Buffalo Gap High School
Course Guide
2017-2018
Website: www.augusta.k12.va.us/BGHS
Administrators:
Dr. Marshall, Principal
Mrs. Rexrode, Assistant Principal
Mr. Grove, Assistant Principal and
Athletic Director
School Counseling Department:
Mrs. Ashby, Counseling Secretary Mrs. Reed, Counselor
Mrs. Brown, Counselor and
Counseling Coordinator
The Augusta County School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or gender in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquires regarding non-discrimination policies:
Title IX Coordinator
Jill R. Martin
Director of Personnel
PO Box 960
18 Government Center Lane
Verona, VA 24482
(540) 245-5107
Section 504 Coordinator
Douglas W. Shifflett, Jr., Ed.D.
Asst. Superintendent for Administration
PO Box 960
18 Government Center Lane
Verona, VA 24482
(540) 245-5107
General Information
The purpose of this course guide is to provide students and parents with a tool for making informed choices when selecting courses. Please consider choices very carefully as student enrollment is used to hire staffing and create the master schedule of courses for next year. Because students provide the first and most important step in the scheduling process, it will be very difficult to make changes in course selection. This is a proposed course guide; therefore, class offerings will be based upon student interest and enrollment.
Counselor Assignments:
Reed: students with the last name of A-K
Brown: students with the last name of L-Z
Credits:
Credits toward graduation requirements are earned by successful completion of classes. One-period or block, half-year-long classes allow students to earn one credit. Students may earn four credits each semester for a total of eight credits each year. Year-long courses completed at Valley Vocational Technical Center earn three credits. Each credit is weighted equally on a 4.0 scale except Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, and Shenandoah Valley Governor's School classes, which are weighted on a 5.0 scale.
Grades:
Grades are reported every nine weeks by report cards; progress is also reported at the middle of each nine-week term.
A+ / 99-100 / 4.3333 / D+ / 68-69 / 1.3333A / 92-97 / 4.0000 / D / 62-67 / 1.0000
A- / 90-91 / 3.6667 / D- / 60-61 / 0.6667
B+ / 88-89 / 3.3333 / F / 50-59 / 0.0000
B / 82-87 / 3.0000 / I / Incomplete
B- / 80-81 / 2.6667 / NM / No Mark
C+ / 78-79 / 2.3333 / WP / Withdraw Passing
C / 72-77 / 2.0000 / WF / Withdraw Failing
C- / 70-71 / 1.6667
Promotion/Retention Policy:
High school students earn credits for each course which is successfully completed. Students attending Buffalo Gap High School have the opportunity to attain as many as eight (8) credits per year, four (4) per semester. Graduation is determined by completion of all course requirements set by the state of Virginia, not by grade level classification. Students must have earned the following credits to enter:
Grade 10……………………………5 credits
Grade 11……………….…………...10 credits
Grade 12…………………………....14 credits (Students must have completed US & VA History or English 11)
Class Rank:
Class rank is based on final grades students earn in all courses for which high school credit is awarded (except courses with a Pass/Fail final grade). This includes high school credits earned in grade 8. Rank is computed – for juniors and seniors only – by using grades for all subjects except pass, fail grades, the lower grades from classes which were repeated, and grades from classroom driver’s education. Class rank is computed prior to the start of the junior year and at the end of each semester through graduation.
Athletic Eligibility:
According to the Virginia High School League scholarship rule, students must pass a minimum of three of four subjects in the semester prior to the semester in which the student wishes to participate in athletics or other VHSL activities. Any subject that a student has previously passed for credit may not be considered for repeat credit under this scholarship rule. Students who intend to apply for NCAA athletic eligibility following graduation should carefully consider NCAA standards when planning their course schedules each year. Students and their parents are strongly encouraged to review both VHSL and NCAA requirements with their coaches, counselor, and Athletic Director, as well as to study the VHSL and NCAA websites and other resources.
BGHS Recommended Academic Plan
Buffalo Gap High School has a long tradition of academic excellence. We encourage our students to challenge themselves and to take every opportunity to prepare well for their future. This includes preparation for post-secondary and continued education, job experiences, and skills and planning for a productive life.
Students are encouraged to take the courses most appropriate to their educational and career goals. As a general guideline, students planning on an Advanced Diploma should have passed their 8th grade SOL tests and should have earned at least a C in each of their 8th grade academic courses. Advanced-level courses require a strong academic foundation and include more in-depth work. Students who choose to take them must commit to doing the necessary level of work.
Graduation Requirements
A Virginia high school diploma can indicate the preparedness of a student in accepting the challenges of post-secondary education. It also tells potential employers that the graduate possesses the reading, writing, and computational skills required for success in the workplace. Students should choose the diploma program that is in line with their future plans. All students must meet Virginia and Augusta County graduation and diploma requirements.
The resources listed here explain Virginia’s graduation requirements for an Advanced Studies and a Standard Diploma. Standard credits are those credits earned with a passing final grade in a course. To earn a verified credit, a student must pass the class and the end-of-course Standards of Learning (SOL) test. End-of-course SOL tests are offered at BGHS in the following courses: Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, World Geography, World History I, World History II, VA/US History, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and English 11. There are two required English 11 tests—one in Reading and one in Writing. Certain career and technical certifications and other standardized tests may be substituted for certain verified credits. Students transferring from either a private or out-of-state school may have altered requirements for earning verified credits based on when the student transferred and the credits that the student earned at a previous school.
Minimum Requirements for the Advanced Studies Diplomafor students entering 9th grade in/after 2011-12.
Discipline Area / Standard Credits
/ Verified Credits
English / 4 / 2
Mathematics / 4 / 2
Laboratory Science / 4 / 2
History and Social Sciences / 4 / 2
Foreign Language + / 3
Health and Physical Education / 2
Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education / 1
Economics and Personal Finance / 1
Electives / 3
Student Selected Test / 1
Total / 26 / 9
+ Students pursuing the Advanced Diploma may complete the foreign language requirement by earning 3 credits of one language or two credits of two different languages. Students choosing the latter option will need 27 total credits.
Minimum Requirements for the Standard Diplomafor students entering 9th grade in/after 2011-12.
Discipline Area / Standard Credits
/ Verified Credits
English / 4 / 2
Mathematics / 3 / 1
Laboratory Science / 3 / 1
History and Social Sciences / 3 / 1
Health and Physical Education / 2
Foreign Language, Fine Arts or
Career and Technical Education * / 2
Economics and Personal Finance / 1
Electives / 4
Student Selected Test / 1
Total ** / 22 / 6
* Student pursuing the Standard Diploma must earn two sequential foreign language, fine arts or career and technical education credits.
** Student pursuing the Standard Diploma must also earn a board-approved career and technical education credential to graduate.
Class Registration
Students begin meeting with counselors to register for classes in November for the following year. It is important to make these decisions carefully and listen to information provided so that BGHS is able to offer the courses that our students are interested in taking. Staffing decisions are made and course offerings are finalized based on student course requests. The master schedule is determined based on staff availability and on efforts to provide the most opportunities for student choices with the fewest scheduling conflicts. Because of this complex process, schedule changes can only be looked at on a case by case basis if there is an academic conflict.
Students must make course selections before final grades are reported and before standardized testing has been completed. Sometimes these final grades and testing results indicate that the student's choice is not in his/her best interest. School personnel may make alterations following careful review of the final grades and test scores. Final recommendations of teachers are reviewed and results of SOL testing may be used in scheduling students. Changes will be made if the student does not meet prerequisites. Students and parents with questions about these changes should contact their school counselor.
Not all courses have prerequisites, but students and parents are asked to read the description carefully before registering for classes. Prerequisites are intended to communicate necessary preparation for success in a class. If students do not meet the prerequisite for a desired class, they can communicate with their counselor and decide if a request for exception is in the best interest of the student.
In addition to the course descriptions, we have included some information related to high school graduation that is important to consider when selecting courses. It is very important while choosing courses to give consideration to the type of diploma the student will try to earn. Therefore, we ask that you read through these policies/diploma choices carefully.
Academic Core Classes
ENGLISH
Students pursuing an Advanced Diploma must earn a minimum of 4 Standard Credits and 2 Verified Credits in English. Students pursuing a Standard Diploma must earn a minimum of 4 Standard Credits and 2 Verified Credits in English.
English 9
Credit: 1 Credit
Offered Grade: 9
Prerequisite: None
English 9 stresses the mechanics of formal writing through assignments of various types of writing. Grammar skills are reinforced, focusing on mechanics and parts of speech. Emphasis is placed on reading for comprehension. The approach to literary instruction is through genre studies, including not only classical selections but also contemporary ones. Vocabulary skills are improved through use of a workbook.
English 10
Credit: 1 Credit
Offered Grade: 10
Prerequisite: English 9
A major part of this class is devoted to career exploration with concentration on specific skills necessary for obtaining and maintaining employment. Reading, writing, and speaking skills are emphasized. Modern literature, including drama, and the novel are part of the curriculum.
English 10A
Credit: 1 Credit
Offered Grade: 10
Prerequisite: English 9, Staff Recommendation
Language arts and vocabulary study, as well as written and oral reports are assigned throughout the year and are interspersed with thematic Credits involving literature. During their study of literature, students also experience group and independent work, through which they develop reading, writing, and listening skills.
Composition
Credit: 1 Credit
Offered Grade: 10
Prerequisite: English 9, Staff Recommendation based on 8th grade Writing SOL Score
This class focuses on the writing process. It emphasizes the steps required to become an effective writer: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading. Students will write paragraphs and essays dealing with non-fiction areas: description, exposition, narration, and persuasion. Informal writing opportunities will also be provided. Understanding of mechanics and usage will be highlighted.
Advanced Composition
Credit: 1 Credit
Offered Grade: 11, 12
Prerequisite: English 10A, Staff Recommendation
College-Prep English. This class attempts to meet the needs of the college-bound studente. The class stresses grammar, sentence structure, selection of topics, and organization of materials and ideas. The students gain experience using the library and its various reference materials in order to prepare not only essays but also literary papers. A variety of writing experiences is provided as preparation for SAT’s, ACT’s, AP exams and college writing. Most writing is done in class.
English 11
Credit: 1 Credit
Offered Grade: 11
Prerequisite: English 10, Staff Recommendation
English 11 emphasizes the study of American literature through readings in the text. English 11 also emphasizes the refinement of reading composition skills. The course stresses those reading and writing skills needed in everyday living. Oral skills are developed through class and group discussions, individual and oral reports.
Two end of course SOL exams are given at the completion of this course.
English 11A
Credit: 1 Credit
Offered Grade: 11
Prerequisite: English 10, Staff Recommendation; English 10A Recommended
College-Prep English. English 11A focuses on the study of American literature with parallel reading augmenting the textbook. Students refine their skills in writing essays, outlines, and compositions with emphasis placed on the more technical aspects of grammar and punctuation as well as persuasion. Students write a formal research paper. Instruction focuses on critical reading and writing skills necessary for success in post-secondary education.
Two end of course SOL exams are given at the completion of this course.
AP English 11Language and Composition
Credit: 1 Credit (College Credit may be Earned)
Offered Grade: 11
Prerequisite: English 10A, Staff Recommendation;
College-Level English. Advanced Placement Language and Composition is designed to prepare motivated students to communicate effectively in the world. In this college-level course, students will analyze the rhetoric of nonfiction, fiction, and visual documents from a variety of time periods and genres to explore complex topics and to apply what they have learned to their own writing. This course engages students to become skilled readers and writers aware of the interactions among a writer’s purpose, audience expectations, and effect. Students will write essays to strengthen their writing through research, revision, editing, and rewriting. Students should expect an intense writing experience designed to increase their knowledge of rhetorical techniques.