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.
We love play and humor and art, because we know that they make us human. We also know that a deep grasp of concepts is what helps us to navigate an ever-changing world. We are deeply humanistic, treating every student with profound respect and care. We provide students with the intellectual, social, and ethical foundations necessary to thrive in our changing times, no matter their individual path.
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, Health & Wellness, and Connections, allow students to broaden and deepen their educational experiences.
Below is our Curriculum-at-a-Glance, which shows the progression of courses, both required and elective, from 9th to 12th grades. All courses listed are not available each year. For an in-depth description of a course, select a department from the "department picker." A list of courses and their descriptions will display.
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
Additional Requirements
Exploratory courses: 2 each quarter
Physical Education/Sports: 1 PE Exploratory per quarter, or participation in a team sport
Health & Wellness and Connections: Participation each year
Intersession: Participation each year
Minimum Total Credits: 26
2021-22 Curriculum-at-a-Glance
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
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, Advanced Studies (AS) & AP's to choose from
Small Classes
With an average class size of 16, our students are known, seen, and supported
Student to Teacher Ratio
A 12.5 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio ensures that our teachers really get to know your student
...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, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.