High School
The high school (grades 9-12) offers a college-preparatory curriculum during a two-semester school year. Students take core classes to meet graduation requirements and participate in a variety of electives and co-curricular activities.
SCLA’s college-preparatory program has a reputation for excellence in a friendly and safe environment with supportive instructors. With a challenging curriculum and small class sizes, SCLA is an outstanding educational value.
Highly-qualified instructors partner with parents to develop students spiritually, intellectually, and physically – giving them the tools they need to succeed in high school and beyond. Over seventy percent (70%) of the teaching staff hold advanced degrees. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13 to 1 and the average class size is 20.
College Preparatory
With courses in basic, accelerated and advanced placement, college credit offerings, academic teams, and a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program, SCLA students are well prepared for their post-secondary education.
AP Courses
STEM
Download STEM Information Flyer
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math. STEM courses and programs have never been more valuable than they are today. Business leaders have been seeking individuals with 21st century learning capabilities for the past two decades, and STEM is simply another way SCLA can prepare students for careers beyond high school.
WHY IS IT VALUABLE FOR SCLA STUDENTS?
The need for individuals to fill STEM related careers has exploded, and students explore components of these careers throughout the curriculum. Significant college scholarships are available for STEM related programs.
WHO CAN TAKE STEM CLASSES AT SCLA?
In grades 6-8, all students take a semester-long STEM class each year. In grades 9-12, STEM classes are offered as electives. Enrollment is limited for each section, so early enrollment is important.
IS THERE A COURSE FEE?
There is no fee for grades 6-8 for the required STEM science courses. In grades 9-12, there is an initial $500 fee for the student’s first course. This fee helps offset costs of technology and materials specifically for these courses.
IS COLLEGE CREDIT AVAILABLE?
High school students can receive transcripted credit for some of the PLTW courses from participating universities (including schools like St. Cloud State University and Minnesota State University-Mankato). There is an additional fee, and certain course requirements may need to be met.
WHAT STEM CLASSES ARE CURRENTLY OFFERED AT SCLA?
Middle School (on a three-year rotation)
Design and Modeling (DM) - Students apply the design process and use modeling software to solve problems.
Automation and Robotics (AR) - Students design robots using mechanisms, program them, and troubleshoot.
Green Architecture (GA) - Students explore principles of construction and home design, integrate components to maximize energy efficiency, and design homes using CAD software.
High School
Engineering Essentials (EE) - Students will learn foundational concepts of engineering practice. The course provides student opportunities to explore the breadth of engineering career paths and to solve engaging and challenging real-world problems through engineering essentials.
Computer Science Principles (CSP) - Students dive more deeply into the concepts covered in ICS, while also covering more advanced topics. The impact of computing on society continues to be discussed. (Prerequisite: ICS)
STEM Capstone - In this independent-study-style course, students use what they have learned in previous STEM courses (including math, science, and technology courses outside of the
WILL ADDITIONAL COURSES BE OFFERED IN THE FUTURE?
As interest (and enrollment) increases, SCLA may offer additional STEM courses.
College Credit in High School
PSEO
The Post-Secondary Enrollment Option program, also known as PSEO, was created in 1985 as a means to “promote rigorous educational pursuits and provide a wider variety of options for students.” Through PSEO, high school students receive both high school and college/university credit for college or university courses that are completed.
The program is available to students throughout the state of Minnesota. Through PSEO, students may take courses on a college or university campus, via online, or, if available, at their high school.
See the academic dean for details.
Hands-On Learning
In addition to traditional subjects, SCLA offers opportunities for students to use and practice domestic, career, and technical skills inside the classroom. Current offerings include:
- Desktop Publishing/Yearbook
- Basic Foods
- Child Development
- Accounting
- Business, Entrepreneurship, and Personal Finance
- Applied Technologies (wood working, small engine maintenance, automotive systems, drafting and design0
- Visual Recording Arts
Additionally, students receive hands-on projects inside all science classrooms and STEM classrooms.
Proven Results
Curriculum
Students must take a minimum of six and a maximum of eight courses each semester. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) are required by the State of Minnesota. An additional 1/2 credit in Physical Education is required before graduation.
Grade 11
REQ.
ELECT
All previous plus
- Accounting
- Applied Technologies
- Business, Entrepreneurship, and
Personal Finance - Basic Foods
- Child Development
- Global Cultural Competence
- AP English Language & Comp.
- AP English Literature & Comp.
- AP Music Theory
- Drawing 2
- Sculpture 2
- Ceramics 2
- Video Recording Arts
- AP Calculus AB/BC
- AP Chemistry
- Physics
- AP Physics 2
- German 3
- Spanish 5
- Online College Credit Courses
- PSEO
Grade 12
College Bound
SCLA graduates matriculate to the United States' premier universities including Johns Hopkins University, Notre Dame, Boston College, and Carnegie Mellon University.