2009-2010 will begin our 7th year of award-winning Latin classes!
Which LATIN Class Should My Student Take?
Age 8-11: STELLAE!
Age 12: Generally, STELLAE. The occasional student can take Latin 100 if working at least two grades ahead of grade level in at least two subjects and has strong parental support - ask me & see the Age 13 section below.
Age 13: Generally, Latin 100. Latin 100 recommended for strong readers with some English grammar experience who want an academic challenge; must have at least 3 hours/week open for homework and a parent willing to proctor his/her student’s tests and help monitor assignment completion – no Latin knowledge needed. Students who choose to take Latin 100 at this point should be working ahead of grade level in at least 2 subjects. It's very helpful if students who take Latin 100 at this age have a parent who can attend class with them (occasionally or regularly) so they can help with homework - or an older sibling who has studied Latin!
Age 14-18: Latin 100. (You do NOT have to be a 9th grader to start Latin -- It's fine to start Latin even as a high-school Junior or Senior! Older students generally do very well.)
What Credit Would My Student Earn?
STELLAE: No official credit, though the Stellae may take the national "Elementary Latin Exam" and win an award.
Latin 100, 200, 300, and 400 are each worth 1 high school credit (1 full-year course). Students take the National Latin Exam and can win an award / prove their Latin ability on an internationally-recognized test. Students take 300/400 twice - one year counts as "300" (e.g. Latin Prose) and the next year counts as "400" (e.g. Latin Poetry) - and earn 1 full credit each year.
Students who finish Latin 400 before 12th grade may either take further courses at a local university -- in Colorado, at CU (in Boulder) -- or stay on for an independent-study reading course with me (by arrangement, pending availability).
What Latin Sequences are Available?
Students starting at age 8-12 would typically take: STELLAE (Repeat until age 12! Themes are different every session.), Latin 100, Latin 200, Latin 300/400 (Prose), Latin 300/400(Poetry).
Students starting at age 13+ would take: Latin 100, Latin 200, Latin 300/400 (Prose), Latin 300/400(Poetry).
Pre-calculus: Students need to have successfully (with a grade of B or better, if grades were issued) completed a high-school level Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry course (in any sequence). Students should plan to take A.P. Calculus (AB or BC) the following year. A.P. Calculus is a college-level course! Students should be ready to work at a college-prep level and devote at least 3 hours/week to studying outside of class. You may call this course "Honors Pre-Calculus" on your transcript.
A.P. Calculus: Students need to have completed my Pre-calculus class (or a very rigorous Pre-calculus class that I approve) and be prepared to work at a college level! Students will take the national A.P. exam in May -- my students typically do very well! See the Collegeboard website for details about the A.P. program.
Please email Karen Karppinen with questions!