San Dieguito Union High School District

Science

Next Generation Science Standards California formally adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in September 2013. A guiding tenet of the NGSS is "All Standards, All Students," meaning all students will have the opportunity to experience learning in all disciplines of science, including Life Science (Biology), Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics), Earth-Space Science, and Engineering. The state provided school districts with a variety of course models from which to choose. Click here to access helpful Parent Guides to the NGSS.

OVERVIEW OF SCIENCE EDUCATION IN SDUHSD

Middle School

SDUHSD follows the California Preferred Integrated Model for middle school, meaning students in our grade 7 and 8 science classes will experience all disciplines of science. Our five elementary "feeder" districts also implement the integrated course model for grade 6 science. SDUHSD will continue its practice of hosting vertical articulation discussions between our districts to support our students' transition from elementary to middle school.

High School

SDUHSD follows the California Three-Course Model, where Earth-Space Science and Engineering content is embedded within Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses.

SDUHSD will continue to align science courses with California and UC/CSU admission requirements. The science graduation requirement may change in the future from two to three years, with the expectation that those three classes are: Biology: The Living Earth, Chemistry: In the Earth System, and Physics: In the Universe. The timeline for implementing a three-year science graduation requirement has not yet been determined and would depend on School Board approval. The graduating Classes of 2023-2027 will not be impacted by this potential future change, and will still complete two years of science (one life and one physical) to graduate. Approximately 80% of district high school students already complete three or more years of science

Courses and Pathways

SDUHSD is committed to supporting all students in accessing all disciplines of science. The three-course pathway was implemented with the class of 2024 because they were the first class to experience NGSS integrated science beginning in grade 7.

Click here to view the SDUHSD Science Pathway and information.

Class of 2024-2027 Science Overview and Pathway

Click here for SDUHSD Science Course Descriptions. For additional school science course offerings and course profiles, please visit each school's website.

SCIENCE Instructional Materials

SDUHSD science teachers engage in multi-year pilots of state-approved instructional materials to determine the best curricular resources to support students in their science courses. After piloting, middle school science classes adopted Lab Aids SEPUP as their instructional materials. Biology teachers piloted multiple instructional materials and recommended Savvas’ (formally Pearson) Experience Biology the Living Earth program. Chemistry teachers recommended Lab-Aids A Natural Approach to Chemistry for adoption. Physics teachers recommended OpenStax Physics and Astronomy 2e for adoption.

additional sduhsd resources