Springdale

Public Schools

2008-2009

Dear Parents and Students:

Please review the high school graduation policy. Graduation from Springdale Public Schools is the responsibility of the student and parent. The school’s staff can and will give advice about the courses that are offered, but ultimately success in high school rests upon the shoulders of each student. NO student will be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies without having successfully completed graduation requirements prior to the date of graduation ceremonies.

The high school teachers are your greatest source of information when making course selections for the coming year. Please consult the high school teachers and department chairs to learn more about each course we offer. When questions arise should you need to call your high school to get information, please do so. The appropriate teacher or department chair will return your call or set up an appointment with you, so that you can make informed decisions about which courses to take.

Courses listed in this booklet that do not attract enough students during registration will not be offered.

We recommend that students and parents work together to plan the courses to be taken for the entire three years of high school, not simply those to be taken during the coming year.

Regardless of the students’ post-high school plans, it is strongly recommended that students remain enrolled in English, math, science, and social studies courses each year.

Sincerely,

School Administrators, Faculty, and Staff

 

Graduation Requirements

Class of 2009

English 4

Math 4

Social Studies 3

Science 3

Oral Communications ˝

Health ˝

Physical Education ˝

Fine Arts ˝

Electives 8

Credits 24

Note: One half unit is earned for each course each semester. One unit of Civics or Government is required. American History and World History are required for all students. One unit of Physical Science and one unit of Life Science are required for all students. Students may be required to take an exit exam prior to graduation. Students must be enrolled in math and English every year.

Grading System

Credit is based on Carnegie Units as per North Central Association guidelines. Therefore, a semester course is valued as a half Carnegie unit. A year-long course is valued as one (1) Carnegie unit.

Grade Points* IB/AP Grade Points** Grading Scale

A= 4 A= 5 90-100=A

B= 3 B= 4 80-89=B

C= 2 C= 3 70-79=C

D= 1 D= 2 60-69=D

F= 0 F= 0 59 & below=F

Any student who makes a failing grade in an Advanced Placement class first semester will be dropped from the class second semester. Students earning a "D" in an AP class will also be dropped unless special permission is granted on a case by case basis after a conference with the student and parent.

*Pluses and minuses will not be considered in computing grade points

**Only for those courses designated as College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programme.

 
   

Course Load*

All students are required to attend Springdale High Schools for a full 7-period day. All students will carry a class load of at least six (6) subjects.

*Exceptions to the above:

-Eleventh and twelfth graders who are enrolled in an approved work program must be in attendance a minimum of 4 periods per day.

-Fifth year seniors are only required to enroll in the number and types of courses necessary to fulfill their graduation requirements.

-A maximum of two (2) units of correspondence and/or summer school credits may be applied toward meeting the graduation requirements. Students desiring these means of earning credit must make arrangements with their counselor and have the approval of the principal.

-Summer school courses may be taken for makeup purposes only. A student must be in attendance during his/her final semester in order to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Early Graduation

Requirements for graduation may be completed in less than four years. In order to graduate early, a student must submit a letter of request signed by parents/guardians prior to the beginning of the senior year. Correspondence course(s) may not be taken in lieu of the final semester of school.

National Honor Society

Election to membership in the National Honor Society is based upon character, leadership, service, and scholarship. A student may be invited to become a member if his/her cumulative grade point average is 3.5 or higher, and if he/she meets the standards for membership stated in the constitution and bylaws of the organization.

Academic Challenge Scholarship

Students must meet the college preparatory minimum core of high school courses. Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship applicants must have a 4th math beyond Algebra II and 2 consecutive years of a foreign language. For more information go to www.arkansaschallenge.org.

Renaissance

The Renaissance Program is based on the concept of rewarding academic excellence. The purpose is to provide positive incentives and rewards to students for making good grades and for improving their grades. Ultimately, Renaissance is a comprehensive package of ideas used to improve academic achievement, attendance, and overall staff commitment resulting in a positive impact on the community of students at Springdale secondary schools. Local businesses support this worthwhile program and offer donations of money, discounts, services or other incentive gifts that will help to further success of the program. The members of the Chamber of Commerce have been instrumental in making the Renaissance incentives important in Springdale.

 

Honor Graduate

A student may be designated as an honor graduate at graduation if his/her cumulative GPA is 3.5 or higher when final grade point averages are calculated. In addition, ACT 980 mandates that students must complete all courses as listed under the Smart Core Curriculum as established by the State Board of Education. (Students must have a 4th math beyond Algebra 2).

Smart Core Curriculum

Research and experience of students, faculty, and administration indicate that students taking a solid high school core of courses have better test scores and greater success in institutions of higher education. To increase your chances of success, the following minimum core of high school courses is recommended.

English - Four units

Science - Three units, with two chosen from the following: Biology, Chemistry or Physics - A fourth unit is strongly recommended.

Mathematics – Four units including Algebra I & II and Geometry and one upper level math course (beyond Algebra II)

Social Studies - Three units, including one of American History, one of World History, and one of Civics or American Government

Foreign Languages - Two units in the same foreign language

University of Arkansas

Entrance Requirements

3.00 GPA, ACT 20

4 credits of English

4 credits of math (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and a 4th math above Algebra II)

3 credits of science, including at least 2 lab sciences (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)

3 credits of social studies (including World History, American History, and ˝ unit Civics or Government)

In addition, 3 more credits of college prep courses to include:

Foreign Language

˝ Oral Communication

English, Science, Math, or Social Studies

"Nite" School

"Nite" School is a credit-recovery program offered in the evening, Monday-Thursday. 1/2 credit can be earned per session. A student must submit an application with classes approved by his/her counselor. A payment of $75.00 is due when the application is submitted. Applications are available in the high school counseling centers.