Academics

The Grove School provides students with a robust, well-rounded, and inclusive academic program focused on personal development and preparation for adulthood.

College Prep Through A-G

As a part of rigorous study, the Grove School ensures that all core high school classes are college preparatory. One of the ways that the Grove School measures this is by teaching only UC Approved A-G courses. Teachers must submit a course-by-course curriculum and lesson plans for approval by the University of California Regents who examine the work for quality and rigor.

For more information on A-G Courses and UC-Approval, please see the A-G Guide provided through the University of California Regents.

AP Classes

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses are rigorous, college level classes and exams that can sometimes be applied to graduating credits at university. The classes are offered on a rotating basis to maximize the variety a school of Grove’s size can offer. In order to support student success, the Grove School only offers enrollment in these courses to Juniors and Seniors.

AP Courses offered at the Grove School include:

Biology
English Language and Composition
English Literature and Composition
Seminar (Part of AP Capstone)
Research (Part of AP Capstone)
Environmental Science
Studio Art: 2-D Design
United States Government and Politics
United States History
Spanish
Physics

For more information on AP courses, please visit the College Board website.

Career Technical Education (CTE)

The Grove School currently offers four CTE pathways for students in middle and high school:

Technical Theater,
Hospitality,
Food Service
Outdoor Recreation

Students completing the two year curriculum in high school will leave with certifications to help them immediately enter into the job force.

Graduation Requirements

The Grove School’s graduation requirements allow students to meet or exceed the admission requirements for the University of California and California State University systems and virtually all other colleges and universities students might consider or attend.

Students need a total of 225 credits. Only juniors and seniors may enroll in AP classes.

Current Graduation Requirements Include:

English – 4 years college prep

English 9, English 9 Honors (with integrated Ethnic Studies)
English 10
American Rhetoric/AP English Language & Composition
Expository Reading & Writing (ERWC)/AP English Literature & Composition
AP Seminar

Mathematics – 3 years college prep

Algebra I, Financial Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, Calculus

Lab Science – 3 years college prep

Biology, Honors Biology
Environmental Science
Chemistry, Honors Chemistry
Physics, Honors Physics, Applied Physics
Anatomy & Physiology, Body Systems
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science

Social Studies – 3 years college prep

World History/AP World History
United States History/AP United States History
American Government/ Economics
AP US Government & Politics/ Economics

Foreign Language – 2 years college prep

Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III

Visual and Performing Arts – 1 year college prep

Drawing and Painting I, Drawing and Painting II, AP Studio Art: 2-D Design

Health – 1 semester

Physical Education – 2 years required

Electives – 40 credits required (chosen from any of the courses above or the following electives)

AP Research, Human Geography/Honors Human Geography, Economics, Culinary Arts, Mini-Courses, Career Technical Education (CTE) Courses: Theater I, Theater II and Marketing

All seniors must complete a senior project for graduation.

Co-Curricular Experiences

Field Trips- All students take field trips throughout the year to enhance the classroom curriculum. These allow us to take students out into the world, create opportunities for community service, enrich classroom experiences and facilitate a sense of community.

Mentoring - All students work with a mentor teacher during an advisory type period throughout their experience at Grove. Typically, a student remains with their mentor for multiple years. This allows for teachers to get to know students well, and develops a strong relationship to support their academic, personal and professional development.

Mini-Courses – These quarter long courses allow our students to explore physical and creative interests in a variety of unique topics. Typically, while also meeting state standards, courses are student-interest driven, and often co-facilitated between students and teachers. Minicourses are taken during periods 7 and 8.

Creative Academic Weeklong Experience (CAWE) - From the beginning of the school year, students choose a theme of study and plan a week of educational experiences around that theme. Prior to the week, students work with their CAWE advisors to plan, budget, and fundraise to realize their plans, making the lead up to the week as valuable an experience as the activities themselves. On the final day of CAWE, students welcome their community onto campus to share what they learned during "Demo Day", typically held on the final day before Spring Break.