Secondary Program of Studies
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SECONDARY PROGRAM OF STUDIES Academic Year 2019-2020 116 West Beverley Street ~ Staunton, Virginia 24401 www.staunton.k12.va.us What Defines a Staunton High School Graduate? We are Career, College, and Life Ready! We are so proud of our Staunton City School graduates! The skills and attributes of our graduates are a result of years of a strong educational experience, from preschool to elementary to middle to high school. In addition to developing understanding of each “subject”, we also focus on the dispositions that promote lifelong learners and productive citizens within our community and growing global society. These dispositions are referred to as “The 5Cs”, and are described below: Communication: Staunton City students will be effective Communication communicators by using writing, speaking, active listening, and media to create meaning and understanding. Communication creates positive working relationships with others, results in increased productivity, and helps achieve goals throughout life. Collaboration Collaboration: Staunton City students will be effective collaborators by working together with a diverse team to achieve a common goal. When we work together interdependently to exchange ideas, develop new understandings, make decisions, and solve problems, we all benefit. Shared responsibility, mutual respect, constructive feedback, Critical Thinking and time management are all important components of collaboration. Critical Thinking: Staunton City students will be effective critical thinkers who use multiple pieces of information to make a decision or solve a problem. Critical thinkers inquire, analyze and simplify information, make connections, evaluate different perspectives, and use reasoning to draw conclusions. Creative Thinking Creative Thinking: Staunton City students will be effective creative thinkers by developing or elaborating on ideas that help solve real-life obstacles. Creative thinkers view failure as an opportunity to learn, are open to learning from others, and act in ways that make a valuable contribution. Citizenship Citizenship: Staunton City Students will be effective citizens who value and respect differing perspectives. They offer a welcoming environment for others, understand the need for rules and obey them, make ethical decisions, and take informed action that improves the community and world. Staunton City Secondary Schools Staunton High Staunton High School Shelburne Middle School 1200 North Coalter Street 300 Grubert Avenue Staunton, Virginia 24401 Staunton, Virginia 24401 540-332-3926 540-332-3930 http://staunton.k12.va.us/Domain/108 http://staunton.k12.va.us/Domain/235 Mr. Nate Collins Mrs. Jennifer Morris Principal Principal Staunton High School Shelburne Middle School Mrs. Lori Swortzel Mr. Alan Kirkdorffer Mr. DeWayne Moore Assistant Principal Assistant Principals Shelburne Middle School Staunton High School Ms. Betsy Bell (Director) Mrs. Leslie Trissel Ms. Allison Hahn Mrs. Katherine Funkhouser Ms. Emily Rexrode Counselors Counselors Shelburne Middle School Staunton High School Mr. Brett Peters Career Coach Staunton High School If there are questions regarding the Secondary Program of Studies, please contact: Stephanie Haskins, Executive Director of Instruction (540) 332-3920 Cassie Farrish, Secondary Instructional Supervisor (540) 332-3920 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SECTION ONE- INFORMATION FOR PLANNING .............................................................................................. 1 Welcome to the Secondary Program of Studies ............................................................................................. 2 Naviance .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Preparing Your Secondary School Plan ........................................................................................................... 4 Next Steps Beyond High School ...................................................................................................................... 6 Career Cluster .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Career Courses .............................................................................................................................................. 10 Selecting a Diploma Type and Completing the High School Program.......................................................... 12 Testing Requirements ................................................................................................................................... 22 SECTION TWO – THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM .................................................................................. 24 Middle School Information for Scheduling ................................................................................................... 25 Middle School General Information A-Z ....................................................................................................... 27 Middle School Courses .................................................................................................................................. 30 6th Grade ............................................................................................................................................. 30 7th Grade ............................................................................................................................................. 32 8th Grade ............................................................................................................................................. 35 SECTION THREE – THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM ................................................................................... 40 High School General Information A-Z .......................................................................................................... 41 High School Courses ...................................................................................................................................... 48 Art ..................................................................................................................................................... 49 Career & Technical Education .......................................................................................................... 50 English .............................................................................................................................................. 53 Instrumental Music, Choral Music & Performing Arts .................................................................... 56 Mathematics ...................................................................................................................................... 57 Physical Education ............................................................................................................................ 59 Science .............................................................................................................................................. 60 Social Studies .................................................................................................................................... 62 World Languages .............................................................................................................................. 64 Programs for Exceptional Students ................................................................................................... 66 Virtual Virginia ................................................................................................................................. 67 Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School ............................................................................................ 68 Valley Career and Technical Center ................................................................................................. 74 The Staunton City School Board is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or status as a parent. This attitude will prevail in all of its policies concerning staff, students, educational programs, and services, and individuals and entities with whom the Board does business. Section One INFORMATION for PLANNING 1 Welcome to the Secondary Program of Studies! Staunton City Schools’ Secondary Program of Studies provides the framework for students and families to work with school counselors to plan meaningful middle and high school schedules. This booklet contains graduation requirements and course descriptions to assist you in the planning process. Refer to this guide before finalizing courses. All Staunton City students are exposed to career experiences throughout grades K-12, as described below: Elementary: Students begin developing an Academic and Career Portfolio with their school counselors in elementary school. These portfolios help capture information about students’ interests and hobbies, which often lead to future careers. Middle: Middle school students participate in a Career Exploration course and are introduced to an online program called Naviance, where they study different career clusters and pathways. Middle school students and families work with school counselors to begin developing an Academic and Career Plan. This plan links student’s individual strengths and interests to possible career pathways and assists in course selections