vista ridge high school's 2016-2017 course guide

VistaRidgeHighSchool2016-2017CourseRegistrationGuide

6888BlackForestRoad•ColoradoSprings,CO80923

P:719.494.8800|F:719.494.8838

D49.org/VRHS

http://www.d49.org/vrhs

VistaRidgeHighSchoolSchoolDistrict49

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VistaRidgeHighSchoolOverviewInoureffortstobetterserveourstudents,parent,guardians,andcommunity,allcoursesandpolicieshavebeenreviewedandupdatedinthisyear'sCourseRegistrationGuide.Pleasenote:courses,policies,andproceduresoutlinedinthisguidearetentativeanddependentuponstudentneed,staffing,POWERZonepoliciesandVistaRidgeHighSchoolbuildingdecisions.TheVRHSCourseRegistrationGuideisintendedtoraiseawarenessofcourseofferings,academicpoliciesandguidelines,programsandactivities,andtoassistourstudentsinnavigatingtowardsasuccessfulacademiccareeratVRHS.TheBoardofEducationiscommittedtoprovidingasafelearningandworkenvironmentwhereallmembersoftheschoolcommunityaretreatedwithdignityandrespect.TheschoolsintheDistrictaresubjecttoallfederalandstatelawsandconstitutionalprovisionsprohibitingdiscriminationonthebasisofdisability,race,creed,color,sex,sexualorientation,nationalorigin,religion,ancestry,orneedforspecialservices.Accordingly,nootherwisequalifiedstudent,employee,applicantforemploymentormemberofthepublicshallbeexcludedfromparticipationin,bedeniedthebenefitsof,orbesubjectedto,unlawfuldiscriminationunderanyDistrictprogramoractivityonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,ancestry,creed,religion,sex(whichincludesmaritalstatus),sexualorientation,disabilityorneedforspecialeducationservices.


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TableofContents

VISTARIDGEHIGHSCHOOLOVERVIEW 1

POLICIESANDGUIDELINES 4HONORCODE 4THECODE 4

GRADINGSYSTEM 5PASS/FAILCOURSES 5

OTHERPOLICIESANDGUIDELINES 6CREDITRECOVERYPOLICIESANDGUIDELINES 6HOMESCHOOLING 6SUMMERSCHOOL 6

TRANSFERRINGCREDITSTOVRHS 7

WITHDRAWINGFROMVRHS 9

GRADUATIONREQUIREMENTS 10CLASSIFICATIONANDREQUIREMENTS 10

EARLY&HONORGRADUATES 12EARLYGRADUATION 12GRADUATINGWITHHONORS 12

ACADEMICLETTERING 14

ELIGIBILITY 15HIGHEREDUCATIONADMISSIONREQUIREMENTS(HEAR) 15NCAAELIGIBILITYSTANDARDS 15VRHSATHLETICS 15ELIGIBILITYPOLICY 16ATHLETICLETTERING 16ATHLETICELECTIVECREDIT 16COUNSELINGDEPARTMENT 17CONCURRENTENROLLMENTANDICAPSUPPORT 17RECOMMENDEDPROGRAMOFSTUDY 18

AREAVOCATIONALPROGRAM 19AVPOPTIONS 19

COLLEGECREDITOPTIONS 20

CLUBS&ORGANIZATIONS 21


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NATIONALHONORSOCIETY 21

COURSECATALOG 23ENGLISHCOURSES 23SCIENCECOURSES 32MATHEMATICSCOURSES 39WORLDLANGUAGESCOURSES 43FINEARTSCOURSES 45PHYSICALEDUCATIONCOURSES 54CAREER&TECHNICALEDUCATIONCOURSES 56ITCOURSES 59BUSINESSCOURSES 64FAMILY&CONSUMERSCIENCESCOURSES 66PROJECTLEADTHEWAYBIOMEDICALSCIENCES 68ONLINECOURSES 70UNIQUECOURSEOFFERINGS 73


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PoliciesandGuidelines

HONORCODETheVistaRidgeHighSchoolcommunityembodiesaspiritofmutualtrustandintellectualhonesty,centraltotheverynatureoftheschool,andrepresentsthehighestpossibleexpressionofsharedvaluesamongthemembersoftheschoolcommunity.StudentswhocommitthemselvestoupholdingVistaRidgeHighSchool’sHonorCodewillbeinstilledwithasenseofintegrityandpersonalachievementthatwilllastbeyondtheirhighschoolyears.

THECODEStudentsattendingVistaRidgeHighSchoolareexpectedtoconductthemselveshonorablyinpursuitoftheireducation.Cheating,plagiarism,andfraudviolateethicalcodesofconductandwillnotbeacceptedatVistaRidgeHighSchool.

ThecorevaluesunderlyingandreflectedintheHonorCodeare:

• Academichonestyisdemonstratedbystudentswhen:o theideasandthewritingofothersareproperlycited;o studentssubmittheirownworkfortestsandassignmentswithout

unauthorizedassistance;o studentsdonotprovideunauthorizedassistancetoothers;ando studentsreporttheirresearchoraccomplishmentsaccurately.

• Respectforothersandthelearningprocesstodemonstrateacademichonesty.• Trustinotherstoactwithacademichonestyasapositivecommunity-buildingforce

intheschool.• Responsibilityisrecognizedbyalltodemonstratetheirbestefforttoprepareand

completeacademictasks.• Fairnessandequityaredemonstratedsoeverystudentcanexperienceanacademic

environmentfreefromtheinjusticescausedbyanyformofintellectualdishonesty.• Integrityofallmembersoftheschoolcommunityasdemonstratedbya

commitmenttoacademichonestyandsupportofourquestforauthenticlearning.


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GradingSystemPercentage Grade Regular

CourseHonorsCourse

AdvancedPlacement(AP)Course

90-10080-8970-7960-690-5970-100

ABCDFPass(P)Incomplete(I)WithdrawPass(WP)WithdrawFail(WF)

4.03.02.01.00n/an/an/an/a

4.53.52.51.50n/an/an/an/a

5.04.03.02.00n/an/an/an/a

Pass/FailCourses• StudentAide/TeacherAssistant• SummerSchool• CreditRecovery• AthleticCredit• CoachingAssistant• StudyHall

Pass/Failcoursesarevaluedat0.5creditstowardsgraduationrequirements,andwillNOTimpactastudent'sGPAunlessitisanF.***Pleasenote:Pass/FailcoursesareNOTrecognizedbyNCAA.


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OtherPoliciesandGuidelines

CreditRecoveryPoliciesandGuidelinesInconjunctionwithDistrict49'siConnectZoneandtheSpringsStudioforAcademicExcellence(formerlytheFalconVirtualAcademy),VRHSoffersonlineoptionsforstudentswhoarecreditdeficientoraremedicallyunabletoattendVRHS.Thesecoursesarenottobeconfusedwithonlinecoursesfororiginalcredit.Onlinecoursesforcreditrecoveryarereservedforjuniorsandseniorsonly.Classspaceandcoursesarelimitedanddependentuponbuildingneed.RegistrationforthesecoursesisdonethroughcounselorrecommendationandMr.Bonavita.SpecificsaboutcreditrecoveryoptionsatVRHScanbefoundontheVRHSCreditRecoverywebpage.

HomeschoolingForup-to-dateinformationregardingSchoolDistrict49homeschoolpolicies,guidelinesFHPcurriculumorderform,FHPcourselist,orFHPenrollmentpacket,pleasevisitFalconHomeschoolProgramwebsite.

SummerSchoolSchoolDistrict49summerschoolprogramisdesignedforstudentswhohavefailedacorecourseduringtheregularschoolyear.StudentsmayNOTtakesummercoursesasasubstituteoradvancementforregularschoolyearcourseofferings.Courseofferingsmayvaryfromsummertosummer.Forcompletedetailsandup-to-dateofferingsforsummerschool,pleasevisittheVRHSCreditRecoverywebpage.


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TransferringCreditstoVRHSVistaRidgeHighSchoolmustreceiveofficialtranscriptsfromthestudent'spreviousschoolbeforecreditcanbegiven.Wewillacceptcreditfromanyaccreditedhighschool.Copiesoftranscriptsmaybeusedforenrollmentpurposesonly.StudentstransferringtoVRHSwithweightedgrades,suchasHonorsand/orAPclasses,willmaintaintheweightassignedtothegradeifVRHSoffersthesameorequivalentcourse.IfthecourseisnotofferedbyVRHS,thestudentwillmaintainthegradeawardedbythepreviousschoolforthecoursebuttheweightwillnottransfer.StudentstransferringinVRHSmustbringacopyofallpriortranscriptsinordertoenrollandregisterforclasses.Pleasenotethefollowingpolicyappliestostudentstransferringintothedistrictfromanoutsidedistrict.

• Studentswhohavedecidedtochoicetoanotherschoolinthedistrictaremakingacommitmentforafullacademicyear.

• Studentswhodecidetoreturntotheir"home"schoolmaydosoduringthefirstquarter.

• Studentswhowishtoreturntotheir"home"schoolafterthefirstquartermayreturn,butwillreceivea"WF"forcoursesstartedatthechoiceschoolandwillthenauditcoursesatthehomeschool.

• Studentswhowishtotransferbacktotheir"home"schoolatsemestermaydoso,butwillbelimitedtoclassesthatarenotcurrentlyfull.Thereisnoguaranteetheywillbeplacedinthesecondsemesterofyear-longcoursesorhavechoiceoverclassselection.Allcourseselectionwillbebasedonseatsavailable.ThisisduetotheFTEallocationbasedonenrollmentnumbersearlierintheyearanddoesnotfactorinstudentschangingschools.


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ThefollowingpolicyappliestostudentstransferringintoVRHS:

0-5WeeksintotheSemester:1.StudentwillreceiveanewVRHSschedule[followingassessment(March2SuccessorAspire)forpropercorecourseplacement].2.Notransfergradesarenecessarybutwillbeappliedifavailable.3.Student'sgradeswillbeginonthestudent'sstartdate.4.Studentswillnotberequiredtodomakeupwork,butwillberequiredtoknowallmaterialforthefinal.

6-9WeeksintotheSemester:1.Counselorswillmatchthestudent'spreviousscheduleascloseaspossible.2.Transfergradeswillbeappliedtospecificclassorcontentareawhenavailable.3.Classeswithoutatransfergradewillbeginonthestudent'sstartdate.[Placementincoreclasseswillbedeterminedfromassessment.]Nomakeupworkwillberequired,butstudentsareresponsibleforallcontentthatwillbeonthefinal.4.Forclasseswithoutatransfergrade,studentsmustpassthefinalexamwithatleasta70%toearncreditandalettergradeforthecourse.

10-13WeeksintotheSemester:1.Counselorswillmatchthestudent'spreviousscheduleascloseaspossible.2.Transfergradeswillbeappliedtospecificclassorcontentareawhenavailable.3.Classeswithoutatransfergradewillbeginonthestudent'sstartdate.[Placementincoreclasseswillbedeterminedfromassessment.]Nomakeupworkwillberequired,butstudentsareresponsibleforallcontentthatwillbeonthefinal.4.Forclasseswithoutatransfergrade,studentsmustpassthefinalexamwithatleasta70%andwillreceiveaPASSgradeforthecourse.

14-18WeeksintotheSemester:1.Counselorswillworkcloselywithpreviousschooltoobtainfinalcourseworkandfinals.2.Whennotpossibletoobtainfinalcourseworkandfinals,counselorwillusestudent'spreviousschoolscheduletomatchthestudent'sclasses.Transfergradeswillbeappliedifavailable.3.Allothercourseworkwillbeauditedfortheremainderofthesemester.***Allguidelinesareatthediscretionoftheprincipalandmaybechangedwithapprovaltomeetindividualneeds.


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WithdrawingfromVRHSWhenitisnecessaryforastudenttotransferorwithdrawfromVRHS,thestudent'sparent/guardianmustcometothecounselingofficeINPERSONtoinitiatethewithdrawalprocesswithourregistrar.Werequesttheparent/guardianbringthenameandaddressofthenextschoolthestudentwillattendsowecansendthenewschoolthestudent'stransfergrades.Alloutstandingfeesmustbepaidandalltextbooksreturnedbeforewewillreleaseofficialtranscriptstoanotherschool.Ifyouhavefurtherquestionsregardingthisprocess,pleasecontact:VRHSRegistrar:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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GraduationRequirements

ClassificationandRequirements

ClassificationPolicyforVRHSStudentwillbeclassifiedaccordingtothenumberofyearstheyhavebeeninattendanceinhighschool.StudentswhodonotcompleteenoughcreditstograduateinMayoftheiroriginalgraduationyearwillneedtomeetwiththeircounselorandobtainresourcesforanalternateplantocompletegraduationrequirements.

GraduationRequirementsGraduationrequirementsaredesignedbytheColoradoCommissionofHigherEducationtogivestudentsabalancedprogramtohelpbuildtheskillsandknowledgenecessarytobeasuccessfulhighschoolgraduate.VRHSoffersarangeofrequiredandelectivecoursestomeetstudentneedsandinterests.Indecidingyourcourseselections,considerthefollowing:

• Knowhowyouwillmeetyourgraduationrequirements(seebelow)• Understandcollegeentranceorvocationalrequirements• Knowifyouneedteacherapprovalforthecourseandobtainit• Knowwhattheperquisitesareforthecourse(s)you'dliketotakeandifyouhave

metthem• Ifindoubtaboutcreditsforgraduationorcollegeentrancerequirements,seeyour

counselor


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ContentArea Typical

CollegeExpectation

VRHSRequiredCredits

VRHSRecommendedCourses*

English 4years 4credits 9th:EnglishI,HonorsEnglishI10th:EnglishII,HonorsEnglishII11th:AmericanLiteratureorAPAmericanLit.12th:EnglishLiteratureorAP

SocialStudies

3-4years 3credits 9th:Geography,WorldHistory,APHumanGeography10th:Government,Economics,APWorldHistory11th:U.S.History,APU.S.History12th:APU.S.Government,APPsychology

Science 3-4yearswith2lab-based

3credits 9th:LinearPhysics,PhysicalScience,BiomedicalI10th:Chemistry,BiomedicalII,APEnvironmentalScience11th:Biology,Anatomy,BiomedicalII,MedicalForensics12th:APChem,APPhysicsC,APBiology

Mathematics

4yearstoincludeAlgebraII

3credits 9th:AlgebraI10th:Mathelective11th:Mathelective12th:

ForeignLanguagesPracticalArts

2years 1credit 9th-12th:Choiceofelectives

FineArts 1credit 9th-12th:ChoiceofelectivesPhysicalEducation

1.5credits

AdditionalElectives

7.5 9th-12th:Choiceofelectives

Totalof24creditsneededtograduatefromVRHS.These recommendations can change based upon student Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) indicators.


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Early&HonorGraduates

EarlyGraduationStudentsmaygraduateattheendofthefirstsemesteroftheirsenioryeariftheyhavemetallthegraduationrequirements.Studentsconsideringthisoptionneedtomeetwiththeircounselorandcarefullyreviewseniorcoursesandcredits.Allstudentsconsideringearlygraduationaresubjecttoapprovalbythebuildingprincipal-Mr.Grose,counselorand/ordesigneefromDistrict49CentralOffice.Allearlygraduatesmayattendclassfunctions,suchasprom,andgraduationceremonies.

GraduatingwithHonors

ValedictorianandSalutatorianSelectionCriteriaTheValedictorianandSalutatorianwillbedesignatedattheendofthethirdquarter.However,periodicandregulargradecheckswillbemadethroughthemiddleofMaytoassuremaintenanceofstatus.

1. Onlyonevaledictorianandonesalutatorianwillberecognizedinagraduatingclass.ThevaledictorianandsalutatoriandesignationsarereservedforthetoptwograduateswhoearnthehighestGPAspanninggrades9-12.ClassesfiguredintotheoverallGPAmustbetakenduringhighschool.

2. StudentsmustbeinattendanceonefullyearatVRHSduringtheirsenioryearandmustenrollasastudentonafull-timebasis(6credits).Noearlygraduateswillqualifyforvaledictorianorsalutatorian.

3. Studentswhoaspiretobeavaledictorianorsalutatorianmustcompleteaminimumof18academiccorecredits(4English,4Math,4SocialStudies,4Science,2ForeignLanguage).Tophonorsarereservedforthoseseniorswhodemonstrateextraordinaryacademicachievementandexcellencethrougharigorouscourseofstudy.

4. IntherareoccurrenceoftwoormoreseniorshavingtheexactsameacademiccoreGPA,theAssistantPrincipalofCurriculumandInstruction,Mr.Sisson,willconductareviewprocesstoincludethecarefulverificationoftheacademiccoreGPA.ConsiderationwillalsobegiventothefollowingPRIORITIES:

a. Thetotalnumberofacademiccorecoursesandcreditsearnedb. ThetotalnumberofhonorsandAdvancedPlacement(AP)courses

recognizedbyVRHS.Mr.SissonwillreporthisfindingstothePrincipal,Mr.Grose.Inthissituation,Mr.GrosewillultimatelyberesponsibleforawardingthetophonorsofclassValedictorianandSalutatorian.

5. TheValedictorianandSalutatorianwillbedesignatedattheendofthe4thquartergradingperiodduringthesenioryear.

6. StudentsmusthaveattendedVRHSforatleastthelast3semestersoftheirhighschoolacademicyears.


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AdditionalGraduationHonorsandCordsDeployedParents-Studentswhohavehadaparentdeployedduringtheirhighschoolcareerarehonoredwithared,white,andbluehonorcordattheSeniorAwardsnight.KeyClub-StudentswhoareactivemembersofKeyClubandcompleteaminimumof100hoursofcommunityserviceareawardedagreenhonorcordattheSeniorAwardsnight.Engineering/PLTWstudents-StudentswhohavecompletedfouryearsofengineeringcoursesareawardedawhitehonorcordattheSeniorAwardsnight.Biomedical/PLTWstudents-StudentswhohavecompletedfouryearsofbiomedicalcoursesareawardedawhitehonorcordwithaCaduceuspinattheSeniorAwardsnight.NationalHonorSocietystudentsConcurrentEnrollmentstudents


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AcademicLetteringVRHSrecognizesacademicexcellencebyawardingstudentswithRecognitionCertificates,AcademicLettersandGoldBarseachsemester.ThecriteriaforAcademicLetteringareasfollows:

• Studentswhoreceivea3.5-3.74willreceiveacertificateforeachsemesterearned• Studentswhoreceivea3.75orhigherwillberecognizedforacademicexcellence

withacertificate• Studentswhohaveearneda3.75orhigherfor3semesterswillreceiveanacademic

letter• Foreachadditionalsemesterofa3.75orhigherstudentswillreceiveabar• Studentswhoearna4.0orhigherfortheircumulativehighschoolGPAwillreceive

agoldhonorcordforgraduation• Studentswhoreceivea3.5-3.9cumulativehighschoolGPAwillreceiveasilver

honorcordforgraduationStudentsmustbeenrolledinaminimumoffour(4)coreclasses(English,SocialStudies,Science,&Math)inordertobeconsideredforacademicawardeligibility.Dual-enrolledstudentswillnotbeconsideredforacademichonorsatVRHS.TransferstudentstoVRHSwillberecognizedfortheiracademicachievementattheirpreviousschoolinthefollowingmanner:

• StudentswillbeeligibletoreceiverecognitionfortheirachievementsataprevioushighschoolafterthesemesterinwhichtheyfirstqualifyforanacademicletteratVRHS

• Uponreceiptofofficialhighschooltranscripts,counselorswilldeterminethestatusatwhichtheenteringstudentshouldbehonored.


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Eligibility

HigherEducationAdmissionRequirements(HEAR)In2003,theColoradoCommissiononHigherEducationAdoptedtheHigherEducationAdmissionRequirements(HEAR),whichareentryrequirementsforstudentsplanningtoattendanyofColorado'spublicfour-yearcollegesoruniversities.Privatecollegesanduniversitiessettheirownadmissionstandards,sostudentsshouldcontactthoseinstitutionsdirectlyforinformationregardingtheirenrollmentpolicies.Additionally,publictwo-yearcollegeshaveopenenrollmentpolicies,meaningstudentsapplyingtothesesschoolsdonotneedtomeetthefollowingadmissionsrequirements.InadditiontoHEAR,studentsmustalsomeettheAdmissionEligibilityIndex.Eachfour-yearinstitutionhasanindexscorerequirementforadmissionofnewandtransferstudents.Thisindexscoreisaquantitativeevaluationthatispartofalargerstudentapplicationevaluation.Note:IndexScoreisnottheonlyrequirementforadmission.Fornewapplicants,theindexscoreiscalculatedusingacombinationofastudent'shighschoolGPAorhighscorerankpercentagecombinedwithACTorSATscore.Fortransferstudents,acceptanceiscalculatedbasedontransferGPA.MeetingHEARdoesnotguaranteeadmissiontoafour-yearpublicinstitution.Collegesanduniversitiesmayhaveadditionalrequirements.MoreinformationonColoradoadmissionrequirementsandtocalculateyourAdmissionEligibilityIndexscore,visit:http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Admissions

NCAAEligibilityStandardsIfyouintendtoparticipateinDivisionIorDivisionIIathleticsasacollegefreshman,youmustregisterandbecertifiedbytheNCAAInitial-EligibilityClearinghouse.Studentsmayapplyaftertheirjunioryearofhighschool.Forcompletedetailedinformationregardingtherules,visittheclearinghousewebsite:http://web3.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsporcalltoll-free:877-622-2321.

VRHSAthleticsVRHSaspirestobeamongthestate'spremierhighschoolathleticsprogramsbothacademicallyandathletically,amodelofexcellenceforotherstoemulate,whileenhancingthelivesofstudent-athletesandpreparingthemforlifebeyondhighschoolathletics.Inaddition,theathleticdepartmentstrivestoberecognizedasacampusleaderintermsofitsethics,community,leadership,andfiscalresponsibility.

http://web3.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp


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Fall Winter SpringCrossCountryFootballVolleyballBoys'GolfBoys'SoccerSoftballCheer

Boys'BasketballGirls'BasketballWrestlingCheer

Track&FieldGirls'SoccerGirls'GolfBaseball

EligibilityPolicyAnystudentparticipatingonanathleticteamorinanactivitythatincludesaperformanceorcompetitionmustmeetVRHSeligibilitystandardstoperformorcompete.Allstudentswillparticipateingradecheckseveryotherweekwiththeircoachandtheiradvisoryteacher.

AthleticLetteringStudentshavetheopportunitytoearnathleticlettersthroughouttheirhighschoolcareer.Letteringrequirementsaredeterminedbyeachprogram,sobesuretocheckwiththesponsor,coach,orVRHSAthleticDepartment.

AthleticElectiveCreditStudentsmayearnupto1.0creditofPhysicalEducationelectivecreditorgeneralelectivecreditbyparticipatingonaschoolapprovedathleticteam,MarchingBand,CheerLeading,and/orDanceTeam.Foreachsuccessfullycompletedseason,astudentwillearn0.5credit.Thecreditwillbeappliedtothestudent'stranscriptforthesemesterinwhichtheactivityiscompleted.


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Counseling&ICAP

CounselingDepartmentCounselingandcollegeservicesareavailableforallstudents.VRHSCounselingDepartmentsupportstheneedsofourstudentsacademically,vocationally,socially,andemotionally.Eachstudentisassignedaspecificcounselorwhowillhelpguideandfollowthemthroughgraduation.

RegistrarandCounselingSecretary• Ms.AshlieNice,719-494-8817,CounselingSecretary• Ms.NicoleFry,719-494-8807,Registrar

GradeLevelCounselors• Mrs.MicheleMandel,719-494-8822,Classof2017• Mr.JohnRobison,719-494-8809,Classof2018• Ms.MegMeadow,719-494-8810,Classof2019• Mrs.JulieKutsner,719-494-2293,Classof2020

ConcurrentEnrollmentandICAPSupport

ConcurrentEnrollmentDeanMs.LisFisk,719-494-8823

ICAPLeadMr.ChadCosner,719-494-8816


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RecommendedProgramofStudyEachyear,VRHScounselorsmeetwithstudenttodevelopandevaluatetheirFour-yearAcademicPlans,keepinginmindeachstudent'sinterests,goals,anddreamsastheypreparefortheirpost-secondaryexperience.Tobestprepareforthecollegeadmissionprocess,weencouragestudentstopursuethesampleacademicprogramsbelow.However,beawarecompletionofsampleprogramslikethesedoesnotguaranteeadmission,especiallyatthemostselectiveschools.ExampleoftheMostSelectiveInstitutions

RecommendedMinimumProgramofStudy

IvyLeagueSchool English-4yearsatHonors/APLevelDuke Math-4yearsatHonors/APLevelGeorgetown Science-4yearsatHonors/APLevelStanford SocialStudies-4yearsAPwhenpossibleRice ForeignLanguage-3-4yearsatHonors/APLevelExamplesofHighlySelectiveInstitutions


ColoradoCollege English-4yearsatHonors/APLevelencouragedEmoryUniversity Math-4yearsatHonors/APLevelencouragedNorthwestern Science-4yearsatHonors/APLevelencouragedReedCollege SocialStudies-4yearsAPwhenpossibleUniversityofMichigan ForeignLanguage-3-4yearsatHonors/APLevel

encouragedExamplesofVerySelectiveInstitutions


ColoradoStatueUniversity English-4yearsKnoxCollege Math-4yearsSouthernMethodistUniversity Science-3-4yearsdependinguponmajorUniversityofColorado-Denver SocialStudies-3-4yearsUniversityofDenver ForeignLanguage-2yearsExamplesofLessSelectiveInstitutions


AdamsStateCollege English-4yearsFortLewisCollege Math-3yearsMetropolitanStateCollege Science-2-3yearsNorthernArizonaUniversity SocialStudies-3yearsWesternStateCollege ForeignLanguage-1year


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AreaVocationalProgramTheAreaVocationalProgram(AVP)atPikesPeakCommunityCollege(PPCC)providesoccupationalskilldevelopmentandtrainingforjuniorandseniorstudentsinhighschoolfromalloverthePikesPeakregion.SchooldistrictspaythecostoftheprogramthroughacontractualagreementwithPPCC.StudentsattendingtheAVPearncreditwhichcanbeappliedtowardhighschoolgraduation.Undercertaincircumstances,andattheinstructor'sdiscretion,collegecreditcanalsobeearnedwhichmaybeappliedtoapost-secondarycertificateordegree.Inadditiontoteachingoccupationalandtechnicalskills,theAVPstrivestopreparestudentsfortheworldofworkbyteachingtherelatedacademicsandworkplacebasicsessentialforemployment.

AVPOptionsAutoCollisionTechnologyAutomotiveServiceTechnologyCISCONetworkingProgramComputerAidedDraftingCriminalJusticeAdministrationCulinaryArtsDieselPowerTechnologyEarlyChildhoodEducation*

FireScienceTechnology*HealthCareerExplorationHealthScienceTechnologyInteriorDesignMultimediaGraphicDesignRadioandTelevision*MusicCareers*WeldingZooKeeping

*Designatesa1yearprogramInstructionisprovidedinclassrooms,laboratories,andinbusinessandindustry.Inmostprograms,onlyAVPstudentsareenrolled;inothers,theylearnside-by-sidewithcollegestudents.AllinstructorsintheAVPareoccupationallyexperiencedandvocationallycredentialed.Classesfollowatypical5-days-per-weekscheduleandruntwohoursandfortyminutesdaily.Mostprogramsrequiretwoyearstocompletewhileotherarecompletedinoneyear.CreditearnedthroughAVPfulfillsbothcoreandelectivehighschoolcredits,butvarybyprogram.AVPcreditswillnotfulfillHEARadmissionrequirementsorNCAAathleticeligibilityrequirements.Theapplicationprocesstypicallybeginsinthespringsemesterofthesophomoreorjunioryear.Inadditiontosubmittinganapplication,otherconsiderationsincludestudentattendance,discipline,andcreditsneededforgraduation.FinalapprovalforadmittanceisbasedonspaceavailabilityforthegivenprogramandapprovalbythedistrictAVPcoordinator.Formoreinformationontheprogramsavailable,visit:http://www.ppcc.edu/prospective-students/high-school-programs/area-vocational-programs/

http://www.ppcc.edu/prospective-students/high-school-programs/area-vocational-programs/

http://www.ppcc.edu/prospective-students/high-school-programs/area-vocational-programs/


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CollegeCreditOptionsStudentshavethreewaystoobtaincollegecreditwhileattendingVistaRidgeHighSchool:

• AdvancedPlacementCourses/Exams• ArticulationAgreementwithPPCCandDualCreditwithUCCS(CUSucceed)• ConcurrentEnrollment


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Clubs&OrganizationsWebelieveparticipatinginactivitiesandprogramscontributetothedevelopmentofleadership,talent,andcreativityinourstudents.Ourgoalisstudentsacquireknowledgeaboutthemselvesthroughworkingwithothersandcooperatingwithstudentsofdifferentinterests,backgrounds,andpersonalitiestowardtheattainmentofacommongoal.Ourhopeisthereissomethingforeveryoneinourdiverseactivitiesprogram.Becausemanyclubsandactivitiesareformedbystudentswithparticularinterestsandskills,theactivityofferingwillgrowandchangeeachschoolyear.Additionalorganizationsandclubswillbeavailablebasedonstudentinterests.CluborActivity SponsorStudentCouncil NathanPearsallCyberPatriot CindyOlmsteadTeamBuildingLeadershipCouncil JoeHitesAnimeClub GeorgeCullinsALPHAs StephanieSchellStudentInnovation TheresaJamesFutureBusinessLeadersofAmerica(FBLA)

JerimiCalip

FirstRobotics NathanTruexDanceTeam tbaKnowledgeBowl JenMazeMuralClub BrandonAgerGay-StraightAlliance SarahTempleNationalHonorSociety LindaMillerWolfPackTheaterCompany AndyMelloMarchingBand ThomasBruszewskiConcertChoir ShawnaBeelerHOSA MonicaTupper

NationalHonorSocietyTheNationalHonorSocietybeganin1921tocreateanorganizationthatwouldrecognizeandencourageacademicachievementwhilealsodevelopingothercharacteristicsessentialtocitizensinademocracy.Theseidealsofscholarship,character,service,andleadershipremainasrelevanttodayastheywerein1921.Membershipinlocalchaptersisanhonorbestoweduponastudent.Selectionformembershipisbyafacultycommittee;basedonoutstandingscholarship,character,leadership,andservice.NationalbylawsrequireNHSmembersbeenrolledattheschooltheprevioussemesterandbeinthe10th,11th,or12thgrade.Onceselected,membershavetheresponsibilitytocontinuetodemonstratethesequalities.


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TheVRHSWolfChapteroftheNationalHonorSocietyhasdeterminedoutstandingachievementintheareaofscholarshiprequiresa3.6GPAorhigher.Tomeettheservicerequirementforselection,candidatesmusthavebeenactiveinanareaofservicetotheschoolorcommunity.Eachyear,accordingtoNHSbylaws,membersarerequiredtoremainactiveintheareaofservicebycompletingadditionalindividualhours,grouphours,andafundraisingproject.TograduatewithNHShonorcords,amembermustbeactiveforthreesemesters,oneofwhichmustbeintheirsenioryear.TransferstudentsalreadyhavingmembershipinNHSwillautomaticallybeacceptedintomembershipatVRHSandwillbesubjecttothesameestablishedguidelinesascurrentVRHSmembers.*VRHSwillNOTadmitstudentstoNHSduringtheirsenioryearunlesstheyaretransferstudentswithmembershipfromtheirpreviousschool.


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CourseCatalog

EnglishCoursesEnglishcoursesaredividedintothefollowingcategories:

• Language-basedcourses• Literature-basedcourses• AdvancedPlacementEnglishcourses(IncludesPre-APCourses)

Eachyear,youmustchoose1language-basedsemestercourseand1literature-basedsemestercourse.TheexceptionstothisarePre-AdvancedPlacement(year-long)andAdvancedPlacement(year-long)courses.EnglishI(Language) GradeLevel:9-ALLFreshmenMUSTtakethiscourseLength:Semester Prerequisite:Placementscores CourseNumber:1100.1NCAA/HEAR Thiscourseisawritingintensivecoursewherestudentswillbuilduponpriorknowledgeandgrowintheirpersuasive,expository,narrative,andanalyticalwritingskills.Thecourseworkwillfocusongrammar,sentencestructures,paragraphwriting,andtextcitationasafoundationalstartingpointforallotherhighschoolessaywriting.Researchprojectsofbothshortandlongerdurationwillbeundertaken.StudentsmustpassthissemestercourseinordertomoveontoanelectiveEnglishcourse. EnglishII(Language) GradeLevel:10-ALLSophomoresMUSTtakethiscourseLength:Semester(1st) Prerequisite:EnglishI CourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN20012ndsemester-EN2002NCAA/HEAR ThiscoursehasanemphasisonSpeechandwillenablestudents,throughpractice,todevelopcommunicationskillsthatcanbeusedinavarietyofspeakingsituations(suchassmallandlargegroupdiscussions,deliveryoflecturesorspeechesinfrontofaudiences,andsoon).Coursetopicsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,researchandorganization,writingforverbaldelivery,stylisticchoices,visualandpresentationskills,analysisandcritique,anddevelopmentofself-confidence.StudentsmustpassthiscoursetomoveontohigherlevelEnglishcourses. CreativeWriting(Language) GradeLevel:10-12Length:Semester Prerequisite:EnglishI CourseNumber:EN3710NCAA/HEAR InCreativeWriting,studentswillexplorevoice,style,andlanguagethroughaseriesofworkshopsandcritiques.Studentswillwritetheirownshortstories,poetry,andnovelsoverthecourseofthesemester,andwillhaveaportfolioofworkcollectedbytheendofthecourse.


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CompositionI(Language) GradeLevel:11-12Length:Semester Prerequisite:EnglishIandEnglishII CourseNumber:EN1130 Compositionisawritingintensivecoursedesignedtoimprovecriticalthinking,reading,andwritingproficienciesthroughguidanceinwritingthethesisdrivenessay.Studentsdevelopstrategiesforturningtheirexperience,observations,andanalysesintoevidencesuitableforacademicwriting.Emphasisisonwritingtheshort,focused,concretelydevelopedcollege-likepaper. TechnicalWritingI(Language) GradeLevel:10-12Length:Semester Prerequisite:EnglishI CourseNumber:EN1023 Technicalwritingiscommunicationwrittenforandaboutbusinessandindustry,focusingonproductsandservices,howtomanufacturethem,marketthem,management,deliverthem,andusethem.Thecoursewillincludethewritingofmemosandemails,businessletters,reports,instructions,brochuresandnewsletters,webpages,fliers,computerpresentations,andgraphics.Technicalwritingistheresumethatgetsthejobandawebpagethatpromotesacompany. EnglishI(Literature)GradeLevel:9Length:SemesterPrerequisite:PlacementScoresCourseNumber:EN1100HEAR/NCAAThiscoursefocusesonstrengtheningreadingskills.Studentswillreadavarietyofshortstories,poems,andnovelsforthepurposeofanalyzingliteraryelementsandauthor'spurposeamongothertopics.Courseworkwillintroducestudentstoclosereading,ataskwhichincorporatescriticalreading,thinking,andjustifyingskills.StudentsmustpassthissemestercourseinordertomoveontoanelectiveEnglishcourseorhigherlevelEnglishcourses.EnglishI:Literacy(Literature&Language)GradeLevel:9Length:YearPrerequisite:PlacementscoresCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN10112ndsemester-EN1012EnglishI:Literacyisfocusedonsupportingstudentsinfoundationallanguageskillsincludingcomprehension,readingfluency,patternsandstructures,andgrammar.CourseworkfollowsadualcurriculumcombiningonlinelearningthroughLanguage!Liveandteacherbasedlargeandsmallgroupinstruction.StudentswillbeassessedperiodicallytodeterminegrowthandfutureplacementinEnglishcourses.NOTE:Althoughthisisyear-longcourse,studentscantestoutatsemesterandwillthenbeplacedinanappropriateEnglishcourse.


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EthnicLiteratureGradeLevel:10Length:SemesterPrerequisite:EnglishICourseNumber:EN3120Usingfiction,autobiography,drama,andevensomepoetryandsong,thiscourseexplorestheconnectionsbetweenethnicidentity,literature,cultureintheUnitedStates.Ratherthanfocusononetradition,wewillreadworksbywriterswithdivergentracialandethnichistoriesincludingbutnolimitedto:AfricanAmerican,AmericanJewish,AsianAmerican,Latino,andAmericanIndian.Thesetextswillprovideafoundationforexaminingthecombinationsofidentificationandalienationthatmakeupand"ethnic"identity.Othertopicsincludethenotionof"America"asamulti-cultural,raceandideology,immigrantexperiencesandclass,"strangeness"(asatheme,style,andcontext),andculturalencounterswith"others."AmericanLiteratureGradeLevel:11-ALLJuniorsMUSTtakethiscourseLength:SemesterPrerequisite:CompletionofEnglishIandEnglishIICourseNumber:EN3000NCAA/HEARStudentswillbeexposedtoAmericanculture,heritage,andhistorythroughthestudyofliterature.Inaddition,studentswillrefinetheirwritingskillsbyanalyzingshortstories,poetry,andnovelsofthelast250years.Studentswilleffectivelycommunicateideasandmaturelycomprehendandanalyzeworksofliteraturetogenerateinsightfulideasaboutourpresentsociety.BritishLiteratureGradeLevel:12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:EnglishI,EnglishII,andAmericanLiteratureCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN10312ndsemester-EN1032HEAR/NCAABritishliteratureisacollegepreparatoryEnglishcoursewhichemphasizesthestudyofBritishauthors,vocabularydevelopment,grammarstudy,andresearch.Thisclassoffersinsightintothehumanconditionanservesasmodelsforstudents'ownthinkingandwriting.Forstudentsplanningtoattendafour-yearcollege,thisistherecommendedcourse..ContemporaryLiterature:FilmtoLiterature(Literature)GradeLevel:12Length:Semester(*2nd)Prerequisite:EnglishI:Foundations&EnglishII:SpeechCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN31412ndsemester-EN3142InFilmtoLiteraturestudentswilldiscussandcomparethevisualrepresentationofliteratureinfilm.Thisclasswillanalyzecloselythedecisionsoffilmmakers,bothinregardstochangingaspectsofthenovelaswellasvisualrepresentationsofthenovel.Studentswillcomparetheseelementsoffilmtotheliteraryrepresentationofthoseelementsanddiscusswhyauthorsanddirectorsmadethedecisionstheydidandanalyzetheeffectivenessofthosedecisions.Thiscoursewillalsoworkonwritingskillsinwhich


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studentswilllearntosupportargumentswithevidenceandexplaintheiranalysiseffectively.Pre-APEnglishIGradeLevel:9Length:YearPrerequisite:ApplicationProcess$10ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN49212ndsemester-EN4922HEAR/NCAAPre-APEnglishIisanacceleratedcourseforstudentscapableofanin-depthstudyoflanguagearts.Thecourserequiresstudentshaveastrongbackgroundinreadingandwritingskillsandthecapabilityandmotivationtocompletesomeindependentstudy.Pre-APEnglishIreplacesEnglishIasarequiredclass.Studentsmustpassbothsemestersofthiscourseinordertofulfillgraduationrequirements.Pre-APEnglishIIGradeLevel:10Length:YearPrerequisite:ApplicationProcess$10ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN49312ndsemester-EN4932HEAR/NCAAPre-APEnglishIIisanacceleratedcourseforstudentscapableofanin-depthstudyoflanguagearts.Thecourserequiresstudentsmusthaveastrongbackgroundinreadingandwritingskillsandthecapabilityandmotivationtocompletesomeindependentstudy.Pre-APEnglishIIreplacesEnglishIIasarequiredclass.Studentsmustpassbothsemesterofthiscourseinordertofulfillgraduationrequirements.SinceAPcoursesareconsideredcollegelevelcourses,studentsandparentswillsignacontractsimilartotheconcurrentenrollmentcontract,priortoregisteringforanyAPcourse.APLanguage&CompositionGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:ApplicationProcess/SuccessfulcompletionofPre-APEnglishIIisrecommendedbutnotrequiredCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN49112ndsemester-EN4912HEAR/NCAAThiscoursecultivatesthereadingandwritingskillsstudentsneedforcollegesuccessandforintellectuallyresponsiblecivicengagement.Thecourseguidesstudentsinbecomingcurious,critical,andresponsivereadersofdiverstexts,andbecomingflexible,reflectivewritersoftextsaddressedindiverseaudiencesfordiversepurpose.Thereadingandwritingstudentdointhecourseshoulddeepenandexpandtheirunderstandingofhowwrittenlanguagefunctionsrhetorically:tocommunicatewriters'intentionsandelicitreaders'responsesinparticularsituations.Thecoursecultivatestherhetoricalunderstandinganduseofwrittenlanguagebydirectingstudents'attentiontowriter/readerinteractionsintheirreadingandwritingofvariousformalandinformalgenres(e.g.,memos,letters,advertisements,politicalsatires,personalnarratives,scientificarguments,culturalcritiques,researchreports).Thecourseintroducesstudentstotheliteracyexpectationsofhighereducationbycultivatingessentialacademicskillssuchas


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criticalinquiry,deliberation,argument,reading,writing,listening,andspeaking.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.APEnglishLiterature&CompositionGradeLevel:12Length:YearPrerequisite:ApplicationProcess/SuccessfulcompletionofPre-APEnglishIIisrecommendedbutnotrequired$10ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN49012ndsemester-EN4902HEAR/NCAAAdvancedPlacementEnglishLiteratureisanacceleratedcoursetaughtatacollegelevelofrigorforstudentswhoarededicatedtoanin-depthstudyofliterature.Thecourseisaseminarformat,whichnecessitatesahighlevelofdailypreparednessandattendance,andindependentstudy.InstructionandcontentfocusesonintensepreparationfortheAPExamforwhichcollegecreditmaybepossible.NOTE:StudentsshouldtakeeitherBritishLiteratureorAPEnglishLiterature&Composition,NOTboth.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.


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SocialStudiesSocialStudiescoursesaredividedintothefollowingcategories:

• GeneralSocialStudiescourses• AdvancedPlacementSocialStudiescourses

GeographyGradeLevel:9Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:SO1060NCAAGeographyfocusesonselectedregionsoftheworldintermsofthegeographyandcultureandinvestigatesissuesinthenewstounderstandtheimpactintoday'sworld.Topicsexamined:location,region,conflictandcooperation,migration,trade,andpopulation.Note:Thereisalsoanonlineversionofthiscourse,butitshouldbenotedtheonlineversionisASELF-LEARNINGCOURSE–STUDENTDIRECTED,NOTEACHERINTHE‘CLASSROOM’WorldHistoryGradeLevel:9Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:SO2010NCAAThiscourseemphasizesthestudyofregionalhistoryandgeographyoftheworldandhowtheyareinterrelated.Studentswillanalyzepolitical,economic,social,geographical,historical,andculturalaspectstodrawconclusionsabouthowregionalissuesinfluencethepresent.Topicsexamined:worldreligionsandphilosophies,revolutionswithemphasisontheFrenchRevolution,IndustrialRevolution,nationalism,andimperialism.Note:Thereisalsoanonlineversionofthiscourse,however,theonlineversionisforSENIORSONLY.ItshouldbenotedtheonlineversionisASELF-LEARNINGCOURSE–STUDENTDIRECTED,NOTEACHERINTHE‘CLASSROOM’EconomicsGradeLevel:10Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:SO3400.1NCAAThisisacollegepreparatorycoursewhichallowsstudentstoanalyzevariousprimaryresourcesrelatingtoMicroandMacroEconomics.Thiscourseisarigorous,yetrewardingexaminationofthefundamentalprinciplesgoverningeconomicactivitiesatbothlevels:microandmacro.Inadditiontopreparingstudentsineconomics,amajoremphasisofthiscourseisonthedevelopmentofcriticalthinkingskillsandtheapplicationofeconomicprinciplesandmethodologiesinproblemsolving.NCAA


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AmericanGovernmentGradeLevel:10Length:SemesterPrerequisites:noneCourseNumber:SO4000Thiscourseoffersstudentstheopportunitytostudythehistoricalbackgrounds,governingprinciples,andinstitutionsofthegovernmentoftheUnitedStates.ThefocusisontheprinciplesandbeliefstheUnitedStateswasfoundedonandthestructures,functions,andpowersofgovernmentatthenational,state,andlocallevels.Studentsexaminetheprinciplesofpopularsovereignty,separationofpowers,checksandbalances,republicanism,federalism,andindividualrights.TheyalsolearnabouttherolesofindividualsandgroupsintheAmericanpoliticalsystem.UnitedStatesHistoryGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SO30012ndsemester-SO3002NCAAThisisacontinuationofthe8thgradeUnitedStatesHistorycourse.TheclassprovidesashortsurveyofUnitedStateshistoryfrom1770=1860andadetailedanalysisofUnitedStateshistoryfrom1865-2001.Thecoursewillfocusoneconomic,social,political,andgeographicalhistory.SinceAPcoursesareconsideredcollegelevelcourses,studentsandparentswillsignacontractsimilartotheconcurrentenrollmentcontract,priortoregisteringforanyAPcourse.APHumanGeographyGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SO23212ndsemester-SO2322HEAR/NCAAThepurposeoftheAPHumanGeographycourseistointroducestudentstothesystematicstudyofpatternsandprocessesthathaveshapedhumanunderstanding,use,andalterationofEarth'ssurface.Studentsemployspatialconceptsandlandscapeanalysistoexaminehumansocialorganizationanditsenvironmentalconsequences.Theyalsolearnaboutthemethodsandtoolsgeographersuseintheirscienceandpractice.StudentsmayreceivecollegecreditforthiscoursedependingupontheirresultsontheAPExamadministeredinMay.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.APEuropeanHistoryGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SO49512ndsemester-SO4952HEAR/NCAAThiscoursedevelopsanunderstandingofthemainthemesinmodernEuropeanhistoryincludingpoliticalanddiplomatic,intellectualandcultural,andsocialandeconomichistory.Analyzinghistoricalevidenceandreadingcriticalliteracynarrativeisintegrated


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intothechronologicallyorderedwholepictureofthemodernhistoryofEurope.Usingacollege-leveltextbook,thiscoursebeginswiththeRenaissanceandconcludeswiththedemiseofcommunisminEasternEurope,thereunificationofGermany,andthecrisisofglobalterrorism.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.APWorldHistoryGradeLevel:10Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SO49312ndsemester-SO4932HEAR/NCAAThepurposeofAdvancedPlacementWorldHistorycourseistoguidestudentsthroughthehistoryoftheentireworldfromNeolithicmantothewaronterror.ThegoalforthiscourseistopreparestudentsfortheAPExaminMay.Thiscoursewillfocusnotonlyoncontent,butalsoondocumentinterpretationandessaywriting.YouwillberequiredtoreadandwriteagreatdealinthiscourseinpreparationfortheAPExambutalsoforotherAPcoursesorcoursesyoumaytakeincollege.Itisarigorouscoursethatwillchallengeeventheverybeststudents.Thethemesandtopicscoveredinthiscourseincludeallcontinentsandpeoplesthroughoutworldhistory.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.APU.S.HistoryGradeLevel:1112Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SO39112ndsemester-SO3912HEAR/NCAAFollowingtheCollegeBoard'ssuggestedcurriculumdesignedtoparallelcollege-levelU.S.Historycourses,APU.S.HistorycoursesprovidestudentswiththeanalyticalskillsandfactualknowledgenecessarytoaddresscriticalproblemsandmaterialsinU.S.history.Studentslearntoassesshistoricalmaterialsandtoweightheevidenceandinterpretationspresentedinhistoricalscholarship.ThecourseexaminesthediscoveryandsettlementofthetheNewWorldthroughtherecentpast.StudentsmayearncollegecreditbasedupontheirperformanceontheAPExam.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.APGovernment&Politics:UnitedStatesGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SO49012ndsemester-SO4902HEAR/NCAAThiscollege-levelseminarcourseallowsstudentstoanalyzeacollegetextandvariousprimaryandsecondarysourcesdealingwiththeAmericanfederalgovernmentandnationalpolitics.Thecourseincludesthestudyofsixunits:constitutionalunderpinnings,politicalbeliefsandbehaviors,politicalpartiesandinterestgroups,institutionsofnational


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government,publicpolicy,andcivilrightsandliberties.ContentdesignwillchallengeandmotivatestudentstosucceedontheAPExamforwhichcollegecreditmaybepossibledependingupontheirexamresults.ThiscoursesatisfiestheAmericanGovernmentrequirementforseniors.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.


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ScienceCoursesSciencecoursesaredividedintothefollowingcategories

• GeneralSciencecourses• ElectiveSciencecourses• AdvancedPlacementcourses• ProjectLeadtheWay(PLTW)Biomedicalcourses

LinearPhysicsGradeLevel:9-10Length:YearPrerequisites:none$10ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC3221.12ndsemester-SC3222NCAALinearphysicsinvolvesthestudyoftheforcesandlawsofnatureaffectinglinearreactionsofmatter,suchasequilibrium,motion,momentum,andtherelationshipsbetweenmatterandenergy.ThestudyoflinearphysicsincludesNewtonianmechanics,circularmotion,gravitation,energy,work,power,momentum,waves(lightandsound),andabasicintroductiontoelectriccircuits.Thisclassisdesignedtointroducestudentstothemanywondersofone-dimensionalphysics.Itisalaboratoryclassandparticipationinexperimentsisrequired.ChemistryGradeLevel:10Length:YearPrerequisite:PassinggradeinAlgebraI$15ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC21012ndsemester-SC2102NCAAChemistryisamath-basedsciencedealingwiththecompositionandbehaviorofmatter.Emphasisisonmoderntheoryandapplicationsofchemistrythroughlaboratoryworkandproblemsolvingexercises.Thiscourseprovidesfundamentalsnecessarytopursueanyscience-relatedcareer.Labactivitiesarerequired.BiologyGradeLevel:11Length:YearPrerequisite:LinearPhysicsandChemistry$15ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC10012ndsemester-SC1002NCAAThisistherequiredcorescienceclassfor11thgrade.Biologyinvolvesasurveyofbiochemistry,moleculargenetics,generegulationanddevelopment,cellbiology,cellularenergetic,ecology,evolution,thediversityoflifeonearth,andthestructureandfunctionofplantsandanimals.Scientificthinkingskillsandlaboratoryexperiencesareanintegratedpartofthiscourse.PhysicalScienceGradeLevel:9-10*Length:YearPrerequisite:*teacherrecommendation$10ClassFee


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CourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC10212ndsemester-SC1022Physicalscienceisdesignedtointroducestudentstothemanywondersofthenaturalworldthroughthefollowingunitsofstudy:NatureofScience,ForcesandMotion,Energy,Geology,Meteorology,Astronomy,ThePeriodicTable,andChemicalReactions.Labactivitiesarerequired.Anatomy&PhysiologyGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Successfulcompletionofchemistryandbiology(Corabove),maybeconcurrentlyenrolledinbiologywithteacher’sapproval$25ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC31112ndsemester-SC3112NCAAThisisacollegepreparatoryclassthatrequiresagreatdealofeffortonthepartofthestudent.Thiscourseincludesanin-depthstudyofthestructuresandfunctionsofthehumanbody.Contentfocusesontheanatomyandphysiologyofthe11organsystemsfoundinthehumanbody.Italsoincludesareviewofbiologyandthestudyofhistology.Majordissectionsarerequired(Includingacat,heart,brain,andeye).Astrophysics–ModernCosmologyGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Successfulcompletion(Corbetter)ofLinearPhysics(orsimilar1styearphysicscourse),Chemistry,andAlgebraII$10ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC32412ndsemester-SC3242Withanemphasisonphysicsandchemistry,thiscourseintroducesstudentstothenatureandworkingsoftheSun,stars,neutronstars,blackholes,interstellargas,galaxies,quasars,plusstructureandoriginsoftheuniverse.ItcoverstheBigBand:theage,sizeandstructureoftheuniverse;andtheoriginoftheelementsandofstars,galaxies,thesolarsystemandlife.MedicalForensicsGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:CorbetterinLinearPhysicsandChemistry$10ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC3621CT2ndsemester-SC3622CTThiscourseisstronglyrecommendedforstudentsinthebiomedicalprogram.Thisyear-longcourseisdesignedtocreateanawarenessofthebranchofhealthsciencerelatingtomedicalforensics.Thiscoursefocusesonintroductoryskillsandassessmentinordertodeveloptheabilitytoidentify,analyze,andprocesslogicallyusingdeductivereasoningandproblemsolving.Medicalforensicsinvolvesmanyaspectsofhealthscienceinstructionincludinglaboratoryskillsandsafety,microscopy,toxicology,measurement,physicalevidenceidentification,pathology,anthropology,entomology,psychology,bloodspatteranalysis,andcareerexploration.ThiscourseisCareerandTechnicalEducation(CTE)supportedasapartofthebiomedicalscienceprogram.AdditionallythiscoursehasbeenapprovedthroughUCCSforDualCollegeCreditviatheCUSucceedProgram.


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ScienceDepartment–LabAssistantGradeLevel:12Length:YearPrerequisite:Applicantsmustbeenrolledin/orhavecompletedoneormoresciencecourses,includingChemistryandBiology,achievedaBorhigherstandinginalloftheirhighestlevelscienceandmathcourses.***StudentselectionsareatthediscretionoftheSciencedepartment.CourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC10412ndsemester-SC1042Thiscourseisintendedforseniorstudentswithastrongsciencebackground.Itisintendedtobenefitthosewhointendtopursuepostsecondarystudiesinscience-basedfields.Thisisalaboratorycoursethatwillexpandupon,orbedoneinconjunctionwith,someofthebasiclaboratoryworkthatwasdoneinpreviouslabbasedcourses.Studentsareinvolvedinthepreparationoflaboratorymaterial,includingsolutions,chemicalsupplies,andequipment.Inaddition,theywillbetrainedintheworkingproceduresoflaboratorypreparations.Finally,ateachingaspectisaddedtothelaboratorytechniciancourseasthestudentwillassistintheclassroom,duringlabstoensurepropertechnique.Astronomy(online)GradeLevel:11-12Length:SemesterPrerequisites:noneCourseNumber:SC3600THISISASELF-LEARNINGCOURSE–STUDENTDIRECTED,NOTEACHERINTHE‘CLASSROOM’Thiscourseoffersstudentstheopportunitytostudythesolarsystem,stars,galaxies,andinterstellarbodies.Studentswillbeintroducedtoastronomicinstrumentsandexploretheoriesregardingtheoriginandevolutionoftheuniverse,space,andtime.THISISASELF-LEARNINGCOURSE–STUDENTDIRECTED,NOTEACHERINTHE‘CLASSROOM’EarthScience(online)GradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisites:noneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC10112ndsemester-SC1012THISISASELF-LEARNINGCOURSE–STUDENTDIRECTED,NOTEACHERINTHE‘CLASSROOM’Inthiscourse,studentslearnaboutthehistoryoflifeonearthandthedevelopmentofthegeologictimescale.Thecourseincludesinstructiononhowtocarryoutscientificinvestigationsbothinthelabandinthefield.Studentsexploretheearth’sterrestrial,atmospheric,andmarineecosystemsanddiscoverhowhumanactivitiesaffectthem.Theyanalyzemapstodescribegeologicfeaturesandmeteorologicaldata.Contentcoversthepropertiesofrocksandminerals,thetheoryofplatetectonics,theprocessesofweatheringanderosion,andclimatepatterns.Thecourseconcludeswithaunitonthestructureandcompositionofthesolarsystem.THISISASELF-LEARNINGCOURSE–STUDENTDIRECTED,NOTEACHERINTHE‘CLASSROOM’


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APBiologyGradeLevel:12Length:YearPrerequisite:SuccessfulcompletionofChemistryandBiologyandteacherapproval.$30ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC49112ndsemester-SC4912NCAAThiscourseisdesignedtobetheequivalentofatwo-semestercollegeintroductorybiologycourse.ThiscourseconformstothestandardsinstitutedbytheCollegeBoardand,therefore;holdsstudentstothesamehighexpectations,academicrigors,andmatureresponsibilitiesofthoseplacedoncollegefreshmen.ThetwomaingoalsofAPBiologyaretoenablestudentstodevelopaconceptualunderstandingofbiologyandtoallowstudentstoexperiencescienceasaprocess.Studentswillbeencouragedtothinkcriticallyandanalyticallyandtoapplytheirbiologicalknowledgetobothenvironmentalandsocialconcerns.TheAPBiologyexamwillemphasizethethemesandconceptsofbiologyoverindividualfacts.Theamountofworkoutsideofclassdependsuponindividualstudent'sbackgroundknowledge,studyskillset,andpersonalgoals.However,itsassumedstudentswillspendsix(6)hoursaweekstudyingforjustthiscourse.APChemistryGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:SuccessfulcompletionofChemistryandAlgebraIIandteacherapproval.$25ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC49012ndsemester-SC4902NCAAAPChemistrybuildsstudents'understandingofthenatureandreactivityofmatter.Afterstudyingstructure,studentsmoveontosolvecomplexquantitativechemicalproblems,examinemolecularcomposition,andlearntopredictablytransformsubstancesthroughchemicalreactions.Theequivalentofanintroductorycollege-levelchemistrycourse,APChemistrypreparesstudentsfortheAPExamandforfurtherstudyinscience,healthsciences,orengineering.Aspecialemphasisisplacedonthesevensciencepractices,whichcaptureimportantaspectsoftheworkscientistsengageinwithlearningobjectivescombiningcontentwithinquiryandreasoningskills.Studentsinsuchacourseshouldattainanindepthunderstandingofmatteranditschangesandareasonablecompetenceindealingwithchemicalproblems.Thiscoursewillcontributetothedevelopmentofthestudents'abilitiestothinkclearlyandtoexpresstheirideas,orallyandinwriting,withclarityandlogic.Studentsshouldbepreparedtospendanywherefrom45minutestoanhoureachnightafterschoolonjusttheirchemistryhomeworktokeepupwiththepaceofthisclass.


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APEnvironmentalScienceGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Successfulcompletionof9thgradesciencecourseandaCorbetterinAlgebraIandteacherapproval.$20ClassFee*CourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC49212ndsemester-SC4922NCAAThiscourseisdesignedtobetheequivalentofaone-semestercollegeenvironmentalsciencecourse.TheAPEnvironmentalSciencecoursewilldevelopanindepthunderstandingoftheinterrelationshipswithinthenaturalworld,toidentifyandanalyzeenvironmentalproblemsbothnaturalandhuman-made,toevaluatetherelativerisksassociatedwiththeseproblems,andtoexaminealternativesolutionsforresolvingorpreventingthem.Environmentalscienceisinterdisciplinary;itembracesawidevarietyoftopicsfromdifferentaresofstudysuchas:chemistry,biology,microbiology,geology,atmospheric,andoceanicsciences.Studentsshouldexpecttospend3-4hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.*StudentswillneedtopurchaseaBiozoneEnvironmentalScienceStudentWorkbook($25.95)APPhysicsC-MechanicsGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:SuccessfulcompletionofLinearPhysics(orequivalentfirstyearhighschoolphysicscourse)orAPPhysics1;andCalculus(canbetakenconcurrently)andteacherapproval. $10ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SCxxx12ndsemester-SCxxx2APPhysicsC-Mechanicsisrecommendedforthosestudentswhomaypursueaphysicalscienceorengineeringdegreeincollege.Itisequivalenttoafirstsemestercollegephysicscourseandprovidesinstructioninkinematics;Newton'slawsofmotion;work,energy,andpower;systemsofparticleandlinearmomentum;circularmotionandrotation;andoscillationsandgravitation.Thiscourseincludeshands-oninquirylabsincludingformallabnotebooks/portfolios/reports.Studentshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.[Note:ThisisanewcourseofferingandiscurrentlyawaitingBOEapproval.ShouldBOEapprovalnotbeobtained,thiscoursewillnotbeoffered.]TheProjectLeadtheWayBiomedicalSciencesprogramisdesignedforthosestudentsconsideringacareerinthemedicalfield.Itisdesignedasafour-yearprogram.Contingentonapproval,collegecreditmaybeearnedforeachclasswithconcurrentenrollmentinUCCS.PrinciplesofBiomedicalSciencesIGradeLevel:9-10Length:YearPrerequisite:None$20ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG1101CT2ndsemester-EG1102CTNCAAStudentsinvestigatevarioushealthconditionsincludingheartdisease,diabetes,sick-celldisease,hypercholesterolemia,andinfectiousdiseases.Theydeterminethefactorsleading


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tothedeathofafictionalperson,andinvestigatelifestylechoicesandmedicaltreatmentsthatmighthaveprolongedtheperson'slife.Theactivitiesandprojectsintroducestudentstohumanphysiology,medicine,andresearchprocesses.ThiscourseprovidesanoverviewofallthecoursesintheBiomedicalSciencesprogramandlaysthescientificfoundationforsubsequentcourses.Thiscourseisdesignedfor9thand10thgradestudents.NCAAPrinciplesofBiomedicalSciencesII(HumanBodySystems-HBS)GradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:PrinciplesofBiomedicalSciences(PBS)$20ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC1111CT2ndsemester-SC1112CTNCAAStudentsexaminetheinteractionsofbodysystemsastheyexploreidentity,communication,power,movement,protection,andhomeostasis.Studentsdesignexperiments,investigatethestructuresandfunctionsofthehumanbody,andusedataacquisitionsoftwaretomonitorbodyfunctionssuchasmusclemovement,reflexandvoluntaryaction,andrespiration.Exploringscienceinaction,studentsbuildorgansandtissuesonaskeletalmanikin,workthroughinterestingreal-worldcasesandoftenplaytheroleofbiomedicalprofessionaltosolvemedicalmysteries.NCAAPrinciplesofBiomedicalSciencesIII(MedicalIntervention)GradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:PBS&HBSORsuccessfulcompletionofAnatomy&PhysiologyANDChemistry$20ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC1121CT12ndsemester-SC1122CTNCAAStudentswillinvestigatethevarietyofinterventionsinvolvedintheprevention,diagnosis,andtreatmentofdiseaseasthefollowthelivesofafictitiousfamily.A"How-To"manualformaintainingoverallhealthandhomeostasisinthebody,thecoursewillexplorehowtopreventandfightinfection;howtoscreenandevaluatethecodeinourDNA;howtoprevent,diagnose,andpreventcancer;andhowtoprevailwhentheorgansofthebodybegintofail.Throughthesescenarios,studentswillbeexposedtothewiderangeofinterventionsrelatedtoImmunology,Surgery,Genetics,Pharmacology,MedicalDevices,andDiagnostics.NCAAPrinciplesofBiomedicalSciencesIV(BiomedicalInnovations)GradeLevel:12Length:YearPrerequisite:PBS;HBSORsuccessfulcompletionofAnatomy&PhysiologyANDChemistry;andMI$20ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC1151C2ndSemester-SC1152CTInthiscapstonecourse,studentsapplytheirknowledgeandskillstoanswerquestionsorsolveproblemsrelatedtothebiomedicalsciences.Studentsdesigninnovativesolutionsforthehealthchallengesofthe21stcenturyastheyworkthroughprogressivelychallenging


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open-endedproblems,addressingtopicssuchasclinicalmedicinesphysiology,biomedicalengineering,andpublichealth.Theyhavetheopportunitytoworkonanindependentprojectandmayworkwithamentororadvisorfromauniversity,hospital,physician'office,orindustry.HOSAistheclubaffiliatedwiththeBiomedicalprogramthevideobelowprovidesinformation.


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MathematicsCoursesMathematicscoursesaredividedintothefollowingcategories

• GeneralMathematicscourses• AdvancedPlacementMathematicscourses

BeginningAlgebraGradeLevel:9Length:YearPrerequisite:ByAssessmentCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA12312ndsemester-MA1232BeginningAlgebraisforstudentswhohavecompletedPre-AlgebracourseworkinmiddleschoolbutneedtoreviewcertainconceptsandmasteressentialskillspriortomoveontoAlgebraI.Topicsinclude:fractions,decimals,percents,signednumbers,algebraicadditionandsubtraction,advancedmeasurementandbasicgeometry.StudentswhosuccessfullycompleteBeginningAlgebrawillmoveontoAlgebraIorAppliedMath,dependinguponperformancelevelintheclassandcareerfocus.AlgebraIGradeLevel:9-11Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA10012ndsemester-MA1002HEAR/NCAAAlgebraIistheintroductionofvariables,constants,expressions,andequations.Topicscoveredare:simplifyingexpressions,understandingorderofoperations,operationswithinteger,solvingequations,polynomials,factoring,graphinglinearandquadraticequations,workingwithradicals,andeventprobability.StudentwhosuccessfullycompleteAlgebraIwillcontinueontoAlgebraIIorAppliedMathdependinguponperformancelevelintheclassandcareerfocus.AppliedMathGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:BeginningAlgebraorAlgebraICourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA32112ndsemester-MA3212Thiscoursecoversmaterialdesignedforcareertechnicalorgeneralstudiesstudentswhoneedexposuretoparticularmathematicaltopics.Topicsinclude:algebra,geometry,trigonometry,advancedmeasurement,statisticsandfinance.Thesearepresentedatanintroductorylevelandtheemphasisisplaceonpracticalandprofessionalapplication.StudentswhosuccessfullycompleteAppliedMathwillcontinueontoAlgebraII,CollegeAlgebraorBusinessMathdependinguponperformancelevelandcareerfocus.Studentswhosuccessfullycompleteappliedmathandareinterestedinpursuecareersintechnicalfieldsmaybeencouragedtoenrollinatechnicalmathematicscourse.Geometry


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GradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:AlgebraICourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA21012ndsemester-MA2102HEAR/NCAAGeometrycontinuestoworkonstudents'problemsolvingskillsandtheirabilitytounderstandtheinterdependencebetweenalgebraandgeometry.Topicscoveredare:fundamentalsoflines,anglesandplanefigures;prismsandpyramids;usinglogictosolveproblems;writingmathematicalproofs;transformationsandtrianglecongruence;polygons;andrighttriangletrigonometry.AlgebraIIGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:CorbetterinGeometryCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA20012ndsemester-MA2002HEAR/NCAAAlgebraIIisthestudyofvariousfunctionsandtheirpropertiesbyinvestigationandapplication.Topicscoveredare:linear,quadratic,exponential,absolutevalue,squareroot,simplerational,logarithmic,andotherfunctions;sequencesandseries,three-equationssystemswithandwithoutmatrices;complexnumbersandtheunitcircle.StudentswhosuccessfullycompleteAlgebraIIwithaBorbetterwillcontinueontotakePre-CalculusorStatisticsorconcurrentenrollmentmathcoursesdependinguponcareerpathwaypreference.StudentswhofinishAlgebraIIwithaCorlowerwillbeplacedintoCollegeAlgebra.TI-83/84graphingcalculatorishighlyrecommendedforthiscourse.CollegeAlgebraGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:CorbetterinAlgebraIICourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA23012ndsemester-MA2302HEAR/NCAACollegeAlgebraprovidesastepbetweenAlgebraIIandPre-Calculus.Studentswillbeginthecoursewithabriefreviewofalgebra,equationsandinequalities,functionsandtheirgraphs.Inaddition,studentswill:exploreexponentialandlogarithmicfunctions,linearandnon-linearsystems,graphingoftheconicsections;studysequencesandseries,permutationsandcombinations,thebinomialtheorem,andtheoryofequations;andexploretrigonometricfunctions.StudentswhosuccessfullycompleteCollegeAlgebrawillcontinueontoPre-Calculus,Calculus,orStatisticsdependinguponperformancelevelandcareerfocus.StudentswhoareinterestedinpursuingamajorrequiringCollegeAlgebraasthegatekeepercoursemaychoosetototakethiscourseforcollegecreditthroughconcurrentenrollment.TI-83/84graphingcalculatorishighlyrecommendedforthiscourse.Pre-CalculusGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA39112ndsemester-MA3912HEAR/NCAAInPre-Calculus,studentswillhavetheopportunitytostudyadvancedmathematicalconceptsandmethods;exploretopicsinfunctions,sequencesandseries;exploretrigonometricfunctions(withgraphsandinversefunctions),identitiesandequations,solutionsoftriangles,complexnumbers;andothertopics.Studentswhosuccessfully


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completethiscoursewillcontinueontoAPCalculusiftheyarepursuingacollegemajorrequiringCalculusasthegatekeepercourse.Studentsmaychoosetototakethiscourseforcollegecreditthroughconcurrentenrollment.TI-83/84graphingcalculatorishighlyrecommendedforthiscourse.BusinessMathGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA3001CT2ndsemester-MA3002CTThiscoursehelpsstudentsacquireskillsappropriatetobusinessoperations.Topicsincluderoutineapplications,bankingaccounts,payroll,depreciation,pricingandinvestmentandbasicstatistics.Studentsapplyskillsandconceptslearnedtodailylifeinthebusinessworld.SinceAPcoursesareconsideredcollegelevelcourses,studentsandparentswillsignacontractsimilartotheconcurrentenrollmentcontract,priortoregisteringforanyAPcourse.APCalculusA/BGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA49412ndsemester-MA4942HEAR/NCAAAPCalculusABprovidesstudentswithanintuitiveunderstandingoftheconceptsofcalculusandexperiencewithitsmethodsandapplications.Thesescoursesintroducecalculusandincludethefollowingtopics:elementaryfunctions;propertiesoffunctionsandtheirgraphs;limitsandcontinuity;differentialcalculus(includingdefinitionofthederivative,derivativeformulas,theoremsaboutderivatives,geometricapplications,optimizationproblems,andrate-of-changeproblems);andintegralcalculus(includinganti-derivativesandthedefiniteintegral).TI-83/84graphingcalculatorishighlyrecommendedforthiscourse.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.APCalculusB/CGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:BorbetterinAPCalculusA/BCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA49512ndsemester-MA4952APCalculusBCbuildsuponalgebraicandgeometricprinciplescoveredinPre-CalculusandAPCalculusAB.ThiscoursecoversallofthetopicsinAPCalculusAwithfurtherinvestigationintovectorsParametricandPolarequations,infiniteseries,anddifferentialequations.AttheconclusionofthiscoursestudentswillbepreparedforandexpectedtotaketheAPCalculusBCexamforpotentialcollegecredit.TI-83/84graphingcalculatorishighlyrecommendedforthiscourse.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.


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APStatisticsGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA49212ndsemester-MA4922HEAR/NCAAAPStatisticsisequivalenttoaonesemester,introductorynon-calculus-based,collegecourseinstatistics.StudentswhosuccessfullycompletetheAPExammayreceivecollegecredit.Coursetopicsincludeexploratory[data]analysis,planningandconductingastudy,probability,andstatisticalinference.Studentswithstrongwritingskillswilldowellinthiscourseduetotheleveloftechnicalwritinginvolved.TI-83/84graphingcalculatorishighlyrecommendedforthiscourse.Studentsshouldexpecttospend2-3hoursperweekonworkoutsideofthisclass.


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WorldLanguagesCoursesAtVistaRidgeHighSchoolyouhavetheoptionofthreeWorldLanguagestochoosefrom:French,German,andSpanish.French/German/Spanish/JapaneseIGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:AgradeofCorbetterinEnglishinthepreviousyearCourseNumbers:Spanish1stsemester-FL12012ndsemester-FL1202NCAAFrench1stsemester-FL10012ndsemester-FL1002NCAAGerman1stsemester-FL11012ndsemester-FL1102Japanese1stsemester-FL50012ndsemester-FL5002LevelIlanguagecoursesintroducestudentstotheselectedlanguage.Fourbasicareasofinstructionalemphasiscomprisethecourseformat:listening,speaking,reading,andwriting.Studentswillalsoexperienceculturalstudiesinvolvinggeography,history,andcustoms.Studentswillbegintodevelopfluency,vocabulary,andgrammarskills.French/German/SpanishIIGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:FrenchI/GermanI/SpanishICourseNumbers:Spanish1stsemester-FL22012ndsemester-FL2202NCAAFrench1stsemester-FL20012ndsemester-FL2002NCAAGerman1stsemester-FL21012ndsemester-FL2102LevelIIlanguagecoursescontinuetobuildlanguageskillsinthefourareasoflistening,speaking,reading,andwriting.Studentswillworktoimprovetheirfluency,vocabulary,andgrammarskills.Culturalstudieswillalsobecontinued.French/SpanishIIIGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:FrenchII/GermanII/SpanishIICourseNumbers:Spanish1stsemester-FL32012ndsemester-FL3202NCAAFrench1stsemester-FL30012ndsemester-FL3002NCAALevelIIIcoursesareconductedmostlyinthelanguageofstudy.Studentswillreadmoreadvancedstoriesandstudyadvancedvocabularyandgrammar.Studentswillalsopracticecomposition,translation,andconversations.Studentswillcontinuetheirstudyofgeography,history,currentevents,literature,andculture.French/SpanishIVGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:FrenchIII/GermanIII/SpanishIIICourseNumbers:Spanish1stsemester-FL49012ndsemester-FL4902NCAAFrench1stsemester-FL30112ndsemester-FL3012NCAA


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LevelIVcoursesfocusonadvancingstudents'skillsandabilitiestoread,write,speak,andunderstandthelanguagesotheycanmaintainconversationswithsufficientvocabularyandanacceptableaccent;havesufficientcomprehensiontounderstandspeechspokenatnormalpace;readuncomplicatedbutauthenticprose;andwritnarrativesindicatingagoodunderstandingofgrammarandstrongvocabulary.


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FineArtsCoursesFineArtscoursesaredividedintothefollowingcategories

• Dramacourses• InstrumentalArtscourses• VisualArtscourses,AdvancedPlacementVisualArtscourses,andPhotography

courses• SuggestedCourseFlow• VocalArtscourses

TheaterIGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:None$10ClassFeeCourseNumber:TH1000Thiscourseintroducesstudentstothefundamentalsofbeginningtheater.Studentswilllearntheartandcraftofactingbyparticipatinginstagemovement,pantomime,improvisation,monologues,andvoicecontrol.Furthermore,thiscourseaddresseselementsoftechnicaltheater.Classprojectsincludeindividualandensemblework.HEAR


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TheaterIIGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:TheaterI$25ClassFeeCourseNumber:TH1100Thiscourseisafollow-uptoTheaterI.Studentswillcontinuetolearnthetechniquesofperformancebydevelopingdeeperintothecraftofacting.Storytelling,monologues,scenework,direction,andcharactercreationarejustafewelementsexplored.InTheaterII,studentswillworktocreateoriginalworksandculminateswithaGreekTheaterunitandaperformanceforinvitedguests.HEARTheaterIII(AdvancedTheater)GradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:TheaterIandTheaterII$25ClassFeeCourseNumber:TH1130Thiscourseisfortheseriousactingstudent.Studentswillparticipateinimprovisation,performanceofmemorizedscenesandmonologues,auditions,playwriting,anddirecting.Participationinanadvancedactingprojectwillberequired.Studentswillbeencouragedtousetheirknowledgeandskillinauditionsforthereal-world(forpartsorcollegescholarships).Studentscanrepeatthiscourseforcredit.HEARFilmMakingGradeLevel:11-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:None$20ClassFeeCourseNumber:AR1430Inthisinteractivecourse,studentswilllearntheartofmoviemaking.Studentswillexplorehowtovisuallytellstoriesusingthelanguageoffilm,filmediting,andthecreativeprocess.Workingasaproductionteam,studentswillcreateabodyofworkandselecttheirbestfilmtocompeteforanawardduringourannualfilmfestival.Thisisahighlycreativeclassandrequiresmaturestudentsduetothefreedomthatisgiventothem.Arecommendationisarequirementtoparticipateinthisclass.HEARCourseFees:IfonlytakingoneInstrumentalArtscourse,thecoursefeeis$30;for2ormorecoursesthecoursefeeis$40.Somecourseshaveadditionalfees.IntroductiontoInstrumentalMusicGradeLevel:9-12Length:Semester1Prerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-IM1021Learntoplayabandinstrument!Dustoffthatoldclarinetinthecloset,oilupyouroldtrumpetvalves,andcomelearntoplay."IntroductiontoInstrumentalMusic"isforstudentswhoeitherstartedwithabandinstrumentinmiddleschoolbutdidnotcontinue,ornevertooktheopportunitytolearnaninstrumentwhenyounger.Youjustmayfindanewhiddenpassionformusic!Studentsmustprovidetheirowninstrument(orcanrentonefromalocalmusicstore).


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JazzBandGradeLevel:9-12Length:Semester2Prerequisite:Previousadvancedlevelbandexperience,ability,Director'sapproval,andconcurrentenrollmentinanupper-levelbandclass.CourseNumbers:2ndsemester-IM3022Studentswillperformavarietyofstylesofjazz,rock,andcontemporarymusicaswellassoloimprovisation.Studentswillusetraditionaljazzbandinstruments.ConcertBandGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Previousbandexperience,ability,andDirector'sapprovalCourseNumbers:1stsemester-IM10012ndsemester-IM1002ConcertBandisanauditionedIntermediate/Middlelevelbandwithstudentsperforminginvariedstylesofmusiconbrassandwoodwindinstruments.AllConcertBandstudentswillparticipateinallphasesofbandperformanceincludingavarietyofco-curricularperformances.Allperformancesaremandatory.WindEnsembleGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:PreviousAdvancedlevelbandexperience,ability,andDirector'sapprovalCourseNumbers:1stsemester-IM30312ndsemester-IM3032WindEnsembleisanauditionedandselectadvancedlevelbandwithstudentsperformingallstylesofmusicsonbrass,woodwind,andpercussioninstruments.Allwindensemblestudentswillparticipateinallphasesofbandperformanceincludingavarietyofco-curricularperformances.Thisbandisfortheadvancedstudentinstrumentalist.Placementconsiderationswillrelyonthestudent'sability,aswellasthetraditionalbalancedbandinstrumentation.Althoughnotrequired,windensemblestudentsarestronglyencouragedtotakeprivatelessonsontheirinstruments.Allperformancesaremandatory.Thisclassmustbetakenforthefullschoolyear.SymphonicBandGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Previousbandexperience,ability,andDirector'sapprovalCourseNumbers:1stsemester-IM400112ndsemester-IM40022Symphonicbandisanauditionedandselectintermediatelevelbandwithstudentsperformingallstylesofmusiconbrass,woodwind,andpercussioninstruments.Allstudentswillparticipateinallphasesofbandperformanceincludingavarietyofco-curricularperformances.Placementconsiderationswillrelyonthestudent'sability,aswellasthetraditionalbalancedbandinstrumentation.Althoughnotrequired,studentsarestronglyencouragedtotakeprivatelessonsontheirinstrument.Allperformancesaremandatory.Thisclassmustbetakenforthefullschoolyear.


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MusicTheoryGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:PreviousAdvancedlevelbandexperience,ability,andDirector'sapprovalCourseNumber:VM3100Haveyoueverwonderedhowmusicworks?Whatdoesittaketoread,write,andunderstandmusic?MusicTheoryisthe"mathbehindthemusic"thatexplainswhydifferentnotes,chords,andmelodiessoundgoodtogether,whileothersdonot.Thiscourseisopentoallstudentswhowouldliketolearnaboutmusiccompositionandanalysisatadeeperlevelthantheyhaveinthepast.Studentsshouldhaveabasicunderstandingofhowtoreadwrittenmusic.Introductionto2DArt(BeginningDrawing)GradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:None$25ClassFeeCourseNumber:AR1000.0Thisisadrawingclasswherestudentswillsampleavarietyofartmediawhileexploringalloftheelementsofdesign:line,shape,value,color,texture,form,andspaceonabasiclevel.Mediausedtocreatetwo-dimensionalworkswillinclude,butnotbelimitedto,drawingandpainting.Studentswillexperienceculturalandappreciativeaspectsofartthroughvariousinstructionalresourcesandartproduction.HEARIntroductionto3DArtGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:None$30ClassFeeCourseNumber:AR1400.0Thisisafoundationalartclass(beginninglevel)inwhichstudentswillacquireknowledgeandbuildskillincreating3-dimensionalartisticsculptureswithavarietyofmedia,includingpapiermach,modelingcompound,wire,metal,etc.Studentswilllearnhowthelementsandprinciplesofartareusedinmaking3-Dartandhowotherculturesarereflectedthroughart.Thereisanongoingcritiqueandevaluationprocesstohelpstudentsreflectontheprocessofcreatingart.HEARCeramicsIGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:None$30ClassFeeCourseNumber:AR1210Studentswilllearnthebasicsofcreatingthree-dimensionalartwithclayandothersculpturalmaterials.Artwillincludebothfunctionalandnon-functionalforms.Buildingtechniqueswillincludepinch,coil,slabbuilding,armatures,molds,andmodeling.Surfacetechniques,suchasgraffito,carving,applique,andwasresistwillalsobelearnedalongwiththebasicsofusingglazesandothersurfacefinishes.Studiofundamentalswillalsoincludemedia-specifiedtooluseandhowtoloadakiln.Alongwithmakingart,studentswilllearnhowtousetheElementsofArtandPrinciplesofDesigntodesignartandto


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analyzeandcritiqueart.Arthistoryisincludedtoprovideanentrylevelappreciationofpast,current,andglobaluseofceramicsandsculpture.HEARCeramicsIIGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:CompletionofCeramicsIwithaminimumgradeofC$30ClassFee-persemesterCourseNumbers:1stsemester-AR12212ndsemester-AR1222StudentsinCeramicsIIwillbuildontechniquesandskillslearningCeramicsI.Studentswillalsolearnthebasicsofwheel-throwing,includingcylinders,bowls,andmugs.Studentswillfocusonexpandinghandbuildingskillstocreatelargercomplexartpieces.Additionalsurfacedecoratingtechniquesandexpansionofglazesknowledgewillbeincluded.Studentswilluseapugmillandextruder,mixglazesandstains,andload/unloadkilns.StudentswillbuildontheirCeramicsIknowledgeofhowtodesign,make,andanalyzeart,withanongoingfocusonclayartfromaroundtheworld.HEARCeramicsIIIGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:CompletionofCeramicsIIwithaminimumgradeofC$30ClassFee-persemesterCourseNumbers:1stsemester-AR12312ndsemester-AR1232StudentsinCeramicsIIIwillbuildontechniquesandskillslearningCeramicsII.Studentswillcontinuebuildingwheel-throwingskills.Projectswillincorporatelargerandmorecomplexcomposition,withawidevarietyofsurfacetreatments.Studentswilluseapugmillandextruder,mixglazesandstains,andload/unloadkilns.StudentswillbuildontheirCeramicsIIknowledgeofhowtodesign,make,andanalyzeart,withanongoingfocusonclayartists.HEARArtIGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Introductionto2DArt$20ClassFee-persemesterCourseNumber:AR1020Thisisabasicartstudiocourseforstudentsinterestedinsamplingavarietyofmedia.Coursecontentincludestheelementsofartdesign,includingarthistory.Studentswilldevelopdrawingskillsusingavarietyofmediaincluding2Dand3Dprojects.ArtIisdesignedforthosestudentsinterestedintakingAPStudioArttheirsenioryear.HEARArtIIGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:ArtI$20ClassFee-persemesterCourseNumbers:1stsemester-ARxxx12ndsemester-ARxxx2ThiscoursehelpscommittedartstudentspursuemoresophisticatedartmediaanddevelopaportfoliotobeusedforAPStudioArt.Projectsaremorecomplexand


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demanding.Knowledgeofbasicartispresumed.ThisisanextensionofArtIinwhichstudentswillcontinuetoworkwithavarietyofmediataanadvancedlevel.HEARGraphicDesignGradeLevel:10-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:Introductionto2DArt$20ClassFeeCourseNumber:AR2200.0Thiscoursewillusecurrentcomputertechnologyandtraditionalmethodstocreategraphicdesignbasedimagery.Emphasiswillbeplacedonbothprocessandproduct,focusinginoncomposition,communication,creativity,andcraftsmanship.Studentswillapplytheirknowledgeoftheelementsandprinciplesofdesigntostrengthentheirvisualliteracy.Wewillexplorearangeofdesigntechniques,createusingvariousmediaandsoftwareprograms,andstudythedesignworkofcontemporaryandhistoricaldesigners.DigitalPhotographyGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:None$20ClassFeeCourseNumber:AR1330Thiscourseisdesignedtoofferstudentsabasicunderstandingofphotographstakenwithadigitalcamera.Variouscamerasettingswillbelearnedtooffergreatercreativeandtechnicalcontrol.Thiscoursebuildsthefoundationforvisualliteracyregardingbothformandcontentofphotographicimages.Theelementsandprinciplesofdesignastheyrelatetophotographiccompositionareemphasized.Studentslearnframingwithintheviewfindersandexplorevariouscompositionalprinciples.Studentsalsolearntoexamineimagescriticallythroughweeklycritiques.DigitalprocessingtechniquesareintroducedusingAdobePhotoshop.Successfulcompletionprovidesafoundationforfurtherstudyintheadvancedphotographycourse.Studentsarehighlyencouragedtoprovidetheirowndigitalcamera.HEARYearbookGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:ApplicationprocessandteacherapprovalCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EN23012ndsemester-EN2302Thisisayear-longcourseinwhichstudentsareresponsibleforthemarketingandproductionofthehighschoolyearbook.Inthiscourse,studentswilllearntodesignlayouts,writecopy,proofread,andtakephotographs.Studentsmustbeabletomeetdeadlines,selladvertising,andworkindependentlyorwithgroups.Thisisahighstressenvironmentandstudentsmustbeabletounderstandhowtoworkandthriveproducingexcellentwork.Excellentwritingskillsarenecessary;somephotographyexperienceandgreatcomputerskillsareverybeneficial,aswellasstudentsmustnotbeafraidtotalktootherstudentsforinterviews.Studentswillnotbeallowedtodirectlyregisterforthiscourse.Afterapplicationsarereviewed,studentswillbecontactediftheyareselected.


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SinceAPcoursesareconsideredcollegelevelcourses,studentsandparentswillsignacontractsimilartotheconcurrentenrollmentcontract,priortoregisteringforanyAPcourse.AP3DDesignGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:CompletionofCeramicsIandIIwithaCorbetter$30ClassFee-persemesterCourseNumbers:1stsemester-AR49312ndsemester-AR4932Thiscourseisceramicsbased,butother3-Dmediacanbeincorporatedintotheceramicpieces.Thegoalisforstudentstobeabletopresentacomplete3-Dportfolioof16-20artpiecestotheAPCollegeBoardattheendoftheyear.Thiscourseisconductedinanindependentstudyformat,withassignmentsdesigned,supervisedandguidedbytheinstructor.Studentsmustcompleteanapplicationforentryintothisclass.Studentswillneedtomakeapaymentof$80toCollegeBoardduringtheSpringSemesterinordertosubmitaportfolioandreceiveAPcredit.APStudioArtGradeLevel:12Length:YearPrerequisite:ArtII$20ClassFee-persemesterCourseNumbers:1stsemester-AR4901CT2ndsemester-AR4902CTAPStudioArtisacoursebasedontheproductionofaportfolio(Drawing;2-DDesign;or3-DDesign).ThestudentwillselecttheconcentrationportfoliotheyarecreatingfromthethreecategorieslistedandarerequiredtosubmitaportfolioforgradingforAPcredit.Thiscourseisconductedinanindependentstudyformat,withassignmentsdesigned,supervisedandguidedbytheinstructor.Studentsmustcompleteanapplicationforentryintothisclass.Studentswillneedtomakeapaymentof$80toCollegeBoardduringtheSpringSemesterinordertosubmitaportfolioandreceiveAPcredit.Men'sEnsembleGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:None$25ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-VM21212ndsemester-VM2122Men'sensembleisanon-auditionedvocaltrainingandperformancechoirformenofallgrades.Thischoirdevelopsandimprovesthebasicvocaltechniquesandchoralmusicskillsofstudentswhowishtosing.Performancesmayincludemusicfromavarietyofgenres.Thiscourseincludesinstructionfocusedonbasicmusictheory,sightsinging,performancetechniques,andmore.Studentswillparticipateinallvocalmusicconcertsheldattheschoolandinsuchcontestsandfestivaldeemedappropriatebythedirector.Thischoirwillpreparestudentsforchoralmusicprogramsathigherlevels.Participationinallperformancesandrehearsalsismandatory,andisincludedintheoverallclassgradecalculation.


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Women'sEnsembleGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:None$25ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-VM21012ndsemester-VM2102Women'sensembleisanon-auditionedvocaltrainingandperformancechoirforwomenofallgrades.Thischoirdevelopsandimprovesthebasicvocaltechniquesandchoralmusicskillsofstudentswhowishtosing.Performancesmayincludemusicfromavarietyofgenres.Thiscourseincludesinstructionfocusedonbasicmusictheory,sightsinging,performancetechniques,andmore.Studentswillparticipateinallvocalmusicconcertsheldattheschoolandinsuchcontestsandfestivaldeemedappropriatebythedirector.Thischoirwillpreparestudentsforchoralmusicprogramsathigherlevels.Participationinallperformancesandrehearsalsismandatory,andisincludedintheoverallclassgradecalculation.Women'sSelectChoirGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Audition,priorchoralexperienceanddirector'sapproval$40ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-VM21112ndsemester-VM2112Women'sensembleisanauditionedchoirforwomeninallgradeswhodemonstratemoderateunderstandingofreadingmusicandperformance.Thischoirdevelopsandimprovestheintermediatevocaltechniquesandchoralmusicskillsofstudentswhoaredevelopingmusicians.Performancesincludemusicfromavarietyofgenres.Thiscourseincludesinstructionfocusedonintermediatemusictheory,sightsinging,performancetechniques,andmore.Studentswillparticipateinallvocalmusicconcertsheldattheschoolandinsuchcontestsandfestivaldeemedappropriatebythedirector.Thischoirwillpreparestudentsforchoralmusicprogramsathigherlevels.Participationinallperformancesandrehearsalsismandatory,andisincludedintheoverallclassgradecalculation.ConcertChoirGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Audition,priorchoralexperienceanddirector'sapproval$40ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-VM12012ndsemester-VM1202Thismen'sandwomen'schoirfurtherdevelopsandimprovesadvancedvocaltechniquesandchoralmusicskillsofstudentswhoshowstrongaptitudeandabilityinchoralmusicandwhocansuccessfullydemonstrateknowledgeofsinging.Contentincludesawidevarietyofadvancedchoralliteratureselectedtomeettheseinstructionalgoals.Muchemphasisisonpublicperformance,aswellasindividualandgroupcompetition.Thischoirwillpreparestudentsforchoralmusicprogramsatcollegiatelevel.Participationinallperformancesandrehearsalsismandatory,andisincludedintheoverallclassgradecalculation.


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ChamberChoirGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:Audition,priorchoralexperienceanddirector'sapproval$40ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-VM22012ndsemester-VM2202Thisisanauditionedchoircomprisedofadvancedmusicians.Thismen'sandwomen'schoirfurtherdevelopsandimprovesadvancedvocaltechniquesandchoralmusicskillsofstudentswhoshowstrongaptitudeandabilityinchoralmusicandwhocansuccessfullydemonstrateknowledgeofsingingandstrongmusicianship.Contentincludesawidevarietyofadvancedchoralliteratureselectedtomeettheseinstructionalgoals.Muchemphasisisonpublicperformance,aswellasindividualandgroupcompetition.Thischoirwillpreparestudentsforchoralmusicprogramsatcollegiatelevel.Participationinallperformancesandrehearsalsismandatory,andisincludedintheoverallclassgradecalculation.


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PhysicalEducationCoursesPhysicalEducationcoursesaredividedintothefollowingcategories

• GeneralPEcourses• ElectivePEcourses

HealthGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:PE1700Thiscourseprovideshighschoolstudentswiththeknowledge,skills,andunderstandingnecessaryforthemtobeabletoactonbehalfofthemselvesandotherswhenmakinghealthrelateddecisions.Thisclasspromotesencouragementofpresentandfuturehealthpracticesamongstudentsandassiststheminbecomingbetterhealthconsumers.IntroductiontoPhysicalEducationGradeLevel:9Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:PE1000Thiscourseincludesphysicalfitnesstesting,teamsports,andrecreationalsports.Itintroducesstudentstogamerulesandstrategies.Studentswillparticipateindailyflexibility,cardiovascular,andstrengthbuildingactivities.Studentgradesareareflectionofdressingout,participation,andtestscores.LifeLongFitnessGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:PE1300Thiscourseisdesignedforstudentswhohavelittletonointerestinsportsorcompetitiveactivitiesanddon'twanttotakeweights.Thisclassdoesdifferentworkoutseverydaytoincorporatethedifferentcomponentsoffitness.Studentsinthiscoursewillparticipateinactivitiessuchasyoga,Pilates,jogging,body-weightresistancetraining,activitiesandgeneralfitness.WeightTrainingGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-PE15012ndsemester-PE1502Thiscourseissetuptofocusonthedevelopmentofphysicalperformance.Studentswillenhancetheirknowledgeandphysicalskillstoimproveonfunctionalstrength,power,linear/lateralspeed,agilityandquickness.Withastrongemphasisonworkethic,safety,balanceandcooperation,studentswillusefreeweights,Olympiclifts,plyometrics,agilitydrillsandstabilizationtrainingtoproducepositiveoutcomesindynamicphysicaltests.


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TeamSportsGradeLevel:10-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:PE1200Thiscoursedesignedforstudentswhoareinterestedincompetitivesportslikebasketball,flagfootball,soccer,ultimateFrisbee,etc.AthleticTrainingIGradeLevel:10-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:None$15ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-PE20112ndsemester-PE2012Athletictrainingreferstotheprevention,evaluation,treatment,andrehabilitationofathleticinjuries.Thiscoursewillprovidethestudentwithanopportunitytolearnhowtorecognizeandtreatathletic-relatedinjuriesthroughbothclassroomworkandpracticalexperienceinthetrainingroom.StudentswillalsohavetheopportunitytobecomeRedCrosscertifiedinfirst-aidandcardiopulmonaryresuscitation.Thiscoursewillbebeneficialtostudentsconsideringacareerinthemedicalfieldbyexposingthemtomanycommonmedicalprocedures.Thiscoursestudentsarerequiredtodo10hoursinthetrainingroomthroughthesemester.AthleticTrainingIIGradeLevel:10-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:Successfulcompletion(Corbetter)ofBasicAthleticTraining$15ClassFeeCourseNumber:PE2013ThiscourseisacontinuationofBasicAthleticTraining.Studentswillgomorein-depthwitheachunitthatwascoveredinthefirstclass.Therewillbe20hoursthatarerequiredinthetrainingroom.Thisclasswillbebeneficialforthosestudentsconsideringacareerinthemedicalfield.AdventurePEGradeLevel:11-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:ApprovalfromMr.DevinAllen,abilitytodriveoff-campusand/orhaveanotherstudentwillingandabletodriveyouoffcampus.60$Feeisusedforaone-monthmembershiptoindoorclimbinggym(SportClimbingCenter)Accesstouseofamountainbikeishighlyencouraged.CourseNumber:PE1620AdventurePEwilluseuniquesituationsandpurposefulactivitiestoprovideanenvironmentforlearningaboutanoutdooradventurelifestyle.Atypicalblockperiod(90minutes)willusuallyincludeclassroomlearningsession,followedbyanactivity.Someclasseswillofferguestspeakersfromvariousoutdoor-relatedorganizations.WEWILLGOOFFCAMPUSregularlyandstudentsmustbeabletodriveand/ormaketheirownarrangementsforaridewithanotherstudents.Activitiesmayinclude:Backpacking/Camping,SurvivalSkills,Safety/FirstAide,Cycling,DiscSports,Climbing/Ropes,Maps/Compass/Navigation,Environmental/EcologicalAwareness,WaterSports,Team-building/CharacterEducations,andAdventureRacing.


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Career&TechnicalEducationCoursesCareer&TechnicalEducationcoursesaredividedintothefollowingcategories

• Engineeringcourses(suggestedcourseflow)• InformationTechnology(IT)courses(suggestedcourseflow)• Businesscourses(suggestedcourseflow)• FamilyandConsumerSciencescourses(suggestedcourseflow)• ScienceProjectLeadtheWaycourses(suggestedcourseflow)


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IntroductoryEngineeringCoursesIntroductiontoEngineeringandDesign(IED)GradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:ConcurrentmathclassCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG2001CT2ndsemester-EG2002CTDesignedfor9thand10thgradestudents,themajorfocusofthiscourseisthedesignprocessanditsapplication.Throughhands-onprojects,studentsapplyengineeringstandardsanddocumenttheirwork.Studentsuseindustrystandard3Dmodelingsoftwaretohelpthemdesignsolutionstosolveproposedproblems,documenttheirworkusinganengineer'snotebook,andcommunicationsolutionstopeersandmembersoftheprofessionalcommunity.HEARPrinciplesofEngineering(POE)GradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:IED,concurrentmathclassCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG1001CT2ndsemester-EG1002CTThiscoursehelpsstudentsunderstandthefieldofengineeringandengineeringtechnology.Exploringvarioustechnologysystemsandmanufacturingprocesseswillhelpstudentslearnhowengineersandtechniciansusemath,science,andtechnologyinanengineeringproblemsolvingprocesstobenefitpeople.Thecoursealsoincludesconcernsaboutsocialandpoliticalconsequencesoftechnologicalchange.HEARSpecialtyEngineeringCoursesAerospaceTechnolgyGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:IED,POE,concurrentmathcourseCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG2401CT2ndsemester-EG2402CTThiscourseprovidesstudentsthefundamentalknowledgeandexperiencetoapplymathematical,scientific,andengineeringprinciplestothedesign,development,andevaluationofaircraft,spacevehicles,andtheiroperatingsystems.Emphasisincludesinvestigationandresearchonflightcharacteristics,analysisofaerodynamicdesign,andimpactofthistechnologyontheenvironment.HEARCivilEngineeringGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:IED,POE,concurrentmathcourseCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG2301CT2ndsemester-EG2302CTStudentslearnaboutvariousaspectsofcivilengineeringandarchitectureandapplytheirknowledgetothedesignanddevelopmentofresidentialandcommercialpropertiesandstructures.Inaddition,studentsuse3Ddesignsoftwaretodesignanddocumentsolutionsformajorcourseprojects.HEAR


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ComputerIntegratedManufacturing(CIM)GradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:IED,POE,concurrentmathcourseCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG2201CT2ndsemester-EG2202CTStudentslearnaboutthehistoryofmanufacturing,roboticsandautomation,manufacturingprocesses,computermodeling,manufacturingequipment,andflexiblemanufacturingsystems.HEARDigitalElectronics(DE)GradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:IED,POE,concurrentmathcourseCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG2101CT2ndsemester-EG2102CTThisisacourseinappliedlogicencompassingtheapplicationofelectroniccircuitsanddevices.Computersimulationsoftwareisusedtodesignandtestdigitalcircuitrypriortotheactualconstructionofcircuitsanddevices.NOTE:Thisisamathintensivecourse.HEAREnvironmentalSustainability(ES)GradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:IED,POE,concurrentmathcourseCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC1131CT2ndsemester-SC1132CTStudentsinvestigateanddesignsolutionsinresponsetoreal-worldchallengesrelatedtocleanandabundantdrinkingwater,foodsupplyissues,andrenewableenergy.Applyingtheirknowledgethroughhands-onactivitiesandsimulations,studentsresearchanddesignpotentialsolutionstothesetrue-to-lifechallenges.EngineeringCapstoneCourseEngineeringDesignandDevelopmentGradeLevel:12Length:YearPrerequisite:IED,POE,onespecialtycourse,concurrentmathcourseCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG3001CT2ndsemester-EG3002CTInthiscourse,studentsworkinteamstoresearch,design,andconstructasolutiontoanopen-endedengineeringproblem.Studentsapplyprinciplesdevelopedinthethreeprecedingcoursesandareguidedbyacommunitymentor.Theymustpresentprogressreports,submitafinalwrittenreport,anddefendtheirsolutionstoapanelofoutsidereviewersattheendoftheschoolyear.HEAR


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ITCoursesITcoursesaredividedintothefollowingcategories

• Programmingcourses• Designcourses• Computingcourses


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VisualBasicProgramming(JAVA)GradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:IT1200CTThiscourseprovidesthestudentwithanintroductiontothedesign,theory,andcontrolstructuresusedwhendevelopingJavaScriptandMSVisualBasicprograms.Topicsincludebasicconceptsofproblemsolving,analyzingproblems,anddesigninganappropriatesolution.Italsoexaminesthetypesoflogicstructures,datastructures,Object-OrientedProgramming,databasemanagementandfileprocessing.IntroductiontoC++GradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:CorbetterinAlgebraIIoranAinVisualBasicProgrammingCourseNumber:IT2203CTThiscourseprovidesstudentswithanintroductiontothedesign,theory,andcontrolstructuresusedwhendevelopingC++programs.Topicsincludebasicconceptsofproblemsolving,analyzingproblems,anddesigninganappropriatesolution.Italsoexaminesthetypesoflogicstructures,datastructures,Object-OrientedProgramming,databasemanagementandfileprocessing.A+CertificationGradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:IT1250CTThiscourseprovidesstudentswithastrongbackgroundincomputertheory,maintainingandmanagingpersonalcomputers(PCs),basicelectricity/electronics,andhardware/softwareconceptspertinenttoDOSandWindowsapplications.bytheendofthiscourse,studentswilleffectivelyusediagnostictoolstoidentifyandrepaircomputermalfunctionsandtroubleshoothardware.Instructionwillincludelecturesanddiscussion,alongwithhands-onapplication.Security+GradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:A+CertificationCourseNumbers:IT3023CTThiscourseisanintroductiontonetworksecurity,operationsecurity,threats,vulnerabilities,accesscontrol,andcryptography.Studentstakingthisclasswillgetinsightintojobrolessuchassecurityarchitect,securityadministrator,securityengineer,andnetworkadministrator.WebDesignIGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:ShouldbefamiliarwiththeuseofcomputersandtheInternetCourseNumber:IT2300CTThiscourseintroducesbasicwebdesignprinciplesusingthehypertextmarkuplanguage(html).Studentswillcreatewebpages,designgraphics,andprepareforaCertifiedInternet


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Webmaster(CIW)certification.StudentsmaytaketheCIWexam.Thefinalprojectforthecourseisanindependentwebsite.WebDesignIIGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:WebDesignICourseNumber:IT2400CTStudentsinthiscoursewillapplyexistingwebdesignskillstoassistineditingtheschoolwebsite.StudentswilllearnadditionallanguagesutilizedinthedevelopmentofwebpagesandsitesincludingtheuseofXML,AJAX,andXHTML.GameDesignGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisites:none$5ClassFeeCourseNumber:IT2511Thiscourseintroducesstudentstovariousaspectsofgamedesign,includingprogramming,graphics,sounddesign,charactermodeling,andgameplay.Studentswillapplyskillslearnedinotherclasses(suchasart,English,history,math,music,andscience)astheycreateboth2Dand3Dgames.Thefirsthalfofthecoursefocusesonexposuretofreelyavailabletoolsusedintheindustry.Duringthesecondhalf,studentswillworkindividuallyorasteamstocreateanoriginalgame.GameDesignandDevelopment(GameDesignII)GradeLevel:*9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisites:*Successfulcompletion(Corbetter)ofGameDesignandpreviouslyorconcurrentlyenrolledinanadditionaltechnologycourse.CourseNumber:IT3110.0Thiscourseisafollow-oncoursetoGameDesign.InadditiontodevelopingskillsintroducedinGameDesigntoadeeperlevel,studentswillbeabletounderstandthehistoryofvideogamesandthedeveloperswhobroughtthemtousandwillpracticethemethodologyofagamestudioproductionpipeline.Additionally,studentswillapplyaformalapproachtogameplayanalysisasestablishedbyindustryleadersandgainhands-onexperiencewhiledevelopingtheskillsinavarietyofprofessionaltutorials.[Note:ThisisanewcourseofferingandiscurrentlyawaitingBOEapproval.ShouldBOEapprovalnotbeobtained,thiscoursewillnotbeoffered.]AdvancedGameDesignGradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisites:SuccessfulcompletionofGameDesignIIandteacherrecommendationCourseNumbers:1stsemester-ITxxx12ndsemester-ITxxx2Thiscourseisateam-basedmulti-disciplinary,project-oriented,performance-basedcourse,focusedoncreatingasingledigitalgame.Itisintendedtoempowerthosewithapassionforgamedevelopmentandinteractivedesignanopportunitytoexplorethisexcitingfieldasapossiblecareer.Studentswilluseprofessionalgameand3Dengineswhiledevelopingbusinessskillssuchasclient-studiorelationships,BetaandAlphapresentation,promotionandadvertisement,andteambuildingskills.Studentswillalso


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havetheopportunitytoassumealeadershiproleservingtheirteam,department,andpossiblyrepresentingatStateandNationalcompetitions.ThegameproductionpipelinewillfollowtheAgileworkflowmethodologytoreplicatetheprofessionalatmospheregivingstudentsskillstheycanapplyintheirfuturecareers.IntroductiontoComputingGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:IT1000CTThiscourseintroducesthebasicconceptsofcomputerapplicationsinbusiness.Studentsuseanintegratedsoftwareprogramtoexplorecomputerapplicationsonanadvancedlevel,includingdesktoppublishing,databases,spreadsheets,andcomputerizedpresentations.StudentswillhaveanopportunitytotestfortheMOUSCertification.AdvancedComputingGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:IntroductiontoComputersCourseNumber:IT1100CTThiscourseprovidesdetailedinstructiononhowtousetheadvancedcommandandtechniquesofMicrosoftOffice.ThiscoursehelpsstudentsdemonstratetheirproficiencyintheMicrosoftOfficeapplicationsbypreparingthemtopasstheCoreLevelMicrosoftOfficeUserSpecialistExamforMicrosoftWord,Excel,access,andPowerPoint.IntroductiontoComputerScience(ICS)GradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:IT1010CTThiscourseisdesignedtobethefirstcomputersciencecourseforstudentswhohaveneverprogrammedbefore.ICSisanoptionalstartingpointfortheProjectLeadtheWay(PLTW)ComputerScienceprogram.StudentsworkinteamstocreatesimpleappsformobiledevicesusingMITAPPInventor®.Studentsexploretheimpactofcomputinginsocietyandtheapplicationofcomputingacrosscareerpathsandbuildskillsandawarenessindigitalcitizenshipandcybersecurity.Studentsmodel,simulate,andanalyzedataaboutthemselvesandtheirinterests.TheyalsotransfertheunderstandingofprogramminggainedinAppInventortolearnintroductoryelementsoftext-basedprogramminginPython®tocreatestrategygames.ComputerScience&SoftwareEngineering(CSE)GradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:IntrotoComputerScienceCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG2011CT2ndsemester-EG2012CTUsingPython®asaprimarytoolandincorporatingmultipleplatformsandlanguagesforcomputation,thiscourseaimstodevelopcomputationalthinking,generateexcitementaboutcareerpathsincorporatingcomputing,andintroduceprofessionaltoolstofostercreativityandcollaboration.Thiscoursecanbeastudent'sfirstcourseincomputerscience,althoughweencouragestudentswithoutpriorcomputingexperiencetostartwith


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ICS.CSEhelpsstudentsdevelopprogrammingexpertiseandexploretheworkingsoftheInternet.Projectsandproblemsincludeappdevelopment,visualizationofdata,cybersecurity,andsimulation.ThiscoursealignswiththeAPComputerSciencePrinciplescourse.ComputerScienceApplications(CSA)GradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:CSECourseNumbers:1stsemester-IT1031CT2ndsemester-IT1032CTCSAfocusesonintegratingtechnologiesacrossmultipleplatformsandandnetworks,includingtheInternet.Studentscollaboratetoproduceprogramsthatintegratemobiledevicesandleveragethosedevicesfordistributedcollectionanddataprocessing.Studentsanalyze,adapt,andimproveeachother'sprogramswhileworkinginJava™andotherindustry-standardtools.ThiscoursepreparesstudentsfortheAPComputerScience-Acourse.


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BusinessCourses

IntroductiontoBusinessGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:BU1000CTThiscourseisanoverviewoftheAmericanbusinessenvironmentincludingthefoundationsandformsofthebusinessenterprise;ethicalandsocialresponsibilitiesofbusiness;humanrelationsandresourcemanagement;unionrelations;productandpricingdecisions;money,banking,andfinancialmanagement;andinvesting,insurance,andcareersinthebusinessworld.PrinciplesofFinanceGradeLevel:10-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:BU2320CTThiscourseisdesignedtointroducestudentstothefinancialworld.Studentsdevelopfinancialliteracyastheylearnaboutthefunctionoffinanceinsociety.Studentswillstudyincomeandwealth;examinefinancialinstitutions;learnhowbusinessesraisecapitol;andstudykeyinvestment-relatedtermsandconcepts.Additionally,studentswillresearchhowinnovationshavechangedthefinancialservicesfieldandexplorecareersexistinginfinancetoday.


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BusinessManagementGradeLevel:11-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:BU2300CTThiscourseprovidesstudentswithanunderstandingofthebusinessmanagementfunctions,variousmanagementtheories,andthebasicorganizationofabusiness.Studentslearnbusinessmanagementistheprocessofusingtheresourcesofabusinesstoefficientlyandeffectivelyachieveitsgoalsthroughplanning,organizing,staffing,leading,andcontrolling.Studentsbuildastrongknowledgebaseanddevelopeffectivemanagementskillsandlearnsuccessfulmanagersareindividualswhounderstandthebenefitsofteamworkandconsensusbuildingandareabletomaximizetheutilizationofhumanresources.Asleaders,theyrecognizetheimportanceoftechnologyandinformationmanagementinthedecision-makingprocessandthevalueofethicsandsocialresponsibilityinbuildingandmaintainingbusinessrelationships.


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Family&ConsumerSciencesCourses

ChildDevelopmentGradeLevel:9-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:FC2040CTThiscourseisdesignedtointroducestudentstotheearlychildhoodprofessionsandtoprovideanoverviewofchilddevelopmentfromconceptiontoagesix.Developmentallearningtheoriesanddevelopmentallyappropriatepracticeswillbetaught.Healthandsafety,guidanceofyoungchildren,familyandcommunityrelations,andculturaldiversityiscovered.Studentswillacquireskillsinobservingandunderstandingchildren'sbehavior.Thisclassfocusesonperspectivesofhumandevelopment,researchandtheories,understandingandnurturingdevelopment,andchallenges.StudentsenrolledinthiscourseAREREQUIREDtotakehomeaRealCareInfantSimulatorforanassignednumberofdays.PersonalRelationshipsGradeLevel:10-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumber:FC2030CTThepurposeofthiscourseistoacquireacademicknowledgeandunderstandingforhealthy,respectful,andcaringrelationshipsacrossthelifespan.Emphasisisplacedonfamilyandfrienddynamics,effectivecommunication,andhealthyinterpersonalrelationships.


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EarlyChildEducationI&IIGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:ByApplicationOnly-SeeMrs.MeaseCourseNumbers:1stsemester-FC2041CT2ndsemester-FC2042CTThiscourseoffersanintroductiontotheearlychildhoodprofessionincludinganemphasisonprofessionalismanddevelopmentallyappropriatepractice.Includesanoverviewofhistoryofearlyeducation,theoreticalprogrammodels,differenttypesofearlychildhoodprograms,communityresources,professionalorganizations,andcontemporarytrendsandissuesinprogramsforchildrenagesbirthtoeight.Studentsenrolledinthiscoursewillberequiredtocompleteandinternshipatachildcarefacility:daycare,at-homedaycare,preschool,orinafirstkindergarten-firstgradeclassroominanelementaryschool.IndependentLivingGradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:NoneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-FC2021CT2ndsemester-FC2022CTThiscourseemphasizestheskillsyoungadultsneedforsuccessfulindependentliving.Areasofinstructionincludemoneymanagementandplannedspending;personalbudgetandbuying;consumerawareness;thedecision-makingprocess;selectionofhousing;andnutritionandfoodpreparation.


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ProjectLeadtheWayBiomedicalSciencesTheProjectLeadtheWayBiomedicalSciencesprogramisdesignedforthosestudentsconsideringacareerinthemedicalfield.Itisdesignedasafour-yearprogram.Contingentonapproval,collegecreditmaybeearnedforeachclasswithconcurrentenrollmentinUCCS.

PrinciplesofBiomedicalSciencesIGradeLevel:9-10Length:YearPrerequisite:None$20ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-EG1101CT2ndsemester-EG1102CTNCAAStudentsinvestigatevarioushealthconditionsincludingheartdisease,diabetes,sick-celldisease,hypercholesterolemia,andinfectiousdiseases.Theydeterminethefactorsleadingtothedeathofafictionalperson,andinvestigatelifestylechoicesandmedicaltreatmentsthatmighthaveprolongedtheperson'slife.Theactivitiesandprojectsintroducestudentstohumanphysiology,medicine,andresearchprocesses.ThiscourseprovidesanoverviewofallthecoursesintheBiomedicalSciencesprogramandlaysthescientificfoundationforsubsequentcourses.Thiscourseisdesignedfor9thand10thgradestudents.NCAAPrinciplesofBiomedicalSciencesII(HumanBodySystems-HBS)GradeLevel:10-12Length:YearPrerequisite:PrinciplesofBiomedicalSciences(PBS)$20ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC1111CT2ndsemester-SC1112CTNCAAStudentsexaminetheinteractionsofbodysystemsastheyexploreidentity,communication,power,movement,protection,andhomeostasis.Studentsdesign


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experiments,investigatethestructuresandfunctionsofthehumanbody,andusedataacquisitionsoftwaretomonitorbodyfunctionssuchasmusclemovement,reflexandvoluntaryaction,andrespiration.Exploringscienceinaction,studentsbuildorgansandtissuesonaskeletalmanikin,workthroughinterestingreal-worldcasesandoftenplaytheroleofbiomedicalprofessionaltosolvemedicalmysteries.NCAAPrinciplesofBiomedicalSciencesIII(MedicalIntervention)GradeLevel:11-12Length:YearPrerequisite:PBS&HBSORsuccessfulcompletionofAnatomy&PhysiologyANDChemistry$20ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC1121CT12ndsemester-SC1122CTNCAAStudentswillinvestigatethevarietyofinterventionsinvolvedintheprevention,diagnosis,andtreatmentofdiseaseasthefollowthelivesofafictitiousfamily.A"How-To"manualformaintainingoverallhealthandhomeostasisinthebody,thecoursewillexplorehowtopreventandfightinfection;howtoscreenandevaluatethecodeinourDNA;howtoprevent,diagnose,andpreventcancer;andhowtoprevailwhentheorgansofthebodybegintofail.Throughthesescenarios,studentswillbeexposedtothewiderangeofinterventionsrelatedtoImmunology,Surgery,Genetics,Pharmacology,MedicalDevices,andDiagnostics.NCAAPrinciplesofBiomedicalSciencesIV(BiomedicalInnovations)GradeLevel:12Length:YearPrerequisite:PBS;HBSORsuccessfulcompletionofAnatomy&PhysiologyANDChemistry;andMI$20ClassFeeCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC1151C2ndSemester-SC1152CTInthiscapstonecourse,studentsapplytheirknowledgeandskillstoanswerquestionsorsolveproblemsrelatedtothebiomedicalsciences.Studentsdesigninnovativesolutionsforthehealthchallengesofthe21stcenturyastheyworkthroughprogressivelychallengingopen-endedproblems,addressingtopicssuchasclinicalmedicinesphysiology,biomedicalengineering,andpublichealth.Theyhavetheopportunitytoworkonanindependentprojectandmayworkwithamentororadvisorfromauniversity,hospital,physician'office,orindustry.HOSAistheclubaffiliatedwiththeBiomedicalprogramthevideobelowprovidesinformation.


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OnlineCoursesTheseareself-learningcourses–studentdirected,noteacherinthe‘classroom’.Youneedtobeamotivated,task-oriented,organizedstudenttobesuccessfulinthesecourses.Pleaseconsidercarefullywhether“on-your-own”learningbestfitsyourlearningstylebeforeregisteringforoneofthesecourses.Onlinecoursesareavailableforthefollowingsubjects:

• OnlineEnglishcourses• OnlineSocialStudiescourses• OnlineSciencecourses• OnlineMathematicscourses

CreativeWriting(Online-Aventa/Blackboard)GradeLevel:11-12Length:SemesterPrerequisite:EnglishIandEnglishIICourseNumber:EN3710Thiscourseoffersstudentstheopportunitytoidentifyqualitywritingandrealizetheimportanceofaccuratelyobservingandinterpretingtheirsurroundings.Theyreadprofessionallywrittenformsofcreativewritingasmodelsandthenintegratetheirimpressionsoftheseworkswiththeirpersonallifeexperiencesastheycomposetheirownwritingprojects.Thiscoursepromoteswritingasameansofstudentsdiscoveringsomethingaboutthemselvesthatisbothinsightfulandunique.Studentsalsoparticipateinapeerreviewprocessthroughoutthecourse.Writinggenresthatmaybeaddressedincludepersonalnarrative,fictionalnarrative,poetry,multimedia,andresponsejournals.Thelastunitofthecourseencouragesstudentstopublishtheirworkinanonlineschool-basedliteraryjournal.Geography(Online-Aventa/Blackboard)GradeLevel:11-12Length:SemesterPrerequisites:noneCourseNumber:SO1060Thiscourseoffersstudentstheopportunitytoexploreworldgeographyonaregion-by-regionbasisandcoversabroadrangeofgeographicalperspectives.Eachunitcoversonecontinentorothermajorgeographicalregionoftheworld.Unitsinclude:NorthAmerica,CentralAmerica,SouthAmerica,andWesternEurope.Studentsfirstlearnabouteachregion'slandforms,climate,andpopulation.Theythenexaminethatregion'scultural,economic,andpoliticalinstitutions.AmericanGovernment(Online-Aventa/Blackboard)GradeLevel:11-12Length:SemesterPrerequisites:noneCourseNumber:SO4000


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Thiscourseoffersstudentstheopportunitytostudythehistoricalbackgrounds,governingprinciples,andinstitutionsofthegovernmentoftheUnitedStates.ThefocusisontheprinciplesandbeliefstheUnitedStateswasfoundedonandthestructures,functions,andpowersofgovernmentatthenational,state,andlocallevels.Studentsexaminetheprinciplesofpopularsovereignty,separationofpowers,checksandbalances,republicanism,federalism,andindividualrights.TheyalsolearnabouttherolesofindividualsandgroupsintheAmericanpoliticalsystem.WorldHistory(Online-Aventa/Blackboard)GradeLevel:12Length:SemesterPrerequisites:noneCourseNumber:SO2010Inthiscomprehensivesurveyofworldhistoryfromprehistorictomoderntimes,studentsfocusindepthonthedevelopmentandeventsthathaveshapedcivilizationacrosstime.Thecourseisorganizedchronologicallyand,withinbroaderas,regionally.Lessonsaddressdevelopmentsinreligion,philosophy,thearts,scienceandtechnology,andpoliticalhistory.Thecoursealsointroducesgeographyconceptsandskillswithinthecontextofthehistoricalnarrative.OnlinelessonsandassessmentscomplementWorldHistory:OurHumanStory.Studentsarechallengedtoconsidertopicsindepthastheyanalyzeprimarysourcesandmaps,createtimelines,andcompleteotherprojects-practicinghistoricalthinkingandwritingskillsastheyexplorethebroadthemesandbigideasofhumanhistory.Astronomy(Online-Schoology)GradeLevel:11-12Length:SemesterPrerequisites:noneCourseNumber:SC3600Thiscourseoffersstudentstheopportunitytostudythesolarsystem,stars,galaxies,andinterstellarbodies.Studentswillbeintroducedtoastronomicinstrumentsandexploretheoriesregardingtheoriginandevolutionoftheuniverse,space,andtime.EarthScience(Online-Aventa/Blackboard)GradeLevel:9-12Length:YearPrerequisites:noneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-SC10112ndsemester-SC1012Inthiscourse,studentslearnaboutthehistoryoflifeonearthandthedevelopmentofthegeologictimescale.Thecourseincludesinstructiononhowtocarryoutscientificinvestigationsbothinthelabandinthefield.Studentsexploretheearth’sterrestrial,atmospheric,andmarineecosystemsanddiscoverhowhumanactivitiesaffectthem.Theyanalyzemapstodescribegeologicfeaturesandmeteorologicaldata.Contentcoversthepropertiesofrocksandminerals,thetheoryofplatetectonics,theprocessesofweatheringanderosion,andclimatepatterns.Thecourseconcludeswithaunitonthestructureandcompositionofthesolarsystem.


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BusinessMath(Online-Aventa/Blackboard)GradeLevels:11-12Length:YearPrerequisites:noneCourseNumbers:1stsemester-MA30012ndsemester-MA3002Thiscourseoffersstudentstheopportunitytostudyandreviewarithmeticskillstheycanapplyintheirpersonallivesandintheirfuturecareers.Thefirstsemesterofthecoursebeginswithafocusonoccupationaltopics;itincludesdetailsonjobs,wages,deductions,taxes,insurance,recreationandspending,andtransportation.Inthesecondsemester,studentslearnaboutpersonalfinance,checkingandsavingsaccounts,loansandbuyingoncredit,automobileexpenses,andhousingexpenses.Narratedslideshowshelpillustratesomeofthemoredifficultcontent.


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UniqueCourseOfferingsStudentCouncilGradeLevels:9-12Length:YearApplicationonlyCourseNumbers:1stsemester-GA11012ndsemester-GA1102"PromotingExcellenceinStudentLeadershipthroughMeasurableandAccountablePractices."NASCTheabovemissionstatementfromtheNationalAssociationofStudentCouncilsistheguidingprincipleforourVistaRidgeStudentCouncil(VRStuCo),whichoverseemanyoftheschool'slargeevents.Throughthevariouscommittees(Social,Assemblies,Spirit,ElectionsandRecognition,CommunityService,Advertisement)therearemanyavenuestotraveldowntogrowinyourleadershipexperience.VRStuCooverseestheplanningandimplementationofthefollowingeventsthroughouttheyear:Homecoming,PowderPuff&PeachFuzz,TheHarvestofLoveCampaign,ClassCompetition,PikesPeakLeadershipConference,Prom,andothercommunityserviceactivities.Youwillalsohaveanopportunitytovoicestudentopinionsandconcernsregardingschoolpolicytotheleadershipofthebuilding.VRStuCoiscontinuallyattemptingtopreservetheoldVRtraditionswhileatthesametimecreatingnewones.WeAre...VRStuCo!StudentAide/TutorGradeLevels:12Length:SemesterCourseNumbers:1stsemester-GA20112ndsemester-GA2012Officeaidesperformvitalfunctionsinthemulti-mediacenter,administrativeoffices,orcounselingoffice;theycarryoutavarietyofclericalfunctionsandspecialassignmentsasneeded.Thefollowingguidelinesmustbemetthroughoutastudent'shighschoolcareerinordertobeconsidered:

• MinimumcumulativeGPAof2.5• Zero(0)suspensionsormajordisciplinaryissues• Reliableattendancerecord

OffPeriodGradeLevels:12Length:SemesterCourseNumbers:1stsemester-PO10012ndsemester-PO1002(1stPeriod)1stsemester-PO70012ndsemester-PO7002(7thPeriod)OffPeriodsareofferedfor1stor7thperiodduringfirstsemester.ArequestmustbemadeinDecembertotheSeniorcounselor(byapplication)foradditionaloffperiodsforsecondsemester.Thefollowingguidelinesmustbemetinordertobeconsidered.

• Byapprovalonly• Ontrackforgraduation• Only1offperiodinfirstSemester


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vista ridge high school's 2016-2017 course guide

Documents