Upper School Scheduling and Curriculum Guide 2018-2019
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UPPER SCHOOL SCHEDULING AND CURRICULUM GUIDE 2018-2019 Presented to STUDENTS, PARENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF Publication by UPPER SCHOOL ACADEMIC DEAN’S OFFICE Lisa Sellers, Administrative Assistant Kechia Minter, ReGistrar PeGGy Dyer McNash, Academic Dean Revised May 2018 3 Excellence - Character - Opportunity PREFACE Woodward’s approach to secondary education curriculum is successful in meeting the needs and aspirations of our students and in challenging students to become critical thinkers and ethical problem solvers. Administrators, department chairmen, and faculty have delineated graduation standards that meet or exceed all state requirements in the core academic areas; they have designed courses that will enable students to meet GHSA, NCAA, and HOPE rigor requirements. School counselors, both school and college admissions, and the Academic Dean will offer wise counsel along the way as parents and students develop a four-year plan. Guided by our core values of Excellence, Character, and Opportunity, we champion student success. Woodward is committed to providing a broad range of rich academic opportunities which are presented through a variety of teaching techniques. We believe that the learning environment that is created will prepare our students for success at a variety of colleges. The following pages comprise the Upper School Scheduling and Curriculum Guide which serves as a source of information on such academic matters as class scheduling, graduation requirements, academic honors, and semester exam policies for students in grades nine to twelve. In addition, it provides a listing and description of the various curriculum offerings for Upper School students. Students and parents should use this guide to plan the overall course study to be completed during high school. The counseling staff is available to help with any questions you may have and with the planning of the course of study. Classroom teachers and the departmental chairpersons are also valuable resources in helping the student select elective courses and plan course selections and levels for each year. It is highly advisable for the student to finish most or all of the graduation requirements before deciding to take elective or optional courses. This guide also reflects edited graduation standards based on our 2018-2019 seven-period day schedule. These guidelines impact the classes of 2021 and forward. We hope that you find this guide helpful. If we may be of any assistance, please contact us. Peggy Dyer McNash Academic Dean Note: The statements set forth in this Scheduling and Curriculum Guide should not be construed as the basis of a contract between a student or parent and Woodward Academy. While the provisions and examples in the Scheduling and Curriculum Guide will ordinarily be applied as stated, Woodward Academy reserves the right to change any provision listed in this publication without actual notice to individuals. Every effort will be made to keep students and parents advised of any such changes. Information on changes will be made available in the office of the Academic Dean. It is the individual responsibility of each student to read emails from the Dean and to keep apprised of current graduation requirements. i Excellence - Character - Opportunity TABLE OF CONTENTS The Scheduling Process ............................................................................................................ 1 Graduation Requirements: Classes of 2021 and 2022 ........................................... 2-3 Graduation Requirements: Classes of 2019 and 2020 ........................................... 4-5 Course Parameters and Limitations ........................................................................... 5 The R Period and Course Load .................................................................................. 6 GHSA and GISA Academic Standards .................................................................... 6-7 Program Classifications and Placement into Levels ................................................ 7-8 Newly Enrolled Student Scheduling ............................................................................ 8 Drop/Add Policy ....................................................................................................... 8-9 College Admissions .................................................................................................... 9 NCAA Eligibility Center .......................................................................................... 9-10 Georgia HOPE Scholarship Program .................................................................. 10-11 Evaluating Student Achievement—Philosophy ....................................................................... 12 Progress and Grade Reports: Using Parent Portals ............................................... 12 Grading Criteria for Achievement and Effort Marks ........................................... 12-13 Areas of Evaluation .................................................................................................. 13 Attendance and Make-up Work ................................................................................ 14 Academic Probation and Study Hall ......................................................................... 14 Saturday School ....................................................................................................... 14 Tutorial ..................................................................................................................... 15 School-Year Tutoring: Student, Parent, Tutor and, Teacher Responsibilities .... 15-16 Transfer Credit and Distance Learning .................................................................... 16 Forward Credit ................................................................................................... 16-17 Approved Study Away .............................................................................................. 17 Summer School for F Grades and Required Summer Tutoring ............................... 18 Summer Academic Program at Woodward ......................................................... 18-20 Academic Honors .................................................................................................................... 21 Course Weighting ..................................................................................................... 21 Grade-Point-Averages ............................................................................................. 22 Eagle Roll and Eagle Awards ................................................................................... 23 Exam Exemption ................................................................................................. 23-24 Distinctions at Graduation: Global Studies and Sustainability ........................... 24-27 Honors at Graduation ......................................................................................... 27-28 National Honor Society ....................................................................................... 28-29 Curriculum Offerings ............................................................................................................... 30 English ................................................................................................................ 31-35 Summer Semester Courses ...................................................................... 36 Mathematics ........................................................................................................ 37-41 Summer Semester Courses ...................................................................... 42 Social Studies .................................................................................................... 43-47 Summer Semester Courses ...................................................................... 47 Science ............................................................................................................... 48-55 Summer Semester Courses ................................................................. 56-57 World Languages ............................................................................................... 58-65 Computer Science .............................................................................................. 66-68 Performing Arts .................................................................................................. 69-74 Extra-Curricular Performing Arts ............................................................... 75 Visual Arts ........................................................................................................... 76-80 Physical Education ................................................................................................... 81 Supplemental Courses ......................................................................................... 82-85 Summer Semester Courses ...................................................................... 86 Appendix i: NCAA Eligibility Worksheet, Requirements and Registration ......................... 87-90 ii Scheduling and Curriculum Guide 2018-2019 Page | 1 THE SCHEDULING PROCESS In the spring of each school year, the counseling staff, in cooperation with teachers and departmental chairs, completes the process of pre-scheduling students for the following school year. Counselors will hold small-group assemblies or visit the English classes of current students in grades eight to eleven to explain the scheduling procedures