Triton Regional High School

TRITON REGIONAL HIGH

SCHOOL

COURSE

CATALOG

2012-2013

TRITON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Information for Academic Planning……………………………………….... 2

MCAS Requirements………………………………………………………... 3

Grade Point Average/ Class Rank…………………………………………...... 3

Eligibility for Interscholastic/Student Activities……………………………..4

Description of Course Levels…………..…………………………………….4

General Requirements for Post Secondary Education….…………………....5

Students Planning Higher Education………………………………………...6

Guidance Services…………………………………………………………..15

Other Offerings……………………………………………………………..16

Special Education Services……………………………………………….. .17

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Foreign Languages…………………………………………………………..17

English………………………………………………………………………20

History and Social Sciences…………………………………………………23

Mathematics…………………………………………………………………25

Computer Programming…………………………………………………..…27

Science………………………………………………………………………28

Technology Education………………………………………………………30

Business…………………………………... ………………………………. 32

Physical Education ………………………………………………………….34

Visual and Performing Arts ………………………………………………..36

My School Plan……………………………………………………………..41

TRITON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MISSION AND EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT LEARNING

The mission of Triton Regional High School is to guide all students in realizing their individual potentials by providing opportunities to be educated in a safe, academically challenging, and culturally rich environment.

The Triton student will:

Communicate effectively
Problem solve effectively
Engage in a diverse curriculum
Demonstrate respect and responsibility
Participate positively in the community

Whether you are entering Triton Regional High School for the first time or have been here a year or more you need to know what educational opportunities lay ahead of you. This booklet describes all subjects offered and tells you what you may elect and what credit will be granted for each subject. Study it carefully before you choose your subjects for the next year.

In selecting subjects you need to review your own plans for your future in preparing for your career or college plans. You also need to consider your personal interests and aptitudes as shown by your achievement in subjects studied.

Your guidance counselor and teachers are trained and experienced in assisting students to select subjects wisely. You should confer with your counselor and teachers as well as your parents in deciding which subjects to take next year. Each student will be seen by a counselor to aid in planning.

INFORMATION FOR ACADEMIC PLANNING

The following materials should provide students and parents with the information needed to build a solid academic plan for the high school years, with dual goals of meeting graduation requirements and designing a program that challenges each student to meet his or her full potential. Good planning requires ongoing communication among students, parents, teachers and guidance counselors.

A student must carry a certain number of Carnegie units per year. Freshmen and Sophomore students must enroll in the equivalent of six (6) full-time courses plus physical education. Junior and Senior students must enroll in the equivalent of five (5) full-time courses plus physical education. Grade 11 and 12 students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the equivalent of six (6) full-time courses.

In the spring, students, in consultation with their current teachers select subjects for the following year. Once teacher recommendations have been made, a printed course selection form is taken home by the student for the parent’s signature and suggestions. Only after careful consideration by parents and students, should these forms be signed. Subjects should be chosen from the grade to which the pupil will belong. UNLESS THERE IS A SCHEDULING CONFLICT, ONCE SCHOOL BEGINS; NO PROGRAM CHANGES WILL BE MADE.

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

All students are required to have a minimum of 21 Carnegie Units (CU) for graduation. The minimum course requirements for grades 9 - 12 are:

English ...... …...... ……………………………….……………………..4 CU

Mathematics ...... …………………………….……………………...4 CU

History and Social Sciences (must include American Studies gr. 11or US History AP). ………..3 CU

Science ...... ……………………………………………………..3 CU

Fine/Practical Arts (any course in Music, Tech. Ed., Art, Performing Arts,

Business, Computer Science)………………………………………………...... 2 CU

Foreign Language…………………………………………………………………………………...2 CU

Physical Education (one year Adventure Education) …………………………………………...2/5 CU

The following is a list of minimum Carnegie Units (CU) students must earn to be considered a member of a particular class:

Sophomore Class…………………………(Grade 10)………………..…….…....4 CU

Junior Class ………………………………(Grade 11)……………….…….….....9 CU

Senior Class……………………………….(Grade 12)………………..…….…..15 CU

Graduation………………………………………………………………..….…..21 CU

MCAS REQUIREMENT

All students must pass (score of 220+) the English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and Science/Technology sections of the MCAS tests to be eligible for a diploma. Any student scoring below 240 (Proficient/Advanced is 240+) in either the ELA or Math will have an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) to ensure progress toward proficiency. To be eligible to receive a diploma with a Competency Determination (CD) from the state, all students must complete the EPP or score in the Proficient or Advanced range on the MCAS. All students prepare for MCAS tests by participating in their daily reading, reasoning and communication activities in their required English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Technology classes. However, those students who are identified by the state or school as failing or needing improvement and/or who are considered at potential risk of failing MCAS ELA or Math in grade 10 or Science in grade 9 will be eligible to participate in MCAS tutoring.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

If a student fails a course, or if a student does not meet the grade prerequisite, the Guidance Office will change the student’s program and notify student and parent of the change.
If a student wishes to change his program because of a change in educational plans, the student must arrange for a personal interview with a counselor. The interview must take place the week before the opening of school or earlier.
Not all courses listed in the Program of Studies will be offered. There are constraints on our course master schedule that we sometimescannot avoid: funding, the number of preparations a teacher can have and the number of students who request a course. As a result you may have to take a second or third course choice. As you plan your program, plan for contingencies. Think about second and third choices. Guidance counselors will notify students who have selected courses that are cancelled so that they may make alternate choices.
If a course selection produces a schedule conflict, the student will meet with his/her guidance counselor to resolve the conflict. If the conflict cannot be resolved, the student will be expected to select an alternate course. Two common examples of this situation are conflicts between single section courses that meet the same period and courses that are over-enrolled. Schedule conflicts are resolved prior to the opening of school.
All students must take and passthe physical education course Adventure Education. Except in unusual circumstances, this course is to be taken during the freshmen year.
Report cards and mid-quarter warning reports are each issued four times per year. They will be mailed home and/or sent home via student to parents.
An Honor Roll is compiled at the end of each marking period. GPA and class rank are calculated quarterly two weeks after the close of quarter grades.
Honor Graduates are those who rank in the top ten percent of their class at the end of the third quarter of their senior year. An F as a final grade in any course in grades 10, 11, and 12, excludes a person from the Honor Graduate list as well as from the Valedictorian and Salutatorian positions.
Students who meet local graduation requirements but do not pass the MCAS exams will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Any pupil who does not meet local graduation requirements will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

TEACHER GRADING POLICIES AND COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Individual teacher grading policies and course expectations will be distributed to students in the first week of school. Copies of all Grading Policies/Expectations will be on file with the Program Coordinators of each department.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE/CLASS RANK

Triton has developed a system of determining a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) based on the Massachusetts State College System. Final grades for all full time subjects, other that those listed as Unphased, are counted and divided by the credits attempted. Rank is determined by the GPA.

WEIGHT TABLE FOR GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)

Grade AP H CP

A+ / 5.3 / 4.8 / 4.3
A / 5.0 / 4.5 / 4.0
A- / 4.7 / 4.2 / 3.7
B+ / 4.3 / 3.8 / 3.3
B / 4.0 / 3.5 / 3.0
B- / 3.7 / 3.2 / 2.7
C+ / 3.3 / 2.8 / 2.3
C / 3.0 / 2.5 / 2.0
C- / 2.7 / 2.2 / 1.7
D+ / 2.3 / 1.8 / 1.3
D / 2.0 / 1.5 / 1.0
D- / 1.7 / 1.2 / 0.7

GRADE EQUIVALENTS

A+ = 97-100; A = 93-96; A- = 90-92; B+ = 87-89; B =83-86; B-= 80-82;

C+ = 77-79; C =73-76; C-= 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D =63-66; D-= 60-62; F = 59-0

I=INCOMPLETE; P = PASSING; F = FAILING; WP = WITHDREW PASS;

WF = WITHDREW FAIL; FA = ADMINISTRATIVE FAILURE

ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

Each student must be passing a minimum of four core academic classes (English, History, Math, Science, Foreign Language) on the day report cards are issued each quarter, in order to be eligible to compete under the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Rules. Details of these requirements are available in the Athletic Director’s Office as well as in the student handbook.

ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Each student must be passing the equivalent of four full time academic classes on the day report cards are issued each quarter, in order to be eligible to participate in any student activity.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE LEVELS

Course designations are designed to guide our students as they seek a fuller realization of their individual potentials. These designations afford students, parents and teachers the chance to consult with one another to determine which courses are most appropriate to the student’s needs, interests, and achievements. All levels focus on students practicing good intellectual habits.

CP II: Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to analyze material studied. Skills in reading comprehension, writing, chronological thinking, oral communication, and interpretation are emphasized. Critical thinking skills will be reinforced.

CP I:Students will be expected to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate material studied. In addition to the development of critical thinking skills, students will be expected to complete extensive homework assignments and some independent research. Regular class participation is a significant component of this course.

HONORS: In addition to analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating material studied,students are expected to be self-motivated, possess good writing skills, consistently participate in class discussion, make class presentations, and engage in independent thinking and research.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT-AP

For students who want to pursue the possibility of college credit. Advanced Placement courses are rigorous and require substantial investment of student time and effort. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

AP Programs may lead to college credit and give an opportunity for the student to select other, or additional, areas of study. In fact, satisfactory achievement in at least three AP programs could lead to advanced standing in college.

You must be highly motivated and willing to work at a high level of achievement to take AP courses. The College Board conducts AP Examinations in May. The examination is read by college professors at the Educational Testing Service Office in Princeton, NJ and scored from 1 to 5. The score, 1, means not recommended for college credit. It does not mean you failed. A score of 3 or better is usually required for college credit. You must check with Colleges and Universities that you are applying to for their policies on AP credit.

Students enrolled in AP courses are expected to take the AP examination on the scheduled date in May as outlined by the College Board. Students who decide not to take the AP exam will receive Honors level credit for the course. All AP students will need to declare AP or Honors level participation by the end of first semester.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR-POST SECONDARY EDUCATION

No set pattern of admission requirements applies to all institutions of higher learning. Information on many colleges is available for students. Specific entrance requirements for post-secondary education should be checked in the published catalog for each institution. Guidance Counselors will assist students in the college process. Students who are preparing to enter college should select their sequences from the areas of English, history/social studies, mathematics, science, and foreign languages with sufficient credits in each area to meet the requirements of the colleges they are interested in.

The following represent typical entrance requirements:

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE

English 4 years

Math 4 years

Science (Chemistry or Physics recommended)3 years

History/Social Studies3 years

Foreign Language3-4years

FOUR-YEAR SCIENTIFIC COLLEGE (Engineering, etc.)

English4 years

Math4 years

Science (Chemistry or Physics) 4 years

History/Social Studies 3 years

Foreign Language3 years

R.N. NURSING

Requirements are the same as for Liberal Arts, but must have biology AND chemistry. Four-year degreeprograms require a foreign language. Many diploma programs strongly recommend, but do not require,a foreign language.

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

English4 years

Math 3- 4 years

Science (Chemistry and Physics recommended) 3-4 years

History/Social studies1-2 years

MASSACHUSETTS STATE COLLEGE

English4 years

Math (Algebra sequence) 4 years

Science (Chemistry and Physics recommended) 3 years

History/Social Studies3 years

Foreign Language3-4 years

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Academic preparation varies according to program selected.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Most colleges require candidates to take the SAT I-Reasoning Test or the ACT-plus writing test. Some colleges require candidates to take the College Board (SAT II-Subject Test) in one or more fields. Still other colleges admit candidates without entrance examinations provided that a school official recommends the student. Since the entrance requirements are varied, it is advisable to check with your guidance counselor at an early date. As a general measure of achievement and for the experience it provides, we recommend students voluntarily take the PSAT (preliminary SAT) in the tenth grade; all students in the eleventh grade will participate in the PSAT examination during October of their junior year. Additionally, all students in the tenth grade will participate in the PLAN (preliminary ACT) test during the fall of their sophomore year.

COMPETITIVE COLLEGES

Students planning to go on to competitive colleges after high school graduation are encouraged to take at least six (6) academic subjects (AP, H, CP) per year throughout their high school career in addition to any other subjects. As many Advanced Placement or Honors courses a student is capable of successfully completing should be considered. Students must remember that they are competing with others throughout the world to enter the very competitive schools. The stronger the academic background the better the chances for acceptance at these schools. Other factors are considered such as summer school attendance in any enrichment programs, co-curricular activities, references, maturity and character.

DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES

At Triton Regional High School we offer our students the opportunity to take college courses through our local community and state college for high school and college credit. Students are not allowed to take these courses in lieu of Triton Regional High School Graduation requirements; they are in addition to a student’s current schedule of classes. Currently, Salem State University is facilitating college level classes for our students each semester. If you are interested in taking a college course please see your guidance counselor to obtain all the appropriate paper work. If you have additional questions or concerns please contact: Dr. Kristen Lazzaro, Director of Guidance at or (978) 462-9458.

STUDENTS PLANNING HIGHER EDUCATION

Students who are preparing to enter college should select their sequences from the areas of English, history/social sciences, mathematics, science, and foreign languages with sufficient credits in each area to meet the requirements of the colleges they are interested in. Following are college preparatory recommendations per student college interest.

College of Business Administration

Typical majors include: Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Sports Management, Advertising, Fashion Design

Freshman year:

Algebra
English

Biology

World History
Foreign Language
Business elective: Fundamentals of Accounting, Financial Literacy, Microsoft Office, Marketing elective
Consider VPA elective
Adventure Education
Consider Volunteering Opportunities

/ Sophomore year:

Geometry
Chemistry, Science Elective
American Studies I
Foreign Language
Business elective: Accounting, Financial Literacy, Microsoft Office , Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Banking, Banking Internship; Dynamic Speaking (VPA elective), Marketing elective
Consider VPA elective
Intro to Fitness
Consider Career Internship or Volunteering Opportunities

Junior year:

Algebra II

Science Elective

American Studies II
Foreign Language
Business Elective: Principles of Finance, Accounting, Financial Literacy, Microsoft Office , Marketing, Business Law, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Banking, Banking Internship; Dynamic Speaking (VPA elective), Marketing elective
PE Elective
Consider VPA elective
Consider Career Internship or Volunteering Opportunities

/ Senior year:

Precalculus, College Algebra and Trig and AP Statistics
English

Science Elective

History Elective: History of American Political Institutions, History of the Modern Mind, Model UN/International Relations
Foreign Language
Business Elective: Principles of Finance, Microsoft Office , Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Banking, Banking Internship; Dynamic Speaking (VPA elective), Marketing elective
PE elective
Consider VPA elective
Consider Career Internship or Volunteering Opportunities

College of Health Sciences

Typical majors include: Nursing, Public Health, Nutrition, Pre-med

Freshman year:

Algebra
English
Biology
World History
Foreign Language
Elective: Business, Computer Science,Technology,VPA
Adventure Education
Consider Volunteering Opportunities

/ Sophomore year:

Geometry
Chemistry
American Studies I
Foreign Language

Elective: Business, Computer Science, Technology,VPA

Intro to Fitness
Consider Career Internship or Volunteering Opportunities

Junior year:

Algebra II, AP Statistics
American Studies II
Foreign Language
Science Elective: Anatomy and Physiology, Biotechnology, Forensics
PE Elective
Consider VPA elective
Consider Career Internship or Volunteering Opportunities

/ Senior year:

Precalculus, College Algebra and Trig, AP Statistics
English
Foreign Language
History Elective: History of the Modern Mind, History of Political Institutions
Science Elective: Anatomy and Physiology, Biotechnology, Chemistry AP, Physics AP, Biology AP, Forensics
PE elective
Consider VPA elective
Consider Career Internship or Volunteering Opportunities

College of Engineering