ACADEMIC TERMINOLOGY

ALTERNATIVE DAY PROGRAM
Students are enrolled in five courses- English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education- in a self-contained classroom from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is a temporary alternative program for students who have experienced difficulty with attendance and/or academic achievement in the regular program.

APPEAL
Students and/or parents have the right to appeal a course prerequisite or teacher recommendation. Such an appeal must be addressed with the principal.

ATTENDANCE
Students who miss 15 days from any class during a semester are subject to a failing grade in that class. All absences, except for legitimate school activities, are counted toward the 15 absence rule.

CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAMINATION
Beginning with the graduating class of 2006, all students will be required to pass the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) to receive a high school diploma. This graduation requirement is mandated by state law. All students must take the CAHSEE in the spring of tenth grade. The exam is divided into two parts: (1) English-language arts (reading and writing) and (2) mathematics. Students must earn a score of 350 or higher on each part of the CAHSEE in order to pass the exam.

For more information regarding the CAHSEE, please visit the website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/cahsee/index.html

CAREER PATHS
West Ranch High School will offer students an opportunity to concentrate on specific courses that will reward them with certification within a Career Path. Students may earn a certificate of completion within a Career Path area with as few as six courses. Most Career Paths offer on the job mentoring, with a 76.5 hour internship within their chosen area. Career Paths that we hope to make available over time include: Business; CAD Drafting; Engineering; Health Science; Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation; Human & Social Services;, Information Technology; Journalism Legal Services;, Teacher Preparation; and Video Production

CLASS SCHEDULE
Ninth and tenth grade students must be enrolled in a minimum of six classes each semester. Eleventh and twelfth grade students must be enrolled in a minimum of five classes each semester.

COLLEGE/CAREER CENTER
The College/Career Center offers a variety of resources to assist students in researching potential post-high school options. Numerous computer programs are available in the Center. They include such topics as career forecasts, college opportunities, financial aid and scholarships, SAT preparation, military service, and writing job resumes. A video library, college catalogs, and reference materials on vocational training and job opportunities are also housed in the Center. College representatives and vocational speakers visit our campus on a regular basis and students are welcome to hear those of interest to them.

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT
All students have the opportunity to enroll in classes at COC. Permission forms must be signed by the counselor and parent and approved by the principal. It is the student's responsibility to submit a sealed transcript to the high school registrar to receive high school credit for COC courses.

CREDITS
Five credits are earned for each semester class taken and passed with a letter grade of A, B, C, D or P.

CREDIT DEFICIENCY
Students who are short credits may earn additional credits in the following ways:
1. Summer School
2. ROP classes in grades 11 or 12 or after age 16
3. Concurrent enrollment at COC (College of the Canyons)
4. Concurrent enrollment at Golden Oak Adult School in grade 12.

CREDIT SUMMARY
During the spring semester, the 11th grade counselors evaluate each student's credit standing. A general rule for normal progress through high school would require the completion of 55 credits at the end of each school year. Parents will be advised if there are credit deficiencies.

ESLR
Expected Schoolwide Learning Results describe what is anticpated of West Ranch High School graduates.

GRADES

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
An average of all grades earned in a semester.

Example:
Eng. 9A B = 3.0
Team Sports B = 3.0
Bio/Chem 1A C = 2.0
Algebra 1A C = 2.0
Art A = 4.0
Keyboarding B = 3.0
Total 17.0 : 6 classes = 2.83 Grade Point Average

PRE-REGISTRATION
Pre-registration is the process by which students select their classes for the following school year. The Registration Guide should be utilized in making class selections. Each student will meet with his or her counselor to review academic progress, post-high school goals, and course selections every year. A notice is mailed to all students in mid-August indicating when they should come to school and pick up their personalized registration materials and schedule of classes.

PREREQUISITE
A prerequisite is a requirement that must be met satisfactorily before a student is allowed
to take a particular course.

REPEATED COURSES
Students repeating a course in which they earned a D grade or better will not receive additional credit for the class the second time.

REPORT CARDS
Parents receive formal notification of their students' academic progress four times each semester. Only final semester grades are recorded on the students' transcripts.

SCHEDULE CORRECTIONS
Student requests for schedule corrections are honored for the following reasons only and
must be completed within the first two weeks of the semester:

1. specific grade level graduation requirements omitted from schedule
2. fewer than the required number of classes appearing on schedule
3. prerequisite not met
4. addition or deletion of specialized programs (sports, band, choir, ASB, ROP, etc.)
5. courses completed during summer school.

Students have the right to appeal a course prerequisite or teacher recommendation to the principal. Requests for program changes based upon teacher preference must be cleared with the principal.

TENTH GRADE COUNSELING PROGRAM
The tenth grade counseling program seeks to provide students with a systematic review of their academic progress and counseling regarding educational options available to them during the final two years of high school. This process includes the administering of a career interest inventory (BRIDGES). In addition, a target group will use a computer career search program in our College/Career center. The counselors will hold an individual conference with these students and their parents to discuss test results, credit standing, career planning, and other issues relevant to improving progress.

TRANSCRIPT
The transcript is a student's permanent record. At the student's request, it is sent to colleges, universities, or trade schools. It is updated at the end of each semester and includes the following:
1. all courses taken
2. grades earned
3. credits earned
4. class ranking (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
5. standardized test scores.

VALEDICTORIAN/SALUTATORIAN
The West Ranch High School valedictorian will be the senior at the end of the 7th semester with the highest overall weighted grade point average. The West Ranch High School salutatorian will be the senior at the end of the 7th semester with the second highest overall weighted grade point average. The valedictorian and salutatorian must have attended a minimum of one full semester at West Ranch High School to qualify for this recognition.