San Dieguito Union High School District

Science

Next Generation Science Standards California formally adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in September 2013. A guiding tenet of the NGSS is "All Standards, All Students," meaning all students will have the opportunity to experience learning in all disciplines of science, including Life Science (Biology), Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics), Earth-Space Science, and Engineering. The state provided school districts with a variety of course models from which to choose. Click here to access helpful Parent Guides to the NGSS.

OVERVIEW OF SCIENCE EDUCATION IN SDUHSD

Middle School

SDUHSD follows the California Preferred Integrated Model for middle school, meaning students in our grade 7 and 8 science classes will experience all disciplines of science. Our five elementary partner districts also implement the integrated course model for grade 6 science. SDUHSD works collaboratively on vertical articulation between our districts to support students' transition from elementary to middle school.

High School

To earn a high school diploma, all students in grades 9-12 must pass two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.

SDUHSD follows the California Three-Course Model, where Earth-Space Science and Engineering content is embedded within Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses. District science courses align with California and UC/CSU admission requirements. SDUHSD is committed to supporting all students in accessing all disciplines of science. Approximately 80% of district high school students complete three or more years of science.

Courses

Click here for SDUHSD Science Course Descriptions for middle and high school. For additional school science course offerings and course profiles, please visit each school's website.

SDUHSD Science pathway

The district science course pathway shows the course sequence, as well as information about bridges and fulfilling graduation and college entrance requirements.

Click here to view the SDUHSD Science Pathway and information.

SCIENCE Instructional Materials

SDUHSD science teachers engage in multi-year pilots of state-approved instructional materials to determine the best curricular resources to support students in their science courses. After piloting, middle school science classes adopted Lab Aids SEPUP as their instructional materials. Biology teachers piloted multiple instructional materials and recommended Savvas’ (formally Pearson) Experience Biology the Living Earth program. Chemistry teachers recommended Lab-Aids A Natural Approach to Chemistry for adoption. Physics teachers recommended OpenStax Physics and Astronomy 2e for adoption.

additional sduhsd resources