Owen Valley High School Admits Students and Gives Equal Access to Its Programs and Facilities

I N T R O D U C T I O N

Owen Valley High School admits students and gives equal access to its programs and facilities without regard to age, sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, or physical or other disabilities.

It is the mission of Owen Valley High School to prepare all students to learn, achieve and succeed. It is our hope that each student will take pride in him/herself, and make informed educational decisions. This course description book is designed to help the student and parent with these educational choices. Students and parents are encouraged to work together to select the courses, which are best for each student. Counselors provide group and individual assistance to help with the process. Academy advisors will provide meaningful input.

Following their freshman year transition experience, students will follow suggested Academy course sequences. The parent, counselor, and academy advisor help with this tentative school program.

Students will be required to take classes during each class period.
The graduating classes must have:
English - 8 credits
Social Studies - 6 credits
Mathematics - 6 credits
Science - 6 credits
Health - 1 credit
Physical Education - 2 credit
Electives - 18 credits to total 47 credits to complete a diploma requirements
New "Credit and Graduation" rules adopted by the Indiana Department of Education in 1999 are effective. The new Core 40 rules adopted by the Indiana Department of Education in 2007 are effective. Students must pass 4 of their5 or 5 of their 6full credit classes per term, in order to be eligible in athletics. If a student does poorly in a subject - but passes – and chooses to repeat that subject, he/she does not receive duplicate credit, but both grades appear on the record with the better grade counting toward the student's GPA. However, this does not count toward valedictorian and/or salutatorian status.
All students are encouraged to continue in the mathematics and science sequence through their senior year.
Mid-Term Graduation - Students are encouraged to take advantage of every possible class offering in high school where education is tuition free. Mid-term graduates are to make their request in December of their junior year. Mid-term graduation will be based on counselor recommendation with primary consideration being given to those students with strong academic records and those going on to some form of higher education directly after graduation. A parent conference may be necessary.

Student support services

Owen Valley High School provides programs for students identified as being in need of special education services under the guidelines of the state of Indiana as outlined in Article 7. An individualized education program (IEP) is developed through specialized testing by the school psychologist in consultation with the special education staff, regular education teachers, counselors, school administrators, and parents. Support for students identified to receive special education services can be provided through a regular education classroom or a special education classroom.

Additional support is available through a resource/study skills program. To the greatest extent possible an effort is made to include special education students in regular education classes through an inclusion program.

Owen Valley High School also provides services for students identified with a 504 Plan. These students could receive support for a short term medical issue or longer term as determined by the counselor, administration, and parent.

If you have any questions about special education services, contact the guidance office or the special education office at Owen Valley High School.

DROP AND ADD POLICY

Classes will be changed for the following reasons:

If you have not been scheduled into a required class that you need.
If you have failed a class in a previous term and you need to take the class to meet graduation requirements.
If you have been scheduled into a class that is too difficult for your ability. This type of change would need to be recommended by a teacher or counselor.

Students must request schedule changes prior to the end of September. They can do this by coming into the guidance office. The above guidelines should be adhered to when requesting schedule changes.

After the term begins no subject may be dropped or added by the student without the permission(s) of parents, teacher and counselor. To do so will result in a "W/F" on the permanent record unless the teacher recommends differently.

Dropping a 2-term course at the end of a term is discouraged. If there is a reason to drop a course at the end of a term, then the student must obtain the permission of their parent, teacher and counselor.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A student should be encouraged to make their semester choices of subjects in harmony with their high school plan. However, they must meet the following minimum requirements:

The graduation requirements listed below will be in place beginning with the Class of 2015.

AREA:CREDITS

Language Arts...... 8

Mathematics...... 6

Social Studies

United States History,...... 2

Government/Economics...... 2

W History/Civilization or Geography/History of the World...... 2

Science...... 6

Physical Education...... 2

Health and Safety Education...... 1

Elective Subjects...... 18

TOTAL CREDITS...... 47

These credit requirements will ensure that no student graduates with less than a Core 40 Diploma. As of fall of 2011, the minimum college admission requirement for the state’s public four-year universities is the Core 40 diploma.

Students and parents/guardians are responsible for making sure that graduation requirements have been met. Information regarding such may be obtained by contacting the student's counselor or the guidance office.

ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Diploma – A diploma or a document that includes the word “diploma” may be awarded only to a student who meets all of the following:

State minimum graduation course requirements found in 511 IACC 6-7-6;
local graduation requirements; and
the graduation examination requirement. See IC 20-32-4 for ways to satisfy the graduation examination requirement. Students must pass the ISTEP+ Algebra I and English 10 Graduation Examinations. If they cannot pass the test, students still have two options that would allow them to receive their diploma under rules provided by the State Board of Education.

1. Fulfilling the requirements of the Evidence-based Waiver:

Take the graduation examination (ECA) in each subject area (Algebra I and/or English 10) in which the student did not achieve a passing score at least one time each year after the school year in which the student first took the examination.
Complete help sessions offered each year by the school in preparation for the graduation examination retest opportunities.
Maintain a school attendance rate of 95% or better over the course of the high school experience (excused absences are not counted against a student’s attendance rate.)
Maintain a grade point average of “C” or better in the courses required for graduation (a total of 34 credits).
Obtain a written recommendation from a teacher of the student in the subject area(s) not passed. The recommendation must provide documentation that the academic standards have been met, either through other tests or classroom work and must be agreed upon by the principal.

Fulfilling the requirements of the Work Readiness Waiver:

Take the graduation examination in each subject area (Algebra I and/or English 10) in which the student did not achieve a passing score at least one time each year after the school year in which the student first took the examination.
Complete help sessions offered each year by the school in preparation for the graduation examination retest opportunities.
Maintain a school attendance rate of 95% or better over the course of the high school experience (excused absences are not counted against a student’s attendance rate.)
Maintain a grade point average of “C” or better in the courses required for graduation (a total of 34 credits).
Satisfy local graduation requirements.
Complete all the following:
Meet the course and credit requirements for a General Diploma (including the career academic sequence);
Complete a workforce readiness assessment; and
One of the following:
Complete a career exploration internship course,
Complete a cooperative education course, or
Earn a workforce credential (recommended by the school).

General Diploma – A parent or counselor may request a student be exempted from the Core 40 curriculum and be required to complete the General Diploma requirements. Following the IC 20-32-4-7,8,9,10 there is a Core 40 Opt-Out Process that must be followed.

Certificate of Achievement – Pursuant to 511 IAC 7-13-3, this document may be awarded to a special education student who is not capable of earning a diploma but who completes the public school educational program prescribed in the student’s IEP.

Certificate of Completion – This term is not mentioned in statute or rule and its use may be determined locally, including situations in which a student completes the minimum courses required for high school graduation but does not meet the Graduation Qualifying Examination requirement. (Students not meeting the GQE requirements and not receiving a waiver will be issued this certificate.)

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE CORE CURRICULUM

The following curriculum must be met in order to play sports at a division one or two college.

Division 1
(2013+)
16 Core Courses / Division 2 (2013+)
16 Core Courses
English / 4 years / 3 years
Math (Algebra I or higher) / 3 years / 2 years
Natural or Physical Science (1 yr. of lab science) / 2 years / 2 years
Social Science / 2 years / 3 years
Additional English, Math or Science / 1 year / 2 years
Additional (from any above or Foreign Language, Philosophy/Comparative Religion) / 4 years / 4 years

Division 1 students must use the sliding scale to match test scores and core grade-point averages. The sliding scale can be found at

Division 2 students must present a 2.00 GPA in core courses and achieve a combined SAT score of 820 (Critical Reading & Math only) or a sum score of 68 on the ACT (English, Math, Reading, and Science.

Course and Credit Requirements
English/
Language
Arts / 8 credits
Including a balance of literature, composition, and speech.
Mathematics / 6 credits (in grades 9-12)
2 credits: Algebra I
2 credits: Geometry
2 credits: Algebra II
Students must take a math or quantitative reasoning course each year in high school
Science / 6 credits
2 credits: Biology I
2 credits: Chemistry I or Physics I or
Integrated Chemistry-Physics
2 credits: any Core 40 science course
Social Studies / 6 credits
2 credits: U.S. History
1 credit: U.S. Government
1 credit: Economics
2 credits: World History/Civilization or
Geography/History of the World
Directed Electives / 5 credits
World Languages
Fine Arts
Career and Technical Education
Physical Education / 2 credits
Health and Wellness / 1 credit
Electives* / 13 credits
(College and Career Pathway courses recommended)
47 Total State Credits Required

Schools may have additional local graduation requirements that apply to all students

* Specifies the number of electives required by the state. High school schedules provide time for many

more electives during the high school years. All students are strongly encouraged to complete a College and Career Pathway (selecting electives in a deliberate manner) to take full advantage of career and college exploration and preparation opportunities.

For the Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma, students must:

Complete all requirements for Core 40.
Earn 2 additional Core 40 math credits.
Earn 6-8 Core 40 world language credits
(6 credits in one language or 4 credits each in two languages).
Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts credits.
Earn a grade of a “C” or better in courses that will count toward the diploma.
Have a grade point average of a “B” or better.
Complete one of the following:

Earn 4 credits in 2 or more AP courses and take corresponding AP exams
Earn 6 verifiable transcripted college credits in dual credit courses from priority course list
Earn two of the following:
A minimum of 3 verifiable transcripted college credits from the priority course list,
2 credits in AP courses and corresponding AP exams,
2 credits in IB standard level courses and corresponding IB exams.
Earn a combined score of 1750 or higher on the SAT critical reading, mathematics and writing sections and a minimum score of 530 on each
Earn an ACT composite score of 26 or higher and complete written section
Earn 4 credits in IB courses and take corresponding IB exams.

For the Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma, students must:

Complete all requirements for Core 40.
Earn 6 credits in the college and career preparation courses in a state-approved College & Career Pathway and one of the following:
Pathway designated industry-based certification or credential, or
Pathway dual credits from the lists of priority courses resulting in 6 transcripted college credits
Earn a grade of “C” or better in courses that will count toward the diploma.
Have a grade point average of a “B” or better.
Complete one of the following,

Any one of the options (A - F) of the Core 40 with Academic Honors
Earn the following scores or higher on WorkKeys; Reading for Information – Level 6, Applied Mathematics – Level 6, and Locating Information-Level 5.
Earn the following minimum score(s) on Accuplacer: Writing 80, Reading 90, Math 75.
Earn the following minimum score(s) on Compass; Algebra 66, Writing 70, Reading 80.

5.0 CLASSES

The following is a list of ACP/AP courses offered

Adv. Language W131 CompAdv. Language L202 Literature

Chemistry II C105/C125Chemistry II, Organic

US History H105US History H106

AP Physics IIIFinite Mathematics M118

AP BiologyEduc. Professions EDUC 101

Calculus M211

All Project Lead the Way courses:

Introduction to Engineering DesignPrinciples of Engineering

Biotechnical EngineeringPrinciples of the Biomedical Sciences

Civil Engineering & Architecture

HONOR ROLL SYSTEM

The honor roll will be prepared by the use of the point system of only full credit subjects. A full credit class meets five times a week for one term or more, and requires an equal amount of time for study. Library, Technology Specialist, and Teacher Assistants will not be used for the Honor Roll. A student must carry at least three (3) full credit courses per term to qualify for the honor roll. Grade point average will be used. Any student with an “INC” will not be eligible for the Honor Roll.

Grade:Points:Grade:Points:

“A” Honor Roll Index (3.55 – 4.00) A 4.0 C 2.0

“B” Honor Roll Index (3.00 – 3.54) B 3.0 D 1.0

Take total grade points, then divide by the number of full credit classes (exclude: Phys Ed, Library, etc.). This will equal the grade point average for the grading period. Honor roll will be figured at least every nine (9) weeks.
AP/ACP courses receive additional weight in terms of overall Grade Point Average, Honor Roll, and Class Rank.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT STATUS

In order to keep parents and students more informed regarding the progress towards graduation, OVHS has developed the following structure. Students must achieve a certain number of credits along with years of education in order to be eligible for class status and the accompanying privileges. The requirements are as follows:

Freshmen Status:0 to 11 Credits

Sophomore Status:12 to 23 Credits

Junior Status:24 to 35 Credits

Senior Status:36 or more Credits

POST-SECONDARY CREDIT PROGRAM

Students may enroll in college courses to attain college credit and to meet high school credit requirements.
In order to receive high school credit for college courses, students must enroll in approved courses similar to those listed in 511 IAC 6-10 and the Course and Curriculum Area Description For Indiana Schools. Prior administrative approval is necessary.
Students may enroll only in accredited public or private colleges or universities located in Indiana that grant baccalaureate or associate degrees.
Students may be ineligible to participate in this program if it delays the student's progress toward high school graduation.
Students who plan to enroll in college courses to meet high school requirements must notify the administration and participate in a conference prior to enrolling. Parental participation is highly encouraged.
The number of credits to be awarded will be (1) 1/2 high school credit for 1 or 2 college credit hours: (2) 1 high school credit for 3 college credit hours: (3) 2 high school credits for 4 or 5 college credit hours.
A record will be maintained of the courses and credit hours enrolled in the program. School records will indicate the completion of credits attained for high school by college enrollment.
There is no limit to the number of high school credits that a student may earn through the post-secondary credit program.
Grades attained at the college level will be transferred directly to Owen Valley High School. Example: and "A" at the college level will be treated like an "A" at Owen Valley High School.

Student Assistant Course #: 1701 (IDOE 0520) (J, Sr) 1/2 credit/Pass/Fail

Teacher’s Assistants are done by special permission only. These are open to Juniors and Seniors only.

Library Assistant Course #: 0257/0258 (IDOE 0520) (J, Sr) 1/2 credit/Pass/Fail Library Assistants are done by special permission only. These are open to Juniors and Seniors only.

Office AssistantCourse #: 1703 (IDOE 0520) (J, Sr) 1/2 credit/Pass/Fail

Office Assistants are done by special permission only. These are open to Juniors and Seniors only.

Guidance Assistant Course #: 1705 (IDOE 0520) (J, Sr) 1/2 credit/Pass/Fail

Guidance Assistants are done by special permission only. These are open to Juniors and Seniors only.

Peer TutoringCourse #: 1605 (IDOE 0520) (J,Sr)1 term, 1 cr.

This class is for juniors and seniors who have a desire and a willingness to help students who struggle academically. Peer tutors must have a 3.0 GPA. Examples of tasks that a peer tutor might assist with include reading to a student, helping with homework assignments, word processing, filing and recording names and times on the sign in/sign out sheet. Interested students must complete an application, which can be picked up in the Resource Room. Peer tutors will be required to keep a daily log of activities and insights. You can earn a letter grade and a credit by becoming a peer tutor.