Guide to Academic Programs
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Penncrest High School Guide to Academic Programs 2020-2021 Mr. N. Ralph Harrison Principal Mrs. Sharon A. D. Sweeney Assistant Principal, Academic Affairs Mr. Joseph Fuhr Assistant Principal, 9th/11th Grades Mr. David Stango Assistant Principal, 10th/12th Grades Ms. Lauren Newman RTMSYA Principal Mr. Charles Olinger Athletic Director 2020-2021 Guide to Academic Programs The Guide to Academic Programs offers an overview of academic life at Penncrest High School. We have included information about academic programs, practices, and procedures, as well as information about our departmental course offerings and the course selection process. It is now time for students who will attend Penncrest next year to choose their courses for 2020-2021. The Guide has been designed to assist students in this process. We urge all students to refer to the Guide when selecting their courses and to consult with their counselors, teachers, and families. Our high school program permits a variety of course choices. We cannot overstate the importance of students’ taking the time to choose their courses carefully and choose course alternates with care. Scheduling (including staffing, course placement, and section numbers) is based on pupils’ course selections. As a result, we cannot be optimistic about honoring significant change requests once the selections have been submitted and tallied. It is, therefore, in each student’s best interests that decisions regarding course options be thoughtful and firm. Selecting your courses wisely will make next year a productive one for you at Penncrest! Table of Contents Important Dates Course Selection Process......................................................2 February 5 Schedule Changes.......................................................................2 Counselors hold grade-level assemblies to distribute Course Academic Information.............................................................3-4 Selection materials. Graduation Requirements...........................................................5 Guidelines for School & Community Service...........................6 Classroom teachers begin review of department offerings and Academic Integrity at Penncrest.................................................7 course requirements. Honor Societies...........................................................................8 AP Tests & Courses.....................................................................9 February 6 Special Programs: Course Selection Evening - 6:30 P.M. • AP Capstone Diploma Program...............................10 & 32 (snow date February 13) • Career & Technical Education.................................12 & 13 • Dual Enrollment Program..................................................11 Rising 9th students and/or families begin in the Auditorium. • Gifted Program...................................................................18 Rising 10th -12th-grade students and/or families begin in the • Independent Study for Credit.............................................14 Library. • Work Release.....................................................................14 What Colleges Expect...............................................................15 February 18 - February 28 Academic Support.....................................................................18 Counselors visit English classrooms to supervise course Requirements to Play Division I or II NCAA Athletics......16-17 selection. Guidelines for Homework.........................................................66 Students enter selections through March 6. Guidance and Administration Contacts....................................68 Independent Study Proposal Form...........................................69 February - April Course Planning Worksheet......................................................71 Students and families contact/meet with counselors about individual concerns. GRADE-LEVEL COURSE CHARTS Students notify their counselors of any request change requests. Grade 9.....................................................................................19 Grade 10....................................................................................20 March 16 Grade 11....................................................................................21 Request verifications mailed to parents this week. Grade 12....................................................................................22 April 1 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Course Selection and request view close. Art.............................................................................................23 Business Education...................................................................25 Final schedules available when HAC opens, date TBA. English.......................................................................................27 English Language Development...............................................33 Need help? Family & Consumer Sciences...................................................34 Mathematics..............................................................................35 » Teachers and case managers can help discuss options. Music.........................................................................................41 » Students may see their counselors through June. Physical Education & Health....................................................44 » Counselors will be available at lunch/CE during course Science.......................................................................................46 selection. Social Studies............................................................................52 » Parents are encouraged to contact counselors with questions. Special Education......................................................................57 » Counselors will be available the week after school ends. Technology & Engineering Education......................................58 » Mrs. Sweeney is available during course selection and World Languages.......................................................................61 throughout the summer. Page 1 Penncrest High School THE COURSE SELECTION PROCESS The course selection process provides students with an opportunity to make informed decisions regarding their courses of study for the following year. Choices related to the level of core courses and elective courses should be made carefully and in consultation with teachers, counselors, and parents. It is important that you review the information listed below: 1. Students and families can begin planning their selections as soon as course selection begins in February. Refer to the grade level pages of this Guide for a list of required courses and elective options. Students should carefully read the descriptions of specific courses in each department’s section of the Guide. Counselors are available throughout the process until the end of classes; Mrs. Sweeney is available throughout the summer. 2. Counselors will visit English classes to supervise the request entry process in HAC in mid-February. 3. Course Selection Night is on February 6 (snow date February 13). There will be information for rising 9th- grade students as well as information about Special Programs (e.g. Dual-Enrollment, AP Capstone program, travel abroad, Vo-Tech programming) for upperclassmen and returning students. 4. Any student who has difficulty or questions in planning course selections should make an appointment to see his/her counselor or the appropriate teachers. 5. To keep on pace for promotion to the next grade and for graduation, most students will need to schedule at least 6.5 courses each year. Rising ninth graders must select six major courses plus Physical Education/ Study Hall. 6. Students are required to select one elective alternate, including non-required core subject courses. These will be considered only if it becomes necessary to roster alternative selections. 7. Students may enter and view selections through March 6, 2020. Any student who wishes to change a selection after that date must do so through the Guidance office. ALL requests for any changes must be received by April 1, 2020. Requests received after this deadline will be subject to availability. 8. Families will receive a mailed verification in mid-March confirming student choicesThis is not a schedule. Alert your counselor if the information is incorrect or incomplete. 9. If difficulties arise that make it impossible for us to complete a student’s roster, we will attempt to contact the student before the close of the school year or during the summer. 10. If a student fails a sequential core subject and does not attend Summer School to make up the deficiency, that roster will be adjusted to accommodate the failure. 11. Our ability to meet students’ requests for course selections depends on the availability of staff and projected enrollments to cover these requests. 12. Independent Study credit provides an opportunity for students to earn elective credit. Students must obtain prior approval for Independent Study. See p. 14. .13. Dual Enrollment is available to students in grades 10 through 12. Interested students should see their counselors early to complete the application and begin to make schedule adaptations. See p. 11. SCHEDULE CHANGES Student schedules will be produced over the summer. Although we will make every attempt to honor student selections, please be aware that it may not be possible to schedule students into all of their first choices or alternatives. In some cases, it may even be