Cheltenham High School
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CHELTENHAM HIGH SCHOOL COURSE DESCRIPTION GUIDE 2016-2017 Table of Contents Cheltenham High School 2016-2017 Course Description Guide General Information ……………………………………………………………………...……3 Mission Statement/Vision Statement ………………………………………………………..5 Course Selection Timeline ……………………………………………………………………6 Graduation Requirements …………………………………………………………………….7 Credits for Grade Promotion ………………………………………………………………… 8 Choosing a Program of Study ………………………………………………………………..8 Course Levels ………………………………………………………………………………….8 College Admission ……………………………………………………………...……………..9 NCAA Academic Eligibility Requirements …………………………………………………..9 Policy on Schedule Adjustments ……………………………………………………………10 Special Education …………………………………………………………………………….12 Freshman Experience ………………………………………………………………………..13 English …………………………………………………………………………………………13 Health and Physical Education ……………………………………………………………...18 Mathematics …………………………………………………………………………………..20 Music and Performing Arts …………………………………………………………………..25 Science ………………………………………………………………………………………...32 Social Studies …………………………………………………………………………………37 Unified Art (Art, Business, Family & Consumer Sciences & Technology Education) …42 World Language ………………………………………………………………………………55 Challenge ……………………………………………………………………………….……..60 External Opportunities (Dual Enrollment, Senior Experiences, Eastern Technology) ...60 Open Enrollment Policies …………………………………………………………………….64 2 Cheltenham High School 2016-2017 Course Description Guide SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP CHELTENHAM HIGH SCHOOL 500 Rices Mill Road • Wyncote, PA 19095 • 215-517-3700 • Fax: 215-517-3771 Dear Students and Parents/Guardians, We are excited and committed to providing a wide range of learning opportunities that will prepare students for college and career-readiness. Course selection should be done thoughtfully and deliberately after reviewing the course offerings and considerable discussion with teachers, guidance counselors, and parents/guardians. Choose courses that are challenging and will prepare you for your future endeavors. To assist in making the most appropriate selections, please consider the following recommendations: 1. Past academic records 2. Teacher’s recommendations 3. Achievement in current courses 4. Prerequisites for courses 5. Total course load for the school year 6. Extracurricular/Co-Curricular activities We encourage you to read the guide thoroughly and discuss choices for the 2016-17 school year. Please do not hesitate to seek assistance from the guidance counselors, teachers and administrators in selecting your courses. Sincerely, Mrs. Iris Parker, Principal Mrs. Lori Felgoise, Assistant Principal Mrs. Lynn Hindermyer, Vice Principal Mr. James Joseph, Assistant Principal Mr. Scott Layer, Vice Principal Mr. John Creighton, Athletic Director 3 Cheltenham High School 2016-2017 Course Description Guide Main Office: 215-517-3700 Fax: 215-517-3771 Guidance Fax: 215-517-3783 Website: www.cheltenham.org Principal Mrs. Iris Parker 215-517-3772 [email protected] Administrators Mr. James Joseph 215-517-3726 [email protected] Mrs. Lori Felgoise 215-517-3768 [email protected] Ms. Lynn Hindermyer 215-517-3706 [email protected] Mr. Scott Layer 215-517-3800 [email protected] Guidance Counselors Mrs. Jan Caldwell 215-517-3778 [email protected] Mrs. Lori Cohen 215-517-3777 [email protected] Dr. Anh Tran-Doerr 215-517-3780 [email protected] Mr. Leon Walker 215-517-3775 [email protected] Ms. Keila Vargas 215-517-3776 [email protected] Guidance Secretary Mrs. Katie Brett 215-517-3782 High School Registrar Ms. Betsy Higgins 215-517-3768 College Board High School Code: 393280 College Board Test Center Code: 39-736 County Code: 42091 4 Cheltenham High School 2016-2017 Course Description Guide Mission Statement Drawing on its cultural richness, creativity, and tradition of scholastic excellence, the School District of Cheltenham Township strives to nurture each child through a wealth of academic endeavors and community partnerships that provide the skills and vision needed to lead a productive and meaningful life beyond our classroom walls. Vision Statement With a clear connection between the classroom and the world, the School District of Cheltenham Township will strive for excellence by: 1) inspiring our students to develop principled and knowledgeable responses to the local, national, and global challenges of the 21st century; 2) actively engaging parents in their children’s intellectual, social, and moral education; 3) encouraging faculty and staff to continually broaden the web of connections between their academic disciplines and the world on which they depend; 4) stimulating dynamic leadership of building and district administrators; and 5) creating partnerships with community individuals, institutions, organizations, and businesses that model real-world connections for all students. 5 Cheltenham High School 2016-2017 Course Description Guide COURSE SELECTION TIMELINE February 1st-3rd High School counselors will meet with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders in their English classes to discuss the course selection process February 1st- 9th graders will be able to choose courses online for the 2016-17 school year February 2nd- 10th graders will be able to choose courses online for the 2016-2017 school year February 3rd- 11th graders will be able to choose courses online for the 2016-2017 school year February 8th-Online course selection will close at midnight February 9th-March 14- High School counselors will meet with each student individually to review course selections End of May- Initial schedules with be distributed to students May 31-June 6-Schedule changes 6 Cheltenham High School 2016-2017 Course Description Guide GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Cheltenham High School operates under a single diploma plan; all students who meet the requirements for graduation receive similar diplomas. A. Required Courses 1. Four years of English 2. Four years of Physical Education 3. Three years of Mathematics 4. Three years of Science 5. Three years of Social Studies 6. Economics 7. Health In addition, students are expected to take a range of electives in the Humanities, Art, and Music. B. Required Credits A student must earn a total of 112 credits to graduate from Cheltenham High School. C. Keystone Exam Proficiency (Biology, Algebra I, & Literature) The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires students to attain proficiency on the Algebra, Biology, and Literature Keystones to graduate Cheltenham High School. Keystone exams are state-developed, end of course assessments in designated content areas. The Keystone exams serve two purposes: 1) high graduation requirement, and 2) high school accountability assessments for federal and state purposes. All public districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are held accountable for the participation and performance of all students in Algebra I, Biology and Literature Exams. If a student does not demonstrate proficiency of a Keystone Exam, he/she will receive supplemental instruction until the student can demonstrate proficiency in the subject area on the Keystone Exam. If a student is unable to score proficient or above after two attempts on a Keystone Exam, the students may attempt to satisfy the Exam requirement through satisfactory completion of a Project-Based Assessment. A Project-Based Assessment module must be completed for each module of the Keystone Exam in which a student did not score proficient. Students will be registered to complete the PBA during the school day. D. Courses taken outside Cheltenham High School Students may take course work at another school to meet graduation requirements with the prior approval of the counselor and the department coordinator. 7 Cheltenham High School 2016-2017 Course Description Guide MINIMUM CREDITS FOR GRADE PROMOTION Students must earn a minimum of credits per year to be promoted to the next grade. Promotion to a grade level will be based on the following standards: Sophomore-minimum of 23 credits Junior-minimum of 49 credits Senior-minimum of 75 credits CHOOSING A PROGRAM OF STUDIES Consider these suggestions when planning course selections: 1. Study each subject in depth. Continue in a sequence as long as your interest and achievement in the subject warrant it. 2. Plan to take some electives related to your tentative career choice and develop solid reasons for choosing your preferred electives based on facts that you have carefully researched and checked out with your counselor. 3. You should explore the programs available at the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology for juniors and seniors. 4. As a senior take the opportunity to explore career options by considering participating in the Senior Internship Experience (SIE). 5. Research information in the CHS Library or through the Guidance Department website. COURSE LEVELS Many courses in the program planning guide are taught at more than one level of difficulty to provide an appropriate challenge for students. College Preparatory- The college preparatory level applies to required and elective courses that are appropriate for students preparing for college. The grades in these courses are not weighted. Honors- Courses designated honors level are courses in which prerequisites have been defined. Advanced Placement (AP)- is essentially a college level program designed to prepare students to take AP exams at the conclusion of the course. Students who perform well on AP exams may find that their college course requirements may be adjusted. Nationally,