2009-2010 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

I. THE REGISTRATION PROCESS

2009-2010 class registration is now underway. Class registration for next year will make use of PowerSchool and other web-related features. A brief overview of the process is provided below:

Step 1	Registration materials are distributed and explained to all students in grades 8-11. Students in grades 9-11 will complete the process as part of their advisory group assignments; students in grade 8 will be assisted in completing the process by Mr. Bentzen and/or Mr. Richards.
Step 2	Students register for 2009-2010 classes via PowerSchool.
Step 3	Changes to course requests are made in the PowerSchool system.
Step 4	A master schedule and individual student schedules for 2009-2010 are created with PowerSchool.
Step 5	2009-2010 is off to a good start.

II. GRADUATION AND COURSE LOAD REQUIREMENTS

Credits are awarded on the basis of 5 credits per course per semester; thus a typical course taken for a full year will earn a student 10 credits toward graduation (NOTE: seniors opting for a Teacher Assistant assignment earn no credits for such duty. Students must receive a passing grade in a course in order to earn any credit for that course.

Graduation requirements are as follows:

SUBJECT/CONTENT AREA	REQUIREMENTS
English/Language Arts	40 credits (including 1 literature-based and 1 writing based course at the 10^th grade or higher level)
Social Studies	40 credits
Mathematics	30 credits (including Algebra I and Geometry or equivalents
Science	20 credits
Health	5 credits
Physical Education	5 credits
Electives	100 credits
TOTAL REQUIREMENTS	240 credits
(Foreign Language)	(20 credits recommended)

Please note that figures given for meeting graduation requirements are minimums only. Students planning on attending most four year colleges and universities will want to exceed AGHS requirements in order to assure admission.

Included with registration materials is a printout detailing coursework completed by all current ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders and how that completed coursework impacts progress toward meeting graduation requirements. Students will want to address any deficiencies that may be revealed by this printout.

Ashland-Greenwood High School requires all students to register for at least seven classes, leaving no more than one study hall. Many students will find that the benefits to be derived from taking a full load of eight classes outweigh the perceived advantage or value of a study hall. This is particularly true when one considers that only during four years of high school can a student receive instruction in such a variety of subject material without having to pay for each and every class taken. At the same time, students registering for a college preparatory course load may find a study hall beneficial.

Occasionally, students may pass a class with a grade of "D," thereby earning full credit for that class, but may feel that their mastery of the class material is not as firm as it should be. In such situations, students may be allowed to re-take the class in question subject to school and parental approval. Because of the nature of such an arrangement, the grade earned when the course is re-taken will replace the original grade. Exceptions to half-credit provisions for courses which are re-taken are allowed for Art III/IV, Weight Training, Band, and Vocal Music.

Students entering the 11^th grade will automatically have proficiency levels for Language Arts and Mathematics standards reviewed. If a student is found deficient in one or both subject areas relative to performance on standards assessments, his or her Language Arts and/or Mathematics course enrollments will be adjusted so that the appropriate course selections for remediation purposes are provided. This is necessary to ensure that all AGHS students master essential core course content and that overall performance levels for each grade level reported to the Nebraska Department of Education are as high as are possible.

III. SUBJECT AREA COMMENTARY

FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSES: Students and parents are advised that high school foreign language study is strongly recommended by virtually all colleges and universities. Many college major areas of study require a foreign language component; having a foreign language in high school thus is very beneficial.

HEALTH/PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES: All juniors are required to take one semester of Health, with students in other grade levels not eligible to register for Health.

LANGUAGE ARTS COURSES: Current 8th graders must register for English Survey; all other students must register for upper level English offerings (current 9th graders who have not taken English Survey or who may have failed one or more semesters of English Survey are eligible to take or re-take English Survey as 10^th graders). Courses meeting the literature-based requirement include: American Literature, Contemporary Novel, and World Literature. Courses meeting the writing-based requirement include: Composition, Expository Writing, and SCC Composition.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY COURSES: Course titles for Industrial Technology courses have been updated to reflect an increased focus on current technologies and applications in the construction and architectural design fields.

MATHEMATICS COURSES: Entry or ninth grade level math courses list Initial Math Placement as a prerequisite. That prerequisite refers to a determination made by school personnel, subject to ultimate parental approval, as to which course will be of most benefit to each student in terms of challenge level and opportunity for success. Applied Mathematics I and Algebra I are the entry level math courses. Successful completion of Applied Mathematics I will prepare students for either Algebra I or Applied Mathematics II the following year. Able math students may want to consider taking Geometry and Algebra II concurrently; exercising this option will allow college bound students considering a math related major to complete five years of college preparatory mathematics during their high school careers. Students are reminded that three years of math including Algebra I and Geometry (or their equivalents) are required for graduation. Completing Applied Math I, Applied Math II, and Applied Geometry will satisfy graduation requirements. Please note that several AGHS upper level math classes carry the potential for earning college credits; those courses are Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and College Calculus. See the Course Catalog for more information on how such dual enrollment opportunities work.

SCHOOL TO WORK (STW) COURSES: STW: Work Experience Component is a course listing offered in conjunction with Ashland-Greenwood's School to Work Program which enables students to earn elective credits for employment; only seniors are eligible for STW: Work Experience Component. Prior to registering for School to Work classes, seniors-to-be must meet all applicable criteria, including minimum credits earned and cumulative GPA standards. Application forms for STW: Work Experience are attached to registration materials for current eleventh graders.

DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES: Several dual enrollment opportunities via Southeast Community College, Peru State College, and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln are available to juniors and seniors along with AGHS’ traditional SCC Composition offering; an informational sheet on those offerings offerings is included with 11^th and 12^th grade registration materials. Students must meet various criteria for participation and should consult with the guidance office if interested. Registration for and enrollment in one or more dual enrollment course will require the student to pay applicable tuition and fee charges in order to maintain enrollment.

OTHER COURSE OFFERINGS: Please note that a senior wishing to serve as a Teacher Assistant must attach to their registration form an application form for that duty (that application form is provided with registration materials for current eleventh graders). Seniors may register for only one TA period. Students may register for only one Study Hall as well.

SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA CAREER ACADEMY PROGRAMS (SENCAP): Juniors and Seniors are eligible to participate in SENCAP dual enrollment programs allowing for a career focus on Health Sciences, Education, or Business. See the Course Catalog for more information; see also the informational sheet provided with registration materials. Students interested in SENCAP participation need to visit with Mr. Richards as soon as possible to ensure completion and processing of application materials in a timely manner.

IV. GRADE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS

GRADE	REQUIRED	RECOMMENDED	ELECTIVES
Ninth	English Survey Physical Science World Geography Algebra I, Geometry, OR Applied Math I	Spanish I	Classes of personal or career interest to the student sufficient to fill the student's schedule. May include only one study hall.
Tenth	An English class American History Biology Required coursework failed as a ninth grader	Geometry (may be taken in combination with Algebra II) OR Applied Math II Spanish I OR Spanish II	Classes of personal or career interest to the student sufficient to fill the student's schedule. May include only one study hall.
Eleventh	An English class World History Health Careers/Transitions Required coursework failed as a ninth or tenth grader	Additional math, science, or foreign language coursework needed to meet AGHS graduation or college admission requirements.	Classes of personal or career interest to the student sufficient to fill the student's schedule. May include only one study hall.
Twelfth	An English class Economics/Civics Coursework needed to meet AGHS graduation requirements (review transcripts with the counselor).	Additional math, science, social studies, English, or foreign language coursework needed to meet college admission requirements.	Classes of personal or career interest to the student sufficient to fill the student's schedule. May include only one study hall and one TA request.

V. INFORMATION REGARDING COURSE SELECTION AND COLLEGE PREPARATION

Introduction

In the discussion that follows, students will learn:

What performance requirements must be met in order to be eligible for university level study

What high school coursework requirements must be met in order to be eligible for university level study

What high school course of study is recommended for students interested in continuing on to the university level

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln and its requirements are used as a basis for discussion in this booklet. Students and parents should understand that each college and/or university may have requirements that differ somewhat from those referenced here; at the same time, selecting a course of study that meets UNL's requirements will also meet requirements found at most colleges and universities. Anyone with questions or concerns about admission to an institution other than UNL should contact the guidance office. You will also find a fairly comprehensive listing of Nebraska two- and four-year program web links listed at the end of this section; accessing any link will take you to that institution's home page.

Students and parents are also cautioned that requirements for admission to university study are not the same as requirements for graduation from Ashland-Greenwood High School. In many subject areas, students can graduate from AGHS without being required to take the number of years of math, English, or science needed to gain admission to university study. That fact does not mean that the academic program at AGHS is in any way deficient; rather, the academic program at AGHS is designed to serve and provide opportunities for success to all students in the district. University admission requirements are designed to provide service only to a select group likely to be capable of success at the university level. Students wishing to be included in that select group must ensure that they complete the necessary coursework at the high school level.

Performance Requirements for Admission to University Level Study

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln has established standards for admission that are based on a student's performance relative to either other students in his or her class or to students nationwide. In order to be admitted to university level study, a student must:

Be ranked in the 50th percentile or higher of his or her graduating class in an accredited high school OR

Have received an enhanced ACT composite score of 20 or greater OR

Have received an SAT total score of 950 or greater

Specific colleges within the university system may have more restrictive requirements for admission; the guidance office should be consulted for questions on that matter.

High School Coursework Requirements for Admission to University Level Study

(NOTE: References to requirements below are expressed in terms of "units," a term preferred by UNL for evaluating high school transcript. A unit is equal to one full year of study for a given course; that would be equivalent to 10 credits toward meeting high school graduation requirements. Successful completion of the requirements listed below at the high school level will assure that students are admitted with full status and will not, except in extremely rare situations, be required to complete remedial coursework.)

English/Language Arts Requirements: 4 units; all units must include intensive reading and writing experiences

Foreign Language Requirements: 2 units of the same language; in most cases, students graduating from high school with 4 units of the same language will be exempted by the university from any college level language requirement; even students graduating with only 2 or 3 units may be eligible to test out of the college level language requirement

Mathematics Requirements: 4 units (must include Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and one unit that builds on a knowledge of algebra); two years of Applied Math will count as the equivalent of one year of Algebra I; students following the applied math sequence and seeking admission to university level study will need to take Geometry and Algebra II during their junior year and Advanced Math during their senior year. [NOTE: Other campuses within the UNL system require only 3 units.]

Natural Sciences Requirements: 3 units (including at least 2 units selected from biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science); 1 unit must include laboratory instruction

Social Sciences Requirements: 3 units (at least 1 unit of American and/or World History and one additional unit of history, government, and/or geography)

Recommended High School Course of Study for Students Interested in Continuing on to the University Level

Ninth Grade English Survey Algebra I or Geometry Physical Science World Geography Spanish I Electives to Fill Schedule	Tenth Grade American Literature Geometry or Algebra II American History Biology Spanish II Electives to Fill Schedule
Eleventh Grade An English Class Algebra II or Trigonomety/Pre-Calculus World History Anatomy or Chemistry or Physics Spanish III Electives to Fill Schedule (including when possible dual enrollment courses)	Twelfth Grade An English Class Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus or Statistics/Calculus Economics/Civics Anatomy or Chemistry or Physics Spanish IV Electives to Fill Schedule (including when possible dual enrollment courses)

VI. 2009-2010 COURSE OFFERINGS

Possible course offerings for 2009-2010 are listed by subject area beginning on the next page. Courses followed by a (1^st) are offered first semester only, by a (2^nd) second semester only, and by a (sem) for either first or second semester only. All other courses are year long in nature. Detailed information about each course, including prerequisites, may be found in the Course Catalog which may be accessed through the Ashland-Greenwood home page. Some courses listed below may not be part of the schedule of offerings next year should student interest not warrant such an offering or as a result of personnel/scheduling considerations.

FINE ARTS Art I Art II Art III/IV Band Chorus Advanced Chorus	FOREIGN LANGUAGE Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Spanish IV
HEALTH/PHYSICAL EDUCATION Health (sem) Team Sports Weight Training and Conditioning	LANGUAGE ARTS English Survey American Literature Basic Composition Expository Writing SCC Composition The Contemporary Novel World Literature Speech and Drama Creative Writing/Journalism
MATHEMATICS Applied Math I Applied Math II Algebra I Applied Geometry Geometry Algebra II Trigonometry (1^st) Pre-Calculus (2^nd) Statistics (1^st) Calculus (2^nd) College Calculus	SCIENCE Physical Science Biology Anatomy Chemistry Physics
SOCIAL STUDIES World Geography American History Economics/Civics Psychology/Sociology World History	AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION Intro to FFA Natural Resource Systems Ag Science Welding, Power, and Mechanical Systems Ag Leadership, Management, and Finance
BUSINESS EDUCATION Accounting Advanced Accounting Business Law/General Business Business Computer Applications Entrepreneurship (sem)	FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES Parenting/Early Childhood Human Relations Food & Nutrition

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY Technology Education Woods Safety and Technology Advanced Woods Technology Language of Architecture and Construction Principles of Design and Pre-Construction	DUAL ENROLLMENT See Information Sheets
OTHER OFFERINGS Teacher Assistant STW: Work Experience Component Study Hall	SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA CAREER ACADEMIES SENCAP—Health Sciences SENCAP—Education SENCAP--Business