Course Catalog

Learn more about our Advanced Placement® (AP) and Concurrent Credit programs.

Advanced Placement Biology

Students study biochemistry, cell structure and function, cell division, cell signaling, molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, evolution/origins, and ecology.

Advanced Placement Calculus BC

Students analyze planar curves given in parametric form, polar form, and vector form and expand study of limits, derivatives, definite and indefinite integrals.

Advanced Placement Chemistry

Students study equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, atomic structure, molecular structure, electrochemistry, phases of matter, and solution behavior.

Advanced Studio Art 2

Each student collaborates with the instructor to develop a body of artwork in the medium of his or her choice.

Algebra 2

Students study linear equations, inequalities and functions, systems of linear equations and inequalities, matrices and determinants, quadratic functions, and much more.

Biomedicine

Students investigate and articulate core biology topics through the framework of human anatomy and physiology.

Calculus

Students explore limits, derivatives, and definite integrals.

Chemistry

Students learn basic concepts of general inorganic and physical chemistry.

Command in the Pacific War

Students experientially learn not just the major events of the war in the Pacific theater during World War II but also enter the decision-making process.

Conceptual Physics

Students study mechanics, matter, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear energy.

Concert Band

Students continue to master their skills on a musical instrument and perform as an ensemble in the Upper School Concert Band.

Concert Choir

Students continue vocal training and perform as an ensemble in the Upper School Concert Choir.

Creative Writing

Students produce original work while engaging in critical analysis of diverse literary texts.

Engineering

Students explore the breadth of engineering fields, learn the narrative of engineering, and develop engineering design skills and habits of mind.

French I

Students are introduced to the French language and Francophone cultures.

French II

Students are exposed to high frequency language and learn to express themselves in the present and past tenses.

French III

Students grow in their ability to comprehend, speak, and write more complex content.

French IV

Students develop accuracy and nuance in speaking and writing French.

Geometry

Students develop geometric proofs and learn basic trigonometry.

Graphic Design 1

Students examine the principles of design utilizing modern digital technology.

Graphic Design 2

Students delve deeper into the creative opportunities of Adobe® Creative Cloud applications.

Group Fitness

Students build strength, endurance, and confidence through diverse movement styles.

Health

Freshmen learn the integration of physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions of a healthy lifestyle.

Historical Theology

Freshmen study the theology of the ancient Church while connecting yesterday's faith lessons to our life of faith today.

Honors Chemistry

Students cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry in greater breadth and depth.

Honors European History

Students analyze the juxtaposition of Roman and Christian worldviews and how they both clash and synthesize in the European context.

Honors Precalculus

Students cover functions, trigonometry, systems of equations, sequences, probability, analytic geometry, vectors, and limits.

Honors Senior English

Students explore and express their convictions through discussion, essays, and creative writing.

Honors United States History

Students explore geographic, political, cultural, and economic characteristics of American history from the settlement of Jamestown through the presidency of Bill Clinton.

Jazz Band

Students learn to play jazz styles and perform as an ensemble. All instruments welcome.

Latin II

Students are introduced to the complex sentence and double their Latin vocabulary.

Latin III

Students master the components of the complex sentence and read unadapted passages of classical Latin literature.

Latin IV

Students learn more Latin grammatical structures, read selections from classical Latin literature and write Latin compositions.

Latin V

Students strengthen their command of Latin grammar by reading canonical works of Latin literature.

Marine Biology

Students investigate and articulate core biology topics through the framework of marine biology.

Multivariable Calculus

Students are introduced to multivariable differential calculus, double and triple integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates, the chain rule, and more.

Music Theory

Students learn specific methods for cultivating musical fluency using notes, key signatures, scales, intervals, chords, and rhythms.

Musical Theater

Students act, sing, and dance in Bear Creek’s quadrennial musical production.

New Play Development

Students collaborate to compose short plays and learn the process of building a stage-worthy script.

Photography 1

Students work with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, digital photo editing, and basic photo composition.

Pit Orchestra

Students perform in the musical's pit orchestra as well as at special events.

Precalculus

Students cover functions, trigonometry, systems of equations, sequences, probability, and analytic geometry.

Psychology

Students study human thought, feelings, mental processes, and behavior at an individual and group level.

Rhetoric

Students cultivate eloquent speaking through time-tested exercises in rhetorical theory.

Senior Capstone Project

Seniors to develop and pursue a challenging, meaningful, and self-directed project during the last few weeks of the spring semester.

Spanish I

Students are introduced to basic spoken and written Spanish.

Spanish II

Students learn the past, future, present perfect, past perfect, and present and past progressive tenses, and conditional mood.

Spanish III

Students comprehend and communicate orally and in writing about a wide variety of personal, cultural, and ethical concepts.

Spanish IV

Students develop accuracy in speaking and writing through the use of more abstract vocabulary and more advanced grammatical structures.

Studio Art 1

Students explore foundational skills and techniques in various drawing media, including pencil, pen, and chalk pastel.

Studio Art 2

Students utilize and integrate the elements of art while being introduced to the principles of design.

Studio Art 3

Students expand skills by further developing their drawing and conceptual abilities.

Technical Theater

Students learn audio engineering, stage lighting, set design, set construction, and stage management.

Yearbook Editor

The yearbook editor plans, directs, and executes the Upper School yearbook and performs the following required duties.