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School
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Riviera Preparatory School
Riviera Preparatory School
GEOMETRY (9-12)
Geometry presents students with concepts, definitions, properties, and applications of the course topics listed below.
Students use various computational skills and strategies to solve mathematical problems and address real-world applications.
Furthermore, they develop critical thinking and higher order thinking skills by connecting geometric and algebraic concepts
to practical applications. Students are expected to work independently as well as part of a collaborative group. Topics
include geometric reasoning and proofs; parallel and perpendicular lines; triangle congruence; properties and attributes
of triangles, polygons, quadrilaterals, and circles; perimeter, area, surface area, and volume; right triangles in conjunction
with trigonometry; transformations; and probability. The skills and concepts are integral to success on college placement
exams. Completion of the summer course of study allows students to accelerate and expand their options in high school
mathematics.
TI-30XIIS Scientific or TI84 Plus Graphing Calculator is recommended for the course.
Full summer session; 1 credit
GEOMETRY Honors (9-12)
Geometry Honors, with accelerated pacing, presents concepts, definitions, properties, and applications of the course topics
listed below. Students use various computational skills and strategies to solve mathematical problems and address real
world applications. Furthermore, they develop critical thinking and higher order thinking skills by connecting geometric
and algebraic concepts to practical applications. Students are expected to work independently and as part of a collaborative
group. Topics include geometric reasoning with emphasis on proofs; parallel and perpendicular lines; triangle congruence;
properties and attributes of triangles, polygons, quadrilaterals, and circles; perimeter, area, surface area, and volume; right
triangles in conjunction with trigonometry; transformations; and probability. The skills and concepts are integral to success
on college placement exams. Completion of the summer course of study allows students to accelerate and expand their
options in high school mathematics.
TI-30XIIS Scientific or TI84 Plus Graphing Calculator is recommended for the course.
Prerequisite: grade of B- or higher in Algebra I Honors or
grade of A- or higher in Algebra I; teacher recommendation
Full summer session; 1 credit
PRE-ALGEBRA Honors (7-8)
Pre-Algebra Honors accelerates instruction for students who wish to take Algebra I Honors in the fall. The same topics
addressed in Pre-Algebra are studied in an accelerated format to assure students understand and can apply the concepts
of mathematics for problem solving. Reinforcement of basic arithmetic concepts assures a smooth transition to algebraic
principles in high school level mathematics.
Prerequisite: grade of A- or higher in Math 6 Honors or Math 7; teacher recommendation
Full summer session; 1 MS credit
MUSIC TECHNIQUES (6-12)
Music Techniques students focus on the development of musical and technical skills through etudes, scales, and selected
music literature. Students in this class learn two instruments. They have the opportunity to choose among guitar, bass,
percussion, piano, and any woodwind instrument (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, etc.) Students also explore the fundamental
applications and tools of music technology and sound engineering. As they create and learn terminology, students also study
the history and aesthetic development of technology used to capture, create, and distribute music. The course culminates
with a recording at the end of the summer. Students are required to provide their own woodwind instrument (rented or
owned). All other instruments are available for use at school.
Instrument required
Fulfills Fine Art requirement for students in grades 9-12
Full summer session; 1 MS or HS credit
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Riviera Preparatory School
SPANISH I (8-11)
Spanish I students are immersed in an accelerated curriculum. Oral communication is the focus, as students participate in
dialogues, skits, songs, games, films, and projects that help build communication skills and introduce them to the distinct
cultures in the Hispanic world. Each class period includes the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Structured writing and reading activities help students internalize vocabulary, grammar, and rhetorical functions. ¡Me
encanta el español!
Full summer session; 1 credit
SPANISH II (8-12)
Spanish II reinforces and further develops the communication skills, grammar, vocabulary, and concepts learned in Spanish I
at an accelerated pace. Oral communication continues to be the focus as students expand their speaking and listening skills
with increasing confidence. Students also develop reading and writing skills while reading for meaning and purpose from
various genres written in Spanish. Familiarity with the different peoples and cultures of the Hispanic world is expanded
through classroom and research activities. ¡Me encanta el español!
Prerequisite: Spanish I or its equivalent; teacher recommendation
Full summer session; 1 credit
STUDY SKILLS (6)
Study Skills enables students to develop metacognitive awareness, learning strategies, critical-thinking skills, and problemsolving skills to enhance their performance in both academic and nonacademic endeavors. Activities address time
management and organizational skills; memory skills for acquiring, storing, and retrieving information; test-taking skills
and strategies for linking new information with prior knowledge; various note-taking strategies; successful oral and written
communication; and effective integration of creativity and logical reasoning in completing projects and tasks. Students also
become familiar with organization and integration of tablets as they study.
WRITING WORKSHOP I A (6)
Required in 6thgrade
Paired with Writing Workshop I A
½ summer session; ½ MS credit
Writing Workshop I A provides an integrated and sequential approach to the introduction and reinforcement of word study
skills, grammar, and composition skills. The course specifically addresses roots, prefixes, and suffixes as well as grammar, usage,
and syntax of Standard Written English. In coordination with the 6th grade Language Arts curriculum, the course addresses
the five writing standards identified in research as integral to developmental growth in the complexity of knowledge, skills,
and strategies to be expected for college readiness: (1) rhetorical analysis and planning, (2) generating content, (3) drafting,
(4) evaluating and revising texts, and (5) editing to present technically-sound texts. These fundamental skills in written
communication are developed incrementally in middle school and further refined in high school courses.
Required in 6thgrade
Paired with Study Skills
½ summer session; ½ MS credit
WRITING WORKSHOP I B (7)
Writing Workshop I B continues the integrated and sequential approach to the expansion and reinforcement of word study
skills, grammar, and composition skills. The course expands the students’ knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes as well as
grammar, usage, and syntax of Standard Written English. In coordination with the 7th grade Language Arts curriculum, the
course continues emphasis on the five writing standards identified in research as integral to developmental growth in the
complexity of knowledge, skills, and strategies to be expected for college readiness: (1) rhetorical analysis and planning, (2)
generating content, (3) drafting, (4) evaluating and revising texts, and (5) editing to present technically sound texts. These
fundamental skills in written communication are developed incrementally in middle school and further refined in high
school courses.
Required in 7th grade
Paired with Computer Applications
½ summer session; ½ MS credit
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Riviera Preparatory School
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (7)
Computer Applications prepares students to work with Microsoft Office in an academic and professional setting and for
personal use. Using courseware that incorporates an accelerated, step-by-step, project-based approach, students develop an
introductory level competency in Word, Excel, Access, OneNote, and PowerPoint. They also acquire necessary keyboarding
skills and explore features of Windows and Internet Explorer. In addition, students develop an understanding of key ethical
issues they face in the context of using information technology.
Required in 7th grade
Paired with Writing Workshop I B
½ summer session; ½ MS credit
MEDIA LITERACY (8)
Media Literacy enables students to analyze how media producers use various media and conventional production elements
to achieve purposes, affect target audiences, convey a point of view, and establish narrative elements. A focus on how
prior knowledge, experiences, attitudes, beliefs, demographic characteristics, and context affect the interpretation of a
media message guides students in evaluating the credibility and ethics of any particular media communication. With
this awareness, students plan media communication by determining purpose, investigating audience characteristics, and
selecting a media channel. Moreover, students consider strategies for creating well-reasoned messages, making emotional
appeals, and building credibility when developing a media communication.
Required in 8th grade
Paired with Writing Workshop I C
½ summer session; ½ MS credit
WRITING WORKSHOP I C (8)
Writing Workshop I C provides an integrated and sequential approach to the teaching and reinforcement of grammar and
composition skills, focusing on using connectives logically and forcefully. Grammar nomenclature is simplified through
the use of visual punctuation rules. Emphasis is placed on the purpose of the connective used to show logical relationship
between ideas. Through a sequential sentence-combining approach, students learn to recognize and apply visual rules for
combining ideas and using coordination and subordination appropriately. After mastering a series of skill builders for
each type of connective, students write their own responses to questions based upon readings from literature. Students
further develop their skills in coordination and subordination of ideas as they write formal extended responses to questions.
Assessments include a pre-test, skill building exercises, formative evaluating exercises, and a summative post-test.
Required in 8thgrade
Paired with Media Literacy
½ summer session; ½ MS credit
WRITING WORKSHOP I Honors (9)
Writing Workshop I Honors provides an integrated and sequential approach to the teaching and reinforcement of grammar
and composition skills, focusing on using connectives logically and forcefully. Grammar nomenclature is simplified through
the use of visual punctuation rules. Emphasis is placed on the purpose of the connective used to show logical relationship
between ideas. Through a sequential sentence-combining approach, students learn to recognize and apply visual rules for
combining ideas and using coordination and subordination appropriately. After mastering a series of skill builders for
each type of connective, students write their own responses to questions based upon readings from literature. Students
further develop their skills in coordination and subordination of ideas as they write formal extended responses to questions.
Assessments include a pre-test, skill building exercises, formative evaluating exercises, and a summative post-test.
Required in 9thgrade
Paired with Writing Workshop II Honors
½ summer session; ½ credit
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Riviera Preparatory School
WRITING WORKSHOP II Honors (9)
Writing Workshop II Honors uses a three-pronged approach in developing analytical skills to enhance written
communication. Students learn paragraph and multi-paragraph structures based on the sentence skills mastered in Writing
Workshop I in 9th grade. Students simultaneously reinforce standard English grammar skills and develop essay writing
strategies and test-taking strategies for the English and Writing sections of the SAT and ACT.
Required in 9thgrade
Paired with Writing Workshop I Honors
½ summer session; ½ credit
CRITICAL THINKING: SAT/ACT PREP (11)
Critical Thinking: SAT/ACT Prep prepares students for optimal performance on traditional college entrance exams.
Through review of skills repeatedly addressed on the tests and practice and review on multiple full length SAT and ACT
exams, students develop efficient test taking strategies. Students should be prepared for the SAT or ACT in the spring of
their junior year.
Required in 11th grade
Paired with Ethics Honors
½ summer session; ½ credit
ETHICS Honors (11)
Ethics Honors examines the moral values of one’s life and the principles by which one is governed. Students engage in indepth class discussions designed to challenge each student to question and understand the ethical implications related to
moral theory, ethics of death and dying, business ethics, bio-ethics, political ethics, and several current ethical issues.
Required in 11th grade
Paired with Critical Thinking: SAT/ACT Prep
½ summer session; ½ credit
INTENSIVE MATH [6-7]/INTENSIVE PRE-ALGEBRA (8)
These non graded and individualized courses strengthen the computational and problem solving skills required for entry
in the student’s appropriate math level in the fall. The developmental aspect of the curriculum requires daily focus and
reiteration of foundation skills. Some practice is required at home. This course of study can fulfill tutoring in mathematics
required for admission.
½ summer session; no credit
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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Riviera Preparatory School
A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
Lawrence Cohen, Director
Peter Cohen, Associate Director
Jorge Ortega, Director of Financial Operations
Patrick Snay, Headmaster
Dr. Linda Grant, Associate Headmaster
Dr. Carole Repensek, Director of Academic Advancement
Olga Bueno, Admissions Director
Jessica Lanz, Dean of Student Affairs
Sally Coords, Director of Counseling
Courtney Young, Athletic Director
Riviera Preparatory School
9775 SW 87 Avenue
Miami, FL 33176
786-300-0300
www.rivieraschools.com
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