High School

9th Grade Curriculum

English

Grammar and Composition

This required course is a survey of the writing process and the grammatical elements that support it. It is a requirement of all ninth graders.  The three parts of the writing process are discussed and practiced; prewriting, writing and revising.  Students are guided through the thinking behind the modes of writing. Expository Writing and Critical Thinking, and Persuasive Writing are taught providing the student with opportunities for Prewriting; establishing purposes and opinions, identifying an audience and finally, writing in accordance with the established purpose.  Students are provided with cross-curricular writing activities as well as with experiences reading classical pieces of literature and using them as a part of the writing process.  Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics are taught concurrently with the writing process.  Students are given the opportunity to explore the parts of speech, parts of the sentence, phrases, clauses, and sentence structure as part of the writing process.  (Both honors and regular sections are offered for this course.)

Theology

Understanding Catholic Christianity

0.5 credit

This course is an introduction to Catholic Christianity. It offers a review of the basic teachings of the Church from the unique perspective of the student. These major themes are discussed: adolescent development, the nature of religion and religious doubt, self acceptance, introduction to Scripture, Jesus and His message, Christian doctrines, the Church as a people of faith, prayer, the Sacraments and Christian spirituality.

Hebrew Scriptures

0.5 credit

This course is designed to introduce students to the Hebrew Scriptures and the concept of a personal God who speaks to His people through the Scriptures. This course also introduces the student to the history of the People of God in Hebrew Scriptures. The students will study the major themes of Hebrew Scripture: e.g. Covenant, community, sin, forgiveness, conversion.

Science

Freshmen are required to take either Physical Science or College Preparatory Biology, depending upon their placement.

Physical Science

This course is designed for students who have completed 8th grade science.  Students will study waves, energy, light, magnetism, electricity and the classification of matter.  This course provides students with an introduction to the sciences of physics and chemistry.

CP Biology

This course begins with a discussion of the organism.  This topic is followed by molecular and cellular biology, genetics, botany, zoology, and human biology.

Social Studies

Geography

0.5 credit

This World Geography course is a requirement of all ninth grade students.  During this full year course, students will discover World Geography from looking around the world using maps, globes, longitude and latitude, climate zones, and looking at various cultures.  We will visit places such as our own United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.  Students will enhance and develop various skills using interpretational and analytical skills.  A variety of learning and thinking skills will be reinforced including building vocabulary, critical reading and thinking, writing and note-taking skills, problem solving and research and library skills.  Through technology, students will realize that they are truly global citizens.

Mathematics

Sequence of courses in Mathematics

 

Track 1

Track 2

 

Year 1 – 9th Grade

Algebra I

Geometry & Adv Algebra

Algebra II

Year 2 – 10th Grade

Geometry

Algebra II

Algebra & Trigonometry

Year 3 – 11th Grade

Adv. Algebra

Algebra & Trigonometry

College Course

Year 4 – 12th Grade

Algebra II

College Course

College Course

Algebra/Trigonometry

1 credit

This course will study a variety of topics such as: Complex Numbers, Quadratic and Polynomial Equations, Matrices and Trigonometry. A graphing calculator is required. This course is parallel to a high-school pre-calculus course.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II and permission of Instructor.

Algebra II

1 credit

This course offers students the opportunity to reinforce skills and concepts achieved in Advanced Algebra while applying these principles to rational and irrational number systems. Emphasis is placed on solving verbal problems, solving and graphing Inequalities and Absolute Value problems, working with relations, linear and quadratic functions. A graphing calculator is required.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry & Advanced Algebra and permission of Instructor.

Geometry

1 credit

This course introduces students to the definitions, theorems and postulates of Geometry. Throughout the course students will develop their deductive reasoning skills while applying these definitions, theorems, and postulates in the preparation of proofs. A  graphing calculator is required for Geometry.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I and permission of Instructor.

Advanced Algebra

1 credit

This course provides students with a firm foundation in the fundamentals of Algebra. Emphasis is placed on simplifying and evaluating expressions, the basic operations of real numbers, especially integers, the application of the properties of real numbers in working with polynomials and algebraic fractions, the study of solving equations, factoring and graphing. A graphing calculator is required.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I and permission of Instructor.

Algebra I

1 credit

This course offers students with the understanding of numbers and  operations. They will analyze mathematical patterns, relations and functions. Linear Algebra is a main component of this class..

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-Algebra and permission of Instructor.

College Classes will be offered for those students who test into the programs. All course description, rules and grading will be per College Standards.

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