CURRICULUM

This curriculum guide acquaints both parents and students with the curricular offerings at Brighton High School. We believe that the best curricular choices are made by students who have carefully read this book and who have also explored their potential career goals with their parents. Good decisions at this time will enhance possibilities after high school. Students should design a four-year program during the ninth grade, making changes as new ideas and information make it necessary.

Class of 2029 Ms. Ashley Grossfeld            Class of 2026 Mr. Jeff Miner 

Class of 2027 Mrs. Jennifer Caverly               Class of 2028 Mrs. Jody Petit 

It is the responsibility of the counselors to help students plan a program that satisfies the graduation requirements of the school. It is also their role to recommend courses that reflect the future goals of the students and to help review course programs with parents/guardians and students.

All students must meet the following course requirements listed below. 

Earn twenty-two (22) credits in the following areas:

English                           4 credits 

Literature and Comp 9, or Honors Literature and Comp 9, American Literature, or Honors

American Literature & Comp, Literature and Comp 11, or Honors Literature & Comp 11

World Literature or AP Literature/AP Language or electives 

Mathematics                     4 credits

Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II

**One math course in senior year

Science                           3 credits 

Biology, Chemistry, Physics or a 3rd science elective course

Social Studies                    3 credits 

United States History, World History, Civics (semester class), Economics (semester class)

World Language                   2 credits 

Health Education                   0.5 credit 

Physical Education                  0.5 credit 

Visual, Applied or Performing Arts           1 credit 

Electives                       6 credits

**May be replaced with an elective math option if student has successfully completed Algebra II

Fourth Year Math Credit Options

Accounting Advanced Marketing

Agriculture Science I & II

Architectural Computer-Aided Drafting and Design 

Automotive Technology I, II, Advanced

Computer Network Engineering 

Construction Trades I & II 

Culinary Arts & Hospitality 

Early Childhood Education 

Energy Technology 

Engineering Robotics I & II 

Engineering Applications

Engineering Design Technology 1 

Engineering Design Technology 2 

Introduction to Machining & Prototyping 

Entrepreneurship

Graphic Communications I & II 

Manufacturing

Personal Finance

AP Physics I, AP Physics 2 

Programming Game Development 

Robotics & Automation Technology I & II 

AP Music Theory

AP Computer Science Principles 

AP Computer Science A 

Welding

WRAP/Work Study

*Visual, Performing or Applied Arts Credit Options

Art – all department courses 

Automotive Technology – all courses

Business – Marketing I, Advanced Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Web Design, Programming - Game Development, AP Computer Science

English – Drama, Performing Arts, Media Publications (formally known as Yearbook), Video Production (Media 1 & 2), Communication Design for Professional Settings, Technical Communication

Family and Consumer Sciences – Education Careers, Housing and Interior Design, Bake Shop,Teacher Cadet, LINK, Culinary, Fashion Design & Merchandising

Health Occupations and Pre-Med Science

Leadership

Music – all department courses

Technology and Industry – all department courses

Out of District Courses – Agriculture Science I & II, Construction Trades I & II, 

Cosmetology, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Cyber Security & Computer 

  Networking, Advanced Cyber Security & Computer Networking, EMT, Energy

  Technology, Firefighter I & II, JROTC, Manufacturing, Private Pilot Ground  

  School I & II, Robotics & Automation Technology I & II, Welding

Civics Credit Option

AP US Government 

*CTE Credit Options for 2nd World Language Credit

Automotive Department 

Automotive Technology I

Automotive Technology II

Advanced Automotive Technology

Child Development 

Education Careers 

Teacher Cadet

Computer Science

AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science Principles

Digital Multimedia Program (select two of the three courses) 

Programming Game Development

Social Media Marketing 

Web Design

Engineering Program

Engineering Applications (Mechanical/Architecture) Year Long Course 

Engineering Design Technology I & Engineering Design Technology 2 

Engineering Applications – 2 Hour Block

Engineering Robotics Technology 1,2 

Architectural Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Introduction to Machining & Prototyping

Finance Program

Accounting

Graphics Program

Graphic Design – Year Long

Graphic Communications I & II – Two Hour Block 

Advanced Graphics & Signage

Health Occupation Program

Health Occupation and Pre-Med Science

Marketing Program

Marketing – Year long course 

Advanced Marketing –  2 Hour Block 

Entrepreneurship

Entertainment and Sports Marketing 

Social Media Marketing

Out of District Courses

Agriculture Science I & II, Construction Trades I & II, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Cyber Security & Computer Networking, Advanced Cyber Security & Computer Networking, EMT, Energy Technology, Firefighter I & II, JROTC, Manufacturing, Private Pilot Ground School I & II, Robotics & Automation Technology I & II, Welding, Phlebotomy 

*1 Full additional credit of the Visual, Performing or Applied Arts Credit Option, 

or 1 Full CTE Credit Option may replace the 2nd World Language Credit. For 

additional information, contact your counselor.

A senior’s class rank is based on the average of all semester grades earned by the end of the seventh semester. The scale used to compute class rank is listed below. The values below have been assigned to each letter grade. The official class rank and grade point average are computed after the completion of the seventh semester.

Report cards are issued four times a year. Only semester grades are recorded on the student’s permanent transcript record. All incompletes must be removed from the record before credit can be given, as per Board Policy. The Parent-Student Handbook states: “When in a teacher’s opinion, illness or other valid reasons have interfered with the student’s ability to meet class deadlines, an incomplete can be given rather than a grade. In such cases, each student will have three (3) weeks to complete the work. Failure to comply with this condition or make other administratively approved arrangements will result in a failing grade."

Mid-term reports will be posted on-line at the midpoint of each marking period. Weekly progress reports are also available from teachers at parent/guardian request. Students must take responsibility for circulating these forms.

All class choices are firm commitments for the school year. Master schedule decisions are based on the course selections of the students. Schedule changes may be requested during the summer registration week and need to occur before the school year starts. Once classes begin the only class changes considered are due to academic failures, mechanical scheduling errors, or staff-initiated academic changes. These will be corrected by the student’s counselor. 

Brighton High School offers a variety of Advanced Placement courses in the areas of Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Studies. These classes offer students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in secondary school. Students should meet the prerequisite requirements listed in the course descriptions and must complete an AP permission form for each advanced placement class requested. Below are the offered AP courses:

AP Literature & Composition AP Physics 2 AP Macroeconomics

AP Language & Composition AP Physics 1 AP Microeconomics      

AP Calculus AB AP Music Theory AP Computer Science Principles

AP Calculus BC AP Psychology AP Computer Science A

AP Pre-Calculus AP European History

AP Statistics AP US History      

AP Biology AP World History

AP Chemistry AP Government

AP Environmental Science AP Comparative Government & Politics

The Brighton High School grading system is based on a 4.0 grading scale. AP classes are weighted on a 5.0 scale. Students will receive a weighted grade only if the class is taken when offered in the designated grade level per the curriculum guide. Students taking an AP class online or in a grade level not noted in the curriculum guide or a transfer credit from another school will NOT receive a weighted grade. Their grade(s) will be based on a 4.0 scale.

Brighton Area Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively, “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

Algebra I and Geometry

Algebra and/or Geometry taken in middle school will be used for progression to advanced math but will not be used to meet the four-year credit requirement set forth by Michigan Merit Curriculum. Students will still be required to complete 22 credits in high school, including 4 math credits and including a math credit senior year, for graduation from Brighton High School. Students receive a letter grade for this class taken in middle school, but this grade does not compute into their high school GPA. 

World Language

World Language or American Sign Language taken in middle school may be used to gain entry into World Language or ASL classes at Brighton High School. World Language and ASL may be used to meet the two-year World Language requirement set forth by Michigan Merit Curriculum. Students will still be required to complete 22 credits in high school, for graduation from Brighton High School. Students receive a letter grade for these classes taken in middle school, but the grades do not compute into their high school GPA. Credits must be completed in the same World Language.

Testing Out

Under Michigan law (MCL 380 1279b), a student who chooses to receive credit for a high school course without enrolling in the course may do so by attaining a passing grade of not less than 78% for the final exam and/or other requirements including: comprehensive paper, portfolio, presentation, project, or assessment in the course. Credit will not be granted, however, for a course in a subject area lower in course sequence than one for which the student has already earned credit. Successfully attained credit under this policy will earn a grade of “pass”, and it will appear as a “G” on their transcript. It shall not be used in computations of grade point average. Credit may be used to fulfill prerequisites for other courses and/or subject area credit requirements for graduation and allow the student to take the next course in sequence. The attained credit may also be used to recover the credit as a result of failing a course. Further information on testing out guidelines and schedules is available on the BHS website, www.brightonk12.com.

Personal Curriculum

A Personal Curriculum is an option any student or family can explore as a way to modify certain graduation requirements and earn a diploma. These guidelines are set by the Michigan Department of Education. Information can be found at Michigan Department of Education - Personal Curriculum Webpage.

Dual Enrollment 

    High school students may enroll in a public or private post-secondary degree granting institution if the following       conditions are met:

1. A student must be enrolled in both the district and the post-secondary institution during the local school district’s regular academic year.

2. The college courses cannot be hobby or “activity courses."

The State School Aid Act contains a provision that directs school districts to assist students in paying tuition and   fees to the institution. Eligible students should see their counselor for more specific information and application procedures. Grades for these classes will not be weighted.

Special Programs

Contact the High School Counseling Office for more information about the referral process concerning the initiation of Special Education, 504, and Homebound services.

On-Line Courses

Students may take up to, but no more than, two online courses per semester. Any student wishing to take more than two online courses needs administrative approval. A list of possible online courses is available at Michigan Virtual or the statewide catalog. Contact your counselor or administrator for information on how to enroll in these courses. Grades for any on-line course will not be weighted. If a student fails an online course, (s)he may not elect to take another online course.

Out of District CTE Consortium

To supplement applied technology offerings at Brighton High School, we participate with other Livingston County high schools in a CTE Consortium. Registration for and participation in any CTE consortium class is open to all high school students in eleventh or twelfth grade. Students must provide their own transportation. 

Retaking a Class

If a student chooses to retake a class, (s)he has this opportunity. This may be due to failure, or it may be to better understand the material. The initial and the retake grades will both be posted and remain on the transcript. Both grades will be calculated into the GPA. Students failing a class may be given an online learning lab hour to retake the class through Michigan Virtual.

High school provides the opportunity to plan and prepare for the future Career planning is one part of that process. Each year students have the chance to participate in career preparation activities, Career Pathway assessments, and to update their Educational Development Plan (EDP). An EDP is a written description that identifies student career goals, interests, and skills while documenting the experiences, education and accomplishments they have had and want to pursue.

Because many careers share similar characteristics, the State of Michigan has grouped all career options into one of six Career Pathways. Those six career pathways are:

Arts and Communications – careers related to the humanities, the performing, visual, literary and media arts

Business, Management, Marketing and Technology – careers related to all aspects of business including accounting, business administration, finance, information processing and marketing

Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial Technology – careers related to technologies necessary to design, develop, install, or maintain physical systems

Health Sciences – careers related to the promotion of health, as well as the treatment of injuries, conditions, and disease

Human Services – careers in child care, civil service, education, hospitality, and the social services

Natural Resources and Agriscience – careers related to the environment and natural resources

Each department has included a Career Pathway chart in this curriculum guide. The Career Pathway chart suggests department course offerings that would be helpful for students anticipating a particular pathway direction.

The NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse has approved the following core academic courses for use in establishing the certification status of student athletes from Brighton High School. Students expecting to receive NCAA athletic eligibility for college should refer to the NCAA website: www.ncaa.org.

* Students electing online classes must check with the online provider regarding NCAA approved courses

English

  American Literature & Composition

  Creative Writing

Composition of Argumentation

Honors American Literature and Composition

Honors Literature and Composition 9

AP Language and Composition

Literature and Composition 9

AP Literature and Composition

Mythology and Science Fiction 

Speech

World Literature and Composition

Literature and Composition 11

Honors Literature and Composition 11

Practical Academic Writing and Speaking (PAWS)

Art & Composition of Arguments

Applied Journalism & Modern Media

Humanities-Music

Mathematics 

Algebra 1

Algebra 2 

AP Calculus AB 

AP Calculus BC

Functions, Statistics and Trigonometry 

Geometry

Pre-Calculus

AP Pre-Calculus 

AP Statistics

Two Year Algebra 2 (Year 1) 1/2 Credit 

Two Year Algebra 2 (Year 2) 1/2 Credit

Natural/Physical Science

 Anatomy and Physiology (Lab) 

 Astronomy

Biology/AP 

Biology 

Botany 

Chemistry/AP 

Chemistry

Honors Chemistry 

Forensics

General Chemistry 

Physics/AP 

Physics

AP Physics I 

AP Physics 2

AP Environmental Science

Social Science

American History/AP 

Civics

Current Events 

Economics 

European History/AP 

AP Government

Government Close-Up (Govt C-U) 

Military History

Psychology

AP Psychology

History of Social Behavior/Sociology 

United States History and Geography 

World History and Geography

Postwar America - The American Dream 

Postwar America - Troubled Times

AP World History 

AP Microeconomics 

AP Macroeconomics

AP Comparative Government & Politics

Additional Courses

American Sign Language I 

American Sign Language II 

American Sign Language III 

American Sign Language IV 

French I

French II 

French III 

French IV 

French V 

Spanish I 

Spanish II 

Spanish III 

Spanish IV 

Spanish V

Determining eligibility of a student to play college athletics is the responsibility of the student and parent.