Covenant Christian High School
Our Academic Philosophy
We focus on an integrated three-year cycle of Western history from a Christian worldview. Multum non multa (much, not many). Our educational philosophy is centered upon the ancient concepts of: Ad fontes (to the source). We study Humanities using primary sources as our starting point for every lesson.
Our students know how to work hard habitually and be successful in an academically rigorous environment. However, we don't spend much time between classes on an hourly bell schedule or give busywork to maintain an academic image. Our students are expected to be able to spend meaningful time with their families, observe the Lord's day, and pursue independent interests.
2023-24 Academic Calendar
Click here to view our academic calendar.
2023-24 Academic Year Course Descriptions
Humanities & Electives
art
In this class we will be making our own unique Mixed Media art pieces using ink, paint, and collage. We will review some basic elements of art and draw inspiration from artists who have utilized them to great effect. My hope is that we will learn some new techniques to add to our "tool belts", and also have some fun in the process.
auto mechanics
This class will involve both lectures and hands-on work. Additional learning opportunities include working at Auto Angels at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, as well as free class periods to work on, take apart, and rebuild a small engine (lawnmower, weed wacker, chainsaw, etc.).
BIBLE
In this course, our main objective will be to study and to cultivate a love for the precious truths we have in the Bible – God’s inerrant and infallible word. In particular, we will explore the theme of living as exiles. What does it mean to live as a Christian in a hostile world? How do we remain faithful to Christ in the midst of a pagan culture? How should we think about and interact with culture, education, civil government, and people who embrace opposing worldviews? To answer these questions, we will study the Old Testament book of Daniel and the New Testament books of 1 & 2 Peter. After studying the Book of Daniel, we will look at the theme of exile in 1 & 2 Peter. Peter’s epistles deal with many related ideas: the suffering of believers, living in exile, false teaching, the second coming of Christ, and the already/not yet dimension of our salvation.
electronics
Basic Electronics will expose students to the theory of electron flow, DC and AC electricity, and explain how basic electronic components work, and their purpose (e.g. resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, LEDs, transistors), the application of Ohm’s law, how to use a multimeter and how to read a basic electrical schematic. There will be several hands-on opportunities, including soldering a simple circuit, and wiring a household outlet.
HUMANITIES - MODERN ERA
HISTORY -This class is organized as an integrated American & Modern World History class, accelerated to cover everything from 1500 AD to the turn of the millennium. Following the textbook, the class will take a broadly chronological approach, from Columbus to the crisis points of the mid-1800s before winter, resuming with the American Civil War and wrapping up the year with the end of the Cold War and the dawn of American hegemony.
LITERATURE - This class provides a survey of the greatest works of modern literature, with a particular emphasis on the American literary tradition from colonial era to Cold War. Students will grapple with texts by Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, Arthur Miller, and more, learning to engage each author in the context of their own time and place. Students will maintain a reading journal, conduct independent research, present creative projects, and critically examine each text through classroom discussion and through essays.
photography
The scope and sequence for this class will allow us to add topics students might find interesting as we go along. We will be discussing a little of the history of photography, why it is important and impactful, what are the primary ways photography is used today (and how technology is changing that). The main focus of our work will be on increasing our knowledge and skills at the technical and artistic aspects of photography. We will become proficient and making our images exposed properly by adjusting ISO, shutter speed and aperture appropriately. We will also explore how things like depth-of-field and sharpness are impacted by these settings.
Performing Arts
This course is centered around a final production. Students will participate in creating sets, props, and costumes in addition to memorizing, rehearsing, and performing their respective parts in both plays. Attention will be given to the language of the plays, their historical context and significance, their literary value, their overall message, and the nuances of performing them.
Basic introduction to theater concepts such as blocking, stage presence, voice projection, addressing an audience, and embodying a character’s story and personality.
STEM
Classes
Algebra I
This course is designed to prepare students with a foundational understanding of
basic principles in algebra. Topics include working with algebraic expressions, functions and graphing, linear equations, quadratic equations, polynomials, exponents, radicals, and inequalities. The course aims to develop the students' skills in manipulating and solving equations, as well as understanding their applications. This course will prepare the student for future advanced courses,
including Algebra II.
alGebra II
Algebra II is the study of functions and equations, with an emphasis on quadratic equations. Trigonometry is the study of circular functions. We will study these functions in depth and use them to create mathematical models of phenomena in the real world.
Biology
In Biology students learn that science is a set of methods that compose a way of getting to truth. These methods do not conflict with other methods of evaluating truth claims and do not conflict with Biblical truth. Students also learn cells have complex molecules and structures that enable them to carry out life functions such as photosynthesis and respiration and pass on their characteristics to future generations. Information for producing proteins and reproduction is coded in DNA and organized into genes in chromosomes. This elegant yet complex set of processes
explains how life forms replicate themselves with slight variations. These processes that occur within living cells help students understand the commonalities among the diverse living forms that populate Earth today. Students will come away from our studies with an increased appreciation of the glory of God’s creation.
calculus
Calculus develops the topics of limits, derivatives and integration and their formulas for algebraic and transcendental functions. This class covers most topics typically covered in the first two quarters of college calculus. Course content includes limits and continuity, derivatives and applications including related rates, motion and optimization, differential equations, indefinite and definite integrals, application of integrals including area between curves and volume, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
geometry
The curriculum will include all of the traditional topics in the geometry canon and some algebra review. Both inductive (experiments) and deductive (logic) methods will be used to examine geometric objects in two- and three-dimensional spaces. This is a formal course in geometry covering the basics of lines, planes, angles, triangles and congruence, the Pythagorean Theorem, similarity, and special right angles.
pre-calculus
The curriculum will include all of the traditional topics in the geometry canon and some algebra review. Both inductive (experiments) and deductive (logic) methods will be used to examine geometric objects in two- and three-dimensional spaces. This is a formal course in geometry covering the basics of lines, planes, angles, triangles and congruence, the Pythagorean Theorem, similarity, and special right angles.
physics
This year-long course is the study of classical physics and an introduction to modern physics. The course is designed to provide students with comprehensive coverage of physical concepts, quantitative examples and skills, and interesting applications. Topics to be explored include kinematics, energy, thermodynamics, waves and sound, light and optics, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear physics. It helps students to develop a deep understanding of physics concepts which
can be observed in and applied to real-life situations. As we wonder and study the physical behavior of the world around us through physics, it points us to the mighty creator whose wisdom established the world.