Salesian College Preparatory 2020—2021 Viewbook
Experience the Power of Community Our Mission Salesian College Preparatory is a Catholic school that educates young men and women to develop into good citizens for the betterment of society and the glory of God. Salesian combines the elements of church, school, playground, and home in a supportive and caring environment, in accordance with St. John Bosco’s educational philosophy of reason, religion, and loving kindness.
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Our Impact Since its establishment in 1960, Salesian has changed the lives of more than 6,000 students as they prepared for adulthood. Students of all backgrounds attend Salesian, allowing our community to experience and engage with different cultures, absorb new perspectives and gain skills that prepare them to make a positive impact as global citizens. Ultimately, we recognize that the faith we profess must be lived through our actions. We believe that Salesian students will be part of the solution, making the world more inclusive. Some of Salesian’s most noteworthy graduates include Gates Scholars, innovators of technology, doctors, influential community leaders, lawyers, teachers, Olympians, professional athletes, and national news correspondents.
Coming to Salesian was like finding my second family. I was loved, supported, and challenged academically in a caring and diverse environment. I can’t wait to return one day and give back to the community that raised and inspired me to be my best self.” — Raphael, Class of 2018 Oswego State University, New York
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Develop your Talents. Deepen your Faith.
Discover your Purpose.
Students who enjoy an environment of discovery thrive at Salesian. Salesian is the secondary school of choice for families who seek a rigorous and challenging academic environment that mirrors the diversity of the East Bay and our world. It is a real life experience that nurtures the whole student, preparing them for college and life beyond. For seven consecutive years, Parents’ Press has named Salesian College Preparatory one of the best faith-based high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are proud to say that we were recently named the Best Independent School in 2019 and 2020.
Creating Global Citizens Salesian students experience learning that is international. Throughout their high school experience, our students engage with different cultures, absorb new perspectives, and gain skills that prepare them to make a positive impact as global citizens. Salesian College Preparatory is an international school, hosting students from all over the world. We have hosted students from the following countries: Brazil, China, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Kosovo, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. 4 I SALESIAN College Preparatory
400
Students
4
8
Counties
Countries
76
Elementary Schools
8
Cities included in our Pickup & Drop off shuttle service
39 Zip Codes
4+
Opportunities to travel Internationally
Exchange programs to Italy and Canada
50
Students using our transportation shuttle service to & from school
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Mobilizing Minds and Hearts Together Through its broad academic offerings, Salesian allows you to challenge yourself, develop your talents, and achieve your goals for high school, college, and life. SCP nurtures students who graduate with the demonstrated ability, confidence, habits, and skills necessary to matriculate to and succeed in four-year colleges and universities. Salesian cultivates global citizens who positively impact their communities and our world. Salesian offers study programs for all students, including Honors and Advanced Placement, Concurrent Enrollment, Academic Success, as well as opportunities to learn through teacher-led international travel. Our aim is to prepare our graduates to be socially responsible young adults, to think critically about the world, and to be successful at top-tier colleges and universities. Salesian emphasizes and balances academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, and personal development. Students are presented with numerous opportunities to explore and hone their academic skills in addition to their personal interests and talents.
Austin and Carlyn always tell us how they appreciated the diversity at Salesian and the organic way with which the inclusivity was fostered. We don’t doubt that this “upbringing” has helped them maneuver and assimilate into the world beyond high school.” — Erica Wisherop, Austin ‘15 and Carlyn ‘17 6 I SALESIAN College Preparatory
Students get involved...
81%
Have exposure to Visual & Performing Arts
82% Join Co-Curricular Clubs
72%
Are Athletes
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Honors and Advanced Placement
Qualified students are invited to enroll in our Honors-at-Entrance program when they are accepted into Salesian. Students have the ability to create a course of study tailored to their interests and ability level. High School Placement Test (HSPT) scores determine placement in Honors English and World History their freshman year. Specialized placement exams are administered for advanced world language and mathematics courses. After ninth grade, students are able to select Honors and AP courses based on their academic performance. Colleges and universities evaluate the academic rigor of a student’s high school transcript based on the number of AP and Honors courses taken by a student compared to the number of such offerings made available by the high school. Salesian supports students as they learn to balance a challenging academic schedule in conjunction with the demands of a co-curricular program that encourages participation in community service, clubs and athletics. We strive to give our students the best chance of being accepted to the college or university of their choice.
For more information please visit salesian.com/academics 8 I SALESIAN College Preparatory
38 Electives offered
24
15:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Average Class Size
AP & Honors Courses
76%
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
24
4 Faculty
members with a PhD
I am most grateful for the wonderful teachers at Salesian that cared for my academic success and encouraged me to become a better person in and outside of the classroom.� — Neoud, Class of 2020 Attending University of Southern California www.salesian.com/academics/course-catalog I 9
Four Year Planning Guide Here is a four year overview of what courses are offered each year and the required academic credits needed to graduate. Highlighted areas indicate department requirements.
9th ENGLISH MATH
English I, English I Honors and ESL I*
12th
English III or A.P. English Language & Composition
English IV or A.P. English Literature
Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, PreCalculus Honors or AP Calculus AB
Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus Honors, AP Calculus AB/BC or Intro. to College Math, AP Statistics
Req. Credits 40
30
10
Conditioning and Weight Training
Religious Studies I
World Religions and Senior Synthesis or Comparative Religions Honors
40
Social Justice and Ethics
Core Principles, PLTW-Principles of Biomedical Science
Chemistry, Environmental Science or Conceptual Physics, PLTW - Medical Interventions
AP Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics, or Anatomy or Sports Medicine or AP Computer Science, PLTW- Biomedical Innovation
30
Biology or A.P. Biology and Computer Science, PLTW-Human Body System
U.S. Government or U.S. Government Honors and Economics or Economics Honors, AP Macroeconomics
30
United States History or AP United States History Art II, Dance II, Drama II or Music II
Drawing & Painting or AP Art History or AP Studio Art
10
World History or World History Honors
V.P.A.
Art I, Dance I, Drama I or Music I
WORLD LANG. Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish II Honors, or French I
ELECTIVES
11th
New Testament and History of Christianity
SCIENCE
SOCIAL SCIENCE
English II, English II Honors and ESL II*
Introduction to Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry Algebra I or Accelerated or Geometry w/ Algebra II Trigonometry
PHYSICAL ED. P.E. RELIGIOUS STUDIES
10th
Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish II Honors, Spanish III, Spanish III Honors, French I or French II
20
Spanish II, Spanish III, Spanish III Honors, AP Spanish, French II, French III or AP French
Creative Writing, Psychology, History through Film, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Journalism, Introduction to Photography, SLAM (Student Leadership and Ministry), Animation, Engineering and Technology, Business Communication, Study Skills, Academic Success
CREDITS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE
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40
250
What to Expect as a Salesian Graduate
Over $4,000,000
71% of the Class of 2020 graduated with honors
99% of the Class of 2020 continued on to a college or university
in scholarships were offered to the Class of 2020
60% of Salesian students take honors or AP classes
Academic Success Program The Academic Success Program (ASP) offers a college preparatory program for highly motivated students with mild learning differences. ASP students attend regular academic classes without a modified curriculum. Students receive one daily period of academic support in order to develop skills such as managing time, taking notes, and using study guides, which help to ensure success in a college preparatory curriculum.
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College Bound
Throughout high school, my biggest complaint was always my school workload. But, alas, it was that workload that has prepared me the best for Stanford. High school was four years of practicing study habits and study methods, which I never would have perfected without Salesian pushing me.� —Marc, Class of 2019 Attending Stanford University 12 I SALESIAN College Preparatory
Graduates from Salesian College Preparatory’s Class of 2020 received acceptances from 94 different colleges and universities in 24 states across the United States, the District of Columbia, and several international institutions. www.salesian.com/academics I 13
Turning Challenges into Opportunity Remote School Salesian College Preparatory takes great pride in our family-like atmosphere, encouraging all members of our school to build community together. Additionally, Salesian works hard to update and maintain emergency preparedness throughout the year. When the State of California and Contra Costa County mandated residents to exercise shelter-in-place in their homes, Salesian was prepared. At the beginning of March 2020, the administration anticipated a county-wide school closure, and, in conversation with teachers and students, brainstormed what off-campus instruction and learning could be. Salesian’s administration with a team of teachers led a workshop on campus for all teachers, modeling the different capabilities and limitations of remote school instruction. The initial workshop focused on one learning platform, but, through ongoing research and dialogue, the administration and faculty found complementary and substitute online platforms that best met the needs of their students and of their instruction. Working within the very real limitations of remote learning and feeling the physical separation from each other, administration, faculty, staff, and students still had daily opportunities to see and hear each other, to engage in new learning opportunities, and to remain a constant presence in each other’s lives. Our community had moved online, but was still very real and present. For a description of the early successes in our remote school, visit this feature in The Richmond Standard: https://richmondstandard.com/richmond/2020/03/21/salesian-reports-success-in-first-week-of-distance-learning/
Wellness Center The Salesian Wellness Center helps fulfill the mission of St. John Bosco to accompany the young in a pastoral manner to care for their emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Salesian is proud to offer students a quiet space that is a technology-free zone (no personal cell phones, iPads, laptops) where students can sit and relax, listen to a meditation tape, take a mental health break, or drink a hot cup of tea. The Wellness Center aids in early interventions for students experiencing social, emotional, or mental health challenges that affect learning in the classroom.
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Nurturing Our Students’ Curiosity Concurrent Enrollment Responding to the intellectual curiosity of students in this ever changing world, Salesian is always striving to offer our students the best preparation possible for higher education. We offer two different levels of concurrent enrollment which give our students multiple options for earning college credit, both in a high school classroom environment and beyond. Understanding that many of our students are voracious in their appetite for learning, Salesian College Preparatory encourages students to participate in Dual Enrollment at our nearby community college (CCC), UC Extension, UC Scout, or BYU. Our course catalog for the 2021-2022 school year now offers courses such as Animation, Engineering and Technology, Business Communication, AP Statistics, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Physics through independent study opportunities on our campus. Salesian not only prepares students for college admission, but provides them with the opportunity to acquire college units while they attend high school through concurrent enrollment or via our AP courses and successfully passing the AP exam. Many Salesian students have a head start on their college major before they set foot on a university campus based on this creative approach.
Thanks to our outstanding Salesian faculty and staff for mobilizing our remote instruction program. Our boys are engaged thanks to the dedicated faculty members and administration. We have listened to parts of the instruction and it is impressive: quality instruction and discussions in all classes.� — Fontanilla Family www.salesian.com/academics/planning-for-college I 15
Programming for Success Stepping Up STEM Project Lead the Way - Biomedical Science Pathway
The Biomedical Science pathway is designed for students who excel in mathematics and natural sciences and are interested in the fields of biology or medicine. This program provides a transformative learning experience. Students are presented with real-world challenges and actual tools that medical or lab professionals use on a daily basis.
Courses: 9th Grade: Principles of Biomedical Science By engaging in activities like dissecting a sheep heart, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person. 10th Grade: Human Body System Through projects such as determining the identity of a skeleton using both forensic anthropology and DNA analysis, students examine the interactions of human body systems and apply what they know to solve real-world medical cases. 11th Grade: Medical Interventions Students delve into activities like designing a prosthetic arm as they follow the life of a fictitious family and investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. 12th Grade: Biomedical Innovation Students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design their own innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century.
*PLTW high school graduates are nearly three times as likely to major in STEM versus non-PLTW graduates.
Salesian is a BYOD school (Bring Your Own Device) 16 I SALESIAN College Preparatory
At Salesian, our spirit of innovation encompasses everything from classroom technology to teaching methodologies. The philosophy emboldens students to imagine and create, shaping the future of their own design. Salesian’s commitment to a 21st century education includes the following opportunities:
UC Berkeley- Pioneers in Engineering (PiE) The Salesian Robotics team competed with high schools across the Bay Area and won the PiE Championship for 2019. Salesian partners with the UC Berkeley Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering Departments to participate in the Pioneers in Engineering (PiE) program. With the help and mentorship of UC Berkeley students and faculty, the Salesian Robotics Club built “Rob the Robot” and programmed him to complete several tasks using Python-based language.
Coding and Apps Salesian is in its third year utilizing Code.org’s computer science coding curriculum. Sophomores enroll in Computer Science to gain working knowledge of coding, practice design thinking, and refine their critical thinking skills. The Code.org curriculum is based on project-based learning methods that challenge students to learn coding in a variety of specific hands-on projects. For their final project, students design and create their own functioning app.
Wildcat Creek – Outdoor Science Lab The City of San Pablo’s Wildcat Creek Restoration Project, which runs adjacent to Salesian’s campus, will improve and restore a vital 800-foot section of Wildcat Creek to create a more natural creek habitat. Upon completion of the creek restoration scheduled for early 2021, Salesian’s Environmental Science classes will actively participate in the monitoring of Wildcat Creek. This is a Cross-Agency Outdoor Science and Water Quality Curriculum project. This project is in partnership with the City of San Pablo and The Watershed Project. The creek monitoring program is part of the Environmental Science curriculum and will train and engage Salesian’s Environmental Science students on improving water quality in Contra Costa County in order to provide suitable habitat for fish populations.
Students are taught transportable skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and ethical reasoning and mindset, which are the hallmark of the PLTW program.” — Chad Nightingale Science Department Chair, PLTW Instructor www.salesian.com/academics/pltw-biomedical-science-pathway I 17
Devoted to Service At Salesian College Preparatory, we are a community with a mission to bring love, compassion, justice, and truth to one another and to our world. We accept that our Salesian education calls us to become good, honest, and upright citizens. We are called to do this together as a school community. All students complete four service requirements each year, including these opportunities: ✓ Participation in a campus-wide service day ✓ Engagement in service donation projects (including our Thanksgiving food drive and Project Santa) ✓ Completion of a unique, self-selected community service project on or off campus ✓ P articipation in a class service learning activity, such as volunteering at St. Anthony’s Dining Room in San Francisco
Faith Families Faith Families are an integral part of the Salesian experience. Your child will become a member of a group of students from the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Throughout the year, your student, with other members of their Faith Family, will provide service through a variety of projects within the local community. Faith Families organize and participate together in our annual Service Day. Recent Service Day locations include the Bay Area Rescue Mission, Pinole Valley Watershed, and Animal Refugee Response.
Campus Ministry Our student-directed Campus Ministry Team coordinates and leads class retreats, schoolwide liturgies, our annual Don Bosco Day Mass and celebration, service learning activities, and community fundraisers.
Recent graduates logged more than 5,000 hours of service
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Student Leadership One of Salesian’s most unique and popular student groups is Student Leadership and Ministry (SLAM). This group is a collection of student-elected representatives, Faith Family leaders, and students from our Campus Ministry Team. SLAM members participate in a class which focuses on cultivating leadership skills. SLAM helps sustain Salesian school spirit, fosters a sense of community, and helps build the Salesian family atmosphere. Together, members organize and direct spirited campus activities and major service projects.
Mentoring Opportunity/Internship for Salesian Students Today’s Youth Matter (TYM) has partnered with Salesian to offer young elementary school students in our community a specialized learning pathway in an after school targeted intervention program. Salesian student volunteers have the unique opportunity to tutor and mentor these TYM students on our campus. Our student interns are challenged to model appropriate life skills and refine their own personal leadership qualities as they help younger students expand their skill set and discover their true potential.
Salesian was incredibly inspiring and introduced me to the world of community service. Since graduating, I have been able to immerse myself in a wide variety of service opportunities in the local and international communities. Without Salesian, I could not have developed this passion that I will continue throughout my life!” — Zarah, Class of 2017 Attending, University of California, Berkeley www.salesian.com/student-life I 19
Fostering and Honoring Gifts and Talents
In addition to rigorous college-preparatory courses in the social sciences, world languages, and STEM disciplines, Salesian offers an outstanding Visual and Performing Arts Program. Performing Arts students have numerous opportunities to showcase their talents throughout the year, including musical concerts and assemblies, a fall play, and a spring musical.
Visual Arts Whether you are looking for a creative outlet to balance your academic studies or you are considering a career in this field, you will find your interests served by Salesian’s art program. Students gain proficiency in the basics of drawing, color theory, and design through experience with a wide variety of art media. Course instruction includes painting, drawing, ceramics, mixed media, design, photography, and other applications.
Improv Olympics Film Club Salsa Club Poetry Out Loud Literary Magazine
Performing Arts
Band Concerts
Students expand vocal and instrumental talents through class work and concert performances in Jazz Band or Instrumental Music.
Spring Musical
Students who enjoy theater can take Drama courses to practice their acting technique, character study, voice, and movement. School plays and musicals are additional opportunities for students to express themselves. Students can also gain first-hand experience in stage management, lighting, costume and set design. Students learn the history of dance, as well as explore and perform various dance styles. Dance instruction includes ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop, to name a few.
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Fall Play Tory DeOrian VPA Showcase Cultural Assemblies Story and Song Choral Group
Rene ‘21
Jossilete ‘21
Francesca ‘21
30 + Co-Curricular Clubs Adulting 101 African American Association of Knowledge (AAAK) Amnesty International Animal Rights Club Art Club Asian Pacific Islanders (API) Campus Ministry Chess & Board Games Club Club Lavender Club Purpose
Culinary Club Diversity Club Drama Club Fantasy Sports Club Film Club Frisbee Club Habitat for Humanity Hiking Club Interact Club Italian Club Junior State of America (JSA)
K Pop Club Latino Club Literary Magazine (The Tabard) National Honor Society Newspaper (The Sentinel) PIng Pong Club Salsa Club Science/Travel Club Sneaker Club Tech Club (Robotics) Tokyo Seoul Club
Without Salesian, I wouldn’t be where I am now in terms of faith, performance, and leadership. I was able to build up my capabilities on the things that I am most passionate about.” — Sophia, Class of 2020 Attending University of California, San Diego
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Home of Champions
Salesian College Preparatory has earned the reputation as the “Home of Champions.� For our size, we have earned an impressive number of State and North Coast Section (NCS) championships across a number of sports.
2019-2020 Highlights
Nike Elite Basketball School
Football: League Champions, North Coast Section Champions, Northern California Regional Champions and State Champions Boys Basketball: League Champions Girls Basketball: League Champions Girls Soccer: League Champions
Salesian College Preparatory has been honored as a Nike Elite program for its boys and girls basketball programs, a unique designation specifically for sponsored high schools. Nationwide, there are over 40,000 basketball programs, but Nike has designated only 200 as elite.
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10 on campus coaches
43
Salesian Athletics
Coaches are Salesian alumni
100+
27
Alumni Who Played Collegiate Sports
North Coast Section Championships
Fall Sports
Winter Sports
Spring Sports
Cheerleading Cross-Country Football Girls Tennis Girls Volleyball
Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Cheerleading Boys Soccer Girls Soccer
Baseball Cheerleading Golf Softball Swimming & Diving Boys Tennis Track & Field Boys Volleyball
— 80% of freshmen play a sport. — 10 student athletes from the Class of 2020 are continuing their athletic careers in college.
13 Interscholastic Sports
78
4 California State Championships
League Championships
I am so grateful for my time at Salesian. As a student athlete, I was challenged academically and athletically and I am ready for what the world has to offer.”
— Shane, Class of 2020, NCAA Division 2 basketball Attending California State University, Los Angeles www.salesian.com/athletics I 23
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OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS | www.salesian.com/admissions or 510-234-4433 ext. 1416 Salesian College Preparatory
2851 Salesian Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804 510-234-4433