AGRICULTURE ARTS & HUMANITIES BUSINESS
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SERVICES FOREIGN LANGUAGE HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
LANGUAGE ARTS MATHEMATICS MEDIA  & MEDICAL SCIENCE
SCIENCES SOCIAL STUDIES SPECIAL EDUCATION
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION VOCATIONAL Driver's Education, Gifted Studies and Peer Tutoring

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

      Students must complete four (4) complete high school years.  Each student must be registered for class for each period of the day each year.  Graduation requirements are expected to be completed within four (4) years from the date of entry into high school.

     The student must successfully complete 26 credits, a writing portfolio and an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) for graduation.  Any student who has not successfully completed his/her graduation requirements will not be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies.  

Specific Courses 

Required for Graduation 

English 4 credits (English I, II, III, IV)
Math 4 credits (Algebra I, Geometry and two electives)
Science 3 credits (Integrated Science I, II, III)
Social Studies  3 credits (Social Studies I, World Civilization and U.S. History)
Health 1/2 credit
PE 1/2 credit
Computer Technology 1 credit
Arts & Humanities 1 credit

  17 required Credits

    9 Elective Credits

  26 Total Credits

 

STUDENT POLICIES AND SERVICES

 

EARLY COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to enroll in college classes and still be enrolled at WCHS, a student must have  completed twenty (20) high school credits and be maintaining a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average. The college class will not count to fulfill minimum graduation requirements, nor will it be calculated as part of the student's grade point average or entered on the student’s high school transcript.  The student is responsible for providing his/her own transportation and all course expenses.   Parental permission and principal approval are necessary.

 

INDEPENDENT STUDY

All independent study work for high school credit must be approved in advance by a counselor or principal.  A student may count four (4) independent study credits towards fulfillment of graduation requirements.  These four (4) credits may be earned at any time during the student's high school career. A student may not earn credit by independent study in a required course unless the student has previously been enrolled in and failed to receive credit in the course.  For a credit to be awarded, the independent study course must be completed and the grade recorded on the student's transcript.  A student who needs an independent study credit to be eligible to graduate may not take part in the graduation ceremony unless the final grade and credit have been awarded.

Students may earn independent study credit from the University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Virtual High School, or any accredited independent study program.

 

TRANSFER STUDENTS

New students or transfer students must provide the school with proper immunization certificates before enrolling.  All students must have up-to-date certificates on file.  These certificates may be obtained at the Woodford County Health Department.  Any student transferring to Woodford County from out of state must provide a copy of his/her birth certificate, a physical and a TB test when enrolling.

SCHOOL TO WORK 

School To Work is a federally mandated comprehensive education reform act created in 1994.  The goal of STW is to create a system of education and training that provides all students with the opportunity to make a successful transition from high school to college or work or military at the highest academic level.  The four major components are education, business/industry, human resources and labor.  A local partnership council, made up of business, industry and educational leaders, oversees the planning and implementation of the program. 

Woodford County students will benefit from STW by having the opportunity to explore careers, to receive work experience and to have a program of studies that integrates rigorous academic and vocational standards. 

Programs providing work-based learning opportunities include agriculture, business education, child care, medical sciences, general co-op and the Gifted and Talented Seminar.  Science and Social Studies offer opportunities for students to receive work experience in specific classes

 

Pre-College Curriculum

 Class of 2004 and beyond 

Course

Credits

Other Requirements

English

4

I, II, III, IV  or AP

Mathematics

3

Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry

Science

3

Credits to include life science,

 

 

physical science and earth/space

 

 

science with 1 lab course

Social Studies

3

From U. S. History, Economics,

 

 

Government, World Geography,

 

 

and World Civilization

Health

˝

 

Physical Education

˝

 

Arts and Humanities

1

 

Foreign Language

2

non-native language or

 

 

demonstrated competency

Electives

5

3 rigorous* electives

recommended:  computer literacy

 

 * Rigorous electives should have academic content as least as challenging as that in courses required in the minimum high school graduation requirements.  These electives also should be in social studies, science, math, English and language arts, arts and humanities, foreign language, and, above the introductory level, in agriculture, industrial technology, business, marketing, family and consumer sciences, health sciences, and technology education and career pathways.  Electives in physical education and health are limited to one-half unit each.  The Pre-College Curriculum meets only minimum requirements for college entrance. INDIVIDUAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS. PLEASE CHECK WITH OUR COUNSELOR.

 

HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WORK

 The Southern Regional Education Board is a partnership of states, school systems and school sites.  Administration, principals and teachers are actively involved in making dramatic changes in the way they prepare students for work and further education in the 21st century.  The consortium has created a program called "High Schools That Work."

 

High Schools That Work has two major goals:

  • To increase the math, science, communication, problem solving, and technical achievement and the application of learning for career bound students to the national average of all students.

  • To blend the essential content of traditional college preparatory studies-math, science and language arts-with quality technical studies

The ten key practices for accelerating student achievement and success include:

 

1.        Setting higher expectations

2.        Challenging Career/Technical Studies

3.        Increase the access to academic studies that teach the essential concepts for college prep courses

4.        A challenging program of studies

5.        A structured system of work based and high status school based learning

6.        Having an organizational structure and schedule that enables academic and career technical teachers to have time to plan to meet instructions

7.        Having students actively engaged

8.        Focus on career guidance in an individualized advising system

9.        A structured system of extra help

10.     Using student assessment and program evaluation data

 

 

STUDENT CLASSIFICATION

To be classified at grade level, the student must have a minimum number of years of previous high school attendance and a specific number of earned credits. The required years and earned credits are listed below:   

            

STUDENT CLASSIFICATION OF EARNED CREDITS

 

Grade

Minimum Number

KHSAA

Minimum

Level

Of Credits Required

(athletic eligibility only)

Attendance

10

6

5.5

1 Previous Year

11

12

12

2 Previous Years

12

18

18.5

3 Previous Years

 

 

COMMONWEALTH DIPLOMA 

Since 1988, the Kentucky Department of Education has offered students the opportunity to earn the Commonwealth Diploma, a special diploma that will be awarded students at the graduation ceremony. To earn the Commonwealth Diploma students must meet minimum local and state graduation requirements, complete the requirements for the Pre-College Curriculum, and meet the following qualifications: receive a grade of "C" or better in at least four Advanced Placement courses including English, math or science, foreign language, and one A. P. elective; and complete three A. P. exams in the four required courses. The cost to the students for an A. P. exam is about $77.00 per exam. However, students who earn a sum of at least eight from any three of the exams will eventually be reimbursed for the cost of the exams. More detailed information about the Commonwealth Diploma can be accessed from the Kentucky Department of Education's web site:  www.kde.state.ky.us.

 

ADVANCED COURSES

Advanced courses lead directly toward placement in the A. P. courses and are offered as preparation to compete successfully on the nationally normed A. P. Examinations. 

To be placed into and succeed in these courses, the student must demonstrate exceptional motivation, work habits, analytical intelligence, and writing ability. 

Specific prerequisites for enrollment in the advanced courses for eighth grade students are listed below: 

1.        Minimum grade of ‘B’ in the eighth grade prerequisite/sequential courses.

2.        Satisfactory teacher recommendations from eighth grade teachers.

3.        Evaluation of standardized test scores (CTBS/KIRIS).

 

The advanced courses at Woodford County High School are appropriate only for those students with the demonstrated ability and willingness to commit to four years of training in anticipation of the A. P. Exam.  The final decision of placement in the advanced courses remains with the individual high school department.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (A. P.)

Students will be selected to participate in A. P. courses on the basis of their preparation, their willingness to meet the academic challenges, and the level of support from parents.

A screening process has been established which will determine whether students are admitted into the A. P. courses.  This screening process evaluates the student’s previous performance, work habits, and motivation to complete the A. P. course.  Outstanding grades in related prerequisite or prior sequential courses will be expected baseline requirements for student seeking admission to A. P. courses.  Each department has designed its own screening process unique to each A. P. course, however, each process reflects the overall school philosophy and position on admission to A. P. courses.

Because of the rigorous nature of the curriculum, A. P. courses are designated as such on the transcript and receive a “weighted grade”.  The following point system is used:

A = 5 points 

B = 4 points

C = 3 points

D = 2 points

F = 0 points  

Taking the national A. P. Exam, while not mandatory, is expected and is a requirement for receiving final weighted grades in the A. P. courses and for having the A. P. designation on the transcript.  Students who do not take the national A. P. Exams will not receive weighted grades and the A. P. designation at the end of the term; college and university registrars will be notified. 

Specific prerequisites for enrollment in A. P. courses are listed below: 

1.       Satisfactory teacher recommendation from the prerequisite course teacher must be completed.

2.       A minimum grade of ‘B’ must be earned in the prerequisite advanced course.  Students not in the advanced courses must have a grade of ‘A’ in the prior sequential course. 

The following Advanced Placement courses are offered:     English , French, Calculus, Spanish, U.S. History , * European History, Psychology, *Biology, * Statistics

 

* Offered in alternating years