Graduation (Requirements and Commencement)

Graduation Requirements (2003-2006)

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS:

            Twenty-five (25) credits are required of those graduating from Powell High School.

            Since college entrance requirements are generally stated in terms of credits in English, social studies, mathematics, science and foreign languages, students are cautioned to be certain they have an acceptable balance between those courses and other offerings of Powell High School.

 

SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS:

A.        FOUR UNITS OF ENGLISH           4 credits

                        1.         The successful completion of eight semesters of English is required for graduation from Powell High School.

B.         THREE UNITS OF SOCIAL STUDIES      3 credits

                        1.         World history is required of all freshman and sophomores - also required of transfer students without acceptable social studies credit. (2002-2003)

                        2.         One-half unit (one semester) of Free Enterprise is required for graduation. (Consumer Economics may be substituted to meet this requirement - in graduation years 2002 and 2003 only.) The class of 2004 will be required to take Free Enterprise.

                        3.         U.S. History is required in the sophomore year beginning with the class of 2004. The classes of 2002 and 2003 will take U.S. History during their junior year.

                        4.         One-half unit (one semester) of American government is required in the junior for the class of 2004 and the senior year for the classes of 2002 and 2003.

C.        THREE UNITS OF MATHEMATICS        3 credits

                        1.         Although only three years of mathematics are required for graduation, it is highly recommended that more be taken.

                        2.         Students who receive lower than a "C" in any math class are not recommended for the next level course. It is the recommendation of the mathematics department that the student take the course over for a better understanding of the material. If the student receives a letter grade higher the second time through they will receive an additional credit for the course but not toward the 3 credit requirement. You will still have to take 3 different math classes to meet the school requirement of 3 credits. No one may receive more than 2 credits for any one math class.

                        3.         APPLIED MATHEMATICS 1 is designed for the student who has a lack of confidence in math and wants to meet the requirements of the school as well as be prepared for the WyCAS state test. This course is for the student who is not planning on post secondary training.

D.        THREE UNITS OF SCIENCE         3 credits

E.         TWO YEARS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION       2 credits

                        1.         All students are required to take two years of physical education. This requirement is to be fulfilled during the freshmen and sophomore years.

                        2.         Students with special health problems who cannot participate in the regular program will meet this requirement through a modified program upon the recommendation of the student's doctor.

F.         HEALTH EDUCATION      .50 credit

                        One semester of Health Education is required.

G.        APPLIED TECHNOLOGY .50 credit

                        One course from the following:

                                    • Voc Tech Prep

                                    • Introduction to Visual Communications

                                    • CAD

                                    • Computer Graphics

                                    • Building Trades

                                    • Welding & Welding Fabrication

                                    • Photography

                                    • Wood Fabrication

                                    • Mechanical Drawing

                                    • Introduction to Visual Communications

H.        FINE ARTS    1 credit

                        One credit from the following:

                                    • Art

                                    • Band

                                    • Choir

                                    • Computer Graphics

                                    • Foreign Language

                                    • Music Theory

                                    • Photography

                                    • Woods

I.          COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY       1 credit

                        One credit from the following:

                                    • Keyboarding

                                    • Word Processing

                                    • Computer Applications

                                    • Computer Graphics

                                    • CAD, A.A.T.P.

J.          PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS    .25 credit per year (9, 10, 11, 12)

Standards – Proficient performance on the uniform student content and performance standards and the common core of knowledge and skills as outlined in State Board requirements. For the class of 2006, this means proficiency in at least five of the nine areas.

Keep in mind that one course can not be used to meet a requirement in two areas. For example: Photography can count towards either Fine Arts or Applied Technology, but not both.

Students may apply 4 (four) correspondence courses or 2 credits toward graduation. Correspondence courses are to be completed by May 1 before graduation. All lessons, requirements and exams must be completed by the student by May 1 for grades to be received by Powell High School no later than 1 (one) week before graduation. All Correspondence courses must meet local standards and Students must maintain a 77% to get P.H.S. credit toward graduation.

            With the new credit requirements for graduation, it has been determined that the following minimum credits must be earned cumulatively at the end of each year in order to be promoted to the next grade level:

                                    9th Grade       10th Grade     11th Grade     12th Grade

Class of 2003-2006         5                       11                   17                     25

            Powell High School is fully accredited by the North Central Association of colleges and schools and by the Wyoming State Department of Education.

MINIMAL COLLEGE-BOUND COURSEWORK:

·        Four years of English

·        Three years of Mathematics. Courses must include the minimal requirements of Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry. (These are the minimums for four-year colleges.) Students are encouraged to take a Math class during their senior year.

·        Three years of Science, with two Laboratory Sciences chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Principles of Technology, Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, and Advanced Physics.

·        Three years of Social Studies. Courses include World History, U.S. History, Government, and Free Enterprise.

·        Minimal two years chosen from cultural electives. Cultural electives are defined as Social or Behavioral Sciences, Visual or Performing Arts, Foreign Language (2 consecutive years of foreign language), or Computer.

Graduation

            In order to participate in graduation activities, a student must have completed all course work and fulfilled all graduation requirements.

            Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be determined on their grade point average (GPA), unweighted.

            Some of the elective courses are on a partial credit basis (pass/fail) of 1/2 unit per year. They include Teacher/Office Aides.

            Students must be enrolled in at least five full credit courses in order to be a full time student.

DROPPING A CLASS

            Within the first 5 days: Students will be allowed to make course changes without penalty for inappropriate placement only.

            Within the first two (2) weeks: Students may be allowed to drop a course without receiving an "F", but cannot enter another class.

NWC - Concurrent Enrollment -- Juniors and Seniors

            It is the policy of Powell High School to allow seniors to take classes, on an enrichment basis, at Northwest College. The following conditions must be met:

            1.         Area high school students below the junior level must demonstrate exceptional ability through public school course work (cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better). A letter of permission from the high school principal and a copy of the current high school transcript are required.

            2.         Junior and senior students enrolled in a state accredited high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 who have written permission from the high school principal, completed application form and concurrent enrollment form.

            3.         The college course, or its equivalent, is to be an extension of learning offered at high school and must not be available at Powell High School.

            4.         The student must complete admission application at NWC.

            5.         A student enrolling in a college class needs to be aware that she/he may have to drop 1 or 2 high school classes to allow time for 1 college class and the travel time because of different schedules. (Be alert to high school credit).

            6.         Students must furnish their own transportation.

            7.         High school students may enroll for a maximum of two (2) courses per semester at NWC.

            8.         Students can receive high school credit.

NWC Concurrent Enrollment Student Eligibility Procedures

           To be eligible, high school students must seek admission at Northwest College as special students, in accordance with the policy outlined in the current edition of the "Northwest College Catalog". The hallmarks of this include:

            • senior or junior level high school status,

            • a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.7,

            • permission from the high school principal (permission is implied when the high school forwards the student's name for concurrent enrollment),

            • application for admission at Northwest College, and

            • a copy of high school transcripts to NWC admissions.

            Additionally, high school students must enroll in the course for both high school and college credit, and students must meet prerequisite requirements associated with individual courses.

            We actively discourage the enrollment of high school students younger than juniors. In exceptional cases, however, these students also may seek admission in concurrent enrollment courses. To do so, they must meet the more stringent requirements for "Admission as a Special Student" below the junior level. (See current Northwest College Catalog.)

            To assure good academic planning, the college will assign an academic advisor to any student who completes 15 credits or more of Northwest College courses.

Funding

            To make concurrent enrollment courses financially feasible for high school students, the college and the high school agree to pay students' tuition. The high school and/or the student are responsible for all other costs, through an agreement reached by them. Only students concurrently enrolled for both high school and college credit are eligible for this scholarship benefit.

                        50% of tuition           Northwest College scholarship

                        50% of tuition           High School scholarship

                        Fees (general, course, Extended Campus)           High School

                        Books and supplies High School

                        Any other expenses associated with course        High School

 

Early Graduation

A request for early graduation from Powell High School may be made by a student enrolled in the last semester of the junior year, in the company of his/her parents, to the high school principal.

At this time reasons for this request will be presented to the principal and discussed with the best interests of the student as the prime concern.

A student making this request MUST have completed all of the graduation requirements for his/her graduating class by the end of the seventh semester and WILL BE REQUIRED TO REMAIN IN THOSE CLASSES UNTIL THE END OF THAT SEMESTER.

Early graduates who wish to participate in the prom may do so by registering in the high school office prior to the prom.

If a student who graduates early wishes to participate in graduation, she/he must be responsible to meet the requirements for Commencement Exercises (attendance at practices, etc.) Attending practice for graduation is mandatory.

 

Commencement Exercises

            Commencement (or graduation) is a ceremony to be celebrated with dignity. This is a time to honor seniors, their parents and family. There are guidelines for dress and behavior.

1.         Appropriate clothing will be worn, nice clothes without holes: for the gentlemen, slacks and shirt; for the ladies, dresses or skirts and blouses. Shoes must be clean and more of a dress shoe or dress boot. (No flip-flops as they can be dangerous when crossing the stage and NO bare feet.)

2.         Students will demonstrate behavior that is respectful of all speakers including fellow classmates.

3.         NO TOYS! Toys and games will not be allowed during the ceremony.

4.         No writing on hats and clothing.

 

Participation in the Commencement Exercise is not required. Commencement is an option and privilege which graduating seniors are offered at the conclusion of their high school education.