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There are many exciting transitions happening at the high schools in the Novato Unified School District. We are making these transitions in order to ensure the freshmen year is rigorous and engaging while allowing for the necessary socioemotional and academic growth that occurs in this year. As such, we are committed to preparing all students with the opportunity to access the many Advanced Placement options (AP) during their high school career. This consistent freshmen experience also allows for teacher collaboration across subject areas, with the possibility of inter-disciplinary projects as well as a more unified, relevant and supported freshmen experience. All students entering high school will be enrolled in a revised Biology course aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards with a focus on student-centered instruction. In addition, ninth grade students will also be enrolled in an English 9 College Preparatory Course (Pre-AP course) which has been revised to reflect the rigor inherent in the Common Core State Standards as well as the skills necessary to prepare all students to have the opportunity to access the AP options at the 11th and 12th grade level.
In terms of math, we are looking to increase options for students including a Calculus class, which would be in addition to AP Calculus. Also, as a way to engage more students in the applications of math, we are designing a financial literacy math course which will be University of California (UC) approved as an elective.
Moving onto science, all students will start with the foundational laboratory science, Biology, which is a UC approved "d" science course. This ensures that all students entering high school have the most opportunity possible to further explore the sciences and prepare them for AP science classes. Further, the district, along with science teachers from both high schools, are in the process of creating more upper division science courses such as computer programming and engineering. As an example, we hope to offer a Calculus-based AP Physics (a.k.a. AP Physics C) in the 2016-2017 school year. Altogether, the increased math and science offerings will provide students with the opportunity to go deeper into these subjects.
English teachers from Novato High and San Marin High Schools came together to review the 9th and 10th grade English program at both schools. Beginning in the fall of 2014, the teachers began meeting and discussing the increased rigor of the Common Core State Standards. Recognizing the need to provide all students at the ninth and tenth grade rigorous and engaging curriculum and instruction, the discussion turned to raising the rigor of the current College Prep English 9 and 10 courses by revamping them to ensure all students are prepared and have the opportunity to take English AP courses at the 11th and 12th grade. Beginning next year (2015-16), 9th grade students will enroll in the new pre-AP course, College Prep English 9, and in 2016-17 College Prep English 10. In addition, the University of California does not provide for a specific designation of the current English honors classes which means that students in the honors classes do not receive extra points on their grade point average and these courses are not considered honors courses by the UC. In fact, most high schools (including all of Marin County) have or will transition away from English honors classes, as we are, in order to develop pre-AP 9th and 10th grade English classes for all students.
Below are examples of some of the courses that are currently being worked on:
- Product Design 2 (UC approved elective-g)
- Product Design 3 (UC approved elective-g)
- Financial Literacy (UC approved elective-g)
- Algebra Fundamentals
- AP Human Geography
- AP Art History
- AP Physics C (2016-2017)
- Programming 1 (UC approved elective-g)
- Environmental Engineering (Global Academy)
- CCNA Introduction to Networking
- Calculus (2016-2017)
- Environmental Science or equivalent UC approved "d" laboratory science course (2016-2017)
We are planning a district-wide parent night in late May to educate families about the University of California entrance requirements (A-G requirements) as well as how students go about accessing Advanced Placement Courses in high school. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you.
Julia Kempkey
Director, Secondary Programs
Ruthanne Bexton
Director, Elementary Programs
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