Rocklin High School

Grade Level: 9 – 12 

Prerequisite: None

This course gives a broad and general overview of the business world. Through interactive project-based learning and extensive use of technology, students will study real world topics like entrepreneurship, marketing, economics, and money. Students will also have the opportunity to hear from real world business professionals via live presentations and video. This course develops practical and real world knowledge that prepares students for further advanced business education, a future career in business, and to be well prepared consumers. 

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12 

Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to Business course or teacher approval.

Accounting is the “language of business”. This course will cover fundamental accounting principles and prepare students for future college business majors/minors such as business administration, accounting, marketing, international business management, etc. The course will offer practical training to enable students to hold bookkeeping or account clerk positions. Concepts covered will include basic financial accounting principles, recording and keeping financial data, financial statements, the accounting cycle and setting up accounting systems. finish the course with a firm understanding of how to make data driven business decisions.

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Prerequisite: Introduction to Business & Accounting or approval of instructor; can be repeated for year 4.

This course focuses on developing skills in evaluating, articulating, refining, and pitching a new product or service offering, either as a new business idea or as an improvement to an existing business. The course will examine the steps and process of starting a new business from the logistics of establishing the business, supply chain planning, initial financing, building a management team, and forecasting.Students will have the opportunity to develop their own business idea from inception through prototyping and pitching to investors.

Grade Level: 9 – 12

Prerequisite: None

Voluntary Class Contribution

Exploring Computer Science is an introduction to the world of computer science, problem solving, and web design that aligns with many career pathways, including Information Technology, Engineering and Design, and Arts, Media and Entertainment. The course consists of six exploratory units – Introduction to Computing (Hardware and Software), Human Computer Interaction (Internet and Artificial Intelligence), Problem Solving (Computational Thinking and Algorithms), Programming (using Scratch and Python), Web Design, and Robotics (Parallax). Course material will show how computing enables innovation in multiple career paths and will cover ethical and social issues as well. Through a career research project, students will identify and explore many of the lucrative and high-demand jobs throughout the world of technology. Computing is involved in virtually every field of study, career, and aspect of society. Whatever you plan to study in college or pursue as a career, you will need the knowledge and skills found in this course.

 

Grade Level: 9 – 12

Prerequisite:  None

Recommended: Experience with some aspect of Computer Science

Dual Enrollment Course: Sierra College/IT Fundamentals/IT 0090 (1.5 units)

 

CyberSecurity I is an advanced class that prepares students for a career in network administration and information technology support services with a focus on cybersecurity. The course is intended for students who have already had some exposure to different aspects of Computer Science. The course includes a series of technical modules that provide hands-on knowledge and skills development in computer hardware, operating systems, networking, coding, and security infrastructures. Industry-based curricula are utilized in network and virtual image environments to emulate real-life scenarios and prepare students for industry-recognized certifications. Students research and address ethical and legal standards, information security, and mitigate cyber vulnerabilities through intricate problem-solving scenarios mandating critical thinking, incident response, and analysis, and collaboration. Curriculum content is designed to ensure privacy, reliability, and integrity of information systems for students preparing for careers in Cybersecurity and Information and Communications Technology.

 

Grade Level: 10– 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Exploring Computer Science or CyberSecurity I

Dual Enrollment Course: Sierra College/Info & Comm Essentials/IT 0100 (4 units)

The Rocklin Institute of Technology (RIOT) program (course name “IT Essentials”) is a student-run business and technology organization that provides technical services to RHS staff, students, the district, and the community. RIOT Level I students will learn how to set goals, take initiative, manage time and projects, work in teams, work with clients, and evaluate their own progress and performance. Students will apply for positions in one of the following RIOT groups, which are directed by student managers: Cybersecurity, IT Support, Robotics, and Web Development. Guest speakers and trainers from local tech companies will help enhance and support this business environment as students serve the RHS campus. Students will have an opportunity to work on the IT Fundamentals Curriculum as well. 

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Prerequisite: Exploring Computer Science, CyberSecurity I, or AP Computer Science Principles 

 

Game Design prepares students for a career in the computer science industry with an emphasis on electronic entertainment. The course includes a series of units that provide hands-on knowledge and skills development in game theory, the game design cycle, storyboarding, game elements and interface (storytelling, world creation, controls, etc), coding, software testing, and quality assurance. The concept of “play” within our culture is studied and how the culture of gaming has changed over time. Students will learn to code using the C# programming language and to work together as teams with specific roles to complete projects within a determined work cycle. In addition, students will research career opportunities in the electronic entertainment industry. 

 

TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP (RIOT Managers & Game Design Leaders)

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Prerequisites: Exploring Computer Science, CyberSecurity I, IT Essentials. Students may be eligible for an interview through a teacher recommendation if they have not completed Exploring Computer Science, CyberSecurity I, IT Essentials, or Game Design. Students must talk with Mr. Werner prior to requesting this course.

This course is for returning students (usually Managers and Leaders) who are continuing with the RIOT program or the Game Design Program. Embedded within those two programs, Tech Leadership students will manage the program through leadership positions in one or more of the RIOT functional groups, or sit with and support teams in the Game Design classroom. Student managers, who must first complete the RIOT course, will lead a RIOT group by setting and achieving goals, training students, leading and evaluating students, engaging with customers (RHS staff and students), and managing projects. For Game Design, the Leaders will help guide the designers through individual projects, and then help oversee the development of their end of year project. Other requirements will include the study of leadership theory, including reading outside textbooks, writing formal reports and case studies, developing evaluations and goals, communicating effectively, problem-solving, maintaining integrity, and thinking critically. Students will need to spend extra hours working after school. Student leaders may receive training from local tech industry partners, specifically in leadership and management principles, including project management, goal setting, evaluating employees, customer engagement, time management, public speaking, and conducting effective meetings. If students are seeking to be leaders or managers in any business (not just technology), this course will provide ample opportunity to develop management skills in a real-world environment through the actual conducting of a business organization on campus.

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12 

Prerequisite: Completion of Integrated Math 1 with a minimum of a “B” grade.

Fee: College Board testing fee ($TBA)

College Articulation: CSU Sacramento/CSC 010, 3 Units (CSU Sacramento ACE fee) 

 

AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation in Python. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. AP Computer Science Principles will give students the opportunity to use technology to address real-world problems and build relevant solutions. Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science. Students should be comfortable with a blended model of online and in-class materials that incorporates peer teachers. Students may receive transferable CSUS credit provided they meet the  ACE requirements. AP classes are comparable to college level courses and utilize college level content. These classes are taught in an accelerated format and require extensive out-of-class work (approximately two hours per course per night).

 

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus/Trig Honors or higher math course

Fee: College Board testing fee ($TBA)

College Articulation: CSU Sacramento/CSC 015, 3 Units (CSU Sacramento ACE fee)

This course emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology in Java with a concentration on problem solving and algorithm development, and is meant to be the equivalent of a first semester college level course in computer science. It also includes the study of data structures, design, and abstraction. A student in this course should be comfortable with functions and the concepts found in the use of functional notation. It is important that students understand that any significant computer science course builds upon a foundation of mathematical reasoning that should be acquired before attempting such a course. Students should be comfortable with a blended model of online and in-class materials that incorporates peer teachers. Students may receive transferable CSUS credit provided they meet the  ACE requirements. For further questions, ask our ThunderClass GPT. AP classes are comparable to college level courses and utilize college level content. These classes are taught in an accelerated format and require extensive out-of-class work (approximately two hours per course per night).

Grade Level: 9 – 12

Prerequisite: None

 

Childhood and Adolescent Development is a Career Technical Education (CTE) course, which provides students the opportunity to study the physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional developmental stages of children from conception through adolescence. Students may study topics such as brain development, families and parenting, prenatal development, developmental milestones from birth through adolescence, health and safety issues, guidance and discipline, cultural diversity, child care, education, children with special needs, and career decisions. This course integrates the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards, which are aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Instruction reinforces core skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and mathematics. Course instruction emphasizes career ready behaviors in communication, ethics, interpersonal/team skills, critical thinking and problem solving, safety, technology, and employability skills.

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Prerequisite: Child and Adolescent Development I OR teacher approval.

 

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Prerequisite: 

For one class period a day, the junior or senior year of high school, students work alongside an elementary school teacher in their classroom at a local elementary school. Since students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the school, they will have input as to school location, grade level, and mentor teacher. This course is the internship component to Principles of Teaching giving students the opportunity to apply and practice the knowledge learned the year prior. The objective is to gain knowledge, understanding, and pedagogy of a live education environment while having the support system of a mentor teacher. Student’s will be actively engaged in student activities, field trips, leading lessons, and bonding with the class for the entirety of the school year. 

Grade Level: 9 – 12

Prerequisite: None

Voluntary Class Contribution

Take an idea from start to finish. Students will be introduced to some of the basic machinery that is used throughout the engineering field. This course is offered to students interested in exploring careers in the design, engineering, and manufacturing industries. It introduces basic technical drafting and computer aided manufacturing, including sketching, drafting, dimensioning, and 3D printing basic parts and projects.

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Prerequisite: EST I or Instructor Approval

Voluntary Class Contribution

This course is a must for future Engineers. Students will explore how engineers design systems and will continue to build on skills learned in Engineering Support Technologies I. Using prior knowledge of drafting, students will improve 3D modeling skills and will use hands-on learning to develop projects through welding and CNC Machining. The skills learned in this class can not only be used in engineering careers, but also in everyday life.

 

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Prerequisite: EST I and II 

Voluntary Class Contribution

The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout Engineering Support Technologies I & II come together in EST III as students identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution. Students will ultimately present their solution to a panel of practicing engineers. Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process, and they complete EST III ready to take on any post-secondary program or career.

Grade Level: 9 – 12

Prerequisite: None

Voluntary Class Contribution

 

Photography 1 is an introductory digital photography and vocational education course. Students will learn the fundamentals of digital photography, including camera functions, exposure, composition, and basic lighting. They will develop proficiency in Adobe Photoshop for image organization, basic editing, and creative manipulation, while exploring photography as a powerful medium for communication and self-expression. We will explore multiple genres of photography including still life, landscape, portraits and action. This year also introduces the concept of AI in image processing and its initial ethical considerations.

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Prerequisite: Photo I

Dual Enrollment Course: Sierra College/Elementary Photography/PHOT60A (3 units)

Voluntary Class Contribution

Photography II is an advanced photography course. This technical and vocational education course will deepen students skills in field photography (product, event), mastering advanced Photoshop techniques like complex compositing, non-destructive editing, and ethical retouching. They will then apply these images within a design context, using vector tools (Illustrator/Canva) to create compelling, message-driven visual communications. This year also includes the use of AI in image processing and creation.

 

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Prerequisite: Photo I & II

Voluntary Class Contribution

Photography III is an advanced photography course. This technical and vocational education course will provide students with opportunities to extend and advance their knowledge and skills in the field of photography. This class operates as a dynamic design studio. Students will apply their advanced photography and continue to develop design skills to real-world or simulated client projects, focusing on the business aspects of a creative career. Students will also develop a professional digital portfolio. They will continue to leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

 

Grade Level: 12

Prerequisite: Photo I, II, & III

Voluntary Class Contribution

Photography IV is an advanced photography course. This technical and vocational education course will provide students with opportunities to extend and advance their knowledge and skills in the field of photography and design, working as a dynamic design studio. This course will familiarize the student with advanced photographic equipment, materials, methods and processes. Students will continue to add to their professional portfolio. Student portfolios will be electronic.Students will apply their advanced photography and design skills to real-world or simulated client projects, focusing on the business aspects of a creative career. They will develop entrepreneurial skills, with a strong emphasis on leveraging AI responsibly and effectively.

 

Grade Level: 12

Prerequisite: Photo I, II, & III

Voluntary Class Contribution

Photography IV Honors is a highly advanced honors level photography course. This course will provide students with opportunities to extend and advance their knowledge and skills in the field of photography and design through a more rigorous curriculum. There will be a strong emphasis on the elements of art and principles of design. Students are expected to work independently in addition to collaboratively with other students as well as with the teacher to advance their skill and understanding both technically and conceptually. This course will familiarize the student with advanced photographic equipment, materials, methods and processes. Honors photography students still develop mastery in concept, visual problem solving, composition, and execution. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of photographic techniques and concepts. Critical thinking and technical skills will be visited as the student works toward their own personal style. The student will produce a professional level portfolio as their culminating activity (28-30 prints).

Grade Level: 9 – 12 

Prerequisite: None

Beginning journalism students will learn all the fundamentals of today’s reporting and media outlets. Students explore the larger world of today’s mass communication by reporting for the web and exploring digital reporting through podcasting, digital video, and use of social media- Instagram, X, Tik Tok and Facebook. The applied technology course will cover journalistic writing in a variety of styles.  In addition, students will explore magazine design and advertising. Students will be introduced to core skills in interviewing, reporting, and photography. Successful completion of Journalism I may lead to a position on a student media production staff and students may be given the opportunity to write for publication during this course.

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Prerequisite: Journalism I, Graphic Communications I or Photography I

 

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Prerequisite: Journalism II

This course will allow Journalism II students the opportunity to hone their reporting, interviewing, editing, photography, and page design skills. Students will be given greater roles of responsibility and will be given the chance to demonstrate leadership skills as they assume important editorial positions. Staff members will also work on reporting for the web and multimedia projects. Admission to this technical and vocational education course requires instructor approval. Journalism staff members will collaborate with other student media classes to produce student communication in broadcast, print, social media, and on the web.

 

Students interested in telling stories through photography will be challenged by this career technical and vocational education course. Students will plan photo essays covering student life.  The focus is on digital work in black and white and color which will be published in the yearbook, magazine, on the web and in multimedia projects. Students will also prepare work for the RHS web page, broadcast, and for outside competitions. Students should expect 10-20 hours of assignments per semester to photograph RHS events.

 

In this second year of photojournalism students will apply and extend skills learned in prior experiences in photography. Student photojournalists will continue photo essay work for publication, edit peer work, and study the history of photojournalism. Students will play a role in photo editing for RHS publications. Photojournalism II staff members will collaborate with other classes to produce student communication in broadcast, social media, and on the web

 

This technical and vocational education class is an independent study program for those students wishing to pursue a capstone leadership position in a production class of student media. It is embedded within a communications course and is designed to allow students to explore leadership roles. Requires teacher approval.

 

Grade Level: 9 – 11

Prerequisite: None

Voluntary Class Contribution

This introductory course is a problem-based, student-centered course that utilizes real world medical scenarios to introduce students to the field of health sciences and kinesiology. This course is designed for students to develop a general awareness of health careers and specific preparation for occupations such as, athletic training, physical therapy, EMT, etc. Instruction focuses on foundational aspects of sports medicine, covering a comprehensive range of topics including career exploration, ethical, legal, and medical terminology. Students gain a core understanding of anatomy and its application to common injuries, followed by hands-on training in taping, bracing & wrapping techniques. Additional critical components of the curriculum include covering basic components of sports psychology, sports nutrition, and foundational principles of strength training. Students are given the opportunity to guide their own learning through hands-on laboratory exercises, collaborative research assignments, and independent, problem-based discovery activities.

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Prerequisite: Successful completed of Sports Medicine I with a "B" or better.

Voluntary Class Contribution

This concentrator course builds directly on the concepts taught in Sports Medicine I and advances student training to On-the-Field & Off-the-Field care. The course focuses specifically on acute care & emergency procedures and evaluation, introducing the skills necessary for immediate injury management and clinical assessment. Key learning objectives include performing the primary and secondary surveys for injury assessment, creating and implementing an emergency action plan (EAP), and obtaining American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid certification. Students master emergency techniques such as splinting, equipment removal, and safe transportation of the Injured patient. A major component involves thorough injury evaluation using the H.O.P.S. method to diagnose and manage injuries across all body regions, including lower extremities, upper extremities, thorax & abdomen, and the head, face, eyes, ears, nose, and throat. The course also introduces the theory and use of therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation techniques.

 

Grade Level: 11 – 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Sports Medicine II with a "B" or better.

Voluntary Class Contribution

Grade Level: 9 – 12  

Prerequisite: None

Voluntary Class Contribution

Video Production I is an introduction class designed to provide students with an artistic, creative and historical background in the fields of video, broadcasting, and film production. In addition, this course provides instruction and training in pre-production, production and post production phases of project development. Students will learn about video storytelling and have hands-on experience in making their own videos with both mobile technologies as well as cameras and video editing software. This class serves as a prerequisite for the CTE courses of Film and Broadcasting.

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12 

Prerequisite: Video Production I

Voluntary Class Contribution

This intermediate course will expand upon the skills learned in Video Production I and demonstrate the two career fields which a video background can prepare them for; Film and Broadcast Journalism. Students will learn to write broadcast copy for the news, advanced video editing, producing segments for the school news show, and advanced filmmaking. This course is designed to instill knowledge and promote the exploration of visual storytelling. Students learn the various aspects of the pre-production, production, and post-production cycles as well as the various roles and responsibilities of the production team through hands-on application and analysis. Academic achievement, creative self -expression, social responsibility and life-long learning are nurtured. Students will be using industry standard cameras and software including the Adobe Creative Cloud. 

  

Grade Level: 11 – 12 

Prerequisite: Video Production I & II

Voluntary Class Contribution

work for college and career success.  By overseeing the RHS “We Are Rocklin” news show and producing video content for various school programs , students will further develop their video production skills while being introduced to careers and vocational pathways in the news industry. This course provides solid foundational knowledge for students who intend to explore Communications, Broadcasting and Film Studies majors at the university level. 

 

Grade Level: 11 – 12 

Prerequisite: Video Production III 

Voluntary Class Contribution

This capstone course is designed for students who have an interest in communications, broadcasting or video production as a career or as a college major. This class will be responsible for producing a weekly news feature to be aired on the school’s live morning news show. This class will focus on all aspects of live field and studio production. Students are encouraged to produce work for entry into one of the dozens of video production or digital media festivals going on each year. As part of their grade, all broadcasting students are expected to participate as a production crew member for school related events per semester. This course will also teach advanced skills important for students who go on to Communications or Broadcasting careers or as Communications or Film majors at the university level. 

 

Grade Level: 10 – 12
Prerequisite: Video Production I