Writing Workshop is a one-trimester course required for all freshmen. The objective of the course is to develop and to hone the basic skills of effective writing: annotation/note-taking, organization, composition, and revision. Frequent exercises in descriptive, narrative, persuasive, scientific, and expository writing help students respond confidently to a variety of writing challenges. An important feature of the course is an individually directed vocabulary program designed both to increase active vocabulary and to sharpen basic sentence skills.

Research in the Community is a required one-trimester course for all sophomores. The course builds a foundation of research skills while opening students' eyes to the needs and issues of their community. Students learn and apply basic research principles, strive to better understand the historical background of the issues facing their neighborhoods today, and work with local agencies and companies, many of them located in the Presidio, to produce work that will serve community needs. The trimester concludes with a presentation of student projects to the school community.