Core curriculum includes years of course work in the following disciplines:

• English
• Math
• History
• Science
• Spanish
• Fine Arts
• College Readiness
• Physical Education

English

At DCP, reading and writing skills are at the core of all curriculum. Because the vast majority of DCP students enter the school reading and writing well below grade level, the 9th- Grade English curriculum focuses primarily on reading, writing and speaking strategies that provide a sturdy platform from which students can develop their ability to analyze and reflect.

Courses Offered:

• English I
• English II (part of the interdisciplinary Humanities Core)
• English III
• AP English Language
• Verbal Reasoning

Math

For the DCP target student, high school math is often the gatekeeper class: matriculation at a four-year college is largely correlated to success in math. The school is committed to helping students fill the often gaping holes in their skill sets and become numerate, confident problem solvers who understand concepts rather than rely on rote methods to get answers.

Courses Offered:

• Algebra I
• Numeracy
• Algebra II
• Geometry
• Pre-Calculus

History

The History program at DCP engages students in the study of essential historical questions while focusing on promoting literacy and the skills to think like a historian. While students in 10th through 12th grade take History classes, DCP 9th graders do not begin History until second semester; instead, students focus first semester on core skills and build confidence in courses such as College Readiness, Science, remedial courses, and PE.

Courses Offered:

• World History (part of the interdisciplinary humanities core)
• US History
• Government/Economics

Science

Many DCP students come to high school with little or no background in the sciences. Because of this, the Science curriculum at DCP focuses on ensuring that students have a confident grasp of basic scientific concepts and information. In addition, the Science program provides students with an opportunity to learn to "think like scientists," and to practice rigor, precision and creativity as they solve problems.

Courses Offered:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Integrated Science (9th grade)
• Physics

Spanish

DCP has deep roots in the Spanish-speaking community of San Jose. Many of our students come with some fluency in the language, and many are native speakers. But while DCP's Spanish speakers may be bilingual, few of them are truly bi-literate. True literacy in Spanish is the goal: DCP graduates will achieve the same objectives in Spanish class that they would in any humanities class: reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills, along with an awareness of art, culture, and history.

Courses Offered:

• Spanish I
• Spanish II
• Spanish I Native Speaker
• Spanish II Native Speaker
• AP Spanish Language

Fine and Performing Arts

The Fine Arts courses reflect DCP’s commitment to helping become confident and self-aware. Students invest care, dignity and passion into their art, which has ripple effects through all of their academic work. Often, students create art that gives them a voice many didn't know they had.

Classes Offered:

• Studio Art/Advanced Studio Art
• Special Projects

College Readiness

The College Readiness program is unique to DCP, and was explicitly designed for the school's target population: students who are the first in their families to go to college and who have struggled in middle school. College Readiness class addresses several aspects of student growth, with a special emphasis placed on:

• learning key student skills, such as note-taking and study methods
• understanding the path to college, and
• developing a personal vision of individual and community success.

Physical Education

The PE program is a place where students learn to literally put the values of the school—ganas, orgullo, and comunidad—into play. The PE program stresses fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship, and dignity during competition, and students learn how the values of athletics, and the energy many of them invest in sports, can be transferred to the classroom.

All 9th graders take a year-long PE class.