four-year language program of study.

Cybersecurity

A new cybersecurity course would replace an outdated computer animation course, according to meeting materials. It would be worth .5 credit, and be a 300 level elective for students in grades 10, 11 and 12.

"This Cybersecurity course would be offered by the Tech Ed and Business Department. Based on a recent survey of over 200 students, nearly 40 students said that they would sign up for a semester course called Cybersecurity. The first year's projected enrollment is 1 course at 24 total students," meeting materials note, adding that several other schools around the state offer a similar class.

"Students will have a better understanding of how their personal information is used and will design ways to best protect it. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding at the concepts, principles, and practices related to cybersecurity in order to navigate and safeguard against cyber threats," meeting materials say.

The course would be based off Harvard's CS50 cybersecurity course, "but incorporates hands-on activities and projects for each unit."

There would be no staffing increases as a result of adding the proposed courses.

Monday's meeting is virtual and will begin at 8 a.m. The Zoom link can be found here.

More information on the proposed courses can be found here.