Standard Technical Diploma

This diploma is an option for those students taking a concentration in Career and Technical Education and meeting the requirements for a Standard Diploma.  Students are required to pass four courses in Career and Technical Education.  This diploma option is available for the ninth-grade class of 2011-2012 and beyond.

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Advanced Technical Diploma

This diploma is an option for those students taking a concentration in Career and Technical Education and meeting the requirements for a Advanced Studies Diploma and have a career concentration in their course work.  This diploma option is available for the ninth-grade class of 2011-2012 and beyond.

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Special Diploma

Any student receiving special education services who does not earn the units of credit prescribed by the Board of Education and/or who does not pass the prescribed literacy tests, but who does complete the requirements of his/her individualized education program, shall be awarded a special diploma. Completion of an IEP will normally require at least four years in a high school setting with age-appropriate students 13 to 17 years of age.

 

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Modified Standard Diploma

This diploma is for certain students with disabilities who are unlikely to meet the requirements for a Standard Diploma but may achieve above the level of the Special Diploma.

 

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Certificates of Program Completion

Any student who does not earn prescribed units of credit for graduation or completes the requirements of his/her individualized education program does not qualify for diplomas, but does qualify for a certificate if he/she completes a prescribed course of study* as defined by the local School Board.
*A prescribed course of study consists of thirteen units of credit including one unit of math, one unit of English, one unit of computer technology, one unit of social studies, one unit of science, and two additional units from any of the four core subject areas, four units from career cluster courses, and two units of electives. A receiving student must be at least 17 years of age.

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General Educational Development Equivalency Certificate (GED) Prep Program

The GED prep program is designed for persons 18 years of age or older not currently enrolled in school who will not complete the requirements necessary to earn a high school diploma. The purpose of this program is to prepare students for taking the five GED tests which consist of language arts writing, language arts reading, social studies, science, and mathematics. Testing is done at Massanutten Technical Center and the cost for taking the GED tests is paid by the student. The GED is not a high school diploma, however, it may qualify the student for admission to college or to more advanced educational opportunities; meet educational requirements for employment or promotion in a job; satisfy educational qualifications for induction into the United States Armed Forces when applicable; and satisfy educational requirements for occupational licensing. Individuals 16 and 17 years old may take the GED tests if they are home-schooled, released from compulsory school attendance, enrolled in an individual alternative education program, living in an adult correctional facility, expelled from school, or court ordered to participate in the GED program.

 

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Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP)

The ISAEP permits certain students who are between the ages of 16 and 18 years and enrolled in a  high school program to take the GED Tests.
An ISAEP may be developed when the student demonstrates substantial need for an alternative  program, meets enrollment criteria, and demonstrates an ability to benefit from the program.  The need is determined by a student's risk of dropping-out of school.  A student may qualify to be granted an ISAEP if dropping-out is imminent.  A student's ability to benefit is determined by achieving  satisfactory scores, as determined by the Board of Education, on a standardized measure of reading and the Official GED Practice Test.

 

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General Achievement Diploma

This diploma is intended for individuals who are at least 18 years old, not enrolled in a public  school, or are otherwise excused from compulsory attendance requirements.  The person must  earn 20 high school credits in specific content areas and achieve a passing score on the General Educational Development (GED) exam.

 

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Locally Verified Credit

Local school boards may award verified credits in science and history/social sciences that may be used to fulfill the requirement of four verified credits of the student's own selection.  This  policy does not apply to the awarding of verified credits in English or mathematics, which must be earned by passing the high school Standards of Learning tests (or approved substitute tests) in reading, writing and mathematics. The student must be working towards a standard diploma.

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Grading

Many of the components in the evaluation of student work cannot be given a numerical equivalent. Where a numerical equivalent is appropriate, the county standard is:

 

A = 94 - 100

B = 86 - 93

C = 78 - 85

D = 70 - 77

F = 69 and below

 

To determine grade point average (GPA) for high school courses, the scale shall be:

 

Regular	Honors	Advanced Placement and College Courses (weighted)
A = 4	4.5	A = 5
B = 3	3.5	B = 4
C = 2	2.5	C = 3
D = 1	1.5	D = 2

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be used at the discretion of the teacher.

 

Examinations: Semester examinations will be given beginning at the eighth grade level. Middle school examinations (eighth grade) will count 10% of the semester grade. In courses for high school credit, examinations will count 20% of the semester grade.

 

A student in courses for high school credit shall be exempt from the final examination providing that the student maintains a grade of 94% or higher through the last grading period of the course. All students are required to take first semester examinations. The Superintendent may, at his/her discretion, administratively exempt other students from the examination requirement, i. e. as part of an incentive attendance procedure or SOL incentive procedure.

Accelerated courses in grades 9 and 10 carry the CP (college prep) designation. Accelerated courses in grades 11 and 12 carry the H (honors) or AP (advanced placement) designations. College prep, honors, and advanced placement courses are rigorous courses requiring extensive outside reading and challenging assignments.

College prep (CP) courses are available in the core courses of math, science, social studies, and English.

Courses eligible for Honors designation are the following courses: U. S. History, Government, Chemistry, Physics, Biology II, Chemistry II, Foreign Language(s) IV and V, Analysis, Calculus, and English 11 and 12, and courses offered through Massanutten Governor’s School that do not offer college credit.

Summer assignments are controlled by the principal.

Weighted grades will be awarded for courses passed from an accredited college.  Weighted  college courses must be in the disciplines of mathematics, foreign language, science, social science, English, computer technology, and technology (integrated and/or engineering type courses) and courses offered through Massanutten Governor's School that carry college credit. Eligible college courses taken for high school credit must have prior principal approval.

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Student Withdrawal From Class

When a student desires to withdraw from a class after school has begun, the request should be made within the first ten (10) days of school.  If extenuating circumstances arise which necessitate a student withdrawing from a class after the first ten (10) days of school, the principal will determine final approval for class withdrawal.  The following descriptions will apply:

1. WP-Withdrawal Passing:  This grade will be given to a student who withdraws and is passing a course.  No credit and no “F” will be averaged into the Quality Point Average.
2. WF-Withdrawal Failing:  This grade will be given to a student who withdraws from a class with an “F”.  The “F” will be averaged into the Quality Point Average with no credit in the course.
3. If a student finds that before the end of the first six weeks that he/she desires to withdraw from a class, a schedule change may be made without necessitating a WF.  (Applicable for both semester and year-long courses.)
4. In extreme cases, with parental request, a student may drop a class at any time for medical reasons.  A WP will apply if the student is passing.

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Alternatives to Animal Dissection

Schools shall provide students with alternatives to animal dissection techniques within each relevant curriculum or course.  Alternative dissection techniques may include, but are not limited to, detailed models of animal anatomy and computer simulations.  Parents and students will be notified, at the beginning of each school year in the applicable courses, of the option to decline to participate in animal dissection.

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Academic Planning and Career Development

Career development involves organizing the high school program of study around sixteen career clusters representing workplace fields. They are:
• Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
• Architecture and Construction
• Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications
• Business Management and Administration
• Education and Training
• Finance
• Government and Public Administration
• Health Science
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
• Manufacturing
• Marketing
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
• Transportation, Distribution and Logistics.

Each Career Development program of studies includes a challenging academic preparation and workplace readiness training. Students are encouraged to complete three courses in a cluster area, or complete a two-year program at Massanutten Technical Center, or complete a two-year cooperative education program.

The flexible curriculum allows students to move among cluster areas as interests and goals change. In each cluster area, students can prepare for a variety of professions. School- to-Work transition opportunities are available to provide work site learning and exploration of a profession. These include work study, cooperative education, job shadowing, apprenticeship, mentorship, and tutoring.

With Career Development, students and parents should select courses and course sequences, and participate in activities that will lead to lifelong careers. Upon completion of the program, students will have the academic foundation to continue their education at a two or four-year institution, or enter the job market with specific skills and a solid academic background.

 

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Selecting Courses

Through careful course selection and close cooperation between the student and school counselor,
a student will be able to pursue a career goal and still have time for other course offerings without excluding any particular area of study.

The courses chosen should be based on the student's ability, past record of academic achievement, interest in the subject, the career goal(s) of the student, and teacher recommendations. The pursuit of a course of studies leading to entrance into college can include those courses not directly related to college entrance. Art, music, career and technical courses, and other electives offer students the opportunity to explore new areas of study as well as gain knowledge and skills which may likely prove useful to them in whatever career they choose.

In core courses where SOL tests exist, the length of the course may vary. Also, remediation may be required for certain students needing verified credit. For example, in English and mathematics, a student in need of remediation may be double blocked at any grade level for his/her one credit class.

The following list of courses are offered in all Rockingham County Secondary Schools. Courses which are offered are contingent upon sufficient student enrollment. This may result in some courses not being taught in certain schools even though they are offered in all schools. Course descriptions for the middle school years are found in Section I and high school courses are listed in Section II.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact a school counselor at any time regarding any course selection.

Many of our textbooks are available online for students and parents to access. They are listed on our Rockingham County Public Schools website homepage under “Textbook Information.”

There are some courses that have additional expenses not listed in these materials. Examples include, but are not limited to band and chorus. If you have specific questions regarding possible additional fees, please check with the elective teacher.

 

 

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 College Credit Opportunities

• Distance Learning.  Students may take college-level courses by computer offered by many colleges and universities.  If a student chooses to regularly work on an online course during an assigned period at school, supervised computer access  will be available during that period.  Typically, colleges require a grade of "C" or  better for credits to be transferable to a college or university.  If a student intends to petition for high school credit for a distance learning course, he/she must submit a  course syllabus to the principal for evaluation prior to enrolling for the course.
• Dual Enrollment.  From time to time, classes may be offered as a part of the high school curriculum, which will result in both high school and college credit.  Information about these courses will be made available at the time of high school course registration.  Typically, colleges require a grade of “C” or better for credits to be transferable to a college or university.
• Concurrent Enrollment.  Opportunities also exist for students to earn credits for courses taught on college campuses, either during the school day or after school.  Students are encouraged to explore college-level courses at local higher education institutions.  Some students may wish to obtain both high school and college credit for a course taken at Bridgewater College, Blue Ridge Community College, Eastern Mennonite University, James Madison University, or other nearby colleges or universities.  One high school credit will be awarded for 6 or 8 (lab class) college credits.  College courses for high school credit require prior principal approval.

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 Virginia Virtual Advanced Placement School

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Tech Prep Academy - The Blue Ridge Community College Tech Prep consortium provides full tuition scholarships for senior students to take up to four BRCC courses (one academic class, one occupational class) during the fall and spring sessions.  Scholarship recipients are selected through an application process.  Rising seniors must be recommended by their school principal and counselor and meet the admission requirements for BRCC, including demonstrating academic proficiency through the College Preparedness test.  Students are responsible for purchasing textbooks for classes.
In all cases, access to college courses is based upon course availability and upon any eligibility requirements by the college.  Students are responsible for completing the registration process and paying tuition.
Please note that the granting of credit or the acceptance/designation of earned credits (via distance learning, dual enrollment, or concurrent enrollment) is solely at the discretion of the college or university in which a student chooses to enroll after high school.
Ask your counselor for a current "college course information sheet" listing high school credit-college course equivalents

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Massanutten Regional Governor's School

Course Descriptions

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High School Planning Sheet

Click to download a .pdf version of a High School Planning Sheet.

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