AGES 14+
UPPER LEVEL ACADEMICS
2026 CURRICULUM FOR UPPER LEVELS
As our students develop into young men and women, we parents slowly lose the reins of our control and allow them to make increasingly difficult and consequential decisions. For better or worse, these decisions are often directed by the attitude and bearing of the hearts.
This year’s history, literature, theology, and even science curricula focus on the unseen world of the student’s hearts. Addressing themes like sloth, frivolity, courage, unseen pride, civic responsibility, self-indulgence, sacrifice, greed, hubris, and how seemingly innocuous decisions can shape or destroy our destiny. *Note, There may be small changes to the following curricula.
2025-2026 ACADEMICS
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Experience the thrill of athletic variety in this dynamic PE course! Students rotate through different sports throughout the year, gaining exposure to fundamental skills, rules, and techniques for each activity. From volleyball and pickleball to flag football and soccer, every few weeks brings a new challenge and opportunity to discover hidden talents.
This hands-on course emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth while building confidence across multiple athletic disciplines. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a complete beginner, you'll develop physical fitness, leadership skills, and lasting friendships through engaging team activities and friendly competition.
Instructor—Coach Hiram Samaniego
UPPER LEVEL CURRICULUM
MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA + FOUNDATIONS OF PRE-CALCULUS
This course provides a year-long study of foundational algebraic concepts and introduces students to the core topics of precalculus. Using Harold Jacobs’ Elementary Algebra as a primary text, students will master equation solving, graphing, exponents, and polynomials. The second semester transitions to more advanced topics such as functions, trigonometry, and an introduction to limits, establishing a strong base for future Calculus study. Throughout the course, students will reflect on how mathematics reveals God’s constancy, order, and beauty in creation. Emphasis will be placed on conceptual understanding, real-world application, and problem-solving skills essential for STEM readiness.
TEXTBOOK/CURRICULUM— Jacobs’ Elementary Algebra by Harold R. Jacobs
Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus by Stewart, Redlin, Watson
SUPPLEMENTAL— Khan Academy; Open Stax
SEMESTER—1 + 2
Instructor—James Shoemake
HISTORY
WORLD HISTORY
In order to know why things are the way they are now, we need to look back on how things were before. Where did we come from? What events and characters in the past have shaped the way we live today? In this course, we will take a look at the history of the entire world, from the emergence of civilizations in the Fertile Crescent, the Indus Valley, and the Yellow River, to the rise of the Greeks, Romans, ancient Chinese, and Mesoamericans, to the appearance of the Chosen People and the Messiah. The first semester will close with the story of Christ Jesus, whose death and resurrection changed history completely. The second semester will describe the history of the Church to the emergence of the modern world.
TEXTBOOK/CURRICULUM—In Their Words Notgrass History
Instructor—Jared Mende
SCIENCE
BIOLOGY
Apologia's Exploring Creation with Biology 3rd Edition has been redesigned to better illustrate the beauty of life that surrounds us all! This edition also includes full-page infographics that help illuminate concepts from the text. This college-prep biology course is designed to be the student's first high school science course, and provides students with a thorough understanding of the relevance of scientific inquiry. Textbook readings are backed by hands-on experiments that take students' book knowledge and bring it into real-world applications. After completing this course, students will be able to understand the vocabulary of biology and gain a strong understanding of the scientific method that will equip them to analyze data across other disciplines. Modules cover atoms, chemical structures, ecosystems, biomes, ecological communities, cell structure and function, cellular energy, DNA, proteins, cell cycles, and genetics (including inheritance, disorders, and technology). Students will also learn about prokaryotes, viruses, protists, fungi, and the fascinating worlds of plants and animals. 716 pages, softcover. 3rd Edition. For Grade 9. Can also be used in Grade 8 for advanced science students or Grade 10 if a student is not college-bound for the sciences.
Textbook / Curriculum—Apologia
Instructor: Bethany Mende
CHEMISTRY
This high school chemistry course provides an engaging, God-centered exploration of the composition, structure, and properties of matter. Using Dr. Jay Wile’s Discovering Design with Chemistry, students will study atomic theory, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, solutions, acids and bases, and more. Labs and demonstrations (when possible) will accompany instruction. Each lesson connects scientific content with biblical truths, revealing the consistency and beauty of God’s creation. Students will gain confidence in applying chemical concepts and preparing for future science coursework.
TEXTBOOK/CURRICULUM— Discovering Design with Chemistry by Dr. Jay Wile
Instructor—James Shoemake
PHYSICS
This course offers a foundational understanding of classical physics, exploring God’s created laws governing motion, force, energy, and matter. Using Dr. Jay Wile’s Exploring Creation with Physics, students will engage in the study of Newtonian mechanics, energy transformations, waves, electricity, and magnetism. Concepts are taught through discussion, demonstrations, problem-solving, and occasional labs. Weekly catechism reflections emphasize God’s design and the discoverable patterns within creation. This course is math-light but prepares students for further study in science and engineering.
TEXTBOOK/CURRICULUM—Exploring Creation with Physics by Dr. Jay Wile
Instructor—James Shoemake
LITERATURE
LITERATURE II
A good book can quite literally change someone’s life. In this course, we will guide students through some of the best novels, plays, epic poems, and biographies in history, discussing their themes together as a class.
Required books:
Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Orczy
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The Aeneid, by Virgil
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
Instructor—Jared Mende
LATIN II
Latin is the foundational language of Western civilization and was one of the three languages written over Jesus on the cross. Not only is the study of Latin extremely important for all classical students, but since it has such a different grammatical structure than English, learning it rewires the student’s brain so that they can think more logically and coherently in all situations. In this course, we will continue where we left off in Latin I.
Required textbooks:
Henle Latin Second Year
Henle Latin Grammar
Instructor—Jared Mende
CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
This course teaches practical Spanish conversation skills while exploring the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. Students will develop strong pronunciation, cultural awareness, and listening comprehension through structured practice and cultural study.
Course Structure: Each week, students complete group homework assignments practicing specific conversations. Classes begin with students performing prepared dialogues, followed by new material and cultural lessons that cover traditions, history, and contemporary life across Spanish-speaking nations.
Learning Outcomes: By year's end, students will confidently engage in Spanish conversations, understand cultural contexts, and demonstrate proper pronunciation and accent. Most of the homework will be oral practice along with their assigned groups.
Christian Classical Approach: This course views language learning as a way to build understanding across cultures and appreciate God's gift of communication. Students develop both linguistic skills and the wisdom to communicate respectfully across cultural boundaries, as well as memorize The Lord's Prayer and various verses in Spanish.
TEXTBOOK—Provided by Instructor
Instructor—Cheryl Kolesar
LOGIC I &II
Logic is the study of proper thinking and the basis of all classical education. In this secondary logic course, we will explore advanced subjects, such as epistemology, modal logic, polysyllogisms, truth tables, and more, building on our knowledge of basic principles learned in Logic I.
TEXTBOOK/CURRICULUM—There will be no required textbook for this class. Reading material and homework will be given to the student each week.
Fall 2025—Logic I
Spring 2026—Logic 2
Instructor—Jared Mende
THEOLOGY IN STORYTELLING
FALL 2025 Why tell a story? This class is aimed at the detailed sincerity of God’s designs and omnipresence reaching the minds of fellow ever-students in Christ. Focused on the nature of the story inside all creation, you will learn: How God’s Word both relates to and differs from any storyline, what discernment toward entertainment means, many important philosophies behind well-known movies and their histories, and much more!
Instructor—Gigi WIlcox
CREATIVE WRITING
SPRING 2026
Instructor—Lucas Kolesar