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At TREE, we meet all A-G UC requirements, are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), as well approved by the NCAA. To our academic instruction and programs, we also provide classes in Life Skills to develop our students’ Social and Emotional learning, as well as courses in Meditation and Yoga. We also offer a wide array of Elective Classes and support individual student interests with yearly Passion Projects they themselves select, design and complete. Our Community Service requirement provides students with opportunities to learn about how they can be of service to others, as well as developing their awareness for the challengers human beings face every day.

 

Our approach, in essence, is to provide every student at TREE with enthusiastic encouragement, support and guidance in discovering who they are and what they love. In doing so, we seek to prepare every student at TREE for not only academic achievement and success, but to also live lives filled with meaning and purpose through self-knowledge and an empathetic awareness for the needs of others.

 

Our senior year at TREE we call the Senior Seminar. The essence of the seminar approach is to harness the student’s knowledge, collected in the previous years of study, and apply them to today’s world to explore both the challenges and opportunities. Additionally, we offer courses in Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies and Economics to further develop our students’ awareness of their world, and how they can effect positive change in the world.

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HIGH SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

University of California Requirements listed at bottom of page,

as well as a link to view all UC Approved TREE Academy courses. 

9th Grade Biology

Students in high school develop an understanding of key concepts that will help them make sense of Biology. The ideas are built upon students’ scientific understanding of disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts from earlier grades. There are four Life Science disciplinary core ideas in high school: 1) Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes, 2) Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, 3) Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, and 4) Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity. The performance expectations for high school Biology blend core ideas with scientific and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to support students in developing usable knowledge that can be applied across the science disciplines. We focus on the development of critical thinking skills, interactive engagement and active participation of laboratory investigations.



9th Grade World Literature

In strengthening their foundation in writing cogently, reading independently, and thinking critically and analytically, 9th grade students engage with challenging reading material, explore thought-provoking topics of discussion, and produce increasingly more sophisticated writing assignments. ​ 9th grade students will continue to strengthen these skills by delving further into elements of critical reading, interpretations of poetry, the study of rhetoric and composition, traditional grammar and vocabulary development, sentence emulations, and socratic discussion skills. ​ In studying poetry, students will focus on a variety of poems and their various elements (imagery, meter, metaphor, etc.) as presented in Laurence Perrine's Sound and Sense. Students will explore poetic devices in writing assignments and poetry memorization-recitation assignments, with the occasional opportunity to write (and share) their own poetry. ​ In further developing their analytical reading skills, students will read and discuss such novels as Siddhartha (Hermann Hesse), The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (Junot Diaz), and Lord of The Flies (William Golding), as well as short stories by Kate Chopin, Shirley Jackson, Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe, among others. Reading assignments will be followed by a 5-paragraph essay (or project) in which students will demonstrate their understanding of the reading’s central themes and messages, as well as their own ideas of that reading’s relevance to their lives. ​ The study of grammar and rhetoric will focus on two books as points of reference: The Art of Styling Sentences (Longknife) and The Elements of Grammar in 90 Minutes (Hollander.) The main teaching of composition will occur in tutoring sections where each student's mastery of grammar will be addressed while examining their written work with the instructor. This is also where students will further develop and strengthen their approaches to proofreading, sentence combining, exercising diction, and drafting in order to submit their highest caliber work.



9th Grade Human Geography

Human Geography is a study that examines the settings in which people live their lives as part of a continual process of struggle and transformation. The central focus is the analysis of the relationship between society, place, and space. This year-long course gives students the opportunity to study humanity’s historic and contemporary relationship with the physical world and natural resources, along with human innovations in culture, governance, agriculture, and industry. The breadth of topics covered in Human Geography expose students to engaging topics and complex questions regarding how humans live, build, farm, govern, communicate, worship, migrate, fight, innovate, design, and compromise across the diverse regions of the Earth’s surface. Historical information and background knowledge serves to support the analysis of the impacts of phenomena such as globalization, colonialism, human-environment relationships on places, regions, and cultural landscapes.



9th Grade Algebra 1

Algebra I is split into two main parts: lines and curves. The first half of the class will focus on learning all about lines. Students will learn about how to graph a line, how to write an equation for a line, the slope of a line, how lines are used to model real life situations, and how to solve systems that have multiple lines. The second half of the class is about curves or also called nonlinear equations. Students will learn about exponentials and quadratics. They will learn how to graph and write equations for curves and how to solve nonlinear equations. This class is intended to explore the world of algebra through engaging activities and math discussions. Students will learn to think critically, come up with creative solutions to problems using previously learned tools, and focus on detail and precision.



9th Grade Spanish: Beginners

In our classroom, we will do a variety of activities and exercises including talking in Spanish, practicing pronunciation and grammar, and interacting in Spanish in pairs and small groups. Much of the class is conducted in Spanish in order to offer as much exposure to the language as possible, but English is used when necessary to offer clarity and efficiency. In this course, we deal with all basic language skills: aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Grammar is studied not so that a student can recite grammar rules, but so that students gain an understanding of how language works; you must speak in order to learn to speak. Some students may feel inhibited by the idea of making mistakes in front of others but we will work together to make the atmosphere as tension-free as possible. Students will have the opportunity to learn about cultural aspects from various countries around the Spanish-speaking world. Students should expect to participate daily in class activities and be prepared to move, act silly, and have fun exploring another language and culture.



9th Grade Spanish I

Students will be placed in Spanish I or Spanish II according to their knowledge, not according to their grade or their age, to ensure proper placement for learning.

The State of California sets forth a uniform vision of what students should know and be able to do at the High School level in World Languages. The standards were developed to accommodate all languages and identify the various stages of acquiring linguistic and cultural proficiency. They provide an organizing principle to ensure the continuous development of student proficiency.

In Spanish I, we will review basic grammar consisting of forming plurals; agreement with gender and number of articles, nouns, and adjectives; how to form negative statements and negative questions with verbs. We will review subject pronouns, conjugation of regular verbs, lecture comprehension, and sentence writing in the present indicative. Students will read aloud in class and answer questions after short lectures. They will write sentences and short paragraphs on their own. They will be exposed to cultural knowledge and the Hispanic background of California.



9th Grade Spanish II

Students will be placed in Spanish I or Spanish II according to their knowledge, not according to their grade or their age, to ensure proper placement for learning. ​ The State of California sets forth a uniform vision of what students should know and be able to do at the High School level in World Languages. The standards were developed to accommodate all languages and identify the various stages of acquiring linguistic and cultural proficiency. They provide an organizing principle to ensure the continuous development of student proficiency. In Spanish II, we will review writing sentences with regular verbs in the Present Indicative, construction of descriptive sentences using “es/son,” and writing sentences using the present participle/gerund. We will learn some irregular verbs such as ser, estar, and ir, and will work with some stem-changing verbs such as querer and tener. We will learn direct and indirect object pronouns and the verb form "me gusta” as well as the preterite and the imperfect tense of regular verbs.



9th Grade Study Skills

Study Skills is a course designed to facilitate the executive functioning abilities needed to become an active learner. It does not focus on any particular academic subject, rather the concept and act of learning. This course will facilitate the growth of necessary confidence, organization, advocacy and self-awareness for students to succeed. It takes a whole-person approach to learning, not focusing on any one particular area of difficulty, but the whole learner. This course will be a foundation for their entire learning environment, providing reflection, inspiration, stability and a source of control over their education.

Goals: Balance, Organization & Advocacy. Establish and maintain customized organizational, time management, studying and advocacy skills for each TREE participant. Own their relationship to learning. Homeroom & Accountability. Students will have a reliable schedule to check in on organizational, planning, and development of various school projects/courses. Practical skills building for deeper level learning ex: presentations, essay construction, note taking etc. Future Planning. Create a home for college and career research, personal/professional development and exam/application preparation. The teacher will enrich student interest through strategic planning of Passion Projects.



9th Grade Learning Lab

“It’s more than just a quiet room for independent work. In many ways, it’s the heartbeat of what we’re doing at TREE.” - Director of School, Darryl Sollerh

The Learning Lab is where the nexus of learning occurs. Students are taking what they’re exposed to in the classroom and putting that into practice. In addition to being a space for academic practice & guidance, the Learning Lab gives staff the opportunity to observe and learn how our students are absorbing and processing what is being taught in the classroom. As TREE strives to serve the whole student, the Learning Lab is where our community learns to thrive together.



9th Grade Inner Peace (Meditation)

Based on the forthcoming book by Venerable Burin, the inner peace curriculum explores how we can bring more equilibrium, calmness and mental focus to our everyday lives through the art and techniques of meditation based on age or principles.​



9th Grade Life Skills

The Life Skills course is designed to assist students in growing and deepening their capacity to build relationships and community. An integral part of this process is to further curiosity and challenge the assumptions we hold about ourselves and others, in order to become better able to understand and value differing perspectives.​



OUR 9TH GRADE CURRICULUM

 

10th Grade Chemistry

The purpose of this course is for high school students to receive a more in-depth exploration and education into chemistry using Next Generation Science Standards in order to help prepare them for further studies in science, future science courses in college, and applications in everyday life. Students will learn about the structure, properties, and interactions of matter; nomenclature of molecules based on atomic structure and electron arrangement, molar concentrations and stoichiometry, molecular kinetics, solution dynamics and equilibrium, and energy dynamics. Through learning these foundations of chemistry, students will also be able to classify different forms of matter, identify and predict chemical reactions, and design their own experiments in order to further explore these concepts. Furthermore, this class will incorporate utilization of mathematical, analytical, data acquisition, and communication skills through hands-on laboratory experiences, group collaboration, and the integration of other branches of science. Not only will this course provide students with a strong physical science background needed for future education, but it will also hone students’ critical thinking skills needed to solve real-world problems, help them make informed decisions about the chemicals they choose to use in everyday applications, and know the impact chemicals found in everyday use have on the environment around them.



10th Grade Literature

Unique world views are yielded once you take the time to step into the shoes of others; tantamount to this is our acceptance of categorical differences between one another. A simple perspective shift may yield you all you need to examine the ways in which societies can be seen as a global community, rather than disparate communities. Central to our unity is our experience of the human condition, whereby we are interconnected by our experience of this world and the structures our societies have created. To this end, the course will endeavor to discover the ways in which cultures, as different as they might seem, connect in surprising ways. Our analysis will begin with four central novels: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, and Sophie's Choice by William Styron.



10th Grade Modern World History

In designing the curriculum for this course, we have aligned the California State Content Standards for 10th Grade History with the Common Core State Standards for History and Social Studies to ensure that students with a range of interests and learning styles get the most from this class. The entirety of World History cannot be taught in a single year. Historians make entire careers out of studying a single region over a narrow period of time, and even then must choose which sources to study in depth, and which to gloss over. For this class, we will focus primarily on events from the 16th century to the present. As a class, students will examine the process of globalization and how it has precipitated political, environmental, economic and socio-cultural in various regions throughout the world. As students become more familiar with the phenomena being studied, each will pursue (alone or in small groups) more directed inquiry into the concepts and narratives that they find most compelling. By the end of the year, each student will be able to trace one or more present-day challenges or pressing concerns to its historical roots, and present a clear argument about the significance of this connection.



10th Grade Geometry

This course is designed to emphasize the study of the properties and applications of common geometric figures in two and three dimensions. It includes the study of transformations and right triangle trigonometry. Inductive and deductive thinking skills are used in problem solving situations, and applications to the real world are stressed. It also emphasizes writing proofs to solve (prove) properties of geometric figures. Toward the end of the year we will spend some time focused on SAT/ACT geometry. Students who complete Geometry should take Algebra II next.



10th Grade Spanish: Beginners

In our classroom, we will do a variety of activities and exercises including talking in Spanish, practicing pronunciation and grammar, and interacting in Spanish in pairs and small groups. Much of the class is conducted in Spanish in order to offer as much exposure to the language as possible, but English is used when necessary to offer clarity and efficiency. In this course, we deal with all basic language skills: aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Grammar is studied not so that a student can recite grammar rules, but so that students gain an understanding of how language works; you must speak in order to learn to speak. Some students may feel inhibited by the idea of making mistakes in front of others but we will work together to make the atmosphere as tension-free as possible. Students will have the opportunity to learn about cultural aspects from various countries around the Spanish-speaking world. Students should expect to participate daily in class activities and be prepared to move, act silly, and have fun exploring another language and culture.



10th Grade Spanish I

Students will be placed in Spanish I or Spanish II according to their knowledge, not according to their grade or their age, to ensure proper placement for learning.

The State of California sets forth a uniform vision of what students should know and be able to do at the High School level in World Languages. The standards were developed to accommodate all languages and identify the various stages of acquiring linguistic and cultural proficiency. They provide an organizing principle to ensure the continuous development of student proficiency.

We will be using the four key areas of foreign language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course is a blend of language learning presented both in class and online through Duolingo and Kahoot. Students will be exposed to common expressions, greetings, and grammatical structures; they will ask and answer guided questions and are encouraged to ask their own questions both in class and on homework. Active participation is essential for success in this course. The group class meets twice a week. New vocabulary is introduced during the group class and is then reviewed, practiced, and advanced during one-on-one tutoring. Spanish I students will study grammar, sentence formation, and vocabulary while being exposed to cultural knowledge and the Hispanic background of California.



10th Grade Spanish II

Students will be placed in Spanish I or Spanish II according to their knowledge, not according to their grade or their age, to ensure proper placement for learning.

California’s rich linguistic and cultural tapestry is tied with its Hispanic background. The State of California sets forth a uniform vision of what students should know and be able to do at the High School level in World Languages. The standards were developed to accommodate all languages and identify the various stages of acquiring linguistic and cultural proficiency. They provide an organizing principle to ensure the continuous development of student proficiency. Spanish language prepares students for employment and enables them to compete in the worldwide marketplace in the future. Students in Spanish II shall be familiar with phrases, grammar patterns, and identifying parts of speech such as nouns, adjectives, subject pronouns, verbs, conjugations, adverbs, etc. In cultural awareness, they will learn some early California history that relates to Hispanic culture, such as the colonization of California by the Spaniards, California as a part of Mexico, the discovery of gold, the purchase of California by the USA, and how California became a state.



10th Grade Study Skills

Study Skills is a course designed to facilitate the executive functioning abilities needed to become an active learner. It will devote time and focus to SAT/ACT test prep and test- taking techniques. This course will additionally facilitate the growth of necessary confidence, organization, advocacy and self-awareness for students to succeed. ​ Goals: Balance, Organization & Advocacy. Establish and maintain customized organizational, time management, studying and advocacy skills for each TREE participant. Own their relationship to learning. Homeroom & Accountability. Students will have a reliable schedule to check in on organizational, planning, and development of various school projects/courses. Practical skills building for deeper level learning ex: presentations, essay construction, note taking etc. Future Planning. Create a home for college and career research, personal/professional development and exam/application preparation. The teacher will enrich student interest through strategic planning of Passion Projects.



10th Grade Learning Lab

The Learning Lab is where the nexus of learning occurs. Students are taking what they’re exposed to in the classroom and putting that into practice. In addition to being a space for academic practice & guidance, the Learning Lab gives staff the opportunity to observe and learn how our students are absorbing and processing what is being taught in the classroom. As TREE strives to serve the whole student, the Learning Lab is where our community learns to thrive together.



10th Grade Inner Peace (Meditation)

Based on the forthcoming book by Venerable Burin, the inner peace curriculum explores how we can bring more equilibrium, calmness and mental focus to our everyday lives through the art and techniques of meditation based on age or principles.​



10th Grade Life Skills

The Life Skills course is designed to assist students in growing and deepening their capacity to build relationships and community. An integral part of this process is to further curiosity and challenge the assumptions we hold about ourselves and others, in order to become better able to understand and value differing perspectives.



OUR 10TH GRADE CURRICULUM

 

11th Grade Physics

The physics curriculum includes interactions of matter and energy, velocity, accelerations, force, energy, momentum and charge. Students will be challenged to apply their knowledge of the laws of physics to solve physics related critical thinking problems. The material studied shows how technical concepts can be analyzed and applied to equipment and devices in mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal energy systems. The course is designed for students to explore and apply the principles of technology in a classroom setting with hands-on laboratory activities



11th Grade American Literature

What defines us as uniquely American? As a country renowned for being a melting pot, each migrant group to the United States brings with them a rich cultural history that breathes new meaning into what it means to be American. The heart of the American experience stems from two major concepts: individual freedoms and the American dream. This year will begin by defining what concepts are understood as uniquely American through the analysis of the Great Gatsby. From there, we will transition into what the American experience looks like from the context of American citizens by examining the work known as The Other Wes Moore. We will refine what we've understood as unique characteristics of American society by refining these defining characteristics through an outsider's perspective by examining the Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Once we've generated an understanding of what others and the collective of the United States feel, we will examine the direction of American Society through the reading of Walden and Citizen: An American Lyric. Once we've worked out way through the words and ideas of others on the concept of what it means to be American, students will choose a novel or literary work of their own to investigate their own understanding of their American Identity.



11th Grade U.S. History

This course will focus on the history of the United States from the late 19th century to the present day. Students will use the content as a way to develop historical thinking skills: analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation. The class will explore United States history from a variety of perspectives, challenging students to consider how different experiences can give rise to different historical narratives. Each unit will examine events, ideas, developments and individuals through different historical themes, including: society and culture, ecology and environment, gender, race, class migration, technological change and political power. The goal of the course will be to help students trace the present realities of the United States to their historical roots, and evaluate their role in the ongoing development of this nation.



11th Grade Algebra 2

Algebra II extends the exploration of nonlinear equations (curves) which started in Algebra I with a particular emphasis on quadratic functions. Students will learn how to graph quadratics functions, how to solve quadratic equations, and how to factor. Graphing and solving of equations will also be extended to different types of nonlinear equations besides quadratics like exponentials, logarithms, radicals, and rationals. Students will begin to understand the importance of finding zeros of polynomials and the importance of trigonometry in preparation for Precalculus. This class is intended to explore the world of algebra through engaging activities and math discussions. Students will learn to think critically, come up with creative solutions to problems using previously learned tools, and focus on detail and precision.



11th Grade Spanish: Beginners

Beginners Spanish consists of a variety of activities and exercises including speaking in Spanish to practice pronunciation and grammar, and interacting in Spanish with classmates in pairs and small groups. Much of the class is conducted in Spanish in order to offer as much exposure to the language as possible, but English is used when necessary to offer clarity. The course deals with all basic language skills: aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Grammar is studied to gain an understanding of how the language works. Although some students may feel nervous about making mistakes in front of others, we will work together to make the class atmosphere as tension-free as possible. Students will have the opportunity to learn about cultural aspects of various Spanish-speaking countries around the world and should expect to participate daily in class activities. Be prepared to move, act silly and have fun exploring another language and culture!



11th Grade Spanish I

Students will be placed in Spanish I or Spanish II according to their knowledge, not according to their grade or their age, to ensure proper placement for learning.

We will be using the four key areas of foreign language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Through a blend of class presentations and online learning, students will be exposed to common expressions, greetings, and grammatical structures. Spanish I will review basic grammar including the formation of plurals and negative statements, subject pronouns, the conjugation of regular verbs, and sentence writing in the present indicative.

We will learn question words, possessive adjectives, and some irregular verbs such as ser, estar, and ir. Stem-changing verbs such as querer and tener are on the syllabus, as well as direct and indirect object pronouns. Students will read aloud in class, answer questions after short lectures, and write sentences and short paragraphs on their own.



11th Grade Spanish II

Students will be placed in Spanish I or Spanish II according to their knowledge, not according to their grade or their age, to ensure proper placement for learning.

California’s rich linguistic and cultural tapestry is tied with its Hispanic background. Cultural awareness is therefore central to the Spanish II curriculum. Students will learn some of the early California history that relates to the state's Hispanic culture, such as the colonization of California by the Spaniards, Mexico's acquisition of California, the discovery of gold, the purchase of California by the USA, and the events surrounding California's statehood.

In Spanish II, we will review writing sentences with regular verbs in the present indicative, construction of descriptive sentences using “es/son,” and writing sentences in the present participle/gerund. We will learn irregular verbs such as ser, estar, and ir, as well as the stem-changing verbs querer and tener, direct and indirect object pronouns, and the verb form "me gusta".

At the completion of Spanish II, students will be familiar with phrases, grammar patterns, and parts of speech such as nouns, adjectives, subject pronouns, verbs, conjugations, and adverbs.



11th Grade Study Skills

Study Skills will continue to devote time and focus to SAT/ACT test prep and test- taking techniques. This course will additionally facilitate the growth of necessary confidence, organization, advocacy and self-awareness for students to succeed. ​ Goals: Balance, Organization & Advocacy. Establish and maintain customized organizational, time management, studying and advocacy skills for each TREE participant. Own their relationship to learning. Homeroom & Accountability. Students will have a reliable schedule to check in on organizational, planning, and development of various school projects/courses. Practical skills building for deeper level learning ex: presentations, essay construction, note taking etc. Future Planning. Create a home for college and career research, personal/professional development and exam/application preparation. The teacher will enrich student interest through strategic planning of Passion Projects.



11th Grade Learning Lab

The Learning Lab is where the nexus of learning occurs. Students are taking what they’re exposed to in the classroom and putting that into practice. In addition to being a space for academic practice & guidance, the Learning Lab gives staff the opportunity to observe and learn how our students are absorbing and processing what is being taught in the classroom. As TREE strives to serve the whole student, the Learning Lab is where our community learns to thrive together.



11th Grade Inner Peace (Meditation)

Based on the forthcoming book by Venerable Burin, the inner peace curriculum explores how we can bring more equilibrium, calmness and mental focus to our everyday lives through the art and techniques of meditation based on age or principles.



11th Grade Life Skills

The Life Skills course is designed to assist students in growing and deepening their capacity to build relationships and community. An integral part of this process is to further curiosity and challenge the assumptions we hold about ourselves and others, in order to become better able to understand and value differing perspectives.​



OUR 11TH GRADE CURRICULUM

 

11th Grade Physics

The physics curriculum includes interactions of matter and energy, velocity, accelerations, force, energy, momentum and charge. Students will be challenged to apply their knowledge of the laws of physics to solve physics related critical thinking problems. The material studied shows how technical concepts can be analyzed and applied to equipment and devices in mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal energy systems. The course is designed for students to explore and apply the principles of technology in a classroom setting with hands-on laboratory activities



11th Grade American Literature

What defines us as uniquely American? As a country renowned for being a melting pot, each migrant group to the United States brings with them a rich cultural history that breathes new meaning into what it means to be American. The heart of the American experience stems from two major concepts: individual freedoms and the American dream. This year will begin by defining what concepts are understood as uniquely American through the analysis of the Great Gatsby. From there, we will transition into what the American experience looks like from the context of American citizens by examining the work known as The Other Wes Moore. We will refine what we've understood as unique characteristics of American society by refining these defining characteristics through an outsider's perspective by examining the Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Once we've generated an understanding of what others and the collective of the United States feel, we will examine the direction of American Society through the reading of Walden and Citizen: An American Lyric. Once we've worked out way through the words and ideas of others on the concept of what it means to be American, students will choose a novel or literary work of their own to investigate their own understanding of their American Identity.



11th Grade U.S. History

This course will focus on the history of the United States from the late 19th century to the present day. Students will use the content as a way to develop historical thinking skills: analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation. The class will explore United States history from a variety of perspectives, challenging students to consider how different experiences can give rise to different historical narratives. Each unit will examine events, ideas, developments and individuals through different historical themes, including: society and culture, ecology and environment, gender, race, class migration, technological change and political power. The goal of the course will be to help students trace the present realities of the United States to their historical roots, and evaluate their role in the ongoing development of this nation.



11th Grade Algebra 2

Algebra II extends the exploration of nonlinear equations (curves) which started in Algebra I with a particular emphasis on quadratic functions. Students will learn how to graph quadratics functions, how to solve quadratic equations, and how to factor. Graphing and solving of equations will also be extended to different types of nonlinear equations besides quadratics like exponentials, logarithms, radicals, and rationals. Students will begin to understand the importance of finding zeros of polynomials and the importance of trigonometry in preparation for Precalculus. This class is intended to explore the world of algebra through engaging activities and math discussions. Students will learn to think critically, come up with creative solutions to problems using previously learned tools, and focus on detail and precision.



11th Grade Spanish: Beginners

Beginners Spanish consists of a variety of activities and exercises including speaking in Spanish to practice pronunciation and grammar, and interacting in Spanish with classmates in pairs and small groups. Much of the class is conducted in Spanish in order to offer as much exposure to the language as possible, but English is used when necessary to offer clarity. The course deals with all basic language skills: aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Grammar is studied to gain an understanding of how the language works. Although some students may feel nervous about making mistakes in front of others, we will work together to make the class atmosphere as tension-free as possible. Students will have the opportunity to learn about cultural aspects of various Spanish-speaking countries around the world and should expect to participate daily in class activities. Be prepared to move, act silly and have fun exploring another language and culture!



11th Grade Spanish I

Students will be placed in Spanish I or Spanish II according to their knowledge, not according to their grade or their age, to ensure proper placement for learning.

We will be using the four key areas of foreign language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Through a blend of class presentations and online learning, students will be exposed to common expressions, greetings, and grammatical structures. Spanish I will review basic grammar including the formation of plurals and negative statements, subject pronouns, the conjugation of regular verbs, and sentence writing in the present indicative.

We will learn question words, possessive adjectives, and some irregular verbs such as ser, estar, and ir. Stem-changing verbs such as querer and tener are on the syllabus, as well as direct and indirect object pronouns. Students will read aloud in class, answer questions after short lectures, and write sentences and short paragraphs on their own.



11th Grade Spanish II

Students will be placed in Spanish I or Spanish II according to their knowledge, not according to their grade or their age, to ensure proper placement for learning.

California’s rich linguistic and cultural tapestry is tied with its Hispanic background. Cultural awareness is therefore central to the Spanish II curriculum. Students will learn some of the early California history that relates to the state's Hispanic culture, such as the colonization of California by the Spaniards, Mexico's acquisition of California, the discovery of gold, the purchase of California by the USA, and the events surrounding California's statehood.

In Spanish II, we will review writing sentences with regular verbs in the present indicative, construction of descriptive sentences using “es/son,” and writing sentences in the present participle/gerund. We will learn irregular verbs such as ser, estar, and ir, as well as the stem-changing verbs querer and tener, direct and indirect object pronouns, and the verb form "me gusta".

At the completion of Spanish II, students will be familiar with phrases, grammar patterns, and parts of speech such as nouns, adjectives, subject pronouns, verbs, conjugations, and adverbs.



11th Grade Study Skills

Study Skills will continue to devote time and focus to SAT/ACT test prep and test- taking techniques. This course will additionally facilitate the growth of necessary confidence, organization, advocacy and self-awareness for students to succeed. ​ Goals: Balance, Organization & Advocacy. Establish and maintain customized organizational, time management, studying and advocacy skills for each TREE participant. Own their relationship to learning. Homeroom & Accountability. Students will have a reliable schedule to check in on organizational, planning, and development of various school projects/courses. Practical skills building for deeper level learning ex: presentations, essay construction, note taking etc. Future Planning. Create a home for college and career research, personal/professional development and exam/application preparation. The teacher will enrich student interest through strategic planning of Passion Projects.



11th Grade Learning Lab

The Learning Lab is where the nexus of learning occurs. Students are taking what they’re exposed to in the classroom and putting that into practice. In addition to being a space for academic practice & guidance, the Learning Lab gives staff the opportunity to observe and learn how our students are absorbing and processing what is being taught in the classroom. As TREE strives to serve the whole student, the Learning Lab is where our community learns to thrive together.



11th Grade Inner Peace (Meditation)

Based on the forthcoming book by Venerable Burin, the inner peace curriculum explores how we can bring more equilibrium, calmness and mental focus to our everyday lives through the art and techniques of meditation based on age or principles.



11th Grade Life Skills

The Life Skills course is designed to assist students in growing and deepening their capacity to build relationships and community. An integral part of this process is to further curiosity and challenge the assumptions we hold about ourselves and others, in order to become better able to understand and value differing perspectives.​



OUR 12TH GRADE CURRICULUM

The Senior Seminar
 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REQUIREMENTS

1.  Complete 15 A-G courses (11 of them by end of junior year)

​

You need to complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (A-G courses) with a letter grade of C or better.

 

For courses completed during the 2020 winter, spring or summer terms, UC will also accept a grade of pass/credit.

 

You must complete at least 11 of these courses prior to the beginning of your last year of high school.

 

The 15 courses are: 

​

a. History: 2 years

b. English: 4 years

c. Mathematics: 3 years

d. Science: 2 years

e. Language other than English *or equivalent to the 2nd level of high school instruction: 2 years

f. Visual and performing Arts: 1 year

g. College-prep elective (chosen from the subjects listed above or another course approved by the university): 1 year

​

2. Earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (3.4 if you're a nonresident) in these courses with no grade lower than a C.

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Option to submit SAT/ACT test scores

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Freshman applicants for fall 2021-2022 have the option to submit SAT/ACT scores with their application. Applicants will not be penalized in the admission review process if they don't submit SAT/ACT scores. 

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California students

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If you're a state resident who has met the minimum requirements and aren't admitted to any UC campus to which you apply, you'll be offered a spot at another campus if space is available, provided:

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  • You rank in the top 9 percent of California high school students, according to our admissions index, 

  • You rank in the top 9 percent of your graduating class at a participating high school. We refer to this as "Eligible in the Local Context" (ELC).

 

Think cReate Engage Empower

CONTACT

Please contact us for more information, or to arrange a tour.

TREE Academy

8628 Holloway Drive

West Hollywood, CA 90069​​

​​Tel: 424.204.5165​

© 2020 Academy for the Creative Arts, New Technology and Social Justice

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