The Academic Curriculum

Within the school, various methods and modalities are used to provide for the individual needs of each student. These methods include discussion, art projects, written assignments, group and individual projects, films, field trips, written and oral projects, tests and quizzes, simulations, role play, educational games and manipulatives.

Lower School Curriculum

The lower school operates as a self-contained core. The core classroom may contain students from several academic grades and an individualized curriculum is provided that follows state guidelines. Students in lower school take the following subjects:

• Mathematics
• English /Language Arts/ Reading
• Science and/or Social Studies
• Physical Education
• Computers and/or Art

Middle School Curriculum

Students may be placed in a core program or follow a departmental class schedule. Every student in middle school must take classes in the following subject areas:

• Mathematics
• English/Language Arts
• Tutorial and Study Skills
• Science
• Social Studies
• Physical Education or Fine Arts

All subjects are taught within the guidelines of the California State curriculum frameworks.

Upper School Curriculum

Each student in the upper school follows a departmentalized class schedule based upon his/her skill levels and grade. Students follow an academic program that leads to high school graduation. All subjects are taught within the guidelines of the California State curriculum frameworks.

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn a minimum of 44 semester credits in grades nine through 12 to graduate; 30 of these credits must be in academic courses. The minimum requirements in each discipline are: