High School Curriculum Guide

General Requirements

A comprehensive, balanced, sequential program shall be developed for each high school student by the student, parent(s) or guardian(s), and counselor. The program will be based upon the student's individual needs, abilities, and occupational plans. The recommended program shall be developed upon entering grade nine and reviewed yearly. Students are encouraged to exceed graduation requirements as described below.

LHS changed to a trimester scheduling system at the beginning of the 2003-2004, school year. All previous school years were scheduled as semesters. The trimester system led to a change in graduation requirement as follows:

Graduation Requirements:

Required Program:

In order to be granted a high school diploma, a student must complete the required number of credits including units in the following subject areas*:

*Check the 2005-2006 Selection of Classes Worksheet in the LHS Curriculum Guide for specific requirements for graduation for each class, as the trimester changes are being implemented.

College Preparatory Program

A college preparatory endorsement shall be reported on the transcript of students who earn 26 credits, maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or above, and complete the designated number of units in the following subjects:

Course Availability by Department

Art Department

Art Survey
Ceramics I
Ceramics II
Jewelry I
Jewelry II
Painting & Prints
Sculpture
Sculpture II
Advanced Drawing
Individual Program - Art
Portfolio - Art

Business Education, Services & Technology
(BEST)

Business Professionals of America Club
an association of business/computer students
(BPA)
Distributive Education Club of America
an association of marketing students
(DECA)

Personal Finance
International Business
Business Mathematics A & B
Accounting
Advanced Accounting
Keyboarding
Business Administration Services
Business Law
Business Management
Marketing
Marketing Independent Study
Retailing
Retail Management
Introduction to Computers
Interactive Technology I
Interactive Technology II
Object-Oriented Programming
Structured Programming
Business/Computer Independent Study

Consumer Home Economics

Food Science
Advanced Food Science
Independent Living
Parenting
Child Development
Food Service Management

English

English 9
Speech
English 10
Writing 11
Literature Studies 11
Writing 11 CP
American Experience
Survey of American LIterature, CP
Creative Writing
Practical English 12
College Writing 12
Survey of English Literature, CP
World Literature, CP
Shakespeare, CP
Advanced Placement English
Journalism

Foreign Languages

French I
French II
French III/IV
Practical Spanish
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III
Pre-Placement Spanish
Spanish IV

Industrial Education

Patternmaking and Foundry
Woodworking I
Woodworking II
Woodworking III
Woodworking IV
Metals
Shop Process I
Shop Process II
Mechanical Drawing
Advanced Mechanical Drawing
Architectural Drawing
Advanced Architectural Drawing
Home Technology
Small Gas Engines

Mathematics

Pre-Algebra
Algebra
Geometry
Advanced Algebra
Functions, Statistics & Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Calculus AP
Business Mathematics

Music

Bel-Canto
Concert Choir
Advanced Women's Choir
Jazz Band
Orchestra
High School Band

Physical Education/Health

Personal Fitness 9
Team Sports I & II
Strength & Conditioning
Aerobics & Lifestyle Fitness Programs
Health
Fitness Walking
Advanced Sports Skills
Life Guarding
Individualized Swimming
Outdoor Education

Science

World of Chemistry of Life
Living World
Physical World
Matter & Energy CP
Planet Earth CP
Life Chemistry CP
Biology CP
Advanced Biology CP
Anatomy and Physiology CP
Chemistry CP
Advanced Chemistry CP
Forensic Science CP
Physics CP (4.0 scale)
Physics CP (5.0 scale)

Social Studies

US History I
US History II
US History III
US Government
Rise of Western Civilization I/II/III
Global Awareness
Psychology I CP
Psychology II CP
Sociology I CP
Sociology II CP
Economics CP
AP European History
American Military Involvement
AP US History

LHS Academic Honors

Honor Roll
National Honor Society - 3.25 GPA required

Academic Awards

3.30 - 3.749 Bronze Award Certificate
3.75 - 3.899 Silver Award Certificate
3.9 - 4.0+ Gold Award Certificate

Graduation:

3.30 - 3.749 Bronze Award Certificate (Graduate with Honors)
3.75 - 3.899 Silver Award Certificate (Graduate with High Honors)
3.9 - 4.0+ Gold Award Certificate (Graduate with Highest Honors)

Dual Enrollment

Students have the opportunity to dual enroll which means to take classes at West Shore Community College and earn credit in college and high school at the same time. The laws governing this program change on a regular basis so we have decided not to print the present version. In almost all cases, however, tuition and fees are paid by the Ludington Area Schools. If you are interested in taking one or more college classes, please see your counselor for details.

Repeating a Course

Students may repeat a course in which they earned a D+ or lower grade, the new grade is shown on the transcript with the previous low grade becoming an "S". "S" does not affect GPA but does earn credit. Students repeating courses with grades higher than a D are probably being repeated for GPA enhancement and if they earned a C-, they probably don't need to repeated in the first place. In this case, both grades would remain on the transcript. Previous policy only allowed repeating a failed course and both grades remained on the transcript. This does not apply to courses that one meant to be repeated, band, aerobics, for example. In the case of repeating a failed, required course, this policy still applies.

Credit Only Course

Any student may choose to take one credit for "Credit Only" in any course except those required for graduation. No letter grade (A-F) will be given. However, a student must earn a "C" average or better for the semester to receive credit which will be listed as an "S" on the student's record. If less than a "C" average is earned, no credit will be given and the course will be recorded with a "U" on the student's permanent record. The grade will not affect the GPA.

The "Credit Only" designation must be made by the end of the forth week of class and is in effect only for that trimester. Students must reapply each semester if "Credit Only" is desired.

Permission forms are made available each trimester; these forms may be obtained from the high school counselor and must be signed by the student, a parent, and counselor.

LHS Grading Policy

80% of a trimester grade is from the 12 weeks of course work.
20% of a Term Grade is from the final exam.
Final exams are required in all non-TA courses.
Students must take the final exam to pass a course.
Exam is comprehensive.
Students must pass the 12 week, 80% portion of the course to pass the class.

Testing Programs

High School Proficiency Testing

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

American College Testing Program

SAT I - Reasoning Test

SAT II - Subject Tests

Advance Placement

(ACT) Plan Test

Early Graduation

Students who have completed the minimum number of credits to graduate and who have completed all required coursework, may be considered for early graduation or for reduced schedule. A formal written request should be sent to the high school principal. Approval will be granted after a parent/guardian meeting/discussion is held and it is determined that the requesting to one of the following:

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