Malibu, California 90265
Mark Kelly, Principal
Matt Horvath, Assistant Principal Suzanne Webb Monastero, Assistant Principal Liz Cowgill, Counselor Katie Dahm, Counselor Luke Sferra, Counselor
(310) 4576801 http://malibuhigh.smmusd.org
The purpose of this catalog is to assist both student and parent in selecting an educational program.Course selection should be based on individual goals, keeping in mind graduation and college requirements. Review the course descriptions carefully; be mindful of course title, grade level, and prerequisites.Course selections made in the spring are binding. MHS creates its master schedule based on these choices. All students will be asked to select alternate course choices; in some cases first choice selections may be cancelled due to low student signup. In this case alternate choices are used.
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DROP/ADD POLICY
Course programs are created for the year.
Students are expected to remain in the courses selected. Changes to course programs will be done only in the following cases: 1) computer/ school error; 2) course work completed in the summer (with counselor approval); 3) student does not have prerequisite for the class; 4) teacher request.
Course programs are never changed for period or teacher preference.
Requests for a schedule change MUST be turned in during the first six weeks of each semester. No changes will be made after this period; courses dropped after the sixth week of each semester will appear on the students official transcript as a WF (withdraw/fail).
● REPEATING COURSES
Students are allowed to repeat courses to raise their grade; counselor approval is required. When a course is repeated both grades appear on the official transcript. Both grades are used to compute the grade point average. NOTE: Credit is awarded for the course only once.
● REPEATING COURSES
Four year colleges recommend that any grade of ‘D’ at semester in a core course should be REPEATED. D’s in core courses count as a subject omission by most universities and may affect admission.
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MINIMUM COURSE LOAD All ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders are required to sign up for six courses (30 credits). Only twelfth graders in good academic standing may request a shortened day. Students need to provide proof of
continued on page 2.
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University of California (UCLA, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Berkeley, San Diego, Davis, Irvine, Riverside...)
I. Subject Requirement:
- a.
- History 2 years: One year of United States History and One year of World History.
II. Scholarship Requirement:
An applicant must have earned semester grades of ‘C’ or better, in all high school courses used to satisfy the ‘af’ subject requirements. Although the 9th grade courses can be used to meet ‘subject requirements’ the grades earned are NOT used in computing the grade point average for the ‘scholarship requirement.’ Only grades earned in ‘a g’ courses taken in grades 10 through 12 will be used to compute the grade point average for admission. Grades earned in up to eight semesters of courses designated Honors and/or Advanced Placement will be weighted so that A=5, B4, and C=3. This applies only to 11th and 12th grade Honors/AP courses taken during the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.
III. Examination Requirement:
Applicants must submit scores from either the S.A.T. I or the A.C.T. Applicants must submit scores from three Subject Tests (S.A.T. II). These must include (1) Writing; (2) Mathematics IC, or IIC; and (3) one test chosen from English Literature, Foreign Language, Sciences, or Social Sciences.
● California State University
(Northridge, Long Beach, San Diego, Los Angeles, Humboldt, Fresno, Bakersfield, Chico, Pomona...)
I. Subject Requirement:
English 4 years Mathematics 3 years (Algebra I, Geometry, and Intermediate Algebra) Social Science 2 years; World History and US History Lab Science Biology and Chemistry. Foreign Language 2 years (in the same language; waiver for proven competence) Visual and Performing Arts 1 year (art, dance, theater arts, or music; these courses do not have to be designated ‘P’ courses.) College Prep Electives 1 year (chosen from English, advanced mathematics, social studies, history, lab science, foreign and visual and performing arts).
II. Scholarship Requirement:
The California State University system requires all freshman applicants to complete the ‘subject requirements’ with a grade of ‘C’ or better. CSU awards additional points 1 continued on page 2.
in grade point calculations for designated Honors/AP courses. Up to eight semesters taken in the 11th and 12th grades can be accepted. A=5, B4,C=3, D=1, and F=0.
III. Examination Requirement:
Freshman applicants must submit scores from either the S.A.T. I or A.C.T. The S.A.T. II is not required.
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Private Colleges/OutOfState Universities (Stanford, Pepperdine, USC, Yale, Smith, Harvard, Howard...)
I. Subject Requirement:
Requirements will vary from school to school. Generally, students are best advised to complete the same pattern of course work required of the U.C. or C.S.U. systems. Consult the school catalog for specific requirements.
II. Scholarship Requirement:
Requirements will vary from school to school. Grade point average in college preparatory courses and class rank are factors considered.
III. Examination Requirement:
Applicants must submit scores from either the S.A.T. I or A.C.T. Check specific college catalog for preferred test form. S.A.T. II scores may or may not be required.
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California Community Colleges (Santa Monica City College, Santa Barbara City College, Pierce College, Oxnard College...)
Other than a high school diploma, there are no specific course, grade point, or examination requirements for admission. Students can pursue a terminal Associate Degree program (2 years) or complete a specific sequence of coursework in order to transfer after 2 years to a university.
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United States Service Academics (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy)
These are some of the most selective academic institutions in the country. Only students who have taken the most vigorous academic programs are considered. Application procedures begin in the spring of the junior year. Consult the Career Center for more specific information.
The Edward B. Wells Library at Malibu high School is committed to providing the students and staff at Malibu High with the resources and skills necessary to succeed in the Information Age and to stimulate life long reading. The library collection of 15,000 volumes is part of SMILENet (Santa Monica Malibu Inter Library Electronic Network) and has access to the over 104,000 volumes in the District collection. It is also part of the Arroyo Seco Library Network, a division of the Library of California, which brings students access to public, private and university libraries from Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Besides the growing book collection, the library has electronic access to over 2000 magazines and newspapers through subscriptions to Proquest Historical Newspapers, elibrary, SIRS, World Book online, the L.A. Times online and Noticias. There is also a CD collection that includes classical, jazz and folk music that supports the music curriculum. The library is open from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Fridays. The library is also the home for the MHS web site at http://malibuhigh.smmusd.org. There are fifteen computers in the library that are used by students for research, class work and homework. Future goals of the library include building a collection that focuses on local writers and interests and the continued growth of the collection in support of the curriculum and encouragement of life long reading.
enrollment in college courses, employment or an internship to be considered for a shortened day. MHS does not award work experience credit.
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ATTENDANCE POLICY Students who miss class cannot make up the participation that occurs during the class periods. Certainly, students can make up the assignments, but it is very important to participate in the class.For that reason, any student who misses 15 days or more in one semester cannot earn a grade higher than a C.Exceptions can be made only by appeal to the principal.
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SUMMER SCHOOL Students are encouraged to attend summer school for enrichment. Required courses for graduation should be taken at MHS during the school year. Counselor approval is required for all summer school course work.
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INDEPENDENT STUDY PE/PE EXEMPTION Students may apply for independent study PE. Requests are accepted during the month of May of the previous academic year. No requests are considered after this period. Students need to complete an application.
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INDEPENDENT STUDY (DUE TO EXTENDED ABSENCE) Students who will be missing a week or more of school are requested to notify the attendance clerk. Teachers will be notified and assignments will be collected. Parents are expected to coordinate the pickup and return of completed work.
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CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAM The CHSPE is an alternative to receiving a high school diploma. Students who are 16, or are enrolled in the second semester of the 10th grade, may consider taking this exam. A passing score entitles the student to a Certificate of Proficiency. No high school diploma is issued, and the student would not be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies. Note: A passing score on the CHSPE does not allow a student to leave high school
unless they are 16 and have a parental permission note on file with the registrar.
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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION Students must complete 220 credits of required and elective course work, in addition pass the High School Exit Exam(HSEE) and complete 80 hours of community service. Students who fall short, will not be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies. The diploma is withheld pending completion of ALL requirements.
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES Students enrolled in an AP Class are required to take the AP exam in May. Students that don’t will receive no higher than a ‘C’ grade. Note: At the completion of the 1st semester of the junior year, students who do not have 130 credits will be required to enroll at Olympic High School to catch up in course work; upon verification of work completed, students may return to MHS to graduate.
● COURSE: English 9 P (Year Course)
GRADE: 9 PREREQUISITE: None DESCRIPTION: English 9 introduces students to the expectations and standards for reading and writing at the high school level. Students read works of Shakespeare, Hemingway, Steinbeck, and Golding among others. Selections from short stories and from Greek and Roman mythology are also taught. A particular focus in writing is on developing analytical writing skills. Increasing reading fluency and comprehension, grammar skills building, and vocabulary development are also stressed.
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COURSE: English 9 HP (Year Course)
GRADE: 9 PREREQUISITE: Recommended grade of A or B in English 8 plus Department approval. DESCRIPTION: Honors English 9 is a course designed for extensive reading and writing in all genres as a preparatory class for 10th grade Honors English and 11th grade Advanced Placement English.
● COURSE: Writer’s Workshop
(Semester Course)
GRADE: 9 PREREQUISITE: None DESCRIPTION: Writers Workshop is a onesemester course that concentrates on improving students’ writing ability through an involved research paper, creative writing, and personal reflections. Ethics is combined and interwoven into the curriculum to teach tolerance and understanding.
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COURSE: English 10 P (Year Course)
GRADE: 10 PREREQUISITE: English 9 DESCRIPTION: English 10 is a challenging course focussed on world literature. Core readings provide both an historical and a multicultural literary experience. Students are required to read at least four novels plus one Shakespearean play. Course emphasis is on writing across the domains, with a continued focus on analytical writing.
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COURSE: Honors English 10 HP
(Year Course)
GRADE: 10 PREREQUISITE: Recommended grade of A or B in English 9 plus Department approval. DESCRIPTION: Honors Placement English 10 is a demanding course in world literature. Students read plays, poetry and modern thematicallybased novels focussing on war and its impact, the Holocaust, and criticisms of technology and the modern world. Students are expected to attain increasing sophistication in analytical writing, including the ability to make thematic connections among the works.
● COURSE: English 11 P (Year Course)
GRADE: 11 PREREQUISITE: English 10 DESCRIPTION: English 11 is a survey course of American Literature. Students will read selections from the historical foundation to the modern period, write analytical and persuasive essays, and develop listening and speaking skills. The students will also review for the verbal section of standardized tests.
● COURSE: ENGLISH 11 AP (Year Course) ● COURSE: Journalism II P(Year Course)
GRADE: 11 GRADE: 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Recommended grade of A or B in PREREQUISITE: Journalism I English 10 plus Department approval. Description: This course will allow students to DESCRIPTION: Advanced Placement Language continue their practice of journalism. Skills will be and Composition/American Literature is a rigorous further developed as students assume greater course focussing on style analysis and rhetoric. It is responsibilities on the staff of the student a comprehensive course taught at a college level. newspaper. Many students will be selected to Demands and expectations are high. Students will increase their involvement in the newspaper's read extensively and write analytical and persuasive publication through becoming section editors or essays in preparation for the national Advanced copy editors. These jobs will require time and Placement exam in May. dedication from the students that will go beyond
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COURSE: English 12 P (Year Course) the class period. GRADE: 12 COURSE: Journalism III (Year Course)
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PREREQUISITE: English 11 GRADE: 11, 12 DESCRIPTION: The literature in this course will PREREQUISITE: Journalism II vary, but will be based on the themes from Description: Many students will assume major American Literature, Shakespeare and other world editorial and production duties as members of the literature. Students will read four to six novels, as staff of the newspaper. All students will continue well as short stories and poetry. Students will write their study and experience in the field of print in a variety of analytical and creative styles. journalism. All students will be expected to be
COURSE: English 12 AP (Year Course) involved in various facets of newspaper publication.
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GRADE: 12 Editorial leadership is expected from these students.
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PREREQUISITE: Recommended grade of A or B in English 11 plus Department approval. DESCRIPTION: Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition focuses on world literature. Rhetoric, style, and close analysis of
COURSE: Creative Writing P
(Semester Course)
GRADE: 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: None DESCRIPTION: This semester course assumes that literature and poetry will be studied with readings all students are artists. Writing activities that include ranging from world classics through modern journal entries, poetry, fiction, fairy tales, andliterature. It is a comprehensive course taught at a children’s stories will serve to develop each writer’s university level. Demands and expectations are individual style and strengths. Given that writershigh. Students take the national Advanced must experience good writing, students will readPlacement Exam in May. outside books crossing different genres. Writers will
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COURSE: Speech and Debate P read and edit in a workshop atmosphere. The final (Semester Course) exam will consist of a class portfolio or project.
GRADE: 11 and 12 (elective) PREREQUISITE: None DESCRIPTION: Speech and Debate is a focussed study of strategies to improve oral presentation and discussion skills. Specific speech genre include Oratory (persuasion), Expository (speaking to inform), Oral Interpretation, Impromptu, and Debate. Oratories and Expositories are the only written speeches. Class discussions, speeches, or debates occur daily.
● COURSE: Journalism I (Year Course)
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Minimum grade of A or B in previous year’s English or Journalism class. Description: By taking this course, students are joining the staff of Malibu High School's student newspaper. In addition to learning the principles of journalism, students will be required to contribute to the newspaper through writing articles, selling advertising, assisting with layout, and fundraising.
Go
● COURSE: Lab Biology P (Year Course)
GRADE: 9 PREREQUISITE: None DESCRIPTION: Biology is a collegepreparatory course designed to satisfy the University of California requirement for a laboratory science. Students learn about interactions in an ecosystem; functions of cells, genetics, and evolution; and characteristics of living things. Students also become knowledgeable of our local environment through weekly oceanographic and biological research at our Zuma Beach study site.
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COURSE: Lab Biology Honors P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 9 PREREQUISITE: A’s in 8th Grade Algebra 1 and Physical Science plus the recommendation of 8th Grade Science and Math teachers. DESCRIPTION: Honors Lab. Biology is a universitypreparatory course designed to satisfy the University of California requirement for a laboratory science. Students learn about cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, and ecology. Students also become knowledgeable of our local environment through weekly oceanographic and biological research at our Zuma Beach study site.
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COURSE: Lab Chemistry P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 10, 11 PREREQUISITE: Completion of Algebra A/B and concurrent enrollment in Intermediate Algebra, and satisfactory completion of Biology DESCRIPTION: Chemistry is a collegepreparatory course designed to satisfy UC’s requirements for a laboratory science. This course covers the basic concepts of general chemistry: the mathematics of chemistry, atomic structure, inorganic nomenclature, the concept of mole, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, the gas laws, properties of water, solution concentrations, and acidbase chemistry. The course has a laboratory component and is mathematical in nature.
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COURSE: Lab Chemistry Honors P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 10, 11 PREREQUISITE: Concurrent enrollment in Intermediate Algebra Honors, a B+ in Biology, a passing score on the Math Diagnostic exam, and science and math teacher recommendations. DESCRIPTION: Honors Chemistry is a course designed for students who have demonstrated excellence in Biology and Mathematics. The topics include all those covered in regular Chemistry P plus additional units in Quantum Chemistry, Chemical Periodicity, Thermochemistry and Neutralization. The course is rigorous in nature, being both fastpaced and highly mathematical. It includes a laboratory component.
● COURSE: Chemistry AP (Year Course)
GRADE: 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Honors Chemistry with a B or better and teacher recommendation. DESCRIPTION: AP Chemistry is a second year chemistry course designed to prepare students for taking the AP Exam in Chemistry. The course is a college level course, with indepth treatments on a wide variety of mathematicallybased topics including gasphase and solution equilibria, acidbase reactions, solubility product calculations, kinetics, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. A major component of the course will be completion of a set of required labs in preparation for the AP exam.
● COURSE: Physics P (Year Course)
GRADE: 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Intermediate Algebra and Chemistry with a grade of B or better. DESCRIPTION: Physics is a highly mathematical course covering the topics of kinematics, vector analysis, rotational dynamics, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, quantum physics and relativity. Students learn through lecture, lab and creative projects.
● COURSE: Physics AP (Year Course)
GRADE: 12 PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Trig/PreCalculus with a B grade or better. DESCRIPTION: AP Physics is designed to prepare extremely motivated students for the AP exam in Physics. The pace of the course is rigorous!!
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COURSE: Earth Science P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 10, 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Biology DESCRIPTION: Earth Science is a college preparatory elective science course designed to meet the following criteria: It is the study of the relationship between humans and their geological environment. The course examines geologic principles, processes, and phenomena and relates them to humankind and human endeavors. Its emphasis is on the practical application of astronomy. The second semester covers the history of the universe and the physical nature of its existence. It will include an introduction to the techniques of observational astronomy. It will also include an introduction to the general theories of relativity, the nature of time, and modern theories of cosmology.
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COURSE: Marine Biology P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 10, 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Biology. Students must know how to swim. Transportation fee requested. DESCRIPTION: The ocean and the things that live in it make up the foundation of this class. Marine Biology is a one year laboratory and outdoor field research course. The course is projectoriented and students make extensive use of the beaches, offshore waters, and living marine specimens of southern California for their handson studies. The course fulfills the University of California admissions requirement for laboratory science, but does not replace the graduation requirement for Laboratory Biology. If you like the ocean and the outdoors, this is the Science course for you !
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COURSE: Lab Marine Biology HP
(Year Course)
GRADE: 10, 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: The course is open to any student in grades 10, 11, 12 that earned a “B” or better in 9th grade Biology. Students must know how to swim. Transportation fee requested. DESCRIPTION: Honors Marine Biology is a one year laboratory and outdoor field research course taught at the college level. The course is research projectoriented and students make extensive use of the beaches, offshore waters, and living marine specimens of southern California for their handson studies. Honors Marine Biology requires more calculating, graphing and reading technical scientific literature than Regular Marine Biology. The course fulfills the University of California admissions requirement for laboratory science at the Honors level. If you like math, the ocean and the outdoors, this is the Science course for you.
● COURSE: Directed Science Research P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 12 PREREQUISITE: Instructor approval; Marine Biology with a ‘B’ or better. Transportation fee requested. DESCRIPTION: Directed Science Research is an advanced laboratory science course in which students design and implement laboratory and field research projects using standard techniques.
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COURSE: AP Environmental Science
(Year Course)
GRADE: 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: an “A” in Laboratory Biology, or a “B” or higher in Honors Laboratory Biology, AND an “A” in Laboratory Chemistry, or a “B” or higher in Honors Lab. Chemistry. The math prerequisite is a “B” or higher in Algebra 2. APES is usually taken in the 11th or 12th grade. Description: The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles,concepts and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and humanmade, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary: it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study: biology, chemistry, physics, geology, oceanography, economics and political science. APES has a required laboratory component and it will make extensive use of our nearby access to Zuma Beach..
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COURSE: Algebra A1/A2 P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 9 PREREQUISITE: None DESCRIPTION: Algebra A1/A2 is the first year of a two year sequence covering the curriculum of Algebra I. Topics include writing and solving linear equations, and understanding the relationships between equations, graphs, and solutions to equations.
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COURSE: Algebra B1/B2 P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 10 PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Algebra A1/A2 DESCRIPTION: Algebra B1/B2 is the second year of a twoyear sequence intended to provide students with the mathematical background equivalent to a oneyear course of Algebra I. After completing both Algebra A1/A2 and Algebra B1/B2, students are prepared to take Geometry the following year.
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COURSE: Geometry P (Year Course)
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Grade of C or better in Algebra A/B or Algebra B1/B2. Grade of B or better in Algebra 8. DESCRIPTION: Geometry is a high school mathematics course which offers an inductive approach to the traditional geometry curriculum. Topics of study include: patterns and number sequences, geometric constructions, properties of circles, polygons, and polyhedra, congruence and similarity, the Pythagorean Theorem, trigonometry of right triangles, and deductive reasoning/proofs.
● COURSE: Geometry HP (Year Course)
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Grade of A in either Algebra A/B or Algebra 8, qualifying score on the readiness test, and teacher recommendation. DESCRIPTION: Most topics of study in Honors Geometry are the same as described in Geometry
P. The Honors Geometry course assumes a higher level of understanding of mathematical concepts and moves at a faster pace than Geometry P. Coursework is more indepth and there is an emphasis on applying algebraic expressions to geometry problems.
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COURSE: Intermediate Algebra P
(Year Course)
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Grade of C or better in Geometry and Algebra. DESCRIPTION: Intermediate algebra is a course using algebra in the study of functions. Applications to the real world are highly emphasized through the creation of mathematical models. Higher level thinking is required to analyze, interpret, and solve problems.
● COURSE: Intermediate Algebra HP
(Year Course)
GRADE: 10, 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Grade of A in Geometry or B or better in Honors Geometry with teacher recommendation. DESCRIPTION: In one year, students will complete the course material as described in the Intermediate Algebra course and then will also cover the topics described in the Trigonometry course.
● COURSE: Trigonometry P
(Semester Course)
GRADE: 11, 12 PREREQUISITE: Grade of C or better in Intermediate Algebra. DESCRIPTION: Students study circular and trigonometric functions and their behavior and meaning.
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COURSE: PreCalculus P
(Semester Course)
GRADE: 11, 12