Academics

Our Curriculum

The dTHS Academic Journey

Where our students are Empowered to Succeed and Lead  
The academic program at de Toledo engages students in an educational journey designed to provide the skills needed to succeed and lead in the 21st century. Emphasizing relevant and rigorous standards, the dTHS academic journey is designed to help create a strong foundation for a meaningful life based upon eternal Jewish values and traditions, while incorporating the ideals of the Great American Experiment. de Toledo graduates emerge from four years of study with
intellectual acuity and curiosity, outstanding character and grit, and a deep sense of identity and purpose.

List of 5 items.

  • Core Curriculum

    The academic core curriculum at de Toledo High School is comprised of:
    • English
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • Hebrew
    • Jewish Studies
    • Jewish Civilization (Visual and Performing Arts)
    Within each department, there are multiple offerings at each level, including college preparatory classes, honors classes, and Advanced Placement classes.
  • Electives

    Each year, a student may choose electives dependent upon the level of challenge in the student’s core program. Some electives are rigorous academic courses, while others are less demanding in terms of out-of-class preparation. Still, others need permission from the instructor prior to enrollment. Electives may be chosen from the following:
    • Advanced Beit Midrash Honors (11-12)
    • Advanced Jazz Combo Honors
    • Advanced Photography
    • Aerial Dance
    • American Sign Language 1
    • American Sign Language 2
    • American Sign Language 3
    • American Sign Language 4
    • Anatomy & Physiology Honors (10-12)
    • AP Computer Science A (11-12)
    • AP Environmental Science (10-12)
    • AP European History (10-12)
    • AP Music Theory
    • AP Psychology (11-12)
    • AP Spanish Language & Culture
    • AP Statistics
    • AP Studio Art: 2D Design
    • AP Studio Art: 3D Design
    • AP Studio Art: Drawing
    • Applications to Engineering Honors (10-12)
    • Art & Artists 2D
    • Art & Artists 3D
    • Art 2D: Skill Building
    • Art 3D: Skill Building
    • Astronomy (11-12)
    • Comparative Religious Studies (11-12) (S)
    • Dramatic Writing
    • Earth Science (10-12)
    • Entrepreneurship (12)
    • Film Studies 1
    • Film Studies 2
    • Fitness
    • Graphic Design 1
    • Graphic Design 2
    • Instrumental Ensemble: Pop/Rock Band
    • Introduction to Computer Science
    • Introduction to Engineering (9-11)
    • Introduction to Environmental Science (10-12)
    • Introduction to Medical Science (10)
    • Introduction to Theatre
    • Israeli Dance
    • Jazz Ensemble
    • Jewish Lifecycle: Sunrise, Sunset (11-12) (S)
    • Jewish Spiritual Practice (11-12) (S)
    • Jewish Texts: Rabbinics Gender (11-12) (S)
    • Jewish Texts: Rabbinics Environment (11-12) (S)
    • Jewish Texts: Speech and Debate 1 (10-12)
    • Jewish Texts: Speech and Debate 2 (11-12)
    • Jewish Texts: Speech and Debate 3 (12)
    • Jewish Theology: Grappling with God (11-12) (S)
    • Journalism and Publication: Print, Podcast, Broadcast
    • Media Arts 1
    • Media Arts 2
    • Mock Trial (S)
    • Modern Dance
    • Modern Jewish Thought (11) (S)
    • Photography
    • Personal Finance and Economics (11-12) (S)
    • Roots to Fruits: Explorations of Jewish Life (11-12) (S)
    • Scientific Research Methods (10-12)
    • Screenwriting (S)
    • Sex, Gender and Religion (11-12) (S)
    • Songwriting and Technology: Music Production 1
    • Songwriting and Technology: Music Production 2
    • Spanish 1
    • Spanish 2
    • Spanish 3
    • Spanish 4
    • Spanish 3 - Honors
    • Spanish 4 - Honors
    • Spanish Literature and Culture
    • Speech Performance
    • Spirulina Research (10-12)
    • Stagecraft
    • Statistics (11-12)
    • Talmud 1
    • Talmud 2
    • Talmud 3 Honors
    • Talmud 4 Honors
    • Tanakh 1: Beginnings: Foundations and Identity
    • Development (9)
    • Tanakh 2: Rediscovering the Exodus (10)
    • Tanakh 3 Honors: The Tanakh as a Human Rights
    • Document (11)
    • Tanakh 4 Honors: Responsibility and the Burlesque – The
    • Literary Artistry of Jonah, Esther and Ruth (12)
    • Tefillah Kehillah Institute I (TKI I) (10-12)
    • Tefillah Kehillah Institute II Honors (TKI II H) (11-12)
    • Theatre Honors (10-12)
    • Trigonometry and Advanced Algebra
    • Video Production 1
    • Video Production 2
    • Vocal Ensemble
    • Yoga
    • After School:
    • Band Boost: Beginning Winds and Percussion
    • Musical Theatre Production
    • Pit Band
    • Stagecraft
    • STEAM Academy
  • Jewish Studies

    The Jewish Studies Department of de Toledo High School seeks
    to educate and empower students and community members to:
    • Claim Judaism as their own
    • Be literate Jews
    • Participate in meaningful community
    • Shape their moral character through Jewish values

    In text classes, we ground discussion in classical Jewish Text–primarily the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), Mishnah, and Talmud. The language comes alive as we teach our students to look at these texts from many different angles, just as one captures the radiance of a diamond by looking at its many facets. Seeing a text or an issue from multiple perspectives makes for great students, great citizens, great connectors, and great leaders in every field and endeavor. Anchored in tradition and immersed in the present, Jewish Studies faculty guides our students in Holy Remembering and inspired action today.

    In addition, de Toledo High School offers courses that center on core Jewish history and philosophy. In classes such as Shoah, Wisdom/Hokhma, Israel, and Jewish Philosophy, students engage with the enduring lessons that have emerged from the place of the Jewish people in the larger world, the harrowing passages and triumphs both. Each of these courses deepens understanding of foundational Jewish historical experiences with the aim of bringing vital insights to the present life of the Jewish community and the world beyond.

    Students also have the opportunity to take experience-driven classes such as Jewish Spirituality, where encounters with and reflection upon Jewish living provide enduring wisdom and insight.

    Through text, history, and experience, the Jewish Studies department empowers students to continue to live a life imbued with kedushah, holiness, purpose, and engagement with the world.
  • Physical Education

    The de Toledo High School Physical Education requirement may be satisfied using any one of three options:
    1. Four sections of team sports
    2. Six sections of physical education classes (fall-winter-spring seasons each year)
    3. Six seasons of any combination of physical education classes and team sports

    The P.E. requirement must be completed by the end of Junior year.
  • Graduation Requirements

    English
    4 years

    Community Service

    9th & 10th grade – 20 hours
    11th grade – 26 hours
    12th grade – 26 hours

    Hebrew

    3 years (consecutively from year of enrollment), 4 recommended

    History

    3.5 years, 4 recommended

    Jewish Civilization

    2.5 years (includes 9th grade arts introduction, JCIV-Health, JCIV-approved VPA, and 1 semester of Shoah)

    Jewish Studies

    4 years (including a semester of Wisdom/Israel 101)

    Mathematics

    3 years, 4 recommended (including successful completion of Algebra 2, Algebra 2-Honors, or Intermediate Algebra)

    Physical Education

    2 years or six points: to be completed by six sections of PE (1 point each), four sections of team sports (1.5 points each), or any combination that equals six points (recommended completion by the end of Junior Year)

    Science

    3 years of core science (9-11), 4 recommended

    Drishat Shalom Portfolio

    4 years including final draft and delivery

    Senior Capstone

    The Capstone is composed of an intensive internship, coupled with an innovative approach to educating second semester seniors through “adulting” seminars on topics of financial, sexual, social health, and wellness.

    The program includes Monday through Thursday off-campus internship and mandatory Friday on-campus meetings, as well as an evaluation by teacher or mentor. It is a Pass/No Pass graduation requirement.

    Visual/Performing Arts

    1 Year long course (this may be met with JCIV-approved VPA requirement)


Located in the San Fernando Valley portion of the City of Los Angeles in Northern Los Angeles County. de Toledo High School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Builders of Jewish Education (BJE,) and financially supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Jim Joseph Foundation.