High School Instructional Materials and Family Resources
- Arts - Performing and Visual
- Career and Technical Education
- English Language Arts
- Math
- Physical and Health Education
- Science
- Social Studies
- World Language
Arts - Performing and Visual
Performing Arts
Our high school performing arts programs offer students the opportunity to learn dance, music, and theatre through actively participating and performing. Opportunities range from elite performing ensembles to introductory courses for the complete beginner. Please see our course catalogue for the complete list of courses including band, choir, orchestra, piano, guitar, dance, acting, theatre tech, and many more options.
Washington State Performing Arts Standards
Visual Arts
High School Visual Art in BSD offers a variety of classes to spark student creativity and expression. Students may directly enter electives and experience a variety of art forms and media or pursue a specific art area of interest. All visual art classes include art history, elements and principles of design, critique, and portfolio development. Please see our course catalogue for a complete list of courses including Art & Design, Drawing & Painting, Ceramics, Photography, Metals & Jewelry, Stained Glass, and more.
Career and Technical Education
Overview
Career and Technical Education courses provide students with a comprehensive platform to investigate and prepare themselves for post-secondary pursuits at four-year colleges, two-year colleges, and technical schools. Through the pursuit of a structured curriculum, students can accrue college credits and attain industry-recognized certifications, all while laying the groundwork for their college journey and embarking on personalized career pathways.
Horticulture
The agriculture, horticulture, and forestry industries are expected to grow 8% by 2031, faster than average for all occupations. This career cluster has unlimited career possibilities including technology and engineering pathways. If you like working with your hands, working outdoors, having an impact on society and the environment, working with sophisticated technology, and/or science, this diverse career pathway may be for you.
Architecture and Construction
Manufacturing has been an important industry in Seattle-King County for over a century and construction plays a key role in our future. Innovative technologies are changing the industry, but an increase in retirements due to an aging workforce creates new career opportunities in the region. Apprenticeships are a wonderful way to gain specialized skills while learning on the job. This is also a creative field with artists and craftsmen using many types of materials to produce art, cabinets, furniture, and much more.
Media
This career cluster is focused on designing, producing, exhibiting, and publishing multimedia content along with visual and performing arts, and digital design. This creative yet technical industry has jobs that are behind the scenes as well as high profile jobs in front of an audience. There are unlimited creative possibilities in this field where you can work for yourself or for someone else.
Business and Marketing
No matter what industry you work in, or the job you have, the basics of business, management, and administration will help you on your career path. Business is the #1 field of study with 19% of associate and bachelor's degrees earned. The basics of personal finance, law, economics, and accounting are essential to successfully managing personal wealth and career advancement. Students who take high school business classes develop leadership, communication, problem-solving, and collaborative skills, attributes ALL employers look for in potential employees.
Education
The Human Services and Education cluster is a broad field that focuses on our communities, including the health and wellbeing of individuals and families. Multitasking, organization, and communication are key to all jobs in this field where no two days are the same. Occupations in personal care services are expected to make up nearly half of projected job openings in this cluster by 2030. Education is also a high demand field with almost 3,000 annual job openings in Washington State.
Health Sciences
Growing for several decades, Healthcare is now one of the fastest growing industries in the Seattle-King County area which has one of the largest metropolitan public health departments in the country. The increase in demand, coupled with an increase in worker retirements, presents illustrious career opportunities in the future!
Catering
As part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster, Culinary Arts can be the doorway to dozens of careers ranging from head chefs to dieticians to restaurant designers. Culinary is a fast-paced, creative, and scientific career field. And across the country, the industry is growing a rapid 26% by 2030 creating many opportunities for those that want to start their careers.
Information Technology
The Seattle – King County region is predicted to remain one of the largest hubs for technology in the country. As innovative technologies emerge, new types of jobs and careers are being created that never existed before, making this one of the most interesting career clusters. While this rapidly changing field promises innovative and exciting careers, it requires adaptability and flexibility as projects rapidly change focus along with technology.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
Engineering and the engineering design process is used in every industry from food to medical to high tech products. The Seattle – King County region specializes in aerospace, including airplane manufacturing. Industry branches, with many subcontracting businesses, range from design to quality control. With many employees retiring over the next few years, this is one of the hottest fields for career opportunities.
Automotive
The Transportation career cluster includes the automotive, maritime, aerospace, and railroad industries, all requiring engineers, maintenance technicians, inspectors, and mechanics. This is a technical field with advancing technology and rapidly changing designs. The Seattle – King County region is home to all these industries that need career minded employees and entrepreneurs.
English Language Arts
Overview
English Language Arts at the high school continues to build critical thinking skills, knowledge, and habits needed for college and career readiness. Students develop as close readers of literary and nonfiction texts and learn to analyze the relationship between author’s purpose, stylistic devices, rhetorical appeals, and effects intended for different audiences. The focus is on refining student writing and academic discussion, with particular attention to selecting textual evidence and organizational patterns based on purpose.
9th – Honors Freshman Composition and Literature
Students will develop analytical reading, academic writing, critical thinking, and presentation skills using course content that includes short stories, poetry, drama, novels, and more. Analytical reading instruction will extend understanding of literary elements and language, and writing instruction will develop the three modes as outlined by CCSS and College and Career Readiness Standards: narrative, expository, and argumentative.
10th – Honors Sophomore Composition & Literature
Students will analyze literature, conduct research, and synthesize meaning from historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts with course content that includes short stories, poetry, drama, novels, and more. The writing process increases in sophistication as students produce essays in three modes as outlined by CCSS and College and Career Readiness Standards: narrative, expository, and argumentative.
11th – American Literature and Composition/AP Language and Composition/IB Literature HL1/IB Language & Literature HL1
In American Literature and Composition, students will encounter the American literary heritage from different periods while reading essays, poetry, short stories, novels, and historical speeches by U.S. writers. Writing instruction will develop the three modes as outlined by CCSS and College and Career Readiness Standards: narrative, expository, and argumentative.
AP Language and Composition is a college-level course in which students analyze fiction and non-fiction prose and poetry with an emphasis on rhetorical techniques. They will write in a variety of modes and for various audiences. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May.
IB Literature HL1 studies the novel while examining the significance of historic and other cultural influences on theme, character, structure, and literary devices. IB Language & Literature HL1 explores non-fiction with a lens on language through its historical, cultural, and social contexts. Students eligible for an IB Diploma will need to take IB courses for 2 years.
12th – Senior English/AP Literature and Composition/IB Literature HL2/IB Language & Literature HL2/Advanced Studies in English
Senior English prepares students for the reading, critical thinking, writing, and research tasks encountered in college course work as they analyze and synthesize complex literary works and non-fiction prose to formulate academic arguments. Writing instruction will develop the three modes as outlined by CCSS and College and Career Readiness Standards: narrative, expository, and argumentative.
AP Literature and Composition is a college-level course in which students study literary works from different periods. They will read closely for historical, cultural, and social contexts and write complex literary analysis. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May.
IB Literature HL2 studies the historic and cultural influences on prose, non-fiction, poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as the techniques appropriate to the genre. IB Language & Literature HL2 expands analytic, oral communication, and composition skills as students study novels, short stories, poetry, and drama. These courses fulfill the second year requirement for students pursuing the IB Diploma.
Advanced Studies in English explores formal poetic styles, short stories, and flash fiction with an emphasis on “reading” film. The main goal is for students to approach various prompts creatively and find their own voice. In addition, they will create a short screenplay.
English Elective courses offered are Journalism, Creative Writing, and Speech and Debate.
Math
Overview
Students in high school must complete a minimum of three credits of mathematics to graduate. Typically, students take Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 to meet the minimum requirements. Bellevue School District uses the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum for these three courses. Below is a brief introduction to each course’s topics along with further math options as students progress through high school.
Algebra 1
In Algebra 1, students embark on a journey from one-variable statistics, then delve into linear equations, inequalities, and systems, applying abstract reasoning and precision. The course progresses to an exploration of functions, including linear, exponential, and quadratic types, emphasizing real-world contexts, and concludes with a thorough examination of quadratic equations, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of mathematical modeling and problem-solving. Throughout the course, students actively engage in mathematical modeling through various activities and prompts, enhancing their ability to apply concepts to real-world situations.
Geometry
In this Geometry course, students progress from constructing conjectures to formal proofs, engaging in a cycle of exploration and feedback. They rigorously prove triangle congruence and similarity theorems, delve into coordinate geometry, and explore volume formulas, transforming algebraic and geometric concepts. The course also introduces radian measure, analyzes circle relationships, and extends probability concepts from grade 7, while actively involving students in mathematical modeling through prompts provided for real-world applications.
Algebra 2
In Algebra 2, students explore sequences, functions, and mathematical modeling, delving into polynomial graphs and expressions. They extend exponent rules, introducing complex numbers and solving quadratic equations with non-real solutions. The course covers exponential and logarithmic functions, transformations, and culminates in statistical inference, where students analyze data using normal distributions and develop critical thinking skills in interpreting news stories summarizing data. Throughout, students actively engage in mathematical modeling, with provided prompts guiding their application of concepts to real-world scenarios.
Physical and Health Education
Physical Education and Health Program Vision
For students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and commitment to lead a physically active lifestyle and promote healthy choices that contribute to the overall wellness of themselves and the community.
10th Grade Health
Students are required to take .5 credits (1 semester) of Health for graduation.
Integrating research from the University of Washington’s Center for Exposures, Diseases, Genomics and Environmental Health, students learn how genetics, choices and the environment impact the health of themselves and the community. Course content and instruction uses medically and scientifically accurate information from a variety of global sources to allow students to think about how knowledge and experiences influence thinking, behaviors and choices.
Units of study in this course include:
- Mental Health
- Addiction
- Family Life and Sexual Health
- Environmental Health
- Consumerism
Resources
WA State Health Learning Outcomes |
BSD Family Life and Sexual Health Parent OneNote |
ATHENA Program and Resources |
Overview
Students will need 1.5 credits of physical education for graduation. Students must take Foundations of Fitness (1.0 credits) as a prerequisite for elective classes (1 semester, .5 credit).
Foundations of Fitness
Based on the HS1 Washington State Learning Outcomes, this course includes five areas of learning:
- Movement and Motor Skills – locomotor and non-locomotor skills, dribbling, throwing/catching and striking, individual and team activities and outdoor pursuits
- Application of Skills and Knowledge- offense/defense and tactical strategies, movement performance and concepts and training principles
- Health-Related Fitness –exercise anatomy, personal fitness and nutrition planning, goal setting, investigating community and lifetime activities,
- Value of Fitness – self-expression, social interaction, and challenge
- Responsibility and Behavior – includes hygiene, self-awareness, safety, respect, conflict- resolution, rules and etiquette, cooperation and sportsmanship.
HIV/AIDS will also be taught in the Foundations of Fitness course.* Curriculum and Instruction is based on the OSPI and District approved Family Life and Sexual Health curriculum (FLASH). See the BSD Family Life and Sexual Health Parent OneNote for more details.
CPR/AED certification training will also be taught in Foundations of Fitness. Students will engage in a three-week unit and have the opportunity to earn a King County Emergency Medical Services certification.
High School Physical Education Electives (offered at most schools)
Based on HS2 Washington State Learning Outcomes
- Territory Sports
- Recreational Multiple Sports
- Competitive Multiple Sports
- Net and Wall Sports
- Competitive Basketball
- Weight Training and Conditioning
- Personal Fitness
- Yoga for Fitness
- Intro to Dance (Sammamish and Bellevue only)
- Dance Performance (Sammamish and Bellevue only)
*As the parent/guardian, you have the right to request that your child be excluded from these lessons, but you must first preview the HIV/AIDS curriculum to exclude your child from instruction (in compliance with the Washington State Omnibus Act). If an exclusion from some or all of the HIV/AIDS or FLASH lessons is requested, a separate form for each must be completed and signed by parent/guardian. If you are interested in previewing the health lessons in the unit, you may follow the directions below.
The lessons are available for parent viewing, to log in follow the directions below:
- Visit: www.bit.ly/healthpreview
- Click on the appropriate informational grade level tab to view the curriculum.
If after reviewing these resources, if you would like to opt your student out of the lesson, then please complete the opt out form(s) found in the preview and return them to myself and your child’s teacher.
Message for Families: English (PDF) | Español (PDF) | 简体中文 (PDF)
Science
Overview
Science promotes curiosity and a sense of wonder, encourages life-long exploration, and provides a foundation for understanding the natural world. Through scientific investigation, students expand their knowledge to better understand and explain the phenomena they observe in the world around them. Curriculum is aligned with the state’s science standards, Advanced Placement and college-aligned course expectations.
Biology
This introductory biology course is designed to engage students in the core concepts of biology with some earth science. Students will use phenomena to explain ecosystem dynamics, genetics and heredity, and evolution. Students use the practices of scientists and engineers: asking questions, developing models, designing and conducting investigations, using mathematics and computational thinking, scientific explanation and argumentation.
Chemistry
This introductory chemistry course is designed to engage students in core concepts of chemistry with some earth science. Students will use phenomena to explain matter, energy, and chemical reactions with extensions into earth science. Students use the practices of scientists and engineers: asking questions, developing models, designing and conducting investigations, using mathematics and computational thinking, scientific explanation and argumentation.
Physics
This introductory physics course is designed to engage students in core concepts of physics with some earth science. Students will use phenomena to explain motion, forces, energy, and waves. Students use the practices of scientists and engineers: asking questions, developing models, designing and conducting investigations, using mathematics and computational thinking, scientific explanation and argumentation.
AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C
These college level physics courses are aligned to College Board course expectations. AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 form a two-year equivalent to the first and second semesters of a typical algebra-based, college physics course. AP Physics C (Mechanics) forms the first part of a college physics sequence for students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering using calculus.
AP Biology
This course is a college level introductory biology course which focuses on enduring, conceptual understandings in biology through scientific practices. The content is aligned with College Board course expectations and BIOL& 160 at Bellevue College.
AP Chemistry
This course is the equivalent of a full year of college general chemistry. Students will build deeper understanding of concepts introduced in the first-year Chemistry course and will engage in laboratory experiences that require detailed quantitative analysis. The course content is aligned with College Board course expectations and CHEM& 161 at Bellevue College.
AP Environmental Science
This laboratory course provides an understanding of living things and the complex interrelationships between humans and the ecosystem. Classroom activities will focus on developing the skills and abilities needed to work with complex systems and to design models of these systems. The course content is aligned with College Board course expectations
Other courses (not available at every school)
- Anatomy & Physiology *
- Environmental Science *
- Biotechnology *
- Physics of the Universe
- Marine Science
- The Brain & Addiction
- Astronomy
- International Baccalaureate classes in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems and Societies, and Design Technology
Social Studies
AP Human Geography
AP Human Geography is designed to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students will apply the methods and tools of geographers by employing spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental and geopolitical consequences.
Foundations of World History
This course focuses on an understanding of culture, institutions, technology, and geography prior to 600 C.E. The course will focus on the political, economic, religious, social and cultural institutions that formed as a result of these challenges. The course begins with a study of man as a hunter-gatherer and the transition to a society based on agriculture. Regions studied include ancient China, Greece, and Rome.
Modern World History
This course focuses on developing students’ understanding of world history from approximately 1200 CE to the present. Students investigate world history events, individuals, developments and processes in historical periods and develop historical thinking skills (contextualization, synthesis, source analysis, point of view) and methods employed by historians as they study the past.
AP Modern World History
Students investigate significant events, individuals, developments in four historical periods from approximately 1200 CE to present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical comparisons and utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course provides five themes that students explore throughout the year in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction between humans and the environment; development and interaction of cultures; state building, expansion, and conflict; creation, expansion and interaction of economic systems; and development and transformation of social structures.
U.S. History/AP U.S. History/IB History HL1
U.S. History
The U.S. History course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills (chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative) and the development of students’ abilities to think conceptually about U.S. history from approximately 1491 to the present. Course content and pedagogy attempts to decolonize the history of the United States and prioritize the previously unheard narratives of past and current marginalized groups.
AP U.S. History
AP U.S. History is an introductory college-level U.S. history course. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. history from c. 1491 CE to the present through analyzing historical sources and learning to make connections and craft historical arguments as they explore concepts like American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures.
IB History/HL1
The IB History HL 1 course is based on a comparative, multi-perspective, and skill-based approach to history. Topics will include the emergence and development of democracy in, as well as the modernization of, the United States, Mexico, and South Africa. In addition, factors that led to the emergence of authoritarian governments in the 20th century will also be studied.
Civics & Contemporary World Affairs/AP US Government & Politics/IB History HL2
Civics & Contemporary World Affairs
This year-long United States Civics/ Senior Project course is designed to prepare students to be active and informed citizens who can participate effectively in their own governance. Students will acquire the concepts and skills needed to interpret and analyze political issues and their implications from a variety of perspectives. Students will examine the constitutional basis of government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups, mass media, institutions of government, civil rights and liberties, and public policy. For Contemporary World Affairs, students examine how local and international governments address issues of sustainability and participate in a climate action simulation.
AP U.S. Government and Politics
AP U.S. Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in U.S. government and politics. Students cultivate their understanding of U.S. government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis.
Other Courses
AP African American Studies
AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with varied sources. Students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. Given the interdisciplinary character of African American Studies, students in the course will develop skills across multiple fields, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills. This course foregrounds a study of the diversity of Black communities in the United States within the broader context of Africa and the African diaspora.
Race in the U.S.
This course introduces students to the history and modern implications of race within the context of the United States. With a commitment to sharpening skills in thinking, research, writing, and discussion, the course will focus on experiences of persons of color as a foil to examine several deeper themes. Students will focus their studies around the themes of social construction of race, movements as a catalyst for change, culture inclusion, institutionalized racism, and equity and social justice policy.
AP Micro/Macro Economics
Students will build on their basic understanding of economic principles by investigating crucial social issues that are the basis of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. This will involve developing an understanding of the economic choices made by individual households and firms as they seek to maximize their wellbeing. It will also entail assessing the measurement of the performance of the American economy, evaluating potential policy tools such as taxes, government spending and interest rates, and understanding the role of the US in the global economy.
Economics
Students will study the laws of supply and demand and why people and societies make economic choices. Students will examine macroeconomic and microeconomic principles in order to understand the fundamentals of the American and global economic systems. Students will examine components of the American economy such as price, competition, business and banking institutions. The course will also examine issues related to the economy such as employment and labor issues, the role of the government in the economy and selected topics on global economics
AP Psychology
This course is equivalent to an introductory college course in psychology. The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.
IB Psychology
IB Psychology SL examines the interaction of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences on human behavior, adopting an integrated approach. Students will learn how psychological knowledge is generated, developed and applied enabling the students to achieve a greater understanding of themselves and appreciate the diversity of human behavior. Ethical concerns raised by the methodology and application of psychological research are key considerations in IB Psychology. Students will plan and undertake a simple experimental study and produce a report of their study as part of this class.
Psychology
Students study human behavior through the approaches of the various and sometimes conflicting schools of psychological thought. Topics of investigations may include such areas as sensation, perception, states of consciousness, memory, personality theory, learning, mental disorders, and social psychology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of the society around us. We will look at the concept of conformity and how that influences our behavior. Classic experiments like the Milgram Experiment, the Stanford Prison Experiment and other extreme human behaviors are at the heart of this investigation. Other topics include a look at American culture, human socialization, race and ethnicity and gender roles in American society. Finally, we will look at the creation of positive social movements and creating positive social change.
AP Art History
This course is equivalent to an introductory college course in art history. No prior experience in the history of art is required. Students will pursue an understanding of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within historical and cultural contexts. Ancient Near Eastern, Grecian, Roman, European and American traditions will constitute ninety percent of the focus of this class. The AP Art History exam consists of both multiple choice and essay questions. One of the two essay questions will allow students to show their knowledge of non-European traditions. Essay topics will be broad and themes will be announced ahead of time.
Washington State History
This course is for any student, especially those who did not attend a middle school in Washington state and therefore have not yet met the state graduation requirement. Pacific Northwest History: A journey through our region’s past and future. The course will concentrate on our geographic and geologic foundation, our Native Peoples, early explorers, the establishment of state government, and territorial settlers and finally, our economy from its agricultural roots to its cyber future.
Standards
World Language
High School Language Classes help students reach Intermediate Proficiency in a language other than English. Courses focus on language development in spontaneous conversation, interactive understanding, quick writing focused on sharing student perspectives. Courses are designed from the ACTFL Can Do statements. We offer many higher-level courses for students with a language background or true beginners.
AP and IB Course Offerings
Students who reach a 5-year sequence of study may complete Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) tests to distinguish themselves for college entrance.
Credit for a Language You Already Know
Through the World Language Competency Credits (WLCC) program, students can earn credits for a language that they already know. Sign up here.
Seal of Biliteracy
Students who demonstrate intermediate mid proficiency on an accepted test will earn the Seal of Biliteracy on their transcript.
Languages Offered
- Arabic
- Chinese
- French
- Hindi
- Japanese
- Korean
- Spanish