Exploring The Bishop’s School Curriculum

The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California, offers a dynamic and comprehensive curriculum designed to foster intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth. Known for its rigorous academic standards, the school provides a balanced education that prepares students for higher education and beyond.            

Core Subjects

At the heart of The Bishop’s School curriculum are the core subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages. Each subject is taught with a focus on depth and understanding, encouraging students to engage deeply with the material. The English curriculum emphasizes literature analysis, creative and analytical writing, and critical thinking. Mathematics courses, ranging from Algebra and Geometry to Calculus and Statistics, are designed to build a solid foundation in mathematical principles while promoting problem-solving and analytical skills. In Science, courses like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science provide hands-on learning experiences that foster scientific inquiry. Social Studies courses cover History, Geography, Economics, and Political Science, helping students gain a broad understanding of historical events, cultural developments, and social dynamics. World Languages offered include Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Latin, with a focus on communication skills and cultural literacy.

Advanced Courses and Special Programs

The Bishop’s School is renowned for its Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which allow students to engage in college-level studies and earn college credit. These courses span a variety of subjects, including Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Literature, and U.S. History, preparing students for the rigors of higher education.

In addition to AP courses, the school offers specialized programs tailored to student interests and talents. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program is particularly robust, featuring courses in robotics, computer science, and engineering. These courses are complemented by state-of-the-art labs and resources, enabling students to engage in hands-on learning and innovative projects.

Creative and Performing Arts

Along with offering advanced studies in visual arts, music, drama, and dance, The Bishop’s School also has an exceptional arts curriculum. Through the development of their artistic abilities and the opportunity to exhibit their work in a variety of performances and exhibitions, these programs foster creativity and self-expression in pupils.

Global Studies

To promote global awareness, The Bishop’s School offers a Global Studies program that includes courses and experiences focused on international issues and cultures. This program prepares students to be informed global citizens, capable of understanding and addressing complex global challenges.                               

The curriculum at The Bishop’s School is designed to provide a well-rounded education that nurtures academic excellence, personal growth, and global awareness. By offering a diverse range of courses and specialized programs, the school ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges of higher education and beyond, fostering a lifelong love of learning and personal development. If you are interested in applying to The Bishop’s School, admissions consultants at Cardinal Education can help you. Call now to learn more! 

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, the Bishop’s School offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects such as: 

    • STEM Courses:
      • AP Calculus AB
      • AP Calculus BC
      • AP Statistics
      • AP Biology
      • AP Chemistry
      • AP Physics 1
      • AP Physics C (Mechanics and/or Electricity & Magnetism)
      • AP Computer Science A
    • Humanities & Social Sciences:
      • AP English Language and Composition
      • AP English Literature and Composition
      • AP United States History
      • AP World History
      • AP European History
      • AP U.S. Government and Politics
      • AP Economics (often offered as Microeconomics and Macroeconomics)
    • World Languages:
      • AP Spanish Language and Culture
      • AP French Language and Culture
      • AP Latin
      • AP Chinese Language and Culture (depending on enrollment)
    • Arts (offered selectively):
      • AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
      • AP Studio Art: Drawing
      • AP Music Theory (may vary year to year)

  • At the heart of The Bishop’s School’s learning plan are the main subjects that give your child a strong foundation. Think of these as the pillars of their education. They focus on English, where students learn to understand stories, write effectively, and think critically. Mathematics builds their problem-solving skills from basic concepts all the way to more advanced topics like algebra and calculus. Science focuses on hands-on learning in areas like biology, chemistry, and physics. There’s also social studies, which covers history, geography, and how societies work, helping them become informed citizens. World languages, like Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Latin, are taught in a way that encourages deep understanding, not just memorization. All these subjects are taught by highly-trained faculty whose goal is to set up your child for success in college and beyond.

  • At Bishop’s, your child can explore exciting opportunities in STEM. If your child loves building robots, is fascinated by computers, or enjoys figuring out how things work, they’ll find great courses with cool labs and many hands-on projects. All programs are designed to make students think creatively  and solve problems critically. 

    If your child is more into the arts, Bishop’s has incredible programs in the Creative and Performing Arts. Whether they love to paint, play an instrument, act on stage, or dance, there are amazing opportunities. They have everything from visual arts, like drawing and photography to all sorts of music, theater productions, and dance concerts where your child can express themselves and develop their talents. 

    Beyond these, Bishop’s also has Global Studies that help kids understand different cultures. If your child is interested in learning different languages, the school also offers Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Latin.

  • If your child is interested in the arts, Bishop’s has some really wonderful ways for them to explore it beyond their regular classes. 

    For those who love to draw, paint, or do crafts, they are cool art studios where they can try all sorts of things, even photography and digital art. They get to participate in exhibitions to show off their creations. 

    If your child is interested in music, there are bands and orchestras they can join, plus different chores if they love to sing. Each year, students perform in concerts and festivals in San Diego County. 

    For the drama lovers, there are theater classes where students learn to act or be part of the production team. They put on plays regularly and produce a big musical every other year. 

    If your child is a dancer, there is a great dance program where they can learn different styles and even choreograph their own pieces to present during big dance shows.