Academics
Academics
Redefining Education for a New Era
Based on an understanding of the adolescent brain and with the knowledge that learning occurs best in the context of an inclusive and connected community, our curriculum is grounded in a rigorous college preparatory framework. We are multidisciplinary and innovative, giving students the ability to ask the hard questions, and the tools to answer them. We are technologically sophisticated, but we recognize the limitations of technology. We teach critical thinking, cultural competency, and empathy because this is the foundation of true learning.
All of our courses are college preparatory and our graduation requirements meet or exceed those needed to get into the very best colleges and universities in the country. Our students must complete a rigorous liberal arts curriculum that includes both required and elective courses in humanities, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), world languages, and the arts. Other elements of our program, including Exploratory Courses, Intersession, Physical Education, and Health & Wellness, allow students to broaden and deepen their educational experiences.
Phasing Out APs
Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, we will no longer offer AP courses. Over the past several years, we have gradually phased out AP course offerings in favor of our own Advanced Studies (AS) courses, as our faculty has voiced concerns about the limitations of the AP program.
We see this as an opportunity to infuse some of our most advanced course offerings with innovative curricula that truly deepen student learning. To read more about our rationale, pedagogical approach to advanced study, and how this does or does not impact a student's transcript, please read this letter to our community.
To see the breadth and depth of our course offerings, and to read specific descriptions of each course, please select the department below. You will be taken to a detail page that shows the current courses offered in that discipline.
Academic Courses
Graduation Requirements
- English: 4 credits
- History: 3 credits including World History and US History
- Mathematics: 3 credits including Geometry and Algebra II
- Science: 3 credits including 2 lab credits
- World Languages: Completion of level 3
- Arts: 2 credits, at least one of which must be a Foundation Arts course
- Exploratory courses: 2 per semester (including 9th and 10th grade, Health & Wellness and PE and 11th and 12th grade College Counseling)
- Physical Education/Sports: 2 semester-long PE Exploratory courses (taken in 9th and 10th grade)
- Health & Wellness: 2 semester-long courses (taken in 9th and 10th grade); participation in workshops each year
- Intersession: Participation each year
Explore Our Academic Departments
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STEM
Our STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Department brings our students to the forefront of scientific thinking. -
Humanities
Our Humanities courses teach students to think critically and creatively, to collaborate, to lead, to disagree, and to build consensus, using an interdisciplinary approach. -
World Languages
We believe that the best way to understand another culture is from the inside out: if students learn a language well enough, the will develop a profound internal understanding of self and other. -
Visual and Performing Arts
The Arts Department helps students bring their thoughts and feelings to life through music, performance, and visual and physical expression.
Daily Schedule
Class Blocks
Each day, classes begin at 8:30 am. Students have four academic class periods, with a fifth block for co-curriculars: Health & Wellness/PE, Exploratory, or College Counseling. Class blocks are 65 minutes long.
Each day, classes begin at 8:30 am. Students have four academic class periods, with a fifth block for co-curriculars: Health & Wellness/PE, Exploratory, or College Counseling. Class blocks are 65 minutes long.
Wednesday Afternoons
Wednesdays are generally early release days, with classes ending at 2:15 pm. Some Wednesday afternoons are utilized for special programming, workshops, etc.
Community Meeting and Advisory
Community Meeting is before lunch on Wednesdays and leads into Advisory, a small group meeting that functions like a home-away-from-home during the school day. A mixed-grade-level group of about 11-12 students + one staffulty advisor, Advisory helps students develop a sense of self and balance in their lives.
Academic Concentrations
An Academic Concentration is an optional program that allows students to create an interdisciplinary focus of study in STEM, Global Citizenship, or Environmental Justice and Climate Change, weaving together a series of classes, projects, and Intersession programs.
Learn more
Learn more
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Amazing Faculty
85% have advanced degrees, average class size is 16, and teachers carry a student load of 45-60 per day -
Breadth & Depth
With over 85 courses to choose from, students have the option to pursue both breadth and depth in our curriculum from an array of many interesting core academic and elective courses -
Advanced Courses
Students seeking to challenge themselves may pursue a variety of our most rigorous courses with a selection of 30+ Honors and Advanced Studies (AS) courses to choose from -
Small Classes
With an average class size of 16, our students are known, seen, and supported -
Student-to-Teacher Ratio
A 12-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio ensures that our teachers really get to know your student
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Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
