Academics

 
San Gabriel Mission High School offers a balanced curriculum which is based upon the principles and values set forth in the school’s ISO's, philosophy, goals, and objectives. The teachers and academic counselors help the students to set realistic, attainable goals. The school strives to graduate students who can offer sound intellectual and spiritual perspectives which will help renew the world and the Church. SGMHS is accredited by the WCEA/WASC and follows archdiocesan and state mandates.

San Gabriel Mission is a college preparatory high school.  Our students are required to take courses that will not only prepare them for college, but also fulfill the requirements to attend a 4-year university.  

The admission requirements for the University of California and California State University systems are extremely rigorous.  Students who receive a C- or better on an A-G courses are eligible for admission the the UC/CSU.For a listing of A-G approved courses please see the UC/CSU Approved Course List.

Equipped with state-of-the art computers, students are able to benefit from the latest in technological advances, both in the computer laboratories and classrooms.  Teachers use SMART Board Technology in the classes to engage the students in learning, and students utilize e-books and technology. In addition, Mission has three innovative science laboratories, a media room, dance/drama studio and library. Upon graduation, Mission students have a true sense of the highly developed technological advances used in both academic settings and the workplace.
Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in October which enables students to make more definite plans toward their academic future.

In October, classes are given a complete battery of Standardized Tests which help assess the sequential learning pattern and achievement of each student.  

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and ACT, or the College Entrance Examination Board, is taken by those students who plan to apply to four-year universities.  Juniors are encouraged to take the SAT/ACT in the Spring semester preceding their senior year.  The SAT/ACT gauges college success based upon verbal, written, and mathematical proficiency.  
Juniors are encouraged to take the SAT/ACT at least once in the Spring semester preceding their senior year.
Seniors are encouraged to take the SAT/ACT at least once in the Fall semester.
 
  • Standardized College Testing:
 
PSAT 8/9: 
  • “The PSAT 8/9 is the first exam in the College Board's "SAT Suite of Assessments". The purpose of the PSAT 8/9 is to establish a starting point in terms of college and career readiness as students transition to high school. It's a way for students to practice for the PSAT 10, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the SAT.”
        • All freshmen take the PSAT 8/9 during fall semester. 
        • Presentations are given before and after the exam to educate the students on the exam, and explain their test scores.
PSAT/PSAT NMSQT:
  • STAR Testing:
    • All STAR assessments are computer-adaptive tests (CATs).
    •  Computer-adaptive tests continually adjust the difficulty of each child’s test by choosing each test question based on the child’s previous response. If the child answers a question correctly, the difficulty level of the next item is increased. If the child misses a question, the difficulty level is decreased. CATs save testing time and spare your child the frustration of items that are too difficult and the boredom of items that are too easy.
    • STAR Testing is administered to all students three times a year.
    • English and Math Departments utilize the data to help better address the needs of our student population. 

Math UCLA assessment

To receive a high school diploma from San Gabriel Mission High School, a student must be enrolled in seven courses per semester and earn 240 credits throughout her four years.  An elective program provides students with the opportunity to earn additional units that will benefit them as they go on to college. In addition to completing 240 total credits, students are required to fulfill the following requirements.
 
  • Senior Research Project (See English department for details)
  • No F's in any classes
  • Service Learning Project/Hours
 
Credits Required for Graduation:
  • Religious Studies (40)
  • English Literature (40)
  • Mathematics (30)
  • Social Studies (30)
  • Laboratory Science (20)
  • Foreign Language (20)
  • Physical Education/Health (10)
  • Visual & Performing Arts (10)
  • Electives (40+)