Course Descriptions
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Course Descriptions
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HREF="program.html"> Back to Program of Studies Back to BRHS Home Page Guidance and Counseling
Whatever the student's goal or needs, the services and materials of the guidance office are available to all. Please feel free to stop by with any questions or concerns. The guidance office is open daily from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The guidance counselor can be reached by calling 633- 2421.
Students are encouraged to meet with the counselor whenever they have problems or questions regarding the academic program or other aspects of school life. The guidance office routinely schedules every student for an interview, each year, in order to monitor his or her progress and to develop a career plan. Parents are also invited to contact the guidance office with questions or concerns about their students.
Academic Load
All students must take the equivalent of six cour ses. To be scheduled to graduate in four years it is recommended that students accumulate 18 credits each year. Seventy-two credits are needed for graduation.
Grade 9 = 18 credits
Grade 11 = 54 credits
Grade 10 = 36 credits
Grade 12 = 72 credits
The Alternating Day Schedule
Boothbay Region High School operates on an alternating day schedule. Classes meet one day for an 82 minute period, but do not meet on the next day. These days are designated as "Blue Days " and " Gold Days". Each Blue Day and each Gold Day consists of four 82 minute classes.
ADD-DROP PROCEDURES/POLICIES
All students will receive their schedules for the following year during the late spring:
- changes in these schedules must be made before the start of school in September;
- new (transfer) students will have ten days to adjust their schedules at the start of the year;
- year-long courses cannot be dropped or added after the start of the year, exc ept on recommendation of the counselor and the classroom teacher;
- exceptions will be made only after a meeting with the student, parent(s), counselor, teacher, and principal to discuss the justification for such a change;
- trimester electives may be changed only before the start of the trimester. Full-time students must carry six credits per trimester and may not have
more than one study hall or free period per day.
Trimester electives include, and are limited to:
- physical ed ucation
- specific English electives
- chorus and band classes
- specific social studies electives (currently psychology/sociology and economics/street law)
- art electives
- health classes
Failed Courses
All required courses must be passed. A student who fails a required course must make that course up in order to receive credit. Course work, in some cases, may be made up through summer school, night school, a correspondence course, or by repeating the cours e. All make-up courses, taken outside of the normal high school day, must be approved, in advance, by the guidance counselor or the principal.
Attendance is required of all students. Students who are absent more than 15% of the class tim e, whether excused or unexcused, may be denied credit. An attendance waiver may be granted by the principal. Students who have unexcused absences will not be given credit for work missed during the time of the unexcused absence.
Admission Guidelin es for Colleges
Students should keep in mind academic requirements for college when planning their schedules. To ensure that entrance requirements are met parents and students should check the catalog of the school in which there is an interest . Minimum standards for admission into college include the following:
English 12 credits
Math 6-9 credits
Science 6-9 credits
Social Studies 6-9 credits
Foreign Lang. 6 credits
In addition to these minimums, specific programs have more rigorous expectations, particularly within the areas of science and math. Check with the guidance office if unsure.
Recommended Programs of Studies
Students are encouraged to design their schedules to meet their own individual needs. The guidance office is available to help students with their schedules.
No student may have more than one study hall per day. Many college bound students choose not to include a study hall in their sched ules or choose to include only one study hall every other day.
Each student must take 3 credits of physical education some time during their four years of high school; this requirement may be satisfied by participating in junior varsity or varsity athletics: one season will be worth one trimester of credit.
Each student must take 3 credits of Fine Art at some time during the four years of high school; this requirement can be satisfied through the visual arts, performing arts (music) programs or the video production class.
To earn a diploma and graduate from Boothbay Region High School, all students must have successfully completed during their four years of high school a minimum course of study which includes the following:
Engli sh 12 credits
Physical Ed. 3 credits
Fine Arts 3 credits
Health 2 credits
Classes of 2000, 2001 and 2002:
Social Studies 9 credits; 6 of which must be American History; 3 World
Cultures
Math 9 credits
Science 9 credits
Class of 1999:
Social Studies 6 credits; 3 of which must be American History
Math 6 credits
Science 6 credits
Freshmen: 18 Credits
Freshman students must take English 9, World Cultures, science 9, and 3 credits of mathematics. College-bound students should take 3 credits of a foreign language. Remember, a minimum of 18 credits must be selected. The freshman year is a good time to select from the health, fine arts and physical education electives.
Those eighth grade students who have completed Algebra I may take Geometry as a freshman. Those eighth grade students who have completed Geometry should take Algebra II as a freshman.
Sophomores: 18 Cre dits
Sophomore students must take 3 credits of English, 3 credits of science, the appropriate math, and U.S. History 1. The remainder of the schedule should be filled with courses which meet individual student needs. The sophomore year is a good time to select courses to meet the art or physical education requirements. Sophomores should carefully plan their schedules and are encouraged to use the guidance office for help with this planning.
Juniors: 18 Credits
Juniors must take American Studies English and United States History 2. Bath Regional Vocational School programs are open to junior students. Juniors may take additional English courses by participating in the Junior/Senior English elective program. The r emainder of the schedule should be filled with courses which meet individual student needs. The guidance counselor is available to help with schedule planning.
Seniors: 18 Credits
Seniors must take 3 credits of English. If students decide take the English electives two of the elective courses must be literature based. Questions concerning senior schedules should be directed to the guidance office.
Independent Study Programs
Independent Study Programs are desig ned to meet the needs of students when they can not be satisfied through the regular curriculum or schedule. The student will need to discuss the appropriateness of the Independent Study with parents, the guidance counselor, and the faculty member involve d. All Independent Study Programs will need the approval of the principal.
Advanced Placement Programs
Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses are offered. Students taking these courses will be prepared to sit for the A.P. examination in May. S tudents scoring well on the A.P. exam may be eligible to receive college credit. Students will be responsible for bearing the cost of the A.P. examination (approximately $75, part of which may be waived). A.P. courses may be developed as Independent Study Programs depending upon the need of the student and availability of faculty to teach the program.
Mentorships/off-site Programs
Juniors and seniors have the option of earning credit while extending individual skills and talents through a variety of off-site settings. Maine Career Advantage offers the opportunity for students to acquire job-specific skills, earn a wage, earn credits, and gain admission to one of the Maine Technical Colleges (with the first year's tuition paid by the progr am) while attending Boothbay Region High School. In addition, guidance and administration will work closely with qualified students to arrange mentorships with local industry, businesses, or individual crafts people who offer students the ability to furt her develop their talents, in keeping with their future plans. For more information about these options, you should see Ms. Patrick or Mr. Austin during course sign-up.