High School Program of Studies
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Norwalk Public Schools Program of Studies 2021 – 2022 Brien McMahon High School Center for Global Studies Norwalk High School P-TECH Norwalk Norwalk Board of Education Colin Hosten, Chairperson Diana Carpio, Vice-Chairperson Godfrey Azima, Secretary Michael Barbis Erica DePalma Sherelle Harris Heidi Keys Sarah LeMieux Barbara Meyer-Mitchell Mayor Harry Rilling, Ex-Officio Norwalk Public Schools Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Superintendent Dr. Frank Costanzo, Chief of School Operations Donalda Chumney, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sandra Kase, Interim Chief Academic Officer Yvette Goorevitch, Chief of Specialized Learning and Student Services Ralph Valenzisi, Chief of Digital Learning and Development Tom Hamilton, Chief Financial Officer Brenda Wilcox Williams, Chief of Communications Vision Statement of Norwalk Public Schools Norwalk is the most successful City school system in Connecticut. Norwalk students will exceed State average achievement while high- need students have the smallest achievement gap. Student needs and interests are met through a wide range of school and program choices that promote diversity and broaden achievement. All students are taught by exemplary educators in nurturing, safe, and attractive schools. Students read on grade level by the end of grade three, leave eighth grade equipped to do rigorous high school work, and graduate from high school ready for college. Goals of the Norwalk Public Schools . Close the gaps between Norwalk student achievement and State average student achievement in Reading (ELA), Math, Science, and the graduation rate (4 and 5 years) during the life of the Strategic Operating Plan. Reduce the achievement gap of Norwalk’s high-need students – Special Education, Multilingual Learners, and low-income students - relative to high-need students in the State. Norwalk will have the smallest achievement gap of any City in the State. Create more educationally robust parental choices that meet diverse student needs and interests. Develop exemplary teachers and school leaders; fill the majority of school and district leadership positions through succession planning and development of staff within the district. Ensure safe and attractive schools that support educational programs of the Plan and a nurturing, inclusive learning environment with positive behavior interventions and supports at every school. Develop external partnerships and district operating systems necessary to achieve equity and support the District’s strategic priorities in the most cost-effective manner. Wellness The Norwalk Public Schools recommends that students give strong consideration in taking a well-rounded and holistic course of study keeping in mind the importance of one's social-emotional well-being. School counselors and teachers assist students and families in the subject selection process and postsecondary planning. 1 Table of Contents Course Selection Process Choice in School 4 College Coursework 4 The course selection process is a significant component of the school- Credit Requirements 6 Credit System 7 home partnership and while course selection is the primary Grading 7 responsibility of the student and his or her parents/guardians, there will Attendance 7 be numerous opportunities to consult with, make use of the broad Testing 8 experience and professional background of our faculty, and school Course Selection 9 NCAA 9 counseling staff. Record Grid 10 Students have the opportunity to explore the diverse course offerings BMHS/ NHS COURSE GUIDE 11 through our Program of Studies, which will enable them to be best Humanities prepared for college or employment upon completion of their senior English 12 year. Social Studies 20 Prerequisite work, feedback, and recommendations are always DMCA(NHS) 28 Visual Arts 30 considered in supporting course selection to maximize our students’ Music 38 learning goals. Below, is a suggested timeline that high schools and World Language 44 middle school will follow while completing this exciting planning phase. STEM Please check with your own school for specific dates. Math 52 Computer Science and Information o Program of Studies Booklet Released – February- Students and Technology 57 parents have an opportunity to review course offerings and Science 61 prerequisites and visit high school for evening information PLTW Engineering 67 sessions. Medical Healthcare (BMHS) 69 o Middle School Visits- February/ March Marine Science (BMHS) 70 o Teacher Recommendation – Late February/Early March Physical Education o Recommendations are based on current performance. Health and Wellness 73 o Teachers confer with students during class and input their Pathway Related Courses recommendations into Power School for the upcoming year. Business 76 o Student Course Request Window – March Students will submit Family Consumer Science 79 course requests through the Power School Portal. JROTC 80 IB Core (BMHS) 82 o Individual School Counselor Meetings – February/March Multilingual Learners 84 Students will have scheduled meetings with their school Specialized Education 89 counselors to review course requests for all core academic and elective courses. CENTER FOR GLOBAL STUDIES 93 o Scheduling Process- April/May CGS Course Guide o Counselors will finalize course requests in April. Parents can view course requests through the Power School Portal. P-TECH NORWALK 113 o Inquiries from students and parents regarding course selections P-TECH Course Guide can be directed via email or phone calls to the classroom teacher, ACADEMIES AND PATHWAYS 154 department chair, vice principal or school counselor by email. BMHS Placement and Prerequisites International Baccalaureate Diploma a. Prerequisites are indicated by department and/or course where International Baccalaureate Career-related necessary. MHA, MSA PLTW Engineering, b.Placement into grade nine academic courses is based on criteria PLTW Computer Science NHS 164 published on the Norwalk Public Schools website, under the DMCA Teaching and Learning tab. Project Lead the Way Engineering Interdisciplinary Global Engagement Pathway CT SEAL OF BILITERACY 171 ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION 172 2 Norwalk Public School’s High Schools: Brien McMahon High School Norwalk High School Center for Global Studies P-TECH Norwalk 3 CHOICES WITH IN SCHOOLS Norwalk has two comprehensive and two specialized high schools. Each of the comprehensive high schools has academies with in the school. Each academy is a smaller learning community within a school with multiple pathways within it. These academies have cohorts of students that travel together in a special sequence of courses and share a group of teachers. The academies may include integrated curriculum including counseling, partnerships with an industry and secondary education, as well as an advisory group consisting of various stakeholders to guide the overall program. Each specialized high school and academy is open to a specific number of students each year. Students seeking enrollment in a specialized high school or academy outside of their home district need to apply during the regular course selection process – slots are limited. These continue to be developed as the district grows and establishes new partnerships. As a result, students and families are presented with the opportunity for choices of programs that promote diversity and will broaden achievement. Students must submit an application by the published deadline to be eligible for the following Schools and Academies. Center for Global Studies Magnet Medical Healthcare (BMHS Academy) DMCA (NHS) https://cgs.norwalkps.org/ https://sites.google.com/norwalkps.or https://nhs.norwalkps.org/cms/One.as g/bmhshealthcare/application?authuse px?portalId=72147&pageId=31543511 P-TECH Norwalk Magnet r=0 https://ptechnorwalk.com/ International Baccalaureate 11 &12 Marine Science (BMHS Academy) (BMHS) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqC https://bmhs.norwalkps.org/our_school/i_b_ diploma_program_application_for_n_h_s_st 6Q_FtqYscRswaaHqQKN- OMO_P4nRNp7TyUR2Ti46DZCbQ/viewform udents COLLEGE EXPERIENCE COURSEWORK Advanced Placement (AP), ECE UCONN, International Baccalaureate Programs (IB), Project Lead the Way (PLTW), P-Tech The courses listed are some of the rigorous academic classes available to students who are interested in the opportunity to pursue challenging college-level work in high school. These courses offer exciting and stimulating course work through a college experience while at the four Norwalk Public High Schools. Through these college-level courses, students can earn college credit and/or advanced standing while also distinguishing themselves in the college admission process. The courses can help students acquire the skills and habits necessary to be successful in post-secondary education. ENGLISH MATH WORLD LANGUAGE PLTW AP Lang & Comp AP Calculus AB AP Italian Honors Computer Science Essentials AP Literature & Composition AP Calculus BC AP Latin Honors Computer Science Principal ECE Language and Comp AP Statistics AP French IB and ECE Honors Intro to Engineering Design AP Computer Science A AP Spanish IB and ECE Honors Principals of Engineering SOCIAL STUDIES Honors Digital Electronics AP Comparative Politics SCIENCE ELECTIVES Honors Research Methods AP Economics AP Biology, ECE AP Art History Honors Biotechnical Engineering AP European History AP Chemistry, ECE AP Computer Science Principals Honors Civil Engineering & Architecture AP Psychology AP Environmental Science AP Music Theory Honors Environmental Sustainability AP US Government AP Physics I & II