An Informational Guide for Grades 6-12
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Secondary Program of Studies 2012 - 2014 An Informational Guide for Grades 6-12 Dr. Stephen M. Constantino Superintendent Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS WJCC Secondary Schools/General Information ......................................................................................................2 MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDIES English ......................................................................................................................................................................6 Fine Arts ....................................................................................................................................................................6 Health & Physical Education ....................................................................................................................................8 Mathematics ..............................................................................................................................................................9 Science ....................................................................................................................................................................10 Social Studies ..........................................................................................................................................................10 Technology Education ............................................................................................................................................11 World Languages ....................................................................................................................................................11 ADDITIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION Middle School Credit Bearing Courses .................................................................................................................... 5 Middle School Program ............................................................................................................................................ 3 WJCC Eligibility for Middle School Athletics ......................................................................................................... 5 HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDIES Business & Information Technology ...................................................................................................................... 28 English .................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Family & Consumer Sciences ................................................................................................................................. 33 Fine Arts .................................................................................................................................................................. 33 Health & Medical Sciences ..................................................................................................................................... 38 Health & Physical Education .................................................................................................................................. 38 Marketing Education ............................................................................................................................................... 39 Mathematics ............................................................................................................................................................ 40 Science .................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Social Studies .......................................................................................................................................................... 44 Technology Education ............................................................................................................................................ 46 World Languages .................................................................................................................................................... 48 ADDITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION Career/Technical Courses at New Horizons ........................................................................................................... 53 Core Course Planning Guide .................................................................................................................................. 25 Course Selection/Registration Process ................................................................................................................... 20 Course Selection Student Worksheet ...................................................................................................................... 27 General Information ................................................................................................................................................ 20 Graduation Requirements/Diploma Requirements ................................................................................................. 13 Honors Program ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 New Horizons: Governor’s School for Science & Technology ............................................................................. 57 VHSL Policy on Participation in Athletics/WJCC Athletic Eligibility ................................................................... 24 Weighted Courses ................................................................................................................................................... 19 The Williamsburg-James City School Division is committed to a policy of non-discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap, and age in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to employment. Inquiries should be directed to Dr. David Gaston, Title IX and Section 504 Compliance Offi cer, Student Services, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, 3925 Midlands Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188 (Phone: 757-253-0004). 2 WJCC SECONDARY SCHOOLS The purpose of the Program of Studies is to describe programs and courses offered in the middle and high schools of the Williamsburg-James City County School Division. Descriptions of courses offered in grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 are grouped by discipline. Grade level designations represent the grade at which most students take the described course. Exceptions to the stated grade levels may be made to meet the educational needs of an individual student. Detailed information is available in the counseling department at each middle and high school. The purpose of this guide is to assist parents and students with long-range program planning as well as selecting courses for the next year. Individual aptitudes, interests and diploma requirements all play a role in making course selections that lead to fulfi llment of personal, educational and career goals. Families are asked to review this Program of Studies together. Our hope is that the information included here will generate discussions about types of diplomas, career opportunities and preparation, college requirements, and the role of educational decisions on future opportunities. General Information Grading Scale/Class Rank Middle School Organization--The middle school teaching Grading Scale--Courses taught in the middle and high schools staff is organized into core teams of two to fi ve teachers who of WJCC are assigned grade-point values as follows: provide instruction in English, math, reading, science, and social studies in grade six. The “core” team provides a home 90-100 = A 4 points base for students and a structure that allows teachers to truly get 80-89 = B 3 points to know their students while working with them in specialized 70-79 = C 2 points academic areas or in basic skills areas. The team organization 60-69 = D 1 point allows teachers to make changes in instructional groupings and 59 and below = F 0 points daily schedules as the learning situation may demand. The team model is modifi ed in grades seven and eight. Electives--Electives must be approved by a school counselor and meet the diploma requirements. Special Education--All WJCC students who are eligible for special education services must have a written Individual Diploma Requirements--Courses taken to meet the diploma Education Plan (IEP) which states specifi c goals designed to requirements must be approved by the high school or middle meet each student’s individual needs. school counselor. English as a Second Language (ESL)--This program is Alternatives to Animal Dissection--Students may complete designed to improve the communication skills and vocabulary an alternative to animal dissections with written permission of of non-native English speakers. Reading comprehension, the parent/guardian. writing, listening, conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar are emphasized. Students who are enrolled in High School Organization--Williamsburg James City verifi ed credit courses must take the associated SOL test but County high schools have a modifi ed four-by-four schedule may be given accommodations. confi guration. The student enrolls in four courses during each semester or may select year-long options in some areas Age--Students