Course: Art I
Department: Art
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: none
Course Description: The students will learn a discipline-based art program that will allow the students to develop their skills in art production, aesthetics, art criticism, and art history. Production will be 2 and 3-dimensional, and writing will be an integral part of the class. The student will begin to create an art portfolio.
Course: Art II
Department: Art
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10-12
Pre-requisites: Art 1
Course Description: The student will continue developing art skills through a discipline-based format utilizing art production, both 2-D and 3-D, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism. Additions will be made to the art portfolio.
Course: Art III
Department: Art
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10-12
Pre-requisites: Art I and II
Course Description: The student will continue exploration of media in art to further develop his/her skill in expression. Emphasis will also be on art history, art criticism, and aesthetics to increase understanding of art through various cultures in history.
Course: Art IV
Department: Art
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11-12
Pre-requisites: Art I, II, and III
Course Description: This course is for the serious art student desiring to increase art skills toward a possible vocation in an art-related field of study. It is expected that the student have a full grasp of basic elements and principles, and will be developing their expression and thoughts through the art created. An art portfolio which could be presented to colleges for scholarship competitions will be developed and refined through the course.
Course: High School Band
Department: Music
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9 - 12
Pre-requisites: Students must be able to play an instrument that is used in the band or jazz band.
Course Description: The goal of the class is to help students truly enjoy listening to performances and possible become involved in the performance of music in their community and churches after graduation. The band program performs at a variety of games, functions, contest and concerts throughout the year. The programs strive to achieve a balanced sound of instruments and a wide selection of music. Every four years the band takes a trip to Florida or California and a shorter trip between the four years.
Course: High School Chorus
Department: Music
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9 - 12
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: High School Chorus is open to students in grades 9 – 12 who are interested in vocal music. The students will learn a variety of choral music in 3 to 4 parts and perform at several concerts throughout the year. Developing personal talents, and working together as a group is the emphasis of the group. It is the goal of the class to help the student discover many varieties of choral music and to become confident of their own abilities to contribute musically in their communities and parishes.
Course: Show Choir
Department: Music
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: Included in High School Chorus Class
Grade Offered: 9 - 12
Pre-requisites: Audition
Course Description: Show choir is a choral performance group of mixed voices and is open by audition. The students perform a choreographed show in which stage presence and vocal performance skills are emphasized. Show Choir performs for concerts and community events an average of 12 – 15 times during the school year.
Course: Spanish I
Department: Foreign Language
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: none
Course Description: Students will learn to read, listen to, speak, and write the Spanish Language. Thematic vocabulary will be studied. Students will concentrate on verbs in the present tense, nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. Various aspects of the Hispanic culture will be studied.
Course: Spanish 2
Department: Foreign Language
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: Spanish 1
Course Description: Students will learn to read, listen to, speak, and write the Spanish Language. Thematic vocabulary will be studied. Students will concentrate on verbs in the future tense, ser vs. estar, object pronouns, and stem changing verbs. Various aspects of the Hispanic culture will be studied.
Course: Spanish 3
Department: Foreign Language
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: Spanish 1 and 2
Course Description: Students will learn to read, listen to, speak, and write the Spanish Language. Thematic vocabulary will be studied. Students will concentrate on present tense and commands. Additionally, students will work on refining their writing skills in the language. Various aspects of the Hispanic culture will be studied.
Course: Spanish 4
Department: Foreign Language
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: Spanish 1, 2 and 3
Course Description: Students will learn to read, listen to, speak, and write the Spanish Language. Thematic vocabulary will be studied. Students will concentrate on refining their oral communication skills and working with additional tenses. Various aspects of the Hispanic culture will be studied.
Course: Reading Lab
Department: Language Arts
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students will be provided with opportunities to read, as well as working on reading comprehension, vocabulary rate, and improvement of research skills and reading/writing techniques and practices.
Course: English 9
Department: English
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9
Pre-requisites: English 8
Course Description: The students in English 9 will cover a variety of units including poetry, writing, speech, grammar and conventions, novels, research paper and journaling. The students will be expected to read two outside books per quarter and complete responses for each book in addition to daily class work, journaling, group work, presentations, exercises and activities.
Course: English 10
Department: Language Arts
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10
Pre-requisites: English 9
Course Description: The students in English 10 will learn various types of world literature. These students also continue to practice grammar skills, various forms of writing, and oral presentations.
Course: English 11
Department: English
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11
Pre-requisites: English 9-10
Course Description: The students will cover a variety of units including
poetry, writing, speech, grammar and conventions, novels, research paper and
journaling. The Students will be in heavy study of American literature, poetry
and work from early history to present works. Students are required to read two
outside books per quarter and complete responses for each book in addition to
daily class work, journaling, group work, presentations, exercises and
activities.
Course: English 12
Department: Language Arts
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 12
Pre-requisites: English 9 - 11
Course Description: The students in English 12 will study British literature and prepare the students for writing at the college level. Students study various forms of grammar, authors, and writing styles.
Course: Journalism I
Department: Journalism
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11, 12
Pre-requisites: English 9, 10, recommendation by English teacher
Course Description: The students will learn basic revision and editing skills, basic principles of design and placement, writing and digital photography skills. The skills learned will be utilized in the newspaper and yearbook fields and students will participate as active members of both the Aquin (yearbook) and the Crown Prints (newspaper) staffs. Students will be expected to maintain attention to current events in terms of newspaper, television, radio and internet news sources in order to observe and imitate standard news writing technique.
Course: Journalism II
Department: Journalism
Required or Elective: Elective
Grade Offered: 12
Pre-requisites: English 9, 10, 11, Journalism I
Course Description: The students will maintain and improve upon all skills and duties mastered in Journalism I and will actively and productively participate in leadership roles as members of the Aquin and the Crown Prints staffs.
Course: Basic Math
Department: Math
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites:
Course Description: The Basic Math Curriculum is meant to help develop and reinforce fundamental math skills needed for higher level math courses and in every day life.
Course: Algebra II
Department: Math
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits:10
Grade Offered: 10,11,12
Pre-requisites: Algebra I
Course Description: The students will discover connections in the set of all numbers. Students will also be introduced to different types of equations. The goal throughout the year is for students to understand their objectives well enough to create their own problems.
Course: Informal Geometry
Department: Math
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: Algebra (recommended)
Course Description: The students will reinforce previously learned mathematical and algebraic fundamentals and begin the study of basic geometry.
Course: Geometry
Department: Math
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: Algebra (recommended)
Course Description: The students will develop problem solving strategies, techniques, and skills; learn to communicate mathematics verbally and in writing; improve critical thinking skills; reinforce previously learned mathematical and algebraic fundamentals.
Course: Pre-Calculus
Department: Math
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11,12
Pre-requisites: Geometry, Algebra I, Algebra II
Course Description: The students taking this course will study the main topics that are transformations of graphs and trigonometry. The goal throughout the year is for students to understand their objectives well enough to create their own problems.
Course: Calculus
Department: Math
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 12
Pre-requisites: Geometry, Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus
Course Description: The students will study the limits, differentiation, and integration. Throughout the course we solve problems analytically, graphically, and numerically. Students will focus a great deal on notation and its meaning in this course.
Course: College Math
Department: Math
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 12
Pre-requisites: Geometry, Algebra I, Algebra II
Course Description: This course reinforces the concepts of Algebra and prepares a student for introductory college math courses. This course envelops basic math skills, as well as multi-step mathematical problems. Probability and sequences are introduced. It also highlights the study of geometry.
Course: Physical Education & Health 1
Department: Physical Education
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students in Physical Education at the 9th grade level is split evenly between introductions to physical training, (which includes, strength training, proper physical warm up and stretching) and game playing which includes introductions to lifetime activities and physical competition games. The main goal is to educate the individual about his/her physical fitness and it’s relationship to a healthy effective human, and to obtain skills and knowledge in physical activities. Health sections present and discuss the affect of lifestyle and related decisions on an individual’s health.
Course: Physical Education 2
Department: Physical Education
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10 - 12
Pre-requisites: Physical Education 1
Course Description: The students in Physical Education, on this level, is an extension to the physical training of the 9th grade level PE. (This includes, strength training, proper physical warm up and stretching) and one day a week of game playing which will help to develop agility, speed, hand coordination, and eye coordination.
Course: Physical Science
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students in this course will learn an introduction into the study of matter and energy. The students need to understand Newton’s laws, velocity, acceleration, gravity, density, chemistry, light, magnetism, and simple machines.
Course: Environmental Science
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9 - 12
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students in this class work is hands on labs. These classes are structured to help to re-introduce science concepts in a very simple manner for the students. These are four books: General Science, Plant Life, Animal Life, Motion and Machines.
Course: Biology
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10
Pre-requisites: Physical Science
Course Description: The students learn about the scientific definition of life. They also review the basics of chemistry, the structure and functions of the cell parts and DNA within the cell. They deepen their understanding of cell processes and genetics and apply the foundational properties of cells in further study of organisms through the Taxonomic Classification System.
Course: Chemistry
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11 or 12
Pre-requisites: Physical Science, Biology
Course Description: The students study the physical and chemical properties of elements and understand how the elements interact to form chemical bonds or compounds. They will also calculate various equations related to chemical reactions a well as learn introductory organic chemistry.
Course: Applied Physics
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10 or 12
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students study how the science principles are applied to real life situations. We try to have hands on labs to demonstrate the science concepts. There is some math required. We use four text books: Force, Work, Rate, and Resistance.
Course: Physics
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11 & 12
Pre-requisites: Pre-Calculus is highly recommended
Course Description: The students in this class study the advanced study of matter and energy. This requires a greater knowledge of Newton’s laws, time, force, momentum, light, optics, and magnetic fields.
Course: Anatomy & Physiology
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11 & 12
Pre-requisites: Biology
Course Description: The students review basic chemistry, and the structure and functions of the cell parts. They also learn in great detail the structure and function of the twelve body systems, how they interact with each other to make the body work, and what can happen when those systems stop working.
Course: Honors Biology
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: --
Grade Offered: --
Pre-requisites: --
Course Description: The students in Honors Biology follow the curriculum for the Advanced Placement Biology. This is a college level biology course that covers the same topics as a two semester introductory biology course at university and uses a college text book from an approved list. The major topics covered include molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, organisms and populations and include biochemistry, molecular genetics, ecology, and human biology.
Course: Earth Science
Department: Science
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: -- 10
Grade Offered: -- 9-12
Pre-requisites: -- None
Course Description: This class reintroduces many aspects of science in simple and easy to understand manner with a combination of lecture, projects, and hands on labs. Students will learn about the scientific process, Geology, Astronomy, Meteorology, and how they relate to our daily lives.
Social Studies
Course: American History
Department: Social Studies
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students in American History will learn about the Civil War until times through the modern time’s era of 2000. Cause and effect with the interrelated events of American History is presented along with comparison and contrast of American History past with present.
Course: World Studies
Department: Social Studies
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11
Pre-requisites: American History
Course Description: This thematic course has an objective for the student to understand the diverse cultures of the world. Students will explore the regions of the world through geographic, economic, political, and religious factors. Connections from past events and movements to present conditions in the world will be a priority.
Course: American Government
Department: Social Studies
Required or Elective: Required
Credits:10
Grade Offered: 12
Pre-requisites: World Studies
Course Description: The students will cover the range of our governmental system from early foundations to today’s political science. Emphasis will not only be made on a knowledge base of the workings and activities of American Government but also active participation and citizenship will be strongly encouraged and modeled.
Course: Psychology/Sociology
Department: Social Studies
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 12
Pre-requisites:
Course Description: The students in this class will cover each social science for one semester. College preparatory in nature, this course will explore the basics of social science research and the foundations of Psychology and Sociology.
Course: Honors Social Studies
Department: Social Studies
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11th or 12th
Pre-requisites: Teacher Recommendation
Course Description: The students will have the opportunity to study either American History or World History to prepare for the Advanced Placement exam in May. This course is separate from our normal American History or World History Class. At the end of the course the student will have the option to write the Advanced Placement Exam if they wish to try for college credit. They will receive credit at Aquinas for successfully completing the course, whether they write the Advanced Placement Exam or not.
Course: Religion I
Department: Religion
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students learn more about themselves by learning more about God. During the first semester we learn more about God and his ways by a journey through the Old Testament Scriptures. Then in the second semester we explore the life of Christ by a careful study of the New Testament Scriptures. Also, we study the very beginning of the Church and the first Christians as we explore the Act of the Apostles and the Epistles.
Course: Religion II
Department: Religion
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students will study Church History and the Sacraments during their Sophomore year. For one semester, the students will look at the significant persons and events of the Catholic Church’s 2000 year history. For one semester, the students will learn about the Sacramental and devotional life of the Church, studying liturgy, the seven sacraments and Christian prayer.
Course: Religion III
Department: Religion
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: This course teaches students what it means to live a good Catholic moral life, based on God’s plan for the whole human race and for each person. Students learn how true self-knowledge leads to the knowledge of God’s goodness at work in their lives, and how love is the basic response to this knowledge. This course also provides students with a review of the principles of Catholic dogma as well as practice in apologetics, which means the defense of the Catholic faith.
Course: Religion IV
Department: Religion
Required or Elective: Required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 12
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students in Religion IV’s will study topics about Vocations and Social Justice. For one semester, the students will investigate the Christian call to faith, hope, love and holiness and how this call is lived through the various Christian states of life: Single Life, Marriage, Holy Orders and Religious Life. For one semester, the students will investigate the Scriptural and traditional foundations of Christian Social Justice and discuss how it is practiced today in an increasingly secular society.
Course: Cabinetry
Department: Technology
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students in this course will read blueprints and construct a set of cabinets for our Building Trades home. Students learn Safety, Math Skills, Tape Reading Skills and Methods of Construction in the classroom verified by quizzes and testing. Students are also graded on the shop tasks they’re given in the construction of the cabinet items.
Course: Cad & Cabinetry
Department: Technology
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description: The students in this course will read the AutoCAD LT98 textbook, answer chapter questions, complete the textbook exercises and end of chapter problems. They will be tested over the information in the text and will also be graded on their computer generated drawings. This class is offered every other year.
Department: Business
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 9-12
Pre-requisites: none
Course Description: The students in Computer applications learn how to better use the common programs found on computers today, including Microsoft Word, Power Point, Publisher, and Excel. This class will also be used to create, update, and revise the Aquinas Web Site.
Course: General Business
Department: Business
Required or Elective: required
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10
Pre-requisites: NA
Course Description: The students in this class will get a broad knowledge of business. The course begins with a look at the free enterprise and other economic systems as they relate to the global economy including economic topics such as: supply and demand, the business cycle, unemployment, and inflation. The course then shifts to emphasize relevant life skills related to business such as: career opportunities, checking accounts, rights and responsibilities of consumers and workers, investments, using credit wisely, insurance (including auto, life, health, and property), money management, and budgeting.
Course: Entrepreneurship
Department: Business
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10, 11, 12
Pre-requisites: NA
Course Description: The students in Entrepreneurship will learn the skills needed to effectively organize, develop, create, and manage their own business. This course includes economic, human resources, and marketing and business foundations. Additional topics to be addressed are assessment of personal skills, the components of the free enterprise system and its place in our global economy, human relations and interpersonal skills, the importance of business ethics, and the role quality and service plays in business. Students will develop a written business plan for a business of their choice. Instructional strategies may include computer/technology applications as well as real and/or simulated occupational experiences and projects in the marketing functions.
Course: Accounting I
Department: Business
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 10, 11 (preferred), 12
Pre-requisites: NA
Course Description: The students in Accounting I will be introduced to principles and procedures for proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations using double-entry accounting with emphasis on accounting principles as they relate to both manual and automated financial systems. This course will involve analyzing and recording business transactions and preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial reports as a basis for decision making. Students will also learn how to maintain a business checkbook, reconcile the checkbook, and calculate and record a payroll. This would be a good exploratory course for students thinking of majoring in accounting in college or for those wanting to go into the business world. Simulations will be used during the course to practice the accounting techniques learned.
Course: Accounting II
Department: Business
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 11, 12 (preferred)
Pre-requisites: Accounting I
Course Description: The students taking this course is designed for the college-bound student who plans to major in business. This course is also helpful to the student who wishes to secure a bookkeepers job with little or no college education. Accounting II builds on concepts learned in Accounting I. Students study and apply advanced accounting principles for corporations including: change funds and petty cash, receivables and bad debts, notes and interest, inventory valuation and control, fixed assets and depreciation, long-term liabilities and accruals, stockholder equity accounts, and computerized accounting. Simulations will be used during the course to practice the principles learned in this course.
Course: Accounting III
Department: Business
Required or Elective: elective
Credits: 10
Grade Offered: 12
Pre-requisites: Accounting II
Course Description: The students taking this course is designed for the college-bound student who plans to major in business. Accounting III builds on concepts learned in Accounting I & II. Students study and apply advanced accounting principles for partnerships and corporations. Topics include: analyzing and interpreting financial statements, not-for-profit accounting, and cost accounting. Simulations will be used during the course to practice the principles learned in this course.
Course: Building Trades
Department: Technology
Required or Elective: Elective
Credits: 20
Grade Offered: 11 & 12
Pre-requisites:
Course Description: Students in the course, using the Aquinas shop equipment, will construct a two to three home by the completion of the school year. Student will use the Modern Carpentry textbook, construction curriculum and instructor developed materials as supplemental materials to further advance their understanding of construction.