High School Program of Study
Opportunities abound!
With over 100 elective courses and 23 Advanced Placement opportunities, our High School students truly get to build an academic foundation that will send them on the path to their own personal success. With an assortment of class levels including College Preparatory, Accelerated, Honors, and Advanced Placement for a majority of our course offerings, students get to experience academics at the pace and demand that works best for them, while still being challenged to be the best they can be in the classroom. With a distinct set of requirements for each academic year, students are provided with a helpful outline that grants them an all encompassing education while leaving room for exploration and dedication to each student’s personal interests.
Explore our complete course catalogue below. Course requirements for graduation from St. John's Prep are outlined on this page by year as well. All are full-year courses unless otherwise indicated. Full-year courses are worth 1 credit; semester courses are worth ½ credit. All students must take a ½ credit computer science, fine arts, and physical education course before graduating.
Course Requirements
Freshman Year: English 1; Global Studies; World Language; Mathematics; Biology; Physical Education ¼ credit; Religious Studies; Freshman Retreat
Sophomore Year: English 2; Chemistry 1; World Language; Religious Studies; Modern World History; Fine Arts or Computer Science 1 semester; Mathematics; Sophomore Overnight Retreat
Junior Year: English 3; US History; Religious Studies; Mathematics; Physics 1; Physical Education ¼ credit; Electives 1½ credits
Senior Year: English 4; Religious Studies; Mathematics; Electives 3 credits
Filter By Subject
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Acting 1
The class is a hands-on workshop which will teach the fundamentals of acting technique and speech performance.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Acting 2
This course covers a variety of topics including playmaking, voice, character development, writing, and directing.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Acting 4
This course will investigate elements of performance art, physical acting and non-verbal communication techniques.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Advanced Acting - Honors
Students will explore various styles of theater from ancient Greek theater to 20th Century in a series of classroom workshops.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Advanced App Development with Swift
This course builds on students’ prior mastery of the basics of computer programming. It begins with a very fast-paced introduction to the Swift programming language, including more advanced features and moves on quickly to the tools and APIs for Apple’s mobile operating systems.
Advanced Painting
A continuation of painting with a concentration on pursuing individual areas of interest and more advanced technical media.
- Grade 12
Advanced Research Capstone
This capstone elective allows students to explore research methods and design by constructing a research-based project in an area of primary interest.
Advanced Sculpture
This is for the student interested in working with varied and larger sculpture materials. Students will work with the instructor to develop an individual design plan.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Advanced Spanish, Conversation, Cinema, and Literature – Honors
This course is designed to develop and improve student presentational communication skills (oral and written) through discussion of various film and literary works of the Spanish-speaking world.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
African American Studies
This year-long seminar course offers an overview of 20th-century African American history and arts by examining the challenges faced by memorable leaders, intellectuals, and organizations in history and through the lens of characters in works of literature.
- Grade 9
Algebra 1 – Accelerated
The course includes the development of mathematical skills such as operating with polynomials, solving and graphing linear and quadratic equations, solving and graphing systems of linear equations, factoring, and working with radicals.
- Grade 9
Algebra 1 – College Prep
Students will cover equation solving, operations with polynomials, word problems, linear equations and their graphs, fractions, factoring and radicals.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Algebra 2/Trigonometry – Accelerated
This course includes the study of polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, and solving systems of equations and inequalities.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Algebra 2/Trigonometry – College Prep
This course includes the study of polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, and solving systems of equations and inequalities.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Algebra 2/Trigonometry – Honors
This course includes the study of polynomial, conic sections, exponential and logarithmic functions, complex numbers, and trigonometric functions.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Anatomy and Physiology – Honors
Information about the structure and function of the human body when in health and when impaired is studied following an introduction of the chemical, cellular, and tissue levels of major body systems and their components.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Biology
The course covers the chemical basis of living systems, cells, enzymes, energy transformations in cells, cell division, genetics, organismal biology, the origin of life, evolution, and ecology.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus AB includes methods of finding and applying the derivative and integral as a limit, studying the calculus of polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic and inverse functions and applying it to problems involving analytic geometry, science and economics.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Calculus BC
Course topics include but are not limited to: parametric, polar and vector functions; integration by parts, partial fractions, and improper integrals; the logistic growth model; and infinite series.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Chemistry
The curriculum follows that given in the Advanced Placement course description and includes the structure and states of matter, reactions, stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics.
- Grade 12
AP Chinese Language and Culture
Its aim is to provide students with ongoing and varied opportunities to further develop their proficiency across the full range of language skills within a cultural frame of reference reflective of the richness of Chinese language and culture.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Computer Science A
This course covers the basics of the Java programming language, simple data structures, common algorithms, recursion, and sorting.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Computer Science Principles
This course introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Economics
Students will study the principles of both microeconomics and macroeconomics throughout the course of the year in preparation for the Advanced Placement (AP) exam.
- Grade 11
AP English Language
The course includes a comprehensive introduction to classical rhetoric, focusing on persona, audience, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical schemes and tropes.
- Grade 12
AP English Literature
AP English Literature focuses on a class experience where the students are able to learn and to teach at the same time in an atmosphere of both lecture and discussion.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Environmental Science
Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.
- Grade 10
AP European History
This course will examine European History from the Renaissance to the breakup of the Soviet Union. In addition to political trends, emphasis will be placed on the economic and cultural factors as well.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP German Language and Culture
This is a rigorous advanced level German Language and Culture class. This AP course is taught exclusively in German.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Human Geography
Students explore a wide range of topics—population, urbanization, culture, the economy, immigration, public health, and environmental issues from a geographical perspective.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Latin
The course requires students to prepare and translate the readings and place these texts in a meaningful context, which helps develop critical, historical, and literary sensitivities.
- Grade 11
AP Physics 1
Like Honors Physics 1, this is an introductory survey of physics designed for honors students who have performed well in Chemistry I Honors and will be taking the highest level math course.
- Grade 12
AP Physics C
This course follows the curriculum for Physics C in the AP Placement course description, which includes classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Psychology
Included in this course is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Spanish Language and Culture
This course is equivalent to an intermediate level college course in Spanish.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP Spanish Literature and Culture
This course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a third-year college survey course in Peninsular and Latin American Literature.
- Grade 12
AP Statistics
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
AP United States Government & Politics
Presidential powers, Congressional decision making and the vote of the Supreme Court will be studied. Additional topics include elections, the role of the media in the political process, and the federal bureaucracy.
- Grade 12
AP U.S. History
The course will include key events such as the Depression, New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, Vietnam and Watergate as well as contemporary issues.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Beginning Brass*
Students will work together and individually out of the Standards of Excellence Book 1 to learn how to play either the trumpet or trombone.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Beginning Piano/Keyboard
This is an introductory course for those interested in learning to play keyboard instruments.
- Grade 9
Beginning Swimming
This course will introduce students to basic swimming technique.
- Grade 9
Biology 1 – Accelerated
Accelerated students cover material at a similar pace to those in other levels, but the depth of presentation and amount of detail is significantly higher than in Biology College Prep.
- Grade 9
Biology 1 – College Prep
Topics studied are the nature of life, atomic structure, cell biology and energetics, basic genetics, DNA structure and function, and protein synthesis.
- Grade 9
Biology 1 – Honors
Students are expected to demonstrate a high level of understanding of biological concepts in their homework assignments, and to use homework actively as a means of advancing their learning in the course.
- Grade 9
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gi)
This course will introduce students to one of the most popular forms of the grappling arts in the world today.
- Grade 9
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (No Gi)
This course will introduce students to one of the most popular forms of the grappling arts in the world today.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Calculus – Accelerated
The object of the course is to develop methods of finding and applying the derivative and integral as a limit.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Calculus – Honors
The course will develop methods of finding and applying the derivative and integral as a limit, studying the calculus of polynomial, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions and applying it to problems involving analytic geometry, science and economics.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Ceramics 1
This course will teach students the fundamentals of hand-building with clay using pinch pot, coil and slab methods with an introduction to the potter's wheel.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Ceramics 2
Students will build upon the wheelworking and handbuilding techniques they learned in Ceramics 1.
- Grade 10
Chemistry 1 – Accelerated
Basic chemical principles, models, and methods of problem solving are introduced in this course. An appreciation of the results of chemical activity in the student's immediate and expanded environment is developed.
- Grade 10
Chemistry 1 – College Prep
Topics include scientific method, scientific measures, atomic theory, periodic table, principles of reactivity and bonding, formula writing and equations, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, states of matter, gas behavior, thermochemistry, solution chemistry, reaction rates and equilibrium, and acid-base chemistry.
- Grade 10
Chemistry 1 – Honors
This is an advanced high school chemistry course. It will prepare students to take higher level chemistry classes in college or AP Chemistry.
- Grade 9
Chinese 1 – Accelerated
In this Mandarin Chinese class, students will develop the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
- Grade 9
Chinese 1 – Honors
The course emphasizes developing students’ language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Chinese 2 – Accelerated
Many of the grammatical constructions introduced in first-year Chinese will be repeated in this course with increasing sophistication in terms of style and usage.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Chinese 2 – Honors
This course is for the above-average Chinese speaker who has excelled in first-year Chinese both in the oral and written component.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Chinese 3 – Accelerated
In the third year of Chinese, students will continue to develop their oral communication skills and to expand their vocabulary ability and paragraph writing with the up-to-date topics relevant to young students in a fun and interesting way.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Chinese 3 – Honors
A task-based teaching approach will be used to intensify students’ motivation and heighten their awareness of the learning objectives in each unit.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Chinese 4 – Accelerated
The task-based and flip classroom teaching approach will be used to intensify students’ motivation and heighten their awareness of the learning objectives in each unit.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Chinese 4 – Honors
Specific content includes, but is not limited to, more advanced language structures and idiomatic expressions, with emphasis on conversational skills.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Computer Aided Design and 3D Printing H
Students learn about perspective rendering, hidden surfaces, and the importance of appropriate dimensioning and labeling.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Concert Band*
The focus of this course is on rehearsing and performing traditional Concert Band repertoire.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Constitutional Law
Emphasis will be placed on criminal justice, the Bill of Rights, and recent Supreme Court decisions dealing with topics such as student locker searches, censorship, and drug testing.
- Grade 9
CrossFit
This course will introduce students to the 10 general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.
- Grade 11
CrossFit II
This course will introduce students to the 10 general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Current Issues of Race and Gender
This course will examine current topics in race, gender, and social justice in the context of the United States.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Design for Theatre
This workshop course will focus on the role of the designer as a technical artist.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Drawing 1
This course includes the opportunity to explore various media such as pencil, ink, charcoal, pastels, etc.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Drawing 2
Structural drawing, life drawing, drawing from the masters, landscape, portraiture, and abstraction will be areas studied in this course.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Economics
Emphasis is placed on important social issues and real world problems of our time, along with a demonstration of how simple economic tools can be used to analyze them.
- Grade 9
English 1 – Accelerated
Formal literary terminology as well as analysis and personal interpretation will be presented as the student is introduced to quality works in the major genres.
- Grade 9
English 1 – College Prep
This course includes the study of vocabulary, literature, grammar and writing.
- Grade 9
English 1 – Honors
Students learn how to write in a variety of genres: description, narration, exposition and persuasion.
- Grade 10
English 2 – Accelerated
Students will be introduced to a number of new and more sophisticated concepts in the study of mythology and tragedy.
- Grade 10
English 2 – College Prep
the course stresses paragraph development, multi-paragraph essay writing, more sophisticated stylistics, and the study of vocabulary in context.
- Grade 10
English 2 – Honors
The English 2 Honors course is a challenging and varied course of study that emphasizes literature and composition.
- Grade 11
English 3 – Accelerated
Using either a chronological or a thematic approach, this course stresses the evolution of themes and styles in American literature, emphasizing a challenging reading curriculum.
- Grade 11
English 3 – College Prep
This course introduces the student to the themes and ideas prevalent in the development of American literature.
- Grade 11
English 3 – Honors
The English 3 Honors curriculum attends to the disciplines of literature, oral and written communication and SAT preparation.
- Grade 12
English 4 – Accelerated
Students will read from the four genres of short fiction, novel, drama and poetry from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day.
- Grade 12
English 4 – College Prep
The scope of the program traces British literature from its origins to the present.
- Grade 12
English 4 – Honors
Students will read selections from Beowulf, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare's sonnets, tragedies and history plays, major British poets, novelists, and playwrights.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Environmental Science
Environmental Science is a year-long course designed to show thematic connections between a variety of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Grade 12
Ethics
Grounded in the question, "do universal ethical principles exist," students explore a number of theoretical structures that inform our moral decisions: sources of ethical behavior, models of moral development, the role of conscience in ethical choices, and the place of the Catholic faith in moral dialogue.
- Grade 9
Faith and the Hebrew Scriptures
Students will investigate literary styles and techniques used to communicate this relationship, as well as the historical and cultural contexts of each book in the Hebrew Scriptures.
- Grade 12
Financial Algebra
The course is designed for students to explore algebraic thinking patterns and functions in a financial context, and to apply these skills to relevant research topics of interest.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Geometry – Accelerated
Students will study the logical structure of geometry through theorems, postulates, deductive reasoning, and proofs.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Geometry – College Prep
Students will study the logical structure of geometry through theorems, postulates, deductive reasoning.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Geometry – Honors
Students will study the logical structure of geometry through theorems, postulates, deductive reasoning, and proofs.
- Grade 9
German 1 – Accelerated
The aim is to promote proficiency in all aspects of the German language: speaking, reading, writing, and oral comprehension, in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational.
- Grade 9
German 1 – Honors
The aim is to promote proficiency in all aspects of the German language: speaking, reading, writing, and oral comprehension, in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive and presentational.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
German 2– Accelerated
This second-year course stresses aural/oral communication and the essentials of German grammar.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
German 2 – Honors
This second-year course stresses aural/oral communication and the essentials of German grammar.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
German 3 – Accelerated
The students will be introduced to authentic articles, data and literature using a variety of genres presented in printed, audio, audiovisual formats as well as other cultural inputs.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
German 3 – Honors
The class provides their students with opportunities to develop their language proficiency by sharing their points of view on more complex issues using open discussion and employing both their spoken and written German skills.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
German 4 – Honors
This course emphasizes the use of the German language for active communication.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
German 5 – Honors
This course is designed for the advanced student to further develop his German language skills, by discussing a variety of cultural topics and themes in the German speaking world.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Global Education Program
Students examine and research issues through a global lens and foster a culture of encounter through the interdisciplinary focus areas.
- Grade 9
Global Studies – Accelerated
While not as rigorous as the honors course, this course surveys the geography, history, and culture of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and helps prepare students for global citizenship.
- Grade 9
Global Studies – College Prep
This course surveys the geography, history, and culture of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and helps prepare students for global citizenship.
- Grade 9
Global Studies – Honors
This course surveys the geography, history, and culture of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and helps prepare students for global citizenship.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Honors Art Portfolio
This course is a flexible studio structure where the advanced art student will work individually with the instructor to develop and design areas of artistic direction.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Honors Ceramics Studio
This course builds upon the skills learned in Ceramics 1 and 2 in order to explore more advanced forms and decorative techniques.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Honors Theater Studies
Students will explore topics like scenic painting, playwriting, or sound, costume, and lighting design.
Indoor Rowing
This course will introduce students to proper rowing technique on the Concept2 rowing machine.
- Grade 11
Intermediate Swimming
This course will allow those students who have mastered basic swimming technique to further refine their strokes and become more fit through swimming.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Introduction into Coaching and Leadership
This course introduces students to effective leadership, emphasizing applied leadership. To do this, each student will learn about the central tenants of leadership through education, group discussion, and physical activity.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Introduction to Algorithmic Thinking and Computational Technologies
This course explores the global, national, and personal impact of technology.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Introduction to Cybersecurity
The course will focus on ethical and beneficial cybersecurity practices. Students in this course will learn about the history of cybersecurity and the different types of cyberattacks.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Introduction to Programming using C++
Topics covered include program mechanics, creating and editing files, function declaration and construction, simple data types, operating with arrays, building structures and object oriented programming.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Introduction to Programming with Java
In this course students will learn the basics of the Java programming language by programming simulations and games.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Introduction to Programming with Swift
Our most basic introduction to programming, this course introduces students to both the process of modern application design and the basics of programming with the Swift programming language.
- Grade 9
Introduction to Strength and Conditioning
This course will introduce students to proper exercise techniques focused on developing speed, agility, strength, power, balance, and coordination.
- Grade 12
Introduction to Western Philosophy
Built on the theme of The Problem of God, this one semester survey course examines the development of philosophy and its influence on theology in the Western tradition.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Jazz Combo
This group will perform at various locations in Massachusetts, and on select years, takes a tour within the United States or abroad.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Jazz Ensemble
Students will explore and perform a wide variety of big band jazz forms including blues, Dixieland, swing, bebop, and others.
- Grade 9
Jesus and the Gospels
Students will explore how each of the four evangelists reflected on the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
- Grade 9
Judo
Students will learn and practice throws, break falls, ground positioning, escapes, and submissions for both sport and self-defense wearing the traditional gi (kimono).
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Latin 1 – Accelerated
Latin 1 introduces students to the fundamentals of Latin grammar through readings which reveal the cultural context of the Roman world and its heritage.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Latin 1 – Honors
The first year of Latin introduces the form and structure of an inflected language, gradually guiding the students to read and compose complex sentences with subordinate clauses, stylistic nuance and sophisticated vocabulary.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Latin 2 – Accelerated
Students continue their study of Classical culture, including history, mythology, archaeology, and the influence of Latin on English vocabulary.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Latin 2 – Honors
In the second year of Latin, students build upon their study of grammar from the first year. The emphasis is upon the reading of continuous prose with complex sentences and subordinate clauses.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Latin 3 – Accelerated
In this course, students will continue to study complex and nuanced aspects of Latin grammar while reading increasingly sophisticated selections of Latin prose.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Latin 3 – Honors
After an extensive review of grammar and syntax, students will read the poetry of Martial, Ovid and Catullus and the opening chapters of Caesar’s Gallic Wars.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Latin 4 – Honors
A variety of original Latin texts will be read: history, letters, poetry, legal documents, graffiti, etc.
- Grade 12
Latin 5 – Topics on Latin Literature: Roman Comedy – Honors
The course will be asking the questions: What is comedy? What is laughter? Why do people laugh? Is comedy universal and is it inevitably a multicultural link? As often, the Romans (and Greeks) offer us a good laboratory to work on these questions.
Latin and Greek Foundations of English
This course will introduce students to the Classical infrastructure of English with a cross-disciplinary approach, allowing students to master words in context rather than as random elements for memorization.
Lifeguarding
In this course students will be introduced to and tested on American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR, AED, and First Aid techniques.
- Grade 11
Living Well in College and Beyond
It will blend mental skills development, nutrition education, sleep hygiene, and physical fitness to promote healthy well-being.
- Grade 10
Modern World History – Accelerated
This course will explore the political, cultural, religious, and scientific history of the modern world with a focus given to central themes, important ideas, and major individuals.
- Grade 10
Modern World History – College Prep
This course is a broad historical examination of modern European history beginning with the Renaissance and ending with the Cold War.
- Grade 10
Modern World History – Honors
It will explore the political, cultural, religious, and scientific history of the modern world with a focus given to central themes, important ideas, and major individuals.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Modern World History I
Modern World History I helps students gain an understanding of themselves as members of a global community by exploring the political, cultural, religious, and scientific developments of the modern world from 1200 to 1800 CE.
- Grade 9
Mountain Biking
Students will ride as a group and learn effective communication and group dynamics as part of the course.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Multimedia Digital Video Production
This course brings technology and creativity together to help students master the skills they need to produce engaging, technically advanced videos.
- Grade 12
Multivariable Calculus with Differential Equations
The main topics of the course include vector algebra, vector calculus, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, line integrals, and surface integrals as well as applications of these concepts.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Music Theory and Composition 1
Students will learn about note reading, rhythms, major scales, key signatures, pentatonic modes, form and more.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Music Theory and Composition 2
This course explores advanced theory and compositional techniques, including minor scales, four part harmony, seventh chords, polyphony, progressions, counterpoint, 12 tone technique, and others.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Neuroscience
Actual medical cases and clinical studies are presented in this course to integrate the nervous system fundamental workings with clinical methods of understanding patients with brain and nervous system disorders.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Painting
This course will deal with the development of personal style and preference of materials by experimentation with various media.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Percussion Ensemble
Each student will have a hands-on learning experience with a variety of percussive instruments and will perform together in concert.
- Grade 11
Personal Wellness/Fitness
This course will blend mental skills development (e.g. goal setting, meditation), nutrition education with fitness activities.
- Grade 11
Physics 1 – Accelerated
This course is designed to give the student firsthand experience with the topics of motion, dynamics, energy, waves, electricity and magnetism.
- Grade 11
Physics 1 – College Prep
This course is designed to give the student firsthand experience with the topics of motion, forces, energy, waves and electricity.
- Grade 11
Physics 1 – Honors
This is an introductory survey of physics designed for honors students who have done well in Chemistry I and are taking Honors Mathematics.
- Grade 12
Physics 2 – Honors
This course is designed for students for whom the field of science and engineering may represent an area of career interest.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Piano Masterclass
This course explores the specific techniques and repertoire for piano in a Masterclass format; i.e. through individual practice and frequent performance for the class and instructor.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Play Production
Students will act as a small theatre company and experience the total theatrical event including producing, budget issues, rehearsal schedules, acting, directing, stage management, theatre house management, design and technical crew.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Playwriting
This course focuses on the development of dramatic scripts using playwriting techniques, creative writing techniques, and researching and developing sources.
- Grade 11
Pre-AP U.S. History
This U.S. History course begins with the pre-Columbian populating of North America and concludes through the American Civil War.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Precalculus – Accelerated
The course includes the study of exponential and logarithmic functions, transformations, trigonometric functions, advanced algebra, vectors, polar coordinates, complex numbers, matrices and limits.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Precalculus – Honors
course includes the study of exponential and logarithmic functions, transformations, trigonometric functions, advanced algebra, vectors, polar coordinates, complex numbers, matrices and limits.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Principles of Aviation Science and Aeronautics
Topics in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, environmental science, and earth science are addressed within the framework of aviation science, aeronautics, and aerodynamics.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Printmaking 1
This course is an introduction to the basic techniques of printmaking. Linocut, woodcut, silkscreen, etching, mixed media, and stencil printing will be explored.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Printmaking 2
Students will explore linocut, woodcut, silkscreen, etching, mixed media, and stencil printing.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Psychology
The goal of accelerated Psychology is to introduce students to the general field of psychology as well as concepts from content areas including, but not limited to neuroscience, behavioral psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology.
- Grade 11
Relational Dynamics: Questions of Identity
This course engages students in theological reflection on the mystery of the relational dynamic inherent in self, others, and God.
- Grade 12
Religion and Psychology
This course introduces students to psychology, the scientific study of the mind and human behavior, and how it intersects with our understanding of faith, spirituality, and religion.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Robotics
Much of the class time will be spend in teams designing, constructing, and analyzing functional robots programmed to perform some simple tasks.
- Grade 9
Rowing for Fitness
Rowing for fitness will introduce students to indoor rowing as a lifelong fitness option and sport.
- Grade 12
Science and Religion
This course explores the relationship between science and religion beginning with an inquiry into two important controversies, the Galileo affair and Darwin’s theory of evolution.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Sculpture
This course is an introduction to sculpture focusing on technique and use of a variety of materials including wood, metals, clay, and found objects.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
SJP Chorus*
The SJP Chorus prepares a wide range of choral repertoire, including classical music, folk songs, jazz, spirituals and world music.
- Grade 11
Social Action*
This course provides students with structured opportunities for meaningful community service and for personal reflection on the lessons gained from it.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Social Justice
The course examines the notion of justice in human culture. Students explore the current social issues we encounter in our local, national, and global societies, and the Catholic Church's response as articulated in her formal Social Teachings.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Songwriting Workshop
Students will also explore poetic forms and devices for lyric writing.
- Grade 9
Spanish 1 – Honors
Students will develop their interpersonal, presentational and interpretive skills as well as study the cultures and practices of the diverse Spanish-speaking world.
- Grade 9
Spanish 1 – Accelerated
This course introduces the student to the Spanish language by developing their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at a faster pace.
- Grade 9
Spanish 1 – College Prep
This course introduces the student to the Spanish language by developing their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Spanish 2 – Accelerated
Students work to develop interpersonal, presentational and interpretive skills.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Spanish 2 – College Prep
As students learn grammar and vocabulary, they will apply the target language in “real life” situations.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
Spanish 2 – Honors
This advanced course emphasizes aural/oral communication and the grammatical essentials of the Spanish language throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Spanish 3 – Accelerated
In this intermediate course, students will continue to develop language and cultural competencies by focusing on communication, cultures, connections, comparisons and communities.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Spanish 3 – College Prep
Students will develop language and cultural competencies by focusing on communication, cultures, connections, comparisons and communities.
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
Spanish 3 – Honors
Students will continue to develop an appreciation and understanding of the products, practices and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Spanish 4 – Accelerated
In this course, the student refines his oral expression, utilizing all of the grammatical points of the previous three years of study.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Spanish 4 – Honors
In this intensive course, the student excels at oral expression as well as written compositions in the target language.
- Grade 12
Spirituality: Traditions and Practices
Students will learn the historical roots of spirituality as well as practical application of those traditions.
- Grade 12
Statistics – Accelerated
Emphasis of the course will be on applied problems in business, psychology, biology and the social sciences.
- Grade 12
Statistics – College Prep
Topics will include measures of central tendency and variation, probability, binomial distributions, the central limit theorem, linear regression, chi-square.
- Grade 11
Strength and Conditioning II
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- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
String Ensemble - Accelerated, Honors
This course is open to all violin, viola, cello and string bass players who are at the intermediate or advanced level.
- Grade 9
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
String Ensemble - College Prep
Beginning Strings class is for those students who wish to start learning violin, viola or cello, and for those students who had some experience in the past but would like to start fresh.
- Grade 9
- Grade 11
Team Sports
Sports may include basketball, soccer, ultimate disc, volleyball, team handball, floor hockey, and other new games.
- Grade 9
- Grade 11
Team Sports II
Sports may include basketball, soccer, ultimate disc, volleyball, team handball, floor hockey, and other new games.
- Grade 10
The Early Church
Students will then explore significant church developments, emerging from the early Church Fathers through the hierarchical Medieval Period, which ultimately give rise to theological controversies that call out for ecclesial reform.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
The Holocaust
The study of the Holocaust uses a wide spectrum of historical and contemporary sources to examine where the holocaust came from and how such tragedies can be avoided by future generations.
- Grade 10
The Modern Church
The theme of ecclesial reform culminates in a careful examination of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and its transformative impact on the church's current understanding of itself and its presence in the world.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Topics in Computer Science
Students will explore the Linux operating system, animation, robotics, artificial intelligence, or advanced programming techniques.
Triathlon
Develop the ability to swim, bike, and run in this course designed to teach and apply the principles of lifetime physical fitness, utilizing the five major components of cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
United States Government and Politics
Students will study the major institutions of American government and the American political system.
- Grade 11
U.S. History – Accelerated
This course will survey the key political, social, economic and military events from the Colonial Era to the present.
- Grade 11
U.S. History – College Prep
This course will cover the key political, social, economic and military events from the Colonial Era to the present.
- Grade 11
U.S. History – Honors
America from the Colonial Era to the present is examined in this course. Students will learn to interpret and generalize historical data.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
War and Peace in a Dangerous World
This full-year elective is designed to facilitate an understanding of modern, industrialized warfare. The phenomenon of war itself is examined primarily from the standpoint of warriors who fight on both sides of conflict, families and friends who suffer loss of loved ones, non-combatant victims caught in the crossfire, and the political and military leaders responsible for decision making relative to war and peace.
- Grade 12
World Religions
This course explores the teachings and practices of non-Christian religious traditions from the east (Buddhism, Taoism and Shintoism) as well as the west (Judaism and Islam)
- Grade 9
- Grade 11
Yoga
Students will learn and practice postures to enhance flexibility, strength and relaxation.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12
Zoology
This course will include an in-depth examination of all animal groups including the microscopic single-celled organisms which gave rise to our great kingdom.