FIRST YEAR

First year courses concentrate on developing a strong foundation in literacy, math, discussion, and written & visual communication. 

• Most courses run for one semester, with the exception of Math and Visual Thinking.
• Students take Regents exams in Math and Science.
• Students begin their Career and Technical Education (CTE) sequence of courses. In the 9th grade, students take two CTE courses – Visual Thinking Lab and Introduction to Advertising and Media. In those courses, students learn:
  • The principals and elements of design
  • Drawing and color theory
  • Microsoft Office with a focus on Word and Powerpoint
  • The basics of advertising strategy and the creative process
  • And more...
• Students visit the BMCC campus for special events and to utilize the college’s resources such as science and robotics labs.
• Students receive tutoring from BMCC honors society (Phi Theta Kappa) students.
• Students receive their first of many work-based learning opportunities including taking many industry-related field trips including visits to some of the premier advertising and media agencies in the world. Students also participate in special advertising competitions and take a critical media literacy course taught by industry experts from The Lamp.
• Students are eligible for special summer science courses at BMCC.

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

• Written Communication
• Discussion
• Purposeful Problem Solving