PLACEMENT OPTIONS FOR FRESHMEN
AT JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL

Entering freshmen at Jesuit High School will take a placement exam in the following subjects: math, English and science. So that you may know what courses are available to your son in these areas, the following is a brief overview of the courses in which he may be placed with the criteria for each. For English, he may start in English 1, 1XL, or 1A/B. For math, he may be placed into Algebra 1, 1XL, 1B, Geometry, Geometry XL, and – occasionally - Algebra 2 Honors. Your son may start in General Science or Pre-AP Biology. Students may ask also to take a challenge exam if they have taken a full year high school-equivalent course in a foreign language. With appropriate scores, they may then start in French 2, Latin 2, or Spanish 2XL.

The following is an overview of classes for which entering freshmen are eligible.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Jesuit High School requires eight semesters of English for graduation. The goals of the department are to assist the students in developing an increasing control, power, and purpose over their written work, and to expose students to the body of accumulated literature and various displays of humanity therein.

Freshman English has four goals: 1) to begin a systematic approach to writing; 2) to master certain grammatical material that will aid in the development of composition skills, 3) to begin to develop the students' working vocabulary in speech and writing; and 4) to identify certain literary concepts through exposure to a wide variety of literary genres. To these ends, students will engage in a course of study that includes reading, analysis, and evaluation of drama, poem, short story, and novel. This course will present students with writing assignments and strategies that will help them to develop a personal writing voice that allows for increasing control, variation, purpose and insight. The second goal of the English curriculum is to expose students to literature of the world, across the ages, and representing the recurring issues of humanity. Through the study of various forms, students will become familiar with literary genres and begin the study of the vast body of literature available. Literature study will be rooted in works which present occasions to respond humanly and as people of faith.

This course is an accelerated version of the normal freshman English curriculum. Students follow the normal course including literature study, composition, grammar and vocabulary but in greater detail, quantity, and with greater rigor. This is a two-semester course requiring departmental approval for placement. Placement into English 1XL will be determined by previous grades in middle school/junior high, the HSPT scores, and score on the Jesuit English placement test essay.

Students who are determined to be "at-risk" upon entry into the English program (based on placement test results, standardized test results, grades and writing samples) are candidates for Double English. The course adds a second English class to the normal incoming freshman language curriculum. The foreign language requirement is waived to the second year and students have two English classes for the year. English 1A focuses on the vocabulary, literature, and composition skills of the freshman curriculum. English 1B focuses on the grammar and composition skills of the freshman curriculum. Both courses place emphasis on note-taking and study skills.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
Three years of math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) are required for graduation, and most students elect to take a fourth year. Criteria for entrance are listed by course.

This program was developed for students who, by the nature of their mathematical backgrounds and maturity, can expect to learn Algebra 1 more effectively by having it presented at a lower pace. The course follows the general goals and objectives of the regular Algebra 1 course. However, the additional time will allow the teacher to give attention to the varying remediation needs of the target students. Students begin this course during the summer prior to the 9th grade.

Algebra 1 is a traditional course in elementary algebra with an emphasis on problem solving. The course falls into four basic parts: 1) the four operations on real numbers and their use in the solution of simple equations and related problems; 2) polynomials, factoring, and fractions, leading to the solution of more complicated problems; 3) inequalities, functions and relations, and systems of open sentences; and 4) irrational numbers and quadratic functions and equations.

The course follows the general goals and objectives of the regular Algebra 1 course. However, particular detail is given to the proofs of several theorems and their applications. In addition, advanced topics of algebra are introduced: absolute value equations and inequalities; polynomial functions and their graphs; analytic techniques to explore various curves; other topics. Finally, students will be given challenge problems designed for curricular enrichment and requiring independent study and research.

The course reviews the base concepts, terminology and notations involved in geometry. Both abstract and practical aspects are covered. The subject is explained and developed as an organized system, building from a beginning with the three undefined terms, (point, line and plane), using them in definitions and postulates, and then finally, in proved theorems. Definitions, postulates, and theorems are systematically brought into the course along with the subjects to which they pertain. Also, algebraic and arithmetic methods and relationships are employed throughout the course. In this way, algebra skills are maintained and the students are better prepared to enter into the geometric aspects of advanced algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and calculus.

Geometry XL is a one-year course developed for students who can benefit from a geometry course that moves at a faster pace. The problems set will cover topics in a more thorough manner than regular geometry. As a comprehensive course in Euclidean plane geometry, the class examines the elemental geometric figures: line, angle, triangle, polygon and circle. The class also examines their properties: parallelism, perpendicularity, congruency and similarity. Additionally, logical reasoning and spatial visualization skills are developed to prepare students for further study in Mathematics and the application of skills to the solution of practical problems. The course provides extensive experience with the devising, presentation and defense of student proofs and the theoretical consideration of the nature of proof. Algebra 2 material and more advanced Trigonometry is also previewed during the second semester to facilitate a smooth transition into Algebra 2 Honors the next academic year. Geometry XL is offered in summer school for qualified students.

The first part of the course reviews basic terminology, notations, concepts, skills and applications of elementary algebra by examination of the real number system. This includes real number concepts and skills involving operations with positive and negative numbers and zero, solution of linear equations, solution of verbal problems, properties of polynomials and rational expressions. Ideas such as set variable, number line, open sentence, ordered pair, equivalent sentences and Cartesian coordinate system are studied and the student is required to demonstrate ability to solve problems involving these concepts.

The second part of the course deals with the concepts of function and relation and emphasizes lines and quadratic relations and functions. The text discussing this material employ symbols, concepts and methods presented in the earlier chapters. Thus, the course continually grows and builds on learned material. Discussions on complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, and an introduction to trigonometry complete the course.

This course follows the description of the regular Algebra 2 course but moves at a much faster pace and covers the material with more depth. In addition to more advanced problems, this course covers conic sections and trigonometry. Students with B or better may advance from this class into Pre-Calculus Honors.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
A balanced core of two and one half years of laboratory science is required of all students. The general course of study includes General Science or Pre-AP Biology taken during the freshman year; Biology taken during sophomore year; followed by Chemistry in the junior year. Students expecting to follow a science-oriented course of study in college are advised to enroll in Physics or Biology 2 in their senior year.

Placement of freshmen into Pre- AP Bio is based on standardized test scores in Math and Reading, junior high grades, scores on the HSPT, and scores on Jesuit's science placement test.

This is an introductory survey course of the disciplines that make up modern scientific thought. This course includes topics from the fields of chemistry, physics, and health science. Points of emphasis include scientific thought and problem solving, metric and unit analysis, an introduction to chemistry (atomic theory, chemical bonding, Periodic table), and an introduction to physics (forces, motion, forms of energy).

Pre-Advanced Placement Biology is designed as a one semester introductory class for those students intending to take AP Biology in the subsequent academic year. Topics of study include: use of the microscope, diversity of life on the planet, cell structure and function, evolution and natural selection, molecular biology, genetics, reproduction, circulation, respiration, and digestion. Laboratory dissections are an integral part of the course.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Jesuit offers Latin, Spanish and French. Students are required to complete three years of the same foreign language or two years of two different languages with a C or better.

If entering freshmen choose to take a challenge exam and score at the 75% or better, they may choose to start in the second year of a language. They must score at the 80% or higher, however, to start in Spanish 2XL and will then be eligible for Spanish 3H the following year.

Latin 2 continues the work of Latin 1. The first part of the course reviews the grammar and vocabulary learned in the first year in the context of new stories and exercises. Then, new grammar is introduced: including the subjunctive mood and consequent grammar; deponent verbs; gerund, gerundives, etc. The student is expected to read increasingly more sophisticated Latin and to develop an increased appreciation of Roman culture.

The course is designed to continue the mastery of basic linguistic structures and further develop and strengthen the communication skills in modern French. Grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and cultural information are organized around this purpose. Speaking, listening, reading and writing skills will be developed through greater usage of the target language; films, tapes and video-tapes are utilized in addition to the book.

Note that Freshmen may take Spanish 2, but then they will not be eligible for Spanish 3Honors. Please consult with the Department Chair on the best course of action for your son

This course is an advanced course that will prepare students to take AP Spanish eventually. It is for students who desire a more intensive experience of the Spanish language and culture. To enhance foreign language acquisition, most of the class will be taught in the target language. To develop language proficiency, verbal, auditory, reading, and writing exercises will be presented at an advanced level.