High School Curriculum

Recognizing the need for a skilled workforce in the aerospace and aviation industry, Union is among a growing number of Oklahoma high schools offering aviation curriculum developed by the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA).

Union began offering freshman classes in aerospace in 2023, providing students with hands-on experiences using a flight simulator. The district utilizes the four-year “You Can Fly” curriculum provided by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Aeronautics, creating a future workforce for Oklahoma companies. Union is leveraging relationships with Tulsa-area industry partners like American Airlines, Lufthansa Technik and others to create a dynamic program for students like no other.

Union Public Schools believes it is important that all students either attend and finish college and/or choose a career they find rewarding for the rest of their lives.

Information about Advanced Placement, early college high school, internships and more is located in the College & Career section.

The High School offers classes related to construction. Classes are held at the Union Innovation Lab.

Union works with local industry to provide opportunities for students to learn about possible careers in this field.

The  High School  offers a number of courses for students.

See all of the course offerings for the High School.

The High School offers an English Learner curriculum to those students for whom English is not a primary language. Students participate in small group instruction that focuses on the English language.

Students can join Union’s FIRST Tech Challenge teams, The Bazinga Project and Project Agnizab.

Union students are mentored by older students and STEM leaders in the community to learn about engineering design, programming, and documentation.  

Each year the students are given a new game they have to analyze and then design a robot to complete certain tasks in a timed and competitive setting.

Since 2014, Union’s team has won numerous awards and participated in the state championship.

The High School provides many extracurricular activities and organizations for students. These organizations include everything from academic teams to athletics and spirit teams.  

Tulsa Tech’s Unique Pre-Engineering program is a college preparatory program that gives High School students a comprehensive overview of the many engineering disciplines.

We not only address the nationwide shortage of engineers and engineer technicians but emphasize the importance of the relevancy of the rigorous math & sciences required to better prepare them for a successful college experience.

Tulsa Tech offers two Pre-Engineering courses at Union. 

Our partnerships with Tulsa Community College allows students to take college classes taught by college professors at the High School through either Concurrent Enrollment or EDGE - Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, formerly called Early College High School. a program that is among the first of its kind in the state.. Students have the opportunity to take excellent, academically challenging courses for college credit while still in the supportive high school environment where they can participate in regular school activities. 

Not only do they earn college credit, but their college courses also count toward high school graduation requirements. 

The purpose of the National Junior Honor Society is to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character and citizenship in students at the Freshman Academy.

High School students may participate in Student Council, often simply referred to as Leadership.

Students may meet periodically throughout the year.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) at Union Public Schools is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that encourages students to inquire, explore, and problem solve. 

Science Equipment – New Science Rooms 

The new Science classrooms in the Academy enables Union to teach at a level of world class science. The AP Chemistry storage room is equipped with a water distiller, chemical storage safety cabinets, and chemicals. Equipment for all the classrooms to share includes microscopes, spectrometers, centrifuges, balances, along with other basic equipment needs.

Student of the Month is a recognition program for students who have been nominated by their teachers.

Union students showcase their art work during YouthArts!

YouthArts! is one of the longest running festivals of its type in the state of Oklahoma. 

Visit the District Fine Arts page.

Senior services - including graduation, caps and gowns and celebrations - are coordinated through the Student Life Office, often called the Activities Office.

The activities office is located in the commons area by the media center. 

Visit the Student Life page.

If technology is your interest, our business department has the classes you will need. Starting out with our TechConnect course will give you a good foundation. While learning to use Office 2010, this course provides students with what they need for success in business-related careers. Students will also acquire job readiness skills and soft skills that are critical for success in any workplace setting.

Students will then move on to Multimedia and Image Management where they will obtain an understanding of the fundamental skills in image creation and management procedures and techniques as they create, revise, optimize, and export graphics for video, print, and web publishing.

Graphic Design may be your interest; you will then move on to Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design. Students will acquire skills related to communicating through visual design with the primary emphasis of this course being desktop publishing and working with graphics.

If Web Design is more to your interest, taking Fundamental of Web Design is the first step. Students will acquire fundamental web authoring skills and design strategies through the application of XHTML incorporating Cascading Style Sheets and future trends in web programming/scripting Once the student has acquired the skills of XHTML, they can move on to Design Tools and Electronic Marketing Strategies.

Students will become proficient in the use of premier, leading edge tools designed to create graphically rich and intuitive web sites, productions and publications. In this course, students will utilize a WYSIWYG editor to produce standards based web sites.

Business Professionals of America

Along with our business classes we have our student organization, Business Professionals of America. The mission of Business Professionals of America is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills.

We try to keep students active and interested in our student organization as well as their classes. They will have the chance to apply for scholarships exclusive to Business Professionals of America members. Students can participate in contests. events, and other opportunities available only through Business Professionals of America.

In our chapter we tour a different college campus every year. We want the students to realize what college entrance requirements are and find the right fit for them.

Community service is a goal we have for all of our members. We have two major community service projects each year. You may find us helping with the 66’s Run, organizing food at the Community Food Bank, or assisting one of your district’s elementary schools. Students will have the opportunity to explore business careers. One example is to attend the Thunder basketball career day. They will be able to see what career opportunities there are in a NCAA basketball organization.

Students can show off what they have learned in class. Each Spring the students compete at the state level in several categories. If they are among the top winners, they will be able to attend the National Conference. Each year Nationals is held at a different city across the US. This year it will be held in Chicago. Be a part of Business Professionals of America-only award, service, and leadership programs.

Union places a strong focus on academics. 

Advanced Placement courses, virtual learning classes and an expanded Catherine E. Burden College & Career Center help students achieve Union's shared mission of 100 percent College and Career readiness for all students. 

What we are doing

Students who are in need of additional learning opportunities to fulfill the state’s testing requirement are provided just that through remediation classes that are built directly into their schedules.

Algebra

Union High School boasts nine Intermediate Algebra classes designed to not only further the knowledge of those students who are still looking to achieve a proficient score on their Algebra I EOI, but also to aid students who feel they need a bit more intensive instruction before moving to the next level. In addition, Union High School also offers an English II remediation class for those students who are in pursuit of a proficient score on the English II EOI.

While these students are fortunate to have the opportunity to build remediation into their daily schedule, Union High School offers additional opportunities for compensatory learning during Academic Overtime. Students are placed according to their specific academic needs with teachers who concentrate on student achievement in these crucial areas. This program is not only offered in core content areas, but in all classes, giving students the ability to make strong gains in all subjects.

Any student who is a regular English Academic Overtime remediation student was registered for and took the PSAT free of charge. This test will not only help students gain experience in the test-taking process, but will also indicate whether or not a student is performing at a proficient level. In addition to the PSAT, all Academic Overtime students take the WorKeys practice tests on a regular basis and many will proceed to take the WorKeys test as a means to obtain ACE requirements.

English

The English department works together to focus on common objectives derived from the EOI blueprint. These objectives are kept on a shared computer drive and are readily available to all. Teachers also use common assessments to measure student understanding via written work and online quizzes. The English department arranges their Academic Overtime sessions according to gender, noting that males and females process and learn in different ways. The teaching staff at Union High School and willing, hard-working students make our remediation efforts rewarding and confidence-building experiences.

Union Public Schools partners with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to provide transitional programs for students with disabilities.  Through contracts with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, eligible Union High School students with disabilities may participate in Work Adjustment Programs at Goodwill and Gatesway.

Learn more about these Special Education programs.

Special Education Vocational Training Programs

Union Public Schools partners with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to provide transitional vocational training for eligible students with disabilities in Work Adjustment programs at Goodwill and Gatesway.

The purpose of Work Adjustment training is to assist individual students with disabilities to strive towards independence and positive work behaviors that are necessary to find and maintain employment in the community.  The Work Adjustment programs follow a set classroom curriculum and provide hands on work experience for students to help them develop work habits, attitudes, and appropriate personal/social skills for the work place.  Eligible students attend these programs half day Monday through Friday and receive elective credit.

Reading Essential Skills

• Apply knowledge of various Greek and Latin roots.
• Use context to determine word meanings including figurative language and technical vocabulary.
• Support ideas, make inferences, and draw conclusions.
• Analyze the recurrence of archetypal characters.
• Recognize and discuss themes in literature.
• Write analytically about literature.
• Identify and interpret figurative language, and use it in writing.
• Evaluate works of British literature.
• Conduct research using a variety of sources, and organize researched information.
• Follow the writing process: pre-writing, writing, revising, and editing.
• Analyze and write for purpose, audience, and occasion using different writing modes(narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive).
• Practice standard English including proper spelling, punctuation, pronoun    use, sentence structure, and commonly confused words.

Reading Strategies

• Be a role model.  Let your child see you reading.
• Subscribe to the local newspaper or purchase the Sunday edition. The sports section is a good place to look for similes, metaphors, and active language.
• Make sure that your child has a library card, dictionary, and thesaurus, and encourage their use.
• Ask your son or daughter about books assigned for reading in English class. Ask     what the book means (i.e., its point, lesson or theme).
• Before applying in person, ask your child to write a letter to the manager of a business inquiring about a job.
• Research universities and vocational schools that your child is interested in.  Examine a variety of sources.
• Ask your child to write for university information instead of sending for it online.
• Ask your child to practice writing a required admission essay. Topics are available online. Some may be found in a university’s catalog.
• Choose a book which has been made into a movie. After both you and your child have read the book, see the movie together and  talk about the similarities and differences  ( The Bourne Identity, The Notebook, The  Manchurian Candidate).

Math Strategies

• Encourage your son/daughter to take a math course in his/her senior year. There  are a variety of classes offered at the high school to meet the needs of students.
• To avoid remedial math courses in college, have your son/daughter work hard to learn math concepts.
• Set a time and provide a quiet location to complete math work at home.
• Make use of tutoring opportunities that may be available at the High School. Check the site for availability and schedules.
• Play family games that involve math and logic.
• Have your son/daughter develop a budget and learn to pay bills.
• Encourage your son/daughter to take math courses in the first year of college while concepts are still fresh in the mind.
• Help your son/daughter have a positive attitude about math, and help him/her to understand that learning math takes time and effort. Such a challenge is healthy for    the mind and builds critical thinking skills.

College Entrance Exam Test-Taking Strategies

• Enroll in Union’s Test Prep Classes for the ACT and SAT.  Super Saturday and 8-Night Courses are available.
• Visit the ACT website to take advantage of the free on-line practice tests that are available.
• Go to the ACT website to  see the college planning checklist specifically designed for students in their junior year. This guide gives specific tips about test prep as well as college admissions and financial aid applications.
• Visit the student section of www.colleageboard.org to find information about planning for college and sign up for the SAT’s “Question of the Day” to be emailed to you each day.
• Visit the Union High School College and Career Center for scholarship opportunities and admissions information.

Reading Essential Skills

• Explain major ideas in messages.
• Identify/Use figurative language.
• Expand vocabulary in reading, writing, and speaking.
• Analyze details.
• Draw inferences, conclusions, and generalizations.
• Use knowledge of literary devices (allegory, figurative language, imagery, point of view, and symbolism).
• Identify author’s purpose/point of view.
• Read and comprehend both fiction and non-fiction.
• Recognize correct use of sentence structure.
• Determine correct use of subject-verb agreement.
• Identify correct use of pronouns.
• Use correct verb forms and tenses.

Reading Strategies

• Be a role model. Let your child see you reading.
• Subscribe to the local newspaper, or purchase the Sunday edition. The Sports section is a good place to look for similes, metaphors, and active language.
• Make sure that your child has a library card, dictionary, and thesaurus, and encourage their use.
• Ask your child to give a summary of what he/she is reading in school. Remember that students read in several subjects. Asking about a favorite subject will generate the best response.
• Before applying in person, ask your child to write a letter to the manager of a business inquiring about a job.
• Send for a brochure or catalog from a college or vocational school that interests your child. Read it together.
• Give your child a confusing piece of correspondence you have received. Decipher it together.
• Choose a book which has been made into a movie. After both you and your child have read the book, see the movie together and talk about the similarities and differences  (The Bourne Identity, The Notebook, The Manchurian Candidate). 

Algebra II Essential Skills

• Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and simplify radical expressions and expressions containing rational exponents.
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and simplify rational expressions, including complex fractions.
• Recognize the parent graphs of polynomial, exponential, radical, quadratic, and logarithmic  functions and predict the effects of transformations on the parent graphs, using various methods and tools which may include graphing calculators.
• Use algebraic, interval, and set notations to  specify the domain and range of functions of various types.
• Solve systems of linear equations and inequalities using various methods and tools which may include substitution, elimination, matrices, graphing, and graphing calculators.
• Solve quadratic equations by graphing, factoring, completing the square and quadratic formula.
• Graph a quadratic function and identify the x- and y-intercepts and maximum or minimum value, using various methods and tools which  may include a graphing calculator.
• Given the graph of a polynomial function, identify the x- and y-intercepts, relative maximums and relative minimums, using various methods and tools which may include a graphing calculator.
• Identify whether the model/equation is a curve of best fit for the data, using various methods and tools which may include a graphing calculator.

College Entrance Exam Test-Taking Strategies

• Enroll in Union’s Test Prep Classes for the ACT and SAT.  Super Saturday and 8-Night Courses are available.
• Visit the ACT website to take advantage of the free on-line practice tests that are available.
• Go to the ACT website to  see the college planning checklist specifically designed for students in their junior year. This guide gives specific tips about test prep as well as college admissions and financial aid applications.
• Visit the student section of www.colleageboard.org to find information about planning for college and sign up for the SAT’s “Question of the Day” to be emailed to you each day.
• Visit the Union High School College and Career Center for scholarship opportunities and admissions information.

Reading Essential Skills

• Expand vocabulary in reading, writing, and speaking.
• Recall and organize information.
• Use knowledge of literary devices (allegory, figurative language, imagery, point of view, and symbolism).
• Analyze details.
• Analyze poet’s use of imagery and personification.
• Give credit for information.
• Demonstrate correct use of verb forms and tenses.
• Demonstrate a correct use of sentence structure.
• Demonstrate a correct use of parallel structure.
• Spell studied words correctly.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of literary elements.

Reading Strategies

• Be a role model. Let your child see you reading.
• Subscribe to the local newspaper or purchase the Sunday edition, and work the crosswords and crypt-a-quotes.
• Make sure that your child has a library card, dictionary, and thesaurus, and encourage their use.
• Before applying in person, ask your child to write a letter to the manager of a business inquiring about a job.
• Give your child a confusing piece of correspondence you have received. Decipher it  together.
• Encourage your child to find the hidden catch in junk mail offers.
• Choose a book which has been made into a  movie. After both you and your child have read the book, see the movie together and talk about the similarities and differences  (The Bourne Identity, A Walk to Remember, The Manchurian Candidate).
• Visit www.collegeboard.org and sign up for the SAT’s “Question of the Day” to be e-mailed to you each day.

Geometry Essential Skills

• Use the angle relationships formed by parallel lines cut by a transversal to solve problems.
• Identify relationships between pairs of angles (adjacent, complementary, and vertical).
• Use the relationships of congruency and similarity to determine unknown values (e.g., angles, side lengths, perimeter, circumference area).
• Use logical reasoning skills (inductive and deductive) to construct and judge the validity of arguments.
• Find the distance between two points; the mid-point of a segment; and calculate the slopes of parallel, perpendicular, horizontal, and vertical lines.
• Compute length, perimeter, or circumference, area, volume, and/or surface area of geometric figures in a  variety of contexts.
• Find angle measures and arc measures related to circles.
• Find angle measures and segment lengths using the relationships among radii, chords, secants, and tangents of a circle.
• Use transformations (reflection, rotation, and translation) within coordinate geometry  (e.g., reflect points across the y-axis).
• Use the properties of angles, right triangles, and similar polygons to solve problems.

Geometry Strategies

• Set a time each day and a quiet location for math work to be completed at home.
• Ask to see your child’s math grade on a weekly basis.
• Make use of tutoring opportunities that may be available at the Intermediate High School. Check with the site for availability and schedules.
• Create a written collection of the definitions, formulas, theorems, and postulates that are used in class, and have your child explain a few of them to you each week.
• Play a geometric game together like Tangoes (tangrams) or Tetris.
• Play a logic game like Clue or Rummikub with your child.
• Work logic, Suduko, or Kenken puzzles.
• Watch a mystery with your child, and discuss why the evidence proves or disproves guilt.
• Calculate the area of a slice of pizza. 
• Look closely at man-made and natural objects to find geometric shapes. For example, buildings, bridges, ships, windows, and towers are  all examples of geometric structures.  The earth is a large sphere, as are the other planets in the solar system; and fish scales are examples of tessellations.