Curriculum Overview - First Year

General studies use marine integrations and applications where appropriate. Marine studies focused on science, field research, basics of boat handling and design, fundamentals of seamanship and navigation. Students can transfer smoothly into and out of sending.

General Studies
("Dry" day, 4-block periods)
1 c.u. English 1
1 c.u. Social Studies
.5 civics
.5 environmental stewardship
OSHA standards, compliance issues & practices
Laws, rights of way, principles of coastal and ocean use
1 c.u. Math (PreAlg, Alg 1 or Geom)
1 c.u. Spanish (1 or 2)
  • Computer literacy
  • Critical thinking, research, problem-solving
  • Reading, writing, speaking skills
  • Environmental service-learning time
Marine Studies
("Wet" day, 1 block period, 45-50 minutes for advising, tutoring, study, etc., maximum use of flexible scheduling)
1 c.u. Integrated Science 1
2 c.u. Marine Studies 1 (includes cross credentials in health & phys. ed)
  • Safe boating certification
  • Basic navigation & seamanship (line handling, knot tying, splicing, terminology, rowing, sailing)
  • Small boat design and construction
  • Scuba
  • CPR and first aid
  • Swimming, lifeboating
  • Critical thinking, research, problem-solving
Lunch/Advisory/Academic Support time
Sample of integration by theme: coastal studies
  • Cultures and coastlines
  • Characteristics of coastal economies and trades
  • Geography and geology of the coastline
  • The economics and culture of stewardship (Nehantics, Pequots, Mohegans, British Colonials, current issues)
  • Organism sampling in selected areas
  • Environmental requirements for selected shellfish
  • Setting market values