DISTRICT GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

 

All students must complete 220 credits to graduate.  Elective credit will vary depending upon which pathway a student chooses to complete.  There are additional graduation requirements for the class of 2012 here.

                                                             

     

Graduating w/ a University Pathway

 

The University Pathway is designed to help students meet minimum entrance requirements to the UC and CSU systems.  All classes except for P.E, Life Skills, and electives, must be designated as AC (Academic), P (College Prep.) H (Honors), or AP (Advanced Placement). In addition to core graduation requirements, students must complete forty (40) credits in the following areas:

• One additional year of lab science (10 credits).

• One additional year of world language in the same language (10 credits).

• One additional year of advanced math (10 credits).  This is typically Algebra 3-4 and/or Trip/Pre Calculus.

• One additional year of college-prep. electives  (10 credits).  Must be a yearlong class.

 

 

 

About University Pathway Coursework

 

Required Coursework:  In addition to meeting district requirements for graduation from high school, University Pathway students must also complete coursework that meets the minimum standards for entrance into the UC and CSU systems.  All coursework taken in English, math, science, social studies, fine arts, and world language to meet minimum college entrance requirements must be designated as AC, P, AP, or Honors/H. A class with these designations indicates they are college prep. classes.

 

Weighted Classes:  UC and CSU will take up to 8 weighted semester classes (four year-long classes).  Four (4) of the eight (8) semester classes (or two year-long classes) may be taken in the 10^th grade.  Freshman weighted classes are not considered in the G.P.A. calculation. Private colleges will vary in how they calculate grades and entrance requirements.

 

Grades of ‘D’ or ‘F.’:  See your counselor if you receive a ‘D’ or ‘F’ in any class that is required for college entrance.  Rules vary, but most grades of ‘D’ must be repeated.  Grades of ‘F’ must always be repeated.

 

Online Coursework:  Consult a school counselor when considering online coursework to meet college entrance requirements.  Not all online classes meet college entrance requirements and students are advised to contact the colleges they are applying to for clarification.  In general, it is not recommended to take online coursework to meet college entrance requirements.

 

General rules include:  1). The college or program that offers online high school coursework must be accredited; 2). The course must meet Piner’s standards for curriculum; 3). Students who wish to take an online course  to meet college admission requirements should contact the college they are applying to for approval and talk with a school counselor to verify that a course meets college entrance requirements, as well as district graduation requirements.

 

8^th Grade Coursework:  Coursework taken in 8^th grade in the subjects of world language and algebra may meet subject requirements for the UC and CSU systems.  See a school counselor for details.

 

 

UC and CSU Subject Requirements for Admission

 

     All classes must be designated ‘AC’ (Academic), ‘P’ (College Prep.) ‘AP’ (Advanced Placement)

     or ‘H’ (Honors.)

 

English                                                4 years

 

Mathematics                                        3 years (4 recommended)

 

Laboratory Science                             2 years (3 recommended)

 

World Language                                 2 years (3 recommended).  All in the same language.

           

History/Social Science                        2 years (World History/US History)

 

Fine or Performing Arts                      1 year of the same subject.

 

College Prep. Elective                         1 Year of the same subject

University Pathway:  Typical Schedule 

    

     All classes must be designated ‘AC’ or ‘P’ or ‘AP’ or ‘Honors.” 

 

9^th Grade:                   AC Physical Science or Honors Biology w/ Geometry.

AC English

AC Algebra 1-2 or AC Geometry if Algebra is taken in 8^th grade.

AC World Language

AC Fine Arts

Elective or PE

 

10^th Grade:                 AC Biology

                        AC English

AC Geometry or AC Algebra 3-4 if Geometry taken in 9^th.

AC World Language

AC World History

Elective or P.E.

 

11^th Grade:                 AC Chemistry

AC English

AC Algebra 3-4 or Trig/Pre-Calc if AC Algebra 3-4 taken in 10^th

                                    AC US History

                                    AC Fine Arts/College Prep. Elective or 3^rd year of World Language.

                                    Elective

 

12^th Grade:                 AC English

AC Government/Economics in spring semester

Trig/Pre-Calc. or Calculus if Trig/Pre-Calc. taken in 11^th.

Electives or 4^th year of science, world language, or math.

    

Students have the option of taking honors or AP classes in a variety of subjects.  See your counselor or the course catalog for requirements and pre-requisites.

 

UC Approved Coursework

 

The following courses offered at Piner meet entrance requirements for the University of California campuses.  The underlined courses receive honors recognition by U.C.  Carefully check the guidelines for your campus of interest to assure you meet all entrance requirements.

 

 

Career Pathways

 

Students choosing a Career Pathway must complete three (3) yearlong courses.  Career Pathways are offered in Biotechnology, Performing Art, Visual Art, Media and Communications, Building Trades, Construction & Engineering, Business and Technology, and Culinary Arts.

 

Students must complete 220 credits in the following subjects and pass the California High School Exit Exam to graduate.

 

                                                         

 

 

Visual Art Pathways

 

     Students can choose from a variety of programs in the Arts Pathway.  Programs include:

 

Ceramics or Art:  Students will discover art through imagination and creativity.  Art classes will include expression through watercolor, oils, acrylics, pen, ink, and charcoal.  Ceramic classes will include expression through plaster and clay.

 

Ceramic/Sculpture Courses	Art Courses
Ceramics 1-2	Art 1-2
Ceramics 3-4	Art 3-4
Ceramics 5-6	Art 5-6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performing Art Pathways

               

Drama:  Students in Drama will learn to interpret written works through performance and production.

 

Drama Courses

Drama 1-2

Drama 3-4

Drama 5-6

 

Instrumental or Vocal Music:  Students will create and interpret musical pieces as part of a choir, band, or orchestra.

 

Instrumental Music Courses	Vocal Music Courses
Band	Treble Choir
Concert Band	Concert Choir
Jazz Band	Vocal Ensemble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guitar Courses

Beginning Guitar

Intermediate Guitar

Advanced Guitar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guitar: Students in the Guitar Pathway must provide their own guitar.

 

Media and Communication Pathway

 

     Students in this pathway design, layout and deliver a finished publication. Students will learn skills necessary for success in the publishing industry and be responsible for producing the school newspaper, the yearbook or a literary magazine. 

 

Construction Pathway

 

Students will learn the basic principles of construction and building, including the use of hand and power tools, designing structures.

 

 

Engineering Pathway

 

Engineering students explore drafting and visual communication principles. Students successfully completing the two computer assisted drafting courses will possess high-demand computer skills in AutoCAD 2000 software and be able to waive comparable courses in Applied Technology at SRJC.

 

 

Business and Information Technology Pathways

 

These pathways specialize in computer software applications, web design and computer networking.  Students will have the required knowledge to pass several Microsoft Office Specialist basic and expert level exams.  This pathway includes courses in either computer applications or web design. This program is designed for students who wish to learn a variety of computer applications that are highly sought after in businesses today.  Students are given the opportunity to learn the Microsoft Office suite of productivity applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and the fundamentals of Outlook), as well as HTML and web page design.  Students also have the option of earning industry-recognized certifications.

 

Desktop Publishing

 

 

Computer Applications

 

 

Web Design

 

 

Culinary Arts Pathway

 

Students in the Culinary Arts pathway will learn both kitchen preparation and storefront service techniques.  The program covers all aspects of the industry with introductory and advanced courses.  Students earn their Serve-Safe certification, which is recognized throughout the restaurant industry.

 

 

Biotechnology Pathway

 

Students in Biotechnology experience an exceptionally rich academic preparation in science, with specialized training/experience in Biotechnology, medical science, anatomy, physiology, and advanced technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individualized Pathway  

 

Students  must complete 220 credits in the following subjects and pass the California High School Exit Exam  to graduate.

 

                                                  

 

---

 

Additional Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2012

 

As of April 9, 2008, the Santa Rosa Board of Education approved the following additional requirements beginning with the Class of 2012:

1. Students shall have completed the following minimum units at the start of the school year for class standings:
• Forty units for sophomore standing
• One hundred units for junior standing
• One hundred and fifty-five units for senior standing

2. Freshmen must pass a full year of both English/Language Arts and mathematics. Those who do not, will remain freshmen
3. Freshmen who pass English but fail pre-algebra will remain freshmen until the math requirement has been satisfied; these students may continue in English 3-4, however. Likewise, a student who has failed English, but has passed pre-algebra, will remain a freshman until the English 1-2 course work has been completed.
4. Any student who has not completed one hundred units at the end of his or her second year in high school will be referred to a District Placement Committee for consideration of an alternative educational setting or other such intervention strategy as appropriate to the student’s identified needs.

For a complete reading of Board Policy 5126: Graduation Requirements please refer to the policy at www.srcs.k12.ca.us.