Academics
Counselors visited each American Government and Economics class starting September 26 and ending October 5. The purpose of the visits was to review important senior information with students. Counselors helped students review their transcript, do a graduation credit audit, and determine which awards they qualified for upon graduation (ex. 4-year math medallion, etc.). Information about 2 and 4-year colleges, employment, military service, and apprenticeships was shared to help students formulate plans after graduation. Makeup sessions will be held for absent and online students, and dates will be posted on the senior website, along with the materials given to students.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
All students must earn 40 credits total to earn a high school diploma. The following areas have specific requirements:
English Language Arts: 4 years X 2 credits a year = 8 credits
Math: 3 years X 2 credits a year = 6 credits (Completion of Algebra 2 is required beginning with the class of 2022)
Science: 3 years X 2 credits a year = 6 credits (1 year each of Earth Science, Life Science [Biology], and Physical Science)
Social Studies: 3 years X 2 credits a year = 6 credits (1 year each of World History & US History, 1 semester each of Economics & Government)
Physical Education: 4 years X 1 credit a year = 4 credits
Elective Courses: 10 credits
Please see the district program of studies HERE for detailed information on available courses.
COLLEGE PREP RECOMMENDATIONS
Over 80% of all Washington graduates pursue a degree beyond high school. Approximately 50% of graduates matriculate directly to a four-year college. Many begin at a community college and eventually transfer to a four-year institution. A general plan for meeting minimum college entrance requirements is shown below. Some colleges will have requirements in addition to those listed.
English Language Arts: 4 years
Math: 3 years (Including completion of Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2)
Science: 3 years (Including completion of 2 years of lab science courses such as Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
Social Studies: 3 years (Including completion of World History, US History, and Economics & Government)
World Language: 2 years study of 1 language
DROPPING A COURSE
A student may only drop a course with the approval of a responsible adult. Each student dropping a class must do the following:
Meet with their counselor to discuss how the number of hours remaining on your schedule will be spent.
Meet with their teacher and return all books & materials checked out.
Secure signatures from the student's counselor, teacher, attendance office, and parent/guardian.
Effective August 23, 2018, all students in grades 9 and 10 must be enrolled in 7 classes and cannot drop a course for a study hall.
Additionally, there are 3 deadlines to know about when dropping a course.
If the drop occurs between days 1-10 of the semester, there is no record of the course on the student’s transcript.
If the drop occurs between days 11-45 of the semester, there is a “W” for withdrawn on the student’s transcript. A grade of "W" carries no credit and is not figured into the GPA. The student will be reassigned to study hall or an open hour if they are a senior.
If the drop occurs day 46 and beyond the student receives a “W” if they are passing the course at the time of the drop or an “F” if they are failing the course at the time of the drop. Students may drop a course up until the week of final exams. The student will be reassigned to study hall or an open hour if they are a senior.
SATISFACTORY / UNSATISFACTORY
A student may choose one elective course per year to be graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. The criteria applied to all courses taken as satisfactory/unsatisfactory is as follows:
Written parental approval is required.
Students must visit their School Counselor for the satisfactory/unsatisfactory request form.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory requests must be made within 20 school days of the start of the semester.
Students must complete all course expectations as if they were receiving a grade. Taking a class S/U (or pass/fail) will, at the completion of the semester, record the letter grade as an S with appropriate credit for a passing grade of D- or higher, and a U with no credit for a failing grade. A letter grade will remain on Infinite Campus throughout the duration of the semester and the S/U option will take effect after grades are posted on transcripts.
Courses that are taken as satisfactory/unsatisfactory will not be used to compute grade point and/or class rank nor will they be computed for Academic Honors.
Students with a failing grade who receive a U will still be subject to activity & athletic eligibility penalties, just as if a grade of F were recorded.
Classes that DO NOT qualify:
Any course required to meet content area graduation requirements (Exception: PE courses MAY be taken pass/fail, even though they fulfill a graduation requirement)
Advanced Placement courses