WARD MELVILLE High School
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WARD MELVILLE High School COURSE OFFERING GUIDE 2016-2017 A Message from the Principal Dear Students, Ward Melville High School offers a rich selection of courses designed to help you not only fulfill graduation requirements, but also explore interests which might develop into career choices. The course selection process gives you the opportunity to decide which courses you want to pursue and to discuss these choices with your parents. We encourage you to speak to your guidance coun- selor, teacher, or a department chairperson to answer any questions concern- ing course selection. This Course Offering Guide contains a wide range of courses and programs to enrich you and your educational plan. It is imperative that you become famil- iar with your graduation requirements which are listed in this publication. If you are a student athlete and you are considering participating in collegiate sports, you should become very familiar with NCAA eligibility requirements. Please see the NCAA Eligibility website for more information. I encourage you to take courses that challenge you. Courses that, not only reflect your interests, but help you become a well-rounded individual. The elements of a good high school education include taking courses that make you think, help you explore your creativity, and expose you to new and differ- ent ideas. Remember, in the competitive environment and in these economic times you will want to take challenging courses that give you the edge you need to be successful. In addition to your classroom work, you should strive to participate in extra- curricular activities such as clubs, athletics, and music or theater arts. A good high school education includes you getting involved as an active participant. If you are, you will have a great high school experience. The dedicated faculty and staff at Ward Melville High School are always ready to help you attain your goals. Sincerely yours, Alan L. Baum, J.D. Principal WARD MELVILLE High School COURSE OFFERING GUIDE The mission of the Three Village Central School District, in concert with its families Grades and Course and community, is to provide an educational environment that will enable each student Requirements to achieve a high level of academic proficiency and to become a well-rounded individual who is an involved, responsible citizen. GRADING This Course Offering Guide includes information on graduation requirements, Report Cards: Report cards are made avail- department services and course offerings, pupil personnel services and guidelines, and able four times each year. Second and fourth quarter report cards are mailed home; first and extra-curricular activities. Students are urged to review the Course Offering Guide and third quarter report cards are available through communicate with their parents and guidance counselors in order to select courses, join the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Copies will activities and plan for post secondary careers and study. only be mailed to those parents who specifically request, in writing, that report cards be mailed. Parents should note the teachers’ comments and Please note that all course information contained in this guide is subject the attendance report as well as the class grade. Grading Policy: Individual classroom teach- to change. Courses will only be offered if a minimum enrollment is maintained ers provide students with grading policies within as established by district administration and the Board of Education. Courses the first few class sessions. Students learn the will only be offered or allowed to run as determined by district personnel. percentage breakdown of those activities that are used in determining class grades. Reduc- Many factors are taken into consideration when this determination is made, ing a grade for disciplinary reasons is prohibited. such as number of students, course/section conflicts, staffing, student Grades may consist of assessments, homework, interest, program interests, and availability of resources. Classes/Sections projects, participation, etc. Grade changes are made only during may be cancelled at any time. the G.A.P. (grade adjustment period, which Please also note that we try very hard to accommodate every course is two weeks after the start of the next mark- request made. However, due to various constraints, not every request will ing period). Incompletes not changed during this G.A.P. are automatically turned into failures. be or can be honored. Seniors will be given preference if available seats are Incompletes earned as a result of not taking a limited. This may entail the removal of students from a class (sophomores Regents Exam will remain until the next adminis- first, juniors second) in order for a senior to satisfy graduation requirements. tration of the exam. Failure to take an administra- tion of the Regents exam prior to the student’s Juniors receive secondary preference. graduation will result in an F or 0 being averaged into the course grade. Any student who believes that a quarter or final grade is incorrect must first contact and discuss the issue with the classroom CONTENTS teacher. Summer school grades are computed into Art Department 10 Music Department 23 the grade point average (GPA) utilizing the weighting system determined in the program of Awards & Ceremonies 5 Notes 36 studies. Please note: Summer school grades are computed into the GPA as separate courses. The Business Department 13 Other Services & Guidelines 7 higher Regents exam score replaces the lower one but is not calculated into the GPA. Diploma Requirements 9 Physical Education Department 25 Electives for Special Education 17 Sample Course Selection Planner 35 NCAA APPROVED COURSES The NCAA courses are maintained as a Emergency Closings 7 School Counseling & guide for prospective student athletes seeking NCAA initial eligibility. They are subject to change English Department 15 Pupil Personnel Services 6 at any time and without notice. Certification of a prospective student athlete is case-specific, and Family & Consumer Science 17 Science Department 26 the NCAA Eligibility Center has the authority Foreign Languages Department 18 Social Studies Department 30 to determine in its sole discretion whether the prospective student athlete has met all criteria. Grades & Course Requirements 3 Special Programs 5 The NCAA Eligibility Center reserves the right to review and remove courses that were previ- Graduation Requirements 8 Technology Department 33 ously approved from their Approved Courses list. Therefore, when choosing courses during Health Department 25 Telephone Numbers 7 the annual scheduling process, it is important for student athletes to refer to the most current list Mathematics Department 21 Transfer Student Information 9 of approved Ward Melville High School courses which are available on the NCAA website at www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org. Grades & Course Requirements - 3 WEIGHTED COURSES COURSES FOR COLLEGE is removed from student records. Students may Ward Melville High School utilizes a nu- CREDIT NOT drop a course after the cut-off date. Note that the minimum course load must be maintained for meric grading system based on multiple levels WMHS has several partnerships with local each grade level. Study halls will be added for of weighting (Regents, Honors, and Advanced colleges and universities. Please note that Placement). Grade Point Averages are calcu- each college or university sets its own fees sophomores and juniors who drop classes. Level lated using a weighted grading system for all and deadlines. WMHS has no ability to alter the changes will, in addition, require the signature courses. college or university dates or fees. The college of the student’s parent/guardian, the classroom A weighting system as indicated below or university may also have a minimum number teacher and possibly, the chairperson. Schedule will be utilized in the determination of a stu- of students needed to participate in order for and level changes must be made by cutoff dates dent’s grade point average. the course to be offered for college credit at all. as published in the school calendar. Note: Students should be aware that Specific information will be shared in the classes Students who stop attending classes with- many competitive colleges develop their own that offer these programs. out going through the standard drop procedures, grade point averages based on high school i.e. parent and counselor and teacher permis- grades in the following areas: English, For- sion and administrative approval and program eign Languages, Mathematics, Science, and TEACHER OVERRIDE change, will be considered cutting and may earn Social Studies. Ward Melville High School’s Teachers can override a passing grade and a grade of “LC” (Loss of Credit). A grade of “LC” grade point average is based on all subjects assign the student a failing grade in cases where will be calculated into a student’s GPA as a “55” except Physical Education and any course the student fails two or more quarters of a year and will appear on the student’s transcript. graded “Pass” in a pass/fail course. All grades course or one or two quarters of a semester of “F” or “LC” are counted toward a student’s course. In cases where the teacher is consid- GPA. High school courses taken in 7th grade ering the use of an override failing grade, she/ CLASS LOAD will appear on the transcript but will not earn he will warn the parent IN WRITING at least five When budget or scheduling constraints dic- credit value or GPA weighting. weeks before the course ends. The teacher may tate, sophomores and juniors may be required to have at least one (1) study hall scheduled into NUMERIC GRADING SYSTEM also override a failing grade and assign a higher grade where it is warranted. A high school admin- their day. Based on a scale of 100 istrator will approve overrides. THREE LEVELS OF WEIGHTING: EARLY GRADUATION For a variety of reasons, juniors and seniors • AP: grade earned x 1.08 AUDITING Requests for auditing a class must be sub- sometimes request to graduate either six months • Honors: grade earned x 1.06 mitted in writing to the principal.