These courses are available for students who would like to take an original credit course, need to make up a credit due to a failing grade during the regular school year, or who would like to improve a grade from a class previously taken. Class availability depends on enrollment. Students are not guaranteed a time preference for classes.
Original Credit Courses
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING: This course covers basic concepts and elements of the Java programming language and introduces object-oriented programming. Students gain experience writing programs and creating Java Applets; learn about Graphical User Interface programming; and solve practical problems that illustrate application-building techniques.
WEB DESIGN: This is an introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of web pages and websites, including a foundation of coding in HTML and CSS. Students learn how to critically evaluate website quality in terms of web design standards and how to create and maintain quality web pages. The course progresses from introductory work to a culminating project in which students design and develop their own functioning websites.
Credit Recovery Courses
ENGLISH 9, 10, 11:
(9) This course hones student voices as readers, writers, and speakers. Course reading includes short stories, historical fiction, nonfiction articles, plays, and a graphic novel. Students learn self-guided discussion strategies, foundational research skills, and how to analyze text through the lens of the author’s craft. The course also includes an inquiry into grammar as a tool for expressing meaning.
(10) This course shows students how to critically interpret literature, both fiction and nonfiction, with an emphasis on critical thinking and analysis. Students will develop the fundamentals of academic writing, MLA style research, text-based discussion, copyediting, and vocabulary.
(11) Students will survey American literature through novels, short stories, essays, plays, speeches, poetry, film, and podcasts. Students will analyze texts through close reading and discussion while strengthening their writing, research, grammar, and vocabulary skills.
ALGEBRA 1: This course emphasizes evaluating polynomials, factoring, solving polynomial equations, graphing simple rational and irrational expressions, and solving quadratic problem solving.
GEOMETRY: A course in plane and solid geometry covering definitions, theorems, and proofs related to parallel lines, angles, triangles, and circles, along with coordinate geometry, areas and volumes of geometric shapes and solids, right triangle trigonometry, and an introduction to trigonometric identities.
ALGEBRA 2: Students will build upon the concepts mastered in Algebra I. Topics will include systems of equations, operations with polynomial equations, rational and irrational numbers, complex numbers, quadratic equations, and functions. Exponential and logarithmic equations will also be covered.
CIVILIZATIONS: This course is a survey of the development of civilizations from the ancient to the modern world. Students will study civilizations of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. In particular, this course will examine the history, art, literature, and philosophy of different civilizations and cultures, and how their ideas have influenced modern society.
EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY: This course takes a look at the US pre-colonial origins to the tumultuous aftermath of the Civil War, delving into the American Revolution and the formation of the young republic. The course also scrutinizes the complexities of Westward expansion, the tumultuous issues surrounding slavery, and the deepening sectional tensions that led to the Civil War.
US HISTORY: This course delves into the transformative period following the Civil War, exploring the nation's evolution from the Reconstruction era to the complexities of the modern-day United States. The course teaches critical historical thinking skills and research skills as students use both primary and secondary sources to take stances on major historical issues. Students will craft their writing skills in researching, writing, and critical analysis.
SPANISH 1 & 2: This course introduces the student to basic vocabulary and grammar and teaches beginning conversation skills. Methods of learning and assessment include speaking, reading, listening, writing, and audio-visual activities.
BIOLOGY: The goal of the course is to extend science laboratory, inquiry, and analytical skills through exploration of core biological themes of cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Emphasis is placed on the unifying concepts of evidence and explanation, form and function, and evolution. Laboratory investigations extend skills in experimental design and data analysis. This course is required for 9th graders not enrolled in Honors Biology.
CHEMISTRY: Chemistry is a lecture and laboratory course. The goal of the course is to acquaint students with modern chemical principles. Laboratory work provides the basis for the development of unifying principles. Careful attention will be given to the development of problem-solving skills and to scientific process skills of measurement and equipment use.
THEOLOGY 9, 10, & 11:
(9) This freshman-level course is designed to establish a basic knowledge of the Holy Cross tradition and essential Catholic beliefs, as well as study Sacred Scripture in depth. (10) Students will examine both Jesus’ mission and how that mission continues in the Church. This course will consider in great depth Jesus’ public ministry and the Paschal mystery, which accomplished our salvation, and how that impacted first his apostles and then all those to whom they spread the Good News.
(11) The purpose of this class is to help students understand that it is only through Christ that they can fully live out God’s plan for their lives. Students are taught the moral concepts and precepts that govern their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.
