Q: What if I did not take the HSPT?
A: Students who did not take the HSPT will be placed into standard freshman college prep courses. At this time, we are working on a process to place students into higher classes and will update parents and students as soon as we have a definitive answer in place.
Q. I want to take Honors English I and was not placed in the class.
A. Placement in Honors English 1 was based on the results of the HSPT and this placement is final. Students interested in Honors English are eligible to take Honors English 2 in sophomore year by earning a 90% or higher for both semesters of English 1CP.
Q. I took Algebra 1 in Middle School and was placed in Algebra 1 again for 9th grade.
A. It is normal for students to take Algebra 1 in both 8th and 9th grades. Students were initially placed in Algebra 1A, Algebra 1, or Algebra 1 Honors based on the HSPT. Students initially placed in Algebra 1 who have completed a year of high school-level Algebra 1 in middle school can select Geometry. Students initially placed in Algebra 1 Honors who have completed a year of high school-level Algebra 1 in middle school can select Geometry Honors. Students who have taken a year of high school-level Algebra 1 and Geometry in middle school should select Geometry/Geometry Honors (based on initial placement) as their course placement and then plan to test for Algebra 2/Algebra 2 Honors prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Please see the "Algebra 2/2H Challenge Exam" box on this page for more information; the exam date is Monday, June 22, 2020. To reiterate, however, having a strong Algebra 1 foundation is important for success in high school math, and, consequently, many JSerra freshmen take Algebra 1 in high school after taking it in 8th grade.
Q. What is the pathway for Math at JSerra?
A. Here are the basic pathways for students at JSerra. Honors or AP classes are available for math levels from Algebra 1 to Calculus. Students must meet all pre-requisites to be eligible to enroll in the class.
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
Algebra IA |
Algebra IB |
Geometry* |
Algebra 2 |
Algebra 1 |
Geometry* |
Intermediate Algebra 2 |
Algebra 2 |
Algebra 1 |
Geometry* |
Algebra 2 |
Pre-Calculus or math elective |
Geometry |
Algebra 2 |
Pre-Calculus |
Calculus or math elective |
Algebra 2 |
Pre-Calculus |
Calculus |
Advanced mathematics |
*To advance, Geometry may be taken during the summer following the completion of Algebra 1/1B.
Q. What is the pathway for Science at JSerra?
A. Here are the basic pathways for students at JSerra. Honors or AP classes are available for all science levels except Conceptual Physics. Students must meet all pre-requisites to be eligible to enroll in the class. Students have been placed into their freshman science class based on the HPST and other academic factors.
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
Conceptual Physics |
Biology |
Chemistry or Conceptual Chemistry |
Science elective |
Biology |
Science elective |
Chemistry |
Physics |
Biology |
Chemistry |
Physics |
Science elective |
Q. What is the pathway for Social Studies at JSerra?
A. Here are the basic pathways for students at JSerra. All students are required to take Social Studies in 11th and 12th grades. One additional year of Social Studies is required during either freshman or sophomore year. Students also have the option to take Social Studies both freshman and sophomore year. Honors or AP classes are available for all Social Studies classes except for Ancient World History. Students must meet all pre-requisites to be eligible to enroll in the AP/Honors classes. Students have been given their options for freshman year Social Studies cases based on the results of their HSPT.
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
Ancient World History |
World History or AP European History |
US History |
American Government/Economics |
World History |
AP European History |
US History |
American Government/Economics |
No History |
World History |
US History |
American Government/Economics |
World History |
No History |
US History |
American Government/Economics |
Q. What is the difference between Theology 1 Foundations and Theology 1?
A. Theology 1 Foundations is designed for students who have not had prior instruction in Catholic theology. Theology 1 is designed for students with a background in Catholic theology. Please check the Course Descriptions under the online Course Catalog. Both courses are weighted the same.
Q. How do I take World Language Honors?
A. World Language Honors is not available for the first level of all languages except for Spanish. Honors level-World Language begins with level two except for American Sign Language (ASL) as JSerra does not offer honors-level ASL courses. Prior to selecting your World Language course, please review the list of skillsets necessary for the upper division levels of language provided by our World Language Department for Spanish 1 Honors or the second level of your chosen language. Students must have mastery of these skills to be successful in the class. If you feel you will test higher than level two of your language, please contact World Language Department Chair, Mr. Tom Smith (tsmith@jserra.org), for information about testing into higher levels of World Language. All students will be required to select an alternate World Language course.
Q. How do I become eligible for Honors classes my sophomore year?
A. Course pre-requisites for all classes can be found in the online Course Catalog. Students are encouraged to understand the requirements for the Honors and AP classes available at JSerra.