Online Courses

Online courses are an excellent way to supplement traditional on campus courses at JSerra Catholic High School. JSerra is committed to providing a wide range of online courses that enhance learning and provide flexibility for students. We recognize that students may want to take additional classes to augment their schedule, advance in a subject, or remediate a course. Because of the flexibility of online courses, students have the opportunity to complete coursework during times that are conducive to their schedules.

Arts

GRAPHIC DESIGN - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

Graphic Design is a year-long digital art class providing students a hands-on, working knowledge of a career in graphic design. Students will explore the role of the artist as a visual communicator — one who seeks bold simplicity of form. Utilizing two powerful software programs (Adobe Illustrator CS5 and Adobe Photoshop CS5), students will create vector-based (line) illustrations, business documents (logos, ads, brochures, etc.), and pixel-based photo manipulation. We will focus on the six design elements: line, color, shape, space, value and texture, as well as the design principles of balance and emphasis. Mastery of the Mac operating system will further enhance the students' grasp of technology in the world of graphic design. The course has a limited enrollment. All work is done in the classroom; there is NO homework, tests or quizzes. One chosen project will serve as a final.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved

FILM 1 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisite: Students must possess a computer capable of running Adobe Premiere Pro (software subscription provided by JSerra) and a camera that can record HD 1080p+ digital video and audio (i.e. a good quality smart phone like an iPhone or a DSLR or mirrorless camera with lens and SD card).

This beginning level film course introduces students to the fundamentals of filmmaking, including screenwriting and storyboarding, camera angles and movements, sound recording, non-linear editing, color correction, and analysis of short and feature films. Grading is based on assessments, discussions, and creative projects that demonstrate an understanding of film concepts.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved

HISTORY of Rock and Roll - Grades 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

History of Rock and Roll is designed for the student who has a deep interest in rock and roll music, its incredible artists, and its importance in shaping American culture. This course will focus on the distinct eras of Rock 'n Roll, from its 1950s birth (a melding of traditional country western, gospel and blues from the early 20th century), to the rock explosion of the 60s (including the British Invasion, Folk, Soul, and Psychedelia), into the 70s with Punk, Hard Rock, and Singer/Songwriters, the 80s with New Wave and Heavy Metal, 90s Grunge, and ending with today's current rock trends. Students will listen to and discuss various artists who capture the "flavor" of a particular era. Popular styles and trends will also be explored. Performance-wise, as each unit (era) is completed, students will then have the added excitement and opportunity to learn to play a few selected songs from that era on the guitar (or their chosen instrument).

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved

AP ART HISTORY - GRADES 10-12

Prerequisites: A minimum A- in each semester of prior history and English courses or a minimum B- in each semester of prior honors history and English courses.

Students will be active participants, engaging with art and its context as they read, research, and collaborate to learn about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art. The AP Art History course is structured around three big ideas, three essential questions, twelve learning objectives, and ten content areas outlined within the College Board Advanced Placement Art History Framework. Each content area is represented by a prescribed image set accompanied by enduring understanding and essential knowledge statements that provide required contextual information to serve as a foundation and catalyst for student learning within the course. The intention is for students to explore art in its historic and cultural contexts. Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam.

AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for Honors

English

ENGLISH 1 (REMEDIATION ONLY)- GRADE 9

Prerequisites: None.

English 1 is a college preparatory course which focuses on the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The course is literature-based with a sacramental worldview, and includes a short story unit, such novels as Fahrenheit 451 and To Kill a Mockingbird, the drama Romeo and Juliet, and the epic poem The Odyssey. Writing instruction centers primarily on literary analysis in the form of organized paragraphs in the first semester; by the second semester, students write quote-embedded five-paragraph essays. Students also write a comprehensive research paper on Courageous Activists in the second semester. Additionally, the course includes bi-weekly vocabulary and grammar lessons.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

ENGLISH 2 - GRADE 10

Prerequisites: None.

English 2 is a college preparatory course which continues the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The course is literature-based with a sacramental worldview, and includes the memoir Night, such novels as The Lord of the Flies, Perelandra, and Cry the Beloved Country, the drama A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the epic poem The Inferno. Writing instruction centers primarily on literary analysis in the form of four and five-paragraph, quote-embedded essays. Students also write a comprehensive, multi-source research paper on a post-Holocaust genocide in the first semester. Additionally, the course includes bi-weekly vocabulary lessons.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

ENGLISH 3 - GRADE 11

Prerequisites: None.

English 3 is a college preparatory American Literature course which espouses the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The course is literature-based with a sacramental worldview. It examines novels, short stories, poetry, and essays in the context of such literary movements as Romanticism, Transcendentalism, Gothic, Realism, Feminism, Modernism, the Harlem Renaissance, and Postmodernism. Writing instruction centers primarily on literary analysis in the form of analytical questions and five-paragraph, quote-embedded essays. Students also write a comprehensive, multi-source Themes Across History research paper in the second semester in which they examine how a theme in American Literature presents itself throughout history and culture. Additionally, the course includes regular lessons in vocabulary and usage.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

ENGLISH 4 - GRADE 12

Prerequisites: None.

English 4 is a college preparatory British Literature course which espouses the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The course is literature-based with a sacramental worldview; it includes the epic poems Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales, the drama Macbeth, and such novels as Frankenstein and Brave New World. Writing instruction centers primarily on literary analysis in the form of multi-paragraph, quote-embedded responses. Students also write a comprehensive, multi-source research paper in the second semester which examines the Moral Challenges of Modern Science. Additionally, the course includes regular lessons in vocabulary and usage.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

Math

ALGEBRA 1 - GRADE 9

Prerequisites: None.

The skills acquired in this course contain the basic knowledge needed for all future high school math courses. Each module in this course is presented in a step-by-step way right on the computer screen. Hands-on labs make the numbers, graphs, and equations more real. The content is tied to real-world applications like sports, travel, business, and health. This course is designed to give students the skills and strategies to solve all kinds of mathematical problems.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

GEOMETRY - GRADES 9-11

Prerequisites: Minimum C- in each semester of Algebra 1, or one full year of Algebra 1A and one full year of Algebra 1B. Incoming freshmen can place into this course by passing the Math placement exam.

Geometry exists everywhere in the world around you. We use it to build bridges, to design maps, or to create perspective in paintings. Throughout this course, you will use problem solving and real world application to gain the knowledge of geometric concepts and their practical uses.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

ALGEBRA 2 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: Minimum C- in each semester of Algebra 1 and Geometry and a minimum C- average on the weekly Algebra quizzes taken throughout the year in Geometry.

Algebra 2 is an advanced course using hands-on activities, applications, group interactions, and the latest technology allowing students to learn while having fun. Interactive examples help guide students' journey through customized feedback and praise. Mathematical concepts are applied to everyday occurrences such as earthquakes, stadium seating, and purchasing movie tickets. Students investigate the effects of an equation on its graph using technology. Students have opportunities to work with their peers on specific lessons.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

AP STATISTICS - GRADES 11, 12

Prerequisite: Minimum B- in each semester of Algebra 2 or minimum C- in each semester of Algebra 2 Honors, minimum C- in each semester of Statistics.

Advanced Placement Statistics will introduce students to exploring data, sampling and experimentation by planning and conducting studies, anticipating patterns using probability and simulation, and employing statistical inference to analyze data and draw conclusions. Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam.

AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for Honors

Science

BIOLOGY - GRADES 9, 10

Prerequisites: Incoming Freshmen will be placed into Biology based on the results of the High School Placement Test (HSPT). Students who have not taken the HSPT must take a Science Placement Test.

In this year-long course, students are introduced to the main areas of biology: cells and their functions; genetics: evolution, natural selection, and ecology. Students will use the scientific method in labs and activities throughout the year. Labs and activities include modeling and computer simulations, dissection, topic research, and problem solving.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

CHEMISTRY - GRADES 10-12

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or higher or a minimum A- in each semester of Biology. Current teacher recommendation required.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved

PHYSICS - GRADES 11, 12

Prerequisites: A minimum B- in each semester of Algebra 2 and Chemistry.

This course examines the science of matter and energy and is the foundation to all other sciences. The course is mathematical in nature and requires mastery of algebra and basic trigonometry. Subject matter covered includes the conservation of energy, linear, rotational, and wave motion, heat, electricity, magnetism, light, optical instruments, relativity, and nuclear physics. Problem solving techniques will include written work, laboratory experiments, and computer-based models. Critical thinking, analysis, and mathematical skills are important in this course.

This course emphasizes learning physics through demonstrations, problem solving exercises with dimensional analysis, and peer exercises with hands-on laboratory experiments on physical phenomena. Students will participate in a significant number of laboratory investigations during the course. Students are required to have a laptop computer that can run Capstone software and use wireless sensors, please check system requirements on here.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

Social Studies

WORLD HISTORY - GRADES 9, 10

Prerequisite: Placement based on HSPT results for incoming freshmen.

In Segment I, students will learn how the Roman Empire developed, discover the great intellectual and cultural contributions of Islamic Empires, and journey through the Middle Ages of Europe and Japan. to learn how knights and samurais lived. Students will investigate the rise and fall of great kingdoms of the Americas and Africa, then travel back to the Europe of the Renaissance and Reformation era. In Segment II students will learn about advancements during the Age of Enlightenment and the social and political revolutions that followed. As students meander through the 19th century, they will learn about the transformation from an agricultural to an industrial world. Students will then learn about the interconnectedness of nationalism and colonialism and the two massive world wars.

Year
10 credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY - GRADES 10 -12

Prerequisites: Minimum A- in each semester of prior social studies course or a minimum B- in prior honors or AP social studies course. Minimum A- in each semester of prior English course or a minimum B- in each semester of prior English Honors course.

The AP Human Geography course is designed to provide college level instruction on the patterns and processes that impact the way humans understand, use, and change Earth's surface. Students use geographic models, methods, and tools to examine human social organization and its effect on the world in which we live. Students are challenged to use maps and geographical data to examine spatial patterns and analyze the changing interconnections among people and places. Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam.

AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for Honors
NCAA Approved

U.S. HISTORY- GRADE 11

Prerequisites: None.

In this course, students will investigate the people, events and ideas that have shaped the United States from the end of the Civil War through today. Students are asked to analyze and evaluate decisions made by political, business and military leaders. Emphasis is placed on connections between events of the past and present. This course also gives students the opportunity to conduct research and apply their learning to current, real-world problems.

Year
10 credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT - GRADE 12

Prerequisites: None.

Responsible citizenship, including civil and political participation is essential to maintain a representative government that truly represents the people of the United States. In this course, students learn about the structure of government and how it shares power at the local, state and federal levels. This course also explores founding principles that inspired the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Students will examine the processes of each branch of government, the election process, and how citizens can impact public policy.

Semester
5 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

ECONOMICS - GRADE 12

Prerequisites: None.

Students will see how the economic choices of larger groups, like businesses and governments, affect students and others. As students progress through the course, students will recognize that the costs and benefits of choices connect individuals and groups around the world. The purpose of this course is to help students become a smart consumer who understands the flow of an economy between individuals, businesses, governments, and the rest of the world.

Semester
5 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

World Languages

CHINESE 1 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

Students join various native speakers of Mandarin Chinese as they give a lively introduction to the language and its rich culture. Set in their everyday environment, the native speakers take students through different daily scenarios and give them the necessary skills to read, write, and speak Chinese. Students learn the basic Chinese language.

Homework expectation: 1 hour per week
Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

CHINESE 2 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: Minimum C- in each semester of Mandarin Chinese 1. Incoming freshmen must take the World Language Placement Test.

Chinese 2 enables the students to further develop the communicative skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing of Mandarin Chinese at a more advanced level. Students are immersed in Chinese culture as virtual exchange students in China. Virtual excursions from one Chinese city to another expand their vocabulary helping them learn to interact with others and use appropriate terms to communicate in various everyday situations.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

CHINESE 3 HONORS GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: Minimum B- in each semester of Mandarin Chinese 2. Current teacher recommendation required. Incoming freshmen and transfers must interview with the teacher.

The Chinese 3 course greatly improves students' reading abilities, and students are able to write in Chinese in various formats such as journal, letter, invitation, and essay. The course also enriches and fortifies the students' knowledge and skills in writing simplified Chinese characters. Students learn more essential knowledge of Chinese culture, including the origins, histories, anecdotes, and etiquettes for various cultural settings, events, and occasions.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for Honors
NCAA Approved

FRENCH 1 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

Bienvenue! Welcome! Come and join various native French speakers as they give students a lively introduction to the language and its rich culture. Join them in their everyday environment as they take students through different daily scenarios and give them the necessary skills to read, write, and speak French. Students learn the basic French language.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

FRENCH 2 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisite: Minimum C- in each semester of French 1. Incoming freshmen must take the World Language Placement Test.

Salut! Get set for some more adventure! In French II, students are immersed in the French language and culture. This course is full of engaging and interactive videos, dialogs, presentations, self-checks, and much more! The purpose of this course is to further develop the French communicative skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. In French II, students will broaden their French vocabulary and knowledge of grammar.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

FRENCH 3 Honors - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisite: Minimum A- in the 1st semester and 3rd quarter of French 2 or a minimum B- in the 1st semester and 3rd quarter of French 2 H. Current teacher recommendation is required.

Continue your journey in the exploration of the French language and the richness of its diverse cultures. In the French 3 course, you will sharpen the increased listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills you acquired in French 1 and 2. Communication remains the main focus through speaking, listening, writing, and reading. You will dive a little deeper into the francophone cultures and apply what you learn through written practice and listening, reading, and speaking exercises.

Year
10 Credits
NCAA Approved

LATIN 1 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

There is a reason "all roads lead to Rome." In this course, students find out for themselves as they take their first steps on a lifelong journey of discovery. Students improve their command of the English language by studying Latin and gain a better understanding of today's laws and culture by getting into the Roman mind. Latin I is the most comprehensive way to begin. Students will build a foundation in Latin grammar and vocabulary.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

LATIN 2- GRADES 9-12

Prerequisite: Minimum C- in each semester of Latin 1.

In Latin 2, the plots and the characters that populated ancient Rome will come alive. In this course, students build on their knowledge of Latin grammar and vocabulary. In the process, students sense the beauty of the language and the passion of those who spoke it. Roman engineering, art, commerce and system of laws were all supported by a clear, expressive and flexible language - a language in which students will be able to communicate.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

LATIN 3 HONORS - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisite: Minimum C- in each semester of Latin 1 and Latin 2.

In Latin 3 H, students take their knowledge and appreciation of Latin to the next level. Students read some of the best Latin prose and poetry ever written or spoken; students visit the library of great authors. The library card gives them access to the timeless words of the greatest Roman poets, storytellers, and orators. Students' skills with the Latin language give them direct access to the beauty and power of these great authors' thoughts. Students will strengthen their vocabulary as well as their appreciation for well-crafted writing.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for honors
NCAA Approved

SPANISH 1 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome! Students are taking a virtual trip to Spain, Cuba, Colombia, and Argentina. As students travel to each country, they learn how to speak Spanish in many practical and useful ways. Students learn how to greet people, introduce themselves, and speak about their home, family, school, and community. As students learn basic vocabulary and grammar skills, they expand on their knowledge and learn to speak about more complex topics such as shopping, weather, sports, entertainment, and leisure activities. Students learn basic Spanish grammar to help them build fluency and understand the structure of the Spanish language.

Homework expectation: 1-2 hours per week
Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

SPANISH 2 - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: Minimum C- in each semester of Spanish 1. Incoming freshmen must take the World Language Placement exam.

In Spanish 2, students travel virtually through Central America and the Caribbean, spending time in museums, traffic jams, and even the hospital. In this course, students broaden their Spanish vocabulary and their knowledge of grammar. Students strengthen Spanish listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students also experience the beauty and expressiveness of a language that is shared by different people and cultures throughout the world.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

SPANISH 3 HONORS - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: Minimum B- in each semester of Spanish 2H or a minimum A- in each semester of Spanish 2.

Dive into the rich diversity of Hispanic culture across the globe by exploring the tastes, sights, and sounds of this dynamic language that reflects triumph, struggle, celebration, and so much more. During this cultural journey, students improve conversational, vocabulary, and writing skills through authentic tasks. Take your Spanish language abilities to the next level!

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for honors
NCAA Approved

SPANISH 4 HONORS - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: Minimum A- in each semester of Spanish 3 or a minimum B- in each semester of Spanish 3H.

Spanish 4 H will expand students' language skills and take them on a fascinating cultural journey. Through exploring the past, students will come to understand the importance of community, family, and personal relationships. They will be immersed in culture—movement, art, music, literature. Meeting real people and hearing their stories will allow students to gain new vocabulary, have better command of the language, and understand their role as a global citizen.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for honors
NCAA Approved

PE/Health

HEALTH - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

With a focus on health and fitness, this course guides students to be active and healthy now and for a lifetime. Effective strategies and techniques are a foundation of the course so that students can continually make improvements in all areas of wellness. Students set personal goals in four areas of wellness: physical, emotional, social, and academic. The course uses videos, graphics, and interactive learning opportunities to encourage students to eat well, get up, and be active. Leading a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent health problems before they occur — this course helps students do just that.

Semester
5 Credits

PERSONAL FITNESS - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

This course was designed to offer three modules of motivation for teens. The modules—Move Strong, Live Well, and Eat Healthy—guide students through learning about strength and endurance training, choosing lifetime fitness activities, and connecting nutrition to lifetime fitness. The course is filled with language and images that reflect strength and diversity to motivate teens and allow them to envision themselves committing to fitness.

Semester/Year
5 Credits/10 Credits

Electives

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A - GRADES 10-12

Prerequisite: Minimum of A- in each semester of Computer Science 2 or teacher approval.

The AP Computer Science A course is an introductory computer science course. A large part of the course involves developing the skills to write programs or parts of programs that correctly solve specific problems. The course also emphasizes the design issues that make programs understandable, adaptable, and when appropriate, reusable. At the same time, the development of useful computer programs and classes is used as a context for introducing other important concepts in computer science, including the development and analysis of algorithms, the development and use of fundamental data structures, and the study of standard algorithms and typical applications. Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam.

AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for Honors

Art History and Criticism I Honors - Grade 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

In this course students will understand the political, cultural, and religious changes throughout history that are depicted within art. This course is an opportunity for students to reflect on how art was and is used as a vehicle to communicate, depict political and religious propaganda, and serve as evidence of cultural shifts and changes. Students will be challenged to contemplate the connection between art and context through reflective writing assessments and Discussion-Based Assessments. Students will build upon knowledge throughout the course and understand how art reflects and communicated cultural change and evolution. Students will develop critical skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation in this course by analyzing historical documents, working in a thematic context, developing proficiency in note-taking, free-response writing, and solving problems. Students will demonstrate their skills through participation in extended collaborative projects. Art History & Criticism 1 Honors is an honors-only course. All assessments in this course are honors level and students will earn honors credit only.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved

Digital Information Technology - Grades 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

Dive into an exciting course that will provide you with the foundational skills needed for exciting careers like game development, military defense, web design, and software engineering! You will explore Microsoft Office online applications, web design, emerging technologies, operating systems, project management, communication methods, Information Technology careers, and much more in this course. Learn about your strengths and how they relate to different career paths.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved

Foundations of Programming - Grades 10-12

Prerequisites: None.

Foundations of Programming will teach students the fundamentals of programming using the computer language Python. The course provides students with the concepts, techniques, and processes associated with computer programming and software development. Students will also explore the many programming career opportunities available in this high-demand field.

Year
10 Credits
UC Approved

JOURNALISM - GRADES 9-12

Prerequisites: None.

This course provides students with the fundamental basics of journalism. Students begin by exploring the history of American journalism, examining different media such as print, radio, television, and internet journalism. Students learn how to write a news story, a feature story, and an editorial, with a focus on research, analyzing the reliability of sources, conducting interviews, writing leads, revising, and self-editing. Students will also take a close look at different careers in journalism, ethics in journalism, and visual layouts using technology, including web 2.0 tools.

Semester
5 Credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

PSYCHOLOGY - GRADES 10-12

Prerequisites: None.

Understanding the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of self and others is critical to developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships. In Psychology I, students learn theories of historically significant psychologists who laid the foundation for scientific research and a clearer understanding of the human mind. This course explores how psychological perspectives influence personality and play a role in human development across the lifespan. Students examine how behaviors are developed, memories are stored and language is acquired. Students also learn about the symptoms and classifications of psychological disorders, along with the various forms of treatments available. After completing this course, students will be equipped with problem solving strategies and even learn methods to cope with stress. Practical, everyday application of the content is a focus of this course.

Semester
5 credits
UC Approved
NCAA Approved

AP PSYCHOLOGY - GRADES 11-12

Prerequisites: 11th or 12th grade status. A grade of 90% or better in previous social studies course or a grade of 80% or better in previous honors or AP social studies course.

AP Psychology is a college-level course providing students with an overview of the development of human behaviors and thoughts. Along with preparation for the AP Psychology exam, the goals of this course are to immerse students in modern psychological investigation techniques, to accentuate the ethics and morality of human and animal research, and to emphasize scientific critical thinking skills in application to the social sciences. Psychology is a diverse social and biological science with multiple perspectives and interpretations. The primary emphasis of this course is to help students develop an understanding of concepts rather than memorize terms and technical details. Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam.

AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
Year
10 Credits
UC Approved for Honors
NCAA Approved