Programs

Academic & Career Planning Guide 

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must earn 26.5 credits. A course that meets four days per week for one semester is awarded 0.5 of a credit. A STUDENT MUST CARRY SEVEN FULL-TIME COURSES. Each student must earn credits in the following required courses:

A STUDENT MUST CARRY SEVEN FULL-TIME COURSES. Each student must earn credits in the following required courses:

Curricular Area	Credits Required
English	4.0
Mathematics	3.0
Social Studies*	3.0
Science	1.0 Physical  1.0 Bio/Life 1.0 Additional Science credit
Physical Education	1.5
Freshman Seminar	0.5
Personal Finance	0.5
Additional Credit in: English, Math, Science, Social Studies	1.0
Total Required Credits**	16.5
Total Elective Credits	10.0
Total Credits Required for Graduation	26.5

*One semester of Health is required for high school graduation. This may be earned by completing one semester in 7th or 8th grade or taken in high school.
**1.0 credit must be US History or AP American History
**Students must meet Civics Test requirements

 

Physical Science			Bio/ Life Science
AP Chemistry	Physics	Chemistry	Anatomy & Physiology	Biology	AP Biology	Plant Science
Ap Physics	Physical Science	Pre-AP Chemistry	Animal Science (ES)	Forensic Science	Genetics	Principals of Biomedical Science
Earth Science	Principles of Engineering	Aerospace Engineering	AP Environmental Science	Microbiology	Human Body Systems

ADDITIONAL CREDITS

• A. The maximum number of credits which apply to rank point total can be no more than 8.0 per year.
• B. Students may earn credit through summer school. No rank points will be awarded for these courses.
• C. If a student would like to take an off-campus, correspondence, or study/travel programs, all credits must be pre-approved with a maximum allowance of 3.0 credits. More than 3.0 credits may be pre-approved as part of the Youth Options program, which allows high school students to take college/technical school courses for credit. See your counselor or Student Services Specialist for further information about this program. Pre-Approval for Credits Over 8 Courses.docx
• D. Students taking courses over the summer through the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) or Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) or an online source must follow a Pre-Approval Process. The organization offering the course provides verification of credit earned. Pre-approval forms are available from the Student Services Office and must be considered along with your registration with WCATY, CTD, or any other organization. These courses will not be included in scholarship tie breakers. Questions can be referred to Amy Sheridan, 743-5035. Pre-Approval for Credits Over Summer.docx

EARLY GRADUATION

Students desiring early graduation from high school must complete all required courses and enough electives to equal or surpass the minimum number of credits required for graduation by the anticipated date of early graduation. Students must also have written approval of their parent or guardian and have completed a minimum of six semesters of high school work. Students must apply at least one semester before the planned date for early graduation. They must consult with their counselor or Student Services Specialist and principal prior to submitting an application. (Board Policy 6310.2)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) AND HONORS COURSES (HR)

Advanced Placement and Honors courses are available in all academic areas.
The School District of Janesville offers the Advanced Placement (AP) Program for students who want to be academically challenged. The AP Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between high schools and colleges which offers college credit for college -level courses taken while in high school when students receive a particular score on the AP exam.

ADVANTAGES OF PURSUING AP AND HONORS COURSES

• Provides rigorous academic experience
• Better prepares students for post-secondary course work
• Increases competitive edge in gaining entrance into selective colleges 
• Potential to earn college credit or placement in advanced courses
• Enhances academic preparation for college entrance exams (ACT/SAT)
• Allows students to pursue academic/career interests in more depth

Class Ranking / Rank Points / Grading System

Grade	GPA	Range
A	4.0	92-100
A-	3.7	90-91
B+	3.3	88-89
B	3.0	82-87
B-	2.7	80-81
C+	2.3	78-79
C	2.0	72-77
C-	1.7	70-71
D+	1.3	68-69
D	1.0	62-67
D-	0.7	60-61
F	0	50-59

 

• Rank points are earned each semester
• Students will be ranked by total number points earned
• A cumulative rank will be reported at the each semester
• The rank to determine scholarships and recognition is determined at the end of semester of the senior year.

HONOR ROLL: 

Honor Roll is determined at the end of each semester and is not the cumulative GPA.

3.0-3.49	Honors
3.5 - 3.74	High Honors
3.75 - 4.00	Academic Excellence