High School Graduation Policy
POLICY: IHF
Minimum Requirements
A minimum of 20 credits are required for graduation as follows:
* These math requirements include a credit in algebra that can be earned through a sequential, integrated, or applied program.
** These courses incorporate the NH State Minimum Requirements of US and NH History (1 credit), US and NH Government/Civics (1/2 credit), Economics (1/2 credit), and World History, Global Studies, or Geography (1/2 credit). This also incorporates a district requirement of 1/2 credit in Modern America.
***Students must demonstrate proficiency in computers/technology at the high school through either a half-credit course or a portfolio. See Computer Education.
Open Electives
Students should review the minimum entry requirements of post-secondary schools in scheduling open electives, bearing in mind that most 4 year colleges require at least two years of foreign language.
Awarding Of Credit
A unit of credit or fraction thereof shall be given upon satisfactory completion of a course or learning experience in compliance with the district-specified curriculum and assessment standards. In some cases, course credit may also be awarded based on demonstrated mastery of the required competencies for the course. The Principal, after conferring with appropriate staff, will be responsible for determining the attainment of mastery.
Elective Subjects (5 Credits)
The remaining credit requirements may be fulfilled from any of the school’s course offerings listed in the Program of Studies. Educationally handicapped students have equal opportunity to complete a course of studies leading to a high school diploma.
Minimum Credit Accumulation
To be on schedule to graduate in 4 years, a student should be completing a minimum of 5 credits per year. For example, when a student enters the 11th grade year, he or she should have acquired a minimum of 10 credits.
Normal Course Load
The recommended minimum course load for a student is five courses at any one time. The absolute minimum for a full-time student is four courses. A reduced course load (less than four courses) must be approved by the principal and only when special circumstances warrant a reduced program.
Practical and Fine Arts Requirements
Hanover High School requires one credit in the Fine and Practical Arts. One-half of that credit must be in the Fine Arts. Most Music courses and Hartford Area Career and Technical Center courses are for a full credit; other courses are organized for a half-credit.
Fine Arts Requirements
Art
Design: Making Art
Digital and Graphic Arts
Drawing; Drawing II
Jewelry
Painting
Photography; Photography II
Pottery
Printmaking
Sculpture in Metal & Wood
Studio Art History
Woodworking
Drama
Drama!
Dresden Plan
Community Mentor
Independent Study
Senior Challenge
Senior Bridges
All must have Fine Arts focus.
Music
Symphonic Band
Wind Ensemble
Chorus
Orchestra
Music Theory
World Drumming
Chamber Music
Music Independent Study
Hartford Area Career And Technical Center
Engineering/Architectural Design
Graphic Arts
Videography
Practical Arts Requirements
Computer Education
Computer Programming
Introduction to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
Web Communication and Design
Debate
Debate I
Advanced Debate
Dresden Plan
Community Mentor
Independent Study
Senior Bridges
Senior Challenge
Volunteer Service
Work/Study
All must have Practical Arts focus.
Hartford Area Career And Technical Center
All HACTC Courses
Living Arts And Sciences
Independent Study Options
Leadership
Technology
Auto and Power Mechanics I
Auto and Power Mechanics II
Electricity/Electronics
Engineering Design I
Engineering Design II
Metals Fabrication I
Metals Fabrication II
The Way Things Work
Tools 101
Woodworking I
Woodworking II
Architectural Drafting I
Architectural Drafting II
Attention — Ninth Graders
As you use this information, keep in mind not just the first year of your involvement at Hanover High School but also future years. In order to help you do this, we are asking you to project ahead so that you may see, at least in part, how your four-year educational program will look. Do not attempt to do this task alone. Rather, discuss courses with your parents and with older brothers and sisters or friends who have attended Hanover High School; if you are entering ninth grade from the Richmond School, teachers there can help you. The more information you can obtain from knowledgeable people, the better program you will be able to develop.
Even though Hanover High School offers a wide variety of choices for students, we believe that it is important for a student to gain a wide range of knowledge about the teaching staff, the various departments and their offerings, the several resource centers in the school and how they are to be used. Therefore, most ninth graders are scheduled into a structured program. You will note below that in your ninth-grade year you have a rather limited number of choices. These choices are structured so that next year, when you move into the elective program, you will have a base of knowledge about the resources in the school. View your ninth grade year here at HHS as an exploratory year—a year to develop criteria for making wise choices.
Typical Ninth Grade Program
Many of the major courses ninth graders take are either required or strongly recommended. A typical ninth grade program is outlined below with possible alternatives noted.
English: All ninth graders are required to take English.
Math: Most ninth graders would choose among Math Essentials, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Geometry Honors after seeking advice of their 8th grade math teachers. More advanced math courses are possible if present math teachers so advise. A math placement test is required of all students.
Science: Ninth graders who plan to take Algebra I are permitted to take Methods in Science, but may find the course mathematically challenging. The recommended course for ninth graders who enroll in Geometry is Methods in Science. Ninth graders who will be taking a Pre-Algebra math course are advised to enroll in General Methods in Science. Honors Methods is a course for accelerated ninth graders in science and a concurrent enrollment in Honors Geometry or higher is required.
Social Studies: All ninth graders are required to take Civitas and Civilization.
Physical Education: All ninth graders are required to take Physical Education.
Computer Literacy: Digital portfolios that illustrate proficiency in new and evolving technology skills or a computer science will be required for graduation. Students may not be able to complete this requirement in their ninth grade year, but should include it in their four-year plan.
Fine and Practical Arts: Keep in mind that you will need a total of 1 (one) credit in the Fine and Practical Arts (l/2 credit must be in Fine Arts) during four years of high school.
Students must understand that there are only 7 periods in the day in which to take courses and, therefore, should select no more than 7 courses including Physical Education. Many students choose to take 6. If a parent and student feel that a regularly scheduled lunch hour is important to a student’s day, a lunch hour can be scheduled periods 4 or 5.
Completing Your Program
After you have completed your planning:
Fill out the course advising sheet.
Secure any necessary teacher approvals as indicated in the department overview.
Secure your parents’ approval.
Enter the course code numbers of your selections on the registration form.
Turn in the completed registration form and advising sheet to the Guidance Office.
Deadline to submit course registrations:
Current HHS students - March 4, 2016
RMS students entering HHS - March 11, 2016
Sending schools - March 25, 2016