HIGH School Academic Hub
This page is a one stop shop for High Schoolers and their families. It provides all the information needed and is a great parent resource. The transition to high school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for parents and students. It is also a time when students become more independent. The high schools in BVSD have a wide selection of course offerings and opportunities and offer students guidance on their future goals.
Boulder Universal is excited to announce our partnership with Front Range Community College (FRCC)!
High school students at BU have the opportunity to take FRCC classes to simultaneously earn college credit while fulfilling their high school graduation requirements. Be sure to visit the BVSD College Before Graduation Website to learn more about this concurrent enrollment program of taking college courses while in high school and to understand the deadlines for submitting application paperwork.
Click here to read Kelly's BU High School counseling updates
High School Course Descriptions
Unless otherwise noted, courses are provided by Schoology and taught by Boulder Universal teachers. Please note that course descriptions do not indicate what is being offered at the current time. Refer to the Course Offerings information above. All vendor courses provided by Florida Virtual School (FLVS).
Most students take six classes plus Advisory each semester. BU students have the option to participate in their home attendance school's extracurricular activities. BU's students can also participate in CHSAA sanctioned athletics & activities. Please check with your home attendance school Athletic Director for more information.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Boulder Universal does not offer Advanced Placement (AP) programming as we are a College Before Graduation (CBG) partner. A wide range of college level offerings, both virtual and in-person, are available at BU through CBG and our partnering institutions: FRCC, Metro State, and CU-Boulder. While we understand there are rare circumstances where a 3rd party vendor course is necessary, approval to take a 3rd party vendor course must come from the BU administration prior to registration.
Language Arts
- 9th Grade English Language Arts (A and B) - Ninth Grade English Language Arts focuses on comprehension and composition of informational, literary, and persuasive texts, as well as on speaking, listening, research, and critical reasoning skills. This course exposes students to a variety of texts from American and world cultures. Students read novels, short stories, plays, essays, poems, and nonfiction. Students write in a variety of styles with a focus on structure, vocabulary, and writing mechanics. In addition, students engage in a variety of discussions and oral presentations, as well as research and reasoning tasks, and the research process.
- 9th Grade English Language Arts Advanced (A and B) - Ninth Grade English Language Arts focuses on comprehension and composition of informational, literary, and persuasive texts, as well as on speaking, listening, research, and critical reasoning skills. This course exposes students to a variety of texts from American and world cultures. Students read novels, short stories, plays, essays, poems, and nonfiction. Students write in a variety of styles with a focus on structure, vocabulary, and writing mechanics. In addition, students engage in a variety of discussions and oral presentations, as well as research and reasoning tasks, and the research process. This course has more depth and complexity and the pace is faster than Ninth Grade English Language Arts.
- 10th Grade English Language Arts (A and B) - World Literature and Composition explores how literary and historical influences determine the meaning of traditional and contemporary texts; how new ideas and concepts influence the understanding of literary, persuasive, and informational texts. Students will use narrative stylistic devices to engage or entertain audiences, and will produce persuasive writing. They will develop grammar, language usage, and mechanics skills while refining and revising within the writing process. Students will also collect, analyze, and evaluate information obtained from multiple sources to answer questions, propose solutions, and share findings and conclusions.
- 10th Grade English Language Arts Advanced (A and B) - Tenth Grade English Language Arts Advanced focuses on comprehension and composition of informative, literary, and argumentative texts, as well as on speaking, listening, research, and critical reasoning skills. This course exposes students to a variety of texts such as novels, short stories, plays, essays, poems, and nonfiction. Students write with a focus on craft and structure for different audiences and purposes. In addition, students engage in discussions and oral presentations, as well as the research process. This course has more depth and complexity and the pace is faster than Tenth Grade English Language Arts. Summer reading is required preparation for this class.
- 11th Grade English Language Arts (A and B) - American Literature and Composition emphasizes critical reading approaches to effectively interpret and evaluate the meaning of complex literary texts and synthesize ideas from informational texts. Students will learn how language, including syntax and grammar, influence the understanding of what is read. They will use stylistic and thematic elements of narrative, informational and persuasive texts to refine writing to inform, influence, engage and entertain audiences. Students will refine their composition and research skills to create self‐designed research that provides insightful information and conclusions. They will use critical thinking across multiple disciplines to evaluate for accuracy and relevance reasoning used in complex situations.
- Mythology (A) - Mythology focuses primarily on Greek and Roman myths, yet other cultures such as African, Native American, Asian, and Norse texts are studied at a comparative level. Background information and resources on characteristic themes of world cultures adds emphasis to the individual myths studied. The course emphasizes various myths and legends, plus a study of Homers epics the Iliad and/or the Odyssey and Virgils Aeneid.
- Theater 1 (A) - Provides a foundation in all aspects of theatre: history, play analysis, terminology, stage movement, vocal exercises, memorization, character interpretation, production principles, and selection and evaluation of plays.
- FRCC Creative Writing (A) - Examines techniques for creative writing by exploring imaginative uses of language through creative genres (fiction, poetry, and other types of creative production such as drama, screenplays, graphic narrative, or creative nonfiction) with emphasis on the student's own unique style, subject matter and needs. Front Range Community College Credit
- FRCC Introduction to Literature (A) - Introduces fiction, poetry, and drama. This course emphasizes active and responsive reading. Front Range Community College Credit
- FRCC English Composition 1 (A) - Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. Front Range Community College Credit
- Communication in Society (B) - Communication in Society assists students in learning to improve self-confidence and effectiveness in a wide variety of communication situations. Opportunities are provided to learn about communication in one-to-one and one-to-a-group situations, within small group activities, and within large groups. Areas of communication include self-awareness, relationships, work situations, and the community. Attention focuses on learning speech fundamentals, breaking down the barriers to communication, becoming aware of and expressing ideas and thoughts, problems solving, conflict management, thinking skills, and decision making. Students read, discuss, and critically examine informative/expository resources and literature.
- Film Literature (B) - Film Literature examines literary and artistic forms as interpreted through film. Students develop literacy, verbal, and visual analysis skills through discussion and written critiques. This course promotes an understanding of films historical progression, its language, its techniques, and its conscious and subliminal effects.
- FRCC English Composition 2 (B) - Expands and refines the objectives of English Composition I. Emphasizes critical/logical thinking and reading, problem definition, research strategies, and writing analytical, evaluative, and/or argumentative compositions. Front Range Community College Credit
- FRCC American Literature (B) - Examines American literary works from 1865 to the present, distinguishing among literary themes, genres, and schools of thought that illustrate historical and social contexts across a multicultural spectrum. Front Range Community College Credit
- FRCC Children's Literature (B) - Examines the criteria for selecting appropriate literature for children. Explores literature through a variety of genres, age levels, values taught through literature, and literary and artistic qualities of various texts. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Front Range Community College Credit
Mathematics
- Two Year Algebra 1 Year 2 (A and B) - The second part in a multipart sequence of Algebra I. This course generally covers the same topics as the second semester of Algebra I, including the study of properties of the real number system and operations, evaluating rational algebraic expressions, solving and graphing first-degree equations and inequalities, translating word problems into equations, operations with and factoring of polynomials, and solving quadratics. Specific content depends upon state standards.
- Algebra 1 (A and B) - Algebra 1 is an introduction to abstract reasoning and algebraic symbolism. Students will solve equations and systems of equations, and they will use functions to represent patterns and make predictions. The focus is on linear, exponential, and quadratic functions. Students will also employ algebraic methods to summarize data and to compare data sets.
- Pre-Algebra (A and B) - Pre-Algebra courses increase students foundational mathematics skills and prepare them for Algebra I by covering a variety of topics, such as properties of rational numbers (i.e., number theory), ratio, proportion, estimation, exponents and radicals, the rectangular coordinate system, sets and logic, formulas, and solving first-degree equations and inequalities.
- Geometry (A and B) - Geometry presents a thorough study of the structure of the postulational system and development of formal synthetic proof. It considers the topics of congruence, parallelism, perpendicularity, properties of polygons, similarity, and the relationships of circles, spheres, lines, and planes with respect to space as well as the plane. Basic principles of probability will be introduced. The maintenance of algebraic skills will be emphasized.
- Adv Geometry (A and B) - Advanced Geometry presents a thorough study of the structure of the postulate system and development of formal two-column proof. It considers the topics of congruence, parallelism, perpendicularity, properties of polygons, similarity, and the relationships of circles, spheres, lines, and planes with respect to space as well as the plane. Basic principles of probability will be introduced. Use of algebraic skills is expected. As an advanced course, this course goes beyond the curriculum expectations of a standard course offering by increasing the depth and complexity. Students are engaged in dynamic, high‐level learning. The pace of an advanced course may be faster than that of a standard course.
- Algebra 2 (A and B) - Algebra 2 emphasizes the structure of algebra. The students will study complex numbers, relations and functions, solutions to polynomial, radical, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Statistics are also covered. They will apply their studies to develop understandings of how these topics relate to one.
- Adv Algebra 2 (A and B) - Advanced Algebra 2 emphasizes the structure of algebra. The students will study complex numbers, relations and functions, solutions to polynomial, radical, exponential, logarithmic and basic trigonometric functions. Statistics and circular trigonometry are also covered. They will apply their studies to develop understandings of how these topics relate to one another. As an advanced course, this course goes beyond the curriculum expectations of a standard course offering by increasing the depth and complexity. Students are engaged in dynamic, high‐level learning. The pace of an advanced course may be faster than that of a standard course.
- PreCalculus (A and B) - Mathematics at the Precalculus level focuses on exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, conic sections, systems of equations solved by matrices and limits of functions as a precursor to the study of Calculus. Problem solving, representations, reasoning, communication, and connections within and outside of mathematics underline all of the teaching and learning at the Precalculus level.
- Adv Pre Calc (A) - Mathematics at the Advanced Pre‐Calculus level focuses on solving and modeling with exponential, logarithmic, parametric and trigonometric functions and their inverses. The complex number system is fully developed. Conic sections, systems of equations solved through matrices, and an introduction to vectors and sequences and series are also included. Limits of functions are taught as a precursor to Calculus. Problem solving, representations, reasoning, communication, and connections within and outside of mathematics underline all of the teaching and learning at the Pre‐Calculus level. As an advanced course, this course goes beyond the curriculum expectations of a standard course offering by increasing the depth and complexity. Students are engaged in dynamic, high‐level learning. The pace of an advanced course may be faster than that of the Pre-Calculus course.
- Intermediate Algebra (B) - Intermediate Algebra provides students an opportunity to continue learning Algebraic topics to prepare for either Algebra 2 or other fourth year math course offerings. Students will study algebraic expressions and equations, functions and relations, systems of equations, quadratic functions, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions.
- FRCC College Algebra (B) - Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. Front Range Community College Credit
- FRCC PreCalculus (B) - Extends algebraic concepts and explores the subject of trigonometry. Topics include: polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions and their graphs, trigonometric identities, and applications. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. Front Range Community College Credit
Social Studies
- World History (A and B) - World History is a chronological, thematic, and comparative study of the world from 1450 to the present. Students will examine themes that span regions and will focus on the interaction of world citizens and ideas from the First Global Age through the 20th century. Students will be engaged in an in‐depth study of some eras and will be asked to complete independent research, apply critical thinking and examine multiple perspectives on world issues.
- US History (A and B) - US History focuses on American history from Industrialization into the 21st century. Students will deepen their understanding of current events and participate in an enriched study of the 20th century, tracing the development of social, political, and international relations of the United States. Students will be required to critically examine how our recent history impacts the present day.
- Sociology (A) - This course examines the science of understanding society and group behavior. Emphasis will be on society’s culture, institutions, and organization. Students will examine values and norms, socialization, social change, social problems and contemporary issues.
- US Government (A) - This course reviews the transformation of the United States Government from pre-revolutionary days to the present time, the functions of national, state, and local governments and their relationships to the citizens of the United States. The responsibilities and obligations of both the citizen and the government to each other are an integral part of this course. The course will combine the historical foundations with analysis of current events. Students will be encouraged to simulate, observe and participate in local government.
- World Geography (B) - World Geography provides the skills and tools of spatial analysis to better understand the patterns of people, landscape and natural phenomena of the Earth. Geography, as a spatial perspective, has much more to do with asking inquiry questions and solving problems than it does with rote memorization of isolated facts. The topics of study reflect geography content standards. The topics include tools of geography, cultural geography: population, culture, urbanization, and movement and human-environment interaction.
- Psychology (B) - Psychology is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the science of human behavior. This class will present students with a basic view of the field of study and will cover theories of personality, mental, emotional and physical development as they relate to the understanding of behavior.
- FRCC Psychology 2 (B) - Focuses on the scientific study of behavior including cognition, language, intelligence, psychological assessment, personality, abnormal psychology, therapy, life span development, sex, gender, sexuality, and social psychology. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Front Range Community College Credit
Science
- Physical Science (A and B) - Physical Science is a lab-based, inquiry‐oriented course involving principles and concepts concerning the physical world. Content areas explored include nature and behavior of matter, atomic theory, chemical and physical changes including bonding and reactions, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, light and sound, and energy. The course emphasizes the study and proper use of fundamental science tools including the metric system, periodic table, and graphing.
- Biology (A and B) - In this college preparatory class students will explore relationships between structure and function in organisms and the interaction of cells and organisms with each other and their environments. Units of study include: use of microscope, cell structure and function, biochemistry, microbiology, classification, human physiology, genetics, evolution, botany and ecology. Laboratory activities reinforce concepts and principles presented.
- Chemistry (A and B) - This course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding about the relationships between the structure and properties of matter and the interaction of matter and energy. Units of study include: matter and its changes, atomic structure, chemical composition, nomenclature, reactions, stoichiometry, gas laws, periodicity, bonding, molecular geometry, and thermochemistry. Laboratory activities reinforce concepts and principles presented in the course.
- FRCC Intro to Horticulture (A) - Introduces the biology of horticultural plants, and basic horticultural practices. Front Range Community College Credit
- FRCC Physics- Algebra Based 1 (A) - Covers the physics of mechanics and requires application of classical physics to both mathematical and conceptual problems. Major topics include kinematics in one and two dimensions, Newton’s Laws, circular motion, work and energy, impulse and momentum, and rotational mechanics. This course may also include topics relating to simple harmonic motion and traveling and standing waves. Front Range Community College Credit
- FRCC Physics- Algebra Based 2 (B) - Covers the physics of electricity and magnetism and requires application of classical physics to both mathematical and conceptual problems. DC circuits involving resistors, capacitors, and batteries will be covered. Also covered are electromagnetic waves and geometric optics. This course may also include topics relating to simple harmonic motion, traveling and standing waves, and AC circuits. Front Range Community College Credit
- FRCC Botany with Lab (B) - Studies nonvascular and vascular plants, emphasizing photosynthetic pathways, form and function, reproduction, physiology, genetics, diversity, evolution, and ecology. This course requires mandatory hands-on laboratory and field experience. Front Range Community College Credit
- Botany (B) - Introduces basic principles of plant structure, function and reproduction including the diversity of plants and environmental influences on plant growth and survival.
PE/Health
- Issues in Health (A and B) - Health Education in tenth grade is based on developing skills in relation to age appropriate health topics. By developing skills related to effectively accessing health resources, communicating, analyzing peer and media influences, goal setting, decision making, and health advocacy, students in BVSD will be able to achieve and maintain optimal wellness.
- Fitness (A and B) - This course will use a comprehensive approach to address all five components of fitness. It will be an opportunity for each person to learn a great deal about fitness and experience personal improvement through a deliberate and challenging progression. Variety will be the key with a broad amount of equipment (bands, dumbbells, fit balls, spin bikes, etc.) and formats (circuits, music, dance, yoga, hiking, fun competitions, etc.).
- Aerobic Walking (A) - This course is designed for students to have the opportunity to improve their aerobic fitness, primarily through walking. The speed and distance walks are individualized to meet the student’s ability, with an emphasis toward significant, personal improvement. Students will learn about the process of getting fit, with an emphasis on correct walking form, and all the many benefits of walking as a lifelong activity.
- Yoga (B) - Students will be introduced to many components of yoga including; postures, use of the breath, the flow of postures linked with breath, alignment, and safety. The experience will allow for a progression of growth in each student's ability to do the poses -correctly, safely, more deeply, and longer. Students will be able to incorporate a mind/body connection as they also will feel gain in focus, relaxation, self-confidence, and overall improved awareness of their own body and its health.
Fine Arts
- Drawing and Painting (A) - Students can expect to gain a strong foundation in drawing and painting in this beginning level class. Composition, the visual element, the principles of design, and the basic techniques and concepts of both drawing and painting will be covered. The end goals are to increase artistic self-confidence, increase one’s understanding of the basics of drawing /painting and to produce successful works.
- Digital Art and Design 1 (A) - This introductory course deals with controlling computer technology to produce an artistic image. Students will learn computer illustration techniques, image manipulation, digital camera use, graphic design visual literacy, and principles and elements of art in composition. Some artistic movements will also be studied as they relate to student projects.
- Arts of the World (B) - “Arts of the World” emphasizes applying the elements of art and the principles of design to create multicultural inspired works of art. An awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences will be a large part of the class. Students will create both two and three-dimensional works. Students will study the people, history, geography, and art of many cultures. A variety of media such as paint, clay, wood, paper mache, fibers, found objects, etc. will be used.
- Photography (B) - This introductory course deals with traditional black and white 35mm as well as digital photography and teaches the basic camera handling, film processing, and darkroom procedures. Students learn how to control light to produce an aesthetically pleasing image. Composition and the elements and principles of art are introduced. In addition, pinhole cameras, photograms, special effects, and the history of photography may be addressed.
Practical Arts
- Personal Finance (A) - Surveys the basic personal finance needs of most individuals and introduces the personal finance tools useful in planning and instituting a successful personal financial philosophy. The course emphasizes the basics of budgeting, buying, saving, borrowing, career planning, investing, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance, and income taxes. (Front Range Community College Credit)
- Introduction to Business (A) - Introduces the application of fundamental business principles to local, national, and international forums. This course examines the relationship of economic systems, governance, regulations, and law upon business operations. It surveys the concepts of career development, business ownership, finance and accounting, economics, marketing, management, operations, human resources, regulations, and business ethics. (Front Range Community College Credit)
- Introduction to Business (A) - Introduces the application of fundamental business principles to local, national, and international forums. This course examines the relationship of economic systems, governance, regulations, and law upon business operations. It surveys the concepts of career development, business ownership, finance and accounting, economics, marketing, management, operations, human resources, regulations, and business ethics.
- Introduction to Finance (B) - This course is designed to help students develop their abilities to make wise consumer decisions by recognizing, understanding, and comparing the alternatives facing them as consumers. Budgeting, purchasing decisions and consumer credit, banking services, investing, life, auto, and property insurance, income taxes and housing are some of the topics covered. This course satisfies the Boulder Valley School District’s Personal Financial Literacy (PFL) graduation requirement.
- Social Media for Marketing in Business (B) - Teaches students how to use social media as a business strategy and covers how to match that strategy with the goals of the business. This course addresses current trends, ethics, regulations, legal challenges, strategy, content development, and change management. This course helps students develop a better understanding of how marketing with social media is similar to and different from traditional marketing and how to best use online methods to further business goals. (Front Range Community College Credit)
World Languages
- Spanish 1 (A and B) - Level 1 introduces students to target foreign cultures and to the four basic language skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Students acquire skills through oral repetition, dialogues, short compositions, dictations, reading, and written exercises. For the Novice-Low Range Level, students learn to communicate, comprehend, and present on very familiar topics using isolated words and high frequency phrases in the context of Culture, Connections and Comparisons.
- Spanish 2 (A and B) - Level 2 furthers the study of grammar, vocabulary and an understanding of the culture. Students improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students improve language skills through oral repetition, dialogues, short compositions, dictations, reading, and written exercises. For the Novice-Mid Range Level, students learn to communicate, comprehend, and present in oral and written form on a variety of familiar and predictable topics using isolated words, learned phrases, and learned grammatical structures in the context of Culture, Connections, and Comparisons.
- Spanish 3 (A and B) - Level 3 reviews basic grammatical structures and continues the study of more advanced grammar, vocabulary, and culture. Students further develop skills in understanding reading, speaking, and writing through short stories, poetry, articles, oral presentations, and written exercises when applicable.
