Upper School Profile

SCHOOL CODE
052741

ADMINISTRATION
Head of School: Tom Bennett PhD
Principal: Mr. Matt Hannan
Assistant Principal: Pamela Oden
Athletic Director: Mr. Ross Boucher
College Counselors: Mr. Steve Strimple and Mrs. Nancy Olah
Registrar: Mrs. Julie Brown

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Founded in 1977, Santa Fe Christian is a coeducational independent college preparatory day school serving 950 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is located in Solana Beach, a primarily residential coastal suburb of San Diego, twenty miles north of downtown. The student body fairly represents the diversity of the community. Partial needs-based financial assistance is available.

MISSION
The mission of Santa Fe Christian Schools is to partner with Christian parents within a Bible-based community, in order to disciple students to embrace biblical truth, strive for academic excellence, and model Christ-like leadership to influence their homes, churches, and communities for Christ.

ACCREDITATION/AFFILIATION
Western Association of Schools and Colleges; Association of Christian Schools International; National and Western Associations of College Admission Counselors; National Association of Secondary School Principals.

STUDENT BODY
Kindergarten through Grade 12 : 952
Upper School Grades 9 - 12 : 356
Senior Class: 83
Upper School Student/Teacher Ratio (average class size is 18) 14:1

CALENDAR
2 semesters, 6 term grading system; seven 55 minute rotating class periods, all meeting 4 days a week.

UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY
36 teachers; 44% with advanced degrees

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students who attend Santa Fe Christian for four years (9-12) must accumulate a minimum of 260 semester credits as outlined below - 10 credits earned for each year long course and 5 credits for each semester course passed with a D or better.

Bible (3 1/2 years; includes one semester of Health) 35 Science (3 years; Biology, Chemistry + 1 other) 30
English (4 years) 40 Social Studies (3 years) 30
Mathematics (3 years.)* 30 Visual & Performing Arts (1 year) 10
Modern & Classical Language (2 yrs.) 20  
Physical Education (2 years) 20 Additional electives (in any of the above listed departments) 35 +
Practical Arts (1 year - can be substituted with 1 additional VPA) 10  


*Sequence of courses is Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math Analysis, AP Calculus AB or Statistics. Students who take Algebra I in eighth grade must take Geometry, Algebra II, Math Analysis as the minimum requirement.

Community service hours are required of all students 9 through 12.


HONORS/AP COURSES
Honors courses are offered in English (6-10); Mathematics (Algebra II, PreCalculus); Science (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology; Physics); and Visual & Performing Arts (Advanced Art, Studio Art, Chamber Chorale).
Advanced Placement courses are offered in: English (English Language, English Literature); Mathematics (Statistics, Calculus AB and BC); Modern & Classical Languages (Spanish Language, French Language); Science (Chemistry, Physics); Social Studies (World History, US History, Government/Politics); Visual & Performing Arts (Studio Art).

CURRICULAR DISTINCTIVE
Santa Fe Christian Schools teaches all disciplines with a commitment to direct students to the truth. We believe that all truth is God’s truth and all our instruction centers on this belief. Bible classes cover Old and New Testament history, foundations of the faith, Christian apologetics, Ethics and Missions. SFC is committed to providing state-of-the-art educational technology tools for teachers and students.

GRADING

Letter Grade
Numerical Range
Regular Courses
Honors/AP Courses
A
90 - 100
4.0
5.0
B
80 - 89
3.0
4.0
C
70 - 79
2.0
3.0
D
60 - 69
1.0
1.0
F
Below 60
(60 and above is passing)
0
0

GPA COMPUTATION
The GPA is determined by adding the equivalent GPA quality points and dividing the total by the number of semester credits. Please note the following:
1. GPA is computed on all subjects taken at SFC, in grades 9 through 12, except Aide.
2. AP denotes Advanced Placement course; H denotes Honors course. Semester grades in all AP and Honors classes are weighted.

CLASS RANK
Santa Fe Christian Upper School does not report student class rank. Our students complete a college preparatory program and, because of the size of the senior class, class rank has proven to be an unreliable factor in predicting success in college for our students.