College Prep Core Curriculum
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PREPARES STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE...AND LIFE
We focus on providing an engaging and challenging curriculum to prepare our graduates to enter the school of their choice and ensure that we pair that challenge with the support they need to master their subjects. Our graduates go on to excel at top universities across the country and Europe and in careers with real impact. As non-profit leaders. Attorneys. Women in medicine. Artists. Community leaders and role models.
At Holy Names, we believe young women can choose their own trajectory free of constraints based on gender, gender identity, race, culture, or economic circumstances.
AT HOLY NAMES, STUDENTS THRIVE.
English

English – Graduation Requirements: 40 credits
English 9
English 10
English 11
English 11 Honors
English 12
AP English Literature and Composition
All HNHS English courses are certified as meeting the requirements for admission to the University of California and California State University systems.
Health & Physical Education

Students benefit from the use of community resources, including guest dance instructors and the American Red Cross CPR/First Aid courses.
Physical Education/Health – Graduation Requirements: 15 credits
Health
Physical Education 1
Dance
Strength and Conditioning
Graduation requirement: PE 1 and Health during the 9th grade year and a semester of PE 2 during 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. All courses are semester courses.
Math

Mathematics – Graduation Requirements: 30 credits
Algebra 1
Geometry
Geometry Honors
Algebra 2
Algebra 2 Honors
Pre-Calculus Topics 1
Pre-Calculus Honors
Probability and Statistics
AP Calculus AB
Computer Science Principles - Project Lead the Way
Graduation requirement: three years of mathematics.
All Holy Names High School mathematics courses are certified as meeting the requirements for admission to the University of California and California State University systems. Completion of Intermediate Algebra or Advanced Algebra/Trig is required for admission to these two California university systems.
Modern Language

linguistic, reading, writing and communication skills.
In addition to teaching mastery of the target language, the Modern Languages department promotes an appreciation and understanding of different cultural groups who speak the target language through the study of customs, cultural differences, folklore, foods and history.
Modern Languages – Graduation Requirements: 20 credits
American Sign Language 1
American Sign Language 2
American Sign Language 3
French 1
French 2
French 3
French 4
AP French Language and Culture
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
Spanish 3
Spanish 4
AP Spanish Language and Culture
All courses are certified as meeting the requirements for admission to the University of California and California State University systems.
Science & Engineering

Project Lead the Way is an exciting and engaging series of courses designed to offer hands-on experience with real world applications. The continually expanding offerings include Computer Science, Introduction to Engineering and Human Body Systems. Holy Names is proud to be the only all-girls school in the Bay Area to offer this program.
Science – Graduation Requirements: 20 credits
Introduction to Engineering Design – Project Lead the Way
Introduction to Robotics
Lab Biology
AP Biology
Chemistry
Chemistry Honors
Computer Science Principles - Project Lead the Way (also listed in math)
Human Body Systems - Project Lead the Way
Physics Honors
Environmental Sustainability - Project Lead the Way
All Holy Names High School Science courses are certified as meeting the requirements for admission to the University of California and California State University systems.
Social Studies

Social Studies – Graduation Requirements: 30 credits
Modern World History
US History
AP US History
US Government and Economics
Psychology
Certified as meeting the requirements for admission to the University of California and California State University systems