Alverno High School

This is a general education course which focuses on the fundamentals of living organisms and related processes. Close attention is paid to a number of metabolic, physiological and ecological processes. Biology is one of the required lab sciences courses. Biology is the study of the science of life. We will use scientific themes to unify the different facets of life. Lab work will be important in our study of biology.

AP Biology Course

The Health curriculum teaches decision-making skills necessary for a healthy lifestyle. This course gives students knowledge and the opportunity to practice and reinforce these health skills in a cooperative setting. Topics will include: nutrition, exercise, personal care, family relationships, first aid, managing stress and healthy peer relations.

This is a general education course which focuses on the fundamentals of living organisms and related processes. Close attention is paid to a number of metabolic, physiological and ecological processes. Biology is one of the required lab sciences courses. Biology is the study of the science of life. We will use scientific themes to unify the different facets of life. Lab work will be important in our study of biology.

Advanced Placement Macroeconomics studies the social methods used to satisfy unlimited wants with limited resources. It begins with supply and demand, the basic building blocks of economics and uses them to explore the topics such as taxes, international trade, fiscal policy, monetary policy and measurements of economic stability and growth. While the end result will be preparation for the AP Macroeconomics test in May, the real value of this course is to understand and utilize the skills and knowledge gained in making wise and informed economic decisions.

Contemporary social issues such as poverty, war, oppression, inequality and hatred are at the center of this course. This class is designed to help students become aware of their responsibility to respond to such global issues. The student will work to weave her religious beliefs into a tapestry that exudes a meaningful, thoughtful and realistic view of the world in light of such issues.

This course offers students an opportunity to explore the rich tradition of sacramental theology and practice that is so fundamental to Christianity, and specifically to Roman Catholicism. The course seeks to engage students in an encounter with this essential dimension of Catholic Christian life so they can better appreciate the meaning underlying the official Sacraments and the relationship between sacraments and their own lives.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of concepts underlying the Catholic sacramental vision: sacramental awareness, grace, symbols, rituals, and prayer
• describe the relationship between Jesus, the church and the seven Sacraments
• identify major developments in the history of the sacraments in general and of the seven Sacraments in particular
• show understanding of what realities of human life are celebrated by each of the seven Sacraments
• identify the major symbols used in each of the seven Sacraments and the key aspects of each ritual

This a fast track course covering all 12 major topics of the high school geometry course -from "Tools" to "Formal Proofs".Students will be expected to become proficient in elegant mathematical reasoning, as well as developing a stong base of axioms, definitions and theorems.

The High School Geometry Course starts with the recognition and classification of shapes, moves to the concepts of axioms, definitions and informal proofs and finally reaches the level at which students can reason fully and create their own two-column proofs.

The Summer Course is the true beginning of the AP Calculus Program. Students will study Chapters 2 and 3 of the textbook ("Calculus" by Finney etc 3rd AP Edition). This early start will give an opportunity to enjoy the unfolding of this classic discipline at a reasonable pace and in sufficient depth.

Drivers Education is a program designed to help novice drivers develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become safe, low-risk, responsible drivers.  The two and 1/2 week course will combine classroom time with online activities to fulfill the state of California "in-class" drivers education requirement. 

In French 1, students will learn the basics of French vocabulary and grammar in a way that will connect them with and involve them in real life communicative situations. Structured, but also very interactive, the learning of French will give them the opportunity to have fun "traveling" to different French speaking places in the world and discover interesting and surprising life styles and cultural heritages.