HS Course Catalog 24-25

HighSchool CourseCatalog 2024-2025

TABLEOFCONTENTS

GraduationRequirements

SaintJoseph’sCatholicSchool(SJCS)isfullyaccreditedbyServingandAccreditingIndependentSchools (formerlySouthernAssocationofIndependentSchools),andisamemberoftheSouthCarolinaIndependent SchoolAssociation(SCISA).

ToreceiveanSJCSdiploma,studentsmusttakeandcompletetwenty-fiveandone-half(25.5)creditswhich include:

Studentswillnotbeallowedtoschedulemorethanonestudyhallpersemester.SJCSrecommendsthatstudents takeafullslateofacademicclasseseveryyeartotakefulladvantageofourcollegepreparatorycurriculum. Collegesanduniversitiesoftenconsiderthestrengthofscheduleasanimportantindicatorofstudent successandmotivation. Parentsandstudentsshouldbalancestrengthofscheduleconsiderationswith extracurricularactivities,outside-of-schoolobligations,andoverallstudentwell-being.

AllstudentsmusttakeeithertheSATortheACT(bythestartofthespringsemesteroftheirsenioryear) andapplytoatleastonecollegeoruniversityaspartoftheirgraduationrequirements.

1 MostcollegesanduniversitiesrequirestudentstotakeanEnglishandMathcourseeveryyear

2.Mathcreditsmustcomefromthelistofcoursesthatsatisfytherequirementsidentifiedinthiscatalog.Mostcollegesrequire studentstotakeaMathcourseeveryyearinhighschool.

3 Studentsarerequiredtotake4creditsinHistory,includingafullcreditinUS Historyandhalf-crediteachinGovernmentand Economics TheHistoryDepartment’scurriculumreflectsthiscourseofstudy

4 Studentsarerequiredtotake3yearsofthesameWorldLanguage

5 PEcreditmaybeearnedbytakinganSJCSclassorparticipatinginanSJCSteamsport EachseasonplayedateithertheJVor Varsitylevelwhileingrades9-12earns.5credits.Iftherequirementisnotfulfilledbytheendof1stsemestersenioryear,students willbeplacedinaPEclass.

6.CreditsearnedbeyondtheminimumrequirementslistedineachsubjectareawillfulfilltheAdditionalCreditrequirement.

7 Somecollegesrequire4yearsofLabScience SJCSrequires3LabSciencecreditsthatincludeBiology,Chemistry,and1otherfull yearLabScienceclass

CollegeCounseling

College Board School Code: 410902

SJCSoffersafull-serviceCollegeCounselingOfficethatisavailabletohelpstudentswithcoursescheduling, collegeselection,collegeapplications,standardizedtesting,andtranscripts.Studentsandparentsareintroduced totheservicesprovidedbytheCollegeCounselingOfficeasfreshmen,withformalandindividualizedservices beginninginthesecondsemesterofthejunioryear.Upperclassmenshouldseetheircounselorsregularlyas theybegintomaketheircollegeselections.

GradingandPromotionRequirements

SJCSusesanumericalgradingscalerangingfrom0-100thatisreflectiveofourcollegepreparatorycurriculum. Eachcourseisgradedonthe100-pointscale,withthegradesfromallcoursesaveragedtogetherattheendof eachacademicyeartocalculatetheCumulativeWeightedGradePointAverage(hereafterGPA).Advanced coursesareweightedwithanadditional3pointsforcoursesattheHonorsleveland7pointsforAdvanced Placementcourses.TheweightedscoresareONLYusedincalculatingtheGPAandarenotreflectedin individualcoursegrades.Note--SJCSemploystheUniformGradingPolicyrequiredbySouthCarolinaforall in-statescholarships,includingPalmettoFellows,LifeScholarships,andHopeScholarships.

SJCSisacollegepreparatoryschool.Assuch,oneofourprimaryacademicgoalsistoensurestudentsare preparedforcollege-levelwork.Ourstudentsdemonstratethatreadinessbyachievingamasteryscoreof70or betterinallclassesrequiredforgraduation.Anystudentwithascorebetween60and69inaclassrequired forgraduationisrequiredtocompleteaSJCSprogramofsubject-specificremediationasdeterminedby individualdepartments.Theoriginalaverageearnedintheclasswillstillberecordedonthetranscript.For freshmen,sophomoresandjuniors,remediationmustbecompletedbytheendofsummerinorderforstudents toprogresstothesubsequentgradelevel.Forseniors,remediationmustbecompletedinorderforstudentsto receiveadiplomafromSJCS.Studentswhoearn59orbelowinacourserequiredforgraduationmustretake thecourseeitherthroughanapprovedsummerschoolprogramoratSJCSthefollowingyear Coursesretaken throughanapprovedsummerprogramwillshowonthetranscriptbutarenotcalculatedintotheGPA. Regardlessofgradelevel,studentswhoneedtoremediatethreeormorecoursesmaynotbeallowedtocontinue onintheirstudiesatSJCS.Additionally,SJCSstudentsarerequiredtocompletetheirhighschoolcourseof studiesinnomorethanfouryears(notincludinghighschoolcreditsearnedinmiddleschool).

Pass/Failgradesandgradesearnedinhighschoolcoursesduringthemiddleschoolyearsarenotincludedinthe GPA.

AttendanceandSeatTimeRecovery

SJCSbelievesthatattendanceiscriticaltoacademicsuccessandapersonalskillthatstudentsshouldcultivate. Werecognizethatabsenceswilloccur,buttheseshouldbekepttoaminimum.Studentsmissingmorethan17 daysoffull-yearclassor9daysofasemesterclassmaynotbeabletoreceivecreditforthatclassregardlessof thefinalgrade.PleaseseetheStudentHandbookforthefullattendancepolicy Studentswillbeexpectedto complete45minutesofseatrecoverytimeforeachabsencefromaclassperiod after exceeding 10misseddays orperiodsforanyreason(orfivemisseddaysfromasemesterclass).

Recoveryhourscanbecompletedduringthefollowingtimes:

● DesignatedSaturdays

● Anyafter-schooldetentionperiod

● Mandatorystudy-helpperiod

● MakeupExamperiods

StudentswhoarerequiredtocompleteseatrecoverytimewillbenotifieddirectlybytheAcademicDeanor DeanofStudentSupport.

SummerSchoolforFailedCourses

Studentswhohavereceiveda59orbelowinanacademiccoursewillberequiredtorepeattheclassatSJCSthe followingschoolyear.Insomecases,studentsmayhavetheopportunitytotakethecourseduringthesummer throughanoutsideinstitution.TheDeanofStudentSupportmustapproveasummerschoolprogramin advance.CreditforapprovedsummerschoolcourseswillbeacceptedbySJCSandthegradewillappearonthe transcript,butthegradewillnotbefactoredintothehighschoolstudent’sGPA.Theoriginalgradeearned intheSJCScoursewillremainonthetranscriptandbefactoredintotheGPA.IfthecourseisrepeatedatSJCS thehighergradewillbefactoredintotheGPA.Anytheologycourseinwhichastudentreceivesa59orbelow mustbemadeupatSJCS.InformationonsummerschoolisavailablefromtheDeanofStudentSupport.All summercourseworkmustbecompletedpriortothestartofthefallsemesterorthestudentwillberequiredto retakethecoursethatschoolyear.

DualDepartmentCourses

Forsomecourses,creditcanbeearnedindifferentdepartments,e.g.ModernDancecanbecountedforeither PEorFineArtscredit.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoinformtheRegistrarwhichschoolrequirementoneof thesecoursesisintendedtosatisfy.

Incompletes

StudentswhohavetotakeanIncompletehavetwoweeksfromthedatereportcardsareissuedtocompletetheir courseworkandMUSTmeetwiththeDeanofStudentSupportbeforecreditwillbeissued.Aftermeetingwith theDeanofStudentSupport,itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytocontacttheteacherandtoworkwithhim/herto setupaworkableschedulefortheremainingassignments.IncaseswhereanIncompleteremainsunresolved, thestudentwillreceiveazerofortheassignmentsinquestion.Inthecaseofongoingillness,injury,or extenuatingcircumstances,contacttheDeanofStudentSupporttocreateaworkplanforresolvingIncomplete workinatimelymanner

CourseSchedulingProcess

● GradeLevelMeetingswillbeheldearlyinthesecondsemestertodistributeinformationanddetailed instructionsregardingthecourseschedulingprocess.

● StudentswillmaketheircourserequestsforclassesthroughBlackbaudinFebruary

● Studentswillonlybeabletoregisterforthoseclassesforwhichtheymeettheprerequisites.

● All8ththrough11thgradestudentswillmeetwithacounselortodiscusstheirrequestedschedule. Studentswishingtoappealintoadvancedclassesforwhichtheyhavenotmetthecriteriawilldo soatthismeeting.Aparentmustsigntheappealforminallcasesorbeavailablebyphonewhile

thestudentismeetingwiththecounselor.Theschoolmayrequestameetingwithdepartmental representativesbeforeanappealisapproved.

ScheduleChangePolicies

Whenastudentchooseshis/hercourses,thestudentismakingacommitmenttothatproposedschedule.The masterscheduleofcoursestakesrequestsintoaccount,soeverystudentrequestimpactstheavailableoptions forotherstudents.Therefore,oncestudentshavecompletedtheircourserequests,schedulechangesarenot generallymade.Classschedulechangesforlegitimatereasonscanbemadeinaccordancewiththefollowing:

● EachsemesterthereisadesignatedAdd/Dropwindowforcoursesbeginningthatsemester.Students seekingtomakeachangeshouldconsultwiththeCollegeCounselingOfficeandtheinstructor. Full-yearcoursescannotbemodifiedatthesecondsemesterandswitchingbetweensectionsofthesame courseatthesemesterchangeisnotpermitted.StudentsseekingtotakeadvantageoftheAdd/Drop shouldbeginwiththeCollegeCounselingoffice.AfterAdd/Drop,coursechangesarepossibleonlyafter thecompletionofaPlacementReview.PlacementReviewscanoccurinoneofthetwofollowing ways:

○ TeacherswhobelieveastudentismisplacedmayrequestaPlacementReviewbythe departmentchairpersonortheAcademicDean.Thisincludesareviewofthestudent’s performanceinthecourseaswellasameetingwiththestudentandtheirparents.Withparental anddepartmentapproval,thestudentmayenrollinalowerlevelofthesamecourse(for example,fromtheHonorsAlgebraIItoCPAlgebraII).Studentsmaynotenrollinanentirely differentcourseafterAdd/Drop.A“W”willberecordedonthestudenttranscript.Placement Reviewscanextenduntilthreeschooldayspastthereleaseofthefirstquarterprogressreports.

○ Studentsand/ortheirparentswhowishtoenrollinalowerlevelcourse(seeabove)mayrequest aPlacementReviewbythespecificteacher.Ifapproved,a“W”willberecordedonthestudent transcript.PlacementReviewscanextenduntilthreeschooldayspastthereleaseofthefirst quarterprogressreports.OtherschedulingrequirementsnotedintheHandbookremainineffect.

○ IftherequestforPlacementReviewisinitiatedbythestudentsand/ortheirparents,changeswill nottakeeffectuntilthebeginningofthefollowingquarter

○ StudentswhohaveappealedintoacoursearenoteligibletorequestaPlacementReview.

CourseAppealRequest

Courseplacementwillbedeterminedbysuccessfulcompletionofaprerequisitecourseandachievinga minimumgradeaverageinapreviousclass.TheprerequisitesforeachcoursecanbefoundintheCourse Catalog.Studentsmaypetitiontoappealcourseplacement,inwhichcasetheywillfillouttheappealformin theirmeetingwiththeircounselor StudentsseekingplacementintoHonorsorAPcoursesmustperform exceptionallywellinthesubject(orprerequisitesubjects);theymustdemonstrateastrongworkethicandshow apassionforthesubject.Beawarethattheclasswillmoveatabriskpaceandthatsignificantadditionalwork onyourpartmaybenecessarytoensureyoursuccess.CourseAppealRequestsarenotaguaranteefor admittanceintoacourse.Allcoursesaresubjecttoclasssizeandschedulingconflicts.Schoolpersonnelwill makethefinaldecisionastowhetherornotastudent’sappealisapproved.

TheAppealProcessfollows:

● Meetwithaschoolcounselorandindicateyourrequestforanappeal.

● Ifapproved,thecounselorwillprovideanagreementforsignaturebythestudentandtheirparentor guardian.

● Thecounselorwillprocesstheappeal.Thismayincludemeetingwithdepartmentalpersonnel.

● Studentsarelimitedto2CourseAppealRequestsperschoolyear.

● TakingtwocoreclassesinthesamesubjectareaattheHonorsorAPLevelautomaticallyrequires aCourseAppealRequest.

● Taking4ormoreAPclassesrequiresaCourseAppealRequest.Thisrequestdoesnotcount towardstheappeallimit.

● Studentswhomeettherequirementsforthecoursehaveschedulingpriorityoverthosewhohave requestedthecourseonappeal.

AuditingaClass

SJCSdoesnotpermitstudentstoauditclasses.

HighSchoolCreditforEighthGradeCourses

CreditsforhighschoolcoursestakenduringmiddleschoolareonlyawardedinthesubjectareasofMathand WorldLanguage.Inregardstothesecourses,studentsmustmeettherequirementstobeplacedinthenextlevel andreceivecreditintherelateddiscipline.Whilecreditwillbeawardedfortheseclassesandappearonthe highschooltranscript,thegradewillnotfactorintothestudent’shighschoolGPA.

Allstudentsseekingcreditforahighschoolcoursetakenbeforematriculationintoninthgrademusthave passedthecourseinmiddleschool and metothercriteriaidentifiedbytheschool.

CoursePlacementfor9thGradeStudents

Allincomingstudentsseekingcreditforpreviouscourseworkwilltakeplacementtestsononeofthespecified testingdaysinthelatespringbeforethestartoftheirninth-gradeyear.Forallstudents,SJCSwillconsiderthe followingindeterminingplacement:

● Finalreportcardgradesaspartoftheirapplicationpacket.

● Subject-specificteacherrecommendationsaddressingthestudent’sreadinesstoadvancetothenextlevel courseinthedepartment.

● Placementtestresultsasrequestedbytheschool.

8thgradeSJCSstudentsinAlgebraI whopassthecoursewillreceiveagradeandhighschoolcreditontheir transcriptforAlgebraI,butthegradewillnotbecalculatedintothestudent’sGPA.

CoursePlacementforHighSchoolTransferStudents

Risingsophomores,juniors,andseniorsmusttakeplacementexamsinWorldLanguageclassestoensure accurateplacement.Resultsoftheplacementexamwillbediscussedwiththefamily,butSJCSstrongly recommendsthatfamiliesrespecttherecommendationmadebyourfaculty.

IfastudenttakestheWorldLanguageplacementtestandplacesinalevelbeyondthefirstyearandtheyhave notactuallytakentheclass,theycaneitherbeginatthehigherlevelwithnocreditissuedforearlierlevelsor theycanopttostartatthelowerlevel.StudentswhoareadvancedarestillrequiredtoobtainthreeWorld Languagecreditsinthesamelanguage.

ForstudentsenrolledatSJCS,nocreditwillbeissuedforcoursestakenatoutsideinstitutions,withthe exceptionofcoursesthatareretakenthroughanapprovedsummerprogramasaresultofafailedgrade(59or below).Assuch,theydonotappearonthetranscriptandshouldbeconsideredtheequivalentofan outside-the-schoolextracurricularactivity.AllcoursesnecessaryforgraduationfromSJCSmustbetakenatthe highschool.StudentsarenotpermittedtoaltertheircourserequirementswithinSJCSinordertotake courseworkoutsidetheschool.StudentswishingtoenrollintheFineArtsCenterortheCareerCenterduring theirsenioryearmaybegrantedaschedulemodificationatthediscretionoftheAcademicDeaninconjunction withtheCollegeCounselingOffice,butallgraduationrequirementsremaininplace.Otherpoliciesregarding courseworkandgraduationrequirementsalsoremainineffect.EnrollingintheFACmustbeworkedoutwith SJCSteacherstoensurestudentschedulesarenotnegativelyimpacted.Studentsmustbeenrolledinatleast4 credithoursduringtheschooldayatSJCS.

AdvancedPlacement(AP)CoursesandExams

AnySJCSstudentenrolledinanAPcourseisrequiredtotaketheAPexamgiveninMay.Dependingupon spaceandavailability,studentswhodidnotenrollinanAPcoursemaybepermittedtotaketheAPexam dependingonteacherrecommendation.Non-APenrolledstudents,iftheyarepermittedtotaketheexam,will dosounderthehomeschoolcode.Thecostofthisexamwillbebilledtothestudent’saccountandmustbepaid byMarch31st.

SummercourseworkinanAPclassisnecessarytoensurethatstudentsprogressthroughthecurriculum atapacethatensurestheyarethoroughlypreparedtosucceedontheAPexam.Studentswhofailto completesummerassignmentspriortothefallsemesterduedatewillautomaticallybemovedtoalower levelclassbasedonavailability.Alternativearrangementsmaybemadewithstudentswhohaveenrolled atSJCSafterJuly15.

Minimester

AllstudentsareexpectedtoparticipateinMinimesterbysigningupforandparticipatinginafaculty-led Minimesteroffering.Whilenotgraded,highschoolstudentsdoreceive.25academiccreditsforMinimester, andthesearecountedineachstudent’searnedadditionalcredits.

Note

● Thoughacoursemaybelistedinthecatalog,studentinterestandinstructoravailabilityarethe determiningfactorsinwhetherornotacoursewillbescheduledinagivenacademicyear.

THEOLOGYDEPARTMENT

● All students take Theology 101, 102, and 103/105 during their freshman, sophomore, and junior years respectively

● For their senior year, students may take Theology 104, 114, or 115 (all of which are 1-credit classes), OR the combination of 108, 109, and 110 (.5 credit classes) as offered by the school.

● Students who take the .5 credit classes MUST take two their senior year to complete the Theology graduation requirement of 4 full credits.

REQUIREDCOURSES

101-FundamentalsofChristianity: WhoisJesus? Grade9

Prerequisite: None

ThefreshmantheologycourseoffersstudentsafoundationalunderstandingofChristianity Setinthecontextof theOldTestamentrevelationofGod,thiscourseseekstobringoutthepurposeofthecomingofChristsothe studentswillrecognizethatHeistheauthenticanswertothefundamentalquestionsandneedswhichareinside everyhumanbeing.

102-TheologyoftheChurch Grade10

Prerequisite: None

Thesophomoretheologycoursebeginswherethe9th-gradecourseends,withanexaminationoftheChurchas anoutgrowthofChrist’smissionandwork.Theaimofthiscourseistoanswerthequestions: Whatisthe church?Whydoesitmattertome? ThisisacourseinecclesiologyratherthanahistoryoftheChurch, althoughstudentswillbecomefamiliarwiththesignificantpersons,issues,andeventsofChurchhistory

103-Morality

Prerequisite: None

Grade11

.5Credit

God’snormsforourmoralconductandreligiouspracticearepresentedwithinthecontextoftheTen Commandmentsandsacraments.The Catechism –emphasizingthepurposeofthemagisterium–augmentsthe studenttext.Real-lifestrugglestoliveChristianmoralityarediscussedandpracticalhelpisoffered.Theplace andstructureofmarriageandthefamilyarevigorouslydefendedascentraltoasociety’smorals.Currentnews itemsprovideadditionalfodderforclassdiscussion.

105-CatholicSocialTeaching Grade11

Prerequisite: None

Thiscourseisprimarilyconcernedwiththesocialvocationofman. Studentswillbeintroducedtothebasic principlesofCatholicsocialteachingtoaddresscertainquestionssuchashowshouldsocietybestructuredto protectthedignityandrightsofthehumanperson,tofosterjusticeandtolimitoreliminateinjustice,andto encourageandpromotethecommongood?Theanswersinvolvenotonlymyindividualmoralchoices;italso involveseveryoneelseinoursocietyatthecivil,economic,andpoliticallevel. Thepurposeofthiscourseisto introducethereasonablenessofCatholicsocialprinciplesasawaytobegintoaddresssocietalissues.

ADDITIONALCOURSESTHATMEETTHETHEOLOGYREQUIREMENT

104-Apologetics

Prerequisite: None

Grade12

1Credit

A“defenseofthefaith,”apologeticsleadsstudentsthroughacriticalreviewofChristiandoctrine.Becausefaith isbelief,apologeticsoftenseeksnotsomuchtoprovebeliefbuttorefuteobjectionstobelief.Thisisdone throughthecontextofcreed(whatwebelieve),code(howwelive),andcult(howweworship).Thecourse includesacomparisonwithotherreligions,adetailedexplorationoftheApostles’Creed,andanexaminationof the“saddivisionsinChristianity”andwhatcanbedonetogetherinChrist.

114-HonorsApologetics

Prerequisites: 90 average in previous Theology course

Grade12

1Credit

Thegoalofthiscourseistogivestudentsthenecessarytoolsto defend theirFaithinaworldthatisoftenhostile toit.Thefirstsemesterwillfocusonthe“larger”religiousquestionssuchas;“Whatproofisthereforthe existenceofGod?”and“Isn’titintoleranttobelievethatChrististheonlywaytoHeaven?” Inthesecond semester,wewillfocusonissuesmorespecifictoChristianity,like;“WhydoCatholicspraytosaints?”and “HowcantheChurchbelievethatthepopeisinfallible”? Periodically,wewillengageinin-classdebates, wherestudentswillbeaskedto“thinkontheirtoes”andtogivea“reasonforthehopethatisinthem”(1Peter 3:15).Throughouttheyear,wewillbelookingatcurrentevents,forapologeticsisnothingifitisnot“current.” Thegoalofthiscourseisnotonlytoenablethestudentstoarguetheirfaithmoreeffectivelybutalsoforthem torealizethattheirfaithis worth theargument.Alongwithreadingtheassignedtexts,studentswillbeaskedto completewrittenaswellasoralassignmentstodemonstratetheycancogentlyexpresstheirfaithtofair-minded skeptics.

115-HonorsFaithandReason

Prerequisites: 90 average in previous Theology course

Grade12

1Credit

ThiscoursewillfocusheavilyonPapalwritings,particularlyfromPopesBenedictXVIandJohnPaulII.There willalsobeanextensiveinvestigationofthenaturallaw,withspecialemphasisonthethoughtofSt.Thomas Aquinas.Summerreadingisrequired,witha3-pagepaperdueduringthefirstweekofthecourse.

108-TheologyoftheBody

Prerequisite: None

Grades12

.5Credit

Isthereaconnectionbetweensexualityandthesearchformeaninginourlives? FollowingPopeJohnPaulII’s theologyofthebody,thestudyofGodasrevealedthroughourbodies,thiscourseisdesignedtohelpthe studentsunderstandthemeaningoftheirbodies,thesignificanceoftheirsexuality,thepurposeoftheirlives, andhowtheywereuniquelycreatedforgreatness. Thecoursewillendwithstudentsplanningand implementingaretreatdayforthesophomoresonthethemeof“DatingandRelating.”

109-PeerMinistry

Prerequisite: Application and approval from Campus Ministry

Grade12

.5Credit

Thiscourseisaone-semesterelective.Itwillconsistofin-classlectures,training,orientation,andin-service ministrytotheschoolcommunity.ThegoalofPeerMinistryistohavetheparticipantsgrowintheirownfaith byservingtheneedsoftheschool,especiallythespiritualandpersonalneedsofthestudentbody.Apeer ministerisresponsibleforthedirectionandfacilitationofschoolmomentsofprayerandservice,andhelpswith schoolliturgiesandactivities.Itisintendedforstudentswhoseekagreaterinvolvementinthespirituallifeof theschool andwhowishtosharetheirgifts,talents,andChristianfaithwiththeSJCScommunity.Itrequiresa personalcommitmenttotheprogramandtoChrist.StudentsfulfilltheirServicerequirementsaspartofthis course.

Prerequisite: None

Thisone-semestercourseexaminestheorigins,development,andinterpretationofBiblicaltexts.Studentswill examineseveralinterpretiveandhermeneuticalapproachestoScripture.Specialemphasiswillbegiventothe historicalsignificanceofthefirstfivebooksoftheBible,Wisdomliterature,theGospels,andthelifeandworks ofPaul.

MATHEMATICSDEPARTMENT

Since math is foundational and progressive, it is especially important that students enroll in the courses for which they qualify.

REQUIREDCOURSES

201-AlgebraI

Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra

Grades9

1Credit

AlgebraIisthefirstcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.Studentsbeginthe studyofnumbersets,equationsandinequalities,andpatternsusingtheirpriorknowledgeofarithmetic.Setting upandsolvingwordproblemsisavitalpartofthisclass,andstudentswillexaminesampleproblemswitheach newtypeofalgebraicsentenceintroduced.StudentswillgraphsimplefunctionsontheCartesiancoordinate planeanddiscovertherelationshipbetweenanequationanditsgraph.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematical termsandsymbolswhenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthis class.Thedevelopmentofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingestimation.

202-Geometry

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Grade9/10 1Credit

Geometryisthesecondcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.Studentswillbuilda mathematicalsystemfromthegroundupbasedonthreeundefinedtermsandasystemofpostulatesand theorems.StudentswillusereasoningtoconstructthetheoremsofGeometry,firstbyunderstandinginformal proofswrittenbyothersand,eventually,bywritingconcise,logicalproofsoftheirown.Studentswilldevelop theirpowersofspatialvisualizationintwoandthreedimensions.StudentsofGeometrywilldiscoverthe relationshipsamongandbetweenpropertiesofvariousgeometricfigures.Studentswillcorrectlyuse mathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationare stressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingthe necessityofpreciselanguage.

212-HonorsGeometry

Grade9/10 1Credit

Prerequisites: Eligible score on Algebra I Placement Test for freshmen or Algebra I with 93 average Thiscourseisafaster-paced,morein-depthstudyofGeometrythancollege-prepGeometry.Studentsenrolled inthisclasshavedemonstratedanaptitudeformathematicsandthewillingnesstocommitextratimeandeffort instudyingforthequalitypointstheyearn.ThoseexpectingtotakeCalculusinhighschoolshouldbeeligible toenrollinthiscourse.Geometryisthesecondcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatory mathematics.Studentswillbuildamathematicalsystemfromthegroundupbasedonthreeundefinedtermsand asystemofpostulatesandtheorems.StudentswillusereasoningtoconstructthetheoremsofGeometry,firstby understandinginformalproofswrittenbyothersandeventually,bywritingconcise,logicalproofsoftheirown. Studentswilldeveloptheirpowersofspatialvisualizationintwoandthreedimensions.StudentsofGeometry willdiscovertherelationshipsamongandbetweenpropertiesofvariousgeometricfigures.Studentswill correctlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,and organizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective, includingthenecessityofpreciselanguage.

203-AlgebraII

Prerequisite: Geometry

Grade10/11

1Credit

AlgebraIIisthethirdcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.AlgebraIIisthestudy offunctions.Studentswillinvestigatepolynomial,rational,quadratics,andothersecond-degreefunctionsand performthebasicoperationsoneachtype.Studentswillcompareandcontrastsetsofnumbers,e.g.,irrational, imaginary,andcomplex.InAlgebraII,studentswillsolveavarietyofalgebraicequations,inequalities,and wordproblemsusingtheappropriatealgorithm(s)foreach,includingsolvingwiththeaidofagraphing calculatorwhereappropriate.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeakingand/or writing.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-order thinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingmulti-stepproblem-solving.

213-HonorsAlgebraII

Grade9/10/11

Prerequisites: Honors Geometry with 85 average or Geometry with 90 average

1Credit

Thiscourseisafaster-paced,morein-depthstudyofAlgebraIIthancollege-prepAlgebraII.Studentsenrolled inthisclasshavedemonstratedanaptitudeformathematicsandthewillingnesstocommitextratimeandeffort instudyingforthequalitypointtheyearn.ThoseexpectingtotakeCalculusinhighschoolshouldbeeligibleto enrollinthiscourse.AlgebraIIisthethirdcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics. AlgebraIIisthestudyoffunctions.Studentswillinvestigatepolynomial,rational,quadratics,andother second-degreefunctionsandperformthebasicoperationsoneachtype.Studentswillcompareandcontrastsets ofnumbers,e.g.,irrational,imaginary,andcomplex.InAlgebraII,studentswillsolveavarietyofalgebraic equations,inequalities,andwordproblemsusingtheappropriatealgorithm(s)foreach,includingsolvingwith theaidofagraphingcalculatorwhereappropriate.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbols whenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopment ofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingmulti-stepproblem-solving.

ADDITIONALCOURSESTHATMEETREQUIREMENTS

206AdvancedAlgebraforCollege

Prerequisite: Algebra II

Grade11/12 1Credit

AdvancedAlgebraforCollegeisthefourthcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollegepreparatorymathematics. Studentswillcontinuetoexaminethedifferenttypesofalgebraicequationsanddiscovermethodsforsolving each.Recognizingandgraphingmanytypesofequationsandinequalitiesisanessentialpartofthiscourse.The secondsemesterofAdvancedAlgebraforCollegeisastudyoftrigonometry Studentswillusethegraphingand conversioncapabilitiesoftheircalculatorswhenappropriate.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicalterms andsymbolswhenspeakingand/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.The developmentofhigher-orderthinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingrecognizingpatterns.

204-Pre-Calculus

Prerequisites: Algebra II

Grade11/12

1Credit

Pre-Calculusisthefourthcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.Studentsin Pre-Calculuswillcontinueinvestigatingthesimilaritiesanddifferencesofvariousfunctions.Studentswill examinetherelationshipbetweenafunctionanditsgraph.ThesecondsemesterofthePre-Calculuscourseisan in-depthstudyoftrigonometry Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeaking and/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-order thinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingrecognizingmathematicalpatternsandmakinginferences.

214-HonorsPre-Calculus

Grade10/11/12 1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Algebra II with 85 average or Algebra II with 90 average Thiscourseisafaster-paced,morein-depthstudyofPre-Calculus.Studentsenrolledinthisclasshave demonstratedanaptitudeformathematicsandthewillingnesstocommitextratimeandeffortinstudyingfor thequalitypointtheyearn.ThoseexpectingtotakeCalculusinhighschoolshouldbeeligibletoenrollinthis course.Pre-Calculusisthefourthcourseinthesystematicstudyofcollege-preparatorymathematics.Students inPre-Calculuswillcontinueinvestigatingthesimilaritiesanddifferencesofvariousfunctions.Studentswill examinetherelationshipbetweenafunctionanditsgraph.ThesecondsemesterofthePre-Calculuscourseisan in-depthstudyoftrigonometry.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeaking and/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthisclass.Thedevelopmentofhigher-order thinkingskillsisaprimaryobjective,includingrecognizingmathematicalpatternsandmakinginferences.

250-APCalculusAB

Grade11/12 1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Pre-Calculus with 85 average or Pre-Calculus with 90 average

Recommended: PSAT math section score of 600 or better.

Thisisacollege-levelcourseofferedforstudentswhohaveahighdegreeofinterestandskillinmathematics. APCalculusintroducestheideaofalimittoPre-Calculustopicstoinvestigatenewconceptsusingderivatives andintegrals.

252-APCalculusBC

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisites: AP Calculus AB with 85 average. Students who score below a 4 on the AP Calculus AB exam should meet with the instructor prior to starting this course. Thisisacollege-levelcourseofferedforstudentswhohaveahighdegreeofinterestandskillinmathematics. APCalculusBCfurtherdevelopsthestudyofCalculus,withmoreintegrationtechniques,infiniteseries, conics,parametricequations,andpolarcoordinates.Thiscourseisanindependentstudy.

251-APStatistics

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra for College with 93 average or Pre-Calculus with 90 average or Honors Pre-Calculus with 85 average

Recommended: PSAT combined score of 1100 or better

Thiscollege-levelcoursewillexamineavarietyofproblemsdealingwithgathering,organizing,andanalyzing data.Studentswillinvestigateaveragesandvariances,regressionandcorrelation,elementaryprobability, normaldistributions,scientificsampling,andmakinginferences.Studentswillusethestatisticalandgraphing capabilitiesoftheircalculator.Studentswillcorrectlyusemathematicaltermsandsymbolswhenspeaking and/orwriting.Accuracy,neatness,andorganizationarestressedinthiscollege-levelclass.

208-FundamentalsofStatistics

Grade11/12

Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus or Advanced Algebra for College

.5Credit

Thisintroductorycoursewillexamineavarietyoftopicsdealingwithgathering,organizing,andanalyzing data. Studentswillinvestigateaveragesandvariances,regressionandcorrelation,elementaryprobability, normaldistributions,scientificsampling,andmakinginferenceswithbothconfidenceintervalsand hypothesis-testing. Studentswillusethestatisticalandgraphingcapabilitiesoftheircalculator,aswellas computersoftware.Thegoalforthecourseistoprovidestudentswithanintroductiontoacoursethatisfast becomingtheprevalentrequiredmathformostcollegemajors.

209-Statistics Grade12

Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus or Advanced Algebra for College

Thisintroductory-levelcoursewillexamineavarietyoftopicsdealingwithgathering,organizing,and analyzingdata.Studentswillinvestigateaveragesandvariances,regressionandcorrelation,various probabilitymodels,normaldistributions,scientificsampling,andmakinginferenceswithboth confidenceintervalsandhypothesistesting.Studentswillusethestatisticalandgraphingcapabilitiesof theircalculator,aswellascomputersoftware.Thegoalforthecourseistoprovidestudentswithan introductiontoacoursethatisfastbecomingtheprevalentrequiredmathforalmostallcollegemajors.

210-HonorsFundamentalsofCalculus

Grade12 .5Credit

Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus with 85 average or Honors Pre-Calculus with 80 average or Advanced Algebra for College with 90 average

Thisisanintro-levelcourseofferedforstudentswhohaveaninterestintakingCalculusatthecollegelevel,but maynotbeabletoenrollinAPCalculus.Limitsandderivativeswillbeintroducedtofamiliarizethestudents withtheconcepts,vocabulary,andproblem-solvingtechniquesofacollege-levelCalculuscourse.

ELECTIVES

207-PersonalFinance

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semestercourseisdesignedtoeducatethestudentontheimportanceofpersonalfinancial responsibility.Itwillcovertopicssuchasfinance,credit,collegeplanning,avoidingdebt,andunderstanding insuranceandhomemortgages.Thiscoursedoesnotsatisfyamathrequirement.

SCIENCEDEPARTMENT

SJCS requires 3 Lab Science credits that include Biology, Chemistry, and 1 other full-year Lab Science class. Please note that Biology and Chemistry are a prerequisite for all other courses listed.

REQUIREDCOURSES

301-Biology

Prerequisite: None

Grade9

1Credit

Thisintroductorycourseisdesignedtoprovideasurveyofbiologicaltopicsforcollege-boundstudents.The coursewillincludeunitsofstudyonthenatureoflife,basictaxonomicorganization,plantstructureand function,biochemistry,cellstructureandfunction,ecologicalinterrelationships,evolutionarytheory,andan introductiontoenergytransformationsandgenetics.Thecoursewillfocusonecologicalinterrelationships throughouttheyear.

311-HonorsBiology

Prerequisites: 8th-grade Science with 93 average

Grade9

1Credit

FreshmanHonorsBiologyisarigorous,acceleratedcourseintendedtopreparestudentsforhigher-levelAP courses.Thiscourseinvolveslecture-discussion,presentationsandlaboratoryactivities.Thecoursewillcover fourmajorthemes:evolution,energetics,informationstorageandtransfer,andsysteminteractions.

302-Chemistry

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Grade10

1Credit

Chemistryisthestudyofmatter,itsproperties,andhowthosepropertiesresultfromtheatomicstructure.The courseisdesignedtobeusefultostudentshavingwidelydifferingbackgroundsandcareerplans.Laboratory workisanessentialpartofthiscourse.Topicscoveredincludescientificmeasurement;chemicalperiodicity; atomicstructure;chemicalnamesandformulas;bonding;behaviorofgasses;chemicalreactions;stoichiometry; propertiesofsolutions;acidsandbases;oxidation-reductionreactions;andthermochemistry.Thedevelopment ofcriticalthinkingandproblem-solvingskillsisstressedthroughoutthecourse.

312-HonorsChemistry

Grade10 1Credit

Prerequisites: Algebra I with 90 average or Honors Geometry with 85 average or CP Geometry with a 90 average

ThiscourseisanintroductiontothestudyofatomsandchemicalreactionsthatwillpreparestudentsforAP Chemistry.Topicscoveredincludescientificmeasurement;thestructureoftheatomandmolecularbonding; chemicalperiodicity;statesofmatter;nomenclature;stoichiometry;thermodynamics;equilibrium;propertiesof gasses;propertiesofsolutions;acidsandbases;andelectrochemistry.

ADDITIONALCOURSESTHATMEETREQUIREMENTS

303-Physics

Grade11/12 1Credit

Prerequisites: Geometry and Algebra II or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II

Thiscourseisanintroductiontoclassicalandmodernphysics.Topicscoveredincludemechanics;vectors; forcesandthelawsofmotion;workandenergy;momentumandcollisions;gravityandsatellitemotion; vibrationsandwaves;soundandlight;andelectricityandmagnetism.Thiscoursefocusesonaconceptual understandingofphysics.Laboratoryexperiencesareanintegralpartoftheclass.

313-HonorsPhysics

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus with Honors Algebra II with 85 average HonorsPhysicsisamoremathematicallyrigorousintroductiontoclassicalandmodernphysics.Thiscourseis aimedatthestudentinterestedinmath,sciences,andengineering.Topicscoveredincludemechanics;energy; propertiesofmatter;soundandlight;electricityandmagnetism;andabriefintroductiontoatomicandnuclear physics.Laboratoryexperiencesareanintegralpartoftheclass.

353-APPhysics1

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra II with 90 average, Pre-Calculus or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus

Recommended: PSAT section score 620 or higher

Thiscourseistheequivalentofafirst-semestercollegecourseinalgebra-basedphysics.Topicscoveredinclude kinematics;dynamics;circularmotionandgravitation;energy;momentum;simpleharmonicmotion;torque androtationalmotion;andfluids. Thiscourseincludesthebasicuseoftrigonometricfunctions. Priortothe firstdayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreading.

354-APPhysics2

Prerequisites: AP Physics 1

Grade11/12

1Credit

Thiscourseistheequivalenttoasecond-semestercollegecourseinalgebra-basedphysics. Topicscovered includethermodynamics;electricforce,field,andpotential;electriccircuits;magnetismandelectromagnetic induction;geometricandphysicaloptics;andquantum,atomic,andnuclearphysics. Priortothefirstdayof school,studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreading.

355-APPhysicsC:Mechanics

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Physics or AP Physics I or concurrent enrollment in AP Physics I, AP Calculus or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus.

Mechanicsistheequivalentofasemester-long,introductorycalculus-basedcollegecourseinphysics.Topics coveredincludekinematics;Newton’slawsofmotion;work,energy,andpower;systemsofparticlesandlinear momentum;rotation;oscillations;andgravitation. Thiscourseisofferedasanindependentstudyandrequires participantstohavetheprimaryresponsibilityforbuildingunderstanding,withtheinstructorasaresourceand guide.Studentsarerequiredtoindependentlyspendtimeengagingwiththetextbook,onlinelecturevideos, simulations,laboratoryinvestigations,homeworkproblems,andexams.Thiscourseisanindependentstudy.

350-APBiology

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Biology with 90 average or Honors Biology with 85 average and Chemistry with 90 average or Honors Chemistry with 85 average Thiscourseisacollege-levelsurveyofbiologicaltopics.Studentsshouldbeawareofthedemandingnatureof thiscourseintermsofthedifficultyofthematerialpresented,theamountofpreparationrequired,andthe difficultyofunitexaminations.Topicscoveredincludechemistryoflife;cellstructureandfunction;cellular energetics;cellcommunicationandcellcycle;heredity;geneexpressionandregulation;naturalselection;and ecology.Criticalthinkingandanalyticalskillsareemphasizedandinquiry-basedlaboratoryinvestigationsare required.Priortothefirstdayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompleteasummerassignment.

351-APChemistry

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Chemistry with 90 average and Honors Algebra II or Pre-Calculus with 90 average or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus

ThiscourseisdesignedtobetheequivalentofthegeneralChemistrycoursetakenbyscienceandengineering majorsintheirfirstyearofcollege.TheframeworkofthiscourseisquantitativelydifferentfromHonors Chemistry,goingintogreaterdepthinsomeconceptsandintroducingnewones.Theemphasisofthecourse reliesonchemicalcalculationsandmathematicalformulationsofchemicalprinciplesaswellaslaboratory techniques.Thedevelopmentofthesethemesintroducesstudentstothestudyofchemistryonalevelthat preparesthemforsubsequentcoursesinchemistrytakenatthecollegelevel.Priortothefirstdayofschool, studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreading.

320-EnvironmentalScience

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

Grade11/12

1Credit

EnvironmentalScienceisayear-longelectivethatincorporateslaboratoryactivities,virtualactivities,projects, andclassroomexperiencestointroducestudentstotheapplicationsofenvironmentalscience.Studentswill explorereal-worldissuesandunderstandtheimpacthumanshaveontheenvironment.Thereareseveral unifying,interdisciplinarythemesthatcutacrossthetopicswithinEnvironmentalScience.Ninemajortopics arecovered:ecosystems;biodiversity;populations,earthsystems,andresources;landandwateruse;energy resourcesandconsumption;atmosphericpollution;aquaticandterrestrialpollution;andglobalchange.

356-APEnvironmentalScience

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Biology with 90 average or Honors Biology with 85 average and Chemistry with 90 average or Honors Chemistry with 85 average APEnvironmentalScienceistheequivalentofaone-semester,introductorycollegecourseinenvironmental scienceandisdesignedtoengagestudentswiththescientificprinciples,concepts,andmethodologiesrequired tounderstandtheinterrelationshipswithinthenaturalworld. Thecourserequiresthatstudentsidentifyand analyzenaturalandhuman-madeenvironmentalproblems,evaluatetherelativerisksassociatedwiththese problems,andexaminealternativesolutionsforresolvingorpreventingthem. Topicsincludeecosystems; biodiversity;populations;Earthsystemsandresources;landandwateruse;energyresourcesandconsumption; atmosphericpollution;aquaticandterrestrialpollution;andglobalchange.

317-HonorsHumanAnatomy&Physiology

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry, most recent science average of 80 in an Honors class or 85 in a CP class

Thisrigorous,year-longscienceelectiveprovidesstudentswithadetailedstudyofthehumanbodysystems. Homeostaticbalance,therelationshipbetweenstructureandfunction,andtheinterrelationshipsbetweenbody systemsareafocusthroughoutthecourse.Laboratoryworkrequirestheefficientuseofmicroscopesand participationindissections.Thiscourseisrecommendedforstudentsinterestedinpursuingeducationin health-carerelatedfieldsincollege.

325-HonorsIntroductiontoEngineeringDesignI

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, most recent science average of 80 in an Honors class or 85 in a CP class

Inthisintroductorycourse,studentsdigdeepintotheengineeringdesignprocess,applyingmath,science,and engineeringstandardstohands-onprojects.Inaddition,theywilllearntouse3Dsolidmodelingdesign softwaretodesignsolutionstoproblems.Studentswilldevelopproblem-solvingskillsandapplytheir knowledgeofresearchanddesigntocreatesolutions,documenttheprocess,andcommunicatetheresults.As thecourseprogressesandthecomplexityofthedesignproblemsincrease,studentswilllearnmoreadvanced computermodelingskillsastheybecomemoreindependentintheirlearning,moreprofessionalintheir collaborationandcommunication,andmoreexperiencedinproblemsolving.Studentsmustsuccessfully

completeHonorsIntroductiontoEngineeringDesignIandII(seebelow)inthesameacademicyeartomeetthe requirementforafullyearsciencegraduationcredit.CompletionofonlyHonorsIntroductiontoEngineering DesignIwillcountasanelectivecredit.

326-HonorsIntroductiontoEngineeringDesignII

Grade11/12 .5Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Introduction to Engineering Design I and departmental approval HonorsIntroductiontoEngineeringDesignIIisacontinuationofHonorsIntroductiontoEngineeringDesignI andbuildsontheconceptslearnedintheprevioussemester.Studentsmustsuccessfullycompletebothcourses inthesameacademicyeartomeettherequirementforafullyearsciencegraduationcredit.Completionofonly HonorsIntroductiontoEngineeringDesignIwillcountasanelectivecredit.

ELECTIVES-Thesecoursesdonotmeetsciencerequirementfora3rdfullyearclass

305-ForensicScience

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

Grade11/12 .5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercoursethatinvolvestheapplicationofbiological,chemical,andphysicalprinciplestothe investigationofphysicalevidenceincriminalcases.Thecoursefocusesonleading-edgetechnologiespolice andcrimelabsrelyontoapprehendcriminals.Thecourseincludescasestudiesandvideosofactualcriminal cases.Topicscoveredincludefingerprints;hairandfabricanalysis;glass;serology;andfirearms.Critical thinkingandanalyticalskillsareemphasized.Laboratoryisincluded.

309-HumanAnatomy&Physiology

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

Grade11/12

Thisintroductory-level,semestercourseprovidesasurveyofthehumanbodysystems.Throughlecturesand labs,studentswillgainin-depthknowledgeoftheintegumentary,skeletal,muscular,nervous,cardiovascular, respiratory,digestive,andreproductivesystems.Laboratoryworkrequiresstudentstobeefficientwith microscopesandtoparticipateindissections.Thiscourseisrecommendedforstudentsinterestedinpursuing educationinhealth-carerelatedfieldsincollege.

316-HonorsAstronomy

Grade11/12

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry, most recent science average of 80 in an Honors class or 85 in a CP class

Thiscoursewillprovidethestudentwithanintroductiontotheconceptsofmodernastronomy,theoriginand historyoftheUniverse,theformationoftheEarthandthesolarsystem,andahistoryofhumanity’sexploration ofspace.Thisclassdoesnotmeetthe3rdyearlabsciencerequirement.

HISTORYDEPARTMENT

REQUIREDCOURSES

405-WorldHistory

Prerequisite: None

Grade9

1Credit

Thisfreshman-levelcourseisasurveyofthemajorculturesthatdevelopedinAfrica,Asia,Europe,andthe Americasfromthebeginningsofhumancivilizationuptothepresentday.Political,social,cultural,economic, andintellectualhistoryarecovered,particularlyastheyshapecontemporaryworldevents.

415-HonorsWorldHistory

Grade9

1Credit

Prerequisite: 8th-grade History with 93 average, current instructor recommendation, and an acceptable score on a written essay to be given at a set time prior to scheduling

Thiswriting-intensive,freshman-levelcourseisanin-depthstudyofthemajorcultureswhichdevelopedin Africa,Asia,Europe,andtheAmericasfromthebeginningsofhumancivilizationuptothepresentday. Political,social,cultural,economic,andintellectualhistoryarecovered,particularlyastheyshape contemporaryworldevents.Thedepthofanalysisisgreaterinthecourse,asistheexaminationofprimary documents.Studentswillreceivedirecttraininginthewritingofresearchpapersandberesponsibleforthe productionoftworesearchpapersduringtheschoolyear.

402-ModernEuropeanHistory

Prerequisite: World History

Grade10

1Credit

Thissophomore-levelcourseisasurveyexaminationthatbeginswiththeadventoftheModernAgeinEurope andtracespolitical,economic,andculturalinfluencesthataffectedtheglobalpopulationsovera500-year period.ParticularattentionisgiventotheinfluenceofintellectualmovementssuchastheRenaissanceandthe Enlightenment,aswellasmajorsocialchangesthatflowedfromboththeFrenchandIndustrialRevolutions. Thecourseexaminesmajoreventsthatoccurredduringthe20thcenturyandculminateswithmore contemporarydevelopmentsinthe21stcentury.Studentswillreceivedirecttraininginthewritingofresearch papers.

412-HonorsModernEuropeanHistory

Grade10

Prerequisite: CP World History with 90 average or Honors World History with a 85

Recommended: PSAT 8/9 Score of 560

1Credit

Thiswriting-intensivesophomore-levelcourseisanin-depthexaminationoftheModernAge.Thedepthof analysisisgreaterinthiscourse,asistheexaminationofprimarydocuments.Studentswillreceivedirect traininginthewritingofresearchpapersandberesponsibleforproducingtworesearchpapersduringthe schoolyear.

452-APEuropeanHistory

Grade10

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors World History with 90 average. Students seeking admittance into this course against departmental recommendations will be required to sit for a timed essay based on an historical prompt

Recommended: PSAT 8/9 Score of 590

APModernEuropeanHistoryisacollege-levelsurveycoursethatexploresthemajorthemesofEuropean historyfrom1450tothepresentera.ThecurriculumfollowsthelatestrequirementsoftheCollegeBoardand willincludeextensivetrainingtoadvanceacademicskillsasacriticalreaderandanalyticalwriter.Theuseof primarydocumentsandextensiveassessmentsareanimportantfocusofthisclass,whichwillpreparestudents topasstheCollegeBoardAPtestattheendofthespringsemester.

404-Economics

Prerequisite: None

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercoursecoversthebasicprinciplesandtheoriesofeconomics.Italsoexaminesthepractical applicationofthesetheoriesincontemporarysocietyandgovernment.Taxforms,personalbudgeting,anda stockmarketsimulationareallpartofthecourse.

455APMicroeconomics

Grades10/11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisites: Honors World History, AP European History, Honors US History or AP US History with 90 average. It is strongly recommended that students have a PSAT Score of 600. ThepurposeofAPMicroeconomicsisthe introductionof theconceptsofopportunitycostsandtrade-offs,and to illustratetheseconceptsbyusingtheproductionpossibilitiescurveorotheranalyticalexamples.Thecourse willincludeaconsiderationofhowdifferenttypesofeconomiesdeterminewhichgoodsandservicesto produce,howtoproducethem,andtowhomtodistributethem.Itisalsoimportantthatstudentsunderstand whyandhowspecializationandexchangeincreasethetotaloutputofgoodsandservices.Studentsneedtobe abletodifferentiatebetweenabsoluteandcomparativeadvantage,toidentifycomparativeadvantagefrom differencesinopportunitycosts,andtoapplytheconceptofcomparativeadvantage,inordertodeterminethe basisunderwhichmutuallyadvantageoustradecantakeplacebetweencountries.Specificexamplesfrom actualeconomicsituationscanbeusedtoillustrateandreinforcetheprinciplesinvolved.Theimportanceof propertyrights,theroleofincentivesinthefunctioningoffreemarkets,andtheprincipleofmarginalanalysis shouldbehighlightedaswell.

403-U.S.History

Grade11

1Credit

Prerequisites: Modern European or AP European Thisclassbuildsuponnote-takingandessaywritingskillsinpresentingasurveycourseinAmericanhistory. ThefirstsemesterwillbespentcoveringAmericanhistoryuptotheReconstructionerathatfollowedtheCivil War.Thesecondsemesterwillfocusonpost-ReconstructiondevelopmentsandcoverAmericanhistorical eventsintothemodernera.Studentswillbeexpectedtoreadhistoricalessays,biographies,andprimarysource materials.Researchpaperswillalsobeassigned.Inaddition,studentswillbetrainedtomastermapskillsfor theperiodsstudied.Summerreadingisrequired.

413-HonorsU.S.History

Prerequisites: Modern European History with 90 average or Honors Modern European History with 85 average or AP European History of 80 average Recommended: PSAT Score of 560 AttheHonorslevel,studentsshouldbeadeptatwritingessaysandtakingnotes.Thisclassbuildsuponthese skillsandpresentsasurveycourseinAmericanhistory.Itismoredetailedandacceleratedthanthecollege preparatoryU.S.History.ThefirstsemesterwillcoverAmericanhistoryuptotheReconstructionerathat followedtheCivilWar.Thespringsemesterwillfocusonpost-Reconstructiondevelopmentsandcovermajor historicaleventsintothemodernera.Studentswillbeexpectedtoreadhistoricalessays,biographies,and primarysourcematerials.Researchprojectsandpaperswillalsoberequired.Inaddition,studentswillbe expectedtomastermapskillsfortheperiodsstudied.Allstudentswillconstructamajorresearchpaperinthe secondsemester.Summerreadingisrequired.

450-APU.S.History

Prerequisites: 90 average in previous Honors level History and English courses or 85 in AP European History. Students seeking admittance into this course against departmental recommendations will be required to sit for a timed essay based on an historical prompt..

Recommended: PSAT Score of 600

Thiscourseisforadvancedhistorystudentswhohaveachievedhighperformanceinprevioushistoryclasses. Studentswillstudyacollegecurriculumwithcollegiate-levelexpectationsandworkload.Theprimaryfocusis topreparethestudentsforthenationalAPexam;thus,theclassisconductedinamoreteacher-directedmanner thannon-APclasses.Americanhistoryfrompre-colonialtimesthroughthe1970siscoveredindepth.Students willbecomewell-versedinessaywritingandhigher-levelthinkingskillsofevaluation,analysis,andsynthesis. Theinterpretationofprimarysourcesanddifferingmethodsofdatapresentationareincorporatedateverylevel, asaremapskills.Summerworkisextensiveandrequired.

408-Government Grade11/12

Prerequisites: None

UnitedStatesGovernmentisaone-semesterhistorycoursethatwillexaminethebasicprinciplesofour government:theworkingsofthelegislative;theexecutiveandjudicialbranches;andthesharingofpower betweenthestateandfederalgovernments.Aportionoftheclassisdedicatedtoadiscussionofcurrentevents anddebates,aswellasafurtherexaminationofconstitutionalprinciplesasappliedtotoday’sissues.Students mustremaincurrentonnationalevents.

451-APU.S.Government&Politics

Grade12

Prerequisites: AP U.S. History with 85 average or Honors U.S. History with 90 average

Recommended: PSAT Score of 600

Thisisacollege-levelcourseforthosestudentswhohaveachievedhighperformanceinprevioushistoryclasses andareavidlearnersofhistory.Itisacollegecurriculumwithcollegiate-levelexpectationsandworkload.The primaryfocusistopreparethestudentforthenationalAPexam;thus,theclassisconductedinamore teacher-directedmannerthannon-APclasses.Thephilosophyandstructureofgovernmentalongwitheconomic issuesandprinciplesarethoroughlystudied.Primarysourcematerialsandcurrenteventresourcesareheavily utilized.Summerworkisextensiveandrequired.

ELECTIVES

407-PrinciplesofPsychology

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercourseisanintroductory-levelexaminationofthesystematicstudyofindividualhuman behaviorandexperience.Thepurposeofthiscourseistointroducethestudenttothecontent,terminology, methodology,andapplicationofthediscipline.Thissurveycoursecontainsanintroductionfollowedbyfour unitsbasedonthephysiological,cognitive,behavioral,andaffectivedomainsofpsychology

420-HonorsHolocaustHistory

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12

.5Credit

ThiscoursewillexplorethoseeventsthatledtothesystematicmurdersofsixmillionJewsduringWorldWarII andcreatedcountlessothervictimsduringthatperiod.Studentswillencounterthestoriesofsurvivors, witnesses,andrescuersthatcontinuetoraiseessentialquestionsaboutthenatureofhumanbehavior Thecourse willexploretheconsequencesofhowdestructivepoliciesareconstructedandimplementedandhowindividuals andcommunitiesareaffectedbymalevolentdecisionsandactions.Thecurriculumrequiresextensivereadingof

primaryandsecondarysourcesandwillemphasizeclassdiscussions.Bystudyingthehistoricaldevelopmentof theHolocaustandsimilarexamplesofgenocide,studentswillbeinvitedtomaketheessentialconnection betweenhistoryandthemoralchoicestheyconfrontintheirpersonallives.Byutilizingsourcesthatilluminate victimexperiences,perpetratorperspectives,andbystanderresponses,theclasswillinvestigatetheNaziracial statethatsystematizedmasskillingsanddemandedcollaborationandcomplicity.Finally,thecoursewill examinethememoryoftheHolocaustinwesternculture.

453-APArtHistory

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: AP U.S. History with 85 average or Honors U.S. History with 90 average Recommended: PSAT Score of 590 or better Thisisacollege-levelclassthatexaminestheroleofartwithinhistoryandtheeffectofthathistoryuponart. ThestudyofArtHistoryinvolvescriticalthinkingandwilldevelopanunderstandingandknowledgeofdiverse historicalandculturalcontextsofarchitecture,sculpture,painting,andothermedia.Italsowillcreate opportunitiesforstudentstostrengthenanareaneglectedinmostcurricula.Inthiscourse,studentswillexamine majorformsofartisticexpressionfromthepastandpresentfromavarietyofcultures.Whilevisualanalysisisa fundamentaltoolofthearthistorian,arthistoryemphasizesunderstandinghowandwhyworksofartfunction incontext,consideringsuchissuesaspatronage,gender,andthefunctionsandeffectsofart.Summerworkis required.

This class can fulfill 1.0 credit in Fine Arts instead of 1.0 History elective credit.

ENGLISHDEPARTMENT

REQUIREDCOURSES

501-Composition&Literature

Prerequisite: None

Grade9 1Credit

Thefocusofthisclassistwo-fold:tostrengthenresearchandcompositionskillsandtodevelopanalytical thinkingskillsthroughtheexaminationofthedifferentgenresofliterature,withanemphasisonancientand medievalliterature,andclassicalthemes.Muchtimewillbedevoted,aswell,tovocabularybuilding.Students willmastertheexpository,persuasive,andcriticalanalysisformsofwriting,aswellastheresearchpaper The literaturestudywillencompassasurveyofepicandlyricpoetry,theshortstory,drama,allegory,andthenovel. Studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreadingandaccompanyingassignment(s)priortothefirstdayof school.

511-HonorsComposition&Literature

Grade9 1Credit

Prerequisites: 8th-grade English with 93 average and an acceptable score on a written essay to be given at a set time prior to scheduling

Thehonorscoursebeginswiththeassumptionofagreaterfluiditywithwritingandagreateraptitudefor readingcomprehensionandtextualanalysis.Fromthere,theclassfocusesonconsistentlybuildingvocabulary toenhancethemorechallengingreadingandanalyticalwritingthatwillspringfromthestudyofmanydifferent literarygenres.Theliteraryemphasiswillbeonancientliterature,yetwillincludeworksfromtheRenaissance, theVictorianera,andthe20thcenturyaswell.Studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreadingandan accompanyingassignmentpriortothestartofschool.

502-EuropeanLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade10 1Credit

ThiscoursesurveysseminalworksofEuropeanliterature,includinglyricpoetry,folktales(oldandnew), drama,andtheepic.Specialattentionwillbepaidtodevelopingvocabularyandwritingaboutliterature. Studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreadingandanaccompanyingassignmentpriortothestartofschool.

512-HonorsEuropeanLiterature

Grade10

1Credit

Prerequisite: Composition & Literature with 90 average or Honors Composition & Literature with 85 average

ThiscoursesurveysseminalworksofEuropeanliterature,includinglyricpoetry,tragedy,theepic,theromance, andtheestatessatire.AuthorsstudiedincludeShakespeare,Dante,andChaucer.Studentswillwriteatleastone analyticalessayperquarter,aswellasstructuredcreativeworksinimitationoftheliteraturetheyarestudying. Studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreadingandanaccompanyingassignmentpriortothestartofschool.

503-AmericanLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade11

1Credit

ThiscoursewillsurveythedevelopmentofliteratureintheUnitedStates.Studentswillreadseveralclassic Americannovelsandplays,inadditiontoavarietyofproseandpoetryselectionsfromtheanthology.In additiontocompletingaresearchproject,studentswillproducenarrativeandliteraryanalysispapers.Priorto thefirstdayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompleteasummerreadingassignment.

513-HonorsAmericanLiterature

Grade11

1Credit

Prerequisite: European Literature with 90 average or Honors European Literature with 85 average

TheHonorscoursebeginswiththeassumptionofagreaterfluiditywithwritingandagreateraptitudefor readingcomprehensionandtextualanalysis.ThiscoursewillsurveythedevelopmentofliteratureintheUnited States.StudentswillreadseveralclassicAmericannovelsandplays,inadditiontoavarietyofproseandpoetry selectionsfromtheanthology.Poetrywillreceivespecialemphasis.Inadditiontocompletingalonger,in-depth researchproject,studentswillproducenarrative,literaryanalysis,andliteraryargumentpapers.Priortothefirst dayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompleteasummerreadingassignment.

550-APEnglishLiteratureandComposition

Prerequisites: Honors European Literature with 85 average

Recommended: PSAT Score of 590 or better

Grade11

1Credit

APEnglishLiteratureandCompositionisacollege-levelcoursedesignedtoengagestudentsinthecritical analysisofliterature.Itrequiresstudentstointeractanalyticallythroughintensivestudyofrepresentativetexts fromvariousgenresandperiods,concentratingonworksofrecognizedliterarymerit.Throughtheclosereading ofselectedtexts,studentsshoulddeepentheirunderstandingofthewayswritersuselanguagetoprovideboth meaningandpleasurefortheirreadersthroughawork’sstructure,style,andthemes,aswellastheuseof figurativelanguage,imagery,symbolism,tone,etc.Inthespring,studentswillcompletetheAPEnglish LiteratureandCompositionexam.Summerreadingandwrittenwork(duethefirstweekofclass)arerequired tomaintainenrollment.

504-ModernLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade12

Thiscoursewillexamineanarrayofliterarygenres,includingthenovel,shortstory,personalessay,sermon, songlyrics,Biblicaltext,memoir,andpoetry,fromadiversearrayofculturesandauthors.Studentswillbe requiredtowriteavarietyofessaysandothermodalities,includinganacademicsynthesisessayinafilmunit,a finalreflectiveessay,literaryanalysisparagraphs,andpoetry Priortothefirstdayofschool,studentsare requiredtocompletesummerreading.

514-HonorsModernLiterature

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisite: American Literature with 90 average or Honors American Literature with 85 average

Thisfast-paced,rigorouscoursewillexamineanarrayofliterarygenres,includingthenovel,shortstory, personalessay,sermon,songlyrics,Biblicaltext,memoir,andpoetry,fromadiversearrayofculturesand authors.Studentswillberequiredtowriteavarietyofessaysandothermodalities,includinganacademic synthesisessayinafilmunit,afinalreflectiveessay,literaryanalysisparagraphs,andpoetry Priortothefirst dayofschool,studentsarerequiredtocompletesummerreading.

551-APLanguageandComposition

Grade12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors American Literature with 85 average or AP English Literature and Composition

Recommended: PSAT Score of 590 or better

Thiscoursefocusesonwritingandanalysisofnon-fictionprose.Studentswillexplorehowotherswrite effectivelythroughastudyofrhetoricalanalysisandvariousmodesofwriting,suchasjournalistic,evaluative, persuasive,satirical,narrative,descriptive,argumentative,analytical,compareandcontrast,andsynthesis.In addition,studentswillfocusoncriticalreadingskillssothattheywillbeabletonotonlyunderstandwhatthe textiscommunicatingbutalsohowwritersusetheEnglishlanguageandartistsuseimagestomanipulatethose effectsconvincingly Inthespring,studentswillcompletetheAPEnglishLanguageandCompositionexam. Summerreadingandwrittenwork(duethefirstweekofclass)arerequiredtomaintainenrollment.

ELECTIVES

507/770-CreativeWriting

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Studentswillexploretheartofcreativewritingbyinvestigatingvariousgenresofliteratureandwriting;reading closelywithaneyeontechnique,style,andvoice;writingcreativelyinavarietyofgenresandwithvarious foci;andpresentingtheirownworkthroughpeerediting,author’schairreadings,andpublishing.Studentswill keepawritingjournalandwillsubmitaportfoliooforiginalcompositionsatthecourse'send.

510-FilmandMedia

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semester,seminar-style,inquiry-basedcoursewillanalyzeselectedfilms,emphasizingtherelevance ofthesefilmstoAmericanculture.Issuesofpersonalandculturalidentity,assimilation,segregation,and politicalstruggleareparticularlyexplored.Filmsareexaminedbothasculturalproductsandasavehiclefor personalandgroupexpression.

518-LiteratureandMusicoftheAmericanCivilRightsMovement

Prerequisite: None

Grade11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semesterelectivewillcovertheliteratureandmusicoftheAmericanCivilRightserafromits beginningsinAmericanspiritualsandblues,throughReconstructionandafter(1865-1919),theHarlem Renaissance(1919-1940),andModernismtothepresent.Studentswillreadandlistentoavarietyofspeeches, songs,sermons,poems,shortstories,andplaysinthecontextofmajoreventsoftheAmericanCivilRights movement.Authorsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,FrederickDouglass,theRev.MartinLutherKing,Jr., MalcolmX,SojournerTruth,BookerT.Washington,WEBDuBois,ZoraNealeHurston,LangstonHughes, GwendolynBrooks,JamesBaldwin,LorraineHansberry,DanielBerrigan,NikkiGiovanni,andMayaAngelou. Alongwiththetexts,studentswillgainanunderstandingoftheroleofmusicintheCivilRightsmovement, includingtheblues,spirituals,rhythm&blues,gospel,jazz,andhiphop.TheclasswillintegratetheCatholic socialteachingthemesofsolidarity,thedignityofeveryhumanperson,andcareforthepoorandvulnerable, especiallyinrelationtothecivilrightsidealoftheBelovedCommunity

521-Children’sLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semesterelectivecoursewillexploretheartofstorytellingandthepleasureofchildren’sliterature, surveyingvariousauthorsandillustrators.Genressurveyedwillincludefolkandfairytales,picturebooks,early readers,fantasy,fiction,poetry,andhistoricalfiction.Studentswillkeepawritingjournal,leadaclass discussiononthethematicpatternsfoundinclassicalandcontemporaryliterature,andpresentauthorsand illustratorsasbookreviews.

WORLDLANGUAGEDEPARTMENT

● Please refer to the policy section at the beginning of the catalog for an explanation of 8th grade and transfer World Language credits and placement.

● The department strongly recommends that students take three years of the same World Language.

● Current SJCS students who do not have an 80 average or better will be required to take the CP level course in the subsequent year and may be asked to meet with the Department Chairperson to determine the best option for their course of study

601-SpanishI

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

1Credit

ThisisabeginningSpanishcourseemphasizingthedevelopmentofthefourlanguageskills:listening, speaking,reading,andwriting,withstressonaural/oralcomprehensionandculturalawareness.Vocabulary acquisitionisemphasized,andbasicgrammarwillbestudied,includingverbtenses.

602-SpanishII

Grade9/10/11/12 1Credit

Prerequisite: Spanish I or acceptable score on Spanish placement test for incoming students

ThiscourseinvolvesareviewandextensionofSpanishI,withcontinuedemphasisonthedevelopmentofthe fourlanguageskills:listening,speaking,reading,andwriting,withstressonaural/oralcomprehension.It includesdetailedverbstudyandgrammarapplications,aswellasnewvocabulary ConversationalSpanishand writingarefurtherdeveloped.Continuedemphasisisplacedoncommunicativecompetenceandcultural awareness.

603-SpanishIII

Grade10/11/12

Prerequisite: Spanish II or acceptable score on Spanish placement test

1Credit

ThiscourseisareviewofandamoreadvancedstudyoftheSpanishlanguage,withanemphasisonspeaking andwritingskills.Anin-depthstudyofSpanish/Spanish-Americancivilization,culture,andliteratureare included.SelectionsfromSpanishandLatinAmericanauthorswillberead.Thereislessemphasisongrammar andmoreemphasisonconversationandcomposition.TheclassisconductedmostlyinSpanish.

613-HonorsSpanishIII

Grade10/11/12

Prerequisites: Spanish II with a 90, or acceptable score on a Spanish placement test

1Credit

Thiscoursecoversanacceleratedandmorein-depthstudythanSpanishIII.InadditiontotheSpanishIIIcourse work,HonorsSpanishIIIwillgivespecialemphasisonmoreadvancedliteraryselectionsandcompositions. AdditionalemphasisisplacedontheuseofSpanishforactivecommunication.Theclassisconductedmostlyin Spanish.

614-HonorsSpanishIV

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors Spanish III with an 85 average or Spanish III with a 90 average or acceptable score on Spanish placement test

Emphasiswillbeplacedonconversationandcomprehensionaswellascomposition.Studentswillread excerptsofliteraryworksandmaterialdrawnfromtheSpanishmediaandotherauthenticselectionstodevelop theirreadingskillsandprovideexperiencesintheareasofeverydayneeds,languagecareers,andcontemporary culture.Areviewofgrammarwillbeincluded.TheclassisconductedmostlyinSpanish.

650-APSpanishLanguage

Grade11/12

Prerequisites: Honors Spanish IV with a 90 average, a student writing sample

1Credit

ThisclassisconductedentirelyinSpanish.Itisassumedthatstudentshavealreadylearnedthegrammarand syntaxofthelanguageandhaveacquiredstrongskillsinspeaking,writing,reading,andunderstandingSpanish. Therefore,thecurriculumforthiscourseisdesignedtoreinforceandsharpentheseskills,withthegoalof achievingmasteryasdefinedbytheAPSpanishLanguagecoursedescription.

605-FrenchI

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

1Credit

ThiscoursewillintroducestudentstotheFrenchlanguageandfrancophoneculture.Theemphasisisonthefour languageskills:listening,speaking,reading,andwriting.Basicgrammarandvocabularywillbestudied, includingverbtenses.

606-FrenchII

Grade9/10/11/12

Prerequisite: French I or acceptable score on French placement test for incoming students

1Credit

ThiscourseexpandstheknowledgeoftheFrenchlanguageandcultureandincludesathoroughreviewof conceptslearned.Itbroadenstheexposuretothefourskillsoflistening,speaking,reading,andwriting.It includesdetailedverbstudyandgrammarapplications,aswellasnewvocabulary.ConversationalFrenchand writingarefurtherdeveloped.

607-FrenchIII

Grade10/11/12

Prerequisite: French II or acceptable score on French placement test

1Credit

ThiscourseisareviewofandamoreadvancedstudyoftheFrenchlanguage,withanemphasisonspeaking andwritingskills.Anin-depthstudyofFrancophonecivilization,culture,andliteratureareincluded.Selections fromFrancophoneauthorswillberead.Thereislessemphasisongrammarandmoreemphasisonconversation andcomposition.TheclassisconductedmostlyinFrench.

617-HonorsFrenchIII

Grade10/11/12

1Credit

Prerequisite: French II with 90 average or an acceptable score on French placement test for incoming students Thiscoursecoversanacceleratedandmorein-depthstudythanFrenchIII.InadditiontotheFrenchIIIcourse work,HonorsFrenchIIIwillincludemoreadvancedliteraryselectionsandcompositions.Additionalemphasis isplacedontheuseofFrenchforactivecommunication.TheclassisconductedmostlyinFrench.

618-HonorsFrenchIV/V

Grade10/11/12

1Credit

Prerequisite: Honors French III with 85 average, French III with a 90 average, or Honors French IV with 85 average, an acceptable score on French placement test for incoming students

HonorsFrenchIV/Visanopportunityforstudentstofamiliarizethemselveswiththehistory,literature,and cultureof FranceandtheFrancophoneworldwhileexpandingandfine-tuningtheirlanguageandgrammar skills.Workfromthetextbookisconstantlysupplementedwithauthentichistorical,cultural,andliterary materials.TheclassisconductedinFrenchandstudentsareexpectedtospeakFrenchinclass.

640-APFrenchLanguage

Grade11/12

1Credit

Prerequisites: Honors French IV with 90 average, a student writing sample Thiscourseisholisticallydesignedtoofferstudentsaproficiency-based,rigorous,college-levelexperienceto maximizetheirpotentialininterpretive,interpersonal,andpresentationalskillsinFrench.Itisassumedthat studentshavealreadylearnedthegrammarandsyntaxofthelanguageandhaveacquiredstrongskillsin listening,speaking,reading,andwriting.Therefore,thecurriculumforthiscourseisdesignedtoreinforceand sharpentheseskills,withthegoalofachievingmasteryasdefinedbytheAPFrenchLanguageandCulture coursedescription.

750StudioArtI

Prerequisite: None

FINEARTSDEPARTMENT

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercourseforstudentswhodesiretolearnaboutthefoundationsofvisualart,explored throughtheuseofvariousmedia.Studentswillstudy:ElementsofArtandPrinciplesofDesign;graphite drawing,includingstilllifeandfigures.Usingthe8HabitsofStudioArt,studentswilldrawandpaint,focusing onform,value,andcolortheory.

751StudioArtII

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Prerequisite: Studio Art I (Exploring Art I also applies) or departmental approval

Thisisaone-semestercourseforstudentswhoshowadesiretofurthertheirexplorationinVisualArt.The elementsofartareexploredinamorein-depthmannerthroughtheuseofvariousmedia.Projectsmayinclude watercolor,acrylic,andnon-traditionalpainting,aswellasoilpastels,printmaking,3Ddesign,ceramics,and portfoliopreparation.Studentswillexplorevarioustechniquesofartproductionusingthe8HabitsofStudio Art.

752 StudioArtIII

Grade10/11/12 .5Credit

Prerequisite: Studio Art I & Studio Art II (Exploring Art I & Exploring Art II OR Drawing also apply) or departmental approval

Thisisaone-semestercoursedesignedforstudentswhomaybeinterestedinpursuingVisualArtinhigher educationorhaveadesiretofurtherpursueartisticopportunities.Mostprojectsaretwo-dimensionalandallow studentstoexploretheuseofavarietyofmedia,includingcharcoal,pen,penandink,chalkpastel, professional-grademarkers,andcoloredpencils,aswellaswatercolor,acrylic,andanintroductiontooil painting.Thestudentisresponsibleforchoosingmostsubjectmatterandapplyingthe8HabitsofStudioArt independentlywithintheirwork.Extrastudiotimemaybeneededforprojectcompletion.

760Art&DesignAppreciationI

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercourseforstudentswhoaremoreinterestedindesignthantraditionalart.Allprojects willbebasedontheElementsofArtandPrinciplesofDesignandtheprocessofcreativeproblemsolving. Studentswillberesponsibleforchoosingsubjectmatterandcomposition.Subjectmattermayincludecanvas collage;abstractlandscape;woodburning;fabricpaintinganddesign;andpapercutting.Studentswillalso completeanindependentartprojectinspiredbytheirartistofchoice.Studentswilllearnthevalueoffollowing theprocesstoarewardingoutcome.

761Art&DesignAppreciationII

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Prerequisite: Art & Design Appreciation I OR Studio Art I (Mixed Media I or Exploring Art I also apply) or departmental approval

Thisisaone-semestercourseforstudentswhoshowadesiretofurtherpursuemixingmediatypesandworking withtheirhands.StudentswillcontinuetofocusontheElementsofArtandPrinciplesofDesignwhile producing3Dformsandwillberesponsibleforchoosingsubjectmatterandcomposition.Projectsmayinclude 3Dletterdesign,watercolorresist,block-printing,figuresculptures,ceramics,andfurtherstudyinfabricdesign andprinting.

705-PortfolioDevelopment(IS)

Grade11/12 .5Credit

Prerequisites: Completion of three Visual Art courses offered, and departmental approval

For transfer students: application, interview, and departmental approval

Thisisanindependentstudycourse,focusingontheproductionofeachstudent’sArtportfolio.Artwork createdwillalsobeincludedinaschool-wideartexhibit.Thiscourseisdesignedtopreparestudentsfortheir pursuitoftheVisualArtsatthecollegiatelevel.

707/905-YearbookStaffI

Prerequisite: Computer Applications and departmental approval

Grade11/12 1Credit

Thisclassallowsstudentstopursuetheircreativetalentsbeyondtheregularclassroom.Thecourseisorganized asaclass,withstudentsworkingonindividualandgroupassignmentsfortheyearbook.Thestudentwilllearn tousesoftwaretopulltogetheralloftheelementsofayearbook,includingphotography,layoutdesign,and copywriting.Classislimitedto12. This course can count as a Computer Science credit instead of Fine Arts.

710–IntrotoTheatreArts

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercourse,arrangedprimarilyasatheatrehistoryandplaysurveyclass.Studentswill explorevariousscripts,discoveringtheevolutionoftheatrefromAncientGreecetothecontemporarystage. Studentswillalsostudytheatrehistory,buildingtheircomprehensionoftheproduction’sconnectiontothetime period.Emphasiswillbeontheatrehistory,scriptreading,discussion,andperformancecritique.Basicacting andopportunitiesforplaywritingwillalsobeincludedintheclassprojects;however,thisisexploredingreater detailinAdvancedTheatreArts.

711-AdvancedTheatreArts

Grade10/11/12

.5Credit

Prerequisite: Intro to Theatre Arts or departmental approval and performance in at least two high school productions

Thisone-semestercoursepresentsdetailedinstructioninactingtechniques,aswellasanoverviewofother technicalelementsinvolvedinatheatricalproduction: setdesign,costumedesign,anddirecting.Studentswill gainastrongerunderstandingofusingtheactor’stools-mind,body,andvoice-inbringingcharacterstolife throughgenuineandtruthfulstorytelling.Studentsinthisclassarealsoencouragedtobedirectlyinvolvedinthe statetheatrecompetitions.Emphasiswillbeonstudentparticipation,performance,evaluation,andcritique.

712-PropConstruction

Prerequisite: Departmental approval

Recommended: Intro to Theatre Arts or Stage Crew

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisisafall-semestercourseinwhichstudentswilllearnthebasicskillsformakingtheatricalproperties.In usingcolortheoryandbasicshoptools,studentswilllearnavarietyoftexturepaintingskills,buildprop candles,rockformations,andfakefood.Studentswillalsolearntheskillsofmold-makingbybuildingand designingahingedboxandwalkingbaubledcane.Throughtheseprojects,studentswillacquirefoundational knowledgeintheatricalconstructionusedinprop,scenic,andcostumingwork.Emphasiswillbeonclass projectsandstudentevaluationofwork.(Classlimit10)

713-StageCrewPracticum

Prerequisite: Safety contract on file

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercoursedesignedforstudentswhowanttolearnaboutorbeinvolvedwiththetheatrical productionprocess.Thiscoursewillusethecurrentmainstageproductionasalab,withpracticalapplication coveringtheelementsoftechnicaltheatre,includingscenicconstruction,costuming,scenicpainting,sound,and lightingoperation.Tobeeligibleforthis½credit,studentsmustacquireatleast60crewhoursandfulfillarole asapartoftheproductioncrew,asassignedbytheDirector.(Pass/Fail) This course is held after school.

714–Directing

Prerequisite: Application, interview, and departmental approval

Grade12 .5Credit

Thisisaone-semesterindependentstudycourse.Interestedstudentswillselectaone-actplayandcomplete theproposalandinterviewprocess.Thestudentassignedtodirectwillprepare,cast,anddirectthisone-actplay tocompeteinoneofthetwostatetheatrefestivals(oneinthefallandoneinthespring.) Underthedirectionof theinstructor,thestudentwillprepareascriptandcharacteranalysis,planandexecuteauditionsandcasting, rehearsethecast,andholddesignmeetings.Thesestudentdirectorsareresponsibleforthepreparationofthe productionandwillattendthefestivalstoleadthetechrehearsalsandoverseetheperformances.Emphasiswill beonprojectdeadlines,communication,leadership,andcollaboration. This course is held after school.

715-ProductionDesign

Prerequisites: Application, interview, and departmental approval

Grade11/12 1Credit

Thisisafull-yearindependentstudycourse.Studentsareselectedforthiscoursebasedonasubmitted applicationandapersonalinterview.Thebasisforthisindependentstudycourseistheproductionand independentdesignwork.StudentsworkdirectlywiththeteacheronallFineArtsproductionsandevents throughoutthecurrentseason,intherolesofstagemanagers,scenicdesigners,costumedesigners,property designers,orsoundandlightingtechnicians.Thestudentswillalsobeginbuildingapersonalresumeforcollege admissionsandworktowardevolvingandimprovingtheefficiencyofthedesignteam. This course is held after school.

716-SpeechandImprovisation

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thisone-semestercoursewilltrainstudentsintheartofimprovisationandpublicspeaking.While improvisationaltheatrewillbeaddressed,thefocusoftheclasswillbeonintuitiveresponsesthatbuildthe skillsofthinkingquicklyandcreatively;dealingwiththeunexpected;communicatingclearly;focusing attention;andteamworkthroughexercises,scene-building,andclasspresentation.Basicvocalworkandtheuse ofspeechandthevoicewillalsobeaddressedtoaidindividualstudentsinunderstandinghowtousetheir voicesmoreeffectively.(Classlimit10)

721-HighSchoolChorus

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Studentswillfocusonthedevelopmentofvocalskillsandlearnbasicmusicianshipthrougheartraining,music history,andmusictheory.Studentswillhavetheopportunitytofurtherimproveandrefinetheirvocaltechnique whileexploringavarietyofmusicalstyles,bothsacredandsecular.StudentswillperformintheChristmasand SpringconcertsandsingforweeklyschoolMass. Students may enroll for one or two semesters each year.

722-MassChoirPracticum

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

ThisclassmeetsafterschoolonceaweektoprepareforweeklyMassChoirperformances.Creditisdependent onstudentpresenceatallrehearsalsandWednesdayMassservices(unlessalternativearrangementsaremade withtheChorusDirector).Thisisapass/failcourse. Students may enroll for one or two semesters each year. *This course is held after school.

725-MusicLiterature

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thiscourseisdesignedtoacquaintstudentswithvariouselementsofmusic,tracingthehistoricaldevelopment ofmusicwithanemphasisonformsandstyles,particularlyWesternArtmusic.Studentswillgainanoverview offamouscomposersthroughclasslectures,studyingmusicscores,listeningtomusicalexamplesinclass, readingandfillinginthetextbook,activelyparticipatinginclassdiscussions,attendingliveperformances,and formingawritinganalysisofpiecesstudied.

731/804-IntrotoModernDance

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semesterclassisanintroductiontoallformsofmoderndance.Itexploresthemovementofthebody inrelationshiptospace,form,andrhythm.Theclasswillconsistofawarm-up,stretching,exercisestodevelop coordinationofmovements,andchoreographytoavarietyofroutines.Studentswillbeexpectedtodressin comfortable,yoga-typeclothingfortheclass.Noperformancewillberequired.Theclasswillbelimitedto18. This course can count as a PE credit instead of Fine Arts.

732/805-IntrotoSocialDance

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semester,beginningdanceclassteachesmanyofthesocialdancesofourcultureandothers.Itcovers basicballroomdancing,likeswing,thewaltz,andthetango.Thestudentswillalsoparticipateincontra dancing,squaredancing,andotherfolkdances.Manynewerlinedanceswillalsobetaught,likecountry,disco, andpop.Theclasswillbelimitedto18.(Pass/Fail) This course can count as a PE credit instead of Fine Arts.

742-StringsEnsemble

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Prerequisites: Ability to perform Grade 2.0 literature and departmental approval. ThisclassisforstudentswhohavecompletedtwoyearsofstringsclassatSJCSoranotherschool.Students enrolledinthisclasshaveauditionedforthedirectorandhaveshownthattheyareadvancedenoughtojointhe highschoolensemble.Studentswillbelearningawiderangeofrepertoireconsistingoforiginal,classical,pop, andsacredmusic,writtenforchambersizeensembles.Studentswillbeexpectedtoparticipateintheirsemester concert(s). Students may enroll for one or two semesters each year.

743-HonorsHighSchoolStrings

Prerequisite: Three years of instruction and departmental approval

Grade9/10/11/12

1Credit

Thisisafull-yearcourseandwillberunconcurrentlywiththeHighSchoolStringsclass(742)providing additionalopportunitytothestudentsforachallengingandmorerigorouscurriculumwithinafullschoolyear. Thisisacoursefocusedon“projectbasedlearning”.Inadditiontoaddressingperformanceskillsthiscourseis designedtopromoteafullunderstandingofmusictheory.Thestudyofeachmusicalconceptcontinues throughouttheyearasthestudentsapplytheseskillstoexercisesandperformanceselections. Inadditionto classorchestraselections,thecoursewillincludesmallensembleselectionstoallowfordifferentiated instruction.InadditiontotherequirementsofHighSchoolStrings(742),thestudentswillalsopreparemusic forRegionandAll-StateOrchestra,Solo/Ensemble,alongwithMassandJubilateKnight.Thecourseis predominantlyperformancebasedandencouragesskilledplayerstoexplorenewgoalsonhisorherinstrument. Students may enroll for multiple years.

746-HighSchoolBand

Prerequisites: Two years of instruction and departmental approval

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

ThisclassisforstudentswhohavecompletedtwoyearsofbandclassatSJCSoranotherschool.Students enrolledinthisclassshouldhavecompletedStandardofExcellenceBookIorhaveauditionedforthedirector andhaveshownthattheyareadvancedenoughtojointheHighSchoolbandclass.Thesestudentswillbe workingonamusicrepertoireappropriatefortheHighSchoolConcertBand.Studentswillbeexpectedto participateintheirsemesterconcert(s). Students may enroll for one or two semesters each year.

747-PepBand

Prerequisite: One year of instruction

Grade9/1011/12 .5Credit

ThisfallsemesterclassmeetsafterschoolonceaweektoprepareforperformancesatselecthomeVarsity FootballgamesandFallPepRally.Creditisdependentonstudentpresenceatallrehearsalsanddesignated games(unlessalternativearrangementsaremadewiththeBandDirector).Attendanceatsummerbandcampin Augustisrequired. This course is held after school.

749-HonorsHighSchoolBand

Prerequisite: Three years of instruction and departmental approval

Grade9/10/11/12 1Credit

Thisisafull-yearcourseandwillberunconcurrentlywiththeHighSchoolBandclass(746)providing additionalopportunitytothestudentsforachallengingandmorerigorouscurriculumwithinafullschoolyear. HonorsBandstudentswilljoininpreparingamusicrepertoireappropriateforHighSchoolConcertBand.In additiontotherequirementsofHighSchoolBand(746),thiscourseisdesignedtoprovidestudentswitha modelforbecomingasuccessfulmusicianandtoexperienceotheraspectsofwhatgreatmusiciansdo. Performance Component (choose 3): AllStateAudition,DiosecanClinicParticipation,SoloandEnsemble Participation,WrittenConcertCritique(2) Student Choice Component (2 per semester): 10variouschoicestobeprovidedinclass Students may enroll for multiple years.

770/570-CreativeWriting

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Studentswillexploretheartofcreativewritingbyinvestigatingvariousgenresofliteratureandwriting;reading closelywithaneyeontechnique,style,andvoice;writingcreativelyinavarietyofgenresandwithvarious foci;andpresentingtheirownworkthroughpeerediting,author’schairreadings,andpublishing.Studentswill keepawritingjournalandwillsubmitaportfoliooforiginalcompositionsatthecourse'send.

PHYSICALEDUCATIONDEPARTMENT

Students can earn PE credit by participating in SJCS sports. One-half credit can be earned for each season played at the JV or Varsity level during the high school years.

803-AthleticTraining

Grade10/11/12 .5Credit

Prerequisite: CPR/AED certification and attendance of the Athletic Training Workshop Thiscoursewillintroducestudentstotapingandbracing;bandagingcutsandabrasions;usinguniversal precautions;assistingwithtreatmentsandrehab;equipmentsafety;andassistingwiththehydrationlevelof athletes.Thestudentwillberequiredtoattendallhomeeventsforthedesignatedsportandputinaminimumof 6hoursaweekforthedurationofthesportsseason.Thisclasstimewilloccurafterschoolhoursduringsports practices.Studentsmustparticipateforonefullseasonofanathleticsport.

804/731-IntrotoModernDance

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semesterclassisanintroductiontoallformsofmoderndance.Itexploresthemovementofthebody inrelationshiptospace,form,andrhythm.Theclasswillconsistofawarm-up,stretching,exercisestodevelop coordinationofmovements,andchoreographytoavarietyofroutines.Studentswillbeexpectedtodressin comfortable,yoga-typeclothingfortheclass.Noperformancewillberequired.Theclasswillbelimitedto18. Students may only take this course once. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of PE.

805/732-IntrotoSocialDance

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semester,beginningdanceclassteachesmanyofthesocialdancesofourcultureandothers.Itcovers basicballroomdancing,likeswing,thewaltz,andthetango.Thestudentswillalsoparticipateincontra dancing,squaredancing,andotherfolkdances.Manynewerlinedanceswillalsobetaught,likecountry,disco, andpop.Theclasswillbelimitedto18.(Pass/Fail) Students may only take this course once. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of PE.

808-StrengthTraining

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semestercourseisavailabletoallhighschoolstudents.Thecoursewillprovidefamiliarizationwith theweightroom,includingsafety,exerciseterminology,andtechnique.Thestudentswillbestrengthtestedto determineabaselineastheybegintheirstrengthprogram.Theprogramculminatesinastrengthtestassessing growth.

809-HealthandExerciseScience

Prerequisite: Biology

Grade10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisone-semesterclassfocusesonunderstandingthephysiologicalresponsesandadaptationstoexerciseby examiningbasicprinciplesofphysicalfitnessandexploringthehumanbodysystems,includingthe cardiovascular,muscular,respiratory,digestive,andnervoussystems.Studentsareintroducedtohealthissues suchascancer,diabetes,cardiovasculardisease,andnutrition.

COMPUTERSCIENCE

All students must attain .5 credits in computer science to graduate. With the exception of 905 and 906, any course in the Computer Science department can be taken to meet this requirement.

901-ComputerApplications

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisisaone-semestercoursethatfocusesonInternetsafety,typing,GoogleDocs/Sheets/Slides,and introductionstootherComputerSciencecoursessuchasprogrammingandcybersecurity.

905/707-YearbookStaffI

Prerequisite: Departmental approval

Grade11/12 1Credit

Studentsareselectedforthiscoursebasedonasubmittedapplicationandapersonalinterview Thisclass allowsstudentstopursuetheircreativetalentsbeyondtheregularclassroom.Thecourseisorganizedasaclass, withstudentsworkingonindividualandgroupassignmentsfortheyearbook.Thestudentwilllearntouse softwaretopulltogetheralloftheelementsofayearbook,includingphotography,layoutdesign,and copywriting.CombinedwithYearbookStaffII,classislimitedto12students. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of Computer Science.

906-YearbookStaffII

Prerequisite: Yearbook Staff I and departmental approval

Grade12 1Credit

Studentsareselectedforthiscoursebasedonasubmittedapplicationandapersonalinterview Thisclassisa continuationofYearbookStaffI,withtheexpectationofusingleadershipskillstoguideanddirectYearbook StaffIstudents.CombinedwithYearbookStaffI,classislimitedto12students. This course can count as a Fine Arts credit instead of Computer Science.

910-IntroductiontoWebDesign

Prerequisite: None

Grade9/10/11/12 .5Credit

Thisisapracticum-basedcourse,inwhichstudentswillnotonlylearntheprincipleofwebpagedesignbutalso getthehands-onexperienceandskillofwritingwebpages.Studentswillhavetheopportunitytolearnthe terminologyandbasicprinciplesofcreatingwebpagesthroughpracticalassignmentsandafinalproject.They willlearnandgainexperienceinHTMLandCSSfordesigningwebpagesandgaintheskillandconfidencein creatingwebpagesusingtheAdobeCreativeSuite,withapplicationssuchasDreamweaverandPhotoshop.

911-WebDesignII

Prerequisite: Introduction to Web Design

Grade9/10/11/12

.5Credit

Thiscourseaimstoequipstudentswiththeadvancedskillsneededtodevelopinteractiveandresponsive websites.EmphasiswillbeplacedonadvancedCSS,bootstraps,andJavaScript.Bytheendofthecourse, studentswillbecompetentindevelopingadvancedand professionalwebsites.

912-PythonProgrammingI

Prerequisite: None

Grade10/11/12

1Credit

Pythonisoneofthemostpopularcomputerprogramminglanguages.Itiswidelyusedinalmosteveryarea, suchasscience,engineering,finance,dataanalysis,andwebdevelopment.Thiscourseintroducesstudentsto thefundamentalsofcomputerprogramming,withanemphasisonhelpingstudentsdeveloplogicalthinkingand problem-solvingskills.Studentswilllearntodesign,code,andtesttheirprogramswhileapplyingmathematical concepts.

913-PythonProgrammingII

Prerequisite:Python Programming I

Grade11/12 1Credit

ThiscourseintroducesstudentstomoreadvancedprogrammingconceptsassociatedwiththePython programminglanguage.Studentswilllearntocreatemorepowerfulprogramsusingfunctions,strings,data structures,filei/ooperations,andobjects.

920-HonorsVideoGameDesigninJavaScript

Prerequisite: None

Grade10/11/12 .5Credit

Recommended: Average of 90 in CP Geometry or 85 in Honors Geometry

ThiscourseteachesthefoundationsofcreatingvideogamesinJavaScript.Whilethiscourseisintroductory,the workloadisconsistentwithanhonorslevelcourse.Itscurriculumteachesthefoundationsofcomputerscience andbasicprogramming,withanemphasisonhelpingstudentsdeveloplogicalthinkingandproblemsolving skills.

921-HonorsVideoGameDesigninJavaScriptII

Prerequisite: Honors Video Game Design in JavaScript I

Grade10/11/12 .5Credit

Thiscoursecontinuesvideogamedesignwithstudentslearningmorecomplextopicssuchasarrays,objects, collisiondetection,andscrollingbackgrounds.Studentswillcreatetheirowngameasafinalproject.

930-APComputerScienceA

Prerequisite: Average of 90 in Honors Geometry.

Grade10/11/12 1Credit

APComputerScienceAintroducesstudentstocomputersciencethroughprogramming.Fundamentaltopicsin thiscourseincludethedesignofsolutionstoproblems,theuseofdatastructurestoorganizelargesetsofdata, thedevelopmentandimplementationofalgorithmstoprocessdataanddiscovernewinformation,theanalysis ofpotentialsolutions,andtheethicalandsocialimplicationsofcomputingsystems.Thecourseemphasizes object-orientedprogramminganddesignusingtheJavaprogramminglanguage.

StudentSupportServices

AcademicSuccess(SemesterorFullYear)

Prerequisite: Approval of Dean of Student Support

Grade9/10/11/12 .5/1.0Credit

AcademicSuccess is a comprehensive program thatservesstudentswhodesireadditionalacademicsupport intheircoreclasses.Classtimeisdesignedtofacilitatecontinueddevelopmentofessentialskillsand strategiesnecessarytoexcelintheircoreacademicsubjectsandassiststudentsinbecomingmore independentandeffectivelearners.Classesmeetoneperioddailyandeachsessionisdesignedtoaddress individuallearningneeds,allowingforapersonalizedapproachtoskill-building.Thecourseisopentoall studentshoweverstudentswithdiagnosedlearningdifferencesaregivenpreferentialplacement.

APCAPSTONEPROGRAM

TheAPCapstoneprogramisintendedtoprovideinterestedstudentswithastrongfoundationinresearchand analyticalskillsthatarecriticaltoengagingininnovativeindependentworkattheundergraduateandgraduate level.Itconsistsoftwoyear-longAPlevelcourses:APSeminarandAPResearch.Thesecoursesare interdisciplinaryandfocusondevelopingcriticalthinking,collaborativeabilities,timemanagement,andthe abilitytosystematicallyconductresearchandsynthesizeinformation.StudentswhoearnapassingscoreinAP SeminarandAPResearchinadditiontofourotherAPexamsatSJCSwillbeeligiblefortheAPDiploma.

StudentsmaytaketheAPSeminarcoursebeginningtheirsophomoreyear Successfulcompletionofthisclass isaprerequisitefortheAPResearchcourse.IndividualsinterestedinenrollingintheCapstoneprogrammust submitanapplicationtotheDeanofAcademicspriortoregisteringfortheAPSeminarcourse.

APSeminar(FullYear)

Grade10/11 1.0Credit

Prerequisite: Application and Approval from Dean of Academics. Sophomores: Honors World History with 90 and Honors Composition and Language with 90. Juniors: AP European History with 85, Honors European History with 90 and Honors English II with 90.

APSeminarisafoundationalcoursethatengagesstudentsincross-curricularconversationsthatexplorethe complexitiesofacademicandreal-worldtopicsandissuesbyanalyzingdivergentperspectives.Usingan inquiryframework,studentspracticereadingandanalyzingarticles,researchstudies,andfoundationalliterary andphilosophicaltexts;listeningtoandviewingspeeches,broadcasts,andpersonalaccounts;andexperiencing artisticworksandperformances.Studentslearntosynthesizeinformationfrommultiplesources,developtheir ownperspectivesinresearch-basedwrittenessays,anddesignanddeliveroralandvisualpresentations,both individuallyandaspartofateam.Ultimately,thecourseaimstoequipstudentswiththepowertoanalyzeand evaluateinformationwithaccuracyandprecisioninordertocraftandcommunicateevidence-basedarguments.

APResearch(FullYear)

Prerequisite: AP Seminar

Grade11/12

1.0Credit

APResearchisthesecondcourseintheAPCapstoneexperience.Itallowsstudentstodeeplyexplorean academictopic,problem,issue,orideaofindividualinterest.Studentsdesign,plan,andimplementayearlong investigationtoaddressaresearchquestion.Throughthisinquiry,theyfurthertheskillstheyacquiredintheAP Seminarcoursebylearningresearchmethodology,employingethicalresearchpractices,andaccessing, analyzing,andsynthesizinginformation.Studentsreflectontheirskilldevelopment,documenttheirprocesses, andcuratetheartifactsoftheirscholarlyworkthroughaprocessandreflectionportfolio.Thecourseculminates inanacademicpaperof4,000–5,000words(accompaniedbyaperformance,exhibit,orproductwhere applicable)andapresentationwithanoraldefense.