Curriculum + Divisions
The Tome School is organized into three divisions:
The Lower School is comprised of kindergarten and the first four grades of elementary school, the Middle School of grades 5 through 8 and the Upper School of grades 9 through 12. Maximum class size is 14 in kindergarten, 20 students in grades 1-8, and 25 in 9-12. Students follow a dress and grooming code, which includes a school uniform.
Lower School
Curriculum (Kindergarten–Grade 4)
Middle School
Curriculum (Grades 5–8)
Upper School
Curriculum (Grades 9–12)
We stress the importance of communicating in the written form with all students taking composition. This emphasis on writing is evident in our Middle School curriculum where students take literature, grammar, and composition as three distinct classes. In the Upper School, Tome students graduate with at least seven credits in composition and literature.
Lower School
Kindergarten
Our focus is on formal reading attack skills using the phonics method, as well as math, health, science lab, art, library, physical education, and music.
Grades 1–4
Middle & Upper Schools
The Middle and Upper Schools are departmentally organized. Students move from teacher to teacher for the different subjects in the curriculum. The day is divided into seven periods, plus a lunch period. Six periods are for academic instruction; one is recreational. Class periods are 50 minutes long and all subjects meet daily.
A student who successfully completes the Upper School curriculum will present 24 academic credits to colleges – at least seven in English, four each in history, mathematics, science, and three in foreign language. In addition, students may take AP exams and/or take advantage of dual enrollment options with Cecil Community College and the University of Delaware. Virtually all graduates go on to college.
Middle School
Grade 5
Grammar, Composition, Literature, Math 5, Earth Science, American History I, Physical Education, Art, Chorus, Orchestra, and Technology
Grade 6
Grammar, Composition, Literature, Math 6 or Intro to Algebra, Physical Science, World Geography, Physical Education, Art, Chorus, Orchestra, and Technology
Grade 7
Grammar/Latin, Composition, Literature, Math 7 or Intro to Algebra or Algebra I, Life Science, World History, Physical Education, Art, Chorus, Orchestra, and Technology
Grade 8
Grammar/Latin, Composition, Literature, Math 8 or Algebra I or Geometry, Intro to Physical Science, American History II, Physical Education, Art, Chorus, Orchestra, Technology, and Financial Literacy
Upper School
Grade 9
Composition 9: Public Speaking, Ancient Literature, Algebra 1 or Algebra 2 or Geometry, Spanish 1 or Latin 1, Ancient History, Biology, Physical education
Grade 10
Composition 10, American Literature, Geometry or Algebra 2, French 2 or Spanish 2 or Latin 2, Environmental Science or Chemistry, World History
Grade 11
Composition 11, British Literature, Algebra 2 or Pre-calculus, French 3, Latin 3 or Spanish 3, Chemistry or Adv. Chemistry or Physics, US History
Grade 12
Composition 12: Media Literacy and/or World Literature, Pre-Calculus or Calculus, Statistics, Spanish 4, Spanish 1 or Latin 1, Physics, Government/Economics, Adv. Biology, Adv. Chemistry, Computer Science
For Upper School students, 7th period elective classes are not for credit and include art, PE, yearbook, literary magazine, school newspaper, Envirothon, Drama, and others. All students must successfully pass Physical Education and Health class to qualify for graduation.