DCP's academic principles and philosophy give rise
to an academic program that is finely tailored to the needs of under-achieving students. The objectives of the academic program are to build core skills
necessary for college success, provide personalized instruction,
and instill resilience and independence in a student who is building his or her personal vision of college success.
To achieve its academic objectives, the school has designed a unique curricular and instructional framework radically
different from what students experience in traditional comprehensive high schools.
English
Math
History
Science
Spanish
Fine Arts
College Readiness
Physical Education
At DCP, reading and writing skills are at the core of all curriculum. Because the vast majority of DCP students enter the school
reading and writing well below grade level, the 9th grade English curriculum focuses primarily on reading, writing and speaking
strategies that provide a sturdy platform from which students can develop their ability to analyze and reflect.
Courses Offered:
- English I
- English II (part of the interdisciplinary Humanities Core)
- English III/English III Honors
- English IV
- AP English Language
- Verbal Reasoning
- Latino Literature
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For the DCP target student, high school math is often the gatekeeper class: matriculation at a four-year college is largely
correlated to success in math. The school is committed to helping students fill the often gaping holes in their skill sets
and become numerate, confident problem solvers who understand
concepts rather than rely on rote methods to get answers.
Courses Offered:
- Algebra I
- Numeracy (Pre-Algebra)
- Algebra II/Algebra II Honors
- Geometry
- Pre-Calculus
- AP Statistics
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The History program at DCP engages students in the study of essential historical questions while focusing on promoting literacy. DCP 9th graders do not take history--instead, students focus on core skills and build confidence in courses such as College Readiness, science, remedial courses, and PE.
Courses Offered:
- World History (part of the interdisciplinary humanities core)
- US History
- AP US History
- Government
- Latin American Studies
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Many DCP students come to high school with little or no background in the sciences. Because of this, the
science curriculum at
DCP has the responsibility of ensuring that students have a confident grasp of basic scientific concepts and information.
In addition, the science program provides students with an opportunity to learn to "think like scientists,"
and to practice rigor,
precision and creativity as they solve problems.
Courses Offered:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science (9th grade)
- Environmental Science (12 grade)
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DCP has deep roots in the Spanish-speaking community of San Jose. Many of our students come with some fluency in the language,
and quite a few are native speakers. But while DCP's Spanish speakers may be bilingual,
few of them are truly bi-literate.
True literacy in Spanish is the goal: graduates of DCP will gain the same things in Spanish class that they would in any
humanities class: reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills, along with an awareness of art and culture.
Courses Offered:
- Spanish I
- Spanish II
- Spanish III
- Spanish I Native Speaker
- Spanish II Native Speaker
- AP Spanish Language
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The fine and performing arts courses at DCP are a critical part of the school's effort to provide a place for students to become confident and self-aware. Students invest care, dignity and passion into their art that has ripple effects through all of their academic work.
Often, students create art that gives them a voice many didn't know they had.
Classes Offered:
- Photography
- Studio Art/Advanced Studio Art
- Dance
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The college readiness program is unique to DCP, and was explicitly designed for the school's target population: students who
are the first in their families to go to college and who have struggled in middle school. College Readiness class addresses
several aspects of student growth, with a special emphasis placed on learning key study skills, understanding and mastering
the college application process, and developing a personal vision of
individual and community success.
The PE program is a place where students learn to literally put the values of the school -ganas, orgullo, and comunidad- into play. The PE program stresses fitness, teamwork, sportmanship, and dignity during competition. All 9th graders take a year-long PE class, and PE is structured to help students see how the values of athletics and the energy that many of them invest in sports can be transferred to the classroom
