Academics

Academic Programs & Courses at Hillsboro

Hillsboro High School requires 27.5 credits accumulated in high school level courses: 4 English, 4 mathematics, 3 science, 3.5 social studies, 1 Lifetime Wellness, 0.5 physical education, 3 in an “elective focus” area, and additional electives to total 28 credits.

Students must choose a career or thematic academy in 10th grade, which will determine the courses that will satisfy the elective focus requirement.

Academies at Hillsboro

The career and thematic academies available at Hillsboro are the Academy of Global Health and Sciences, the US Community Credit Union Academy of International Business and Communications, and the Academy of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Academy of Global Health and Sciences

Students in the Academy of Global Health and Sciences must complete their elective focus requirement in one of three pathway options. The first pathway option is Therapeutic Clinical Services consisting of courses in Health Science, Anatomy & Physiology, and Medical Assisting. The second pathway option is Sports & Human Performance, which consists of courses in Health Science, Rehabilitation Careers, and Exercise Science. The third pathway is Interdisciplinary Sciences and Research, which is taught by an instructor from Vanderbilt University and includes four years of intensive science instruction and summer research requirements.

The US Community Credit Union Academy of Business and Communications

The US Community Credit Union Academy of Business and Communications houses three pathway options. The first pathway, Marketing Management, includes courses in Marketing I, Social Media Marketing Analytics, and Public Relations & Advertising. In the second pathway, Audio Visual (A/V) Production, students take courses in A/V I, A/V II, and A/V III. In the third pathway, Banking and Finance, students take courses in Introduction to Business and Marketing, Banking and Finance, and Business and Entrepreneurship Practicum.

Academy of Advanced Technology, Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Academy of Advanced Technology, Liberal Arts and Sciences houses two pathway options. The first pathway option is Advanced STEM Applications consisting of courses in Advanced STEM applications I, Advanced STEM Applications II, and Advanced STEM Applications III. The second pathway option is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Students that select this pathway are obligated to complete the specific requirements to earn the IB Diploma as established by the International Baccalaureate Organization. This program consists of IB-level courses in six core academic areas including English, individuals & societies, mathematics, science, world languages, and the arts. Additionally, students complete a part-time Theory of Knowledge course and engage in the IBDP Core requirements to encourage well-rounded, globally-minded scholars.

The International Baccalaureate Programmes at Hillsboro

As an IB World School, all of our freshmen and sophomores are automatically enrolled in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). This programme is integrated within all of our academies and academic classes. Additionally, our sophomores complete the IB MYP Personal Project as a cross-curricular project. MYP offers students an engaging, rigorous, and relevant curriculum that supports their growth as globally-minded citizens.

When students enter their junior year, they have the option to opt-in to the IB Diploma Programme or the IB Career-related Programme. In both programmes, students study a variety of IB academic courses that are offered over the junior and senior years (students can work alongside their IB coordinator and counselor to determine if they are taking the course at the Standard Level or Higher Level). The International Baccalaureate courses currently offered include: IB Language and Literature, IB History of the Americas, IB Math Applications and Interpretations, IB Business Management, IB French Ab Initio, IB Psychology, IB Spanish Ab Initio, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, IB Computer Science, IB Sports Exercise Science, IB Theatre, IB Visual Arts, and IB Film. Due to IB seat hours requirements, all IB classes are taught over two years and must be taken during the entirety of a student’s junior and senior years.

Students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme pathway take six IB classes (one from each subject). Additionally, students complete a part-time course titled Theory of Knowledge, compose a research-based Extended Essay, and complete a Creativity, Action, and Service program. This programme offers students a competitive weighted GPA and the possibility of earning college credits in each subject.

The IB Career-related Programme (CP) offers students the ability to complete a career pathway while simultaneously engaging in our IB courses. IB CP works alongside all of our career academies. In this programme, students complete their career pathway and take at least two IB courses of their choice. Additionally, students complete a part-time course titled Personal and Professional Skills, create a research-based Reflective Project, engage in Language and Cultural Studies, and complete a Community Engagement project. This programme offers students a competitive workforce-ready resume, industry certification, and the possibility of earning college credit. 

Other Course Options

• Hillsboro High offers Advanced Placement courses in the subjects of Seminar, Pre-calculus, Music Theory, Human Geography and African American Studies.
• Dual Enrollment course through Nashville State Community College in Statistics.
• Four additional Dual Enrollment courses are offered to ISR pathway students through Tennessee Tech.
• All IB Courses are offered as stand-alone classes.
• Twenty-two honors level courses are offered in Biology I, Chemistry I, Physics I, English I, English II, English III, English IV, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, Integrated Math III, Interdisciplinary Science I, Interdisciplinary Science II, Interdisciplinary Science III, Interdisciplinary Science IV, Research I, Research II, Research III, Spanish II, Spanish III, U.S. History and Geography.

Advanced Academic Opportunities 

Hillsboro also provides students with many different opportunities to learn and enroll in advanced coursework. Learn more about the advanced academic opportunities we offer on our Advanced Academics page. To enroll in a specific class, contact your school counselor.