AHS Course Catalog

English Language Arts - 4 Credits Required

• English 9 (2 Semesters) or English 9A and 9B: This is the required Freshman English Class.  You must finish both Semesters as part of the Big 22 with a grade of D or better.  English/Language Arts I (9th grade) courses build upon students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing and usually include the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Typically, these courses introduce and define various genres of literature, with writing exercises often linked to reading selections.

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• English 10 (2 Semesters) or English 10A and 10B: This is the required Sophomore English Class.  You must finish both semesters as part of the Big 22 with a grade of D or better.  English/Language Arts II (10th grade) courses usually offer a balanced focus on composition and literature. Typically, students learn about the alternate aims and audiences of written compositions by writing persuasive, critical, and creative multi-paragraph essays and compositions. Through the study of various genres of literature, students can improve their reading rate and comprehension and develop the skills to determine the author’s intent and theme and to recognize the techniques used by the author to deliver his or her message.

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• English 11 (2 Semesters) or English 11A and 11B: This is the required Junior English Class.  You must finish both semesters as part of the Big 22 with a grade of D or better.  This class can be substituted with ENL101 and/or ENL102 with approval from the counseling department. English/Language Arts III (11^th grade) courses continue to develop students’ writing skills, emphasizing clear, logical writing patterns, word choice and usage, as students write essays and begin to learn the techniques of writing research papers.  Students continue to read works of literature, which are often the backbone of the writing assignments. Literacy conventions and stylistic devices may receive greater emphasis than in previous courses.

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• English 12 (2 Semesters) or English 12A and 12B: This is the required Senior English Class.  You must finish both semesters as part of the Big 22 with a grade of D or better.  This class can be substituted with ENL 101 and/or ENL102 with approval from the counseling department. English/Composition courses focus on students’ writing skills and develop their ability to compose different types of papers for a range of purposes and audiences. These courses enable students to explore and practice descriptive, narrative, persuasive, or expositive styles as they write paragraphs, essays, letters, applications, formal documented papers, or technical reports. Although composition courses may present some opportunities for creative writing, their focus usually remains on nonfiction, scholarly, or formal writing.

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• College Composition I (ENL 101): This class is a dual enrolled class where students earn 3 college credits through NPC and 0.5 high school English Honors credits at Alchesay.  It may be taken instead of English 11A or English 12A. A course in the basic principles of college-level reading and writing. The course includes several academic essays and a short research paper.

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• College Composition II (ENL102): This class is a dual enrolled class where students earn 3 college credits through NPC and 0.5 high school English Honors credits at Alchesay.  It may be taken instead of English 11B or English 12B.  A course in the basic principles of college-level reading and writing, including literary analysis, documented critical essays and a longer research paper. Prerequisite: ‘C’ or better in ENL 101.

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Mathematics - 4 Credits Required

• Algebra IA and Algebra IB or 2 Semesters of Algebra I: This is the required Freshman math class.  Algebra I courses include the study of properties and operations of the real number system; evaluating rational algebraic expressions; solving and graphing first degree equations and inequalities; translating word problems into equations; operations with and factoring of polynomials; and solving simple quadratic equations.  Freshman students may also be enrolled in a separate pre-algebra elective class if it is determined that the student needs extra help with algebraic thinking.

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• Geometry A and Geometry B or 2 Semesters of Geometry: This is the required Sophomore math class. Geometry courses, emphasizing an abstract, formal approach to the study of geometry, typically include topics such as properties of plane and solid figures; deductive methods of reasoning and use of logic; geometry as an axiomatic system including the study of postulates, theorems, and formal proofs; concepts of congruence, similarity, parallelism, perpendicularity, and proportion; and rules of angle measurement in triangles.

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• Algebra IIA and Algebra IIB or 2 Semesters of Algebra II: This is the required Junior math class. Algebra II course topics typically include field properties and theorems; set theory; operations with rational and irrational expressions; factoring of rational expressions; in-depth study of linear equations and inequalities; quadratic equations; solving systems of linear and quadratic equations; graphing of constant, linear, and quadratic equations; properties of higher degree equations; and operations with rational and irrational exponents.

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• Precalculus A and Precalculus B or 2 Semesters of Precalculus:  This is the preferred Senior math class for students headed to college admissions. Pre-Calculus courses combine the study of Trigonometry, Elementary Functions, Analytic Geometry, and Math Analysis topics as preparation for calculus. Topics typically include the study of complex numbers; polynomial, logarithmic, exponential, rational, right trigonometric, and circular functions, and their relations, inverses and graphs; trigonometric identities and equations; solutions of right and oblique triangles; vectors; the polar coordinate system; conic sections; Boolean algebra and symbolic logic; mathematical induction; matrix algebra; sequences and series; and limits and continuity.

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• Integrated Math 3: Integrated Math is a comprehensive collection of mathematical concepts designed to give you a deeper understanding of the world around you. It includes ideas from algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and trigonometry, and teaches them as interrelated disciplines. It’s likely that you’ve been studying some form of integrated math since elementary school. In Integrated Math 3A, you will understand and work with polynomial expressions, including rational expressions. You will also examine the relationship between equations and functions and analyze trigonometric functions in detail. In Integrated Math 3B, you will study and apply the laws of sine and cosine functions. You will also investigate the cross sections and density of three-dimensional geometric figures. You will use equations, inequalities, and functions to solve real-world math problems. You will also look at function graphs and explore transformation of functions. You will analyze statistical data and data collection methods and use probability to make decisions.

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• Financial Math A and B: Financial Algebra is designed to instruct students in algebraic thinking while also preparing them to navigate a number of financial applications. Students will explore how algebraic knowledge is connected to many financial situations, including investing, using credit, paying taxes, and shopping for insurance. In studying these topics, students will learn about the linear, exponential, and quadratic relationships that apply to financial applications. In addition, the course will help prepare students to tackle the wide variety of financial decisions they will face in life, from setting up their first budget to planning for retirement.  This class is only offered with the recommendation of the counseling department.

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• Advanced Algebra (MAT 152): This is a dual credit math course offered through the TALON program.  Students receive 3 college math credits from NPC and 0.5 Honors Math credits from Alchesay. Algebraic concepts with an emphasis on solving real-life applications that includes a review of basic algebra, equations, inequalities, functions, polynomials, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions as well as sequences, series and combinatorics.  Pre-requisites: Grade of C or better and approval by the counselor.

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• Pre-Calculus Algebra/Trigonometry (MAT 189): This is a dual credit math course offered through the TALON program.  Students receive 3 college math credits from NPC and 0.5 Honors Math credits from Alchesay.  Algebraic and trigonometric concepts with an emphasis on solving real-life applications that includes trigonometric functions, analytic trigonometry, vectors, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and analytic geometry. Prerequisites: MAT 152. 

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Sciences - 3 Credits Required

• Environmental Science A and B or 2 Semesters of Environmental Science: This is the required Freshman Science class. Environmental Science courses examine the mutual relationships between organisms and their environment. In studying the interrelationships among plants, animals, and humans, these courses usually cover the following subjects: photosynthesis, recycling and regeneration, ecosystems, population and growth studies, pollution, and conservation of natural resources.

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• Biology A and B or 2 Semesters of Biology: This is the required Sophomore science class. Biology courses are designed to provide information regarding the fundamental concepts of life and life processes. These courses include (but are not restricted to) such topics as cell structure and function, general plant and animal physiology, genetics, and taxonomy.

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• Physical Science A and B: The Physical Science course allows students to investigate and become familiar with topics that prepare them to explain phenomena that occur in the physical world. Topics may include, but are not limited to, forms of energy and motion, heat, structure of matter, states of matter, magnetism, forces, properties of matter, simple mechanics, and physical and chemical interactions.  

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• Robotics A and B or 2 Semesters of Robotics: Robotics courses develop and expand students’ skills and knowledge so that they can design and develop robotic devices. Topics covered in the course may include mechanics, electrical and motor controls, pneumatics, computer basics, and programmable logic controllers.

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Social Studies - 3 Credits Required

• World History and Geography A and B or 2 Semesters of World History and Geography: This is the required Freshman Social Studies class for graduation.  Topics typically include the following: the geography, physical environment, political landscape, the relationship between people and the land; economic production and development; and the movement of people, goods, and ideas..

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• American/AZ History A and B or 2 semesters of American/AZ History: This is the second required Social Studies course typically taken in the Sophomore or Junior year. It provides an overview of the history of the United States and Arizona including political, military, scientific and social developments from Colonialism or discovery through World War II or after.

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• Government/Economics A and B or 2 Semesters of Government/Economics: This course provides an overview of the structure and functions of the US government and political institutions, examining constitutional principles, the concepts of rights and responsibilities, the role of political parties and interest groups.  It also provides an overview of economic systems including supply and demand, macroeconomics, international economics and comparative economics.

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CTE or Fine Arts Credit - 1 Required Credit

• CTE Basics classes: Freshmen students take 4 Quarter long classes which introduce them to the basic principals of Shop (Auto and Construction), Early Childhood Education, Technology Devices Maintenance, and Business Management. Each quarter class is worth 0.25 credits towards graduation.  Most students at Alchesay take CTE credits during all 4 years of High School.  Freshmen take a survey of all of the available offerings by taking a different class each quarter.  Sophomores learn more about 2 chosen areas by taking 2 semester-long CTE options.  Juniors and Seniors focus on one area graduating with skills and certification in their program of focus.

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• Art A and B or 2 Semesters of Art: Creative Art—Drawing courses cover the same topics as Creative Art—Drawing/Painting, but focus on drawing. In keeping with this attention on two-dimensional work, students typically work with several media (such as pen-and-ink, pencil, chalk, and so on), but some courses may focus on only one medium.

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Vocational and Elective classes - 7 Required Credits

Any class that you complete that is extra in any of the categories above also counts as an elective credit.

• Pre-Algebra - Taken by Freshman students who need support in Algebra I. This course increases students' foundational math skills and prepares them for Algebra I by covering a variety of topics, such as properties of rational numbers (i.e., number theory), ratio, proportion, estimation, exponents and radicals, the rectangular coordinate system, sets and logic, formulas, and solving first-degree equations and inequalities. 

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