Our English department helps students develop a greater familiarity with different types of literature including drama, poetry, short stories, novels and nonfiction. Students learn to recognize the elements of plot, character, setting and theme. Writing as a process is developed while improving skills in fluency and correctness. Grammar skills are refined. Elements of literary craft and style are studied and analyzed in depth. Preparation for college entrance examinations is included.
Students receive an extensive survey of American Literature from the colonial period to the present. Emphasis is on literary analysis, composition, vocabulary building, public speaking, improving grammar and usage skills, and preparation for the SAT examinations. An extensive study of world literature from ancient Greek times through the 20th century examining poetry, drama, English literature, and focuses on the novel. Literary analysis, expository writing, vocabulary development, and speaking skills are emphasized. Completion of a thesis paper is required to pass senior English.
Students develop the vocabulary and language structures necessary to achieve proficiency to participate in an academic setting. They work on increasing mastery of interpersonal communication skills to increase the ability to use English for academic purposes in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing English. Emphasis is on developing oral comprehension and speaking skills to learn strategies for reading and research, and to apply the stages of the writing process.
Course/Class Information:
- ELD 1 (Beginning—15 units)
Prerequisite: Placement based on English language skills testing, prior schooling/grades, teacher recommendation.Students develop the vocabulary and language structures necessary to achieve beginning proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing English. Emphasis is on developing the basic oral comprehension and speaking skills needed to progress to ELD 2.
- ELD 2 (Early Intermediate—15 units)
Prerequisite: Placement based on English language skills testing, prior schooling/grades, teacher recommendation.The course continues the development of the vocabulary and language structures necessary to participate in an academic setting. Emphasis is on advancing the oral comprehension and speaking skills needed to progress to ELD 3. Students also focus on the transition to English literacy skills.
- ELD 3 (Intermediate)
Prerequisite: Placement based on English language skills testing, prior schooling/grades, teacher recommendation, or successful completion of ELD 2.This course advances the student to oral fluency in both comprehensive and speaking skills. The students move from increasing mastery of basic interpersonal communication skills to increasing ability to use English for academic purposes. The reading and writing tasks become more complex.
- ELD 4 (Early Advanced)
Prerequisite: Placement based on English language skills testing, prior schooling/grades, teacher recommendation, or successful completion of ELD 3.Having achieved oral fluency, the emphasis of this course is to build the reading comprehension and writing skills necessary to succeed across the core content areas. Students continue to learn strategies for reading and research, and apply the stages of the writing process. Students also continue to develop skills for oral presentations.
Our math department offers classes that range from Algebra to AP Statistics. Our students are given a strong math foundation with algebra and geometry. They can pursue their math course of study with advanced algebra and trigonometry, calculus, and statistics.
The department offers numerous AP classes with AP calculus and AP statistics.
At San Leandro High School we are committed to providing all students access to a rigorous, laboratory-based science curriculum that includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, and Engineering, as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.
View our SLUSD Vision for Science.
9th Grade students take Biology: The Living Earth
10th Grade students take Chemistry in the Earth’s System
11th Grade students take Physics in the Universe
12th Grade (optional) students choose a science elective
We offer three languages at San Leandro High School: Spanish, French, and Mandarin.
Our French curriculum begins with students developing basic skills in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding the French language. Pronunciation and intonation are stressed on a daily basis and students are introduced to cultural aspects of the Francophone societies.
As they advance, students continue to concentrate on the oral aspects of the language with increased work in grammar, reading, and writing. Ability to carry on a conversation, read with comprehension, write short paragraphs and use the various vocabulary and grammatical structures learned is stressed. The culture of the French-speaking world continues to be part of the course. Emphasis is placed on building vocabulary as a tool for expanding and developing reading, writing, and conversational skills. Emphasis is placed on the perfection of pronunciation and intonation, with increased speed and fluency. Our AP French course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement French Language test and is conducted entirely in French. Using works of Modern-era Francophone authors, students will learn to use words, expressions, and grammatical structures in writing and speaking; understand the content of reading selections on cultural topics; engage in literary analysis of poems and prose selections; write essays on cultural and literary topics with accurate grammar and proper syntax; demonstrate speaking proficiency by describing a story suggested by a picture sequence and responding to questions about everyday topics.
Our Spanish Curriculum begins with our students’ basic skills in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding the Spanish language. Strong emphasis on oral communication, using the learned grammatical structures and vocabulary. Students are introduced to cultural aspects of the Spanish speaking society. Work in grammar, reading, and writing increases as teachers help students become more able to carry on a conversation, read with comprehension, write short paragraphs, and use the various vocabulary and grammatical structures learned are stressed at this level. The culture of the Spanish speaking world continues to be a part of this course.
We also offer Students will develop strong literacy skills and develop reading skills through the use of texts, magazines, and newspapers. Writing skills are developed through essays that address students’ life experiences. Grammar terms and structures will be introduced. Latino and American cultures will be explored. The class will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
World Language Placement Test Information:
All new and incoming students who are interested in registering for any language class that is NOT a level 1 class (i.e. Mandarin 1, Spanish 1, or French 1) must take a placement test. The only exception is students who have taken Spanish 1A/1B at Bancroft Middle School or John Muir Middle School and are registering for Spanish 2.
All new SLHS students who are not currently attending middle school in SLUSD and wish to register for a higher level or native speaker language class must set up after school placement tests with one of the following language teachers:
- Jonathan Fall (jfall@slusd.us) for Mandarin
Maritza Fajardo-Perez (mfajardoperez@slusd.us) for Spanish
View the Common Core Standards.
Our department serves almost 300 students (out of a total of 2700) between the FTK and Main Campuses. Just as SLHS is one school with 2 campuses, we are one department and we work together. We currently offer two self-contained classes for Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities, and one self-contained Counseling Enriched Class housed at the Main Campus. Students with Mild-Moderate Disabilities, whether served through the Resource or Special Day Program follow the six-period schedule. All students have opportunities for inclusion in general education classes and activities. As specified on the individual IEP, consultative services for Vision, Hearing, and Behavior continue through high school as needed and counseling is also available. A Speech-Language Specialist based at SLHS provides direct and consultation services.
We offer Resource Classes in English (Levels 1-4), Math (Algebra and Geometry), and Tutorial to assist students with regular education subjects. We offer Mild/Moderate Special Day classes in English, Science, Health & Safety, Social Studies, Transitional Math, and Algebra. Subject area teachers hold a special education credential, are CLAD certified, and also meet NCLB qualifications in their subject area(s). Since the 2011-12 School Year, the English Language Arts curriculum in both RSP and M/M SDC classes has been based on the Edge Curriculum. 9th graders and some 10th graders enrolled in these classes have two periods of English Language Arts. SpEd students may be supported through counseling and/or behavioral consultation as part of their IEP. Students in the Counseling Enriched class have access to counseling supports throughout the day.