Sitka High School
Course Descriptions
2017-2018
1000 Lake Street
Sitka, Alaska 99835
(907) 747-3263
Table of Contents
Enrollment Requirements and Documentation……………………………………………..3
Grade Level Calculation by Credits……………………………………………………………….3
Graduation Requirements……………………………………………………………………………4
Recommendations for College-Bound Students…………………………………………….4
Alaska Performance Scholarship at SHS………………………………………………………..5
Other Learning Opportunities………………………………………………………………………6
Tips to Making a Good Schedule……………………………………………………………………7
Individual Course Descriptions………………………………………………………………..8-21
Language Arts…………………………………………………………………………………………8-10
Social Studies…………………………………………………………………………….……….…10-11
Mathematics…………………………………………………………………………………………11-12
Science…………………………………………………………………………………………………12-13
Physical Education……………………………………………………………………………..…13-14
Career & Technical Education…………………..……………………………………………14-17
Design & Construction Technology………………………………………………...14-15
Metals…………………………………………………………………………………………….….15
Family & Consumer Science…………………………………………………………….….15
Information Technology……………………………………………………………………..16
Mechanics………………………………………………………………………………………….17
Health Sciences…………………………………………………………………………….…….17
General Vocational Electives………………………………………………………….……17
World Languages……………………………………………………………...………………………..18
Music…………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 19
Applied Arts……………………………………………………………………………………….…19-20
Drama………………………………………………………………………………………………..……...21
Other Electives……………………………………………………….………………………………….21
Enrollment Requirements
Welcome to Sitka High School! If you and your family are new to our Sitka we look forward to enrolling your student into our school community. Please call the SHS Registrar’s Office at (907) 966-1905 to schedule an enrollment appointment. You will need to personally appear to register your child, complete a registration form and other required documentation.
Please bring the following documents to your registration meeting:
- Completed registration form (found on Sitkaschools.org)
- Student Birth Certificate or Passport
- Parent/Guardian Photo ID
- Proof of Parental Relationship, Custody, or Guardianship (if applicable bring legal proof of custody)
- Current Immunization Records
- Two Current,Local Emergency Contact Phone Numbers
- Previous School Transcripts, and Withdrawal Grades (if applicable)
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or 504 Accommodation Plan (if applicable and available)
- Other - Medical Forms, Allergy Alerts, Etc.
Please Note: Only the persons or agencies with educational rights for a student may enroll that student in school. Step parent, other relative, or non-relative, noncustodial parent, or agency must present a notarized statement granting permission to reside with you, and make educational and medical decisions for the student. .
Steps to Enrollment
1. Schedule an enrollment appointment with the registrar
2. Gather required documents (see shaded area above)
3. Attend enrollment appointment and complete all registration documents
4. Schedule an appointment with SHS Counselor
5. SHS requests records from your previous school- this may take a few days
6. Meet with SHS Counselor to develop a class Schedule
7. Meet with Ms. Loree in the front office to pay any course fees and book deposits
8. Meet Principal and Vice Principal
9. Your student starts school at Sitka High!
Grade Level by Credits
Sitka High School assigns grade level by the number of credits students have earned toward graduation (not necessarily by the number of years he or she has been in high school). Credits are earned by receiving passing scores in courses and may be transferred in to Sitka High from other approved high schools.
The guidelines for grade placement are as follows:
0.0-5.0 Credits / Freshman5.1-11.0 Credits / Sophomore
11.1-16.0 Credits / Junior
16.1+ Credits / Senior
Graduation Requirements
Language Arts / 4 CreditsSocial Studies / 3 Credits / 1 credit of U.S. History, 1 credit of American Government, 1/2 credit of Global Issues and
1/2 credit of Alaska Studies
Mathematics / 3 Credits / Must pass Integrated Math 2 or equivalent
Science / 3 Credits / 1 credit of Life Science
1 credit of Physical Science and
1 credit Science Elective
Physical Education / 2 Credits / Must include 1/2 credit Health
Career & Technical Education / 1 Credit
Electives / 7 Credits
In addition to course credit requirements, all students must pass the following examinations: / Sitka High School Swim Competency
Total Credits / 23 Credits / Minimum required credits
Maximum credits that can be used for graduation:
Teacher/Office Aide / 1 Credit / 1 class/semester maximum
Work Experience / 2 Credits / 1 credit/year (1.2 credit = 100 hours work)
Physical Education / 3 Credits / Including Health
Recommendations for College-Bound Students
A word of caution: students who intend to go on to college or other post-secondary training should do much more than the graduation requirements! The requirements listed above are minimums, and WILL NOTprepare you properly for the rigors of college!
Language Arts / 4+ Credits / See eligible APS courses on the next page for recommendations of college preparatory courses in Language Arts- take challenging ones!!Social Studies / 3-4 Credits / In addition to required courses, taking World History, Geography, and/or dual enrollment Psychology will give you a nice background in Social Studies
Mathematics / 3-4 Credits / Challenge yourself to make it as high in math as possible! Remember, we’ve got great A/P opportunities in Stats and Calc, which could even give you college credit!
Science / 3-4 Credits / Colleges like to see laboratory sciences, so taking courses such as Chemistry, Physics and Forensics will give you a good base in Science
World Languages / 2-4 Credits / Many colleges like to see a minimum of 2 years in a single foreign language (some like more than 2 years).
Fine or Performing Arts / 1+ Credit / Many colleges like to see at least a year of fine or performing arts, this could be music, art, or drama
Challenging Electives / Choose your electives wisely! Make sure that the fun courses you choose challenge you and lead you toward your future goals!
GRADES / Keep your grades up!!! EVERY grade you earn in high school goes on your transcript, which will be sent to the colleges, and scholarships you apply to!
Alaska Performance Scholarship at SHS
To qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, students in the graduating class of 2015 and beyond must take a rigorous course load including specific course titles. The tables below indicate which Sitka High School courses are included in eligibility for this scholarship.
For details about the Alaska Performance Scholarship please visit
Mathematics Department
Approved Mathematics Courses / Recommended as“Equivalent Courses”
to the 2015 Eligibility Checklist / Recommended as
“Additional Courses”
for APS eligibility / Math Courses NOT Approved for APS Eligibility
Integrated Math 1A / Equivalent to: .5 Integrated Math1 semester 1
*NOTE- limited APS credit / Math 1 Lab
Integrated Math 1B / Equivalent to: .5 Integrated Math 1 semester 2
*NOTE- limited APS credit / Math 2 Lab
Integrated Math 1 / Equivalent to: .75 Algebra 1& .25 Geometry
Integrated Math 2 / Equivalent to: .75 Algebra 2 & .25 Geometry
Integrated Math 3 / Equivalent to: .5 Algebra 2 & .5 Geometry
Integrated Math 3/Pre-Calc / Equivalent to: .5 Algebra 2, .5 Geometry & 1.0 Pre-Calculus
Pre-Calculus / X
A/P Calculus / X
A/P Statistics / X
Algebra for College / .5 Algebra 2
Language Arts Department
Approved Language Arts Courses / Recommended as“Equivalent Courses”
to the 2015 Eligibility Checklist / Recommended as
“Additional Courses”
for APS eligibility / Language Arts Courses
NOT Approved
for APS Eligibility
English 9 / Equivalent to: .5 American Lit 1 & .5 Composition 1 / Alaska Literature
English 10 / Equivalent to: .5 World Literature 1
.5 Composition1 / Surveying Literature & Writing
American Literature / X / Drama
A/P Language & Composition / X / Young Adult Literature
Creative Writing / X
Debate/Speech / X
Honors English / Equivalent to: .5 Advanced Composition
.5Advanced World Literature
Mythology / Equivalent to: .5 Advanced Composition
.5 Advanced World Literature
Shakespeare / Equivalent to: 1.0 British Lit.
Science Department
Approved Science Courses / Recommended as“Equivalent Courses”
to the 2015 Eligibility Checklist / Recommended as
“Additional Courses”
for APS eligibility / Science Courses NOT Approved for APS Eligibility
Life Science / Equivalent to: 1.0 Biology / Alaska Naturalist
Physical Science / X / Field Science
Chemistry / X / Robotics
Forensics / X / Science & Tech
Physics / X
Science Mentorship / X
Social Studies Department
Approved Social Studies Courses / Recommended as“Equivalent Courses”
to the 2015 Eligibility Checklist / Recommended as
“Additional Courses”
for APS eligibility / Social Studies Courses NOT Approved for APS Eligibility
Alaska Studies / Equivalent to: .5 Alaska History
A/P Human Geography / X
American Government / X
American Studies/U.S. History / X
Global Issues / Equivalent to: .5 Geography
U.S. History / X
World Geography / X
World History / X
Other Learning Opportunities
As a small high school we may not have all of the learning opportunities you desire within our walls, however we do collaborate with some other wonderful programs to expand your options!
*Please note that any tuition costs or fees associated with such programs are assumed by your family, not by SHS.
University of Alaska Southeast-Sitka Campus
SHS and UAS offer dual enrollment opportunities on a variety of vocational and General Education Requirement courses. This is a great opportunity for students to expand course options and begin to earn college credit while in high school. See the course description in “Other Electives” on page #21 for GPA and enrollment requirements as well as tuition reimbursement information. Talk with your counselor or UAS admissions for more information.
REACH Homeschool
For the independent learner, a wide variety of courses in all subject areas are available through REACH Homeschool. Courses may be offered in print materials or through online sources. Homeschool students must have a parent or other reliable adult who will assume responsibility for some grading and keeping students on track. Contact your counselor or the REACH Homeschool office at 966-1330 for more information.
Pacific High School
Located on Lincoln Street, Pacific High School is also in the Sitka School District. Courses offered at PHS do run on a different schedule than Sitka High School, but with careful planning some students are able to enjoy learning opportunities at both schools. For information talk with a Sitka High counselor or the co-principals at PHS.
Various Online or Distance Education High Schools
Sitka High will accept transfer credits from a wide variety of accredited distance and online high schools. Some common programs that we have accepted credit from include Brigham Young University High School, Raven Correspondence, North Dakota Center for Distance Education, AVENTA, Alaska K12 and Alaska’s Learning Network (AKLN). If you intend to take a course through an outside agency such as these, talk with your counselor to verify that credits earned will be accepted at Sitka High. We do not endorse any specific program.
Keys to making a good schedule
Make sure you’ve included your graduation requirements!During registration your counselor will provide you with a list of the courses you need to take to stay on track. Make sure that you include the required courses in your schedule or… 1)your schedule will be changed by your counselor to include what you need or 2) you will be behind in credits toward graduation and will need to catch up on required courses the next year!
Make your courses count!Every course you take at Sitka High School should be leading you in a future direction. Required courses are helping you achieve your goal of Graduation. Elective courses should also be chosen with great care so that you take courses that will help you toward your future career. Talk to your counselor about career pathways and/or college preparatory plans so that you can get the most out of your high school experience.
Choose courses for the right reasons! Never take a class just because you assume it will be easy or because your friends are all taking it! Your chosen schedule should be helping YOU reach your future goals. This may mean that you have to challenge yourself or meet new classmates.
Make a long-term plan! Use the 4-Year Academic Plan below to plot out your high school career. This will keep you on track for graduation and let you evaluate whether your course choices are leading you toward your future goals.
LANGUAGE ARTS
ALASKA LITERATURE: / Grades 11-12 / 1 or 2 SemestersPrerequisite: Junior/Senior Level Standing
This course is a study of classic and contemporary prose and poetry with a focus on Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Themes important to these areas will be explored through past and current events. Some authors covered may include Jack London, Nora Marks Dauenhauer, John Haines, Nick Jans, Ernestine Hayes, and Robert Service. Author Sherry Simpson’s book Dominion of Bears will be read over the course of the two semesters. Alaska Native myths and stories derived from oral tradition will also be studied. Course work includes: essays, projects, creative writing, poetry analysis, oral presentations, independent and/or small group readings of 2-3 novels per semester, and technical writing. This is a class you should take only if you are interested in northern subjects. This class may also be taken as an I/S with permission.
AMERICAN LITERATURE: / Grades 11-12 / 1 or 2 Semesters
Prerequisite: Junior/Senior Level Standing
This is a college-prep survey course of American literature focusing on texts (poetry, nonfiction, short stories, and novels) written between the colonial period through the present. Works will be covered chronologically. First semester, students will read works written through the early twentieth century. Second-semester texts will be selections from the early twentieth century through the present day. Students may also research the historical context and worldview of one of these authors, writing an MLA-formatted paper. In addition, students each semester may be assigned works to read independently and/or in small groups.
A/P LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION / Grade 11 / Year-long
AP Test Fee: $93.00
Prerequisite: “B” average or higher in all high school English Courses
Junior Standing
AP Language and Composition is a course for Juniors in preparation for the AP Exam in English Language and Composition.
In this course we will examine how writers use language, style, and rhetoric to create meaning.Students will write formal analytic and persuasive essays, as well as perform careful and critical analysis of texts to examine how writers use language skillfully.AP Language and Composition is primarily a writing course. However, it'snota creative writing course. Through close reading and frequent writing, students will develop their ability to analyze text. Formal writing will be process-driven, meaning we will work through the process of pre-writing, writing and revision.Readings will be mostly non-fiction. Grammar, usage, and mechanics instruction will occur in the context of student writing and in the analysis of written passages.
CREATIVE WRITING: / Grades 11-12 / 1 or 2 Semesters
Prerequisites: Sophomore/Junior/Senior Standing
Students will read and write poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction in this workshop-style class. Journal writing and in-class writing exercises will provide a foundation for the long-term project and writing portfolio that are exit requirements for this class. Students will learn the basic techniques of creative writing while sharing and critiquing one another’s work. Sophomores may take this class, in addition to their English 10 requirement.
DEBATE/SPEECH: / Grades 9-12 / 1 Semester
Prerequisites: None
In Debate/Speech, students will refine public speaking skills and learn the fundamentals of debate. Students spar debate, public forum debate and deliver a variety of speeches. Students do not have to be on the debate team to take this class, but the class will prepare students to be successful at meets.
DRAMA: / Grades 9-12 / 1 Semester
Prerequisites: None
Drama is a class that is designed to give students an overall experience of what it is to be involved in the theater. A significant portion of the course will be spent on acting technique. Therefore, you must be comfortable performing in front of a group to be successful in this class. The class will also be exploring theatre history, play analysis, play writing, stage makeup, costume design, and a small amount of stage combat.
ENGLISH 9-100: / Required for Grade 9 / Year-Long
This course is required for all 9th graders and is integrated with American Studies.
English 9-100 is an entry-level English requirement, equivalent to English 9-101, but that is integrated with American Studies known collectively as Freshman Block. Students will explore major themes in American History from 1800 to the present by reading a wide array of fiction--short stories, poems and novels. IncludingTo Kill a Mockingbird--and non-fiction literature (primary and secondary sources) while exploring the historical record. Students will demonstrate their language and writing skills throughout the year with persuasive, narrative, and reflection essays and research papers, along with critical thinking and personal journal responses.
ENGLISH 09-101: / Required for Grade 9 / Year-Long
Prerequisites: None
English 09-101 is an entry-level English requirement and is equivalent to English 9-101. It is taught as a stand-alone course. Students taking English 09-101 take U.S. History as a stand-alone course. Students will read a variety of short stories. Additionally, students will be assigned to choose titles to read in small groups of two to three classmates (“lit circles”). Students will also read J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Researching skills and MLA citation will be reviewed and practiced. Major assignments include the I-Search paper, speech, and self-portrait writing.
ENGLISH 10: / Required for Grade 10 / Year-Long
Prerequisites: None
English 10 provides a foundation for upper-level English electives. Students will read a variety of novels and plays, most of which will be student-selected. Additionally, students may be assigned to choose titles to read in small groups of four to five classmates (lit circles). Students will also read at least one Shakespeare play. English 10 emphasizes both reading and the writing process. Researching skills and MLA citation will be covered in depth. Major assignments may include a research paper, speech, and self-portrait.
HONORS ENGLISH: / Grade 12 / 1 or 2 Semesters
Prerequisites: Grade of B or higher (i.e., no B- or below) in all previous English classes; present transcripts at signup. Previous English Electives must be college prep: American Lit, Mythology, Debate, or Shakespeare. Prospective students must also have recommendation of current English teacher. (This is a form the student has her or his teacher sign.)