Page 5 - 2016-2017 Course Catalog

Course Catalog Overview
Developing a program of classes should be a task shared by the student and the parent. Graduation requirements, college entrance requirements, and career goals should be carefully reviewed and thoroughly discussed. The four year high school educational experience should reflect more than four years of seat time. Each student’s program should reflect specific goals and direction. Parents share with their student the responsibility for the type of program selected, and parents are required to sign each student’s course selection sheet. We hope that this endeavor will receive your serious consideration and reflect more than a casual review of this course catalog.
Study the course descriptions carefully so that you make wise choices as you select your program for next year. Next fall, you will be enrolled in the classes you select now. While these are the approved course offerings, it should be understood that courses with insufficient student sign-ups may not be offered next year. Alternate selections will be inserted from your selection on Naviance. Be sure that you identify several alternate course selections.
All courses are open to all students subject only to class and grade prerequisites. No student is excluded on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. As you read the course descriptions, please note grade levels, course length, and prerequisites. It is understood that for courses you select now, you are either (1) qualified to enter the course, or (2) will have completed the prerequisites prior to August of the coming year. If you have any questions, your counselor will be happy to answer them for you.
A number of other matters should also be considered in developing a program of classes. Since these areas periodically are the subject of parent/student inquiries, it is appropriate to briefly review each at this time.
Earned Credit
Credits are earned by passing courses with grades of A, B, C, D, or Pass. By receiving any of these grades at the close of the semester, the student earns five (5) credits. An “F” or a “W” grade receives no credit towards graduation. Special Education courses may be offered on a “pass/fail” basis and credits earned apply toward graduation. CTE Work Experience earns 10 credits a semester.
Minimum Number of Courses
Board Policy 6146 states: “Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, must enroll in a minimum of six (6) courses per semester. During the first and second semester of grade 12, five classes are the minimum if the student is not deficient in making progress toward meeting the 230 credit requirement.” We strongly recommend that seniors take six (6) courses both semesters.