High School
Course Descriptions high school
High school bible
Our four years of Bible interconnect to give a student a comprehensive guide to apologetics (defending the faith).
Intro to apologetics embark the students on a study of Genesis 1-11 in the first semester by answering top questions surrounding creation apologetics topics such as six-day creation, the fall of Satan and mankind, the Flood of Noah, and the Tower of Babel. Dealing with practical questions and issues surrounding attacks on these early chapters in the Bible. During the second semester, ninth graders tackle the top questions in the creation-evolution and biblical authority debate in the world famous New Answers Books series.
Archaeology will be the focus in first semester as the students go through archaeological finds with a chronological approach. This will help students see history come alive and how archaeology confirms Scripture! In second semester, the students will deal with apologetics and theological issues including faults of old earth creation models and defending the resurrection.
Comparative Religions will approach world religions, cults, and philosophical systems in the first semester refuting all four divisions of false religions. These are (1) Eastern religions (all is spirit—all is one), (2) materialistic religions (all is material), (3) moralistic religions (pagan, mythological, and arbitrary religions) and finally (4) counterfeits of Christianity (Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Satanism, etc.). The following semester students dive deep into the religion of secular humanism (a materialistic religion) which is a dominant religion in the Western world.
In Worldview and Philosophy, the students learn about worldviews in conflict following Western philosophy from its infancy to modern times and the Bible’s influence on it. Finally capping the course with modern Christian presuppositional philosophers who have devastated all other false religions and philosophies using a technique that starts with God and His Word as the ultimate standard of proof and provability.
From ninth grade to twelfth grade, this logical approach to Bible and apologetics should prepare the students to have answers for many of the world’s attacks on God and His Word.
High School Social Studies
Cultural Geography (BJU) helps students become informed citizens and empowered participants in society. The curriculum teaches cultural geography from a biblical perspective and will encourage your students to appreciate the diversity of people, cultures, and landforms. It also aims to develop critical-thinking skills and demonstrates how knowledge of cultural geography is essential to understanding people from different nations and cultures. During the two-semester course, students study the seven continents and the people who live on them.
World History (BJU) guides students through history, starting with creation and continuing to the present. Students will analyze five key themes throughout history from a biblical perspective: justice, power, citizenship, environment, and world religions. They will also do specific studies on Africa, the East, Asia, pre-colonization Americas, and empires in Africa, India, and Asia. As they trace the major patterns in world history, they will see how those themes point more and more clearly to the triumph of the kingdom of God.
United States History (BJU) teaches students about the development of the United States as a nation in order for them to become informed and empowered citizens. The course begins with early American settlement, then moves on through the formation and early years of the nation, the Constitution, and the many challenges that have threatened survival. Students will develop their critical thinking skills as they learn to use their knowledge of the nation’s history to make informed decisions about issues on a local, state, and national level.
American Government (BJU) prepares students to be informed and empowered citizens who have a biblical perspective of government. It teaches students about our nation, its development over the last four centuries, and its system of government. Students will have the opportunity to examine primary sources that are foundational to understanding how the US government should operate.
Economics (BJU) introduces and explores key principles of economics from household purchases to the stock market. Each chapter includes personal finance sections which explain important economic principles and provide practical information about budgeting, banking, debt, credit, and interest. Students will also learn about issues related to national economic systems and policies.
High School Language ARts
Grammar & Composition 9-12 (Abeka) builds on the foundation formed in elementary grades by applying those skills to higher-level writing. New grammar skills are added, and ample writing opportunities are provided so that students can apply new skills to real-life writing—letters, essays, reports, speeches, and digital content.
Literature 9-12 (BJU) goes beyond learning facts and literary terms to studying literary elements and interpretation. Included literary selections are from different cultures, genres, and time periods, the primary goal being to help students understand their fellow man. Students evaluate each selection with questions, analysis, and activities; questions engage four levels of thinking skills: literal, interpretative, critical, and appreciative.
Vocabulary, Spelling, and Poetry 9-12 (Abeka) continues to grow the student in their vocabulary, so understand and apply spelling rules, and enhance their appreciation of poetry.
High School Math
Algebra 1 (BJU) develops an understanding of algebra by justifying methods and by explaining how to solve problems. Concepts discussed include graphing, solving systems of equations, operations with polynomials and radicals, factoring polynomials, solving rational equations, and graphing quadratic functions. Biblical truths and principles are taught through Dominion Modeling exercises that illustrate how mathematics is used to serve others and glorify God.
Geometry (BJU) enhances the student’s problem-solving abilities. It helps develop thinking processes that are essential for future math courses and for everyday life. The geometry program by BJU Press is traditional in nature, requiring students to prove theorems and calculate with formulas. Each lesson reinforces geometry concepts and helps develop critical thinking skills. The text also presents geometry as a means of exercising dominion over the earth, loving our neighbors, and manifesting the orderliness and design of the world God created.
Algebra 2 (BJU) focuses on developing reasoning skills through the discussions of advanced algebra concepts such as quadratic equations, polynomials, complex numbers, logarithms, and trigonometry. Students will learn to solve algebraic functions and graph them.
Precalculus (BJU) presents a balanced study of the foundations of calculus and practical real-world applications. Students will review key families of functions before studying trigonometry and its applications. The study of matrices, analytic geometry, sequences, and series complete the foundation for higher math courses. Concluding chapters introduce descriptive and inferential statistics and differential and integral calculus. Special features present biblical perspectives of mathematics and its history.
Consumer Math (BJU) helps students develop the knowledge and skills they need to successfully handle their personal finances. Topics include developing a budget, filing taxes, and planning a vacation. Stewardship & Scripture features encourage students to view their handling of money in light of scriptural teaching.
High School Science
Physical Science (BJU) meets the students where they are: in the cafeteria, on the sports field, on the roads, and in the music room. Through physical science, students will learn how everything they do relates to chemistry and physics. In the chemistry chapters they will see the wonder in how matter and energy interacts in the food we eat, the drinks we drink, and the matter that makes up our world. In physics chapters, they will see how things move, why things move, and why objects behave as they do. Every chapter shows by example why the subject matter is relevant to a Christian worldview of science. Each lab reinforces key concepts of the chapter, enhancing the overall learning experience, encouraging higher-level thinking skills, and aiding in knowledge retention.
Biology (BJU) shows your student God’s power and glory in creation as he learns about cellular biology, genetics, taxonomy, microbiology, botany, zoology, and human anatomy. When studying topics such as creation and evolution, human cloning, abortion, and stem cell research, students are pointed to Scripture as the ultimate authority and are encouraged to develop a biblical perspective about these topics.
Chemistry (BJU) Through the study of chemistry, students will learn how many everyday events relate to chemistry. They will see the wonder in how matter and energy interact in the food we eat, what we drink, how cars move, and how medicine works. They will learn about how chemistry impacts the world around us and our obligation to help redeem others and the physical world with what we know about chemistry.
Physics (BJU) offers classical mechanics, work and energy, periodic motion and wave theory, electricity and magnetism, optics, relativity, quantum physics, and nuclear physics. These topics are presented in conjunction with real-world modeling exercises (dominion modeling) that reinforce a Christian worldview by demonstrating the relevance and validity of approaching science from a biblical perspective.
High School Electives
Speech (BJU) was created by God so that we would have the ability to communicate with our Maker and also with other humans. This course will prepare students to have good oral communication skills not only for the workplace but also to be able to effectively communicate the truths of God’s Word. Speech involves topic choice, research, organization, and effective communication. Speaking projects include introductions, interviews, demonstration speeches, declamations, informative speeches, devotional speeches, and persuasive speeches. Students will also participate in discussions of the communication process, audience analysis, and public speaking guidelines.
Fine Arts is a class that will introduce students to various areas of creative arts including music, drama, visual art, and dance. You only need to look outside to see that God is an amazing artist. As our world is filled with color, our world is also filled with beautiful music from the birds in the air to the rhythmic roar of the ocean waves. Examples of the arts are found throughout the Bible as people used the arts to worship our Lord. We are made in God’s image, so it is only right that we follow His lead and use our natural gifts to worship Him. In this class, students will learn the basic elements and historical significance of the arts so they are better equipped to use them for His glory.
Logic (Master Books) teaches the youth how to think properly to apply logic and critical thinking skills to arguments and debates and to “think God’s thoughts after Him”. The second semester practically applies this learned knowledge by going through alleged Bible contradictions to see the fallacies behind them. God is a logical God, and we are made in His image—this is why we can reason, use logic, understand truth, and come to conclusions on matters.
Family Life Skills (BJU) is a practical class that will prepare students for life beyond high school such as marriage, raising children, and how to navigate relationships with friends, spouse, parents, inlaws, and caregivers. This course defines and discusses the importance of the family unit from a biblical perspective which is so important to articulate and defend in today’s culture.
Spanish 1 (BJU) takes an innovative and engaging approach to helping students not only learn about Spanish, but learn to communicate at a novice-high level. All chapters present vocabulary and grammar within the context of the theme. Students will develop basic Spanish communication skills, learn to share the gospel, and study Spanish speaking countries around the world.
Spanish 2 (BJU) teaches students to communicate comfortably at a beginning-intermediate level with Spanish-speaking people in a variety of settings: a store, a bank, an airport, a hotel, a doctor's office, an auto shop, and on the mission field. Grammar, pronunciation, writing, listening, verb tenses, and moods are explained through a variety of exercises and Spanish dialogues.
*BJU curriculum descriptions given at https://www.bjupress.com. Abeka curriculum descriptions given at
https://www.abeka.com/.