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Student Tip Page:

For Students Success

Graduation Requirements:

HONORS DIPLOMA

Required courses shall include the following:

English	.....................................8
Math	.....................................8
Speech Arts	.....................................1
Science	.....................................6
11th U.S. History	.....................................2
9th U.S. History	.....................................2
American Government	.....................................2
Marketing & Consumer Economics	.....................................1
Health	.....................................1
Physical Education	.....................................1
Physical Education Elective	.....................................1
Strategies for Success	.....................................1
Humanities	.....................................4
	Total=38
Electives	...................................10

	Total=48

No failing grades or loss of credits (NC) will be allowed in honors diploma

In order to receive an Honors diploma, student must take:

15 credits -honors or dual credit classes
5 honor or dual credits must be taken during senior year
All math credits must be Algebra I or above
6 math credits must be taken in grades 10-12
Students will meet the 8 th grade reading requirement.

PREP DIPLOMA

Required courses shall include the following:

English	....................................8
Math	....................................6
Speech Arts	....................................1
Science	....................................6
11th U.S. History	....................................2
9th U.S. History	....................................2
American Government	....................................2
Marketing & Consumer Economics	....................................1
Health	....................................1
Physical Education	....................................1
Physical Education Elective	....................................1
Strategies for Success	....................................1
Humanities	....................................4
	Total=36
Electives	..................................12

	Total=48

No failing grades or loss of credits (NC) will be allowed in prep diploma

To receive a Prep diploma, student must take:

12 credits -honors, dual credit, or college prep classes
4 math credits: grades 10-12 in Geometry, Algebra 2 or higher
Science Credits: Physical Science (2), Biology (2), or comparable
Applied classes, College prep science (2)
Physical Education: 1 credit of survey & 1 weight training, aerobics, etc.
Students will meet the 8 th grade reading requirement.

INDIVIDUAL STANDARD DIPLOMA

Required courses shall include the following:

English	.............................8
Math	.............................4
Speech Arts (Debate may be substituted)	.............................1
Science	.............................4
11th U.S. History	.............................2
9th U.S. History	.............................2
American Government	.............................2
Marketing & Consumer Economics	.............................1
Health	.............................1
Physical Education	.............................1
Physical Education Elective	.............................1
Strategies for Success	.............................1
Humanities	.............................4
	Total=32
Electives	............................16

	Total=48

**Students will meet the 8th grade reading requirement.

Becoming a Better Student

What does it take to be a better student? Sometimes it seems like
some kids are just lucky or that some kids are just born smart.
Being a good student (or even a better student that you are right now)
isn't based on luck. To be a better student, you must set some goals,
put in some effort, go to work, and plan to succeed.

Let's look at each step separately. When we're done, we'll look at suggestions from each
of our departments on how to be a better student
or how to be a better student in each content area.

Step One: Set Some Goals

Goals are our maps. Short-term goals are how we measure our progress
on our trip to our long-term goals. You can think of a short-term as
being like a mile marker on the highway: you can see how far you're
come and how far you have to go. A successful student will set short-term
and long-term goals.

Let's pretend that Jane wants a better grade in English this trimester.
First, she has to determine how much she wants to raise her grade.
Next, Jane needs to look at what she can do to raise her grade.
Jane decides that if she improves her spelling/vocabulary test scores,
her overall grade will improve. Jane decides to work toward
earning a 90% or better on each spelling/vocabulary test. Now Jane
has a short-term goal (90% or better on each test) and a long-term
goal (a higher grade in English). Now Jane is ready to begin.

Step Two: Put in Some Effort

A 90% or higher isn't going to automatically appear on Jane's spelling/vocabulary tests.
Jane has to stretch her mental muscles to make it happen. Little effort= little result, maximum
effort= maximum result. Since Jane wants to maximize her results, she is willing to put
forth a strong effort, she determines that she will study her spelling/vocabulary list for
at least 10-15 minutes every day of the week.

Step Three: Go to Work

Now that Jane has goals and has detemined the level of effort she
needs to give, she can begin work. The day that she receives her next spelling/vocabulary
list she takes it home so she can study. For the next seven days, Jane uses every technique
she learned in elementary school to practice her spelling and memorize the definitions of the
words. When it came time for the test, Jane was positive she had done well. When
the test was returned, Jane knew her techniques had worked: She had achieved a
score of a 90%- a much higher score than she has ever earned before.

Step Four: Plan to Succeed

Success isn't something that can be ordered off a fast-food menu.
Success takes planning. Students, like Jane, who are trying to improve
their performance need to use every strategy available. Performance- enhancing techniques are
available to everyone- you just have to use them. In the next section
you will find ideas on how you can plan to succeed.

Becoming a Better Student:

Section Two

Use a Planner or calendar to wrike down your assignments, due
dates, and test dates.

Make a resolution to turn in everything on or before the due
dates. Remember, late work is often penalized or given a zero. The
best way to become a better student is to complete and turn in everything on time.
Build homework and study time into your schedule just like work
and other commmitments. Don't procrastinate and leave assignments
or projets off till the last minute. Start them as soon as you get them
so you don't have to rush to get it done all at once. If it helps listen
to music when studing, it blocks out other noises and distractions,
and helps you focus on your work. Remember, if you're not
committed to becoming a better student it's unlikely you will become one.
Talk poisitively to yourself and about yourself. Instead of telling
your tacher "I'll try," tell him/her "I'll do that right not". Avoid
calling yourself "stupid" or "dumb". Your brain will believe what you
tell it. If you put garbage into your brain, it will give you garbage back again.
Check your attitude. Negative thougths about a teacher or class
affect your entire outlook about the class. Keep positive. Look for
the good things in the class and about the teacher. Avoid complaining.
If you complain that the work is difficult, the work will become more difficult and take
more time. Going on the offensive and attacking your work right away avoids
wasting time and avoids planting negative thoughts.
Use your time wisely. Wasted minutes, hours, and days can never
be recaptured; they are gone for good. If you finish early in your
math class, try working on a history assignment, reading for your
book report, or preparing your next speech. Remember, the more homework you do at school the more time you have for the fun parts of life.
Communicate! Teachers cannot read your mind, therefore, if there
is a thought, feeling, comment, or concern you have tell your teacher.
If you talk, they will listen.
Pay attention in class to what the teacher has to say and listen
carefully. Sit in the front row, lean forward, don't talk to friends
and neighbors. Participate in more class discussions and do all the
extra credit offered and listen to the instructions.
Take good notes. Complete thought out notes so that you can understand them. You don't have to copy them down word for word, just make it so you will remember them.
If you have vision of school becomes more important because you
have steps to talke to get to the vision. Those steps begin in High School. You will
have something to look forward to.

DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE DRAMA!!
Take and intrest in the class, a real intrest. Find someway that it
can have a meaning to you personal way. Take the class seriously. Focus and pay attentions in the class. Do assignments proptly to keep from getting behind and overwhelmed.
Be ready for the class. Have all the materials you need when you
need them. When forgotten it's irritaion to the tacker if you have to go
to your locker and get books and other things.
When starting a new section in a subjet and you don't understand
don't be afraid to ask the teacher for help either after class or before school. If you
wait till it's almost time to take the test you won't be as prepared and behind
because your trying to catch up on those past weeks.
Get enought sleep so you can be alert durning the next day.
Never get behind on your school work and study longer and harder
then you think that you need to.
Be to class on time. Attendence it very IMPORTANT!

Success in Bussiness Classes:

Expect homework and projects which may require work outside the class.
Come to class prepared to work- pen, paper, and organizational tools.
Take notes- to stay engaged and be involved in your own education!
Use notes for homework and to study for projects or exams.
Ask questions during thr presentaion.
Clarify concepts as theyare being taught.
Do not put off any homework or project- plan ahead.
Work should be quality- mailable documents and projects.
Create a portfolio of completed work for the class and potentilal employers.
Get your work down and turned in on time.
If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to visit with your teacher!
We are here to assist you.
Work must be your own. You are building your worn work ethic! What you do
today affects what you become tomorrow!
No matter what- NEVER GIVE UP!

To Succeed in Math:

Expect homework daily- plan for it- write it down
Take notes- use them- for homework and to study
Ask questions during the presentation
Clarify concepts as they're being taught
Do your homework daily- right after school (Don't procrastinate)
Use complete setups- neat and logical progressions
Show each step- don't "Do it in your head"
Answer sheets won't get it
Demmonsrate your understanding by explaining the concepts to your parents- if
you can't explain, you don't understand.
Get help early- before a little thing becomes a BIG thing- before school, after school,
Math lab, tutor (if desired)
Keep trying- even if you have a low grade
If you're learning something- your NOT failing
No it's not easy- so, get on with it!

To Succeed in Social Studies:

Come to class
Pay attention
Do your work
Turn it in

Additionally:

Read the book and assignments
Take notes
Participate in duscussions and activites
Stay awake

Success in Technology Education:

Demonstrate the ability to wrk safely with a variety of technologies
Demonstrate interpersonal skills as they relate the workplace
Identify and apply methods of information acquisition and utilization
Apply basic skills in communication, mathemations, and science appropriated to technological
content and learning activites
Demonstrate and apply design/problem solving processes
Express an understanding of technoloical systems and their complex interrelationship
Demonstrate the abiliy to properly identify, organize, plan, and allocate resources.
Discuss idicidualintrersts and aptitudes as they relate to a creer
Demonstrate employability skills and habits
Demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurship
Make an informed and meaningful career choice
Demonstrate proper and safe procedures and technial knowledge and skills in the use
and care of drafting instruments, material and equipment

Success in Family and Consumer Science:

In order for students to succeed in our classes they need:

Basic reading and writing skills
Basic math skills
Willingness to learn
Responsible for their possissions and behavior
Regularly attend class
Make up missed assignments and days

Recommended Reading for College-Bound Readers

Author---------------------------------------------------Title

Achebe, Chinua-------------Things Fall Apart

Aee, James---------------A Death in the Family

Austen, Jane-----------------Pride and Prejudice

Baldwin, James---------Go Tell It on the Mountain

Beckett, Samuel----------------Waiting for Godot

Bellow, Saul--------The Adventures of Augie March

Bronte, Charlotte------------------------Jane Eyre

Bronte, Emily----------------Wuthering Heights

Camus, Albert-------------------The Stranger

Cather, Willa------------Death Coems for the Archbiship

Chaucer, Geoffrey----------The Canterbury Tales

Chekhov, Anton---------------The Cherry Orchard

Chopin, Kate------------------The Awakening

Conrad, Joseph---------------Heart of Drakness

Cooper,James Fenimore------------The Last of Mohicans

Crane, Stephen------------The Red Badger of Courage

Dante------------------------------------Inferno

de Cerbamtes, Miguel----------------Don Quixote

Defoe, Daniel--------------Robinson Crusoe

Dickens, Charles------------Tale of Two Cities

Dostoyevsky,Fyodor----------Crime and Punishment

Douglass, Frederick-------------Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Dreiser, Theodore----------- An American Tragedy

Dumas, Alexander-------------------The Three Musketeers

Eliot, George-------------------The Mill on the Floss

Ellison, Ralph-----------------Invisible Man

Emerson, Ralph Waldo---------------Selected Essays

Faulkner, William------------------As I lay Dying

Faulkner, William-----------------The Sound and the Fury

Fielding, Henry-------------------------------Tom Jones

Fitzgerald, F. Scott--------------The Great Gatsby

Flaubert, Gustave----------------Madame Bovary

Ford, Ford Madox-----------------The Good Soldier

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von-----------------Faust

Golding, William----------------- Lord of the Flies

Hardy, Thomas------------Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Hawthorne, Nathaniel-----------The Scarlet Letter

Heller, Joseph---------------------------------Catch 22

Hemingway, Ernest------------A Farewell to Arms

Homer---------------------------------------------The Iliad

Homer-----------------------------------------------The Odyssey

Hugo,Victor----------------------The Hunchback of NotreDame

Hurston, Zora Neale----------Their Eyes Where Wathcing God

Huxley, Aldous-------------Brave New World

Ibsen, Henrik-------------A Doll's House

James, Henry--------------The Portrait of a Lady

James, Henry----------The Turn of a Screw

Joyce, James-----------------A Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man

Kafka, Franz--------------------The Metamorphosis

Kingston, Maxine Hong------------The Woman Worrior

Lee, Harper-----------To Kill a Mockingbird

Lewis, Sinclair-----------------------Babbitt

London, Jack-------------The Call of the Wild

Mann, Thomas----------The Magic Mountain

Marquez, Gabriel Garcia----------One Hundred Years of Solitude

Melville, Herman------------Bartelby the Scrivener

Melville, Herman-------------------------Moby Dick

Miller, Arthur---------------------------------The Crucible

O'Connor, Flannery---------------A Good Man is Hard to Find

O'Neill, Eugene------------Long Day's Journey into Night

Orwell, George--------------Animal Farm

Pasternak, Boris---------------Doctor Zhivago

Plath, Sylvia-----------------The Bell Jar

Poe, Edgar Allan--------------Selected Tales

Proust, Marcel-----------Swann's Way

Pynchon, Thomas--------------The Crying of Lot 49

Remarque, Erich Maria-----------All Quiet on the Western Front

Rostand, Edmond--------------Cyrano de Bergerac

Roth, Henry---------------------------Call it Sleep

Salinger, J.D.-------------------------The Catcher in the Rye

Shakespeare, William-------------Hamlet

Shakespeare, William----------------Manbeth

Shakespeare, William----------A Midsummer Night's Dream

Shakespeare, William-----------Romeo and Juliet

Shaw, George Bernard-------------------Pygmalion

Shelley, Mary--------------------------Frankenstein

Silko, Leslie Marmon------------------Ceremony

Solzhentizyn, Alexander----------One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Sophocles------------------------------------Antigone

Sophocles------------------------------Oedipus Rex

Steinbeck, John----------------The Grapes of Wrath

Stevenson, Robert Louis-------------Treasure Island

Stowe, Harriet Beecher----------------Uncle Tom's Cabin

Swift, Jonathan-------------------Gullicer's Travels

Tracheray, William----------Vanity Fair

Thoreau,Henry David----------------------Walden

Tolstoy, Leo------------------War and Peace

Turgenev, Ivan--------------Fathers and Sons

Twain, Mark--------------The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin

Voltaire------------------------------------Candide

Vonnegut, Kurt Jr.-------------------------Slaughterhouse-Five

Walked, Alice---------------------The Color Purple

Wharton, Edith-----------------------The House of Mirth

Welty, Eudora-----------------------Collected Stories

Whitman, Walt---------------------Leaves of Grass

Wilde, Oscar--------------The Picture of Dorian Gray

Williams,Tennessee-------------The Glass Menagerie

Woolf, Virginia--------------The Lighthouse

Wright, Richard----------------Native Son

Source: www.collegeboard.com