High School Program Descriptions
By grade nine at the high school, students may self-select courses that best meet individual academic objectives, strengths, and interests as long as the required prerequisites have been completed for a course. Since many students are college-bound, school counselors in the middle school and high school work with students and parents to develop a four-year educational plan based on academic strengths and career interests. The four-year plan is initially developed during the Keystone class the first semester of high school.
High ability students in grades nine through twelve have several opportunities for academic challenge, including:
- The Academic Honors Diploma (47 credits)
- Honors Courses
- Advanced Placement courses (a program of the College Board)
- Dual Credit Enrollment
- Early College
- Special Programs: Project Lead the Way
Each of these opportunities is explained in greater detail in the Center Grove High School Academic Guide.
Academic Honors Diploma
Please consult the CG High School Academic Guide under Core 40 with Academic Honors.
The purpose of the Academic Honors Diploma is to encourage and reward students who pursue a rigorous, advanced course of study during the high school years. It is not intended that the Academic Honors diploma be limited to only a few academically talented students, but that a broad range of students is encouraged to actively pursue this diploma.
- Complete all requirements for Core 40
- Earn 2 additional Core 40 math credits
- Earn 6-8 Core 40 world language credits
- Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts credits
- Earn a grade of “C” or above in courses that will count toward the diploma
- Have a grade point average of “B” or above
- Complete one of the following:
- Two Advanced Placement courses and corresponding AP Exams
- Academic, transferable dual high school/college courses resulting in six college credits
- One Advanced Placement course and corresponding AP exam and academic transferable dual high school/college course(s) resulting in 3 college credits
- Score 1200 or higher combined SAT Math and Critical Reading*
- Score a 26 composite ACT
- Earns an International Baccalaureate Diploma
*SAT Requirements will be modified with the addition of the writing section
Honors/Weighted Courses Center Grove High School offers selected courses which require significantly higher academic achievement and work levels. These ‘weighted’ courses provide for the grades earned in that course to be weighted for the purposes of determining GPA and class rank. Additionally, these courses are identified on transcripts with an “*” as part of the course title. These courses are identified in the course descriptions with the designation “(CP/WEIGHTED).”
|
GRADE |
GPA PTS |
GRADE |
GPA PTS |
|
A |
5.00 |
C |
2.50 |
|
A- |
4.59 |
C- |
2.09 |
|
B+ |
4.16 |
D+ |
1.66 |
|
B |
3.75 |
D |
1.25 |
|
B- |
3.34 |
D- |
.84 |
|
C+ |
2.91 |
F |
0 |
Semester Grading Calculation
Final semester grades are computed using a formula based on the nine-week grades and the semester exam, using the non-weighted numerical equivalents. Each nine-week grade is counted as 40% of the semester grade; the semester exam is counted as 20% of the semester grade.
As an example, a student who earns a B+ in the first nine weeks, a C+ in the second nine weeks, and a B on the final exam would have a semester grade computed as follows:
|
Center Grove High School Required |
||
|
1st nine weeks |
B+ |
3.33 pts x 40%= 1.33 2.862 |
In the example above, the semester grade would be rounded to 2.86. The student should receive a “B” for the semester.
Several items should be mentioned in regards to the policy for computing semester grades:
- The chart below shows the ranges that will be used when determining whether a semester grade calculation will be rounded to the next highest letter grade:
|
GRADE |
GPA PTS |
GRADE |
GPA PTS |
|
A |
3.84 – 4.00 |
C |
1.84 – 2.16 |
|
A- |
3.50 – 3.83 |
C- |
1.50 – 1.83 |
|
B+ |
3.17 – 3.49 |
D+ |
1.17 – 1.49 |
|
B |
2.84 – 3.16 |
D |
.84 – 1.16 |
|
B- |
2.50 – 2.83 |
D- |
.67 - .83 |
|
C+ |
2.17 – 2.49 |
F |
0 - .66 |
- No average under .67 will be rounded up to .67; i.e. a student who earns an average of .66 and below will not be rounded up to .67 and will receive a failing grade for the semester.
- Students must pass at least two of the three grades in order to receive a passing semester grade. For example, a student who fails both nine weeks and receives an A- on the final exam will still receive a failing grade for the semester.
For more information about the grade scales please refer to the Center Grove High School Academic Guide.
Withdrawal From Class(es)
Students removed from a class due to attendance or discipline problems or withdrawing from school to pursue a GED or alternative education will receive a WD or a WDF grade in a class depending upon whether or not they were passing the class at the time of their withdrawal.
Advanced Placement Courses
Through The College Board, any student may earn Advanced Placement credit at the college or university of their choice by taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. Please consult the CG High School Academic Guide for a complete list of Advanced Placement courses offered through Center Grove Community School district.
Students who enroll in AP courses are strongly encouraged to take the corresponding AP exams. The exams are graded on a 1-5 basis, with a 5 being the highest score possible. According to the College Board the college equivalent grade to the AP Scores is: AP Exam points 4-5 =A. An AP Exam score of a 3 is = B. Colleges and universities vary in the scores they accept for credit. Students are advised to check with each higher education institution(s),to which they desire to apply, to investigate each university’s policy on accepting AP exam scores and issuing college credit.
AP exams are scheduled during the first two weeks of May. Exams cost approximately $80. Fee reductions for AP tests in the sciences and math courses and in English Language and Composition are provided by the state of Indiana.
Students who are interested in AP courses should contact Center Grove High School and ask to speak to the CGHS AP Coordinator or the subject department chair. Additional information may also be accessed from The College Board at www.collegeboard.org/ap/students/.
Dual Credit Enrollment
The CGCSC has adopted a policy that allows qualifying high school students to apply for permission to take post-secondary courses at eligible Indiana institutions and receive credit toward high school graduation. Some key provisions are described in the CG High School Academic Guide.
CGHS has established collaborative partnerships with several area higher education institutions for the offering of dual credit in various courses. Students should check with their guidance counselors for information on which courses are available.
Students who receive pre-approval for dual credit enrollment will be given release time from classes at CGHS. The release time from CGHS occurs during the college class meeting time. Students should match their college schedule as closely as possible to their high school schedule. **Special considerations will be given to students enrolled in evening college classes for release time during the regular school day.
More details about dual credit enrollment can be found in the CGHS Academic Guide which is posted on the CGHS website (www.centergrove.k12.in.us under Academics).
Out of District Transfer Student
Because of the date at which out of district students are accepted, placement decisions for students into CG programs will be made based on grades and previous testing done in former districts as well as available space in CG classes and programs.
High school students will be placed into appropriate high school courses based on the student’s past academic courses. The high school counselor will work with the student and parents to develop the appropriate schedule. Consultation with the principal or curriculum director may occur to determine specific placement if needed.
| HIGH ABILITY | G LOSSARY OF TERMS |