Personalized Learning Through Academic Challenge
Rancho Solano’s High School provides students with a rigorous and engaging education that emphasizes critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and thorough college preparation. Our student-centered environment fosters inquiry, creativity, and a strong sense of community, ensuring that each student is empowered to pursue their academic interests and goals.
Beginning in the fall of 2025, Rancho Solano will expand opportunities for personalized learning in 9th and 10th grade, allowing students to choose the level of rigor for each of their core classes. Students may enroll in either College Prep (CP) courses, which follow a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, or Honors (H) courses, which include additional depth and complexity. This enhancement mirrors the flexibility currently available to 11th and 12th graders, ensuring that younger students can challenge themselves appropriately while maintaining a balanced academic experience.
Rancho Solano is the only private high school in the greater Phoenix area authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Recognized worldwide for developing analytical, globally-minded thinkers, the IB program supports our long-standing commitment to academic excellence and student-driven learning. In 11th and 12th grade, students personalize their schedules by selecting IB Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) courses, IB certificate courses, or non-IB electives that align with their interests.
Small class sizes and an integrated, inquiry-based curriculum allow students to explore their passions while developing strong writing, research, and critical thinking skills. An interdisciplinary humanities approach provides students with cultural touchstones and shared experiences, enhancing their ability to engage meaningfully with complex ideas. Regardless of whether a student pursues the IB Diploma, Honors courses, or the College Prep pathway, all Rancho Solano students benefit from a challenging curriculum designed to prepare them for success at top universities and beyond.
At Rancho Solano, we recognize that each student’s academic journey is unique. By providing multiple pathways to success, we ensure that all students are supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential in an ever-evolving world.
If you would like to learn more about becoming part of the Rancho Solano Preparatory School family, please request more information or see our overview of the admissions process.
High School Curriculum
Ninth Through Twelfth Grade
The grade nine and ten English curriculum prepares students for the rigorous IB program they will undertake as juniors and seniors. The curriculum also builds the writing, research and critical thinking skills students need to be successful in college and beyond.
Reading assignments, written work and class discussions stimulate critical thinking skills. Students will develop excellent research and presentation skills while gaining a deeper understanding of cultural studies, literature and the written word. Coursework promotes appreciation for the interplay between culture, art, mathematics, science and music while building language arts skills.
Core Courses include:
- English I: American Literature and Composition
- English II: British Literature and Composition
- English III: World Literature
- English IV: Non Fiction/Contemporary Literature
- IB English Language & Literature – offered at the Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL)
Students in grades nine and ten will develop the conceptual skills needed for success in the IB Programme offered to grades eleven and twelve. Class placement is based upon skill level, academic readiness, and future scholastic goals.
At every level, students learn math vocabulary, solve contextual problems, and develop critical thinking skills. Through rigorous coursework, students learn to communicate mathematical ideas clearly and demonstrate their understanding of mathematical topics.
Core Courses include:
- High School Math: Integrated 1
- High School Math: Integrated 2
- High School Math: Integrated 3
- Pre-Calculus
- Probability and Statistics
- IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations – Standard Level (SL)
- IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches – Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL)
Rancho Prep follows an innovative and research based approach to science education. Students typically complete Chemistry during grade nine followed by Physics in grade ten with the opportunity for additional science electives at every grade level. Students are able to pursue advanced coursework in physics, chemistry and biology in the IB programme.
Science courses at Rancho Prep are conceptually based and aimed at fostering critical thinking skills. The primary focus is building students’ understanding of the underlying concepts and processes rather than simple memorization of content. All courses combine classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory, research and in-depth projects.
Core Courses include:
- Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Earth Science
- IB Biology- offered at the Standard Level and Higher Level.
- IB Chemistry- offered at the Standard Level and Higher Level.
- IB Physics- offered at the Standard Level and Higher Level.
The Social Sciences offer a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for the IB Programme. Students learn not only how to read, write and think, but also to work collaboratively, research, and assess and apply information in new ways.
Our coursework promotes global awareness and understanding of the relationships between culture, history, politics and economics, both in the past and the present.
Core Courses include:
- World History
- United States History
- Economics
- American Government
- IB Psychology- IB Psychology is offered only at SL.
- IB Economics- IB Economics is offered at both SL and HL.
- IB History- IB History is offered at both SL and HL.
Students learn to embrace the study of world languages through activities that integrate reading, writing, speaking and listening with cultural awareness.
As students move toward the IB World Language curriculum, they learn to engage in critical thinking, reflection, observation and critique in the target language. The Prep curriculum stimulates internalization and application of the material rather than rote memorization.
Core Courses include:
- French I
- French II
- French III
- French IV
- French V
- IB French Language B – offered at SL and HL.
- IB French Ab Initio – offered only at SL.
- Mandarin I
- Mandarin II
- Mandarin III
- Mandarin AB Initio – offered only at SL.
- Spanish I
- Spanish II
- Spanish III
- Spanish IV
- Spanish V
- IB Spanish – offered at SL and HL.
- IB Spanish Ab Initio – offered only at SL.
Performing Arts
Our Upper School Performing Arts Department offers both performance and theoretical based classes:
- Jazz Band
- Choir
- Dance
- Chamber Orchestra
- Theatre
Visual Arts
Our visual art curriculum incorporates drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and more, providing a strong foundation for students who pursue IB-level art. Students develop an understanding of the role of art in our increasingly visual and international world.
Visual Arts Courses:
- Drawing I
- Drawing II
- Introduction to Painting
- Foundations of Sculpture
- Digital Art
- IB Visual Arts- Visual Art is offered at both SL and HL.
Students choose from our elective offerings to pursue their individual interests and fulfill graduation requirements. These courses offer opportunities like learning about leading a healthy lifestyle, strengthening writing skills, perfecting the playing of an instrument, or learning about the business world through hands-on, experiential coursework.
Electives include*:
- Creative Writing
- Introduction to Sports Medicine
- Introduction to Sports Management
- Sports Nutrition
- Forensics
- Introduction to Marketing
- Introduction to Business
- Personal Finance
- Ukulele and Guitar
- Piano
*Electives may change slightly from one school year to the next.
Our Technology and Media Arts classes equip students with expertise in both software and hardware applications, ensuring they are well-prepared for the rapidly evolving landscape of digital media.
Core Courses include:
- Robotics – Introduction & Advanced
- Principles of Applied Technology
- Podcasting & Content Streaming
- Yearbook and Social Media
- Topics in Media Game Design
- Screen Writing
Physical Education promotes activity and fitness in the context of healthy living and decision-making. Students participate in a wide range of PE units – from yoga to floor hockey to weightlifting –to develop their interests and gain exposure to new sports and activities.
Our highly trained staff encourages students to understand and appreciate a healthy lifestyle. Students are able to develop individual interests rather than follow an approach of one size fits all.
Core Courses include:
- Physical Education
- Health
- Sports Conditioning
- Fitness and Strength Training
- Advanced Athletic Training
- Rancho Solano Sports Academy
- Dance
College Acceptances
*Indicates multiple acceptances
- Academy of Art University
- American University*
- Arizona State University *
- Arizona State University, Barrett, The Honors College*
- Auburn University
- Augustana College
- Azusa Pacific University
- Bard College Berlin
- Bar-IIan University, Israel
- Baylor University*
- Belmont University
- Beloit College
- Bentley University
- Berklee College of Music
- Biola University*
- Brandeis University
- Brown University
- Bryn Mawr College
- Bryant University
- Boston Architectural College
- Boston College*
- Boston University*
- Bournemouth University
- Butler University
- Caldwell University
- California Baptist University
- California College of the Arts, San Francisco
- California Institute of Technology
- California Lutheran University*
- California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
- California State University, Fresno
- Camberwell College of the Arts
- Case Western Reserve University
- Catholic University of America
- Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design
- Chapman University*
- Claremont McKenna College
- Clark University
- Clemson University
- Cleveland State University
- Colgate University
- Colorado Christian University
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins*
- Columbia College Chicago
- Columbia University
- Creighton University
- Curry College
- DePaul University*
- Drexel University*
- Drew University
- Duke University
- École hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland
- Elmhurst University
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
- University *
- Emerson College
- Emory University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles
- Fitchburg State University
- Florida International University *
- Fordham University*
- Franklin and Marshall College
- Fresno Pacific University
- George Fox University*
- George Washington University*
- Georgetown University
- Georgia Institute of Technology*
- Georgia Southern University
- Gettysburg College
- Gonzaga University*
- Grand Canyon University*
- Hawaii Pacific University
- Haverford College*
- High Point University*
- Hillsdale College
- Hofstra University
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- IE University, Madrid
- Indiana University, Bloomington*
- Iowa State University
- James Cook University Singapore
- Kansas State University
- Kenyon University
- Knox College
- Lafayette College
- Lake Forest College
- Lehigh University
- Lewis & Clark College
- Loras College
- Loyola Marymount University*
- Loyola University Chicago
- Marist College
- Maryland Institute College of Art
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy
- McGill University*
- Mercer University
- Mercyhurst University
- Miami University, Oxford
- Michigan State University*
- Monmouth College
- Montana State University*
- Mount Holyoke College
- New Mexico State University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- North Idaho College
- Northeastern University*
- Northern Arizona University*
- Northern Arizona University, Honors Program*
- Nova Southeastern University
- Occidental College*
- Ohio State University*
- Ontario Tech University
- Orange Coast College
- Oregon State University*
- Otis College of Art and Design
- Ottawa University Arizona
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Pacific University
- Pennsylvania State University*
- Pepperdine University
- Pitzer College*
- Purdue University*
- Quinnipiac University
- Randolph- Macon College
- Rice University
- Rochester Institute of Technology*
- Rosemont College
- Rutgers University, Camden
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick
- Rutgers University, Newark
- Sacred Heart University*
- Saint Louis University
- Salve Regina University
- Santa Clara University*
- School of Visual Arts
- Seattle Pacific University
- Seattle University, Honors Program
- Simon Frasier University
- Smith College
- Soka University of America
- Southern Methodist University*
- Southern Virginia University
- Spring Hill College
- Stanford University
- Stony Brook University
- Swarthmore College
- Syracuse University*
- Temple University
- Texas A & M University, College Station*
- Texas Christian University*
- Texas Tech University*
- The George Washington University*
- The Ohio State University*
- Trinity University
- Tufts University
- Tulane University
- Union College*
- United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School
- United States Naval Academy
- University at Buffalo
- University College Dublin
- University of Alabama*
- University of Alberta
- University of Arizona*
- University of Arizona, Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education
- University of Arizona, Honors College
- University of Brighton
- University of British Columbia
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, Irvine*
- University of California, Riverside
- University of California, San Diego*
- Univeristy of California, Los Angeles*
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- University of Calgary*
- University of Colorado, Boulder*
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs*
- University of Colorado, Denver*
- University of Connecticut*
- University of Dallas
- University of Denver*
- University of Florida
- University of Georgia
- University of Hawaii, Manoa
- University of Houston
- University of Idaho
- University of Illinois, Chicago
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- University of Iowa
- University of Kansas*
- University of La Verne
- University of Kentucky
- University of Maine
- University of Mary Hardin
- University of Maryland, Baltimore
- University of Maryland, College Park*
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst*
- University of Massachusetts, Boston
- University of Massachusetts, Lowell
- University of Miami*
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities*
- University of Missouri, Columbia, Honors College
- University of Montana
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- University of New Mexico
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Oregon, Honors college*
- University of the Pacific
- University of Pittsburg*
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Redlands*
- University of Rochester*
- University of San Diego*
- University of San Francisco*
- University of South Dakota
- University of South Florida*
- University of Southern California*
- University of St. Francis*
- University of Tampa
- University of Toronto
- University of Utah*
- University of Vermont
- University of Virginia*
- University of Washington, Seattle
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Vanderbilt University
- Vassar College
- Villanova University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Washington & Jefferson College
- Washington State University*
- Washington University, St. Louis*
- Wayne State University
- Wesleyan University
- Western Michigan University*
- Wheaton College
- Whitman University
- Whittier College
- Willamette University*
- William Woods University
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute*
- Yale University