Planning your schedule for high school is a difficult task, but, if it is done properly, it increases your chances of having a successful, meaningful, and enjoyable high school experience. In order to plan properly, you need to know yourself well. You need to know your interests and your goals, and you need to know your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, you need to fully understand your educational options at Delphos Jefferson High School. Our various class offerings provide an excellent opportunity for you to reach your educational goals.

Study our various curricular offerings, and then plan the next step in your educational process. There should be a basic plan of related subjects that will provide a foundation for your projected post-high school goals.

Read the enclosed material carefully and thoughtfully. Your principal, counselor, teachers, and parents will aid you in any way possible. Following a vocational program does not rule out college but may provide the motivation and skill necessary to lead to realistic educational goals.

You will have the opportunity to take eight or more courses per year in our block schedule. In a pure block system, four of these classes will be taken in the first semester and four will be taken in the second semester. Many of our students will be taking a blended schedule with some blocked classes and some traditional classes. This will give you the opportunity to explore different areas of interest and go more in-depth in particular areas of interest to you.

DEPARTMENTS

1. Art

2. Technology/ Business

3. English

4. Foreign Language

5. Health & PE

6. Industrial Arts

7. Mathematics

8. Music

9. Science

10. Social Studies

11. Agriculture Ed.

12. Family consumer Sc.

Honors Diploma: To qualify for an Honors Diploma, students in a college preparatory curriculum must meet any eight of the following nine criteria:

1. four units of English

2. three units of math (Algebra I and above)

3. three units of science (3 units that develop concepts for physical, life, and earth and space sciences)

4. three units of social studies

5. three units of one foreign language or two units each of two languages

6. one unit of fine arts

7. either 1 unit of business/tech. and 2 additional units from (1) through (6) or 3 additional units from (1) through (6).

8. 3.5 grade average

9. a composite score of 27 on the ACT or the equivalent score on the SAT.

Students in the vocational education curriculum must meet nine of the following ten criteria:

1. four units of English

2. three units of math including Algebra and Geometry

3. three units of science

4. three units of social studies

5. two units of a foreign language or two units of business technology or one unit of each

6. three units in the student’s career-technical education curriculum

7. two additional units in (1) through (6) above or in fine arts

8. a 3.5 grade average

9. completion of a career passport, that reflects achievement of the occupational proficiency benchmark established for the O.V.C.A.

10. a composite score of 27 on the ACT or an equivalent score on the SAT.

No student can be required to meet more than the specified number of criteria, or be required to meet any one particular criterion.

Honors Diploma Guidelines for the class of 2011 and beyond

Honors Diploma: to qualify for an Honors Diploma, students must meet any seven of the following eight criteria:

four units of English
four units of math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one other higher level math
four units of science (including Chemistry and Physics)
four units of social studies
three units of one foreign language or two units each of two languages
one unit of fine arts
3.5 grade average
a composite score of 27 on the ACT or the equivalent score on the SAT

Guidelines for Possible-Four-Year Patterns

COLLEGE PREP

English: 4 units

Math: 4 units

Social Studies 4 units

Foreign Language 2-4 units

Science (Lab) 4 units

P.E./Health: l/2-l/2 unit

Humanities: 1 unit

Electives: 2-4 units

24 units

VOCATIONAL

English: 4 units

Vocational class 4 units

Math: 4 units (Vantage Students may be required to have only 3 math credits)

Science: 3 units

Social Studies 3 units

P.E./Health: l/2-1/2 unit

Humanities 1 unit

Electives: 4 units

24 units

CAREER PASSPORT INFORMATION

Every senior will be presented a Career Passport at graduation. In this folder will be important career materials including writing samples, resume’, recommendations, transcript, test results, skills competencies and diploma.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

Freshman	Sophomore	Junior	Senior
English	English	English	English
math	math	math	math
science	science	science	social studies III
social studies I	Social studies II	Humanities
P.E.	Health

*Students considering attending Vantage Career Center should complete

1 Humanity Credit, 2 English credits, 2 Math credits, 2 Social Studies credits, 2 Science Credits, and Health/P.E. before the end of their sophomore year. Students with deficiencies in any of the above areas could still qualify for Vantage if the deficiencies do not exceed 2 credits.

Recommendations for College

ADMISSION POLICIES DIFFER: Not all colleges have precisely the same entrance requirements. Some require only a certificate of graduation from an accredited high school. Others have certain minimum admissions requirements in specific subjects. Many give serious consideration to scholastic standing in the high school class, to scores on scholastic aptitude tests and, to the personality and character of the applicants. Several colleges require the Scholastic Aptitude Test of the College Entrance Examination Board and recommend that the student take this as a preliminary candidate in the high school junior year. Some require the (ACT)American College Test. In planning your high school course, it is desirable, therefore, to determine as early as possible the college which you hope to attend. Secure from the Admissions Office of that college an exact statement of the entrance requirements, and, with the help of your guidance counselor or principal, arrange your high school course to meet those entrance requirements.

PREPARATION FOR ADMISSION If you have not decided upon your choice of a college and yet want to be adequately prepared for admission, you should include the following studies in your high school course selections:

English........... . 4 units

Math............. 4 units

Social Studies...3-4 units (World History should be taken if possible)

Lab. Science.....3-4 units (Chemistry, Physics, Bio. I & II)

Foreign Lang....2-4 units

Fine Arts......... 1 unit

College admission offices consider not only the specific courses taken, but also the quality of the work completed in making admission selection decisions. Good writing skills are highly regarded. Most colleges look for evidence of high motivation and personal integrity in those whom they admit.

SUMMARY OF ADMISSION POLICIES The four most important criteria in order of their importance are (1.) transcript of grades and subjects taken (2.) class rank (3.) test scores; (4.) principal’s or counselor's recommendation.

Non College Recommendations

Students who are hoping to complete a high school program which will prepare them for entry level jobs upon graduation should study the description of courses offered in the vocational departments. Those who are undecided are urged to study all offerings of the high school, discuss alternatives with parents, teachers, and other interested persons and then seek assistance from the guidance counselor. Steps in preparing for a career are as follows:

1. Realistic knowledge about oneself, 2. Information about various kinds of work. 3. Information about where one can get the right training, and 4. Information on what the training will cost

Students interested in Vantage Career Center should consult the guidance counselor for more information.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS Most schools require the applicant be a graduate of a high school or have an equivalent diploma of graduation with preparation in related fields of that school.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Most industries are seeking people with a completed high school education and evidence of good work records. Employers are interested in the pattern of studies taken, school citizenship, attendance record, rank in class and attitude toward the work completed.

ELECTIVES: Elective courses are those that are not specifically required for graduation although they may be required to fulfill major units needed for graduation.

SUMMER SCHOOL: Summer school is strongly recommended for all students who lack one or more credits. Prior approval must be granted by the building principal or guidance counselor.

WEST CENTRAL LEARNING ACADEMY: This is an internet-based school that is an alternative to the G.E.D. Program for students who have found that the traditional high school setting and home schooling is not for them.

POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTION: Students grades 9-12 may enroll full or part-time in non-sectarian courses for high school and/or college credit. See Mr. Ross or Mr. Edinger for details.

CORRESDPONDENCE COURSES: Advance approval to enroll in correspondence courses must be received from Mr. Edinger. Interested students should meet with Mr. Ross.

SCHEDULE CHANGES: The courses selected this spring will determine the schedule of classes for the next school year. These course selections are binding following the verification by parents. Once a program has been signed, selections may not be changed without a parent signature. Student requests for a schedule change must be made through application to the student's counselor and a $5.00 fee will be charged. Changes that have to be made will be done so according to the following guidelines:

(1) Insolvable conflict; two courses offered in the same time slot , (2) Failure of required subject, (3) Procedural errors: Error in computer print-out. Omission of a required class or credit for graduation due to an oversight, (4) Summer school: Students may substitute another class for a course completed in the summer, and (5) Course cancellation.