Academic Course Catalog
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Academic Course Catalog Dallas Lutheran School v. 2017 1 DLS Mission Statement Dallas Lutheran School provides a quality Christ-centered education in an academic, spiritual and social environment which prepares each student for a productive Christian life. TABLE OF CONTENTS Academic Policies – pgs. 2-6 Academic Ethics - pg. 7 Graduation Requirements - pg. 8 DLS Endorsements - pg. 9 Religion Department – pgs. 10-11 English Department – pgs. 11-15 Mathematics Department – pgs. 15-17 Science Department – pgs. 18-20 Social Studies Department – pgs. 20-23 Fine Arts – Visual Department – pgs. 23-24 Fine Arts – Music Department – pgs. 25-26 Physical Education Department – pgs. 26-27 Business Department – pgs. 28-29 “Languages Other Than English” Department – pgs. 30-32 1 ACADEMIC POLICIES AP Classes Students may receive AP [Advanced Placement] designation in certain select classes at DLS. AP teachers use different strategies for assessment in each individual course, but all DLS AP students receive a uniform 6 point bump in the weighting of their semester grade. This bump shows in the grade average calculation, not the grade. AP Exams and College Credit Students have the option of taking Dual Credit classes or AP exams at DLS each spring. Dual Credit classes are college courses for which students receive both high school and college credit. There are no extra fees for Dual Credit courses; however, students usually have to purchase the college textbook. Some Dual Credit classes are taught at DLS; others may be taken online or at Richland College. AP exams are college-level tests administered by The College Board (makers of the SAT). Students may take tests in one or more subjects; a comprehensive list of all available AP courses and tests is available at collegeboard.com. All students may take the AP exams, whether they are enrolled in AP classes or not. Students who take AP classes at DLS may be expected to commit to taking the AP exam. Students who score high enough on AP tests may receive college credit in those areas. The cost of taking each test is about $80.00. Students who are interested in taking an AP test should see their content area teacher and the AP coordinator at Dallas Lutheran School. AP / Dual-Credit Courses Present DLS AP Courses = AP English Language, AP American History, AP Calculus, AP Physics Present Dual Credit @ DLS = DC Spanish 1411, DC Spanish 1412, DC English 1301, DC English 1302 Present Dual Credit @ Richland or Online = Anthropology, Art Appreciation, Art History, Design, Drawing, Photography, Business Computer Applications, Personal Finance, Composition, British Literature, American Literature, World Literature, Business Writing, Contemporary Math, Elementary Statistical Methods, Math for Business, Calculus for Business, College Algebra, Plan Trigonometry, Pre Calculus, Calculus, US History, American Government, Texas Government, Economics, Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Physics, College Physics, Solar System, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Sign Language, Spanish, Speech, Health, Dance Appreciation, Intro to Theatre, Fine Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Psychology, Sociology, Keyboarding, Marketing, and Various Computer Electives 2 Calculator Policy The Dallas Lutheran Math Department recommends that any NEW graphing calculator purchase be a TI-84plus silver, or a TI-NSPIRE CAS CX, as we are moving to integrating more advanced graphing technology into our upper level mathematics. Though we acknowledge at this point that the latter is not permitted on the ACT, it is allowed on the SAT, and its functionality and capabilities for helping students provide tremendous advantages in the classroom. We will still allow the use of the TI-83/84 calculators in class, but we will be teaching with the TI-NSPIRE in upper level math classes. Math Course Recommended Calculator Math 7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry Non-graphing Calculator (TI Preferred). Main student use will be the Desmos App on iPad Math Course Recommended Alternate Non Accepted Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2, Applied TI-84plus silver TI-Nspire, TI-83plus, TI-84, TI- TI-80,81,82,83,85, 86,89,92, Non TI College Mathematics, Pre-Calculus, 84plus calculators Calculus As we look to integrate the iPad into the classrooms, we are aware that Apple offers a wide variety of calculator options. At this time, however, national standardized tests such as the ACT, SAT, and AP tests do not recognize the iPad as an acceptable calculation device. It is one of our goals as a math department to familiarize students with acceptable calculation devices and equip them to be successful on such tests. Thus we are strongly suggesting the purchase of one of the above calculators for classroom use. Classroom Expectations Dallas Lutheran School students are challenged and encouraged to do their best with their God-given talents through a full curriculum and instructors that help students to learn. All students at DLS must be able and willing to do the following to be successful students at Dallas Lutheran School. Maintain an organized note taking system Read and take notes from appropriate instructional material as selected by the instructor Concentrate and participate appropriately during class Utilize computer, iPad, and calculator skills as required by individual teachers Read a Book-A-Month of their own choice beyond regular English class curriculum Prepare research reports and essays (350+ words minimum) Learn 200 or more vocabulary words each semester Take written exams within a specified time frame unless obtaining special approval Community Service Dallas Lutheran School requires students to accumulate 60 hours of community service credit between the first day of their freshman year and the end of the first semester of their senior year. This helps students learn and appreciate the joy of being “other centered” as well as proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the community. This community service is done in addition to participation in Beyond My Front Door events. Community Service projects MUST be authorized prior to the beginning of the project. Up to 30 of the 60 required hours may be earned at DLS. Service hours may NOT be earned for a project for which students are compensated. Service hours received from Mission Trips and serving as a camp counselor are capped at 10 hours a day. (Travel days are not accepted.) Service hours must be earned outside of the normal school day. Service hours must meet the needs of or benefit a non-profit organization or community agency. Service hours may not be earned for projects sponsored by parents, relatives, or friends. 3 Dropping/Adding Classes Students may drop and/or add courses without penalty if such action is completed before 7% of the class has occurred. This equates to 5 class days for .5 unit class (18 weeks) semester class. 1. Students may “drop” any course without penalty if such action is completed on or before 50% of the course has been completed. The transcript will read a “W” (Withdrawn). Withdrawal after 50% of the course has been completed will result in a failing grade unless an exception is made with administrative approval. 2. Other circumstances may arise that are not adequately met by the above requirements. Students may make special requests to the Registrar. Grading System and Grade Point Average Grades will be computed using a percentage point system with 100% as the highest grade and 70% as the lowest passing grade. Any grade below 70% will not earn credit. NOTE: In the event that successful completion of a core course (math, science, history, English) is not accomplished, the student is expected to make provisions to complete the course successfully before returning to DLS the next fall. Only grades earned at DLS are used to compute grade point average (GPA). Summer school, correspondence, and transfer grades from other schools are not used in the calculation. In Progress Grades A student transferring into a course at Dallas Lutheran School while “in progress” will have the portion of the course completed elsewhere averaged by each teacher in a pro-rated system. Students transferring out of a DLS course will have a progress report of grades sent to the new school upon request. Middle School Promotion In the event of a student failing a class, the middle school principal reserves the right to make all promotion decisions. Off-Campus Physical Education Credit Per Texas rules, requests for waivers for private or commercially sponsored physical activity programs will be considered only for programs not offered as team sports at DLS that lead to Olympic level participation and/or competition. These programs will fall under one of two categories. a) A student must be involved in a minimum of 15 hours per week of highly intense, professionally supervised training. The training facility, instructors, and the activities in the program must be approved by the principal (or a designated administrator) and be of exceptional quality. Students participating at this level may receive a maximum of ½ credit per semester. A total of 1 ½ credits may be earned toward state high school graduation requirements. The student must participate for a minimum of four (4) days during the week. b) A student must be involved in a minimum of 10 hours per week of highly intense, professionally supervised training. The training facility, instructors, and the activities in the program must be approved by the principal (or a designated administrator) and be of exceptional quality. Students participating at this level may receive a maximum of ½ credit per semester. A total of 1 ½ credits may be earned toward state high school graduation requirements. The student must participate a minimum of four (4) days during the week. These students may NOT be dismissed from any part of the school day. In all cases, it is the responsibility of the student to provide evidence that both level of participation and the quality of the program meet the above requirement.