This information is designed to help students and parents with the selection of courses for grade 9 through grade 12. Students should read this information and consult with their parents, teachers and professional school counselors in developing their personalized Academic & Career Plan.
The High School Experience:
• Grades 9-12 offer a comprehensive program featuring offerings of core subjects, career & technical education, and fine arts courses.• The school year is comprised of 36 weeks divided into four 9-week marking periods.• The school year consists of 2 semesters; one-half standard credit is awarded for each course successfully completed each semester.• Each school day is divided into 4 equal blocks.• A total of 8 classes may be taken in 1 school year.• In order to graduate students must earn a specified number of standard and verified credits. • A “standard credit” is awarded for each course with a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C- and D.• A “verified credit” is earned by passing the End-of-Course SOL test and the course associated with the SOL test.• Promotion from one grade level to the next is based on the standard and verified credits earned (refer to Resources section.• “Levels” of rigor are associated with courses. These levels are average (2), honors (3-H), Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), and International Baccalaureate (IB). All college bound students are highly encouraged to take higher-level courses in order to be best prepared for a successful college experience.• All students must take a course in mathematics each year of high school. • All Seniors must be enrolled in 6 coursesGraduation Requirements and Diploma Options:
The Virginia Board of Education approves graduation requirements and diploma options based on the year a student first enters the ninth grade. It is imperative that students and parents work closely with the professional school counselor to ensure students are following the correct track. The Resources section provides requirements for each diploma option.Class Rank:
Rank in class will be based on a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) scale. Honors courses will receive a GPA added value of .5. Advanced Placement classes, IB classes and approved college level courses will receive a GPA added value of 1.0 weight. When a course is repeated, the highest grade earned will be calculated into the cumulative grade point average. Class rank for graduation purposes is calculated after the first semester of the senior year {refer to School Board Policy IKC}Honor Graduate Designations:
For graduation purposes GPAs are calculated after the first semester of the senior year.