Noble and Greenough School Course Catalog

The Science of Well-Being:

In this semester-long course, Class IV students will explore what the field of psychology teaches us about how to be happier, how to feel less stressed, and how to thrive in high school. We will discuss all of the things that we mistakenly believe will bring us happiness and the various ways our minds lie to us about what we think we want. Together, we will learn and practice several techniques that have been scientifically proven to 'rewire' our brains to increase our overall happiness and well-being.

Class IV Humane Technology

The Nobles Class IV curriculum utilizes the youth toolkit from The Center for Humane Technology, which states: "The main learning goal is for youth to be able to be a part of the push for humane technology that supports our collective well-being and is a part of a humane, sustainable, and equitable future."

In this course, students will explore:

The economic motivations and broader systems that prompt tech companies to market user attention and behavior to advertisers

The methods social media platforms use to capture attention and influence behavior

The fundamental brain and behavioral science principles that explain how social media keeps users engaged

The negative impacts of the attention economy and persuasive technology, and why these issues stem from a flawed system

With this understanding, students can more effectively navigate their digital environment and will be encouraged to envision and advocate for humane technology that fosters well-being and connection.

Class IV Humane Technology PD courses are co-taught by trained teachers and members of the student support team, and meet once per cycle for one semester.

Class III Substance Use Awareness:

The Class III Substance Use Awareness course explores the science, treatment, and impact of substance use disorders. Students learn about the complex interactions of biological, psychological, and social causes and consequences of substance use. This class prepares students to develop knowledge of, and skills in, evidence-informed substance use prevention, education, and treatment.

In the spring, both PD III courses will incorporate the national "Teen Mental Health First Aid" curriculum, which teaches students "how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers." Class III Substance Use Awareness Personal Development courses are team-taught by members of the counseling, health, and DEI teams and meet once a week for one semester.

Sexuality Education:

The Nobles class III Sexual Education PD curriculum aims to, in conjunction with the Nobles mission and principles, provide a classroom opportunity for students to engage in discussion topics connected to sex education. Through the usage of custom lesson plans originally based on the Our Whole Lives curriculum, PD aims to, “create environments that support and nurture sexual health.” The OWL curriculum states that “young people need sexuality education programs that model and teach caring, compassion, respect and justice. Such programs should be holistic, moving beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.”

Nobles' semester-long sexuality education curriculum engages students in thoughtful conversations to help them consider all of the factors that might go into making healthy decisions about their own sexual lives. Our curriculum aims to equip youth with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to positively engage with harm reduction strategies. Additionally, the curriculum strives to proactively help youth feel good about themselves and their bodies through a variety of discussions on topics like healthy relationships, interpersonal values, consent, and more.

The Nobles mission states that we, “forge human connections to inspire a lifelong process of discovery and unlock the potential to do good.” We are responsible for our students leaving Nobles prepared to be good citizens and to do good in the world. Part of being a good citizen includes the ability to maintain healthy relationships with oneself and with romantic and sexual partners. This curriculum is the first step in a lifetime of learning how to navigate those relationships. For more information, please contact Talya Sokoll (Talya_Sokoll@nobles.edu) or Jen Hamilton (Jen_Hamilton@nobles.edu).

Mindfulness:

Class II students will have one quarter-long focus group in the fall, to help Many recent studies have shown that mindfulness practice enhances concentration, resilience, and empathy. In this course, students learn various ways to engage in mindfulness meditation, practice techniques that help them cope with stress, address their emotional needs, and relate to each other with kindness and compassion. In light of the fact that all brains function differently, we offer a broad variety of mindfulness-based activities and empower students to use the techniques that resonate most with each of them. By the end of the course, each student has a lifelong toolbox full of strategies and skills.

The Class II Personal Development course is a semester-long deep-dive into Mindfulness. Students learn about the neurological benefits of mindfulness and engage in practices that help them cope with stress, recognize and address their emotional needs, and connect with each other with kindness and empathy. By the end of the course, each student has a toolbox full of mindfulness-based strategies that they can use at any time to reduce stress, enhance focus, and cultivate strong relationships with people in their lives. Class II Mindfulness PD courses meet once a week during the semester.