Course Catalog

A year-long course within the Visual and/or Performing Arts are required for graduation, though additional courses may be taken as electives. The school has a vibrant academic arts program with over twenty courses offered. An integral part of the school curriculum and community, our students develop their interests beginning through advanced classes in music, theater, dance, and visual arts.

Two semesters of Visual and/or Performing Arts are required for graduation, though additional courses may be taken as electives.  Those with a strong interest in VA may choose to pursue the “Visual Arts Pathway” – a four year program which would include Introduction To Studio Art and any three or more Visual Arts classes. 

Dance Courses

• SF Apprentice Dance Company
• SF Dance Company     
• Introduction to Show Choir
• Show Choir 

Dramatic Arts Courses

• Theater Arts I
• Theater Arts II
• Honors Theater Arts II 
• Theater Tech & Design

Musical Arts Courses

• Concert Choir 
• Chamber Singers
• Honors Chamber Singers
• Vocal Solos
• Concert Orchestra     
• Concert Band
• Chamber Orchestra
• Honors Chamber Orchestra 
• Symphonic Band
• Honors Symphonic Band
• Percussion

Visual Arts Courses

• Introduction to Studio Art
• Honors Advanced Studio Art
• Digital Film and Animation
• AP 2-D Art & Design
• AP 3-D Design
• AP Drawing
• Honors Art History

Studying a second language provides the cognitive and intellectual preparation necessary to succeed in the academic and social environment the St. Francis graduate will encounter. Learning a second language allows her to gain an understanding of languages other than English, as well as of the peoples who communicate in French, Italian, Latin, and Spanish and their cultural products. 

Faculty members teaching in the Modern and Classical Languages Department are native speakers and/or have lived extensively in countries where the language is spoken. Although the graduation requirement for St. Francis is two years, most students complete 3 or 4 years of one language and may take more than one language concurrently.

COURSES

French Program

• French 1 
• French 2
• French 3
• AP French Language and Culture

Italian Program

• Italian 1
• Italian 2
• Italian 3
• AP Italian Language & Culture

Spanish Program

• Spanish 1 
• Spanish 2
• Spanish 3
• Honors Spanish 3
• Spanish 4 
• AP Spanish Language and Culture
• AP Spanish Literature and Culture

Latin Program

• Latin 3
• AP Latin

The SFHS Science Department promotes an understanding of the basic principles of science. After four years, the student will have an understanding of the basic order in nature and have an appreciation of the laws of the universe. Science courses are designed to meet the state standards and UC requirements. 

Courses starting with the freshman year are developed in a sequential fashion to encourage upper-level courses in the future.

COURSES

• Integrated  Science 
• Biology
• Honors  Biology
• Chemistry
• Honors Chemistry
• Physics
• Honors Physics
• Biology II
• AP Chemistry
• Anatomy & Physiology 
• Applied Chemistry & Technology
• AP  Biology 

Technology is an integral part of the high school experience. At St. Francis High School, our mission is to prepare our students for 21st-century learning by mastering skills of locating, analyzing, and creatively communicating information effectively. Our technology courses focus on preparing students to become independent users of technology, for academic and artistic purposes. 

Technology is all about change; building confidence allows our students to adapt and grow with the hardware and software over time, preparing them for lifelong learning.

COURSES

• Computer Programming with C – C-STEM
• AP Computer Science Principles 
• AP Computer Science A

AP Capstone is a College Board diploma program based on two year long AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. While other AP courses teach specific subject knowledge, AP Seminar and AP Research use an interdisciplinary approach to develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills. 

Students typically take AP Seminar in grade 10 or 11, followed by AP Research. Each course is year-long, and AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research. In both courses, students investigate a variety of topics in multiple disciplines and have the opportunity to choose topics to explore. 

Both courses guide students through completing a research project, writing an academic paper, and making a presentation on their project.

Over the course of the two-year program, students are required to:

• Analyze topics through multiple lenses to construct meaning, gain understanding. 
• Plan and conduct a study or investigation. 
• Propose solutions to real-world problems. 
• Plan and produce communication in various forms. 
• Collaborate to solve a problem. 
• Integrate, synthesize, and make cross-curricular connections.

Awards

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

College Credit

Most colleges in California that grant credit for these courses are either CSUs or Community Colleges. Use the credit policy search tool on the College Board website to find colleges and universities that offer credit and/or placement for a qualifying score in AP Seminar, AP Research, or both:

Find Colleges and Universities That Grant Credit for AP Seminar and AP Research

COURSES

• AP Seminar
• AP Research