Academic Planning

A student at Washington High School must consider several requirements.

• Board of Education Requirements for Graduation

• College Preparation Requirements

• Academic Honors Program Requirements

• Departmental Requirements

• General Information

• The 4-4-3-3-2 Plan

Academic Planning Guide Download

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BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

* SEE ADDITIONAL PRESCRIBED INFORMATION

** SEE PHYSICAL EDUCATION / WAIVERS INFORMATION 

Technology Requirement
Students must demonstrate competency in word processing, using the electronic catalog, and two of the following skill areas: Internet, database, or spreadsheet use.  Competency in each chosen skill area can be accomplished in any order and at any time during a student’s high school career.  Students can demonstrate their competencies in one of two ways:

1. Pass an assessment test in which the student demonstrates skills gained through individual instructional or personal experiences.

2. Successfully complete a scheduled class that has incorporated the identified skills and the assessment test.  (Students complete the technical competencies by passing Language Arts 9, 10 and Computer Overview, or a counselor approved alternative)

Competency Requirement
The school reserves the right to require specific courses or activities of students whose test results reveal educational deficiencies.

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COLLEGE PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS

Over 85% of all Washington graduates pursue a degree beyond high school.  Over 50% of our graduates go directly to a four-year college.  Many more begin at a community college but 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

                                                                                                                                        
SOCIAL STUDIES                                                                                                     3 years

    World History , U.S. History, Government (2), & Economics (1)                                        
MATHEMATICS                                                                                                        3 years
        1st Year Algebra, Geometry, & 2nd year Algebra                                                           
SCIENCE                                                                                                                 3 years
        Environmental Science, Biology Sequence, Chemistry or Physics                                     
 FOREIGN LANGUAGE                                                                                                 2 years

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ACADEMIC HONORS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Academic Honors

In recent years more than half of our graduates have set as a goal to meet the requirements of our Academic Honors Program.  Those requirements are shown below:

·        Complete all regular graduation requirements.

• Earn a minimum of 310 credit hours.

• Earn at least 230 credit hours in:

• Language Arts

• Social Studies

• Mathematics

• Science

• Foreign Language

• Art (Art in Application and AP Studio Art)

• Music (AP Music Theory)

• Computer Science

• Attain a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the 230 hours chosen from the above listed options.

Academic Honors with Distinction

• Complete all regular graduation requirements.

• Earn a minimum of 350 credit hours.

• Earn at least 255 credit hours in the core academic areas listed above.

• Completion of four years of mathematics, science, and language arts. (60 hours)

• Completion of three years of social studies. (45 hours)

• Completion of at least two years of a world language. (30 hours)

• Attain a 3.33 cumulative grade point average in the courses used to meet the program criteria.

The pass/fail option may not be used to satisfy the 230 or the 255 credit requirements in the courses listed above.

Interested students are urged to see their counselor for additional information.

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DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Advanced Placement courses are mentioned in most departments.  AP designates these courses that require college level work.  Success reflects dedication and time invested.  The decision to take an end of the year exam is the student's decision and expense, but is strongly recommended since college credit is often the result.

English Language Arts

Sixty hours of course work in English Language Arts are required for graduation (4 years of study). 

Freshmen must complete the following yearlong course:

• Language Arts 9                                                                                                                  15 credit hours

Sophomores must complete the ONE of the following courses:

• Language Arts 10                                                                                                                15 credit hours  

• AP English Composition                                                                                                        15 credit hours

Juniors & Seniors must complete TWO one-year sequences (30 credit hours) from the following courses:

• United States Humanities                                                                                                     15 credit hours                      

• Perspectives in Literature & Composition                                                                               15 credit hours

• World Humanities & Composition                                                                                          15 credit hours                      

• AP Language & Composition                                                                                                 15 credit hours                    

• AP Literature & Composition                                                                                                 15 credit hours

Science

Thirty hours of course work in science are required for graduation (two years of study). 

Freshmen must complete one of the following yearlong courses:

• Environmental Science , Biology 1,2,3 , or  Pre-A.P. Biology 1,2,3                                             15 credit hours 

• Freshmen who plan to take Advanced Placement science courses later in their high school careers should consider taking Pre-A.P. Biology.

• AP Environmental Science is available to those who complete the Biology sequence. 

Sophomore students who have a strong interest in science may consider taking AP Environmental Science and Chemistry simultaneously.

• Many colleges require three years of high school science for admission.  Some insist that at least two of those three years of high school study be yearlong courses in biology, chemistry, or physics.  Therefore, we recommend that college-bound students complete at least three years of science at WHS, four years would be even better if a scientific career is being considered.  Any or all of the earth science lab courses may be taken any year and could add to the fulfillment of the Regents science requirements.

• Pre-A.P. Chemistry will also be available to those interested in taking A.P. Chemistry.

• AP Chemistry has Chemistry (regular or pre-A.P. level) as a prerequisite. 

• AP Physics may be taken without regular Physics but a student's math background needs careful attention. 

• The science department highly recommends Chemistry as a prerequisite for AP Biology & AP Physics.

• Courses that meet the Biological Science requirements of many colleges are Biology 1, Biology 2, Biology 3, Ecological Problems, Botany and Horticulture.  Students may complete any three of the five for one year of biology. 

• Seniors who complete 4 years (60 credit hours) of science courses are eligible for the Outstanding Science Scholar Award.

Mathematics

We believe that all students at WHS should plan to complete four years of mathematics.  The appropriate mathematics sequence of courses depends upon the course taken during the freshman year. 

SEQUENCE I

Many ninth graders will take 1st Year Algebra during their freshman year.  For those students, the following sequence will best prepare them for post-secondary education and career preparation.  Students with considerable math ability and interest who did not take Algebra as an 8th grader should choose Fast Pace 1st year Algebra.  Students taking the Fast Pace 1st Year Algebra course will need to double up one year (take two mathematics courses at the same time) to acquire the necessary skills to take AP Calculus as seniors.

* This sequence meets college entrance requirements in mathematics.

** We also offer a four-term Second Year Algebra course.

SEQUENCE II

Some students begin math at Washington in our four-term Algebra program.  This following sequence meets all college entrance requirements but moves at a slightly slower pace than Sequence I.

SEQUENCE III

Some entering freshmen have already completed Algebra in eighth grade.  Many of these students are highly capable mathematics students who should take maximum advantage of our math curriculum as described below:

* There may be some students who have completed Algebra in eighth grade who would be better suited and more successful In the regular Geometry and Second Year Algebra programs during their freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Junior and senior year options would remain the same as shown in Sequence III.

SEQUENCE IV

Some students will benefit from additional preparation before taking Algebra.  They also will likely benefit from our four term version of the 1st Year Algebra course and our four-term version of the yearlong Geometry course.  For those students, the appropriate sequence is as follows:

* Sequence IV does not fully prepare students to meet entrance requirement at many four-year colleges and universities.

·         Students may move from one sequence to another with the permission of their parents, math teacher, and counselor or ninth grade facilitator.

• Very successful Algebra Prep students may, with the permission of the Mathematics Department, enroll in the regular 1st Yr. Algebra program as sophomores.   In that case, they would then take Geometry as juniors and 2nd Yr. Algebra as seniors.

• Math Lab 1,2, & 3 are course titles used to extend the 1st Yr. Algebra, Geometry, and 2nd Year Algebra courses from 3 terms to 4 terms.

·      Students stopped at some point in sequential math courses may opt for Basic, Applied, & Consumer Math in their senior year.

We urge each student and his/her parents to work with our counselors to plan a four-year program.  Completion of at least two years of Algebra and one year of Geometry should be the goal for most Washington students. 

Seniors who complete 4 years (60 credit hours) of mathematics will be eligible for the Outstanding Math Scholar Award.

Social Studies

All students must complete forty-five hours of course work in social studies (three years of study).  No social studies credits are required in the ninth grade.  Any student opting for Advanced Placement World History in 9th grade is encouraged to take four full years of Social Studies.

Freshmen may complete the following courses (Not Required for Graduation):

• AP Human Geography                                                                                                        15 credit hours
• Intro. to Social Science                                                                                                       5 credit hours   
• Global Geography                                                                                                               5 credit hours     
• Personal Law & Government                                                                                                5 credit hours 

Sophomores must complete ONE of the following courses:

• World History                                                                                                                    15 credit hours

• AP European History*                                                                                                        15 credit hours

• AP World History*                                                                                                             15 credit hours

Juniors must complete ONE of the following courses:

• U.S. History                                                                                                                       15 credit hours

• AP U.S. History                                                                                                                  15 credit hours

Seniors are required to take THREE classes (15 credit hours) in TWO of the following disciplines:

• Economics (AP 1 & 2 or Applied; AP Economics 3 is only available as an elective for those planning to take the AP Exam in the spring

• Government (American 1 & 2***; AP Gov. & Politics: U.S. 1 &2; AP Gov. & Politics: Comparative 1& 2)
• Philosophy

Students that complete 4 years (60 credit hours) of AP social studies will be eligible to receive the Outstanding Social Studies Scholar Award.

* 9th, 11th, &12th grade students may take AP European & AP World History as elective credit.
**African American History, a one-term course, may be substituted for the third term of U.S. History

***Personal Law & Government can substitute for the option of American Government 2

Physical Education / Waivers

All students must be enrolled in Physical Education (2.5 credits), P.E. Medical (no credit), Sports Waiver P.E. (no credit), Academic Waiver (no credit), or Cooperative Waiver (no credit) each term.  Using waivers affects how much elective credit a student must earn to meet graduation requirements.

Athletes waiving P.E. - The Physical Education requirement may be waived for one term during the school year for a ninth through eleventh grade student who is a member of an interscholastic athletic team.  The term must coincide with the season of participation as closely as possible.  Seniors may utilize up to three sports waivers per year.

In the event an athlete drops the sport during the term of the sports waiver, the following should be understood:

• If an athlete is injured and is unable to compete for the balance of the sports waiver term, a medical excuse should be secured.  The coach should sign this medical excuse and the student should then turn it in to the clinic.

• Athletes not meeting the requirements of the sports waiver will receive an unsatisfactory grade and will be expected to make up the physical education credit. 

• Unsatisfactory grades should be made-up within two terms and will probably mean taking physical education daily.  The student should confer with a counselor.

Students waiving P.E. because of a full academic load - The P.E. requirement may be waived for one term during the school year for students who are registered for the entire term for 30 (thirty) credit hours of courses that meet graduation requirements. Seniors with 32.5 credits may use a second academic waiver with counselor permission.

Students who receive an unsatisfactory grade for ANY waiver will be required to make-up that P.E. requirement.

All students must complete 2.5 credit hours in physical education each term they are enrolled.  Students who are excused for medical reasons by a licensed physician must register for PE6100 MEDICAL.

Physical Education offerings during the 9th and 10th grades include Wellness 1 & 2, Swimming 9/10, and activity related classes all offered at 2.5 credit hours.  Physical Education offerings during the 11th and 12th grades include Wellness 3 and activity related classes all offered at 2.5 credit hours.

Our goal is for students to be matched with a Physical Education course specifically for their grade.  Due to schedule and facility restrictions students are periodically scheduled into the available Physical Education class. 

Additional Prescribed

All students must take an additional 15 credit hours of work in one of the following prescribed options:

• Any combination of mathematics and/or science courses OR

• One year of study of foreign language (Grades 9 - 12) OR

• One year of study in an approved sequence of career-preparation courses

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GENERAL INFORMATION

EDUCATIONAL PLANNING
To provide for a wide variety of individual student goals, interests, and abilities, your high school offers many more courses than it will be possible for you to take during your high school years.  Therefore, it is very important that you make your educational plans carefully and keep such plans up-to-date as you progress through school.  Your counselor and teachers are prepared to assist you in this task.

NCAA ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

Potential NCAA Division I and II athletes should choose courses carefully with their counselor due to specific requirements.  Applications to the NCAA Clearinghouse are often submitted at the end of the junior year.  Information and forms are available in the Counseling Office and on the counseling office web page http://counselors.crwash.org or www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

CREDIT HOURS - MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM 

The minimum class load is 27.5 credit hours during every trimester of the ninth grade through the eleventh grade year. The minimum load for each of the three years is 82.5 credit hours.  Exceptions are rare and must be for specific reasons approved in advance by the principal and parent's) or guardian.

Seniors must take a minimum of 22.5 credit hours per trimester, 67.5 credit hours for the year.

PASS/FAIL OPTION

Each year any Washington student who has parent approval may choose one elective course to be graded on a pass/fail basis.

• Those courses count toward graduation but are not included in computing the grade point average.  Courses taken to meet specific subject matter requirements, except for PE, may not be taken pass/fail.  Further, courses taken to meet the requirements of the Honors Program may not be taken pass/fail

• Driver Education may be taken pass/fail without it counting towards the one pass/fail per year.

• Students who plan to take a course for pass/fail must submit the appropriate form with parent and counselor signatures.  Course expectations are the same as for graded students, and grades will be placed on all course work.  An "S" will appear on the grade report if the student passes the course, a "U" will indicate failure.  The pass/fail form must be submitted to the teacher prior to the final examination.  The request to drop your pass/fail option must also meet this deadline.

• After the term ends, a pass/fail may not be changed to enable a pass/fail in a later term.

RE-ENROLLMENT

A student may be allowed to repeat a course.  The new grade will be recorded as the grade for the course and will be included in the computation of grade point average.  Not all courses are eligible to be repeated during the fall, winter, or spring terms.  Summer school may be the only option for improving the grade.  The transcript will retain the course number and title from the first effort, but will change the earlier grade to N.  Students who wish to use the re-enrollment option must gain permission from their counselor.

DIRECTED STUDY

By arrangement with school staff, a student may work on a special project involving directed study.  Projects can be adjusted to the needs and interests of individual students.  Directed study may not be substituted for a course regularly offered during the school year.  Students who wish to submit a proposal for directed study credit should:

• Contact a sponsoring teacher for their approval.

• Prepare a study outline and schedule with the sponsoring teacher.

• Submit the proposal to the directed study coordinator and complete an application for credit.

• Directed study will not assist the student to qualify for an academic waiver since credit is awarded at the completion of the project.

GRADING

The grading system and its numerical equivalents are as follows: