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Dear High School Student: At Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) we are committed to your high school success and transition to a meaningful post-secondary choice. With a clear focus on your learning, we provide you with rich and engaging experiences upon which to make these future decisions. Over the years, many new courses have been developed to provide you with opportunities to explore a variety of career areas. Options are also available to earn college credits through increased advanced placement offerings. We have created an environment where you will learn about your strengths, how these personal strengths connect with career opportunities, and what preparation is needed to successfully transition to the world beyond high school. The “2014-15 High School Course Catalog” provides you with information about available courses and support services, and serves as a resource to you throughout the school year. A quick reference guide that lists courses by grade level and indicates the page numbers to go to in the “Catalog” for details is included. If you prefer, the “Catalog” can also be accessed on the Division’s Web site at pwcs.edu. Please take the time to carefully review the “Catalog” with your parent or guardian. This will begin the process of selecting courses for the next school year that are meaningful to you and will help you meet your personal goals. Our PWCS counselors, teachers, and administrators will work with you to ensure your continued success in meeting graduation requirements and to be certain that your 2014-15 academic program meets your interests and needs. Sincerely, Steven L. Walts Superintendent of Schools ACKNOWLEGEMENTS Steven L. Walts, Ed.D. Department of Student Learning and Accountability Superintendent of Schools Timothy L. Healey, Associate Superintendent Student Learning Rae E. Darlington Kenneth Bassett, Director Deputy Superintendent Joyce Zsembery, Supervisor – Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance Douglas Wright, Supervisor – Career and Technical Education Fred Milbert, Supervisor – Health, PE, Driver Education, JROTC, and Athletics Timothy L. Healey Jeff Girvan, Supervisor – History and Social Science Associate Superintendent Roberta Apostalakis, Ed.D., Supervisor – Language Arts for Student Learning and Schenell Agee, Supervisor – Library Media Programs and Research Accountability Carol Knight, Supervisor – Mathematics Jason Calhoun, Ph.D., Supervisor – Science and Family Life Education Carol Bass, Supervisor – World (Foreign) Languages William G. Bixby Jim Mudd, Ph.D, Supervisor – Gifted Education and Special Programs Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools Student Services Carolyn Custard, Director Rebekah Schlatter, Supervisor – Secondary Counseling and Student Support Services Michael A. Mulgrew Associate Superintendent Student Management and Alternative Programs for High Schools Renee Lacey, Ed.D., Acting Director Gina Jones, Coordinator – Virtual High School Special Education Jane Lawson, Ed.D., Director ESOL Janine Sadki, Director The full content of this guide is available online at pwcs.edu by selecting Students – High School Course Catalog. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ...................................................................................1 The Cambridge Programme (Potomac High School and Ways to Earn Credit ...................................................................3 Brentsville District High School) .........................................40 General Information International Baccalaureate Program Grade Placement ..............................................................................5 (Gar-Field High School and Stonewall Jackson High School) ..........................................43 Grade-Point Values ............................................................................5 The Virtual High School@PWCS .................................................46 Omitting a Grade for a High School Credit Course Taken in Middle School ............................................................................5 Courses and Descriptions Graduation Requirements ................................................................6 Career and Technical Education Program .................................48 Transfer Students ............................................................................10 English ..............................................................................................72 Diploma Warranty...........................................................................11 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) .....................80 Diploma Seals ..................................................................................11 Fine and Performing Arts Program..............................................82 Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts Post-Secondary Checklist ................................................................12 Foreign (World) Language ............................................................91 General College Admission Information ......................................13 General Cross-Curricular ................................................................98 Post-Secondary Planning Timeline ...............................................15 Gifted Education ..............................................................................98 Terminology .....................................................................................17 Health and Physical Education ......................................................99 Course Selection ..............................................................................19 JROTC ............................................................................................. 101 Dual Enrollment ..............................................................................20 Mathematics .................................................................................. 104 Eligibility Requirements .................................................................21 Science ........................................................................................... 111 Specialty Programs Social Studies ................................................................................ 119 Advanced Placement Scholars (Patriot High School and Special Education ......................................................................... 125 Woodbridge High School) ....................................................23 Student Assistants ......................................................................... 126 The Biotechnology Center Appendix (Osbourn Park High School) ................................................26 Weighted Courses ......................................................................... 127 The Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (Freedom High School) ........................................................29 Sample Course Schedules............................................................ 130 The Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Sequential Electives ...................................................................... 131 (Woodbridge High School) ....................................................32 Course Listing by Grade .............................................................. 132 Center for International Studies and Languages (Hylton High School) .............................................................34 Information Technology Program (Forest Park High School and Battlefield High School) .........................................................37 Make the Most of a World-Class School Division’s High School Program Making the transition to high school is an exciting and challenging time for students and their families. There are many options to choose from and a number of requirements to meet. In Prince William County Public Schools, we believe that all students should have a rigorous educational experience based on our World-Class curriculum that builds on what students have learned at home, in our community, and at school. The high school experience is designed to prepare students for future employment, further study at the college and university level, and to be effective citizens in our local, national, and global community. It consists of high quality diploma options, a wide choice of specialty programs, core required coursework, an array of elective offerings, and non-traditional options for earning credits. While academic programs form the core of our high school program, it is also important to take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in the rich extra-curricular programs at all of our high schools. Where Do I Start? Select the diploma type you wish to earn. Students entering the ninth grade are strongly encouraged to consider the advanced diploma option to maintain the greatest number of options as they progress through their high school career. School counseling services provide regular opportunities for students and parents/guardians to evaluate student progress toward diploma requirements and to make adjustments to the type of diploma selected when necessary. All Prince William County high schools provide diplomas and certificates to meet the needs of students with different interests and needs. The purpose of this course description catalog is to describe in general terms the courses taught in Prince William County Public Schools’ high schools, Grades 9-12. Students should study this course catalog and consult with their parent/guardian, school counselors, and teachers

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