High School Graduation Planning Guide AND COURSE CATALOG 2017-18 For Students and Families in Preparing for High School Course Registration Table of Contents The Bellingham Promise 3 Graduation Requirements 4 HOME OF THE STORM High School Credit Requirements 5-8 How to Register for Courses 9 Dear Students, Registration Information 10-11 This is an exciting time for our high school students and staff. Starting with the 2017- 18 school year, we are implementing a new eight period schedule, which means for Options High School 12 the first time, all of our high schools will be on the same common bell schedule and will be offering more course options for students. High School Courses Arts 13 As a high school student, I hope you engage in your learning as you work toward Career and Technical high school graduation and prepare for your next educational chapter. Carefully Education 19 choosing the courses you take each semester is an important step and will help to English 29 open doors upon graduation. No matter what you choose to do with your life and English Language Learners 33 career, preparing yourself for continued education after high school, be it college or Math 34 work training program, is the best plan. Our administrators, counselors and teachers Physical Education 36 are great resources to help you decide which courses to take. I also encourage you to Science 38 include your parents and families in this process and consider what is necessary for a Social Studies 42 healthy, balanced life. Specialized Instruction 46 World Language 47 Our new schedule allows greater flexibility and more course opportunities to develop Additional Electives 52 and pursue passion or interest areas, such as additional world language, art, physical Bellingham Virtual Learning 53 education, music or career and technical education courses you otherwise wouldn’t have room for in your schedule within a six period day. Additionally, we offer new courses in social studies, math, science and English. I encourage you to explore, try High School Course Planner 54 something new, and broaden your horizons. We are fortunate to offer such a vast array of classes in all subject areas to develop students and graduates who are readers and writers, artists and performers, historians and global thinkers and innovators and creators – and all the outcomes articulated in The Bellingham Promise. One of our core beliefs in The Bellingham Promise is that all students can achieve at high levels. That is why we are currently examining how all students can access Advanced Placement (AP) classes at a free or reduced rate next year. Our staff and community believe in each of you! Challenge yourselves. Ask questions. Take Bellingham Public Schools does rigorous courses. With hard work and a positive attitude, you can access all of the not discriminate and complies incredible opportunities this world has to offer. Additionally, while we want you to with all federal and state laws push yourselves and take rigorous classes, we also want to make sure you maintain and regulations including the a balance between academics, athletics, and activities, as well as service, family and celebrating the joys of life. American Disabilities Act (ADA). For more information, Take this opportunity to enjoy your high school experience and the rich opportunities please call 360-676-6400. If it offers. I wish you each the best of luck in your high school career and beyond. you have a disability and need this publication in an alternate format, call 360-676-6520. For questions regarding disabled Greg Baker access to district buildings, call Superintendent 360-676-6500. 2 High School Course Catalog 2017-18 We,vision as a community, We developoutcomes students and graduates who are: make a collective commitment to • readers and writers, • leaders, collaborators and Bellingham’s children. We will empower • scientists and team players, • healthy, active individuals, every child to discover and develop a mathematicians, • dependable and responsible • critical thinkers and • historians and global workers, problem solvers, passion, contribute to their community, thinkers, • confident individuals who • effective communicators, and achieve a fulfilling and productive • artists, performers and continuously challenge ACTION • innovators and creators, life. trades people, themselves, and CHARACTER KNOWLEDGE • multilingual readers and • respectful and • well-rounded community speakers, compassionate humans, members engaged with • skilled users of technology • honest and ethical citizens the broader world. and information, who act with integrity, Wemission collectively commit that our students are cared for and respected, and that they will graduate from our schools prepared for success key strategies in the global community. All students We will accomplish this through: will be exceptional in their own way, with strong character, a passion for Innovation Early learning, and ready for the widest range and Childhood of educational and vocational options Flexibility Education to support a diversity of life choices. At all levels, but with We invest in a strong particular attention to our early childhood (prenatal middle and high schools, to third grade) program we promote innovation and because of its powerful flexibility to ensure we are Great Teaching long-term return for core beliefs meeting the needs of with Strong our students and We, believe: all students. community. Support • all children should be loved, • the whole child is important, Student, • every child can learn at high levels, A One High quality instruction Family, and Schoolhouse occurs in every classroom, • early learning and development are critical, Community Approach every day, resulting in high Engagement • learning is lifelong and essential to a high levels of learning. This is quality of life, supported by purposeful We provide an equitable • compassion and service build community, and ongoing professional Authentic partnerships distribution of resources are essential in order to development of all staff • teaching children to do their best involves and services to ensure deliver upon our promise. self-reflection and reaching higher, excellence for all. and effective leadership We actively seek input from • diversity enhances a strong and healthy throughout the organization. and work together with all community, and stakeholders to cultivate • together we achieve more than alone. both existing and new partnerships. High School Course Catalog 2017-18 3 REQUIREMENTS The following three graduation requirements currently apply for all students planning to graduate from Bellingham Public Schools. HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL year. This new test can also be used STATE EXAMS to meet the science exam graduation 1 COURSE CREDITS 2 requirement and will eventually replace the Biology EOC exam. What high school What are the state courses should I take? exam requirements? Accommodations and alternative Course descriptions and pre-requisites All high school students take state state exams may be available are listed in this catalog and in Skyward exams that are aligned to our learning for students with Individualized Student Access. See page 9 for details standards in English language arts, Education Plans (IEP). In addition, on how to register for classes and the math and science. Students can meet there are state-approved alternative Winter 2017 registration timelines. the English language arts and the assessments for students who math exam requirements with passing attempt, but do not pass, the state How do I know if I’m on scores on the Smarter Balanced exams for English language arts, math tests in grade 10 or 11, with retakes and science. track to graduate? available through grade 12. As we transition to the 4x8 For information about state testing, schedule in fall 2017, different Students in the class of 2018 may visit k12.wa.us/Assessment/ credit expectations are outlined by also meet the math exam requirement StateTesting and for alternatives graduating year. See pages 5 to 8 to with a passing score on the Algebra for graduation, visit k12.wa.us/ review what those are for your class. 1 End of Course (EOC) exam or the assessment/GraduationAlternatives Geometry EOC exam. The state is In a 4x8 schedule, students attend discontinuing the use of math EOC four classes each day which rotate exams after 2018. HIGH SCHOOL AND every other day. “A” days include 3 BEYOND PLAN periods 1-4 and “B” days include Students can meet their science exam periods 5-8. Each semester, students graduation requirement with a passing What’s the High School can earn four credits. In a year score from the Biology EOC exam. This students can earn eight credits. exam, taken by the end of grade 10, and Beyond Plan? also has retakes available through These state-required plans detail the grade 12. work that students will complete to graduate successfully from high school Students in the class of 2019 will be and also outline post-high school the first to take the new state science plans. Students begin their plans test, which is aligned to our Next as they schedule courses for ninth Generation Science Standards and to grade and revise them with help from be given to students in grade 11 each counselors throughout high school. 4 High School Course Catalog 2017-18 CLASS OF 2018 HIGH SCHOOL English 4.0 Social Studies 3.0** English 9 1.0 Contemporary World History 1.0 English 10 1.0 U.S. History 1.0 Additional English Courses 2.0 Civics 0.5 Elective 0.5 ** Washington State History is required for Physical Education 1.5 graduation. District students fulfill this state requirement in Grade 7 Social Studies. Health 0.5 Transfer students may need to complete this requirement prior to graduation. See counselor for details. Science 2.0 Two years of lab sciences World Language 2.0 Two consecutive years in Math 3.0 the same language Algebra I 1.0 Geometry 1.0 Algebra 2* 1.0 Arts 1.0 *Algebra 2 may be met by another third year math course based on student Music, Art or Drama interest and High School and Beyond Plan, including parent/guardian signature.