Academic Departments
Career and Technical Education
- Career and technical education classes at DeKalb High School (DHS) include:
- Agricultural education
- Business education
- Technology education
- Graphics
- Materials and fabrication
- Family and consumer sciences
Driver Education
Our driver education class is intended for students who are 15 years old. It teaches them the “rules of the road" and provides opportunities to practice driving.
Humanities
Students are required to take four years of English/humanities. Colleges have varying entrance requirements for English, and what is accepted for credit by one college may not be accepted by another. Students should check the course catalog of the college they want to attend to ensure the courses they choose meet the college’s English requirement.
Literacy
No content on current site for literacy
Mathematics
It’s the philosophy of the DHS math department that:
- Students should be placed in an appropriate course that challenges them.
- Students must study and complete assignments outside class to master new material.
- Students should become proficient with technology without becoming dependent upon it.
- Successful completion of prerequisite material is necessary before moving to the next level.
Music
Learning about and performing music promotes creativity, communication and other skills. There are several music classes and opportunities at DHS:
Physical Education (PE) and Health
The PE and health classes at DHS are intended to encourage students to live an active, healthy lifestyle by showing them how to incorporate positive habits into everyday life.
Science
Students who plan to go to college should take a minimum of three years of science. Students planning to major in the sciences or engineering should take four years of science.
View scientific safety data sheets for chemicals used in some classes.
Social Studies
The DHS social studies department follows the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, which state that “Our work should illuminate the essential connection between social studies learning, democratic values, and positive citizenship. As a people, then, our first priority is to ensure our survival as a free nation through the development of students who can assume the office of citizen. And so each and every social studies educator must be willing and able to give birth again to the American dream; in each new generation; in each new child."
Special Education
DHS special education programs and services include:
- S.O.A.L. Program
- Assisted studies and reading
- Targeted learning
Visual Arts
Art classes offered by DHS help students develop their artistic style and apply creative problem-solving to projects. Students learn about photography, ceramics, drawing and painting. They also experience a variety of media including graphite, pen and ink, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, colored pencil, collage, fibers, print-making, acrylic painting and sculpting.
World Languages
World language classes help students build cultural awareness as they gain speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in another language.
DHS offers the following language classes:
- Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III Honors, Spanish IV Honors, AP Spanish V, Spanish for Spanish Speakers
- French I, French II, French III Honors, French IV Honors
- English as a second language (ESL) classes
- Transitional bilingual education classes