Explore Our Courses

Derby High School offers a number of vocal music courses, including vocal training in singing, music literacy and sight-reading for advanced work. In each class, students practice their songs for the next concert. There are five total choirs. Choralaires and Men’s Chorus are auditioned choirs, where every student will start. Bel Canto is the auditioned women’s choir. Philharmonic Choir is the auditioned mixed choir, and Madrigals are the top mixed honour choir.

In this class, students use the metric system of measurement, laboratory skills and scientific processing methods throughout the year, while learning the names and the symbols for elements, ions, compounds and chemical equations. Other topics of study include detailed structures of the atom, nuclear events, the Periodic Table, the theories for chemical bonding, the mole concept and the principles of chemical reactions. This course includes problem-solving involving mathematics, such as graphing, powers of ten, Algebra 1, Geometry, proportions, ratios and logarithms. In addition to Chemistry, Pre-Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry and AP Chemistry are also offered.

This program provides students with opportunities to go beyond the standard classroom experience. Students engage in independent research projects and participate in specialized courses tailored to their learning needs. This encourages collaboration as well as independent study, allowing students to move at an accelerated pace or explore topics in greater depth.

In this class, students explore the economic, social, and political developments of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Japan, Greece, Rome and the Islamic World.This week, students in Preston Peer’s class listened to guest speaker Matt Dweir, the Education Manager from the Museum of World Treasures.

In this course, students apply basic Physics skills and knowledge fundamental to all sciences. This course uses science investigation, measurement in the Metric System and data in the creation and interpretation of graphs throughout the semester.

Algebra 1 introduces linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, arithmetic operations applied to polynomials, factoring second-degree polynomials, graphs of linear equations and inequalities, irrational numbers and radical expressions, the quadratic formula, direct and inverse variation and word problems. 

This course provides students with the essential skills, techniques, and knowledge necessary to succeed in the professional food industry. Through a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, students learn the fundamentals of cooking, baking, and food presentation, while also developing an understanding of kitchen management, sanitation, and nutrition.

In Clay Fundamentals, students are encouraged to exercise their creative abilities by using references and creating clay pieces with their own details added. Students will learn different art techniques using different media and designs.

In this course, students take care of a robot baby for a weekend while catering to the child's needs, including feeding, crying, burping, and changing diapers. Currently, in Family Studies, students are learning how to properly use baby carriers.

This course focuses on leadership, responsibility, character-building, and honor. Students dress in uniform on certain days and undergo a uniform inspection. It is a great opportunity for students to learn leadership skills and be more involved with the community.