Academics
Rigorous, standards-based instruction that serves the needs of our diverse student body is the foundation of academics at Elmwood Park High School.
But the work of our educators is guided not only by state and national learning standards. It is also guided by our commitment to providing students with clear pathways to college and career fulfillment. This commitment is the framework within which our learning community thrives.
EPHS Core Curriculum
English, math, science and social studies are the four subjects that make up our core curriculum. General Studies options and Distinguished Scholars options are available in each subject.
ENGLISH
MATH
► GENERAL STUDIES
- English I
- English II
- English III
(or American Studies) - English IV
► DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS
- English I Honors
- English II Honors
- AP English Language & Composition
- AP English Literature & Composition
- College Composition
► GENERAL STUDIES
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebra II
► DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS
- Core Plus Math I
- Core Plus Math II
- Core Plus Math III
- Core Plus Math IV
- AP Statistics
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
SCIENCE
SOCIAL STUDIES
► GENERAL STUDIES
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
► DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS
- Biology Honors
- Chemistry Honors
- AP Physics
- AP Physics II
- AP Chemistry
- AP Biology
► GENERAL STUDIES
- World History
- U.S. History (or American Studies)
- Government/Civics
► DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS
- AP Human Geography
- AP World History
- AP United States History
- AP U.S. Government and Politics
- AP Comparative Government
- AP Psychology
College & Career Pathways
Since 2019-20, Elmwood Park High School has offered courses as part of College & Career Pathways, a District 401 initiative focused on better aligning EPHS and Elm Middle School curricula with the post-secondary pursuits of our students.
The goal of the College & Career Pathways is to better prepare D401 students to compete and succeed in the global economy.
With the help of aligned programs of study and pathway exploration, students will graduate with well-developed post-secondary plans, stronger experiential learning opportunities and a diverse set of skills suited for academic and career success.
Our Goals
Elmwood Park High School seeks to fulfill the following goals in the service of its mission of providing a comprehensive high school education that prepares students to be productive citizens of a diverse, global and interdependent society.
- Students should be able to formulate ideas and to express themselves accurately and precisely in both oral and written forms.
- Students should be able to communicate both formally and informally, recognizing which forms of behavior, speech, dress, writing, etc., are appropriate in a given context.
- Students should be able to solve and explain mathematical problems, especially word problems, and should be competent in estimating.
- Students should be able to perform pragmatic (life) skills, i.e., write checks, follow directions, utilize resources, make judgments, know when to ask for help and other skills needed in daily living.
- Students should have established work habits, i.e., dependability, reliability, accountability, drive, perseverance, self-evaluation and cooperation.
- Students should develop a global perspective through knowledge of:
- Geography
- History (traditions and values)
- Economics and politics of other cultures
- Students should be able to take different points of view and demonstrate tolerance and appreciation of views that differ from their own.
- Students should be able to differentiate between facts and opinions.
- Students should be prepared to live in an interdependent world recognizing that one can travel to almost any country in less than a day, and that our economies and environments are interdependent.
- Students should complete a comprehensive curriculum as follows:
- Humanities (art, music, literature)
- Social Science (history, geography, economics)
- Mathematics, Science
- Communication (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
- Employment and Life Skills (business, technology, physical education, health, personal and interpersonal skills, ethical standards)
- Extracurricular Activities
- Students should be the center of the teaching/learning process. That is, their individual differences should be accommodated without compromising the expectations of a comprehensive high school.
Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for a lifetime of success. This success begins in the classroom but continues as our students graduate from District 401 and move on to institutions of higher learning and the workforce.
To Learn More
For additional information about EPHS academics, including a listing of courses we offer in each academic department, we invite you to visit the pages listed below, or click the links located in the left-hand column of this page.