High School Core Course Descriptions

Develop language arts skills by reading, writing, listening, viewing, and speaking. This course provides text-based research and writing opportunities. You will learn to use the English language to successfully express yourself.

Encounter new vocabulary, refine the grammar and mechanics of your writing, and engage in thought-provoking projects. Throughout the course, you will discover how the human experience is the foundation of the best stories, plays, poems, films, and articles.

Acquire the language, reading, writing, and speaking/listening skills necessary for success in college, career, and beyond. Become a critical reader and thinker as you dive deeply into the texts presented throughout this course. You will learn how to effectively research and integrate your findings, as well as cite your sources.

Build your analytical and critical thinking skills through close readings of a variety of literature and informational texts. Master the writing process with relevant, real-world research activities, and integrate your findings in the completion of argumentative and informational essays. This interactive course presents multiple opportunities to apply your learning in creative and expressive ways.

The fundamental purpose of this course is to formalize and extend past the geometric and data reasoning topics that have been presented throughout students' elementary and middle grades experience. Students will apply the Mathematical Practice Standards alongside the Oregon State High School Math Standards (2021) in meaningful ways so they see math as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that can support their development of critical thinking and problem-solving skill sets. In Data Reasoning, students will collaboratively use models, graphs, measures of central tendency, regression, and probability to make meaningful arguments about data and the story it tells. In Geometry, students will be exposed to topics that are critical to their mathematical development, including right triangle geometry and trigonometry, transformations, polygons, and proof/justification.

The fundamental purpose of this course is to formalize and extend the algebraic learning that started in the middle grades. Students will apply the Mathematical Practice Standards alongside the Oregon State High School Math Standards (2021) in meaningful ways so they see math as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that can support their development of critical thinking and problem solving skill sets. The content presented will primarily include exponential and quadratic function families, in addition to a review of linear functions and how they compare to other functions. Core areas of curricular focus include applying appropriate algebraic techniques, modeling, analyzing graphs and functions, and analyzing linear, exponential, and polynomial (quadratic) function families.

Pre-Calculus is a rigorous course which emphasizes a multimodal approach to mathematics with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. This course is focused on the skills and knowledge necessary for the student to successfully continue their mathematics education with Calculus. More specifically, this course will cover and strengthen advanced algebra concepts through greater problem complexity, with a later focus on trigonometry and trigonometric functions.

In this course, students will utilize industry-standard tools in the field of Data Science and Analysis to deepen their knowledge of basic statistics, analyze real world problems, draw conclusions, and communicate their thinking. These tools could include Tableau, Excel, Google Sheets, CODAP, and more. Completion of this course supports subsequent success in all math classes, but specifically scaffolds for success in AP Statistics and AP Computer Science Principles.

Discover the contributions of geniuses like Galileo, Newton, and Einstein by learning about the concepts, theories, and laws that govern the interaction of matter, energy, and forces.

This course provides a foundation for learning chemistry concepts, including: scientific inquiry, interactive experiences, higher-order thinking, collaborative projects, real-world application, and a variety of assessments.

Explore the structure, function, diversity, and evolution of living matter by taking an in-depth look at the fundamental characteristics of living organisms. You will have the opportunity to perform hands-on lab activities and develop relationships through collaborative learning.

Join Ali and Soo-jin, our modern time travelers, as they journey through history. Discover the connections between world events and eras, from the Roman Empire through the Industrial Revolution, and explore development in our modern world as well as the implications that historical events have on us today

The United States began as an experiment in freedom and democracy. Since its establishment, the country and its people have endured social, political, and economic revolutions. In this course, you will investigate the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from the end of the Civil War through today

The purpose of this course is to give the student a working knowledge of everyday business and consumer transactions. Major concepts explored include: employment and income, money management, budgeting, checking and savings accounts, investments, credit (financial planning), consumerism, insurance, and taxation. This course also examines the principles and concepts of micro and macroeconomics, explores comparative economic systems, and the world economy.

*Credit toward graduation requirements: 0.5 Personal Finance + 0.5 Economics

Explore the principles that inspired the Constitution and Bill of Rights and examine each branch of government, the election process, and how you can impact public policy. You will also discover how the United States interacts with other countries.

This course stresses sportsmanship and desirable social habits. A wide range of activities are available to increase knowledge, skill, understanding, and appreciation of recreational activities and sports. Activities, both aerobic and anaerobic, promote physical fitness, flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular endurance. An academic curriculum content is included.

Students are encouraged to develop positive personal fitness. Both aerobic and anaerobic activities are included. Students engage in various lifetime carry-over activities through participation in various team sport activities and dual/individual activities presenting opportunity for social development.

This course covers concepts and skills necessary for attaining and maintaining personal wellness (the combination of physical, mental/ emotional, and social health) throughout one’s life. Emphasis is placed on health-promoting behavior as the most effective measure for preventing premature death and disease and leading a fulfilling and productive life.  Concepts covered include: alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention; prevention and control of disease; promotion of environmental health; promotion of healthy eating; promotion of mental, social, and emotional health; promotion of physical activity; sexual health; unintentional injury prevention; and violence and suicide prevention.  Skills for accessing information, self management, analyzing infl uences, interpersonal communication, goal setting, decision-making, and advocacy are taught and/or practiced in a health context to promote lifelong wellness.  This class meets the health requirement for both the state and the district, and is aligned to current state standards.

Each Hillsboro School District high school senior is required to complete a senior project in order to graduate.  The requirements for these projects are set by the District and the Oregon Department of Education. Students enrolled in a senior-level course in a career learning area have an opportunity to work on these senior projects in that course. Senior Seminar is a required course for all other seniors. Senior Seminar provides students the opportunity and support to design and implement their senior project. The project will represent the interests, knowledge, and skills they have gained in high school and their visions for their future education and work. Components of the project include the project proposal, conducting research, writing a paper, and a presentation of the completed project. Students will also assemble a portfolio of their graduation requirements, letters of commendation and recommendation, transcripts, and other documents which can be used when applying to college or for a job.