- Academics
Course Information
Schedule Planning Tools
Current students: For complete information on coursework planning and counseling tools, please visit the Course Selection page of the Counseling website.
NEW! Course Selection Sheets (2023-24)
NEW! Course Selection Sheets (2023-24)![]()
NEW! Course Selection Sheets (2023-24)
Course Selection Sheets (2022-23)
Course Selection Sheets (2022-23)![]()
Course Selection Sheets (2022-23)
Course Catalogs
Course Catalogs![]()
Course Catalogs
Course Catalogs serves as a course selection guide for students and parents who are seeking information about courses at Los Altos High School. The catalogs are published annually and reflects the most current offerings; however, it cannot be assumed that every course listed here is offered each semester. Core courses for graduation and entrance to the University of California and California State Universities are always offered. Elective courses are offered based on student sign-ups and the availability of qualified teaching staff.
As a basic planning tool, the handbooks features brief descriptions of courses offered and a listing of high school graduation and college entrance requirements. The Catalogs are intended to be used together with other supplementary materials. Using these resources in conjunction with the support of their parents or guardians and counselors, students will be able to design a course schedule that reflects their interests and aptitudes and meets their post-high school goals.
Los Altos High School encourages and welcomes the continuous participation of parents during this planning process and throughout students’ high school years. Parents are partners in the educational process and their active participation is key to students’ success.
As a basic planning tool, the handbooks features brief descriptions of courses offered and a listing of high school graduation and college entrance requirements. The Catalogs are intended to be used together with other supplementary materials. Using these resources in conjunction with the support of their parents or guardians and counselors, students will be able to design a course schedule that reflects their interests and aptitudes and meets their post-high school goals.
Los Altos High School encourages and welcomes the continuous participation of parents during this planning process and throughout students’ high school years. Parents are partners in the educational process and their active participation is key to students’ success.
NEW!! 2023-24 Course Catalogs (PDFs)
NEW!! 2023-24 Course Catalogs (PDFs)![]()
2022-23 Course Catalog (PDFs)
2022-23 Course Catalog (PDFs)![]()
Archive
Archive![]()
Archive
2021-22 Course Catalog (PDFs)
2021-22 Course Catalog (PDFs)![]()
Digital Course Catalog (Videos!)
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Digital Course Catalog (Videos!)![]()
Course Videos
LAHS Course Videos - Listed by A-G Subject Areas
This section is still in progress. We will continue to add course videos as they become available.
Health (Required for graduation)
- Health Education - NCP
Non-Departmental Elective
- Credit Courses - NCP
- Student Government (ASB) - NCP
- Student Community Leaders (SCL) - NCP
- Yearbook - NCP
P. E. (Required for graduation)
- Grade 9 PE - NCP
- Grade 10-12 PE - NCP
- Holistic PE (proposed) - NCP
- Yoga - NCP
- Jazz Dance & Adv. Jazz Dance listed under Visual & Performing Arts
A) Social Studies (A-G Subject Areas: A & G)
Students will exceed the 2 year UC & CSU college entrance requirement by fulfilling graduation requirements if earning a C- or higher in these courses.- 9th Grade: World Studies - CP (a)
- 10th Grade: Global Connections A & B - CP (a) OR AP European History - AP (a)
- 11th Grade: US History - CP (a) OR AP US History - AP (a)
- 12th Grade: [Government, Civics & Economics are each a semester long course] Civics - CP (a) & Economics - CP (g) OR AP Micro Economics - AP (g) & AP US Government & Politics - AP (a)
Departmental Electives:
- AP Human Geography - AP (a)
- AP Psychology - AP (g)
- Contemporary World Issues - CP (a)
- Positive Psychology - CP (g), FAQ PDF
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Comp Journalism/Tech Writing - CP (g), 10-12th Grade
- Intro to Journalism (proposed)
- New Media Literacy (Broadcast Journalism) - CP (f), 10-12th Grade
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C) Math (A-G Subject Areas: C)
For graduation, students must pass: Algebra I & GeometryFor UC & CSUs, students must pass: 3 years of math, earn a C- or higher both semesters of Geometry and pass S2 of Algebra 2 with a C- or higher. Students are encouraged to take 4-years of mathematics. The bolded math courses are required for A-G eligibility. Please review the course pathway chart.
- Algebra Enhanced - NCP (c)
- Algebra 9/Algebra I - CP (c)
- Geometry 9/Geometry - CP (c) OR Geometry - H (c)
- Algebra II - CP (c) OR Algebra II - H (c)
- Trig/Math Analysis - CP (c) OR Trig/Math Analysis - H (c)
- Calculus - CP (c)
- AP Calculus AB - AP (c)
- AP Calculus BC - AP (c)
- Multivariable Calculus - HP (Math 1C & 1D via Foothill College) (c)
- Statistics - CP (c) ORAP Statistics - AP (c)
- AP Computer Science A (c)
D) Science (A-G Subject Areas: D)
The UCs and CSUs require two years of laboratory science (life science and physical science). Four years of science is recommended. Please review the course pathway chart.Science Pathway Website
- Advanced Science Investigations - CP (g)
- Aerospace Engineering is located under TED, Area G
- AP Biology - AP (d)
- AP Chemistry - AP (d)
- AP Environmental Science - AP (d)
- AP Physics I - AP (d)
- AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism - AP (d)
- Agriculture Ecology</a (proposed)
- Biology - CP (d)
- Biology - H (d)
- Biotechnology - CP (d)
- Chemistry - CP (d)
- Chemistry - H (d)
- Environmental Sciences - CP (d)
- Forensics - CP (g)
- Intro to Computer Science - CP (d)
- Physics - CP (d)
E) Language Other Than English/ LOTE (A-G Subject Area: E)
The UC and CSU require completing of level 2 with a C- or higher. 3 levels recommended for UC's.- FRENCH: French 1, 2, 3 - CP (e) French 3 - H (e) & AP French Language - AP (e)
- LATIN: Latin 1, 2, 3, 4-CP (e) & AP Latin-AP (e)
- SPANISH: Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4 - CP (e), Spanish 2-H (e), Spanish 3 - H (e), Spanish 3 Sp-Spkrs - H (e), AP Spanish Lang - AP (e)
- MANDARIN: Mandarin 1, 2, 3 - CP (e), Mandarin 4 - H (e) & AP Mandarin Lang/Culture - AP (e)
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F) Visual & Performing Arts (A-G Subject Area: F)
Students will meet the 1 year UC & CSU college entrance requirement by fulfilling the graduation requirement if earning a C- or higher in one of these VPA courses.Visual Arts: Elective Video
- AP 2D Art & Design - CP (f)
- AP History of Art - AP (f)
- AP Drawing - AP (f)
- Digital Photo - CP (f)
- Drawing I, II & III - CP (f)
- Painting I - CP (f)
- Photography I & II - CP (f)
Performing Arts
- Acting I & II - CP (f)
- Chorale - CP (f)
- Concert Band - CP(f)
- Concert Choir - CP (f)
- Exploring Music (proposed)
- Jazz Dance - CP (f)
- Jazz Dance – Adv - CP (f)
- Jazz Ensemble - CP (f)
- Marching Band - CP (f)
- Orchestra - CP (f)
- Symphonic Band - CP (f)
- Volare (Advanced Choir) - CP (f)
- Wind Ensemble - CP (f)
Interdisciplinary
- New Media Literacy (Broadcast Journalism) - CP (f), 10-12th Grade
G) Tech Engineering & Design (TED) (A-G Subject Area: G)
1 year required for UC & CSU. This can also be fulfilled by any elective course that exceeds the requirement in another category.- Aerospace Engineering: PLTW - CP (D)
- ADEN - CP (g)
- Culinary Arts 1 & 2 - NCP [Slides]
- Design & Fabrication - CP (g)
- Design & Prototype - CP (g)
- Intro. Engineering/Design - CP (g)
- Introduction to Computer Sci - CP (g)
- Robotics 1 & 2 - CP (g)
- Design Innovation Essentials - CP
- Design Inn Ess Capstone - CP
Other G Electives
- Advanced Science Investigations - CP (g)
- AP Psychology - AP (g)
- Comp Journalism/Tech Writing - CP (g), 10-12th Grade
- Economics - CP (g) OR AP Micro Economics - AP (g)
- Forensics - CP (g)
- Positive Psychology - NCP (g), FAQ PDF
Course Label Notes
Notes:
CP = College preparatory course.
H = Honors sections of this class.
NCP = Non-college prep course.
A-G indicates classes that satisfy the UC/CSU admission requirements
a = History/Social Science
b = English
c = Math
d = Laboratory Science
e = Language other than English
f = Visual & Performing Arts
g = College Prep Electives
