MMHS Program of Studies
Mashpee Middle-High School is proud to offer our students a wide variety of courses designed to meet their unique academic needs and interests. As a small school community, we are able to focus on the individual, continuously evolving our curriculum to grow alongside our students.
Small School, Big Opportunities
We offer a close-knit, supportive environment while still providing an expansive menu of academic and elective programs that rivals much larger districts. Our Program of Studies includes a diverse array of courses across traditional disciplines and specialized pathways.
To ensure every student is challenged and supported, we provide several levels of study and unique learning opportunities, including:
- Advanced Placement (AP): Rigorous, college-level courses with exams funded by the school.
- Honors & College Preparatory: Challenging coursework designed to prepare students for success in two- or four-year college programs.
- Dual Enrollment: The opportunity to earn college and high school credits simultaneously through partnerships with local colleges.
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways: Specialized programs in fields like Health Services, Business, and Engineering—some offering professional certification.
Designing Your Future
Choosing the right program is a significant responsibility. We encourage you to read this catalog carefully and discuss your selections with your teachers, school counselor, and parents. Together, we can ensure you choose the most appropriate and challenging path for your personal educational journey.
Dual Enrollment
Mashpee Middle-High School proudly participates in the Massachusetts Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership (CDEP), which provides high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses—either for free or at a significantly reduced cost. According to CDEP,
“The Massachusetts Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership (CDEP) provides opportunities for Massachusetts high school students to take college-level courses for free or at a discounted price and earn credit toward high school completion and their future college degrees.”
Through established partnerships with Cape Cod Community College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy, eligible Mashpee students can enroll in college courses and earn both high school and college credit at the same time. Courses may be taken online or on the college campus, depending on the program and schedule.
Dual enrollment can reduce the number of college courses students need after high school, potentially saving time and money in earning a college degree. However, not all students are eligible for dual enrollment, and admission may depend on academic readiness and course availability.
Students and families are encouraged to speak with their school counselor to explore dual enrollment opportunities, determine eligibility, and decide whether dual enrollment or Advanced Placement (AP) courses are the best fit for their academic goals.
“I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
Advanced Placement (AP)
Mashpee Middle-High School offers a strong selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses to help students challenge themselves academically and prepare for success beyond high school. If you're interested in taking an AP class, we encourage you to speak with your school counselor. Many AP courses have prerequisites and require a teacher recommendation.
All students enrolled in an AP course are required to take the corresponding AP exam. Mashpee Middle-High School covers the full cost of all AP exams, ensuring access and equity for all learners.
1 unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of biology and chemistry.
This course will follow the College Board approved AP Biology curriculum. This intense program will cover the following topics: Chemistry of Life, Cell Structure and Function, Cellular Energetics, Cell Communication and Cell Cycle, Heredity, Gene Expression and Regulation, Natural Selection, and Ecology. Students will work cooperatively in the lab and develop skills to complete a formal lab report and organized notebook. Students will take the AP exam at the completion of the course. Open to students in grades 11 and 12.
1 unit
Prerequisite: 85 or better in Honors Pre-Calculus or administrative approval.
In this course students will cover the analysis of a function’s graph, limits, asymptotes, and continuity. Differential calculus will be studied which will include the definition of the derivative, the derivative at a point, and applications of derivatives. Also, students will study integral calculus to include the Riemann sums, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, applications of integral, and techniques of anti-differentiation. Culmination of the course will be the AP Examination.
1 unit
Prerequisite: 90 or better in CP Chemistry or 85 or better in Honors Chemistry & teacher recommendation or administrative approval.
Students enrolling in AP Chemistry have already successfully completed Chemistry and Algebra II. The AP Chemistry course is equivalent to the general chemistry course usually taken during the first year of college. Topics for this laboratory-based course will include structure of matter, states of matter, chemical equilibrium, reactions, chemical kinetics, descriptive chemistry and the basic concepts of thermodynamics. Summer preparation will also be required for this course. After school work (laboratory and review) is expected. Students will work cooperatively in the lab and develop skills to complete a formal lab report and organized notebook. Open to students in grades 11 and 12.
This class is open to juniors and seniors who meet the prerequisites.
Prerequisite: Grade of 90 or better in English 10(CP) or 11(CP) or 85 or better in 10(H) or 11(H) or administrative approval.
Advanced Placement English Language is intended to be a very rigorous exercise in reading, thinking, analyzing and writing. It is a course that prepares students for the English Language Advanced Placement Examination. Topics of study include an introduction of rhetorical analysis, elements of argument and analysis of visual rhetoric. Non-fiction texts (speeches, essays, memoirs, etc.) will be featured, but some relevant fiction will also be required reading. Students taking AP English must assume a major responsibility to complete work. To be successful, students will need to be highly motivated self-starters able to manage independent topics. Students will be required to complete a summer reading list.
Prerequisite: Grade of 90 or better in English 11(CP) or 85 or better in English 11(H) or administrative approval.
Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition is designed to be an extremely rigorous exercise in reading, thinking, analyzing and writing. Although this course is primarily an intensive literature survey, it will provide continued exposure in each of the traditional areas of language arts. Vocabulary enrichment, composition, speech and college-level study skills will be included. While a balance between teacher and student activity will be struck, students must understand that they accept a major responsibility in electing this course. To be successful, students will need to be highly motivated self-starters who can manage independent projects. Ideally, the course will culminate with the students passing the AP Literature and Composition exam in May. Students will be required to complete a summer reading list.
1 unit
Prerequisite: 90 or better in CP Science course or 85 or better in Honors Science course, teacher recommendation and be enrolled or have completed precalculus.
This course is designed to give students the in-depth level of knowledge required to succeed on the AP Physics 1 test. It emphasizes the development of conceptual understanding and proficiency in advanced problem-solving techniques. Topics include motion, forces, energy and momentum, circular motion and gravity, rotational motion and angular momentum, mechanical waves and sound, and electricity including basic DC circuits. A strong work ethic and proficiency with algebra are essential to success. Students will work cooperatively in the lab and complete comprehensive lab reports. Dedicated effort and completion of regular homework assignments are vital to success in this course. It is expected that each AP Physics 1 student will take the AP Physics 1 exam. Open to students in grades 11 and 12
1 unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Physics 1 or simultaneous enrollment in AP Physics 1.
This course is designed to give students the in-depth level of knowledge required to succeed on the AP Physics 2 test. It emphasizes the development of conceptual understanding and proficiency in advanced problem-solving techniques. Topics include fluid mechanics, temperature, heat, thermodynamics, electric field and potential, magnetism, electromagnetic waves 23 and optics, and nuclear physics. A strong work ethic and proficiency in algebra are essential to success. Dedicated effort and completion of regular homework assignments are vital to success in this course. It is expected that each AP Physics 2 student will take the AP Physics 2 exam. Open to students in grades 12
Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites for AP Psychology. Students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
AP Psychology is an introductory college-level psychology course. Students cultivate their understanding of the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes through inquiry-based investigations as they explore concepts like the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology.
Prerequisite: 85 or better in Spanish IV or administrative approval.
AP Spanish V is designed to cover the equivalent of a third-year college course in advanced Spanish composition and conversation. This course is conducted entirely in Spanish. The goal of the course is to prepare students for success on the AP Spanish Language Exam by further developing their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Through authentic written and audio sources, students will build and expand their vocabulary and grammar skills as well as their abilities to analyze and make inferences. Furthermore, students will complete a thorough review of grammar and conjugations. Readings and authentic sources will vary but will relate to the arts, history, current events, literature, culture, etc. of the Spanish-speaking world.
1 unit
Prerequisite: 85 or better in Honors Algebra II, 90 or better in CP Algebra II, or administrative approval.
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of probability, descriptive, and inferential statistics. Numerous distributions will be studied such as the binomial distribution, normal distribution, and the chi-square distribution. The correlation of variables and linear regression will be covered in depth. The Texas Instruments graphing calculator will be an integral tool in the student’s study of Statistics. Culmination of the course will be the AP Examination.
1 unit
Prerequisite: Students must have passed at least two high school art courses (Honors Art Portfolio is highly recommended) and have a recommendation from the art teacher.
As the highest level art course, AP Studio Art & Design is aligned with current expectations for college level art and design foundation courses. Students focus on in-depth, inquiry-based art and design making. They will create individual art portfolios in their choice of either AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, or AP Drawing. (All three portfolio types run concurrently in the same class.) The course culminates in the final portfolio submission to the College Board as their exam, to earn opportunities for college credit and placement. All students in the course are expected to participate in the exam to receive AP credit. The College Board rates 60% of the exam score on “Sustained Investigation”, which requires students to submit 15 digital images that include works of art and design along with process documentation. The College Board rates the remaining 40% of the exam score on “Selected Works”, which requires students to submit 5 works of art and design and writing to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Participation in multiple art exhibits, and creation of a student artist website are requirements for this course. Strong time management skills, work ethic, and homework are also an expectation for the course.
1 unit
Prerequisite: An 85 or better in Pre-A.P. U.S. or administrative approval.
This is a demanding college level course offering of the History/Social Sciences Department, and it is presented in accordance with the requirements of the College Board. This is a one year course that follows successful completion of the Pre -A.P. U S. History I and seeks to prepare highly motivated students toward the U.S. History Advanced Placement exam in their junior year. College credit may be extended by participating colleges and universities for successful completion of this course and the A. P. U. S. History exam. This course is a chronological study of the events, trends and details of American History from 1870 to the present day. It uses the historical method and sharpens critical thinking skills through an analytical approach. Many papers, book reviews and position papers are required. Students will be required to complete a summer reading list. The expectation is that students will take the College Board’s A. P. U. S. History exam in grade 10.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways
At Mashpee Middle-High School, we believe in connecting classroom learning to real-world success. Our Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways are designed to give students a competitive advantage, whether they plan to head straight into a career or pursue a degree at a four-year university.
Through a blend of rigorous academics and hands-on experience, our students develop the "hard skills" of their chosen industry alongside the "soft skills"—like collaboration and problem-solving—defined in our Portrait of a Graduate. Many of our programs even offer the opportunity to earn professional certifications before high school graduation.
Explore our CTE Pathways:
- Arts & Communication Services: This pathway houses our vibrant Visual and Performing Arts programs. Students develop their artistic identity while gaining technical mastery in media, design, and performance, preparing them for the creative industries of the future.
- Manufacturing, Engineering, & Technology: Utilizing industry-grade software and machinery (including 3D printers and CNC machines), students solve real-world problems through design and robotics.
- Business & Entrepreneurship: From "Shark Tank" style pitches in 8th grade to advanced marketing strategies, students learn the fundamentals of management, ethics, and leadership.
- Hospitality Services: Students engage in an expansive culinary curriculum, moving from basic food preparation to complex professional techniques used in the hospitality industry.
- Health Services: Students work in state-of-the-art lab spaces to earn industry-recognized credentials like CNA and First Aid/CPR while exploring careers with local emergency responders.
Graduation Requirements & Guidelines
To earn a high school diploma in Mashpee, students must successfully meet both local graduation requirements and the state of Massachusetts' Competency Determination (CD) standards. Our curriculum is guided by MassCore, a state program designed to ensure graduates are fully prepared for college or the workforce.
- Total Credits: Students must earn at least 24 credits to graduate.
- Core Subjects: Requirements include 4 credits of English, 4 credits of Math (taken in grades 9–12), 3 credits of lab-based Science, and 3 credits of History.
- Additional Coursework: Students must also complete credits in World Languages, Fine/Applied Arts, Physical Education, Health, and a Senior Seminar.
Understanding Competency Determination (CD)
The state requirement for "mastery" of core skills depends on your graduation year:
- Class of 2026: Students must achieve a qualifying score on the MCAS (Meeting or Exceeding Expectations) OR pass specific 9th and 10th-grade coursework in English, Math, and Science with a grade of at least 65%.
- Class of 2027 and Beyond: Students must demonstrate mastery in English, Math, Science, and U.S. History. Mastery is shown through the successful completion of relevant coursework and a final assessment, capstone project, or portfolio.
Full Policy Documents
For detailed information on aligned courses, credit recovery options, and the formal appeals process, please download the full policy in your preferred language:
