College Prep Curriculum

At Oakland Unity High School:

• Our college prep curriculum allows every graduate to meet the University of California A-G requirements.
• We provide small classes, with an average of 20 students per class.
• A comprehensive support program provided through a partnership between the school, the families, and the community, assures that students have the support they need to focus on academic growth.
• Learning experiences allow Unity students to achieve their leadership and academic potential and become creative critical thinkers, compassionate human beings, and effective participants in a multicultural democratic society.
• Every student is assigned a teacher as an advisor when he/she enters Unity. For the student’s tenure at Unity, the teacher/advisor serves as the mentor and advocate for the student and guides him/her towards graduation and college admission.
• Extensive college preparatory/counseling program for students and their families on academic requirements and financial assistance, and regular college visits beginning from 9th grade introducing and familiarizing Unity students to college life.
• Unity’s “Habits of Mind and Heart” provide guiding principles for students, and integrate our educational philosophy throughout our curriculum.

A-G Courses

University of California Coursework Requirements

A. History/Social Science – 2 years required
Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.

B. English – 4 years required
Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.

C. Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years recommended
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.

D. Laboratory Science – 2 years required, 3 years recommended
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement, as may the final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects.

E. Language Other than English – 2 years required, 3 years recommended
Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in languages other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

F. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 year required
A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.

G. College-Preparatory Electives – 1 year required
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in “A-F” above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the “e” requirement or two years of another language).

Advanced Placement

We offer Advanced Placement both AP Spanish and AP Calculus and the following classes, depending on teacher capacity and student interest:

• AP American Government
• AP Biology
• AP English (Language & Composition)
• AP U.S. History
• Honors Art 2
• Honors Physiology

Learning Partners

The following are links to additional academic resources used by our students:

• Revolution Prep
• Khan Academy
• Aventa Online Learning
• Apex
• Education 2020
• Encyclopedia Brittanica Online