Administration-

Art - The ART curriculum is designed to help students to develop the basic skills, knowledge and understanding needed for communication and self expression through the visual arts.
A logical sequence of courses begins with the foundation of art and is followed by courses which provide various media for creative expression which facilitate the development of the individual students potential.
The diversity of courses is intended to appeal to a broad cross section of the student body as well as to provide the opportunity
for the serious art student to gain experience in many art forms.

Computers / Business- The Business Education Department is designed to meet the needs of all students who desire a comprehensive view and understanding of the business world. The curriculum offers courses to meet career and personal interests.

Computer Studies Courses provide students with the opportunity to become knowledgeable about computers—their history, capabilities, functions and prospective uses. An additional purpose is to provide the opportunity for students to become versatile computer users and for some students to become proficient in a programming language. At the same time, developing and refining of computer skills, based on individual interests and abilities will be a major concern.

English- The English Department provides a climate for the intellectual and aesthetic development of our students. It offers a curriculum which recognizes the differences in abilities and goals among our students and helps each of them achieve maximum growth. We wish to encourage within each student a sense of individuality and to foster a love of language and literature.
Our goals include encouraging creativity and a sense of inquiry as well as scholarship.

Guidance- The Guidance webpage is here

History / Social Studies- Social Studies concerns the study of mankind—human relationships and institutions. More specifically, this study can help students understand how people govern themselves, how societies function to meet economic and social needs, and how culture, art, literature, and human behavior develop in society. We are committed to transmitting a knowledge of Western Civilization, the political heritage of the American experience, and an understanding of other world cultures and traditions. Our goal is to help prepare students for active, informed, participatory citizenship in this country and in an interdependent world.

IDEA- Ninth grade is the final year of the IDEA program. Students complete the Achiever's Project, a year-long culminating study which challenges students to investigate areas of personal interest and to go beyond present skills

Objectives:
1. To develop and extend communication skills;
2. to encourage utilization of higher-level thinking skills;
3. to encourage productive interaction with intellectual peers;
4. to develop an awareness of individual potential and responsibility.

Mathematics - The major goal of the Mathematics Department is to develop an interest in, understanding of and competence in mathematics to serve your current and future needs. In order to successfully accomplish this, placement in the “appropriate” course at the “appropriate” time is important. Although there are “general progressions” that students take through their high school mathematics program, this varies depending upon their abilities, needs and achievements.

Media - The objectives of the Media Department are to:
1. to develop an informed and critical understanding of mass media;
2. to develop pre-production skills such as scriptwriting and storyboarding;
3. to develop production skills such as camera operation, audio recording and lighting;
4. to develop post-production skills such as video editing, and video effects.

Music - The program of instruction in music has been designed to provide interested students with opportunities to develop their talents
through active participation in a variety of vocal and instrumental performance experiences. Each performance group offers students direct instruction in the development of performance skills, as well as a program which encourages and nourishes aesthetic awareness and growth. Advanced students wishing to study the compositional elements and structure of music are offered an opportunity to elect a course in music theory and analysis through the Independent Study Program.

Physical Education- The Health Education Curriculum has been planned and organized to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to deal with complex health issues. Students are required to pass twelve quarters of Physical Education and four quarters of Health Education during their four years at Darien High School. Students must pass the Jogging/Weight Training Unit in Grade 9 or 10 and CPR in Grade 11 or 12.

Reading - The objectives of the reading department are:
1. To develop critical reading skills which will enable the student to gather information and ideas from a wide range of text;
2. to increase one’s vocabulary development utilizing a systematic approach;
3. to learn how to process information from content area texts;
4. to strengthen organizational skills such as time management, test-taking strategies, visual study tools, mnemonic devices, and outlines for content area projects;
5. to master grammar, punctuation, and usage skills;
6. to improve reading comprehension through discussion and writing.

Science- The objectives of the Science curriculum are:
1. to acquaint students with the presently accepted theories and laws of the universe and the methods used to develop and test new theories and laws;
2.  to help students acquire skills in making accurate observations, assembling and evaluating facts and reaching conclusions;
3. to help students develop an understanding andappreciation of the role of science in man’s attempts to relate himself to the universe;
4. to help students appreciate the role they can and should play in protecting and improving their environment; and 5.to help students appreciate how their lives areenhanced by future scientific endeavor.

Special Education- The Special Education Department supports the principle that Connecticut's Common Core of Learning defines common goals for all students, including those with disabilities. The Special Education Program is designed to provide opportunities and support for students in the acquisition of knowledge and to develop competency in all areas of life.

Objectives:
1. To successfully meet academic requirements in
appropriately modified ways which parallel the regular curriculum
as closely as possible;
2. to focus on and develop specific skills in areas identified in the IEP;
3. to foster positive work habits and attitudes, sound goal setting, and applied computer skills;
4. to facilitate the transition from Special Education to the mainstream and from school to life

Technology - We are living in a unique age, a time of unprecedented change brought about by technology. Because of this change the High School's technology department is evolving from an industrial-based, shop-oriented program to a laboratory-based program.
Students are introduced to the world of modern technology using investigative, design and construct, and problem-solving approaches.
Technology education is concerned with technical systems: their evolution, significance, techniques, resources and social and cultural impact. Structured courses offer students experiences which encourage individual creativity, exploration, methodical work habits, and skill development. The program recognizes the differences in goals and aptitudes among students, and provides opportunities to explore various fields of technology and areas of future employment.

World Languages- Language learning has for its goal the acquisition by the student of four basic skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing so that he or she will be able to communicate in the foreign language. To achieve these objectives, it is recommended that four years be the minimum amount of time devoted to the proficiency based program. They should set aside part of their unscheduled time for this purpose.