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Apply Medical Classroom 4-Year Plan Course Descriptions Meet the Director

Healthcare is both a science and a calling to serve.

Rooted in the Catholic tradition of caring for the whole person, JSerra’s Project A-Pulse® Medical Magnet Program combines rigorous science and mathematics coursework with medical ethics, clinical simulation, professional mentorship, and exposure to healthcare environments.

Over four years, students learn from physicians, nurses, medical technologists, healthcare leaders, and experienced educators while exploring a wide range of medical and allied health professions. They graduate with a strong scientific foundation, practical insight, and a deeper understanding of what it means to care for every person with skill, dignity, and compassion.

Why Medicine at JSerra?

Designed for Students Ready for a Challenge

The Medical Magnet combines an accelerated sequence of science and mathematics courses with specialized study in anatomy, physiology, genetics, neuroscience, medical ethics, and health sciences. Students complete more STEM coursework than the traditional college-preparatory sequence while developing the analytical skills and scientific foundation needed for competitive college health-science programs.

The four-year plan is also structured to allow students to participate in athletics, the arts, campus ministry, clubs, and other important parts of JSerra student life.

Program Highlights

Four-year honors medical curriculum
State-of-the-art medical simulation classroom
Hands-on clinical skill development
Hospital and healthcare partnerships
Research and medical case studies
Catholic approach to healthcare ethics
Distinguished Medical Magnet graduation cord and diploma distinction

Did you know?

The Medical Magnet, which started in 2010, was the very first magnet program established at JSerra. Today, it continues under the leadership of its founder, Dr. Betty Cappelletti.

Allowing us to have hands-on experience so early on gave me the insight into my specific fields of interest. In medical school interviews, I would tell them about the Magnet program and the interviewers were always blown away as it's not commonly offered.

- Carlos Solorzano Jr., '13

What You Will Experience

From Foundations to Clinical Practice

Each year builds upon the last, gradually introducing students to increasingly advanced concepts and real-world medical applications. Throughout the program, students engage with healthcare professionals who bring real-world expertise into the classroom and beyond. Through hospital visits, clinical observations, guest lectures, and networking opportunities, students gain firsthand insight into a wide range of medical specialties—from emergency medicine and surgery to radiology, nursing, hospital administration, and allied health professions. These experiences help students explore potential career paths while building a deeper understanding of what it means to care for patients with both skill and compassion. Students will learn about:

Human
Anatomy

Clinical
Skills

Medical
Ethics

Patient
Care

Emergency
Care

Biotechnology

Hospital
Experience

Guest
Experts

State-of-the-Art Medical Classroom

A Classroom Designed Like a Modern Medical Training Center

Learning medicine requires more than textbooks. JSerra's newly renovated Medical Magnet classroom was intentionally designed to mirror the environments students will encounter in college health science programs and professional healthcare settings.

The classroom features dedicated spaces for lecture, laboratory investigation, and clinical simulation, allowing students to move seamlessly from learning concepts to practicing real-world techniques.

Students gain experience using:

Anatomage Table — a life-size interactive digital anatomy system used by universities and medical schools for virtual dissection and anatomical study.
Laparoscopic surgical simulators — allowing students to develop hand-eye coordination while practicing minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Clinical skills laboratory with medical training equipment for patient assessment and diagnostic procedures.
Airway management trainers for practicing intubation and airway techniques.
High-fidelity patient simulators and hospital beds that recreate realistic patient care scenarios for learning vital signs, assessment, communication, and emergency response.
Laboratory workstations for biotechnology investigations, suturing practice, specimen analysis, and collaborative learning.

Why it Matters:

This equipment gives JSerra students meaningful exposure to medical simulation and clinical training methods before entering college. JSerra Medical Magnet students begin developing these skills years earlier, giving them exceptional confidence and preparation as they pursue healthcare careers.

Rather than simply observing medicine, students actively develop the confidence and technical skills that prepare them for future collegiate and professional healthcare environments.

Meet the Director, Dr. Betty Cappelletti

Dr. Betty Cappelletti is the founder and director of JSerra’s Project A-Pulse® Medical Magnet Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in radiologic technology, a Master of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in healthcare management, and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences. Before entering education, she worked and taught in healthcare settings, bringing extensive clinical and professional experience to the classroom.

Dr. Cappelletti joined JSerra in 2005 and established the Medical Magnet Program in 2010. In 2011, she received Project Tomorrow’s Innovation in Education Award as a High Impact Teacher in Science and Technology and was recognized by the California State Assembly as High Impact Teacher of the Year. Under her leadership, students develop the scientific knowledge, ethical foundation, and compassionate mindset needed for healthcare careers.

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Medicine is not simply about treating disease—it is about serving people with knowledge, compassion, integrity, and faith. My vision has always been to inspire young men and women to discover their calling in healthcare while developing the character, leadership, and clinical foundation needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Every student who enters this program has the opportunity to become not only an exceptional healthcare professional, but an exceptional human being.

— Dr. Betty Cappelletti, Founder and Director, Medical Magnet Program

From the Medical Classroom to Clinical Understanding

The Medical Magnet Program prepares students to enter college with experience that many future healthcare professionals will not encounter until years later.

Students practice clinical techniques in a controlled simulation environment using professional training equipment. Through patient simulators, anatomical technology, and guided laboratory exercises, they learn about assessment, communication, emergency response, medical imaging, airway management, and other foundational healthcare practices.

By the time they graduate from JSerra, students have already experienced many of the environments, technologies, and professional interactions that most aspiring healthcare professionals do not encounter until college or beyond. That familiarity builds confidence, reinforces classroom learning, and helps students enter university health science programs prepared to excel.

Four Years of Progressive Learning

A curriculum intentionally designed to build mastery.

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Year 1

FRESHMEN | Building the Foundation

Discover the foundations of medicine through advanced science, healthcare exploration, medical ethics, and lifesaving certifications.

COURSES: Biology Honors | Geometry Honors| Intro to Health Science Technology Honors (semester) and Medical Ethics (semester)

Year 2

SOPHOMORES | Expanding Scientific Knowledge

Build college-level scientific knowledge with rigorous biology, chemistry, and mathematics while strengthening your laboratory skills.

COURSES: AP Biology | Chemistry Honors | Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors

Year 3

JUNIORS | Applying Medicine in Practice

Experience medicine firsthand through anatomy, physiology, dissections, simulation labs, and clinical applications.

COURSES: Anatomy and Physiology Honors | An Upper Division Science Course (per director’s approval) | AP Precalculus

Year 4

SENIORS | Preparing for the Future

Explore the frontiers of genetics and neuroscience while preparing to excel in college health science and pre-medical programs.

COURSES: Concepts of Genetics Honors (semester) | Intro to Neuroscience Honors (semester) | An Upper Division Science Course (per director’s approval) | Calculus, AP Calculus, or AP Statistics

Medical Magnet Courses & Descriptions

VIEW COURSES

VIEW COURSES

Introduction to Health Sciences Honors | Grade 9

Medical Ethics Honors | Grade 9

Biology Honors | Grades 9-10

Chemistry Honors | Grades 10-11

AP Biology | Grades 11-12

Anatomy and Physiology Honors (PMPMP) | Grade 11

Concepts of Genetics Honors | Grade 12

Introduction to Neuroscience Honors | Grade 12

By the Numbers

2010

Program Established

4

Years of Medical Coursework

7

Honors Courses

1

State-of-the-Art Medical Simulation Lab

The Medical Magnet Program has given me the confidence and foundation I need to thrive at a top college.

- Jessica '19

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Ready to Explore Your Future?

Every JSerra Magnet Program combines rigorous academics, real-world experiences, and meaningful mentorship to help students discover where their passions can lead. Explore program requirements, application information, and take the next step toward finding your place in our community.

VIEW REQUIREMENTS & APPLY CONTACT THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR