The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) is committed to providing effective and evidence-based K-12 literacy instruction. The English Language Arts (ELA) Standards, which are the focus of a strong core literacy program, define the knowledge, understanding, and skills that all students need to be ready to succeed in college, careers, and life. The standards are aligned to Arizona's English Language Arts Standards and work together in a clear progression from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students are actively engaged in the processes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, language use, and vocabulary. Although the standards are divided into separate strands for conceptual clarity, the processes of communication are closely connected. As students advance through the grades and master the standards, they are able to exhibit with increasing depth and consistency, the following capacities of a literate individual:
The scope of the English language arts extends beyond the ELA classroom. All disciplines have recognized the importance of literacy to their own subject areas as the vehicle through which important content learning occurs. Each of these subject areas has its own required set of standards, specifying the content knowledge and skills in that area. The ELA standards are designed to connect with and support learning the standards of other content areas. Proficient use of the English language enables students to explore and articulate the complex issues and ideas encountered in public and personal life.
Introduction to the English Language Arts (PDF)
Elementary
Kindergarten ELA Standards (PDF)
Middle School
Approved Middle School Literature Titles (PDF)
High School
Approved High School Literature Titles (PDF)
English 9 and Honors English 9 (PDF)
English 10 and Honors English 10 (PDF)
English 11 and English 12 (PDF)
Creative Writing: Art, Meaning, and Story (PDF)
Student Leadership (PDF)
The following AP courses are offered at the high school. The curriculum that is prescribed by the College Board is used in these courses.
AP Language and Composition (PDF)
AP Literature and Composition (PDF)
AP Seminar (PDF) (AP Capstone)
AP Research (PDF) (AP Capstone)
Health education is an integral component of a comprehensive program of study for all students in the Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD). A health education program that addresses the physical, intellectual/mental, emotional, and social aspects of health teaches students how to maintain and improve their health; prevent disease; reduce health-related risk behaviors; develop health knowledge, skills, and attitudes that foster academic performance at school; and become healthy, successful adults who are productive members of their communities.
The CFSD Health and Wellness framework presents a sequential K-12 plan for teaching students the information and skills they need to become health literate and maintain and improve their health. The standards are aligned to the Arizona Health Education Standards and the National Health Education Standards. They are designed to help students develop and demonstrate increasingly sophisticated health-related knowledge, skills, and practices.
Human Growth and Development is an optional curriculum taught at the fifth through 9th grade levels as a component of CFSD's K-2 Comprehensive Health Curriculum. In accordance with state statute, written parental permission is a requirement for student participation in the curriculum's designated lessons. Per Arizona Statute, parents must "opt in" to CFSD's Human Growth and Development curriculum.
Introduction to the Health Standards | Introduction to Human Growth & Development - Grades 5-9 (PDF)
Elementary
Middle School
High School
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) mathematics program is comprehensive and challenging. Grade level content and/or courses are aligned to the Arizona Mathematics Standards. The focus of the standards is on developing conceptual understanding as well as procedural fluency and skills. In CFSD classrooms, students are engaged in authentic learning activities that encourage collaborative discussions about strategies for solving math problems and tasks. Students reason and problem solve as they apply and communicate their mathematical understandings. The goal is to provide every student with the greatest opportunity for growth and achievement in mathematics.
Elementary students can access the advanced mathematics curriculum in the Extended Math Program or in a general education classroom through differentiation. Placement is based on demonstrated performance and teaching/learning structures may vary at individual sites. At the middle school level, students who are on an advanced learning path have the opportunity to take Algebra I and Honors Geometry if they meet the course requirements and criteria. Student placement into advanced courses such as Honors Algebra 2 may require attendance at the high school. Busing will be arranged to take students to and from the high school. Additionally, students who are placed into high school courses beyond Algebra I are dually enrolled; that is they are enrolled at the high school for for math and enrolled at the middle school for all other courses. These students will receive transcripted grades for these high school math classes. Students must continue to meet course requirements and criteria in order to be placed in successive honors courses.
Introduction to Mathematics (PDF) | CFSD K-12 Mathematics Pathways (PDF) | CFSD Middle & High School Course-Taking Pathways (PDF)
Elementary
Extended Math Program Overview (PDF)
Eligibility Criteria for Extended Math Placement (PDF)
Kindergarten Mathematics (PDF)
Middle School
Eligibility Criteria for Math Placement (PDF)
High School
Math Placement: Transfer Students (PDF)
Eligibility Criteria for Math Placement (PDF)
Statistics and Discrete Mathematics (PDF)
Applications of Mathematics (PDF)
The following AP courses are offered at the high school. The curriculum prescribed by the College Board is used in these courses.
(1) AP Precalculus (PDF)
(2) AP Calculus AB (PDF)
(3) AP Calculus BC (PDF)
(4) AP Statistics (PDF)
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) has a long-standing commitment to providing students with a comprehensive arts education. The arts are an essential part of a total program of study, and also contribute to raising overall student achievement. Artistically literate graduates are well-equipped with the creativity, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborative skills necessary to live rich, meaningful lives.
The CFSD Academic Standards in the Visual and Performing Arts embrace the idea of artistic literacy – the ability of students to create art, perform and present art, respond to or critique art, and connect art to their lives and the world around them. Developing artistic literacy in our students is the overarching goal of arts learning and programming in CFSD.
The organization of the standards reflects the importance of separate arts disciplines (e.g., music, theatre, visual arts, media arts) as one common body of knowledge and skills, while still pointing to the unique requirements of individual disciplines. An essential goal of the standards is that all students have regular, sequential arts instruction throughout their K-12 education.
Introduction to Visual & Performing Arts (PDF)
Elementary
Kindergarten General Music (PDF)
Elementary (GR4-5) Choir (PDF)
Elementary (GR4-5) Orchestra (PDF)
Middle School
Music Ensemble (Choir) - Novice (PDF)
Music Ensemble (Choir) - Intermediate (PDF)
Instrumental Music (Band) - Novice (PDF)
Instrumental Music (Band) - Intermediate (PDF)
Instrumental Music (Orchestra) - Novice (PDF)
Instrumental Music (Orchestra) - Intermediate (PDF)
High School
Band: Accomplished-Advanced (PDF)
Steel Drums: Accomplished-Advanced (PDF)
Beginning Guitar: Proficient (PDF)
Intermediate Guitar: Accomplished (PDF)
Advanced Guitar: Accomplished-Advanced (PDF)
Concert Orchestra: Proficient (PDF)
Sinfonia Orchestra and Symphonic Strings: Accomplished-Advanced (PDF)
Theatre Fundamentals: Proficient (PDF)
Introduction to Physical Education (PDF) | Scope & Sequence for K-12 Motor Skills and Movement Patterns (PDF)
Elementary
Middle School
Grade 6 Physical Education (PDF)
Grade 7 Physical Education (PDF)
Grade 8 Physical Education (PDF)
High School
High School Physical Education (PDF)
High School physical education courses are based on the same set
of physical education standards (above). The following physical
education courses are offered at the high school:
Group Fitness:
(1) Recreational Fitness - Silver
(2) Recreational Fitness - Blue
(3) Lifetime Sports & Fitness
Individual Fitness:
(1) Cardio Fitness
(2) Strength & Fitness
(3) Intermediate Strength & Fitness
(4) Advanced Strength & Fitness
(5) The Fit Female
Science
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) Science Standards articulate a vision for education in the sciences and engineering that reflect how real life scientists and engineers practice their craft. A fundamental goal of science education is to help students determine how the world works and make sense of phenomena in the natural world. In the science classroom, a carefully chosen phenomenon can drive student inquiry and add relevance to science learning. To develop a scientific understanding of the natural world, students must be able to ask questions, gather information, reason about that information and connect it to scientific principles, theories, or models, and then effectively communicate their understanding and reasoning.
The CFSD Science Standards, which are aligned to the Arizona Science Standards, set the expectations for what all students need to know, understand, and be able to do as a result of their K-12 study of science. They are distinct from prior science standards in that they integrate three dimensions of learning within each standard (3-D Science). The three dimensions of science learning are the Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas for knowing and using science. Each dimension works with the other to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. The interrelationships of the three dimensions that make up each standard emphasize what it means to think and learn like a scientist and engineer.
Introduction to K-8 Science Standards (PDF) | Introduction to 9-12 Science Standards (PDF)
K-2 Science & Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts (PDF) | 3-5 Science & Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts (PDF)
6-8 Science & Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts (PDF) | 9-12 Science & Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts (PDF)
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Biology & Honors Biology (PDF)
Chemistry & Honors Chemistry (PDF)
Chemistry: Intro to Biotechnology (PDF)
Physics & Honors Physics (PDF)
Honors Advanced Field Science (PDF)
Applications of Biotechnology (PDF)
Anatomy & Physiology (Sports Medicine 1) (PDF)
The following AP courses are offered at the high school. The curriculum prescribed by the College Board is used in these courses.
(1) AP Biology (PDF)
(2) AP Chemistry (PDF)
(3) AP Physics C (PDF)
(4) AP Environmental Science (PDF)
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) social studies standards are aligned to the Arizona History and Social Science Standards. The standards are organized into five social studies content areas. Within these content areas are four to five major core concepts referred to as Anchor Standards. Grade level standards support these Anchor Standards. There are twenty-one Anchor Standards. Seventeen of these Anchor Standards center around the content areas of civics, economics, geography, and history. The remaining four standards focus on the disciplinary skills and processes that all students need to know and apply to any historical era, context, or content area. Using these tools, students think like historians, geographers, political scientists, and economists. These skills and processes are especially critical in a time when students are exposed to massive amounts of information in numerous forms and must develop the skills to make sense of it.
Children and adolescents are naturally curious and have unlimited questions. Learning to investigate questions in the social studies discipline areas results in a deeper understanding of content and a stronger connection to the material. Students gather and evaluate evidence, formulate arguments, critique counter claims, and communicate their conclusions through many modes including writing, speaking, and visual representations.
Introduction to Social Studies (PDF)
Elementary
Kindergarten Social Studies (PDF) (Children as Citizens)
Grade 1 Social Studies (PDF) (Communities)
Grade 2 Social Studies (PDF) (World Around Me)
Grade 3 Social Studies (PDF) (Arizona Studies)
Grade 4 Social Studies (PDF) (Regions and Cultures of the Americas)
Grade 5 Social Studies (PDF) (U.S. Studies- American Revolution to Industrialism)
Middle School
Grade 6 Social Studies (PDF) (Global Studies)
Grade 7 Social Studies (PDF) (Integrated Global Studies)
Grade 8 Social Studies (PDF) (Citizenship and Civic Engagement)
High School
Perspectives on Modern History (PDF)
United States Government (PDF)
Student Leadership (PDF)
The following AP courses are offered at the high school. The curriculum prescribed by the College Board is used in these courses.
(1) AP World History: Modern
(2) AP United States History (PDF)
(3) AP United States Government (PDF)
(4) AP Microeconomics (PDF)
(5) AP Psychology
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) has a long-standing commitment to providing students with a comprehensive arts education. The arts are an essential part of a total program of study, and also contribute to raising overall student achievement. Artistically literate graduates are well-equipped with the creativity, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborative skills necessary to live rich, meaningful lives.
The CFSD Academic Standards in the Visual and Performing Arts embrace the idea of artistic literacy – the ability of students to create art, perform and present art, respond to or critique art, and connect art to their lives and the world around them. Developing artistic literacy in our students is the overarching goal of arts learning and programming in CFSD.
The organization of the standards reflects the importance of separate arts disciplines (e.g., music, theatre, visual arts, media arts) as one common body of knowledge and skills, while still pointing to the unique requirements of individual disciplines. An essential goal of the standards is that all students have regular, sequential arts instruction throughout their K-12 education.
Introduction to Visual and Performing Arts (PDF)
Elementary
Kindergarten Visual Arts (PDF)
Middle School
High School
Ceramics & Sculpture 1 - Proficient (PDF)
Ceramics & Sculpture 2 - Accomplished (PDF)
Studio Art 1 - Proficient (PDF)
Studio Art 2 - Accomplished (PDF)
Studio Art 3 & 4 - Accomplished / Advanced (PDF)
Graphic Design 1 - Proficient (PDF)
Graphic Design 2 & 3 - Accomplished/Advanced (PDF)
Digital Photography - Proficient (PDF)
Digital Photography 2 & 3 - Accomplished / Advanced (PDF)
The following AP courses are offered at the high school. The curriculum prescribed by the College Board is used in these courses.
(1) AP Studio Art: 2-Dimensional Design
(2) AP Studio Art: 3-Dimensional Design
Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) students are part of a dynamic, interconnected, and technologically driven global society. Learning to effectively communicate in more than one language, with an appropriate understanding of cultural contexts, is an essential goal for all students that prepares them to compete and collaborate internationally.
CFSD developed the World Languages standards and a K-12 program of study that supports a common vision about language learning - a vision that articulates language learning at the elementary, middle, and high school levels so that CFSD students may achieve a high level of language proficiency.
Learning a language is a complex process, whether the language is acquired in infancy as a first language or later in life as a second or third language. In either case, the learning process consists of acquiring a language system rather than learning a series of disconnected components. A language system consists of not only vocabulary and grammar rules, but also such elements as gestures and other forms of nonverbal communication. A language system also includes discourse, whereby speakers learn what to say to whom and when. In addition to gaining experience with language systems, studying other languages provides students with knowledge of the richness of the cultures of the languages being learned. CFSD students develop an awareness of other people, their unique ways of life, and their contributions to the world. The specific elements of culture to be learned will vary by language, and even within languages.
Language Proficiency Articulation Chart for Spanish (PDF)
Language Proficiency Articulation Chart for Chinese (PDF)
Arizona Seal of Biliteracy | Tips for Language Learning (PDF)
Elementary
Middle School
MS Spanish Exploring Culture-6th, Investigating Culture-7th, and Bridging Cultures-8th (PDF)
Introduction to CFSD Global Solutions Program (PDF)
Grade 6 Global Citizens (Spanish) (PDF)
Grade 7 Global Perspectives (Spanish) (PDF)
Grade 8 Global Connections (Spanish) (PDF)
Introduction to CFSD Middle School Mandarin Chinese Program (PDF)
Grade 6 Exploring Culture (Mandarin Chinese) (PDF)
Grade 7 Investigating Culture (Mandarin Chinese) (PDF)
Grade 8 Bridging Cultures (Mandarin Chinese) (PDF)
High School
Spanish 1-4 & Honors Hispanic Culture Through Film (PDF)
The following AP courses are offered at the high school. They curriculum prescribed by the College Board is used in these courses.
(1) AP Spanish Language & Culture (PDF)
(2) AP Spanish Literature & Culture (PDF)
(3) AP Chinese Language & Culture (PDF)
Career and Technical Education (CTE) engages students and prepares them with the academic and technical skills they need for fulfilling careers in vital, in-demand industries and occupations. Foundational to CTE are rigorous program technical standards developed by business and industry. In addition, CTE prepares learners for the world of work through professional skills standards and by making academic content accessible to students in hands-on, authentic contexts. Students also have the opportunity to participate in career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) outside of the classroom where they can continue to grow and develop their skills and compete in their selected program(s).
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) offers a robust selection of educational experiences within ten (10) CTE program programs/pathways. Students have the opportunity to earn industry recognized certifications and dual enrollment credits (applicable courses only) through our CTE pathways. The following CTE programs/pathways are available at Catalina Foothills High School (CFHS):
Learn more about CFSD's Career and Technical Education programs/pathways.
CFSD is a member of the Pima Joint Technical Education District (JTED). In conjunction with business and industry, JTED provides Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs for students that focus upon both the educational and employment needs of Pima County. CTE/JTED courses provide access to state-of-the art equipment and training programs in a variety of career pathways, offer articulated college-level credit (applicable courses only), offer the opportunity for industry certifications, and the opportunity to work at an advanced level in a variety of career areas. CFHS Students interested in off-site JTED courses should see the CFHS CTE/JTED counselor for registration information. These courses are free to CFHS students and credits earned will be noted on the CFHS transcript. Info at Pima JTED Programs.
Grounded in industry-developed standards, CTE equips students with the technical and professional skills they need to thrive. Many students also participate in Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), where they take on leadership roles, compete, and collaborate beyond the classroom.
📽️ Watch the video below to see how CTE students at CFHS are leading, learning, and making an impact.
👉 Leaders in the Making: The CTE Experience at CFHS
Graphic Design Publication (creation of all-digital book using digital photography and publishing programs)
Chemistry: Intro to Biotechnology (PDF)
Applications of Biotechnology (PDF) (UA MCB 101)
Advanced Biotechnology (PDF) (UA MCB 102)
Introduction to Engineering Design (PDF)
Principles of Engineering (PDF)
Engineering Design & Development (UA Engineering 102)
Business Management 2 (PDF) (Business Development and Administration)
Business Management 2 (PDF) (Applied Business Systems)
Early Childhood Education 1 (PDF) (PCC ECE 117 and ECE 118)
Early Childhood Education 2 (PDF) (PCC ECE 125 and ECE 226)
Early Childhood Education 3 (PDF) (coming in 2025-2026)
Intermediate Theater Production (PDF)
Advanced Theatre Production 1 & 2 (PDF)
Advanced Theatre Production Internship (Students enrolled in this course may have the opportunity to participate in a theatre production internship at CFHS.)
AP Computer Science Principles (The curriculum prescribed by the College Board is used in this course)
AP Computer Science A (The curriculum prescribed by the College Board is used in this course)