ROOTED IN FAITH, COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

COLLEGE PREP CURRICULUM

Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum designed to prepare every student for success at the university level. By earning a grade of “C” or higher in required courses, students fulfill the minimum subject requirements for admission to four-year colleges and universities, including those in the UC and CSU systems.

FRESHMAN

RELIGION: Scripture and Christology

ENGLISH: Honors Intro. To Literature,  Intro. to Literature

MATHEMATICS: Algebra I, Algebra 1A*, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra II, Honors Algebra II

SCIENCE: Honors Biology (Freshmen enrolled in Honors Biology choose between a Fine Art or a Foreign Language their Freshman year.)

LANGUAGE: Spanish I, Spanish Speakers I

SOCIAL STUDIES: Honors World History, World History

FINE ART: Studio Art, Band, Drama I, Chorus

*It is recommended that freshman enrolled in Algebra 1A or Pre-Algebra enroll in a math course during the summer before sophomore year to meet the Math requirement. 

SOPHOMORES

RELIGION:  Pascal Mystery and Ecclesiology

ENGLISH: Honors, Survey of Lit.

MATHEMATICS: Algebra 1B*, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra II, Honors Algebra II,  Precalculus, Honors Precalculus

SCIENCE: Honors Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Honors Chemistry

LANGUAGE: Spanish I,Spanish II, Spanish Speakers II, A.P.Spanish Language

ELECTIVE: Physical Education/Health (not a college elective)

(Those students who were enrolled in Honors Biology as freshmen may choose to take a Fine Art as an elective.)         

*Sophomores enrolled in Algebra IB are encouraged to take Geometry during the summer before junior year.  If not, the student will only meet the minimum college subject requirement for Mathematics (Algebra II) by graduation. The Mathematics Department requires that students receive a minimum grade of “C” in Algebra I or Algebra IB to be eligible to register for Algebra II.

JUNIORS

RELIGION: Sacraments and Life in Christ

ENGLISH: American Literature, Honors, AP English Language

MATHEMATICS: Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra II, Honors Algebra II, Precalculus, Honors Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC

SCIENCE: **Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Physics, AP Biology, AP Physics

SOCIAL STUDIES: United States History, Honors United States History

ELECTIVE: Chosen from list of  College Prep Electives   

               

**Students must receive a “C” or above in Biology and Algebra I or Algebra IB and concurrently enrolled in Geometry (or a higher level of Mathematics) to be enrolled in Chemistry.

SENIORS

RELIGION: Vocations and Living Disciple

ENGLISH: World Literature, Honors World Literature, AP English Literature

MATHEMATICS: Algebra II, Honors Algebra II, Probability & (Elective) Statistics, Precalculus, Honors Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC

SCIENCE:  Physics, AP Biology, AP Physics 

SOCIAL STUDIES: Honors Economics/Government, Economics/Government

ELECTIVE: Choose from list of College Electives

*Seniors are not required to take Mathematics or Science; however, all qualified students are encouraged to do so in order to exceed minimum subject requirements for college.

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are selected for participation in Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) level courses.  Selection is based upon grades, departmental prerequisites, and teacher/departmental approvals. These classes are awarded an extra point in grade point average (GPA) calculation. (To calculate your GPA, add all points— A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0— for all classes and divide by the number of classes.)

Students are encouraged to take enrichment classes during the summer either at CSHM or at a community college.  For example, a student who meets all requirements, may take Chemistry at East Los Angeles Community College during the summer after sophomore year and be enrolled in Physics as a junior and AP Biology as a senior.  Classes taken at a community college are considered HONORS level courses in GPA calculation; approved college level classes taken at a community college for credit are transferable to 4-year colleges.

Any class taken during the summer must be pre-approved by  CSHM Guidance or the student will not receive credit for the class.