Academic Advising

Course Catalog

Required for Graduation Subject Credits English 4.0 Math 3.0 Science World History/Geo 1.0 US History US/CO Government Physical Education (PE) 2.0 Health 0.5 Practical Arts Fine Arts Personal Financial Literacy (class of 2021 and later) Electives 8.0 Total Credits 24.5

Your Transcript Review your transcript and complete your credit check form to make sure you’re on track for graduation. You can find your transcript in the “Reports” tab in Infinite Campus.

Credit Recovery If you have failed core classes that are required for graduation, request to retake them! Talk to your counselor about options for credit recovery during the school year or during the summer.

GPA When you apply to colleges and even some jobs, they will request your transcript and cumulative GPA. GPA stands for Grade Point Average, and is calculated using the grades you receive in your classes. Your cumulative GPA takes ALL of your grades from all 4 years into account. All of your grades matter! Honors, AP, and IB courses are “weighted,” meaning they add on extra GPA points. For example, IB or AP English is a 5.0 weighted course, while traditional English is a 4.0 weighted course.

Standard College Admissions Requirements 4 years of English 4 years of Math 3 to 4 years of Science 3 to 4 years of Social Studies 1 to 4 years of World Language

Specific College Admissions Requirements Every college has its own specific admissions requirements! Make sure to review the freshman or first-year admissions requirements at each school you are considering.   Some examples include speech, economics, and visual & performing arts.

Students can waive up to 2 of the 4 Physical Education classes required for graduation. Participation in an SVVSD athletic program at the high school level = 1 PE class (0.5 credits) waived. Participation in 72 hours of an appropriate, pre- approved structured and supervised physical activity during an 18 week period during one semester outside of the school district = 1 PE class (0.5 credits) waived. Credits are NOT granted through a PE waiver! This allows students availability to take alternative chosen electives. PE Waivers

CDC and Innovation Center Courses The CDC and Innovation Center offer lots of courses that aren’t available at SVVSD high schools Classes at either location are open to all district high school students. Transportation is provided to and from all students’ home high schools. All CDC and Innovation Center classes count as practical arts credit towards graduation. Registration for these courses is online - see the counseling website for more information!

11th and 12th Grade You can register for a maximum of two Time Release Periods (TRP) per semester. If you have a job, a work study could be a great option to get HS credit! Work Study (.5 credit) requires an average of 15 hours per week. Students can take up to two college classes each semester at Front Range or CU through the Concurrent Enrollment program.  Attend the Concurrent Enrollment meeting in March for more details!

NCAA Steps if you’re interested in playing sports in college: Notify your counselor and coach Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center Make sure to take classes that meet NCAA requirements For example, Best Sellers and Intermediate Algebra are not approved courses.

AP Courses AP Courses are a great opportunity to get college credits in high school! Review the prerequisites for all AP courses you are requesting. AP exams are required and registration will be in the Fall!

IB Courses IB Courses are another great opportunity to get college credits in high school! Students who are not IB Diploma Programme candidates can still take individual IB courses. Questions about specific curriculum in IB courses or how they compare to AP courses should be directed to the teacher(s) of those courses. Make sure to review the prerequisites for all IB courses you are requesting. IB exams are required!

IB Diploma Programme If you are interested in the IB DP, visit the NHS IB Website for program information and events. Contact Elizabeth Towlen, IB Coordinator at: Towlen_Elzbieta@svvsd.org

IB Diploma Programme Requirements Must meet all SVVSD graduation requirements except US/CO Government. Must complete a IB level 4 World Language. Must complete at least three Higher Level classes and three Standard Level classes. Must complete a Theory of Knowledge class during the spring of their junior year AND the fall of their senior year. Must complete the Extended Essay and CAS requirements Must receive qualifying scores on their IB Examinations.

Time to Register!