Curriculum

Academic readiness for college is foundational to Signature School’s very existence.
A Pledge to Do Your Best

In compliance with our Charter Learning Plan (see p. 4), Signature School students, “with their ‘signatures,’... pledge to do their best, knowing that the educational opportunities are rigorous and meet the academic needs of motivated students.” All students follow a path that may lead to the IB Diploma and the AP Capstone Diploma. In so doing, most students also earn the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma, and Indiana’s Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency.  

Details of the curriculum are updated each January and published annually in the Program of Studies. 

Charter Learning Plan

Below are the course offerings associated with the IB and AP Capstone diplomas as well as the other courses Signature offers either in preparation for these two diplomas or in fulfillment of requirements for Indiana Graduation Pathways, the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma, and the Certificate of Multi-Lingual Proficiency.

IB Diploma
Signature has been an IB World School since 2006. The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay. Starting in Grade 11, students take three (or four) classes at the Higher Level (HL) and three (or two) classes at the Standard Level (SL).
Studies in Language and Literature
English Literature HL
Language A Self-Taught SL
Language
Language A Self-Taught SL
French HL/SL
German HL/SL
Spanish HL/SL
Individuals & Societies
History HL/SL
Psychology SL
Sciences
Biology HL
Env. System & Societies SL
Chemistry HL/SL
Physics SL
Sports, Exercise, & Health Science SL
Mathematics
Mathematics Applications and Interpretation SL
Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL/SL
The Arts
Visual Art HL/SL
Dance HL/SL
Music HL/ SL
AP Capstone Diploma
Signature School has been an AP Capstone school since 2016. AP Capstone™ is a diploma program based on two yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Both courses guide students through completing a research project, writing an academic paper, and making a presentation on their project. Signature students take AP Seminar in Grade 10 and AP Research in Grade 11. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.
English
Language and Composition
Literature
History and Economics
European History
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
United States History
World History
Sciences
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Computer Science A
Physics 1, 2
Math and Computer Science
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
World Languages and Cultures
French
German
Spanish
Arts
Music Theory
Capstone Diploma Program
Research
Seminar
Indiana Graduation Pathways and the Academic Honors Diploma
Starting with the Class of 2023, all Signature students strive to meet Indiana Graduation Pathway Requirements by earning a Core 40 with Academic Honors designation and completing a Project-Based Learning Experience. Signature courses offered for Academic Honors are listed below. Note that Signature School requires four consecutive years of a world language whereas the Academic Honors designation only requires two years of two world languages or three years of one world language.
English
English 9 Honors
Languages
French Honors 1, 2, 3
German Honors 1, 2, 3
Spanish Honors 1, 2, 3
Science
Biology Honors
Chemistry Honors
Arts
Fine Arts Connections
Instrumental Music, before school
Musical Theatre 1, 2, after school
Visual Arts 1, 2
Piano Lab
Signature Singers
Other Recognitions
Health
Indiana Studies
Ethnic Studies
Personal Financial Responsibility
Preparing for College and Careers
Indiana Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency
In addition to passing their coursework in English and in French, German, or Spanish, most Signature students earn the Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency at an Intermediate High level by scoring at least a 4 on the associated AP or IB SL exam. Those students scoring a 5 on the AP exam or a 4 on the IB HL exam earn the Certificate at an Advanced Low level.