Welcome

Welcome to Mission Hills High School! 


Mission Hills High School opened in August, 2004 and is nestled amongst the hills in the beautiful and fast-growing City of San Marcos, approximately thirty miles north of downtown San Diego.


Situated on forty-four acres of former dairy land, Mission Hills High School boasts commanding views of the surrounding community. Our spectacular campus enjoys abundant sunshine and fresh sea breezes, a wide-open plaza, four interior courtyard spaces and an outdoor amphitheater. In addition, our library, theater, gymnasium, and stadium are truly breathtaking. Specialized facilities for the sciences, arts and career-oriented programs, complement the design of basic classroom learning spaces, all focused on high achievement and a welcoming home for our 2800 students. Mission Hills offers a four-year comprehensive high school program with courses ranging from College Prep, Career Technical Education (CTE) Honors (H) and Advanced Placement (AP) classes; which may result in college credit for work done in high school. In addition to a strong academic program, MHHS provides many opportunities for students to become involved in student government, athletics, music, drama, community service, and other extracurricular activities that help bring a challenging and rewarding experience to our students and staff.


We pride ourselves on our commitment to high standards and a nurturing environment for all members of our greater community.


Our Mission 

Mission Hills High School provides exceptional learning experiences, with high expectations in a supportive environment, in order to meet the academic and social needs of our diverse community.


Our Vision

Mission Hills believes in high expectations in a nurturing environment for all students. 


Our Core Values

elcome to Mission Hills High School

Mission Hills High School opened in August, 2004 and is nestled amongst the hills in the beautiful and fast-growing City of San Marcos, approximately thirty miles north of downtown San Diego.


Situated on forty-four acres of former dairy land, Mission Hills High School boasts commanding views of the surrounding community. Our spectacular campus enjoys abundant sunshine and fresh sea breezes, a wide-open plaza, four interior courtyard spaces and an outdoor amphitheater. In addition, our library, theater, gymnasium, and stadium are truly breathtaking. Specialized facilities for the sciences, arts and career-oriented programs, complement the design of basic classroom learning spaces, all focused on high achievement and a welcoming home for our 2800 students. Mission Hills offers a four-year comprehensive high school program with courses ranging from College Prep, Career Technical Education (CTE) Honors (H) and Advanced Placement (AP) classes; which may result in college credit for work done in high school. In addition to a strong academic program, MHHS provides many opportunities for students to become involved in student government, athletics, music, drama, community service, and other extracurricular activities that help bring a challenging and rewarding experience to our students and staff.


We pride ourselves on our commitment to high standards and a nurturing environment for all members of our greater community.


Our Mission 

Mission Hills High School provides exceptional learning experiences, with high expectations in a supportive environment, in order to meet the academic and social needs of our diverse community.


Our Vision

Mission Hills believes in high expectations in a nurturing environment for all students. 


Our Core Values

udent Learner Outcomes: Grizzly Graduation Goals (G3’s)

The Grizzly Graduation Goals outline the expectations we have for our graduates. The G3’s were created to reflect the mission, vision, and core values of Mission Hills High School. The three tenants collectively embody what it means to be a Grizzly.

Our student learner outcomes focus on the following goals:

G1. Academically Prepared

  ⚬ Demonstrate mastery in all core content   

     standards
  ⚬ Communicate effectively through reading,   

     writing, listening, and speaking
   ⚬ Complete graduation requirements and A-G

G2. Creative and Productive

  ⚬ Tackle problems with creativity and innovation
  ⚬ Work collaboratively to complete projects
  ⚬ Use technology effectively to access, analyze, 

     and evaluate information 

  ⚬ Recognize, analyze, and apply solutions to  

    problems in everyday and academic life

G3. Connected to the Community

  ⚬ Participate positively in school and community   

     groups 

  ⚬ Demonstrate understanding of complex social   

     issues 

  ⚬ Complete community service projects

w to Use This Course Catalog

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS


A student must earn 230 credits in select subjects in order to graduate from Mission Hills High School. Each course is worth 5 credits per semester. Students and parents/caregivers are encouraged to monitor carefully the student’s progress towards meeting these requirements. 


EXPECTED CREDIT PROGRESS

Students are expected to pass all classes and earn 30 credits each semester. By the end of each year, students should have earned a minimum of the following credits in order to remain in good standing for graduation at Mission Hills: 

▪ Grade 9:  25 credits 

▪ Grade 10: 95 credits 

▪ Grade 11: 155 credits 

*Students who fail to accumulate credits may be transferred to an alternative setting (Twin Oaks High School) in order to get back on track for graduation.


CREDIT POLICY

Credits towards MHHS graduation may be earned in the following manner: 

▪ Successful completion of courses offered during the regular school year or summer sessions. 

▪ Transfer of units from accredited private or other public schools. 

▪ Independent study as authorized by the California Administrative Code. 

▪ Transfer of units from a community college (Dual/Concurrent Enrollment Classes). 

o 2-3 unit community college class = 5 credits at MHHS 

o 4-5 unit community college class = 10 credits at MHHS 

o Classes fewer than 2 units at a community college may not be transferred to MHHS for credit.

The following limitations apply, unless prior approval for exemption is granted by the principal: 

▪ All courses which meet specific requirements (e.g., English, Math, History, Science etc.) MUST be taken at Mission Hills High School or MUST have been completed at another accredited private or public school prior to transfer to MHHS. 

▪ While attending MHHS, a student may apply no more than 30 credits from off-campus sources (community college, college, and university) towards graduation.


Grizzlies can click here to download the MHHS Future Four-Year Plan


COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Students planning to go directly to a four-year college or university must meet college/university entrance requirements. Those interested in private colleges or universities should contact the appropriate schools early in their high school career and communicate with their school counselor to ensure they are taking the necessary courses. College and university information is available on campus in the Future Center. A wealth of information is available on the institution's website. 

Entrance requirements for the four-year public university systems in California are outlined on page 7. Please note that students must pass with a grade of C or better in any courses taken to fulfill entrance requirements. Although D grades are considered passing for purposes of graduation, they are NOT considered passing by the university systems. A list of MHHS courses which meet UC and CSU admissions requirements may be found on the UC website https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist. Select the “A-G Course Lists” box, enter “Mission Hills High School” on the search line, then click on view course list “Mission Hills High School (San Marcos, California).” 


THE ALLIANCE (CSUSM)

The Alliance is a unique, regionally focused initiative aimed at improving college attendance and graduation rates for all learners in CSUSM’s footprint. The Alliance increases access to high-quality college education, ensuring the successful attainment of a college degree, and meeting the social and emotional needs of Alliance students. Students can be eligible to be an Alliance student by graduating from a SMUSD high school, completing the CSU requirements and applying to CSUSM in the fall of their senior year. The Alliance is your one-stop place for assisting you to achieve your goals. More information on The Alliance can be found on their website: https://www.csusm.edu/alliance/index.html


INCOMPLETES

Incomplete grades are not given. Missed work due to excused absences must be made up within three weeks of the beginning of the following school term and the grade will be averaged in for a permanent grade. It is the student’s responsibility to contact teachers and make arrangements to make up work. If the work is not made up, the prior grade will be permanent. 


CREDIT RECOVERY

Students earning a grade of D or F in certain Math, Science, English and History college prep A-G courses may repeat the course for additional credit providing that they earn a grade of C or higher the second time through. The initial course with the D grade will be applied as elective credits for graduation purposes. Students wanting to register for Credit Recovery must contact their school counselor.


ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES

Advanced Placement courses provide a college-level learning experience. Students who enroll in AP classes are expected to take the AP exams given in May of each year. Most colleges will grant credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP exams; thus, students may earn college credit while still in high school. Students earn an extra grade point for a grade of C or higher. State law mandates that weighted grades can be assigned only to courses designated as eligible by the University of California (UC). UC has approved weighted grades for all MHHS Advanced Placement courses. 

CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE)

CTE classes prepare students for a wide variety of in-demand careers, STEM-focused occupations, or college-level classes with both technical and academic skills that will help them to adapt as industry needs and their fields change. CTE courses give students more options after they graduate, even allowing them to potentially enter into careers with living wages that would support themselves or a family. 

In San Marcos, students are currently being trained for a wide variety of future careers, from engineering, computer science, public safety, and more.  Students who engage in the CTE program exited the program more marketable than their counterparts.  CTE students earn at least one, if not all three of the following: 

The high school graduation rate for CTE students is 90% - 15 percentage points higher than the national average. CTE students who complete a career pathway can be recognized at graduation with a designated cord. Here is a link for more information about CTE courses. 


TRANSFERRING STUDENTS 

A student who transfers to Mission Hills after the first six weeks of the semester with NO check-out grades from the previous school will receive grades of NM (no mark) for that semester at MHHS and will receive no credit for that semester. Students transferring to MHHS within three weeks of the end of our semester must make arrangements to complete credits in the district they are leaving prior to checking out. Mission Hills High School cannot grant another district’s credits if a student transfers in without meeting that district’s requirements. The transfer grades of students coming to MHHS will be averaged with the grades earned here when teachers compute a final grade. Students who were on track to graduate upon leaving their previous district during their senior year, but who are deficient in MHHS graduation requirements, may graduate from Mission Hills High School provided they pass six classes each semester. Students must attend MHHS their final semester in order to receive a Mission Hills High School diploma. 

STUDENT SCHEDULING POLICY

During the scheduling process, students and parents/guardians have opportunities to provide input regarding the courses the student should take. The student and their parents/guardians should check the transcript carefully to ensure that they are meeting graduation requirements and to use it as a guide to plan for the following school year. If parents/guardians have concerns or questions regarding classes and requirements, they should contact their school counselor before the student selects courses. 


In order to maintain balanced class sizes, students are assigned to teachers randomly by a computer system designed to accommodate the needs of pupils, scheduled six periods a day in a total of approximately 100 different courses. 


Schedule changes will be considered during the first two weeks of the first semester. Students requesting to drop an AP/Honors class must have parent/guardian approval/signatures. For a variety of reasons, it may be necessary to revise students’ schedules at the beginning of the second semester. Students are not guaranteed identical schedules for both semesters. 

All students are welcome to sign up for zero period.  Space is limited and we cannot guarantee that the student will be enrolled in a zero period class.  In addition, all students must be enrolled in at least four MHHS courses within periods 1-6, regardless of credits, zero period, seventh period courses and/or coursework taken via Dual Enrollment, Concurrent enrollment.

Teacher and/or period requests will not be granted. A teacher change will only be considered if the student has had the teacher for an entire school year previously.

If a student is experiencing ongoing difficulty in a course, the following steps must be followed: 

1. Student meets with the teacher to discuss the difficulty and identify how best to deal with the issue. 

2. If further action is needed, the parent/guardian contacts the teacher.

3. After a parent/teacher contact, the matter may be referred to an assistant principal who may choose to meet with the parties involved.


STATE SEAL OF BILITERACY

The High School Seal of Biliteracy is awarded upon attainment of a high level of proficiency in two or more languages. The Seal of Biliteracy highlights individuals with multilingual and multicultural competence to potential employers and provides universities with a method of identifying and giving credit to applicants with high levels of proficiency in a second language. 


Requirements:


Students who meet all requirements will receive the Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diploma. 

STUDENT ATHLETES

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

College-bound student-athletes preparing to enroll in a Division I or Division II school need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure they have met amateurism standards and are academically prepared for college coursework.

Division I - 16 Core Courses

Division II - 16 Core Courses

For a list of all MHHS NCAA approved core courses visit the following link: https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction (enter our CEEB code: 053868)


NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA)

The NAIA does not have any core course requirements and can be determined as early as the summer following your junior year. The NAIA Eligibility Center will determine your eligibility based on your high school grades and sometimes your SAT/ACT scores, class rank, and/or dual credit. Rules can differ if you are a GED, home school student, or took time off between high school and the NAIA. Register at PlayNAIA.org to access details in your resources menu.


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Descriptions of the courses offered at Mission Hills High School are outlined in the following pages. Students should take note of the grade levels at which the course may be taken, prerequisites, and the length of the course (semester vs. year-long).

Some of the abbreviations commonly used in this section are explained below. 

AP:  Advanced Placement (designates classes to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exams, which may result in a student’s receiving college credit for a course, even though the course was completed in high school) 

A-G: California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) identified courses which meet the entrance requirements of that school.

CTE:  Career Technical Education (The newly revised CTE Model Curriculum Standards are designed to prepare students to be both Career and College ready) 

ELD:  English Language Development (designates English classes for those learning English as a second language) 

H:  Honors (designates honors classes designed to prepare students for Advanced Placement classes) 

P:  College preparatory (designates classes accepted by colleges and universities for purposes of meeting their entrance requirements)

PE: Physical Education