About School and Departments

The current High School opened in 1971 with an efficient two-story layout of curriculum, administration, and common areas. Set back from the street, the 250,000 sq. ft. school is sited beyond a picturesque pond encircled by a walking path. The facility includes a large auditorium, theatre, three art rooms, photography darkroom, music wing, foreign language lab, science labs, computer labs, and special education classrooms as well as fully networked, technology-equipped classrooms, and a very large cafeteria.

The Instructional Media Center (IMC) is housed in a comfortable and attractive space and includes a main reading room, mezzanine study area, computer lab, and media center.

The extensive High School recreational facilities include a gymnasium and field house with a swimming pool and fitness center; an ice rink; several athletic fields; tennis courts; and a new state-of-the-art, all-weather track and multi-purpose field.

Nursing services are also available for its students and health screening is conducted as appropriate at all grade levels. In addition, health program is a part of the curriculum.

Academics

For graduation, students must earn at least 100 credits and fulfill minimum course requirements. All students must enroll in 6 full courses each semester of every year.

Courses are offered in

• English;

• Fine and Performing Arts (visual arts, music, theatre);

• World Languages (Mandarin Chinese, French, Latin and Spanish);

• Mathematics;

• Physical Education;

• Science, Health, and Engineering;

• Social Studies.

Most major courses are taught on two levels of achievement: honors and college preparatory. Advanced placement courses include:

English, Studio Art, French, Latin, Spanish, Calculus, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Psychology, and Neuroanatomy, American History, European History, Economics.

Over one-third of Belmont High School Students enroll in advanced placement courses.

BHS Program of Studies

BHS Course Outlines

Independent Study

Independent Study is a unique program that Belmont High School offers for students in grades 10 through 12. Sophomores and juniors are limited to one independent study course per semester. Seniors may undertake up to two independent study courses per semester. Ninth graders may not enroll in Independent Study. 

This program broadens the curriculum by offering students an opportunity to pursue an area of academic interest online or at a college or university. Students will need to secure the guidance of an in-school advisor who is willing to mentor and assist the student. Independent Study courses may not replicate the existing curriculum at Belmont High School.

It is important that students understand the workload for an independent study course is at least equal to a course offered at the high school. Students take responsibility for their own learning in an independent study course. Students may only elect to take an independent study course as Pass/Fail if it is their 7th course.

Additional information about the proposal submission process, student responsibilities, and grading and credits is available in the Main Office and published in the Program of Studies. To ensure the quality and integrity of the independent study program only approved courses offered by academic institutions will be considered for independent study credit. All applications submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Home Instruction

Home instruction is available to those students who, because of illness, are unable to attend school for over 14 days.