Non-College Preparatory
To fulfill high school graduation requirements ONLY, students must take one year of physical science and one year of life science. IPS, Chemistry, Physics and Auto Shop are considered to be "physical science" courses; Honors Biology, Biology, Biology A and Physiology are considered to be "life science".
The following course selections are recommended:
Freshman Year IPS, Auto Shop, or no science
Sophomore Year Biology or Biology A
Junior Year Chemistry* or Auto Shop (only needed if no physical science previously taken)
Senior Year no science
*Chemistry is a rigorous, college-preparatory science requiring good
math skills; non-college preparatory students are unlikely to do well
in this course unless highly motivated and extremely proficient in math
College Preparatory
Most colleges and universities prefer that students take a minimum of three years of laboratory science. Although Auto Shop qualifies as a physical science for graduation from Calabasas High School, colleges and universities do not accept it as such.
We consider IPS to be a strong precursor to Chemistry, Biology and Physics; it is recommended for all students prior to taking those courses. Colleges and universities do not currently accept it as a "laboratory science" but look favorably on it as an elective course.
While there are many possible routes to take for the most effective science education possible at this school, the most common are listed below. Please note that we do NOT recommend any of the courses be taken in summer school.
These are listed from least to most rigorous
**Lowest acceptable level
Freshman Year no science
Sophomore Year Biology
Junior Year Chemistry
Senior Year no science
(this only includes two years of science; often considered less than acceptable for universities)
Freshman Year IPS
Sophomore Year Biology
Junior Year Chemistry
Senior Year no science
Freshman Year no science
Sophomore Year Biology
Junior Year Chemistry
Senior Year Physics
Freshman Year IPS
Sophomore Year Biology
Junior Year Chemistry
Senior Year Physics
Freshman Year IPS
Sophomore Year Honors Biology
Junior Year AP Chemistry
Senior Year Physics
Freshman Year IPS or Physiology
Sophomore Year Honors Biology
Junior Year Chemistry
Senior Year Physics or Physiology
**Highest level possible
Freshman Year Honors Biology
Sophomore Year Physiology
Junior Year AP Chemistry
Senior Year AP Physics
How to choose which path is most appropriate? If a student has poor math skills, we recommend that he or she take IPS as a freshman and not enter into Chemistry unless at least in Algebra II concurrently. A student whose math skills are well-developed should take Honors Biology as a freshman.
Students should ask their science teacher what course is most appropriate for the next year and/or the ensuing years. It is also wise for students to research what will be needed by looking at the fields of study they think they will be pursuing for the colleges or universities they are considering attending. Each institution is different in its requirements and these requirements often change yearly.
AP--Advanced Placement--courses allow students to earn college credits. Each spring, high school students across the nation take AP tests for a wide variety of courses. If they earn a high enough score on these exams, a college grade is given commensurate with that score. These courses are conducted accordingly; like a college course. Students should only take these courses if they are willing to work at that level.