St. John Paul II Catholic High School
Veritatis Splendor--The Splendor of Truth

Departments

Academic Departments

Religion

Knowing Christ, the Splendor of Truth, will set us free. The Religion courses propose the Truth of Christ through a message steeped in Scripture and founded on the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Students have the Gospel message proclaimed to them, are confronted with a choice, and then have the freedom and help to make a response in faith.

Religion Courses:

  • Revelation of Jesus

  • Christology

  • Mission of Jesus Christ

  • Nature of the Church

  • Sacraments

  • Vocations

  • Moral Life in Jesus Christ

  • History of the Catholic Church

Ethics and Culture

This four-year philosophy program equips students with the principles needed to understand the dignity of the human person, and follow the ethical path to lasting happiness. They will be able to think and articulate clearly the moral value of the medical and ethical questions now and those to be invented. They will build up the culture of life by applying ethical principles to current moral issues in the society in which they live.

Ethics & Culture Courses:

  • The Human Person

  • Principles of Ethics

  • Bioethics

  • Ethics & Culture Leadership Seminar

English

The English courses teach three major strands of English composition and literature—writing using the logic of grammar; speech using memorization selections; and the various literary genres, building students’ vocabulary and imagination. Grammar as the logic of language is the focus for Grade 9, dialectic argument is the focus for Grade 10, and rhetoric is the focus for Grade 11 and 12.

English Courses

  • English I – Classical Literature (H)

  • English II – World Literature (H)

  • Language & Composition – American Literature

  • Literature & Composition – British Literature

  • AP Language & Composition

  • AP Literature & Composition

History / Social Studies

Students are encouraged to learn from the past and so live virtuous lives. Courses integrate the study of history, culture, and geography. History lets us know more than we can experience in our short lifetime. It is the most far-reaching subject of study.

History Courses:

  • World History & Geography I

  • Western Civilization II

  • U.S. & Arizona History

  • U.S. Government and Economics

  • AP World History

  • AP European History

  • AP U.S. History

  • AP Microeconomics

Mathematics

The Mathematics program provides a rigorous framework to gain understanding of concepts more deeply and more completely with every course. Math courses are integrated with the science courses. The abstract reasoning of mathematics requires that a student transcend all the concrete particulars of a situation and focus on quantity. The student must represent a situation symbolically, manipulate the symbols, and then relate the symbols back to the specific situation. This kind of thinking reveals the order inherent in creation as part of God’s design.

Math Courses:

  • Algebra I (H)

  • Geometry (H)

  • Algebra II (H)

  • College Algebra

  • Pre-Calculus/Math Analysis (H)

  • AP Calculus AB

Science

The Science program at Saint John Paul II Catholic High School provides students with a method of acquiring, organizing, analyzing, and explaining scientific data. The purpose of the program is to foster in students knowledge of and respect for the order and beauty of creation, an awareness of the forces that shape our physical and biological world, and a sense of personal responsibility for the direction science and technology will take in the course of their lives.

Science Courses:

  • Biology (H)

  • Chemistry (H)

  • Physics (H)

  • Anatomy & Physiology

  • Environmental Science

  • AP Chemistry

  • AP Physics

World Languages

Our patron, Pope Saint John Paul II, studied philology, spoke eleven languages, and developed the idea of bringing young people together from every land and language to encounter Christ in the World Youth Days.

The World Youth Days, first begun by St. John Paul II in 1984, have gathered millions of Catholics under their own flags, praying in their own languages, dressed and dancing according to their culture’s customs, all united in faith, showing fraternal love, and becoming signs of hope to each other.

Spanish Courses:

  • Spanish I

  • Spanish II

  • Heritage Spanish I

  • Heritage Spanish II

  • Spanish III

  • AP Spanish

Latin Courses:

  • Latin I

  • Latin II

  • Latin III

  • AP Latin

Fine Arts & Digital Media

God has endowed us with gifts and talents which we use to make us fully human and give Him glory. The arts “provide a record of the finest achievement of human spirit and help us define and measure culture.” Students explore the historical, social, and political expressions of humanity.

Computers and the internet are not neutral tools, so teachers and students use these with discretion, prudence, and discipline. Students practice ethical use of digitally-based technologies to advance the culture of life

Art Courses:

  • AP Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio

  • AP Art and Design

  • Calligraphic Arts

  • Drawing I

  • Drawing II

  • Introduction to Art

  • Studio Art I

Dance Courses:

  • Dance I

  • Dance II

  • Dance III

  • Social Dance

Music Courses:

  • Band

  • Chorus

  • Chamber Choir

  • Guitar

Drama Courses:

  • Acting I

  • Acting II: Playing Shakespeare

Digital Media Courses:

  • Digital Photography

  • Graphic Design