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Greenwood School District 50
Program of Studies
1999-2000

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COURSE REGISTRATION
Every effort will be made to offer students the courses they request. Specific procedures for registration are necessary; therefore, STUDENTS AND PARENTS SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

l. Students and parents must carefully consider courses before registration. Students should plan their individual program for the entire period of four years to be spent in high school, with the understanding that changes can be made in this long-range planning. A conference will be scheduled with a guidance counselor to assist in this planning.

2. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENTS TO CHECK COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS. OUT-OF-STATE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM SOUTH CAROLINA REQUIREMENTS. STUDENTS WHO DESIRE TO COMPETE IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE CORE COURSES THEY SELECT ARE ACCEPTABLE BY THE NCAA ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE. SEE YOUR COUNSELOR FOR THE APPROVED LIST OF COURSES.

3. A prerequisite is a previous course that should be taken and passed before students can enroll in a new course. Students who have not completed the prerequisite may not be allowed in the new course. The prerequisites are described throughout the Program of Studies to assist students, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors in the selection of students' courses for the next academic year. Variations from the prerequisites should be discussed with the appropriate teacher and administrator. Recommendations of variations from the prerequisites will be made by the principal to the Department of Instruction.

4. Students who have registered for courses and become ineligible to take these courses because of failure are responsible for changing their registration forms. THESE STUDENTS SHOULD CHECK WITH THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS FINAL GRADES ARE RECEIVED.

5. Students who fail to register during the period of registration will be assigned to classes by the guidance counselor.

6. It is impossible to allow students and parents to pick teachers and time schedules; therefore, requests of this nature cannot be honored.

7. Some important reminders:

JROTC CAN BE SUBSTITUTED FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

ONE UNIT IN COMPUTER SCIENCE MAY BE COUNTED TOWARD THE MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT.

STUDENTS GRADUATING IN 2000 WHO EARN ONE UNIT IN SCIENCE AND SIX OR MORE UNITS IN AN OCCUPATIONAL AREA AT THE CAREER CENTER WILL MEET THE SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. STUDENTS GRADUATING IN 2001 AND BEYOND WILL NEED TWO SCIENCE UNITS IN ADDITION TO SIX UNITS OF OCCUPATIONAL COURSES.

8. Course offerings will be determined by enrollment figures that will be justified by the administration. Course offerings requested by fewer than fifteen students will be presented to the Office of Instruction by the school principal to be approved by the superintendent. Factors to be considered will include, but not be limited to, the needs of the students, sequence of courses, prerequisites for future courses, cross listing of courses with other educational institutions, teaching personnel, department load, graduation status of students, and availability to take the courses if offered at a later time. This process will begin thirty days after pre-registration and continue through the tenth day of enrollment.

STUDENT COURSE LOAD
Using semester block scheduling, students will take four courses per semester, for a total of eight per year. The variety of course offerings allows students to take advantage of a wide range of required and elective courses. Variations from the requirement of eight courses per year must be approved by the principal.

All students will take four courses per semester, or equivalent courses that include courses at Lander University, Piedmont Technical College, or other local colleges.

	MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A GREENWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 50 HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
	CLASS OF 2000
	ENGLISH	4 UNITS
	MATHEMATICS	3 UNITS
	NATURAL SCIENCE	2 UNITS
	UNITED STATES HISTORY	1 UNIT
	GOVERNMENT	1/2 UNIT
	ECONOMICS	1/2 UNIT
	OTHER SOCIAL STUDIES	1 UNIT
	PHYSICAL EDUCATION OR JROTC	1 UNIT
	ELECTIVES	13 UNITS
	TOTAL	26 UNITS
	ALL STUDENTS MUST PASS ALL THREE PARTS OF THE EXIT EXAM - MATH, READING, AND WRITING - IN ORDER TO GRADUATE.

	CLASS OF 2000 AND BEYOND
	ENGLISH	4 UNITS
	MATHEMATICS	4 UNITS
	NATURAL SCIENCE	3 UNITS
	UNITED STATES HISTORY	1 UNIT
	GOVERNMENT	1/2 UNIT
	ECONOMICS	1/2 UNIT
	OTHER SOCIAL STUDIES	1 UNIT
	PHYSICAL EDUCATION OR JROTC	1 UNIT
	COMPUTER SCIENCE	1 UNIT
	OTHER*	1 UNIT
	ELECTIVES	11 UNITS
	TOTAL	28 UNITS
	ALL STUDENTS MUST PASS ALL THREE PARTS OF THE EXIT EXAM -- MATH, READING, AND WRITING -- IN ORDER TO GRADUATE. *College Prep Students - One unit of foreign language Tech Prep Students - One unit of occupational education

GRADE PLACEMENT

REQUIREMENT FOR GRADE NINE PLACEMENT
Promotion to the ninth grade will be determined by Greenwood School District 50 Board Policy.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY GRADE PLACEMENT
The chart below shows the minimum number of units needed by a student in a particular grade in order to change classification to the next grade. The chart also shows the number of units needed to earn a District 50 diploma.

	Current 11^th Graders: Class of 2000	Current 8^th , 9^th and 10^th Graders: Classes of 2001 and Beyond
Requirements to be classified as a 9th Grader	Current Policy for 9th grade placement	Current Policy for 9th grade placement
# of units to be classified as a 10^th Grader	3 units, including English I & completed one year of high school	6 units, including English I & completed one year of high school
# of units to be classified as an 11^th Grader	10 units, including English I, II, & completed two years of high school	13 units, including English I, II, & completed two years of high school
# of units to be classified as a 12^th Grader	18 units, including English I, II, III & completed three years of high school	20 units, including English I, II, III & completed three years of high school
Total # of units needed to graduate	26	28

	GUIDANCE/COUNSELING SERVICES The Department of Student Services at the schools offers parents and students comprehensive guidance and counseling services. These services are available upon request to all students attending high school.
	ACADEMIC COUNSELING Course Selection - Counselors will meet with students and parents in order to make appropriate high school and occupational course selections for each succeeding year. Academic Deficiencies - Counselors will guide students who may have course work problems and who may need schedule adjustments or tutorial assistance. Standardized Tests - Counselors will interpret standardized test data for students and parents in order to provide a more complete picture of students’ aptitudes, interests, and post-high school potential. Post-High School - Counselors will assist students and parents in making appropriate college or technical school applications, or in finding employment. Career Planning - Counselors will explore career possibilities and alternatives with students and parents.
	REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT PROCEDURES School Intervention Team - Upon recommendation and/or request from parents, faculty, administrators, nursing staff, or students themselves, a team of school personnel will take a structured look at the student and the learning conditions in the student’s environment. This team will review the problem and make recommendations for interventions to be tried in and out of the classroom environment. If these interventions are not successful, the student may be referred for a psychological evaluation. Prior to evaluation, written parental consent will be obtained. Evaluation and Placement - Following the psychological evaluation, if placement is recommended, a staffing will be held. Parents, teachers, administrators, the psychologist, and the student will meet to discuss the results and recommendations. If placement in a special program is recommended, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be written. Once the parent gives written approval to this plan, implementation will begin.
	SPECIAL PROGRAMS Programs for the Disabled - The courses in the special education program provide supportive, reinforcing, vocational, remedial, and social skills to the disabled students. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is designed for each student. It is used to provide appropriate instruction in the least restrictive environment as outlined in Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Services are provided in the following areas: Educable Mentally Disabled Emotionally Disabled Learning Disabled Orthopedically Disabled Speech Disabled Visually Disabled Hearing Disabled Other Health Disabled Traumatic Brain Injured Autistic
	EDUCATION AFTER HIGH SCHOOL A high school diploma is not in itself a certificate of admission to institutions of higher education. Students should write to colleges or schools in which they are interested and request catalogues so that entrance requirements may be determined and course selections made accordingly. There is a file of college and other institutional catalogues in the guidance offices for reference. Counselors are available for assistance. Most colleges require entrance examinations, usually the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). These examinations rely heavily on English and mathematics skills. It is recommended that students take the SAT or ACT as often as possible to improve their scores. Some colleges also recommend that eleventh-grade students complete a preliminary application late in their junior year.
	INTERSCHOLASTIC AND ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Specific requirements for academic eligibility are mandated by state law under the Education Improvement Act (EIA). The following requirements are based on semester block scheduling. Students may take up to four courses per semester and receive up to four credits per semester. Eligibility for students will be determined by their previous semester’s work. However, any student expelled from school for a semester and readmitted to the same school will be required to complete a full semester’s work. Expelled students entering a different school are required to attend one full year before they can become eligible. Eligibility for upcoming ninth graders will be determined by their eighth-grade work. Students must be promoted academically. To participate in interscholastic athletic activities, students in grades nine through twelve must achieve an overall passing average in addition to the following: 1. To be eligible in the first semester a student must pass a minimum of five Carnegie units applicable toward a high school diploma during the previous year. At least two units must have been passed during the second semester or summer school. To be eligible during the second semester the student must meet one of the following conditions: a. If the student met first semester eligibility requirements then he or she must pass the equivalent of 2 units. b. If the student did not meet first semester eligibility requirements then he or she must pass the equivalent of 2 ½ units during the first semester. 2. Students must satisfy eligibility requirements in the semester preceding participation. a. Eligibility will be determined on a semester basis for all semesters. Eligibility for upcoming ninth graders will be determined by their eighth-grade work. Students must be promoted academically. b. Credits earned in a summer school approved by the State Department of Education may apply for first semester eligibility. c. Students eligible for a first semester sport will be permitted to complete that sport even if it extends into the second semester. Under the current League program, this will apply to participants in basketball and wrestling. d. Second semester eligibility will be determined by using the semester grade for courses taken during the first semester.
	GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM Academically gifted and talented students are those who are identified as possessing demonstrated or potential abilities for high performance in academic or artistic areas and, therefore, require services or programs not ordinarily provided by the regular school program. The district has adopted the state's identification procedures for academic and intellectual ability and the visual performing arts. Placement is based on IQ, achievement scores, and teacher nomination. For additional information, students and parents should contact the assigned counselor.
	ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM Advanced Placement courses are offered to students in Greenwood School District 50. The primary purposes of these courses are: (1) to prepare students for college level work and (2) to prepare students for taking Advanced Placement Exams developed by the Educational Testing Service and recognized by most colleges and universities for college credit. Students should seriously consider taking Advanced Placement courses as they prepare for future studies or employment. Students in Advanced Placement classes should expect to work beyond that which is required in other courses. Positive experiences can be gained through these courses. Students taking advanced placement courses MUST TAKE the Advanced Placement Exams.
	COLLEGE COURSES High school students are encouraged to take college courses. College courses may be taken with permission of the principal of the school and District 50 Office of Instruction. When possible, college level courses may be taught on the high school campus. College credit will be awarded to students meeting all requirements of the university or college granting credit. College courses may be earned and applied to the units required for a high school diploma by students in grades nine through twelve and/or adult education programs. The acceptance of credits for college course work shall be subject to the following conditions: a. Local school boards may allow students to take college courses for Carnegie units of credit. Courses may be offered through distance learning and/or cooperative agreements with higher education. b. A three-semester-hour college course shall transfer one-half Carnegie unit. c. Transcripts for dual credit courses must be sent to the high school registrar. It is the responsibility of the student to request transcripts. d. Only courses applicable to baccalaureate degrees, or to associate in arts or associate in science degrees, offered by institutions in the State which are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools may be accepted for Carnegie units of credit. e. Tuition and other college course fees shall be at the expense of the individual student or his parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) unless otherwise specified in local school district policy.
	CHANGING COURSES OR LEVELS Students may change courses or levels with the approval of the school principal.

GRADE EQUIVALENTS

A	94 - 100	Excellent
B	86 - 93	Above Average
C	78 - 85	Average
D	70 - 77	Lowest Passing Mark
F	69 and below	Failure
FA		Failure Due to Absences
I		Incomplete
W		Withdrawn


	Class rank for the Class of 2000 will be determined by the grade point average (GPA ) of courses taken in grades 9-12, using the weighted grading system. The student with the highest GPA will be ranked number one in his/her class, second highest GPA as number two, etc. Students with equal GPA will tie for the position. The following rules will apply to the rank-in-class procedures. 1. Ranking will be determined by a grade point average of all courses taken in grades 9-12 with the following exceptions: a. No ranking credit will be given for correspondence courses. (Diploma and transcript credit will be given). b. No ranking credit will be given for summer school courses. (Diploma and transcript credit will be given). 2. A maximum of two (2) courses may be counted for ranking credit from the eighth grade. 3. Rank-in-class will be determined by the GPA of all courses. 4. Approved college courses used as dual credit during the school year may be used for rank-in-class purposes. The level assigned to the college course will be the same as that of a similar course taught in the high school. 5. The transcripts of transfer students will be evaluated to match courses with similar levels as described in the Program of Studies. Courses not listed in the Program of Studies will be evaluated by the principal and levels assigned at the time of transfer. Transfer students must be in attendance at least one semester before they are included in rank-in-class calculation. 6. Graduates with a 3.5 GPA on the weighted grading scale at the end of the eighth semester will be recognized as School Honor Graduates. The South Carolina Academic Achievement Honors Award recipients will be recognized using state criteria. 7. Student speakers for graduation will be selected based on local school criteria. 8. Junior Marshals will be selected, based on rank-in-class, at the end of the fifth semester. 9. The rank-in-class for students who graduate before or after their original class will be calculated using the procedures and weighted grading system for the class with which they graduate.

Class of 2000	AP	HONORS	CP/TP	GENERAL	REMEDIAL
A	4.75	4.50	4.25	4.00	3.75
B	3.75	3.50	3.25	3.00	2.75
C	2.75	2.50	2.25	2.00	1.75
D	1.75	1.50	1.25	1.00	0.75
F	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

	CLASS RANK FOR THE CLASS OF 2001
	Class rank for the Class of 2001 will be determined by the grade point average (GPA ) of courses taken in grades 9-12, using the weighted grading system. The student with the highest GPA will be ranked number one in his/her class, second highest GPA as number two, etc. Students with equal GPA will tie for the position. The following rules will apply to the rank-in-class procedures. 1. Ranking will be determined by a grade point average of all courses taken in grades 9-12 with the following exceptions: a. No ranking credit will be given for correspondence courses. (Diploma and transcript credit will be given.) b. No ranking credit will be given for summer school courses. (Diploma and transcript credit will be given.) 2. A maximum of two (2) courses may be counted for ranking credit from the eighth grade. 3. Rank-in-class will be determined by the GPA of all courses. 4. Approved college courses used as dual credit during the school year may be used for rank-in-class purposes. The level assigned to the college course will be the same as that of a similar course taught in the high school. 5. The transcripts of transfer students will be evaluated to match courses with similar levels as described in the Program of Studies. Courses not listed in the Program of Studies will be evaluated by the principal and levels assigned at the time of transfer. Transfer students must be in attendance at least one semester before they are included in rank-in-class calculation. 6. Graduates with a 4.0 GPA on the weighted grading scale at the end of the eighth semester will be recognized as School Honor Graduates. The South Carolina Academic Achievement Honors Award recipients will be recognized using state criteria. 7. Student speakers for graduation will be selected based on local school criteria. 8. Junior Marshals will be selected, based on rank-in-class, at the end of the fifth semester. 9. The rank-in-class for students who graduate before or after their original class will be calculated using the procedures and weighted grading system for the class with which they graduate.

Class of 2001	AP	HONORS	ALL OTHER
A	6.0	5.0	4.0
B	5.0	4.0	3.0
C	4.0	3.0	2.0
D	3.0	2.0	1.0
F	0.0	0.0	0.0

	CLASS RANK FOR THE CLASS OF 2002 AND BEYOND
	Class rank for the Class of 2002 will be determined by the grade point average (GPA ) of courses taken in grades 9-12, using the weighted grading system. The student with the highest GPA will be ranked number one in his/her class, second highest GPA as number two, etc. Students with equal GPA will tie for the position. The following rules will apply to the rank-in-class procedures. 1. Ranking will be determined by a grade point average of all courses taken in grades 9-12 with the following exceptions: a. No ranking credit will be given for correspondence courses. (Diploma and transcript credit will be given.) b. No ranking credit will be given for summer school courses. (Diploma and transcript credit will be given.) 2. Rank-in-class will be determined by the GPA of all courses. 3. Approved college courses used as dual credit during the school year may be used for rank-in-class purposes. The level assigned to the college course will be the same as that of a similar course taught in the high school. 4. The transcripts of transfer students will be evaluated to match courses with similar levels as described in the Program of Studies. Courses not listed in the Program of Studies will be evaluated by the principal and levels assigned at the time of transfer. Transfer students must be in attendance at least one semester before they are included in rank-in-class calculation. 5. Graduates with a 4.0 GPA on the weighted grading scale at the end of the eighth semester will be recognized as School Honor Graduates. The South Carolina Academic Achievement Honors Award recipients will be recognized using state criteria. 6. Student speakers for graduation will be selected based on local school criteria. 7. Junior Marshals will be selected, based on rank-in-class, at the end of the fifth semester. 8. The rank-in-class for students who graduate before or after their original class will be calculated using the procedures and weighted grading system for the class with which they graduate.

Class of 2002	AP	HONORS	ALL OTHER
A	6.0	5.0	4.0
B	5.0	4.0	3.0
C	4.0	3.0	2.0
D	3.0	2.0	1.0
F	0.0	0.0	0.0