COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
All courses are year long and 10 credits unless indicated otherwise.
NOTE: Italicized text indicates
changes or new information from previous years.
New Course Offering
Grading Scale
Grade points for regular classes
A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0
Grade points for weighted classes
A=5, B=4, C=3, D=1, F=0
ENGLISH: Four years of
English is required for high school graduation.
Course Title: English 1 Grade
Level: 9
Prerequisite: None Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit:
10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement:
English
This
course includes an introduction to literary genres and a variety of
literature. Students also explore the
basic elements of English grammar and related communication skills of reading,
writing, speaking and listening. (This
course may be offered as Transitional English 1.)
Course Title: English
1-Honors Grade
Level: 9
Prerequisite: Automatic placement if A in first Fulfills UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
semester
of 8th grade English-Advanced and a 5
score
on 7th
grade English C.S.T. or
enrollment on
basis of first semester
grade in 8th grade
English, 7th
grade C.S.T. performance level, and
performance on Honors
Placement Test
Credits: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement:
English
An
advanced version of English 1, including the study of additional works.
Course Title: English 2 Grade
Level: 10
Prerequisite: English
1 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: English
Students
review and expand their learning of the elements of reading, writing, speaking,
and listening. They study world
literature and participate in a variety of writing experiences.
Course Title: English
2-Honors Grade
Level: 10
Prerequisite B grade or better in
English 1-Honors Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
second
semester, OR passage of Honors
Placement Test, with
teacher recommendation
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement:
English
An advanced
version of English 2, including the study of additional works.
Course Title: English 3 Grade
Level: 11
Prerequisite: English 1, 2 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: English
A
review of English fundamentals, a survey of American literature, and continued
emphasis on the improvement of writing skills are included in this course.
Course Title: English 3-Honors/AP Grade Level: 11
Prerequisite: An A or B both semesters in English 2-Honors, Fulfills UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
and/or teacher
recommendation, and/or a successful
challenge (see Department
Chair for challenge information).
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: English
This course has two primary points of focus. Students will learn to read and write at the
collegiate level, which includes preparation for taking the English Language AP
exam. The other focus centers on reading and writing about important pieces of
American literature. The emphasis for
both points of focus will be on analysis and argumentation. This course is meant to be taken in conjunction
wit English 4 AP the following year, so that students take both AP English
exams before graduation.
This weighted course
receives extra grade points: (A=5, B=4, C=3)
Course Title: English 4/British Literature Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: English 1, 2, 3 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: English
This
senior level English course includes a review of grammar fundamentals, a study
of British literature from Anglo-Saxon times to the present, and continued
writing practice and research skills.
Course Title: English 4/World Literature Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: English 1,2,3 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: English
This
senior level English course includes a review of grammar fundamentals, a
culturally based study of classic and contemporary world literature, and
continued writing practice and research skills.
Course Title: English 4-Advanced Placement Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: B grade or better in English
3-Honors Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
second
semester OR passage of Honors Placement
Test, with teacher recommendation
Credit: 10
Meets District Graduation Requirement: English
This
course is designed to furnish the serious student with an introduction to
college-level literature and writing experiences. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement
examination.
This weighted course
receives extra grade points: (A=5, B=4, C=3)
Course Title: Senior English
Prerequisite: English 1, 2, 3, by recommendation of Grade Level: 12
English
3 teacher only Fulfills UC/CSU Requirement: No
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: English
Designed for the senior student who needs a final review
of English fundamentals, composition skills, and the study of contemporary
literature.
Course Title: English Language Development 1
(ELD) Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Placement test scores/teacher
recommendation Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No
Credit: 20
Meets
District Graduation Requirement:
English
Provides the student with basic English in the four
skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, as outlined in beginning
level of ELD standards. This is a daily
class.
Course Title: English Language Development 2
(ELD) Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Placement test scores/teacher
recommendation Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No
C or better or better in
ELD 1
Credit: 20
Meets
District Graduation Requirement:
English
Provides the student with English in the four
skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, while introducing
literature and critical thinking skills as outlined in early intermediate level
of ELD standards. This is a daily
class.
Course Title: English Language Development 3
(ELD) Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Placement test scores/teacher
recommendation Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No
C or
better in ELD 2
Credit: 20
Meets
District Graduation Requirement:
English
Provides the student with skills in listening, speaking,
reading and writing, while introducing world literature and developing higher
order thinking skills as outlined in the intermediate level of ELD
standards. This is a daily
class.
Course Title: English Language Development 4
(ELD) Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Placement test scores/teacher
recommendation Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No C
or better in ELD 3
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement:
English
Provides the
student with skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, while
continuing study of world literature and development of higher order thinking
skills as outlined in the early advanced level of the ELD standards.
Course Title: School Success Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: None Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No
Credit: 5
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: Required course
School
Success is a class which has been designed to help 9th grade
students successfully make the transition from middle school to high
school. A strong emphasis is placed
upon goal setting, developing good study habits, developing reading
comprehension skills and a college level vocabulary, learning test-taking
strategies, and establishing research skills.
Course Title: Intensive Reading Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: None Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No
Credit: 5
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: Elective
This
is a course designed to improve proficiency and provide instruction and
practice in the major comprehension strategies needed to derive meaning from
written text.
Course Title: Transitional Reading Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: None Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No
Credit: 5
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: Elective
This
is a course designed to help low-level readers develop basic reading
skills. Decoding/encoding skills and
reading comprehension are the focuses of this class.
Course Title: Oral Interpretation Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Overall GPA 2.5 or better Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement:
Elective
Students
will learn to present formal oral presentations based upon analysis and
development of physical and vocal training.
Students will gain an understanding of the elements of classical and
contemporary rhetoric and an appreciation of the aesthetic and historical value
of formal performances of oral interpretation.
All students will be required to participate in at least one formal
competition each semester.
WORLD LANGUAGE: One year of world language or visual and performing arts is required for high school
graduation.
Course Title: American Sign Language 1 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: B or better in first
semester of 8th Fulfills UC/CSU
Requirement: Yes
grade
English for incoming 9th graders only
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World Language
This
course teaches basic conversation in American Sign Language (ASL). ASL culture is introduced in the course
through deaf speakers, poetry, short stories and history.
Course Title: American Sign Language 2 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: C or better in American Sign
Language 1 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
Students continue
the study of American Sign Language.
Emphasis is given in developing greater fluency in conversation through
the study of culture, history, art, literature and poetry.
Course Title: American Sign Language 3 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: C or better in American Sign
Language 2 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
Students continue
the study of American Sign Language.
Emphasis is given in developing greater fluency in conversation through
the study of culture, history, art, literature and poetry.
Course Title: American Sign Language 4 Grade
Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: B or better in American Sign
Language 3 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement:
and teacher
recommendation
Applied for 2005-2006
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
Students
continue to acquire and refine skills in grammar, signing, interpreting, and
develop better reception skills. This
course includes the study of Deaf literature and Deaf culture. Students will explore post-high-school
opportunities related to American Sign Language (education and career).
Course Title: French 1 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: B or better in first
semester of 8th Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
grade
English for incoming 9th graders only
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
This
course teaches basic conversation, reading, writing and grammar skills. French culture (through poems, songs, short
stories, etc.) and basic history.
Course Title: French 2 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: C or better in French 1 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
A
brief review of first year French 1 followed by the development of more
advanced reading, conversation and oral comprehension.
Course Title: French 3 Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: C or better in French 2 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
Student continues
with reading, writing, and study of grammar.
Emphasis is given to developing greater fluency in conversation and in
fine tuning knowledge of grammar and syntax.
Course Title: French 3-Honors Grade
Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: B
or better in French 2 & teacher recommendation Fulfills UC/CSU Requirement:
Credit: 10 Applied
for 2006-2007
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
This course prepares
students to enter the French 4-AP course.
Class is conducted in French. Students
continue with reading, writing, vocabulary building, and study of grammar. Emphasis is given to fluency in speaking
through discussion and reports, and in developing a thorough knowledge of
grammar and syntax in speaking and in writing.
Course Title: French 4 Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: B or better in French 3 and Fulfills UC/CSU Requirement: teacher
recommendation Applied for 2005-2006
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
Students continue
to acquire and refine skills in grammar, speaking, writing, reading and understanding
French. The course includes literature
with topics for writing, oral presentations and grammar study generated by the
literature selections. Study of the
various cultures of French speaking people is integrated into the course.
Course Title: French
4-Advanced Placement Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: B or better in French 3 and
teacher Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement:
recommendation Applied for 2005-2006
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
This
course prepares students for the Advanced Placement French Language
Examination. Students qualifying for
this class have acquired skills in grammar and speaking, writing, reading, and
understanding French. This course is
designed to refine, perfect, and enhance these skills as well as to broaden the
students understanding of French culture and foster interest in continuing to
study French in college.
This weighted course
receives extra grade points: (A=5, B=4, C=3)
Course Title: German 1 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: B or better in first
semester of 8th Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement:
grade English for incoming 9th
graders only Applied for 2005-2006
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World Language
This course teaches basic conversation reading, writing, and grammar skills. German culture (through poems, songs, short stories, etc.) and basic history.
Course Title: German 2 Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: C or better in German 1 Fulfills: UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10 Applied for 2006-2007
Meets District Graduation Requirement: World Language
A brief review of
first year German 1 followed by the development of more advanced reading,
conversation and oral comprehension.
Course Title: Spanish 1 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: B or better in first
semester of 8th Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
grade
English for incoming 9th graders only
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World Language
Student
learns basic grammar, reading, writing, oral training and conversation through
tapes and class work. Hispanic culture
is introduced in the course.
Course Title: Spanish 2 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: C or better in Spanish 1 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World Language
Student
reviews and completes basic grammar structure;
practices speaking, reading writing and understanding more advanced
material.
Course Title: Spanish 3 Grade
Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: C or better in Spanish 2 Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World Language
Student
builds vocabulary, greater fluency in conversation. Understanding of culture is emphasized through literature, music,
and art. Provides extensive reading and
oral practice.
Course Title: Spanish 3-Honors Grade Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: B or better in Spanish 2 or
Spanish for Spanish Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes Speakers
2 & teacher recommendation
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
This
course prepares the student to enter the Spanish 4-AP course. Class is conducted in Spanish. In addition to reviewing all the material
learned in Spanish 2, students will prepare reports on assigned topics, deliver
them, direct them, and direct class discussion.
This weighted course
receives extra grade points: (A=5, B=4, C=3)
Course Title: Spanish 4-Advanced Placement Grade
Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: A in Spanish for Spanish Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Speakers
2 or B or better in Spanish 3 Honors
with teacher
recommendation
Credits: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
This
course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language
Examination. Students qualifying for
this class have acquired skills in grammar and speaking, writing, reading, and
understanding Spanish. This course is
designed to refine, perfect, and enhance these skills as well as to broaden the
students understanding of Hispanic culture and foster interest in continuing
to study Spanish in college.
This weighted course
receives extra grade points: (A=5, B=4, C=3)
Course Title: Spanish 5-Advanced Placement Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation,
analytical essay Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
This
course is designed to prepare students to understand lectures in Spanish and to
participate actively in literary discussions in Spanish; to perform a close
reading of modern Hispanic literary texts in all genres; and to analyze the
form and content of literary works, both orally and in writing using appropriate
terminology.
This weighted course
receives extra grade points: (A=5, B=4, C=3)
Course Title: Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Native speaker of Spanish Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World
Language
This course was developed for the student whose
primary language is Spanish, has had limited exposure to English, and has
recently lived in a Spanish speaking country.
The course provides an opportunity to hone reading and writing skills
for native speakers of Spanish. An introduction to literature in Spanish in
its variety of forms is included, employing poetry, legends, myths, short
stories and a classic novel.
Course Title: Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: C or better in Spanish for
Spanish Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
Speakers 1 or teacher
approval
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: World Language
The
course content has been selected to develop and or improve listening, speaking,
reading, and composition through the study of literature in Spanish, the
appreciation of the various cultures of Spanish speaking people will continue
to develop.
MATHEMATICS: Three years of mathematics
is required for high school graduation. All students
must complete a course sequence through at least geometry.
Course Title: Algebra 1A Grade
Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: No
Credit: 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: Math
This
course is the equivalent of the first semester of Algebra 1. (This course may be offered as Sheltered
Algebra 1A)
Course Title: Algebra 1B Grade
Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: C or better in both
semesters of Algebra 1A Fulfills
UC/CSU Requirement: Yes
or teacher recommendation with
completion of Alg 1A.
Credit 10
Meets
District Graduation Requirement: Math
This
course is the equivalent of the second semester of Algebra 1. (This course may be offered as Sheltered
Algebra 1B.)