Typical Courses of Study

Grade 9

The freshman course of study is primarily comprised of the following:

  • Humanities (English/History)
  • Conceptual Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Foundation Arts
  • Foreign Language
  • Freshman Seminar

Grade 10 (New Students)

New sophomores take the following courses:

  • English 10
  • Foundation Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Foreign Language
  • Sophomore Seminar
  • Topics in Modern World History (Europe and Asia)

Grade 10 (Returning Students)

Returning sophomores take the following courses:

  • English 10
  • Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Foreign Language
  • Sophomore Seminar
  • Topics in Modern World History (Europe and Asia)

Grade 11

Note: The course of study for new juniors is determined by previous courses and through consultation with Cate's Director of Studies

Virtually all juniors take the following three courses:

  • English 11
  • Mathematics: Students who have not taken Algebra II must do so. Students who have completed Algebra II may take one of our electives to satisfy their third-year requirement. Students who intend to take Calculus in the senior year must take Pre-Calculus.
  • Foreign Language Most juniors who have not completed the required third-year course must do so. Students who have completed the required third-year course are encouraged to continue foreign language study through at least the junior year.

The following courses must be taken in either the junior or senior year:

  • U. S. History
  • A course in life science.
  • Completion of the arts requirement, if not already fulfilled.

Thus, juniors may choose as their fourth and fifth courses:

  • U.S. History and Science
  • U.S. History and Arts (as fulfillment of the requirement or as an elective)
  • Science and Arts
  • U.S. History, Science or Arts, plus an elective
  • Two electives

Grade 12

Seniors must take English 12 and, in the spring, an English literature elective. If they have not already done so, they must complete whatever requirements remain. Electives make up the rest of the required five units (2.5 units each semester).