ATI-UMW: Program of Studies 2025-2026

Purpose of the Program of Studies

This educational planning guide is designed to help students and their families:

Learn about courses and programs offered at the Academy of Technology and Innovation at the University of Mary Washington
Make informed choices about courses
Understand and prepare for Virginia’s graduation requirements and assist students in planning and refining their academic and career plans to meet educational and career goals

Students should study this guide and consult with their parent(s)/guardian, school counselor, and teachers in planning their individual plans.

General Information

It is the responsibility of each student and parent(s)/guardian(s) that requirements for a Standard, or Advanced Studies Diploma are met. Parent(s)/guardian(s) should work closely with their student’s school counselor in making the best academic decisions for their student. To determine graduation requirements, students and families must consider both the desired diploma option and the year the student first enters ninth grade.

How Can I Prepare?

ATI-UMW students attain knowledge and skills to pursue and reach their goals and empower them to make meaningful contributions to the world, leveraging skills in computer and/or data science and applying those skills across content areas. Early identification of career goals, should be outlined in an academic and career plan developed with the assistance of a school counselor and their families. The student’s academic and career plan provides a strategy for accomplishing goals, including how computer and data science will be incorporated. Families should consider the following as they develop their plan and select courses:

Student’s abilities, interests, values, strengths, likes, and dislikes
Curriculum in the career area of the student’s choice, including work-related options
Which courses in computer and data science will best align with their career aims
Cost, transportation, and extracurricular activities
Possible occupations that relate to the student’s skills

Grading

Grade Point Average Calculation

Grade point average (GPA) and class rank include all courses for which credit was earned or could have been earned in grades 9-12. Also included are credit-bearing courses completed at the middle school level such as but not limited to Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, World Language. When a course is repeated, both final course grades are included when calculating the GPA and rank. However, students receive only one standard unit of credit. Students are ranked at the beginning of the senior year and at the end of each semester of the senior year based on their GPA.

If a student withdraws from a course before the end of the eleventh week of the course, the course is not recorded on the scholastic record. All grades earned are recorded on the transcript. Partial credit is not given for year-long courses dropped at the end of the first semester; however, grades earned are included in the determination of grade point average and class rank.

The student’s GPA is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the number of credit-bearing courses included in the transcript. Grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number with anything .50 or higher rounding up to the nearest whole number and anything lower than .50 rounding down to the nearest whole number.

Report Cards

Students receive report cards four times each year. They are issued around the seventh working day for teachers after the end of each nine-week grading period. ATI-UMW offers an on-line parent(s)/guardian portal to view student assignments, assessments, resources, schedules, and grades. The parent(s)/guardian portal in Infinite Campus is intended to be open communication between teachers, students, and families.

General Course Information

Full-year Elective Course – One Credit

*First Grading Period: courses dropped will not be counted in GPA or class rank

Second Grading Period: WP or WF recorded courses dropped will not be counted in GPA or class rank

Third Grading Period: WP or WF recorded courses dropped will not be counted in GPA or class rank

Fourth Grading Period: WP or F is recorded courses dropped will not be counted in GPA unless it is an F; An F will be calculated into GPA and class rank.

The above explanations for dropping a course do not pertain to any Dual Enrollment course.

Semester Elective Course – Half Credit

*First Grading Period: courses dropped will not be counted in GPA

Second Grading Period: WP or F is recorded courses dropped will not be counted in GPA unless it is an F. An F will be calculated into GPA and class rank.

GPA: Courses dropped will not be counted in grade point average except when an F is received

*For the first grading period only, a student enrolled in a full-year or one-semester course will have one week (5 school days) after the date on which report cards are sent home, in which to drop a course without having a grade recorded.

Dropping Subjects/Withdrawals (Electives Only)

The information above explains if and how dropping a course (electives) affects the student’s GPA and class rank. In addition, dropping a course may alter the student’s diploma status or impact VHSL eligibility at their zoned high school.

Course Selection, Course Load, and Schedule Changes

Courses listed will be included in the curriculum for the 2025-2026 school year if there are sufficient enrollment and available staff. Students in Grades 9-10 are expected to select and be enrolled in 7 credit bearing subjects or their equivalent and adhere to their selections and may take one 8th credit per year. Schedule changes may be allowed in special situations as determined by the Executive Director or Assistant Director.

Course Level Changes

Requests to adjust rigor level to or from an accelerated yearlong course (i.e., from an Honors level to an Academic level) may not be considered prior to the Interim Time of the First Marking Period or after Interim Time of the Third Marking Period unless otherwise deemed necessary by the Executive Director or Assistant Director. Prior to requesting an adjustment in rigor level, communication between student, teacher, family, and counselor should take place to support the student in their attempted strategies for success at the selected level of rigor. If after review by all involved parties, an adjustment level in rigor is deemed appropriate, the request is passed on to the Executive Director or Assistant Director to be reviewed for approval. If approved, a request to adjust rigor level will only be made if space is available in the desired course level. The schedule change may require changing other courses and/or teachers within the student’s schedule. School administration will determine final placement of the new course (course block and teacher). Course grades earned in previous course will transfer to the new course level. The student may be responsible for completing make-up work in the new level to cover any material not covered in the previous level.

Dual Enrollment Course Changes

Withdrawal and grading policies of Dual Enrollment courses are specific to the accrediting college or university. Should the student not pass the first semester of a full year Dual Enrolled course, they will be automatically dropped from the second semester of the Dual Enrolled course. Student course placement for second semester would fall under course level change guidelines as explained above.

Availability of Classes

If enrollment in a class is low, the class may not be available, semester and year-long classes may be combined, or, as stated above, it is possible that the class may not be offered at all.

Course Selection

All ATI-UMW students should choose classes that maximize their learning opportunities. Challenging high school courses prepare students for further education and successful careers. Families and students should consider the following when making decisions about which level to choose:

• Previous performance in subject area

• Standardized test scores

• Commitment of the student

• Recommendations from teachers, counselors, and the principal

• Increased workload

The applicable Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) are incorporated in all classes

Course Level Designations – Middle and High

Honors, AP, and DE: Course content is rapidly paced with additional depth. Lessons are often designed to be complex, abstract, and open-ended.

Individualized Education

Provisions are made for individualized education for students with identified disabilities. These include programs for students who are learning disabled, emotionally disabled, intellectually disabled, other health impaired, hearing impaired, speech impaired, visually impaired, or physically impaired. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) specify individual accommodations.

Semester Courses

Students receive one-half unit of credit for each semester course successfully completed.

Virtual Courses

For virtual classes, please be aware that depending on the provider (Virtual Virginia, Germanna, etc.) and the course, credits awarded per semester may vary. Please work closely with your counselor to ensure that you are well-informed regarding this information.

Full-Year Courses

Students receive one standard unit of credit based on successful completion of a full-year course. Some full-year courses may offer more than one standard unit of credit, (i.e. Global Studies will receive two credits for both English 9 and World History).

Students do not receive any partial credit for a full-year course. For example, a student who passes a year-long course at the semester but fails for the year would not earn partial credit for the passing grade at semester, or a student who does not continue a year-long course beyond the first semester does not receive partial credit at the semester for the course; rather, the student must repeat the entire course to obtain credit.

Non-Credit Activities

A student who serves as a student helper or who is scheduled for study hall does not receive a credit for that class period.

High School Courses Already Passed

Students who pass a course may repeat it for grade improvements, but a duplicate credit will not be awarded. Both grades are recorded on the student’s transcript and are included when calculating grade point average and class rank.

Sequential Electives

Students seeking Standard or Advanced Studies diplomas must earn at least two electives that are sequential. These must be two electives in one subject area such as Art I and II, Makerspace 101 and 102, etc. Students should talk with their school counselor for further details.

Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education

A fine arts or career and technical education course is any state-approved course completed in Grades 9-12 in Art, Newspaper Journalism, Photojournalism, or Career and Technical Education (including Agricultural Education, Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing Education, Military Science, Trade and Industrial, and Technology and Engineering Education).

Credits from Middle School

Students who complete Algebra I, Geometry, and/or the first, second, or third year of a world language in middle school earn a high school credit for courses in those subjects. Each credit counts toward graduation requirements and is included in the grade point average and class rank.

Incomplete Grades

Teachers may assign “Incomplete” grades in instances where the required assignments have not been submitted due to unusual but excused circumstances. In such cases, the teacher shall assign a deadline for making up the work; however, the work must be completed by the end of the following grading period. Incomplete grades will result in an “F” if not completed. Incomplete grades may not be carried over from one academic year to another.

Promotion in High School

High school students must have earned the minimum number of credits listed below to be promoted to the next grade level. A student’s grade level is not subject to change during the school year.

Grade 10: 5.5 credits

Grade 11: 11 credits

Grade 12: 16.5 The student must be scheduled to meet all graduation requirements by May.

Standard and Verified Credits

A standard unit of credit is earned by demonstration of content master, according to ATI-UMW policy. ATI-UMW's regional school board has established a waiver of the 140 clock hour seat-time requirement, with the stated expectation that content mastery will be demonstrated according to board policy. A verified unit of credit is earned by passing a course and its related end-of-course Standard of Learning (SOL) test where an end-of-course test is required. Students may repeat end-of-course tests to earn the verified credits needed for graduation.

Earning College Credit while in High School

AP – Advanced Placement

The Advanced Placement Program, often known as AP, is a cooperative education endeavor with the College Board. AP courses allow students the opportunity to take college-level courses while they are enrolled in high school. Students who enroll in an AP course should expect extensive reading, writing, and critical thinking which generally require additional time. In the spring, students are encouraged to take the nationally standardized AP examination(s). Colleges and universities may award academic credit and/or special placement if a student earns a qualifying score on the exam given in May. Examples of a few benefits of taking AP classes include development of study habits necessary for tackling college-level coursework; improvement of writing skills and problem-solving techniques; studying subjects in greater depth and detail.

DE – Dual Enrollment

Enrollment Participation in Dual Enrollment (DE) courses allows students to meet requirements for high school graduation while simultaneously earning college credits upon successful completion of the course. DE courses taught at the high school by a credentialed ATI-UMW teacher enable students to earn these credits through agreements with partnering colleges or universities. DE course descriptions list the number of college credits that can be earned. DE course offerings at ATI-UMW are determined by student interest, existing course offerings, courses specific to the ATI-UMW and availability of teachers possessing the endorsements required to teach the course.

DE courses through Germanna Community College are available for students typically in 11th and 12th grades, and students must meet a GPA criteria prior to enrollment. In addition, there may be certain prerequisites required for specific courses. Some DE classes may require a tuition payment.

If a student enrolls in a DE course, they may be required to meet certain admission criteria set forth by the partnering college or university. Students will work directly with their high school counselor to determine what those requirements may be and how to register for that course.

Germanna Community College is not bound by ATI-UMW 504 or IEP accommodations already established. Students receiving these services may apply through Germanna's Disability Support Services (DSS) if they would like to have accommodations applied to their dual enrollment courses. Students may also do so online via https://germanna.edu/student-experience/academics-learning-support/accessibility-resources/americans-disabilities

Approved students will receive a MOA from Germanna Community College that will need to be presented to their DE instructor. Should a student not apply with Germanna Community College, the 504/IEP accommodations can apply to their high school grade only but not their college grade in the DE class. All students are eligible to take advantage of student support services at any Germanna Community College campus location, with includes tutoring and a writing assistance center. The transferability of a college course to another college or university for credit is determined by the receiving institution. Normally, academic courses intended for transfer with a grade of “C” or better will transfer to four-year institutions of higher learning; however, no guarantee can be made to students regarding transferability to all colleges and universities.

Electives

Sequential Electives – Students must successfully complete two sequential electives. On February 5, 2002, the Board of Education approved Guidelines for Sequential Electives for the Standard Diploma (PDF).

Sequential electives may be in any discipline as long as the courses are not specifically required for graduation.
Courses used to satisfy the one unit of credit in a fine arts or career and technical education course may be used to partially satisfy this requirement.
For career and technical education electives, check with the Office of Career and Technical Education at (804) 225-2051.
An exploratory course followed by an introductory course may not be used to satisfy the requirement.
An introductory course followed by another level of the same course of study may be used.
Sequential electives do not have to be taken in consecutive years.

Fine Arts and Career and Technical Education – The Standard and Advanced Studies diplomas each contain a requirement for one standard unit of credit in Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education. The Standards of Accreditation do not require that courses used to satisfy the requirement of Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education be approved by the Board. Therefore, local school officials should use their own judgment in determining which courses students take to satisfy this requirement.

Standardized Tests & Assessments

PSAT – Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test

Students benefit from practice in taking this test and can identify academic strengths and weaknesses while they have the time to work to improve their scores. Students in the 10th grade may be given the exam to provide practice in reading, math, and writing skills to prepare for college admissions exams. Students in the 11th grade may be eligible for special scholarship competitions based on their PSAT score by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. Organizations include the National Merit Scholarship, the national Achievement Program, and the National Hispanic Scholars Program. This test is administered at all high schools on the national test date. The PSAT includes a writing component but does not include an essay.

SAT - Scholastic Aptitude Test

Students are encouraged to take the SAT beginning in 11th grade. They may repeat the test several times. Students must register approximately 6 weeks (or more) in advance of the test. Students may register online at www.collegeboard.org. Through online registration, students will learn which testing sites have space availability.

SAT Subject Tests

Subject tests measure students’ knowledge and skills in a particular subject and their ability to apply that knowledge. Tests are offered in many subjects. Students may register online at www.collegeboard.org. The test(s) should be taken toward the end of the completion of the subject. For example, if a student is completing Chemistry in 11th grade, he/she should take the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry in the spring of the 11th grade. Not all colleges and universities require SAT Subject Tests. Students should check test requirements with colleges in which they have interest. Students may register for up to three tests in one day. The tests are given on the same dates as certain SAT Reasoning tests. SAT Subject Test Preparation Booklet, a free publication, is available on the College Board website and provides information about the tests and sample test questions.

ACT – American College Testing

The ACT measures academic achievement in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. A writing test is optional. Students should check with specific colleges to see if a writing test is required. Students may register online at www.act.org. Students should register several weeks prior to the exam to ensure space availability.

AP – Advanced Placement Exams

AP examinations are administered in the spring dates selected by the College Board. Exams measure the student’s knowledge in specific subject areas. AP courses, taught by dedicated and committed high school teachers, lay the groundwork for students to succeed on the AP exams. At ATI-UMW, all students enrolled in AP classes are encouraged to complete the AP experience by taking the exams near the end of the AP class. The student’s transcript reflects the AP designation independent of the student’s election to take the AP exam. All final grades are weighted by 1.0 if the student passes the course. Students who elect to take an AP exam without taking the course may have their scores sent to the college(s) or university(ies) to which they plan to apply; however, units of credit are awarded only to those students who complete the related AP courses.

As required by federal laws and regulations, the ATI-UMW Regional School Board does not discriminate based on sex, color, race, religion, handicapping conditions, or national origin in employment or in its educational programs and activities.

Page updated

Report abuse