Arroyo High School

The Arroyo High School Science Department empowers students to become curious, thoughtful, and capable problem-solvers through hands-on learning aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). We guide students to actively engage in Science and Engineering Practices—including analyzing data, constructing explanations, developing models, and arguing from evidence—while using Crosscutting Concepts to make meaningful connections across biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth science. Through collaboration, inquiry, and real-world investigations, students build the scientific literacy and critical-thinking skills needed for success in college, career, and lifelong learning.

Graduation Requirements

District Requirements: 2 years of science (1 year of biology and 1 year of physical science, chemistry, or physics)
UC/CSU “a-g” Requirements: 2 years of science, 3 years recommended
- Courses must be completed with a C or better for a-g credit.

Courses Offered

Biology (P)

Prerequisite: None

Biology explores the science of life, covering fundamental topics like cells, genetics, DNA, evolution, and ecology, from microscopic organisms to entire ecosystems. This class emphasises lab skills, data analysis, scientific inquiry, and understanding life’s interconnectedness.

Pre-AP Biology (P)

Prerequisite: Teacher or counselor recommendation.

Pre-AP Biology is a foundational high school course designed to build critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and research skills needed for AP Biology. It focuses on core biological concepts like genetics, DNA, evolution, cells, and ecology through data analysis, problem-solving, and inquiry-based labs. The class emphasizes skills like close reading of text, evidence-based arguments, and higher-order questioning.

Biology AP (P)

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology P or Pre-AP Biology P and Chemistry P or Chemistry Honors with a C or better.

Biology AP is a college-level high school course offering an in-depth look at biology, focusing on ecology, evolution, natural selection, chemistry of life, cells, cellular energy, cell communication and cycle, heredity, gene expression and regulation, and ecosystems. The class emphasizes inquiry, experimentation, and data analysis as it prepares students for college-level science. Students are required to take the Biology AP exam in May, and, depending on the student’s score, they may qualify for college credit.

Chemistry (P)

Prerequisite: Completion of Integrated Math 1 with a C or better.

Chemistry is a foundational, lab-based class that explores topics such as atoms, the periodic table, bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, acids and bases, and nuclear chemistry. The class emphasizes mathematical problem-solving and hands-on experiments.

Chemistry Honors (P)

Prerequisite: Teacher or counselor recommendation. Completion of Biology or Pre-AP Biology and Integrated Math 1 with a B or better.

Chemistry Honors is a rigorous college prep course for motivated students, delving deeper into matter’s composition, structure, and reactions with significant mathematical application, advanced lab work, and critical thinking skills. Topics covered include atomic theory, the periodic table, bonding, reactions, thermodynamics, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, acids and bases, nuclear chemistry, and organic chemistry. Students will develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and research skills.

Environmental Science AP (P)

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology or Pre-AP Biology and Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, or Physics with a B or better. Completion of Integrated Math 1 with a B or better.

AP Environmental Science is a college-level high school interdisciplinary course that explores the Earth’s natural systems, human impacts, and environmental challenges, focusing on scientific principles and problem-solving through labs/fieldwork. It analyzes issues such as energy, pollution, global change, Earth’s systems and resources, and sustainability to develop solutions. It integrates biology, chemistry, and geology. Students are required to take the AP Environmental Science exam in May, and depending on the student’s score, they may qualify for college credit.

Physical Science (P)

Prerequisite: None.

Physical Science is a course that introduces fundamental concepts in physics and chemistiry. It focuses on matter, energy, forces, and their interactions through hands-on labs and inquiry-based learning. The class covers topics from atomic structure, chemical reactions, motion, waves, basic astronomy, matter and chemistry, and energy.

Physics (P)

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology or Pre-AP Biology with a C or better. Completion of Integrated Math 2 with a C or better is recommended.

Physics introduces the fundamental principles of the universe, focusing on motion, forces and energy, thermodynamics, waves (sound and light), electricity, magnetism, and modern physics ( nuclear and quantum). Students will use math, labs, and problem-solving skills to build models explaining how matter and energy interact. This class prepares students for STEM careers.

Physics AP (P)

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology or Pre-AP Biology with a B or better. Must be enrolled in Integrated Math 2 or higher.

Physics AP is a college-level high school course offering that outlines a rigorous college-level introduction to physics, focusing on deep conceptual understanding through inquiry-based learning, lab work, and problem-solving, typically using topics from Integrated Math 2. The class covers topics such as mechanics, energy, waves, electricity, and magnetism to prepare students for STEM careers. Students are required to take the Physics AP exam in May, and, depending on the student’s scores, they may qualify for college credit.

Physics C Mechanics AP (P)

Prerequisite: Concurrently taking AP Calculus AB or BCP

Physics C Mechanics AP is a college-level high school course that is a rigorous, calculus-based, college-level course covering foundational mechanics topics like kinematics, Newton’s Laws, work, forces, energy, power, linear momentum, rotational motion, and gravitation for future STEM majors. The class emphasizes deep conceptual understanding, mathematical modeling with calculus, and hands-on lab work. Students are required to take the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam in May, and depending on the student’s score, they may qualify for college credit.

Physiology (P)

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology or Pre-AP Biology and Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, or Physics with a B or higher.

Physiology explores the human body’s structure, such as anatomy, and functional physiology. The class covers topics such as organ systems like skeletal, nervous, circulatory, and digestive systems, often using labs, dissections, and medical terminology to prepare students for health and science careers by focusing on how the body maintains itself and responds to disease.

Course Legend

AP – Advanced Placement – College-level course

Pre-AP – Pre-Advance Placement – Prepares students for AP courses

A-G Classes – UC/CSU College preparatory classes

“P” – “P” designation indicates UC/CSU a-g approval courses

Science Pathways

	9^th Grade	10^th Grade	11^th Grade12^th Grade
High School Graduation Pathway	Biology	Physical Science	-
College “A-G” Pathway	Biology or Pre-AP Biology	Chemistry or Chemistry Honors	Physiology, Physics, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, or AP Physics C
AP College “A-G” Pathway	Pre-AP Biology	Chemistry Honors	AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, or AP Physics C

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