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De La Salle High School

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Curriculum

DeLaSalle is a Catholic high school that seeks to create a community of students from various economic levels, academic abilities, racial communities, and ethnic backgrounds. In the Lasallian tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the school strives to facilitate personal academic success but also to prepare students to be of service to society. Within the larger tradition of the Catholic Church, DeLaSalle regards spiritual development as a primary educational goal. All students are required to take Theology courses and attend school worship services. Admission to Grade 9 is based on assessment of the following:

  • Completion of application forms,
  • At least one grade school teacher recommendation regarding academic potential and personal character,
  • Entrance exam scores,
  • Middle school transcripts

Admission may be unconditional, or probationary in which case additional conditions may need to be met before entering ninth grade. Students transferring to Grade 10, 11, or 12 must:

  • Provide a high school transcript,
  • Provide a letter from a counselor or teacher attesting to academic potential and personal character,
  • Interview with the Executive Director for Enrollment and/or Principal,
  • If an international student, demonstrate competence in English.

Transfer students are accepted at the start of a quarter/semester, except for special circumstances. To receive a DeLaSalle diploma, Grade 12 transfer students must normally be enrolled for the entire year.

Graduation Requirements

Requirements for a DeLaSalle diploma include:

  • 4 years of Theology (for transfers, credit required for each semester enrolled)
  • 4 years of English
  • 3.5 years of Social Studies
  • 3 years of Mathematics
  • 3 years of Science
  • 2 years of a single Modern Language
  • 1 year of Fine Arts
  • 1 semester credit in Health is required in Grade 10, 11, or 12
  • 1 semester credit in Physical Education: Wellness is required in Grade 10, 11 or 12, and may be fulfilled either as a course or by administrative exemption, upon fulfilling requirements for a waiver.
  • 1 semester credit of Physical Education 9
  • Passing the Christian Service requirement
  • 45 minimum semester credits are required for graduation.

Four-Year Plan

For all students, common requirements in sequence:

  • Four years of English are required in Grades 9-10-11-12.
  • For entering ninth graders, four years of Theology are required in Grades
  • 9-10-11-12.
  • Theology requirements for Grade 11 and 12 include one required semester course plus a choice of one semester elective.
  • Incoming transfer students must earn one Theology credit for each semester of attendance.
  • Christian Service is introduced in Grade 9 and must be completed by the end of the first semester of Grade 12.
  • One semester of Social Studies in Grade 9 (World History), plus one full year in Grade 10 (Modern World History and Geography) and Grade 11 (U.S. History or AP U.S. History), and two course choices in Grade 12 (of which one course must be U.S. Government (one semester) or AP U.S. Government (full year), plus one course choice among Anthropology, Economics, or Psychology.
  • Three years of Mathematics are required.
  • Three years of Science are required, to include at least one full year of a Physical Sciences course, a full year of a Biological/Life Sciences course, and a full year of Chemistry.
  • Two years of a single Modern Language are required.
  • One year of Fine Arts is required and may be taken in any grade.
  • One semester of Physical Education is required in Grade 9.
  • One semester credit in Health is required in Grade 10, 11, or 12.
  • One semester credit in Physical Education: Wellness is required in Grade 10, 11, or 12, and may be fulfilled either as a course or by administrative exemption, by fulfilling requirements of a Physical Education waiver.

Registration Procedures

 

  • All students must register for at least six credits each semester. Seven courses can be taken, or six courses and one non-credit study hall.
  • A $350.00 non-refundable registration deposit must be paid to confirm enrollment for the 2023-24 school year. For new students, the registration deposit is paid at the time of registration. Under the Continuous Enrollment model, returning students will have the registration deposit added to the current year’s tuition agreement for the March statement.
  • Courses may be canceled due to insufficient number of students registered or change in personnel. A student’s alternative course selections will be used in the case of course cancellation. NOTE: Preference for alternate course selections will be granted to upperclass students who registered in advance of all deadlines.
  • Course Drop/Add Policies: Students are advised to choose courses wisely: The master schedule and instructional personnel are set to accommodate those courses chosen in the spring of the year. If a parent or a student requests a schedule change, it will be governed by the following policies. Students who do not adhere to the policies will not receive credit for classes.
  1. Once a semester has begun, both the parents and teachers involved must give written approval for a schedule change on a Drop/Add Form, which is available in the Student Services Office.
  2. If a class is already filled, a request to add that class will not be honored. DeLaSalle is committed to keeping class sizes small and balanced and will not accommodate a change if it means overloading a class. (Note: This may also involve other classes affected by the change).
  3. A $25.00 processing fee is assessed whenever a course is dropped. This must be paid before the change is processed.
  4. Students must follow their current schedule until they receive a new schedule.
  5. Schedule changes will not be made to accommodate requests for specific teachers or for lunch hour.
  6. A senior who wishes to be a Teacher Aide and receive credit for the course must complete the Teacher Aide form - with all appropriate signatures - and return it to Student Services during the first week of the semester. Students may not be a Teacher Aide and also have a study hall during the same semester.
  7. Courses dropped during the first two weeks of a semester will not appear on a student’s transcript. Any course dropped from 3 - 6 weeks will appear as a W (withdrawn) on their transcript. Any dropped after the 6 week period will appear as a WF (withdrawn fail) or a WP (withdrawn pass) on their transcript, however the WF or WP is not calculated in the student’s GPA.

Opportunity for College Credits

 

  • Advanced Placement (AP) credit is available via coursework and testing in Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Chinese, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, European History, Government, Physics, Psychology (testing only), Spanish, Statistics, Studio Art, and United States History. Any student who wishes to prepare for the AP Test in an area not listed here should see a teacher and counselor early in the year for advice on how to accomplish this goal. Students who take AP classes are required to take the AP test in May.
  • PACC credits (College Credit through St. Mary’s University of Minnesota) in AP Calculus BC, AP Language and Composition (AP English 11); AP Literature and Composition (AP English 12); Anatomy and Physiology; and Honors Spanish IV are available for a modest tuition fee to St. Mary’s University. A list of colleges and universities accepting PACC credits is available on the St. Mary’s University website.
  • GLOBAL ADVANTAGE PROGRAM (.5 credit) Global Advantage college credits may be available through Hamline University, St. Catherine’s University, or St. Mary’s University of Minnesota upon completion of a class/travel summer session at DeLaSalle and payment of a fee. Global Advantage Program academic courses combine rigorous academic components with short term travel to international destinations chosen to complement the areas of study. Courses are typically designed through collaboration between DeLaSalle faculty and university professors allowing students to earn college credits for some of the courses. Academics will often combine subject matters - e.g. Art and Science, History and Literature - with preparation of students under the motto “preparation and participation, curiosity and civility”.
  • Additionally, students may apply for longer term exchange opportunities in Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy and Slovakia. The experience will last four to eight weeks and students will attend a partner high school while living with a host family. Students may earn DeLaSalle credit for exchange opportunity.

College Entrance Requirements

Admissions policies among the many colleges and universities vary greatly. It is advisable that students check with all colleges of interest for specific requirements. DeLaSalle High School provides course curriculum to meet college preparatory standards. In general, for a four-year college, a student will need 4 years of English, 3-4 years of Mathematics, 3-4 yeas of Science (3 years of a Lab Science), 3 years of Social Studies and a minimum of 2 years in the same Modern Language.

Students interested in highly selective colleges should take advanced courses; the level of “academic rigor” is important to selective colleges. Students should work closely with admissions counselors at the college or university to which they are applying.

DeLaSalle is a Catholic high school that seeks to create a community of students from various economic levels, academic abilities, racial communities, and ethnic backgrounds. In the Lasallian tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the school strives to facilitate personal academic success but also to prepare students to be of service to society. Within the larger tradition of the Catholic Church, DeLaSalle regards spiritual development as a primary educational goal. All students are required to take Theology courses and attend school worship services. Admission to Grade 9 is based on assessment of the following:

  • Completion of application forms,
  • At least one grade school teacher recommendation regarding academic potential and personal character,
  • Entrance exam scores,
  • Middle school transcripts

Admission may be unconditional, or probationary in which case additional conditions may need to be met before entering ninth grade. Students transferring to Grade 10, 11, or 12 must:

  • Provide a high school transcript,
  • Provide a letter from a counselor or teacher attesting to academic potential and personal character,
  • Interview with the Executive Director for Enrollment and/or Principal,
  • If an international student, demonstrate competence in English.

Transfer students are accepted at the start of a quarter/semester, except for special circumstances. To receive a DeLaSalle diploma, Grade 12 transfer students must normally be enrolled for the entire year.

If you are considering a college for:

Liberal Arts

Engineering

Business

Health Careers

Recommendations of courses to take in high school:

2-4 years of the same Modern Language

4 years of Mathematics plus Chemistry and Physics

4 years of Mathematics

3-4 years of Mathematics and Science

College admissions counselors will consider the following academic criteria when making admissions decisions:

  • Course choices by the student and academic rigor
  • Grade Point Average
  • ACT and/or SAT Test scores

 

NCAA Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to practice and compete in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division 1 or Division 2 institution during the first year in college, students must have maintained a satisfactory high school grade point average in NCAA approved core courses for DeLaSalle High School and have received a satisfactory score on a standardized college entrance examination. Students and parents may log on to the NCAA website (https://web3.ncaa. org/hsportal/exec/hsAction) for specific details concerning approved NCAA core courses at DeLaSalle and also how college entrance exam scores are considered for eligibility.

DEPARTMENTS

 

English

Students will be introduced to the idea that literature encourages understanding the complexities of the world and our places in it. Moreover, students will learn that literature is a conduit to diverse human perspectives, experiences, and institutions. This will be accomplished through the introduction and development of rhetorical and literary techniques and vocabulary in English courses. The goals of the English department are to inspire and teach a love and understanding of words and how they work, and to form critical thinkers, eloquent speakers, strong and effective writers, and close readers.

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Fine Arts

The Fine Arts Department includes courses in Visual Arts, Music and Theatre. Honors Art and AP Studio Art are offered to students who plan on advancing their artistic skills and creative abilities. Music is seen as a means of expressing oneself either through vocal or instrumental means. The goal is to develop both skills and appreciation, working with others and performing. The performance component includes concerts and, often, a music tour.

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Mathematics

Students at DeLaSalle are encouraged to take four years of mathematics, although three years are required for graduation. Most colleges and universities require the successful completion of Algebra II for admission. Students entering Grade 9 are placed in Algebra I, Advanced Algebra I or into the Honors Program. Placement in mathematics is based on scores from the Math Mastery Exams as well as a departmental review of standardized test scores and middle school records. For Grades 10, 11, and 12, placement is based upon completion of prerequisite courses as well as teacher recommendations and student and parent input.

Students are required to have a scientific calculator for Algebra I, Advanced Algebra I, and all Geometry courses. Beginning with Algebra II, students are required to have a Texas Instrument graphing calculator. Graphing calculators are available for rent from the Mathematics department.

Here are typical and suggested sequences of courses:

  • Algebra I or Advanced Algebra I > Geometry > Algebra II > Precalculus
  • (For students who have tested out of Algebra I) Honors Algebra II > Honors Geometry or Geometry > Honors Precalculus or Precalculus > AP Calculus AB or Calculus
  • (For students who have tested out of both Algebra I and Geometry) Honors Algebra II > Honors Precalculus or Precalculus > AP Calculus AB or Calculus > AP Calculus BC

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Modern Languages

The ability to function competently in at least one language other than English is essential in the interdependent world of the twenty-first century. In addition to learning the structure and vocabulary of the target language, students will learn about daily life, social institutions, literature, art, culture, and contemporary and historical issues. Placement of students with prior language experience will be determined on an individual basis. Two years of a single modern language are required for graduation, but students are encouraged to take language classes beyond the two-year requirement. Three or four consecutive years of a single modern language are strongly recommended for students who plan to attend a four-year college or university.

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Physical Education

The purpose of the Physical Education program is to develop an individual’s ability to constructively use capacities for movement as a way of expressing, exploring, and interpreting oneself and one’s relationship with the world. Students will develop skills and knowledge of how and why one moves effectively through games, sports, dance, and exercise. The student will become knowledgeable about the history, rules, strategy, organization, equipment, and safety factors of the various activities. The student should also acquire respect and appreciation for good physical conditioning and develop an interest and a desire to participate in lifetime recreational activities.

Options are available for students to meet the credit requirements for Health and Physical Education:Wellness for Life. Both Health and PE:Wellness for Life must be taken within 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Preference for enrollment will be given to 12th graders as these are required credits for graduation.

Students will have the opportunity to take the required semester credit of Health in a traditional classroom setting or in an online setting. The traditional Health or PE:Wellness for Life class will be offered either fall or spring semester. The Online Health and the Hybrid PE:Wellness for Life courses each cover one semester of material over a full-year and will be completed as an addition to seven other scheduled courses each semester.

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Science

The Science program offers students the opportunity to explore the natural world and discover the principles that govern natural processes, both living and nonliving. The focus of the curriculum is critical thinking and problem solving skills that are developed through laboratory and other investigative activities. In addition, students will also demonstrate mastery of appropriate scientific literacy, mathematical modeling, and develop skills in cooperation and communication in the practice of scientific inquiry. It is recommended that students take four years of Science as many colleges will require three to four years of laboratory-based Science courses for admission. Completion of Chemistry and upper-level Physics are strongly recommended if students plan to pursue a college program in the physical sciences, life sciences, computer science, mathematics, engineering, psychology, or physical education.

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Social Studies

The goals of the DeLaSalle Social Studies department are to enable students to possess the requisite skills to become informed, effective and involved members of their communities; students who have developed the research skills and content mastery needed to succeed in college; and students with an awareness and understanding of the diverse complexity that comprises our world. The core curriculum is three and one-half years of history, social science, geography and government.

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Theology

In harmony with the philosophy of DeLaSalle High School and the National Catechetical Directory: Sharing the Light of Faith, the Theology Department endeavors to do the following for our students:

  • Encourage each one to develop a personal faith response to the unconditional love of God,
  • Provide them with an understanding of the Catholic tradition,
  • Help them learn how to participate in a community of faith,
  • Invite each one to live a life of service to others.

The Bible, the Word of God, is shared daily through classroom prayers, texts, activities and liturgies. Opportunities for participation in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church are made available in cooperation with Lasallian Ministry. Through the study of Jesus’ life and mission, students encounter Christian values basic to life in all of its progressions and challenges. Students develop an awareness of the created world as a gift, but also recognize the need for redemption. Theology teachers seek to aid students in their search for God through the examination of world history, cultures, and customs. Emphasis is given to the Catholic Tradition, its historical development and ritual expression. These studies are positioned against the backdrop of contemporary times in order to furnish the values necessary for attaining a productive and fulfilled Christian life.

In partnership with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, all grade levels will include curriculum components from the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth. These include boundaries and personal safety lessons with a focus on digital privacy & security, online relationships & communication, digital footprint & identity and cyberbullying & hate speech.

Our goal is to prepare students to navigate today’s digital environment.

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