Frequently Asked Questions

Interested in taking the course?
Check out our FAQ below to help you better understand the nature and logistics of the class.
Do students in this course still need to take another English class to fulfill the graduation requirement?
No. While students are able to take a more traditional English course in addition to GBP, it is not required that they do so. GBP satisfies the graduate requirement for senior-year English.
Can the student take other classes within these disciplines – particularly Advanced Placement classes?
Yes. Many students are taking other math and social studies classes, including Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Psychology, and AP Government. Although this class covers your English requirement, some students did elect to also take AP Literature as well and had no problem fitting them both into their schedule. Students were also able to fit into their schedule electives such as Experimental Writing, Personal Finance, Legal, and Psychology/Sociology – depending upon the student’s interests. Therefore, there is plenty of flexibility to fit in your desired courses no matter the discipline.
How will the double-block class impact the rest of the student’s schedule?
As with other double-block classes that currently exist at the high school, there is some possibility of conflict with other courses that a student wishes to take. However, PowerSchool is designed to identify and mitigate course-scheduling issues, and by senior year, many students have more flexibility in their schedules to accommodate longer class blocks. Here are some "sample schedules" to give you a better sense of how our former students have balanced their course load. You'll notice that all of them allow the student to still have options for elective courses that most interest them or that will look best for their prospective college admissions. Do keep in mind that many colleges will want to see 4 years of math in high school (Massachusetts public universities require it) and GBP does not fulfill that requirement. Because of that most sample schedules below include a math course. That being said, you could opt out of a 4th year of math, or take a 2 credit elective to go along with GBP.
Math/Science Focus:
Example 1: GBP (2), AP Science (2), Calculus, Wellness, Study
Example 2: GBP (2), Calculus, Stats, Science Elective, Wellness, Study
Humanities Focus:
Example 1: GBP (2), AP English, Social Studies Elective, Other Elective, Wellness, Study
Example 2: GBP (2), Social Studies/English Elective, Social Studies/English Elective, Other Elective, Wellness, Study
Other:
Example 1: GBP (2), AP Computer Science, Other Elective, Other Elective, Wellness, Study
Example 2: GBP (2), Math, Language, Science, Music/Art, Wellness/Study
What will the workload be like for the course?
GBP will be a demanding and rigorous academic experience, as are many courses at the high school. The course is worth double the credits of a single-period class (and takes up two periods of time), which will be reflected in the amount of work. However, the workload will be equivalent to or less than two individual classes of work. Much of that work will be independently based, and students will need to be able to create and manage work schedules for long-term projects. The teachers will provide express instruction and support to help students meet these demands and master these skills, but students need to be ready for the challenge. To better clarify, if you elect not to take this course, the amount of work you will get from the two classes you take in place of it will be equal to or exceed the amount of work in this course.
How will the course look on my transcript when applying to colleges?
The responses from colleges have been overwhelmingly positive, both from students who have gone on interviews and when colleges were contacted directly in regards to the course. Here is one quote as an example of some of that feedback:
“The Integrated Senior Studies: The Greater Boston Project is an exciting educational initiative, which will help students develop the skills so necessary to success in college and beyond. At Union College and many fine colleges like us, we hold cross-disciplinary inquiry and analysis at the core of our academic mission, so find this approach at the high school level to be incredibly positive.” - Matt Maletesta, Vice President of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment, Union College
What if I don’t consider myself a good presenter or am concerned about working in groups?
This is all the more reason to take the course. The teachers will provide express instruction on oral communication and collaboration skills. Furthermore, students will receive ample support and feedback to help master these skills. By taking this course you will be better prepared to use these skills when the situation warrants itself in both college and along your career path.
Are there quizzes and tests in this course?
No. The main form of assessment is through the unit projects, unit portfolios, and essays. There are smaller assignments and presentations that are often evaluated and feedback is provided to help you prepare for the larger scale assessments.
Will the course require students to miss a lot of other classes for field trips?
No. Getting out of the classroom to use the resources of Greater Boston is an integral part of the course. However, out-of classroom experiences that disrupt students’ other classes will be kept to a minimum. The course will use the double-block periods whenever possible when scheduling off-site learning experiences. And when it is practical to do so, speakers will come in to the school to present to the class. The course has three to four planned, full-day field trips.
Check out our FAQ below to help you better understand the nature and logistics of the class.
Do students in this course still need to take another English class to fulfill the graduation requirement?
No. While students are able to take a more traditional English course in addition to GBP, it is not required that they do so. GBP satisfies the graduate requirement for senior-year English.
Can the student take other classes within these disciplines – particularly Advanced Placement classes?
Yes. Many students are taking other math and social studies classes, including Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Psychology, and AP Government. Although this class covers your English requirement, some students did elect to also take AP Literature as well and had no problem fitting them both into their schedule. Students were also able to fit into their schedule electives such as Experimental Writing, Personal Finance, Legal, and Psychology/Sociology – depending upon the student’s interests. Therefore, there is plenty of flexibility to fit in your desired courses no matter the discipline.
How will the double-block class impact the rest of the student’s schedule?
As with other double-block classes that currently exist at the high school, there is some possibility of conflict with other courses that a student wishes to take. However, PowerSchool is designed to identify and mitigate course-scheduling issues, and by senior year, many students have more flexibility in their schedules to accommodate longer class blocks. Here are some "sample schedules" to give you a better sense of how our former students have balanced their course load. You'll notice that all of them allow the student to still have options for elective courses that most interest them or that will look best for their prospective college admissions. Do keep in mind that many colleges will want to see 4 years of math in high school (Massachusetts public universities require it) and GBP does not fulfill that requirement. Because of that most sample schedules below include a math course. That being said, you could opt out of a 4th year of math, or take a 2 credit elective to go along with GBP.
Math/Science Focus:
Example 1: GBP (2), AP Science (2), Calculus, Wellness, Study
Example 2: GBP (2), Calculus, Stats, Science Elective, Wellness, Study
Humanities Focus:
Example 1: GBP (2), AP English, Social Studies Elective, Other Elective, Wellness, Study
Example 2: GBP (2), Social Studies/English Elective, Social Studies/English Elective, Other Elective, Wellness, Study
Other:
Example 1: GBP (2), AP Computer Science, Other Elective, Other Elective, Wellness, Study
Example 2: GBP (2), Math, Language, Science, Music/Art, Wellness/Study
What will the workload be like for the course?
GBP will be a demanding and rigorous academic experience, as are many courses at the high school. The course is worth double the credits of a single-period class (and takes up two periods of time), which will be reflected in the amount of work. However, the workload will be equivalent to or less than two individual classes of work. Much of that work will be independently based, and students will need to be able to create and manage work schedules for long-term projects. The teachers will provide express instruction and support to help students meet these demands and master these skills, but students need to be ready for the challenge. To better clarify, if you elect not to take this course, the amount of work you will get from the two classes you take in place of it will be equal to or exceed the amount of work in this course.
How will the course look on my transcript when applying to colleges?
The responses from colleges have been overwhelmingly positive, both from students who have gone on interviews and when colleges were contacted directly in regards to the course. Here is one quote as an example of some of that feedback:
“The Integrated Senior Studies: The Greater Boston Project is an exciting educational initiative, which will help students develop the skills so necessary to success in college and beyond. At Union College and many fine colleges like us, we hold cross-disciplinary inquiry and analysis at the core of our academic mission, so find this approach at the high school level to be incredibly positive.” - Matt Maletesta, Vice President of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment, Union College
What if I don’t consider myself a good presenter or am concerned about working in groups?
This is all the more reason to take the course. The teachers will provide express instruction on oral communication and collaboration skills. Furthermore, students will receive ample support and feedback to help master these skills. By taking this course you will be better prepared to use these skills when the situation warrants itself in both college and along your career path.
Are there quizzes and tests in this course?
No. The main form of assessment is through the unit projects, unit portfolios, and essays. There are smaller assignments and presentations that are often evaluated and feedback is provided to help you prepare for the larger scale assessments.
Will the course require students to miss a lot of other classes for field trips?
No. Getting out of the classroom to use the resources of Greater Boston is an integral part of the course. However, out-of classroom experiences that disrupt students’ other classes will be kept to a minimum. The course will use the double-block periods whenever possible when scheduling off-site learning experiences. And when it is practical to do so, speakers will come in to the school to present to the class. The course has three to four planned, full-day field trips.