Courses

Why does course selection matter?

• Opportunity to explore areas of interest

• Foundation for post-secondary plans

• Provides student with a competitive transcript for colleges

How do I make the right choice?

• Use teacher and counselor recommendations

• Learn about rigor of different core classes

• Explore electives that relate to possible career interests. Identify your career cluster and work with our Career Counselor, Mrs. Crowder.

• Start exploring your post-secondary school options with your counselor or career counselor 

Graduation Requirements

• Class of 2022 and beyond Requirements
  History/social studies credits must include US History & US Government

• All students working towards a standard diploma must also pass a credentialing test. This may be in an elective course or through the required economics and personal finance class.

• A verified credit is earned when both the class and the end-of-course SOL test are passed

Core Class Levels (English, Math, Science, and History)

Standard Level

• Standard GPA Weighting (A = 4.0)

• Least rigorous option for core courses

• Preparation for SOL test

Advanced Level

• Weighted with a 0.5 numerical advantage (A = 4.5)

• More rigorous than standard level

• Requires more time to complete readings and homework than standard level

Dual Enrollment (DE) - Senior Year

• Weighted with a 1.0 numerical advantage (A = 5.0)

• Only two options for High School credit: EPF through Longwood (summer) and English 12 (full-year)

• Community college credit upon completion of the class

• Transferability of credit will depend on college of choice

• Curriculum is more rigorous than advanced level

Advanced Placement (A = 5.0)

• Weighted with a 1.0 numerical advantage

• Taught at college level

• Requires extensive time to complete assignments

• Students have option to take the AP test for potential college credit dependent on college of choice

• Curriculum is content-specific and tests relate to specific content learned in class

Full IB Diploma Program

• Considered most rigorous program offered Hanover County due to a regimented combination of college-level coursework with additional requirements outside of class

• Two-year program spanning junior and senior year

• Includes challenging college-level curriculum in various subjects, including one and two-year courses

• Requires Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project that will be completed outside of the classroom

• Requires the Extended Essay (a 4,000-word research paper) written over 18 months

• Utilize this IB Diploma Program tracking tool to plan out your IB Diploma requirements

• To be eligible, students must complete 4 years of a single language before junior year and must complete Pre-Calculus before senior year
  
  

PHHS Elective Options (offerings may change depending on staffing and interest)

Classes may require prerequisites or application. Please see the program of studies or your school counselor for a full listing of available courses, descriptions, and requirements. 

Course Weights and GPA

For classes with weighted credit in graduating classes 2020 and thereafter, students in Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, and International Baccalaureate courses receive weighted credit. A numerical advantage of 1.0 is assigned when calculating students’ grade(s) for these courses, in accordance with the procedure for computing class rank. Students in advanced courses also receive weighted credit. A numerical advantage of 0.5 is assigned when calculating students’ grade(s) for these courses, in accordance with the procedure for computing class rank. The program of studies and student schedules will clearly reflect which courses carry weighted credit. Appropriate school publications, including the program of studies, will state the criteria for placement in courses that carry weighted credit.

*Please refer to the policy manual for more detailed information regarding quality points and weighted credit.

Tips for High School Success

• Find an organizational tool that works for you (agenda, planner, Google calendar, etc.)

• Perfect your time management skills before 9th grade

• Establish a study routine

• Do your homework

• Learn to advocate

*See the Hanover County Program of Studies page for more information on courses offered at your level.

Contact your counselor for additional questions and information.