View the complete 2024-2025 curriculum guide here.
2024-2025 Curriculum
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Acting Workshop
This is an honors-level audition-based course for the serious acting student.
Advanced Honors Biology
This advanced level course builds on the topics from Biology and Honors Biology with a molecular and structural focus.
Advanced Honors Chemistry I (Organic) and II (Biochemistry)
In this second-year exploration of advanced chemistry topics, students investigate organic synthesis, drug design and natural products with applications to biochemistry, pharmacology and biotechnology.
Advanced Honors Chinese Language and Culture
In this course, students will build upon the foundation of Chinese IV Honors and will become more deeply immersed into the language and culture of the Chinese-speaking world.
Advanced Honors Computer Science
This college-level course establishes a strong understanding of the structure and interpretation of computer programs.
Advanced Honors Economics
In the Advanced Honors lab sessions, students explore advanced economic concepts such as behavioral economics, Marxism and income inequality.
Advanced Honors English
This course offers the most accomplished seniors advanced literary analysis of representative works of poetry, fiction and drama.
Advanced Honors French
This course is designed for students with highly developed language skills who are interested in continuing to deepen and refine their mastery of French in an advanced seminar format.
Advanced Honors Latin: Literature
Students planning to enroll in this course next year meet with the instructor this spring to select a set of texts they want to explore in Advanced Honors Latin.
Advanced Honors Math: Linear Algebra
This course focuses on differential equations and develops that topic by using techniques from Linear Algebra.
Advanced Honors Mathematics: Multivariable Calculus
Multivariable Calculus takes the concepts covered in single-variable calculus and extends them to multiple dimensions.
Advanced Honors Mathematics: Number Theory
In this course, students begin by studying topics in elementary number theory.
Advanced Honors Physics
This is the department’s most advanced physics course and explores topics in mechanics, electricity and magnetism from a calculus-based perspective.
Advanced Honors Spanish: Modern Mexico
This course is designed for students with highly developed language skills who are interested in continuing to deepen and refine their mastery of Spanish in an advanced seminar format.
Advanced Honors Spanish: Spanish Through the Study of Film and Literature
This course is designed for students with highly developed language skills who are interested in continuing to deepen and refine their mastery of Spanish in an advanced seminar format.
Advanced Speech and Debate
In the class, students continue to refine their oratorical skills as well as prepare for specific extemporaneous and prepared events.
Advanced Theater Production
This course is for serious technical theater students who wish to continue their development as theater technicians and artisans.
Applied Economics
This course is designed to explore decision making at all levels as students explore how individuals and societies manage scarce resources in an attempt to satisfy unlimited wants.
Applied Psychology
Using case studies, this course will explore how biological, psychological and social-cultural dynamics intersect and influence the thoughts and actions of individuals and groups.
Associated Student Body
This is a non-academic leadership group that meets two periods per cycle for the entire school year.
Big History
Big History attempts to answer these questions by surveying the entirety of history from the beginning of the universe to the present day and even predictions about the future.
Biology
This course provides a thorough introduction to the increasingly important field of biology, covering the core concepts of biochemistry, genetics, natural selection and ecology.
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Modern molecular tools have revolutionized the fields of medicine, forensics, agriculture, genetics, evolutionary biology, and anthropology.
Bishop's Chamber Orchestra
This course is an audition-only, advanced orchestral and chamber music class for string, wind and brass players with four or more years of experience on their instrument.
Bishop's Chorus I/II
This introductory choral performance group is open to all upper school students who enjoy singing and would like to improve their singing technique.
Bishop's Chorus III/IV
This course is designed to develop more advanced musical and performance skills through singing choral literature from a variety of periods and musical styles.
Bishop's Singers
This course is an audition-only mixed choral ensemble for the more serious singers who already read music, have had experience with singing in a choral ensemble, and wish to expand their experiences by learning and performing more advanced repertoire.
Calculus
In this course students will explore limits, derivatives and integrals, and develop the skills necessary to solve problems within these topic areas.
Ceramics I
This course is designed for students’ self-expression, using clay as the medium.
Ceramics II
This course gives greater freedom to select a personalized program in ceramics.
Ceramics III
This course is designed for students who are self-directed and committed to their personal expression in ceramics.
Ceramics IV
This course is a continuation of a student's artistic and technical development with ceramics.
Chemistry
This course familiarizes students with the underlying principles that govern the chemical reactions in our world
Chinese I
This course is an introduction to Chinese language and culture and, as such, stresses developing Chinese speaking and listening skills in everyday situations.
Chinese II
Building on the skills mastered in Chinese I or Chinese IA and IB, Chinese II is a theme-based course designed to develop students’ communicative skills in handling uncomplicated tasks and predictable transactions in the immediate environment.
Chinese III
This course prepares students to engage and produce paragraph-length discourses on topics relating to the immediate environment and the greater community.
Chinese IV
This course continues the work of Chinese III, deepening student’s ability to engage with greater proficiency in each of the three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational).
Conceptual Physics
Students investigate light, waves, motion, forces and energy.
Conceptual Physics Enriched
Students investigate light, waves, motion, forces and energy.
Costume Design and Construction I
This class is designed to introduce students to basic construction techniques and elements of costume design.
Costume Design and Construction II
This course builds on the construction techniques and information learned in Costume Design and Construction I.
Creative Nonfiction
Using the Touchstone Anthology of Creative Nonfiction and The New Yorker as its central texts, this writing-intensive course aims to help students sharpen their skills as creative and critical thinkers and writers.
Dance I
This course focuses on the development of introductory theatrical dance vocabulary.
Dance II
This is an intermediate level continuation of Dance I.
Digital Media I
Digital Media I is an introduction to lens-based media with a focus on both photography and video production.
Digital Media II
This course expands on Digital Media I.
Digital Media III
This course expands on Digital Media II.
Digital Media IV
This advanced lens-based media course is designed for students developing their personal portfolio while focusing on an in-depth exploration of photography, filmmaking, or interactive art.
Dramaturgy
Dramaturgy is defined as the process of in-depth literary, historical, sociocultural and theoretical analysis applied to a range of performance types, in order to facilitate the work of the cast, crew and production team.
Economics
This course is designed to explore decision making at all levels.
Electrical Engineering
This course is a hands-on introduction to building and understanding electronic devices.
Engineering Physics
In this project-based course, students apply knowledge of fundamental principles of physics to a variety of hands-on engineering projects designed to illustrate these principles.
English I
English I is a writing-intensive course that asks students to analyze a variety of literary texts through a writer’s lens.
English II
Building on the skills taught in English I, this course teaches students how to read increasingly complex and challenging texts actively, closely and analytically.
English III Honors American Literature
This accelerated, college-level, year-long course offers a survey of American literature organized thematically to assure student exposure to a variety of voices, styles and genres.
English III: American Literature
English III is an American literature course, with a focus on three overlapping categories: immigrant experiences, stories of self-invention, and dissenting voices.
English IV Banned Books
This semester course will focus on literary works that have been, and in some places, continue to be banned and/or challenged in classrooms.
English IV Detective Fiction
This semester course is a study of Detective Fiction, a subset of Modern American Crime Narrative.
English IV Dramaturgy
This course will offer an introduction to the work of the dramaturg for both pre-existing and new works.
English IV Honors Writing
This accelerated, college-level, yearlong writing course explores how literature and rhetoric work, collectively and respectively.
English IV Narrative Fiction
Narrative Fiction is a study of short fiction.
English IV Poetry
This course introduces students to modern and contemporary poetry in all its forms while paying heed to the great poets and poems of the past.
English IV Shakespeare
We consider Shakespeare’s plays for their philosophical value, ethical ambiguity, political prescience and the probing of themes such as leadership and loyalty, race and gender, love and friendship.
Environmental Science: California
This semester course delves into environmental issues through a California-centric perspective.
Environmental Science: Global Issues
This semester course offers a comprehensive examination of environmental issues through a global lens.
Experimental Programming
This beginning course in computer science introduces students to the basic computer programming constructs while giving them the fundamental concepts of computer science.
Feminism: A Biblical Perspective
In order to engage in conversations about gender and equality one must be skilled in reading and interpreting the stories that have shaped many of our views on women.
Food Science: Why Food Matters to Us
This course attempts to define why food matters to every one of us.
Forensic Science: Bugs, Bullets and Blood
This course introduces students to areas of biology, chemistry, physics and geology that are applied in analyzing evidence found at a crime scene.
French I
French I is a foundational language course.
French II
Building on the skills mastered in French I or French IA and IB, in this course students further develop their proficiency in the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational).
French III
This course continues to build on the skills acquired in French II.
French IV
In this course, students expand on the knowledge acquired in previous courses and incorporate new strategies that improve their skills across all four language modalities (speaking, listening, reading, writing), through a variety of readings, films, writing activities, role play situations, in-class discussions and oral presentations.
General Fitness
This curriculum includes various introductory level activities related to fitness.
Health
The health curriculum is designed to encourage active student involvement in the development of a healthy lifestyle.
History & Social Sciences: Global Issues
This semester-long study of major issues affecting the world today offers students a global overview of political, economic, social and cultural issues that are shaping their future.
Honors America's War on Terror
This course will consider American foreign policy since 9/11 with an emphasis on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Honors Art History
This course teaches art history through the critical analysis of art movements, theories and works of art.
Honors Art Portfolio
This course welcomes students who demonstrate an advanced ability to create visual artwork with technical skills and a mature approach to art making.
Honors Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision
This course delves into the expanding realm of machine learning and artificial intelligence at various levels.
Honors Atomic Bomb
Students in this course will trace the scientific development of the atomic bomb, begin to understand how its usage and proliferation affected world culture and history, and investigate the role that nuclear weapons continue to play in the 21st century.
Honors Biology
This advanced course is rigorous, fast-paced and equivalent to a first-year college biology course and is taught with a college textbook.
Honors Calculus AB
This is a college-level course on differential and integral calculus, but not including power series.
Honors Calculus BC
This is a college-level course on differential and integral calculus including power series and topics, such as the calculus of polar graphs, that go beyond the scope of the AB syllabus.
Honors Chemistry
This course emphasizes laboratory investigation and making connections between seemingly disparate topics within chemistry, applying our students’ understanding of the physical world formed in physics to chemistry while refining a strong foundation in chemistry for application to biological systems.
Honors Chinese III
This course covers the material of Chinese III in greater depth and at an accelerated pace.
Honors Chinese IV
In this course, students expand their proficiency across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational).
Honors Comparative Government & Politics
This course explores the rich diversity of political systems in our world.
Honors Data Structures and Algorithms
This course expands the broad introduction to computer science offered by Software Development and Applied computer science providing a general background for further study in the field.
Honors Economics: Microeconomics & Macroeconomics
This course is designed to give the students an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the science of decision making.
Honors French III
In this course, students expand their proficiency across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational).
Honors French IV
In this course, students expand and deepen their ability across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational).
Honors Global Cold War
By examining case studies from places such as the Congo, Afghanistan, Cuba and more, this course considers how “cold” the Cold War really was and the extent to which it was a global conflict.
Honors Greek
In this course, students study Classical Greek, beginning with the alphabet and ending with reading of authentic and unadapted texts from ancient Greece.
Honors Latin III
Latin III Honors serves as a bridge course between the textbook-based learning of grammar in Latin II and the extensive reading of ancient texts in Latin IV Honors: Caesar and Vergil.
Honors Latin IV: Caesar & Vergil
The primary focus of Latin IV Honors: Caesar and Vergil is the prescribed syllabus for the AP Latin examination.
Honors Music Theory
This course offers students an opportunity to delve deeper into musical understanding through exploring music through the components of reading (sight-singing), writing (composition), analysis and performance.
Honors Philosophy of Religion
The questions, “What is God? Does God exist? What does it mean to believe in God?” are investigated against the background of modern philosophy and theology through instruction in a variety of media.
Honors Physics
Honors Physics is a challenging, college-level, non-calculus-based physics course which is designed to investigate fundamental principles of physics.
Honors Protest and Social Movements
This course offers a more in-depth exploration of protests and social movements within the United States.
Honors Psychology
This course explores the behavior and mental processes of human beings through the lens of various subfields of psychology.
Honors Spanish III
In this course, students expand their proficiency across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational).
Honors Spanish IV
In this course, students expand and deepen their ability across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational).
Honors Statistics
This college-level course introduces students to the discipline of statistics as a science of collecting, understanding and analyzing data.
Honors U.S. Government and Politics
This course examines the constitutional background of the United States government, as well as its institutions, political beliefs, political parties, interest groups and civil rights issues.
Honors United States History
This college-level course explores United States history from precolonial times to the modern era with an emphasis on the political, economic, social and cultural forces that have given shape to the nation.
Honors War on Terror
This course will examine the roots of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States and place them in a global context.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
This course explores the structure and function of the organs and organ systems of the human body.
Introduction to Biblical Literature
Introduction to Biblical Literature takes students on an engaging exploration of the many writings that make up the Bible, covering a wide range of topics including politics, public life, popular culture, religious beliefs and practices, spirituality, race, gender, sexuality, social movements and ethics.
Introduction to Speech
In this course, students build critical communication skills through research, preparation and delivery of persuasive speeches.
Jazz Band I/II
In this class students perform and improvise over standard repertoire with a focus on scales and rhythmic devices, chord/scale relationships, standard harmonic progressions, and fluency in reading rhythm.
Jazz Band III/IV
Students with four or more years of experience on saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, drums or strings with an interest in jazz, contemporary repertoire, and improvisation are encouraged to enroll in Jazz III/IV.
Journalism
In this course, students learn and practice core concepts in journalism: principles, news gathering and reporting.
L.E.A.D.
Regardless of age, year in school or skill set, every student can become more advanced in their personal understanding, decision making and ability to lead others.
Latin I
This course combines the material covered during the two years of middle school introductory Latin.
Latin II
This course continues with the introduction to Latin grammar and vocabulary begun in Latin I or Latin IA/IB by building upon student knowledge of nouns and adjectives and adding a core understanding of Latin verb forms and mood constructions.
Latin III
Latin III extends the foundation laid down in Latin II by completing the survey of Latin verb constructions, with particular focus on the subjunctive mood.
Latin IV: The Aeneid of Vergil
In this course, the Aeneid of Vergil is read in its entirety in English with significant portions read in Latin, particularly those sections not read in the Latin IV Honors: Caesar and Vergil course.
Marine Biology
This course provides a basic introduction to the patterns and processes found in marine systems and the relationships between living things and their marine environment.
Math 3
Students are introduced to functions and function notation as they explore linear equations, inequalities and systems as well as exponential functions both graphically and algebraically.
Math 3 Enriched
Math 3E is problem-centered and more demanding, considering a greater number of problem types, moving at a faster pace, and providing less instruction and support before homework on any given topic is assigned.
Math 4
Math 4 is the second course in the integrated Algebra I/Geometry/Algebra II sequence with introductory work in trigonometry.
Math 4 Core
Math 4 Core covers most of the topics in Math 4, focusing on the fundamental concepts and working at a more moderate pace.
Math 4 Enriched
The unifying subjects for this course of advanced algebra and geometry are straight lines and the figures they produce − polygons and polyhedra.
Math 5
Math 5 is the third course in the integrated Algebra I/Geometry/Algebra II sequence.
Math 5 Core
Math 5 Core covers most of the topics in Math 5, focusing on the fundamental concepts and working at a more moderate pace.
Math 5 Enriched
This course completes the study of advanced algebra and geometry begun in Mathematics 4 Enriched and prepares the students for Precalculus Honors.
Mock Trial
Mock Trial is an activity that gives students the opportunity to develop critical thinking, public speaking and teamwork skills.
Modern World History
This survey course examines the history of Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe from the 19th century to the present day.
Optimal Performance
Optimal Performance is an in-depth functional training program.
Peer Support
This is a non-academic activity that meets once per cycle for the entire school year.
Performing Dance Group
This is the most advanced dance class in the program which requires dedication and being open to trying many new styles of dance as the students work with guest teachers and choreographers to further expand their world dance horizons.
Precalculus
Precalculus is a full-year course covering a rich array of concepts and challenging exercises designed to develop problem-solving and reasoning abilities in a wide range of areas.
Precalculus Core
This course prepares students for the Calculus course by continuing the concepts from Mathematics 5 Core through the study of functions and logarithms
Precalculus Honors
This honors version of Precalculus completes the study of advanced algebra topics begun in Mathematics 5 Enriched
Race and Religion in America
In this course, we will explore the religious and theological foundations of racial categories and racist ideology across various American congregational communities, as well as the role of religion in propagating racist ideas in order to understand debates on American identity and belonging.
Racism, Genocide and the Holocaust
This seminar-style course delves into enduring questions surrounding the darkest chapters in human history.
Science and Social Justice
In this course, students will delve into the intricate relationship between scientific claims, discoveries, and their profound impact on shaping societal values, norms and equity.
Science on Stage
While science has been making appearances on theatrical stages for hundreds of years, the late 20th century offered a boom in “science playwriting.”
Software Development
This year-long course provides students with a solid foundation in software development using Python.
Spanish I
Spanish I is a foundational language course.
Spanish II
Building on the skills mastered in Spanish I or Spanish IA and IB, in this course students further develop their proficiency in the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational).
Spanish III
In this course, students will engage in a thorough review of the fundamentals of Spanish I and II, with the aim of improving their communicative proficiency across a range of time frames (past, present and future) and across all three communicative modes (interpretive, interpersonal and presentational).
Spanish IV
In this course, students expand on the knowledge acquired in previous courses and incorporate new strategies that improve their skills across all four language modalities (speaking, listening, reading, writing), with a particular focus on speaking and writing.
Studio Art I
This course introduces students to the use of both dry (graphite, pastel, charcoal, etc.) and wet (watercolor, ink and acrylic) media in drawing and painting.
Studio Art II
This course builds on the students’ understanding of drawing and painting while challenging the creation of personal works of art.
Studio Art III
This course is designed for the student who is committed to the development of their technical skills and mastery of drawing and painting media.
Studio Art IV
This course enables students to take their artistic expression to the next level in their chosen expression in studio art.
Studio Dance Group
This performance-based course is a continuation of dance technique work.
The American West
The American West will compare the myths and realities of life on the frontier between 1865 and 1920.
The Holocaust: Religious Questions
A study of the Holocaust focused on the moral and religious dilemmas it raises for Jews and Christians.
The Philosophy of Human Rights
This class is an applied philosophy course that uses the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 as a way of connecting pressing contemporary issues with a broad range of philosophical ideas and controversies, drawn from multiple traditions and many centuries.
Theater Arts I
This course is the basic requirement for the more advanced high school theater performance courses.
Theater Arts II
This course builds on the foundation laid in Theater Arts I with additional study of historical periods and cultures.
Theater Arts III
This course provides an opportunity for students to build upon their knowledge of theater developed in Theater Arts I and II.
Theater Arts IV
In this course, students continue to cultivate the skills learned in previous theater classes.
Theater Design and Production III
This course provides an opportunity for students to build upon their knowledge of technical theater developed in Tech I and II.
Theater Design and Production IV
In this course, students continue to cultivate the skills learned in previous technical theater classes.
Theater Production I
This course offers students hands-on training in the behind-the-scenes world of performing arts productions.
Theater Production II
This course continues the hands-on element of Theater Production I, with students continuing to further their knowledge and expertise in all areas of theatrical production.
United States History
This course examines the political, economic, social, and cultural developments that have shaped our nation.
Web Development
This year-long course provides an overview of full-stack web development.
Yearbook
In this largely student-led activity, students produce The Bishop’s School annual, El Miradero.