Curriculum Guide
Salome High School offers a variety of classes to prepare students for life after high school. We have quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs offering Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, and Business Operations and Assistant Services. The school also boasts exceptional art and band programs.
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Grades
The following grades may be earned:
A (100% - 90%) = Outstanding achievement;
B (89% -80%) = Above average achievement;
C (79% - 70%) = Average achievement;
D(69% - 60%) = Below average achievement
F (59% - 0%)= Failing performance.
NC = No Credit is given when a student enters too late in the semester to award credit for the class or loses credit.
W = Withdrawal is given when a student withdraws from a course prior to the end of the grading period. No credit is awarded when a student withdraws.
P = Pass
F = Fail.
GRADES: The following grades may be earned: A (100% - 90%) = Outstanding achievement; B (89% -80%) = Above average achievement; C (79% - 70%) = Average achievement; D(69% - 60%) = Below average achievement and F (59% - 0%)= Failing performance. NC = No Credit is given when a student enters too late in the semester to award credit for the class or loses credit. W = Withdrawal is given when a student withdraws from a course prior to the end of the grading period. No credit is awarded when a student withdraws. P = Pass and F = Fail.
G.P.A. (GRADE POINT AVERAGE): Numeric values are assigned to letter grades: A = 4.0; B = 3.0; C= 2.0; D = 1.0; and F = 0. A GPA is calculated by adding points for each grade earned and dividing the total by the number of classes taken. All classes may not be used to calculate a GPA. For example, some colleges may only calculate the GPA of core classes. The GPA is recorded on the student transcript each semester and is often used for determining eligibility for the Frog Challenge, Honors Academy, scholarships, college entrance , student ranking, insurance reduction and participation in extra –curricular activities including sports and employment. A GPA for a transcript is cumulative (grades are calculated beginning from the first semester grades in 9th grade to the student’s present semester grades). SHS does not weight grades.
CLASS RANKS: Students in each class (freshman, sophomore, junior and senior) are ranked using their GPA’s. Students with the highest (4.0) GPA are ranked #1. When a tie for ranking is determined, students will share the honor. When using the same rank for multiple students is not possible, additional criteria will be used to determine rank.
CREDITS: Twenty-two (22) Carnegie units/credits are required for high school graduation. (English – 4; Math- 4; Social Studies – 3; Sciences – 3; Physical Education & Health – 1.5; Vocational or Fine Arts -= 1 and Electives 5.5). Transfer credits are evaluated and awarded to meet SHS requirements whenever possible.
GENERAL INFORMATION
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Twenty-two credits distributed among eight curriculum areas are required for graduation from Salome High School. The following SHS courses meet the requirements for the areas under which they are listed.
English (4 credits required)
English 9, English 10, English 11, and English 12
Mathematics (4 credits required)
Algebra I, Integrated Mathematics, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus
Science (3 credits required)
Physical Science, Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics
Social Studies (3 credits required)
Geography/World Studies, US/AZ History, and Government/Free Enterprise
Physical Education (1 Physical Education, .5 Health)
Physical Education, Health, Recreational Games & Activities, Strength & Conditioning
Fine Arts (1 fine art credit OR 1 vocational credit required)
Intro to Art, Advanced Art, 3D Art
CTE: Career Exploration, Intro to Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts I&II, Industrial Technology, Building Trades I&II, Computer Applications, Business, Advanced Business, Financial Strategies
Electives: (5.5credits required)
Any class listed above which exceeds the credit required for an area may be applied toward elective credit. Band, Spanish I, Spanish II, Media Assistant, Office Assistant, and Strength Training are also elective courses.
Career and Technical Education Programs:
All courses earn one-half credit for successful (a grade of A, B, C, or D) completion of each term (usually one semester). No credit is awarded for a failing grade or when a student withdraws from a course.
HONORS ACADEMY
Students who meet the following criteria will be considered active and recognized members of the Salome High School Honors Academy.
Continuous enrollment and successful completion of 4 courses in English, Math, and Science at SHS.
Complete at least 2 years of foreign language.
Maintain a grade point average of at least 2.5.
Attempt to Exceed AIMS standards.
COMMENCEMENT PARTICIPATION
Participation in Salome High School commencement exercises requires that a student has successfully completed all State of Arizona and Bicentennial Union High School District #76 School Governing Board graduation requirements prior to the graduation ceremonies.
Any student who still has credit or coursework to complete, disciplinary obligations to fulfill, or financial obligations to settle with the school district will not be allowed to participate in the commencement exercises.
EARLY GRADUATION
Students desiring early graduation must:
Alert the counselor of plans to graduate early as soon as possible.
Submit a written request to the principal during the first nine weeks of the graduating year. The requested early graduation should have parent/guardian approval.
With parent/guardian make an appointment with the principal to discuss the early graduation plan.
Diplomas will be awarded only at the completion of the spring semester. Final transcripts, however, will be provided as soon as all requirements have been met.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Course Descriptions are in accordance with the Arizona Department of Education’s State Course Catalog
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:
ENGLISH 9:
English/Language Arts I (9th grade) courses build upon students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing and include the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These courses introduce and define various genres of literature, with writing exercises often linked to reading selections.
Grade Level(s): 9 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisites: none Credit: 1 English credit
ENGLISH 10:
English/Language Arts II (10th grade) courses offer a balanced focus on composition and literature. Students learn about the alternate aims and audiences of written compositions by writing persuasive, critical, and creative multi-paragraph essays and compositions. Through the study of various genres of literature, students can improve their reading rate and comprehension and develop the skills to determine the author’s intent and theme and to recognize the techniques used by the author to deliver his or her message.
Grade Level: 10 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: English 9 Credit: 1 English credit
ENGLISH 11:
English/Language Arts III (11th grade) courses continue to develop students’ writing skills, emphasizing clear, logical writing patterns, word choice, and usage, as students write essays and begin to learn the techniques of writing research papers. Students continue to read works of literature, which often form the backbone of the writing assignments. Literary conventions and stylistic devices may receive greater emphasis than in previous courses.
Grade Level: 11 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: English 10 Credit: 1 English credit
ENGLISH 12:
English/Language Arts IV (12th grade) courses blend composition and literature into a cohesive whole as students write critical and comparative analyses of selected literature, continuing to develop their language arts skills. Typically, students primarily write multi-paragraph essays, but they may also write one or more major research papers.
Grade Level: 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: English 11 Credit: 1 English credit
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT:
ALGEBRA I:
Algebra I courses include the study of properties and operations of the real number system; evaluating rational algebraic expressions; solving and graphing first degree equations and inequalities; translating word problems into equations; operations with and factoring of polynomials; and solving simple quadratic equations.
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12 Course Length: 1 year
Pre-requisite: none Credit: 1 math credit
GEOMETRY:
Geometry courses, emphasizing an abstract, formal approach to the study of geometry, typically include topics such as properties of plane and solid figures; deductive methods of reasoning and use of logic; geometry as an axiomatic system including the study of postulates, theorems, and formal proofs; conceptsof congruence, similarity, parallelism, perpendicularity, and proportion; and rules of angle measurement in triangles.
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12 Course Length: 1year
Pre-requisite: Algebra I Credit: 1 math credit
INTEGRATED MATH: Integrated Math courses emphasize the teaching of mathematics as problem solving, communication, and reasoning, and emphasize the connections among mathematical topics and between mathematics and other disciplines. The multi-period sequence of Integrated Math replaces the traditional Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II sequence of courses, and usually covers the following topics during a three- or four-year sequence: algebra, functions, geometry from both a synthetic and an algebraic perspective, trigonometry, statistics and probability, discrete mathematics, the conceptual underpinnings of calculus, and mathematical structure.
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12 Course Length: 1 year
Pre-requisite: Geometry Credit: 1 math credit
ALGEBRA II:
Algebra II course topics typically include field properties and theorems; set theory; operations with rational and irrational expressions; factoring of rational expressions; in-depth study of linear equations and inequalities; quadratic equations; solving systems of linear and quadratic equations; graphing of constant, linear, and quadratic equations; properties of higher degree equations; and operations with rational and irrational exponents.
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Pre-requisite: Geometry Course Credit: 1
PRE-CALCULUS:
Pre-Calculus courses combine the study of Trigonometry, Elementary Functions, Analytic Geometry, and Math Analysis topics as preparation for calculus.Topics typically include the study of complex numbers; polynomial, logarithmic, exponential, rational, right trigonometric, and circular functions, and their relations, inverses and graphs; trigonometric identities and equations; solutions of right and oblique triangles; vectors; the polar coordinate system; conic sections; Boolean algebra and symbolic logic; mathematical induction; matrix algebra; sequences and series; and limits and continuity.
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Algebra II Credit: 1 math credit
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT:
GENERAL SCIENCE:
Biology courses are designed to provide information regarding the fundamental concepts of life and life processes. These courses include (but are not restricted to) such topics as cell structure and function, general plant and animal physiology, genetics, and taxonomy.
Grade Level(s): 9, 10 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: none Credit: 1 science credit
BIOLOGY:
Biology courses are designed to provide information regarding the fundamental concepts of life and life processes. These courses include (but are not restricted to) such topics as cell structure and function, general plant and animal physiology, genetics, and taxonomy.
Grade Level(s): 9, 10 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: none Credit: 1 science credit
EARTH SCIENCE:
Earth Science courses offer insight into the environment on earth and the earth’s environment in space. While presenting the concepts and principles essential to students’ understanding of the dynamics and history of the earth, these courses usually explore oceanography, geology, astronomy, meteorology, and geography.
Grade Level(s): 9, 10 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: none Credit : 1 science credit
PHYSICAL SCIENCE:
Physical Science courses involve study of the structures and states of matter. Typically (but not always) offered as introductory survey courses, they mayinclude such topics as forms of energy, wave phenomenon, electromagnetism, and physical and chemical interactions.
Grade Level(s): 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Pre-requisite: none Credit: 1 science credit
CHEMISTRY:
Chemistry courses involve studying the composition, properties, and reactions of substances. These courses typically explore such concepts as the behaviors of solids, liquids, and gases; acid/base and oxidation/reduction reactions; and atomic structure. Chemical formulas and equations and nuclear reactions are also studied.
Grade Level(s): 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry. Credit: 1 science credit
Enrolled in Algebra II
PHYSICS:
Physics courses involve the study of the forces and laws of nature affecting matter, such as equilibrium, motion, momentum, and the relationships between matter and energy. The study of physics includes examination of sound, light, and magnetic and electric phenomena.
Grade Level(s):10, 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry. Credit: 1 science credit
Enrolled in (or completed) Algebra II.
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT:
WORLD STUDIES:
World History—Overview courses provide students with an overview of the history of human society from early civilization to the contemporary period, examining political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural developments. World History—Overview courses may include geographical studies, but often these components are not as explicitly taught as geography.
Grade Level(s): 10 Course Length: 1 year
Prerequisite: none Credit: 1 social studies credit
US HISTORY:
U.S. History—Comprehensive courses provide students with an overview of the history of the United States, examining time periods from discovery or colonialism through World War II or after. These courses typically include a historical overview of political, military, scientific, and social developments. Course content may include a history of the North American peoples before European settlement.
Grade Levels(s): 11 Course Length: 1 year
Prerequisite: none Credit: 1 social studies credit
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT/FREE ENTERPRISE:
U.S. Government—Comprehensive courses provide an overview of the structure and functions of the U.S. government and political institutions and examine constitutional principles, the concepts of rights and responsibilities, the role of political parties and interest groups, and the importance of civic participation in the democratic process. These courses may examine the structure and function of state and local governments and may cover certain economic and legal topics.
Civics courses examine the general structure and functions of American systems of government, the roles and responsibilities of citizens to participate in the political process, and the relationship of the individual to the law and legal system. These courses do not typically delve into the same degree of detail on constitutional principles or the role of political parties and interest groups as do comprehensive courses in U.S. Government.
Grade Level(s): 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: none Credit: 1 social studies credit
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT:
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Physical Education courses provide students with knowledge, experience, and an opportunity to develop skills in more than one of the following sports or activities: team sports, individual/dual sports, recreational sports, and fitness/conditioning activities.
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12 Course length: 1year
Prerequisite: none Credit: 1 P.E. credit
RECREATIONAL GAMES & ACTIVITIES:
Recreation Sports courses provide students with knowledge, experience, and an opportunity to develop skills in more than one recreational sport or outdoor pursuit (such as adventure activities, croquet, Frisbee, wall climbing, bocce ball, fishing, hiking, cycling, and so on).
Grade Level(s): 10,11,12 Course length: 1year
Prerequisite: C or better in Phys Ed Credit: 1 elective credit
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING:
Weight Training courses help students develop knowledge and skills with free weights and universal stations while emphasizing safety and proper body positioning; they may include other components such as anatomy and conditioning.
Grade Level(s): 10,11,12 Course length: 1year
Prerequisite: C or better in Phys Ed Credit: 1 elective credit
HEALTH:
Topics covered within Health Education courses may vary widely, but typically include personal health (nutrition, mental health and stress management, drug/alcohol abuse prevention, disease prevention, and first aid) and consumer health issues. The courses may also include brief studies of environmental health, personal development, and/or community resources.
Grade Level(s): 9 Course length: 1semester
Prerequisite: none Credit: ½ Health credit
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
CAREER EXPLORATION:
Career Exploration courses help students identify and evaluate personal goals, priorities, aptitudes, and interests with the goal of helping them make informed decisions about their careers. These courses expose students to various sources of information on career and training options and may also assist them in developing job search and employability skills. Students begin the ECAP process in this course.
Grade Level(s): 9 required Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: None Credit: 1 vocational credit
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES:
INTRO to CULINARY
Nutrition and Food Preparation courses provide students with knowledge and skills about food preparation and/or production, with a strong emphasis on nutrition, balanced diets, and satisfying special dietary needs. Topics typically include assessing nutrient content, the science of food and nutrition, physiology and utilization of nutrients. Course content may also cover additives, contaminants, foodborne illnesses, and food technology.
Grade Level: 10-12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Career Exploration Credit: 1 vocational credits
CULINARY ARTS I&II (Block):
This course prepares students with advanced applications in kitchen equipment, organization and operations, sanitation, quality control, quantity food preparation and cooking skills. Additionally, students have training in business operations of a food and beverage establishment.
Grade Level: 11- 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Career Exploration Credit: 2 vocational credit
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY:
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY:
This foundation course will prepare students to use a wide variety of construction tools and equipment and maintain a safe work environment. The student will develop an understanding of construction math, financial operations, reading blueprints, basic rigging and basic construction techniques. The student will develop skills in oral and written communication as they relate to the construction industry. This course is designed to help students develop an enhanced understanding of teamwork, employability skills and career opportunities in the construction field.
Grade Level: 10- 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Career Exploration Credit: 1 vocational credit
BUILDING TRADES I&II (Block):
This course prepares the individual to apply and demonstrate advanced technical knowledge and skills in various types of construction. This lab based course will provide the students an opportunity to participate in the planning, design and completion of project based activities. i.e. electrical, masonry/brick laying, concrete finishing, HVAC, plumbing, floor systems, wall and ceiling framing, site layout, interior and exterior finish and roof applications.
Grade Level: 11- 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Industrial Technology Credit: 2 vocational credit
WOOD WORKING:
Woodworking courses introduce students to the various kinds of woods used in industry and offer experience in using selected woodworking tools. Students design and construct one or more projects and may prepare a bill of materials. Correct and safe use of tools and equipment is emphasized. As students advance, they focus on learning the terminology necessary to use power tools successfully, developing skills to safely use these tools in the workshop and becoming familiar with various kinds of wood-finishing materials. Advanced students typically design a project, prepare bills of materials, construct, and finish proposed projects.
Grade Level: 10- 12 Course length: 1 year
prerequisite: Career Exploration Credit: 1 vocational credit
BUSINESS PROGRAMS:
ACCOUNTING:
Accounting courses introduce and expand upon the fundamental accounting principles and procedures used in businesses. Course content typically includes the full accounting cycle, payroll, taxes, debts, depreciation, ledger and journal techniques, and periodic adjustments. Students may learn how to apply standard auditing principles and to prepare budgets and final reports. Calculators, electronic spreadsheets, or other automated tools are usually used.
Advanced topics may include elementary principles of partnership and corporate accounting and the managerial uses of control systems and the accounting process.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS SUPPORT AND ASSISTANT SERVICES (YEAR 1):
Office Procedures—Comprehensive courses provide students with numerous opportunities to explore and understand the responsibilities and duties common to most office personnel. These comprehensive courses cover such topics as communication skills, reception and transmission of information via data processing equipment, filing and record management, mail handling, scheduling meetings and conferences, creating itineraries, and word processing.
ADVANCED BUSINESS OPERATIONS SUPPORT AND ASSISTANT SERVICES (YEAR 2):
This second year course Students enrolled in this course will develop advanced knowledge and skills in desktop publishing, office procedures, transcription, public relations, records management and customer service while integrating the skills attained in the Introduction to Business Operations Support and Assistant Services course.
FINANCIAL STRATEGIES:
Students enrolled in this course will receive instruction in a variety of customer services provided by banks, insurance agencies, investment brokers, credit unions and related enterprises. General knowledge of budgeting and credit management are outcomes of this course. A computer with business applications software is used by students to perform business and finance related tasks.
Grade Level(s): 10-12 Course length: one year
Prerequisite: Career Exploration Credit: 1 vocational credit
YEARBOOK:
Journalism courses (typically associated with the production of a school newspaper, yearbook, or literary magazine) emphasize writing style and technique as well as production values and organization. Journalism courses introduce students to the concepts of newsworthiness and press responsibility; develop students’ skills in writing and editing stories, headlines, and captions; and teach students the principles of production design, layout, and printing. Photography and photojournalism skills may be included.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE:
SPANISH I:
Designed to introduce students to Spanish language and culture, Spanish I courses emphasize basic grammar and syntax, simple vocabulary, and the spoken accent so that students can read, write, speak, and understand the language at a basic level within predictable areas of need, using customary courtesies and conventions. Spanish culture is introduced through the art, literature, customs, and history of Spanish-speaking people.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisites: none Credit: 1 foreign language credit
SPANISH II:
Spanish II courses build upon skills developed in Spanish I, extending students’ ability to understand and express themselves in Spanish and increasing their vocabulary. Typically, students learn how to engage in discourse for informative or social purposes, write expressions or passages that show understanding of sentence construction and the rules of grammar, and comprehend the language when spoken slowly. Students usually explore the customs, history, and art forms of Spanish-speaking people to deepen their understanding of the culture(s).
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Spanish I Credit: 1 foreign language credit
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT:
Art Classes:
Intro to Art: Creative Art—Comprehensive courses provide students with the knowledge and opportunity to explore an art form and to create individual works of art. These courses may also provide a discussion and exploration of career opportunities in the art world. Initial courses cover the language, materials, and processes of a particular art form and the design elements and principles supporting a work of art. As students advance and become more adept, the instruction regarding the creative process becomes more refined, and students are encouraged to develop their own artistic styles. Although Creative Art courses focus on creation, they may also include the study of major artists, art movements, and styles.
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11,12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: None Credit: 1 fine art credit
ADVANCED ART: Creative Art—Drawing/Painting courses cover the same topics as Creative Art—Comprehensive courses, but focus on drawing and painting. In keeping with this attention on two-dimensional work, students typically work with several media (such as pen-and-ink, pencil, chalk, watercolor, tempera, oils, acrylics, and so on), but some courses may focus on only one medium.
Grade Levels: 10, 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Intro to Art Credit: 1 fine art
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Photography courses expose students to the materials, processes, and artistic techniques of taking artistic photographs. Students learn about the operation of a camera, composition, lighting techniques, depth of field, filters, camera angles, and film development. The course may cover black-and-white photography, color photography, or both. As students advance, the instruction regarding the creative process becomes more refined, and students are encouraged to develop their own artistic style. These courses may also cover major photographers, art movements, and styles.
BAND:
General Band courses develop students’ technique for playing brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments and cover a variety of nonspecified band literature styles (concert, marching, orchestral, and modern styles).
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: none Credit: 1 elective credit
ASSISTANCESHIPS
MEDIA ASSISTANT: Assistantship is an elective work-study opportunity. Under the supervision of the librarian, media assistants assist at the circulation desk, maintain the book shelves and magazine stacks, help process new books, assist with the inventory, assist students with reference and research projects, assist students with media center computers and Internet research, arrange bulletin boards, send out overdue notices and carry out other routine tasks of the Media Center.
Grade Level: 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Librarian approval Credit: 1 elective credit
TEACHER ASSISTANT: Assistantship is an elective work-study opportunity. Under the supervision of a classroom teacher, media assistants assist at the circulation desk, maintain the book shelves and magazine stacks, help process new books, assist with the inventory, assist students with reference and research projects, assist students with media center computers and Internet research, arrange bulletin boards, send out overdue notices and carry out other routine tasks of the Media Center.
Grade Level: 11, 12 Course length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Librarian approval Credit: 1 elective credit