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Guidance Policy

It is important to understand that the information in this course description booklet is the most accurate and up-to-date information available at the time. As course offerings, Department of Education mandates, and curricular updates occur, information in this document may become outdated. The most current version of the Course Description Booklet is posted on the Washington High School Website. The on-line version of the Course Description Booklet takes precedent over any older published versions.

Requirements for a Core 40 Diploma (Graduating Classes through 2028)

Course requirements for the Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, and Core 40 with Technical
Honors are outlined as follows:

Course and Credit Requirements

English/Language Arts
8 credits

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

Directed Electives

5 credits
World Languages
Fine Arts
Career and Technical Education

Physical Education - 2 credits

Health and Wellness - 1 credit

Electives* 6 credits

(College and Career Pathway courses recommended)
40 Total State Credits Required

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:
    • A. Earn 4 credits in 2 or more AP courses and take corresponding AP exams
    • B. Earn 6 verifiable transcripted college credits in dual credit courses from priority course list
    • C. Earn two of the following:
      • 1. A minimum of 3 verifiable transcripted college credits from the priority course list,
      • 2. 2 credits in AP courses and corresponding AP exams
    • D. 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

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:
    • 1. Pathway designated industry-based certification or credential, or
    • 2. 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,
    • A. Any one of the options (A - E) of the Core 40 with Academic Honors
    • B. Earn the following scores or higher on WorkKeys; Reading for Information – Level 6, Applied Mathematics – Level 6, and Locating Information-Level 5.
    • C. Earn the following minimum score(s) on Accuplacer: Writing 80, Reading 90, Math 75.
    • D. Earn the following minimum score(s) on Compass; Algebra 66, Writing 70, Reading 80.

 

Requirements for the General Diploma are outlined as follows:

Indiana General High School Diploma

The completion of Core 40 is an Indiana graduation requirement. Indiana’s Core 40 curriculum provides the academic foundation all students need to succeed in college and the workforce. To graduate with less than Core 40, the following formal opt-out process must be completed:

  • The student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student’s counselor (or another staff member who assists students in course selection) must meet to discuss the student’s progress.
  • The student’s Graduation Plan (including four year course plan) is reviewed.
  • The student’s parent/guardian determines whether the student will achieve greater educational benefits by completing the general curriculum or the Core 40 curriculum.
  • If the decision is made to opt-out of Core 40, the student is required to complete the course and credit requirements for a general diploma and the career/academic sequence the student will pursue is determined.
  • Course and Credit Requirements (Class of 2016 & Beyond)
English/Language Arts 8 credits

Credits must include literature, composition and speech

Mathematics 4 credits

2 credits: Algebra I or Integrated Mathematics I
2 credits: Any math course
General diploma students are required to earn 2 credits in a Math
or a Quantitative Reasoning (QR) course during their junior or
senior year. QR courses do not count as math credits.

Science 6 credits

2 credits: Biology I
2 credits: Any science course
At least one credit must be from a Physical Science or Earth and
Space Science course

Social Studies 4 credits

2 credits: U.S. History
1 credit: U.S. Government
1 credit: Any social studies course

Physical Education 2 credits

Health and Wellness 1 credit


College and Career Pathway Courses 6 credits

Selecting electives in a deliberate manner to take full advantage of college and career exploration and preparation opportunities.

Flex Credit 5 credits

Flex Credits must come from one of the following:

  • Additional elective courses in a College and Career Pathway
  • Courses involving workplace learning such as Cooperative Education or Internship courses
  • High school/college dual credit courses
  • Additional courses in Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Languages or Fine Arts
Electives 6 credits

Specifies the minimum number of electives required by the state. High school schedules provide time for many more elective credits during the high school years.
 

40 Total Credits Required

Schools may have additional local graduation requirements that apply to all students (Updated Dec., 2011)

Course requirements for the New Indiana Diploma and optional seals (beginning with the Class of 2029) can be viewed here.

Other factors to consider when planning what classes to take each year.

  • A normal school day is comprised of 7 periods.
  • A minimum of 40 credits is required for graduation
  • Students need to consider career goals and/or post-secondary plans when signing up for classes
  • Students will earn one credit per semester with a passing grade in classes that meet for 48 minutes.

 

WHS Grading Scale

A+ 100 B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69 F 59 & below
A 94-99 B    83-88 C 73-76 D  63-66  
A- 90-93 B-  80-82 C- 70-72

D- 60-62

  

 

Weighted Grades

The following courses are designated as weighted courses at WHS:
Geometry Honors
English 9 Honors
AP World History
Biology Honors
Algebra II Honors
AP Seminar
AP US History
Chemistry I
AP Precalculus
AP Lang & Comp US Government
Honors AP Chemistry
AP Calculus AB
AP Lit & Comp/VU
Economics Honors Anatomy
AP Statistics
AP Physics I
AP Computer Science Pr
AP Physics C
AP Computer Science A
Spanish IV
French IV

The number of weighted classes that a student can be credited for is capped at 16 (32 possible weighted semesters). Students may still take additional classes that fall under the weighted category, but once passing the 32 weighted semesters, these courses will receive no additional weight. Once a student completes a weighted class receiving a grade of “C” or above, they will receive an additional .015625 points added directly to their cumulative GPA.

Sample: GPA: 4.0 (all A’s) + 32 weighted credits X .015625 = 4.5 (weighted GPA)

The GPA of a student is only calculated at the end of a semester.

The class rank of a grade level is also only calculated at the end of every semester. The cumulative GPA’s in each grade level are ranked from highest to lowest to determine the class rank.

Flex PE Credit Option

The Indiana Department of Education has opened the possibility to allow students to earn physical education credits in ways other than attending traditional PE classes, provided state criteria is met. This criteria allows a school to issue PE credit for other activities students participate in which would include: any sport in our athletic program (provided an outdoor activity or conditioning component is implemented), our dance team, WHS Show Choir, and WHS Marching Band. Forms for the Flexible PE Option can be found on the WHS website under “Guidance.” Flexible PE credits will be allowed under the following guidelines:

1. One semester of credit in PE will be issued for successful completion of a sport/activity and its full season in our athletic department or school. A second semester of PE credit will be issued for successful completion of another season in a distinctly different sport or activity. Department of Education literature on this topic states that it is not the intention of this opportunity to allow a student to earn all PE credits through participating for two years in one sport/activity. If a student only participates in one sport/activity, then the student would have to complete one semester of traditional PE class.

2. Students earning both semesters of PE credit through flex credits may be required to take the Indiana Physical Education End of Course Knowledge Assessment. This test measures basic knowledge of motor skills, nutrition, health-wellness, and physical fitness. WHS would provide students with a study guide for this test, to be administered during homeroom, and supervised by a licensed PE teacher.

3. A rubric form will be used by students and their coach or sponsor to certify flexible PE credit. A student would earn an A for meeting the requirements.

4. A student must declare to their counselor during registration prior to the beginning of the 9th grade year their intention to earn flexible PE credit. Any student that has not completed flexible PE credit by the end of their 10th grade year will automatically be enrolled in classroom PE for their 11th grade year.

5. Students may apply for flexible PE credit for activities not approved in this document. A student must apply to the principal. If the principal determines the activity may have merit for flexible credit, a committee comprised of the principal, athletic director, a counselor, current PE teacher, and one representative from either band, show choir, or dance team will determine eligibility for
flexible PE credit. A student must seek approval for an activity not approved on this document
in advance, prior to participation in the activity

6. A student would not be eligible for flex PE credit if they were suspended during a sports season for an Athletic Code of Conduct violation. Please fill out the WHS PE Waiver Application found in the athletic office and give it to the athletic secretary at the beginning of the sport/activity season. The athletic secretary will keep the application for the remainder of the season/term, request signatures from the coach, complete the application, and turn it into Mr. Cochren for verification. The counseling department will then record the grade.

Grading System

WHS utilizes a cumulative (running total) grading system in which the final grade is calculated from the student’s accumulation of points during the semester. Final exams are calculated in this accumulation of points. Under this system, it is important to understand that the student’s performance is based upon their progress throughout the length of the entire semester. Final letter grades will be recorded on the student’s official transcript. Honor roll and accumulated GPA, along with class rankings will be calculated at the end of each semester.

Freshman Course Recommendations


Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science courses for freshmen are recommended by junior high faculty using testing and class data. Students and parents who wish to enroll in a course that was not recommended must meet with the freshman counselor. Parents and students who wish to enroll in a class that was not recommended must sign a recommendation waiver, stating the student will remain in the class for at least one semester before possibly transferring.

WHS Honors Information:

Seniors

  • Valedictorian
    • Based on accumulated weighted GPA at the end of 8 semesters
    • Highest accumulated weighted GPA
    • Minimum 4 semesters at WHS
  • Salutatorian
    • Based on accumulated weighted GPA at the end of 8 semesters
    • Second highest accumulated weighted GPA
    • Minimum 4 semesters at WHS

Honor Stole

  • Awarded to top 10% of graduating class

High Honor Roll

  • Based on each semester
  • Semester GPA must be 3.75 or above
  • No grade below “B-“

Honor Roll

  • Based on each semester
  • Semester GPA must be 2.75 or above
  • No grade below “C-“

Academic Honors Ceremony

  • Accumulated GPA for honorees
    • Seniors – 3.9 or above (based on 7 semesters)
    • Juniors – 3.85 or above (based on 5 semesters)
    • Sophomores – 3.85 or above (based on 3 semesters)

 

Vincennes University Early College Program at Washington High School Guidelines for Dual Credit Completion

(effective Fall 2013)

During the Fall of 2010, the Vincennes University Early College program began at Washington High School. Since
that time, various additions have been made to the program. At the onset, the original goal of the Early College
Program was to provide students the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma from WHS and an
Associate Degree from VU. We have found that this goal is attainable by some students, but may not be the option
for all students.

With that knowledge, we have devised a plan to provide as many students as possible with at least 30 dual credit
hours of general education credits from the Indiana Core Transfer Library. This 30 credit hour general education
core transfers to all Indiana public universities (and some private) and meets the general education requirement of
any program of study at the transfer institution. These credits can be achieved by taking dual credit courses that are
taught by WHS faculty, through VU distance education courses, through enrollment in VU evening classes offered
at WHS or even through courses taught on the VU campus.

Most courses involve qualification through required scores on the Accuplacer placement exam which consists of
testing in the areas of English, Reading and Math. Students are encouraged to take the Accuplacer during the
spring semester of their freshman year, thereby providing them the opportunity to take developmental courses if
necessary to reach the required scores for many of the EC classes.

Cost savings is a tremendous advantage of this dual credit opportunity. Through the Early College program,
students will be able to enroll in classes for a maximum of $75/credit hour, a 50% tuition savings. Many courses
will be $25/ credit hour, (83% savings); while most courses will be free to those families who qualify for textbook
assistance. Here is a breakdown of the course cost:

Tuition Criteria

  • $0 Student is eligible for textbook assistance and the course is on the Core Transfer List
  • $25 Course is on Indiana’s High Priority list or on Indiana’s Career/Tech Pathways or the course is taught by WHS faculty
  • $75 Any course that does not meet the above criteria, and is taught by VU faculty

(You may visit the Indiana TransferIN website for more detailed information)

Please refer to the documents found on the Washington High School website referring to Early College which
provide guidelines to meet the requirements of the transfer core and of the General Studies Associate Degree.
Students interested in this transfer core opportunity and those who are interested in being a member of the cohort
group working toward an Associate Degree from Vincennes University, should meet with their counselor and Mrs.
Dana Arvin, VU Early College Coordinator. Together, a plan can be devised to achieve this educational goal.

Washington High School Early College Policy Form

Effective Summer 2014

Washington High School students have the opportunity to earn credits through Vincennes University through the
Washington High School Early College Program. Early College courses may be taken online, on the VU campus,
at WHS in the evening, or at WHS during the school day. Many courses taught through the Early College program
are taught by Vincennes University professors, not Washington High School faculty. Due to this fact, students
taking Early College courses take on a high level of responsibility in completing their work in a proficient and
timely manner.

Both parents and students must understand and adhere to the following conditions:

1. Washington High School’s first priority is offering students the ability to earn a high school diploma.
Students who are interested in satisfying degree requirements from VU through the Early College program are
ultimately responsible for these requirements. Washington High School staff will assist. Mrs. Arvin
(darvin@vinu.edu), our Vincennes University liaison will also be able to assist with the VU requirements.

2. ALL Early College courses taken by Washington High School students will appear on both the
college and high school transcripts, regardless of the grade. These grades WILL count toward your college and
high school GPA.

3. As a precaution, parents and students should be aware that college courses, both at the VU campus and
online, require a greater amount of organization and management by the student than an ordinary high school
course. Students are responsible to adhere to college course deadlines at all times. Students who do not adhere to
the university deadlines may receive poor grades. These grades WILL appear on the high school transcript.

4. Students who have questions regarding VU coursework should communicate with the professor of the
course. Students taking online classes should email the professor through the student’s MyVU account. If a
student is having difficulty communicating with a professor, please email Mrs. Arvin (darvin@vinu.edu)

5. Students will not be registered for a class through Vincennes University until all registration forms and fees
are submitted to the counseling office.

6. Students must be SURE that they are willing to complete a class before enrolling. Students MAY NOT
withdraw from an Early College class once the college semester begins.

 

COURSE RETAKE/GRADE REPLACEMENT

A grade retake/replacement occurs when a student retakes a class that he/she has already taken to hopefully receive a better grade. A student who receives below a C- on a course may retake that course for credit. The second grade earned will be averaged with the first grade earned. This average will figure into the cumulative GPA. Both grades will remain on the transcript. This would allow a student trying to earn an Indiana Academic Honors diploma an opportunity to retake a class where he/she might have received below a C-, thus giving him/her an opportunity to keep his/her Academic Honors
diploma. Students retaking Retakes of passing classes may NOT be taken via credit recovery. Students may recoup credits from failed classes via credit recovery with counselor/administrative approval. Students wishing to take a
course for the first time using online credit recovery software may only do so with counselor/administrative approval.

 

8TH GRADE ALGEBRA

Grades earned in 8th grade Algebra will be recorded on the high school transcript as high school credit unless students decide to retake Algebra in the 9th grade. Students taking Geometry in 8th grade for high school credit must abide by the high school course retake policy.

COURSE RETAKE/GRADE REPLACEMENT

1. First Semester: All schedule changes must be made within the 1st 5 days of the semester. No changes
will be made after the 5 day deadline.
2. Second Semester: Students will be allowed to change classes within the first (5) school days from the
beginning of the second semester. No changes will be made after the (5) day deadline.
Class changes after the semester begins place the student at an immediate disadvantage. Class sizes and
crowded conditions often impose additional restrictions to schedule changes. All such changes must be
approved and directed by the counselors. The administration reserves the right to change student
schedules if necessary. No additional changes will be made after this time unless authorized by the
counselor or principal.

 

CORE 40 OPT-OUT PROCESS


Beginning with students who enter high school in 2007-2008, the completion of Core 40 becomes an Indiana graduation requirement. Indiana’s Core 40 curriculum provides the academic foundation all students need to succeed in college and the workforce.

To graduate with less than Core 40, the following formal opt-out process must be completed:

  • The student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student’s counselor meet to discuss the student’s progress.
  • The student’s career and course plan is reviewed.
  • The student’s parent/guardian determines whether the student will achieve greater educational benefits by completing the general curriculum or the Core 40 curriculum.

If the decision is made to opt-out of Core 40, the student is required to complete the course and credit requirements for a general diploma.

 

Core 40 Triggers

The following conditions may trigger a discussion about opting-out of Core 40:
1. A parent may request that a student be exempted from the Core 40 curriculum and be required to
complete the general diploma to graduate, or
2. The student does not pass at least three (3) courses required under the Core 40 curriculum, or
3. The student receives a score on the graduation examinations that is in the twenty-fifth percentile
or lower when the student takes the graduation examination for the first time.
In each case, the student’s parent and the student’s counselor shall meet to discuss the student’s
progress. Following the meeting, the student’s parent shall determine whether the student will achieve
greater educational benefits by:

  • Continuing the general curriculum; or
  • Completing the Core 40 curriculum.

 

NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER

1. Go to: http://www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org/
2. Register as an NCAA College-bound Student Athlete.
3. Request that a transcript be sent through www.parchment.com.
4. You must request your test scores to be sent directly from the SAT or ACT testing center to the
clearinghouse. They will not accept scores from a transcript.
5. Please thoroughly read the NCAA student athlete requirements. “Nontraditional” classes taken
at a high school online (usually through a credit recovery type program) are typically not
accepted by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

 

RELEASE OF STUDENT RECORDS TO A NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 mandates that the school protect the privacy of its students and their educational records. However, a non-custodial parent shall be entitled to receive a copy of his child’s report card and given access to the child’s educational record, subject to the following conditions:

  • The custodial parent has not provided the school with a copy of the divorce decree that specifically prohibits the non-custodial parent from having contact with or information about the child.
  • The non-custodial parent must make his/her request by submitting a written request for Release of Student Information.

COURSE INFORMATION:
Indiana Department of Education Course Information can be found at the following site:
https://www.doe.in.gov/standards/course-titles-and-descriptions