Information to help you complete your Course Selection Form, Four Year Plan of Study, and Application for Honors/AP Courses. Final decisions made by GHS and is dependent on course availability

Questions: call Kathleen Fisher 756-2300 or email kfisher@scsk12.org

HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION

WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?

Germantown High School Catalogwww.scsk12.org/SCS/high/Germantown/coursecatalog.htm

Houston High School Catalogwww.scsk12.org/SCS/high/Houston/guidance/catalog

College and Career InformationKuder Career Planning SystemTennessee Career Information Delivery System (TCIDS)ecampustours.com

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

You must have a minimum of 22 credits (classes) to graduate!

You may take more than 22 credits, but you may NOT take less!

Required credits include the following subjects:Math - 4, English - 4, Science - 3, Social Studies - 3, Fine Arts - 1, Foreign Language – 2, Personal Finance – 1/2 , Physical Education/Wellness – 1 1/2, and Electives – 3. Total: 22 Credits

TERMS Credit: what you earn when you take a class for 1 school year and pass

½ Credit: what you earn when you take a class for 1 semester and pass

Honors: An advanced, fast-paced version of a standard class and 3 extra points are added

AP: Advanced Placement – an AP course is more advanced and fast-paced than an honors course and 5 extra points are added. Students in AP classes take an AP exam at the end of the course and based on their score they may earn college credit.

IB – International Baccalaureate – An intense academic program offered at GHS and 5 extra points are added

Override – Parent must go to GHS Counselors Office, talk with counselor and complete override form.

ELECTIVES

What are electives?Electives are required classes where you have CHOICES.

You are required to complete THREE electives in order to graduate, but you will have the opportunity to complete additional electives.

You should choose classes that interest you as your electives!

ALTERNATE COURSES

COURSES THAT STUDENTS CHOOSE IN THE EVENT THAT THE COURSE THEY CHOOSE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO TAKE

STUDENTS NEED TO CHOOSE 2 ALTERNATE COURSES AND LIST THEM IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE – IE. A FIRST AND SECOND CHOICE

MATH REQUIREMENTS You must take FOUR math credits during the time you are in high school (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th).

If you take Algebra I in 8th grade, it counts as an elective credit rather than a math credit.

Requirements for Honors Algebra I in 9th grade include the following:93 average at the end of your first semester of 8th grade

Excellent attendanceHigh score on math placement exam taken in December.

If you’ve taken Algebra I in 8th grade, you must earn a 93 during 1st semester and maintain excellent attendance in order to take Honors Geometry in 9th grade.

MATH COURSES

ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

You must take FOUR English credits during the time you are in high school.

In order to qualify for Honors English in 9th grade, you must have a grade of 93 in Language Arts at the end of your first semester of 8th grade!

You DO NOT have to take enriched Language Arts in 8th grade to qualify for Honors English in 9th grade.

SCIENCE REQUIREMENTSYou must complete THREE Science courses during the time you are in high school.

While you are only required to complete 3 Science credits, many colleges require 4 for admission. You may take a fourth Science credit as one of your electives.

Physical Science in 8th Grade is an elective course and does not count as a Science credit.

ENGLISH COURSES

SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Physical Science is NOT a required science course. However, it is recommended for all students and is helpful for Chemistry, which is a required course.

In order to take Honors Biology, you must earn a 93 for first semester of 8th grade science or physical science. Also, you must be enrolled in Algebra I or have already taken it.

Your 8th grade science teacher will help you decide which 9th grade science class is right for you.

SCIENCE COURSES

SCIENCE COURSE CHOICES

You may take the following Science classes in 11th or 12th grade:PhysicsAP PhysicsAP ChemistryAP BiologyAnatomy and Physiology

SOCIAL STUDIES REQUIREMENTS

You must complete THREE Social Studies courses during the time you are in high school.

While you are only required to complete 3 Social Studies credits, many colleges require 4 for admission. You may take a fourth Social Studies credit as an elective.

You will take World Geography OR World History in 9th Grade or 10th – not both.

In order to take Honors W. Geography or W. History, you must earn a 93 in both Social Studies AND Language Arts during your first semester of 8th Grade.

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE CHOICES

You may take the following Social Studies courses as electives:Facing History and Ourselves (11th/12th)

Psychology (11th/12th)Sociology (11th/12th)AP European History (10th, 11th, 12th)

Contemporary Issues (11th/12th)African American History (11th/12th)

PERSONAL FINANCE

You must complete 1 semester (1/2 credit) of Personal Finance.

Real world topics include: money management, credit, savings, investing

GHS recommends that you take this class in 11th or 12th grade.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/WELLNESS

You must complete 1 credit of Wellness (9th grade)

Wellness is a combination of Physical Education (PE) and Health

You must complete an additional 1 semester (1/2 credit) of PE

Playing a sport can count for this ½ credit. Varsity Band may count for this ½ credit. Also Lifetime Sports or Recreational Games

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

You must complete TWO Foreign Language credits.

You will take the same foreign language at least two years in a row to fulfill this requirement.

While you are only required to complete two Foreign Language credits, you can choose to take three or four years of the same language or another foreign language. Some universities may require more than 2 credits.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

You may choose to take the following foreign languages at GHS:French I and French I Regular and HonorsSpanish I Honors and Spanish II Reg. & Honors

Latin I HonorsGerman I and German I Regular and Honors

In order to take Foreign Language in 9th grade, you must earn a 90 in Language Arts during your first semester of 8th grade.

In order to take Honors Foreign Language in 9th grade, you must earn a 93 in Language Arts during your first semester of 8th grade.

FINE ARTS You must complete 1 Fine Arts credit. The following classes will fulfill this requirement:Intermediate BandChorusIntroduction to Communication (speech/debate)

Introduction to the Theater (drama, theater, and backstage)

Visual art (drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.)

Introduction to Film and Video You may choose to earn more than one credit in Fine Arts and may have to audition to enroll in the some of the classes.