Academics

The curriculum at College Prep includes the student’s full complement of courses and activities. Everything the student does at school builds a sound foundation for college and for becoming an educated, thinking, and responsible person in the modern world.

All of the programs at school encourage students to develop creativity, intellectual curiosity, independent thought, and ethical sensitivity and behavior.

Through the four-year curriculum, we want students to:

  • develop powers of clear expression in writing and speech 
  • extend their knowledge of great literature of the past and present, together with the habit of critical reading 
  • acquire broad historical and cultural perspectives 
  • deepen their appreciation for and understanding of mathematics and the natural world while improving their ability to solve problems and to think logically and abstractly    
  • develop facility with and cultural understanding of at least one additional language 
  • refine the aesthetic sense through the study and practice of the performing arts 
  • recognize ethical and social challenges and respond to them through service to the community 
  • build character and improve physical fitness through participation in physical education and team sports 
  • become familiar with the uses of technology throughout the curriculum 

Diploma Requirements

A minimum of 17 units is required for graduation; in actual practice, most students graduate with unit credits in excess of the minimum. Courses are offered and given credit on a semester or yearly basis. Most year-long courses receive one unit of credit. Semester academic courses earn 1/2 unit, while most arts courses earn 1/4 unit per semester. Additional details on the specific requirements can be found in the school's Curriculum Guide 2011-12.

Course Units
English
 4
Fine Arts
 1
World Language (through level III)          
3
History
3
Math (through level III)
 3
Science
 3
Total Units
 		17

Non-credit Requirements
Freshman Foundations
 9th grade
Sophomore Health
 10th grade, spring semester
Health, Fitness & Recreation (HFR)
Three years
Intraterm
Four years

Freshman Foundations

The freshman program “Transition to High School” addresses the various issues that students may face when they begin high school, and prepares them to deal with some of the challenges that lie ahead. The class meets once per week throughout the year. Discussion-based activities are led by seniors and by the Health Educator/Counselor.

Sophomore Health

The sophomore program of “Informed Decision Making” gives students concrete information about a wide range of health topics that help them to make safe and healthful choices regarding alcohol, drugs, sex, and other pertinent issues. Students are also given tools useful in dealing with difficult situations and in helping friends who may be making difficult decisions. Sophomore year is a time when these issues often become real, so discussion at this time is particularly relevant. This course meets once a week during the second semester and is taught by the Health Educator/ Counselor with the assistance of trained and supervised senior TAs.

Course Descrip Fall 2013-3.pdf

Grading System and Reports

The school year is divided into two semesters; grade reports are issued in the middle and at the end of each semester.

As midterm grades are progress reports only, they do not appear on the transcript; only semester grades do.

In the case of ninth-grade courses that run the full year all grades are progress reports until the end of the year, when a final grade is given for the entire course.

Read more in the 2010-2011 College Prep Handbook.