TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission Statement of Educational Apostolate 02 Beckman System Exit Standards 03 Semester Hour Credit 04 Graduation Requirements 04 Graduation Ceremony Participation 04 Postsecondary Requirements 04 School and Course Registration 04 Class Schedules 04 Schedule Adjustments 05 Grading System 05 Rank and Grade Point Average 05 Honor Roll 05 Grading Reports 05 Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act 06 College Credit Curriculum Options 07 Four Year Plan 08 DEPARTMENT COURSES: Art Business English Career and Vocational Math Music Physical Education Science Social Studies Theology World Languages-Spanish Learning Resource Health Computers Technology Honors Program Library Driver s Education 1
MISSION STATEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL APOSTOLATE THE EDUCATIONAL GOAL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE IS GUIDING INDIVIDUALS TO RESPOND TO GOD S CALL TO PERSONAL CONVERSION TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND TO THE TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIETY THROUGH THE SHARING OF KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURE, ENLIGHTENED AND ENLIVENED BY FAITH. Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, Baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you, And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world. - Matt 29: 19-20 Splendid, therefore, and of highest importance is the vocation of those who help parents in carrying out their duties and act in the name of the community by undertaking a teaching career. - On Christian Education *45 The integration of religious truths and values with the rest of life is brought about in the Catholic School not only by its unique curriculum but, more importantly by the presence of teachers who express an integrated approach, to learning and living in their professional lives. - To Teach As Jesus Did *104 People today listen more willingly to witness than to teachers, and if they do listen to teachers it is because they are witnesses. - On Evangelization *41 2
BECKMAN SYSTEM EXIT STANDARDS Mission Statement: Beckman High School, a catalyst for lifelong learning, global awareness, personal growth and spiritual development rooted in Catholic Teachings. 1. Religion and Spirituality Students will give witness to a relationship with God through knowledge of the Catholic faith in their everyday lives. 2. Communication Students will demonstrate competency in verbal and non-verbal communication, suitable to a variety of audiences/situations. 3. Analysis Students will think independently, critically, utilizing experience, reason, and educational background. 4. Problem Solving Students will solve problems and resolve conflicts individually and cooperatively. 5. Value Judgment and Decision Making Students will make decisions based on gospel values while recognizing the existence of other value systems. 6. Aesthetics & Fine Arts Students will develop an appreciation of the fine arts. 7. Civic Responsibility Students will demonstrate civic responsibility through an active concern for cultural diversity in local, regional, and world communities. 8. Environment Students will understand and respect the interdependence of the global environment. 9. Wellness Students will construct and live a healthy lifestyle. 10. Technology Students will apply skills to employ technology proficiently and ethically. 11. Life and Career Planning Students will develop a vision of their future and the need for life-long learning, based on an ongoing selfanalysis. 3
SEMESTER HOUR CREDIT Beckman operates on a semester hour unit of credit. A class that meets daily will offer 5 hours of credit each semester. A course meeting on alternate days will offer 2.5 hours of credit each semester. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Students are required to fill six periods in an eight-period day. Students must accumulate 230 credit hours for graduation. State law stipulates new requirements for the class of 2011 and subsequent classes. Graduation requirements are as follows: Theology 20 Math 30 Science 30 Social Studies 30 English 40 Phys Ed 20 Electives 60 230 Additional Notes: 1. All students must take and pass theology classes each semester they are in attendance at Beckman. If a student has not been in attendance at a Catholic school all four years, the 20 credits of theology may be waived. Non- Catholic students are required to take and pass 15 hours of theology. 230 total credits are still required. 2. Students must complete four hours of community service each year. 3. According to state law, students must take and pass physical education every semester they are in attendance unless medically excused. Students who do not attend any classes during the 8th semester are exempted from the physical education requirement. 230 total credits are still required. 4. According to state law, all students must take and pass American government. 5. According to state law, students must take American history. GRADUATION CEREMONY--PARTICIPATION Students who fail to earn 220 semester hours may not participate in the graduation ceremony. Students who have earned a minimum of 220 semester hours but less than the required 230 semester hours may participate in graduation activities if they submit, in writing, an academic plan to complete all requirements necessary for reception of a diploma from Beckman Catholic High School. The diploma will be withheld until the required 230 credits have been obtained. POST- SECONDARY REQUIREMENTS In selecting courses, students must be aware of any academic requirements for entrance into programs or schools to be entered after graduation from high school. Since the requirements for various schools differ widely, it is impossible to provide an accurate summary in this guide. Students and parents must keep informed of academic requirements that the student must meet to continue a postsecondary program and be sure to include these courses in their course selections. Guidance has this information for most of the colleges Beckman graduates have attended. SCHOOL AND COURSE REGISTRATION Beckman will coordinate the registration of all students for classes at Beckman. Course descriptions are available on the Beckman website to aid students in course selection. The current pathway is: Beckman.pvt.k12.ia.us > School Information> Course Guide. In the third quarter, registration for the following year will take place. Each grade will be provided with the information for registration. An opportunity will be made to visit with the counselor and/or assistant principal to plan registration. Parents will have an opportunity to review their child s course selections at the spring parent-teacher conferences. Students will register for courses for both semesters of the next academic year. Second semester courses may be reviewed at the close of the first semester if there is a valid reason for amendment of the second semester selection. CLASS SCHEDULES During the process of scheduling, it may be impossible to schedule the combination of courses requested by the student. If this should happen, the student will be notified and consulted in regard to the change in course selection. 4
SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS Student schedules will be posted on the student information system. Schedule changes will be allowed on registration day. AFTER CLASSES BEGIN IN THE FALL, STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO DROP CLASSES FOR THE FIRST FIVE (5) SCHOOL DAYS. Second semester schedules will be distributed to the students in December. Schedule adjustments will be permitted during the week of first semester exams. AT THE BEGINNING OF SECOND SEMESTER STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE FIRST FIVE (5) DAYS OF THE SEMESTER TO DROP A COURSE. During schedule adjustment periods courses will be ADDED only if there is room available in the requested class. Parents are encouraged to check student schedules on the parent information system and to call or email school officials about any concerns. GRADING SYSTEM Beckman uses letter grades which signify a range of grades, not an absolute number. The purpose of the grade is to measure the student s individual achievement, not how he/she is doing in relationship to other students. The numerical values of grades are as follows: A = 4.00 A- = 3.67 B+ = 3.33 B = 3.00 Beckman Grade Scales B- = 2.67 D+ = 1.33 C+ = 2.33 D = 1.00 C = 2.00 D- =.67 C- = 1.67 F =.00 A = 4.5 A- = 4.17 B+ = 3.83 B = 3.5 Beckman Honors Grade Scales B- = 3.17 C+ = 2.83 C = 2.5 C- = 2.17 D+ = 1.83 D = 1.5 D- =.1.17 F =.00 RANK IN CLASS AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE 1. Rank is used by colleges and other postsecondary institutions in the admissions and scholarship process. 2. Grade point is used for the following purposes at Beckman: a. All academic honors such as academic letter, honor roll, NHS, valedictorian, salutatorian, etc. b. Cumulative grade point average for seven semesters is used to determine graduation honors. c. Cumulative rank based on all courses taken. 3. With the honors program, class rank will be computed using weighted grade point averages. HONOR ROLL At the end of the semester an honor roll will be determined according to the following levels: Category: Semester GPA: Honors 3.25-3.74 High Honors 3.75-4.0+ GRADING REPORTS 1. Mid-quarter deficiencies for students are sent to parents whose student has a grade of C- or below. 2. Report cards are issued at the quarter and at the semester. Quarter report cards are issued to parents at parent/teacher conferences. 3. Semester report cards are mailed to each home. Semester grades are recorded on the student s permanent record. 5
POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS ACT What is it? The Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act allows students to enroll part-time at an eligible community college, state university or private college or university. The Purpose: The act has a dual purpose to promote rigorous educational pursuit and to provide a wide variety of options for students. Who is eligible? Any 11th or 12th grade student in a public or accredited non-public school, as well as 9th and 10th grade students who have been identified as gifted according to their school s identification procedures. Which colleges are eligible? You may choose to enroll part time at one of Iowa s 15 public community colleges, a state university (the University of Iowa, Iowa State or UNI) or an accredited private college or university. Ask your high school counselor for a complete list of eligible institutions. What can I take? You may apply to enroll in one or more classes. However, you must have at least one study hall or a free period during the semester in which you take the college course. You may not take a comparable course at a college. A comparable course is one that is offered by: *the school district you attend *the accredited non-public school you attend, or *the school district in which the accredited non-public school you attend is located. What are the costs? For public school students, the student s high school pays the college or university for the cost of tuition, textbooks, materials and fees up to $250. For the non-public school students, the school district in which the non-public school is located pays those costs. In addition, the student or the student s family may be required to purchase equipment that becomes the property of the student; the student or family is also responsible for providing transportation to and from the college. What about credits? You will earn both high school credit and postsecondary credit for courses taken. The high school will determine the amount of high school credit you will be awarded. If you are planning to go to any postsecondary institution after graduation, check with that institution to determine whether they will apply the credit taken through the postsecondary enrollment options act to specific degrees and graduation requirements. What about Summer enrollment? You may take up to seven semester hours of credit if you have completed the 11th grade but have not yet completed the requirements for graduation. You will pay the cost of attendance for earned summer credit hours. What about high school graduation requirements? You must still meet the course requirements of your school district. You can meet these requirements by taking courses for high school or postsecondary credit. It is important that you talk with your high school counselor to be certain that the courses which you plan to take meet the high school requirements, and that you will receive the credits you need for high school graduation. How does a student apply? 1. See your high school counselor to discuss the postsecondary courses you intend to take and how they fit into the high school requirements. 2. Complete and sign the appropriate forms. If you are under 18 years of age, your parents or guardian s signature is required before you can enroll in any postsecondary course. 6
COLLEGE CREDIT CURRICULUM OPTIONS ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES (AP) are offered in Calculus, U.S. History, Language and Composition and Literature & Composition. AP courses are more challenging and they can help students prepare for college. Students learn college level material and have the chance to take the AP exam at the end of the course. Most colleges and universities are then able to grant credit to these students based on their exam score. MENTORING for seniors is a school-business partnership designed to provide students with valuable learning situations that could result in a stepping stone to future careers. This program is for the very serious student who wants to learn more about a certain career by obtaining on-the-job experience. For one semester during the senior year, the students average 4-5 hours per week on the job and earn 5 credits towards graduation. This program is dependent upon available employers. NICC CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT CLASSES Students can earn dual credit (both Beckman and Northeast Iowa Community College) in Psychology, Composition I, Composition II, Introduction to Religion, Computer Applications, Music Appreciation and Macroeconomics. These contracted courses are taught at Beckman using the NICC course syllabus. Requirements include: 1. Completing an NICC PSEO registration form that requires a parent signature 2. Composition I has the prerequisite of a 6 Accuplacer score or ACT English score of 21; Composition II requires the passing of Composition I with a C- or better. The other NICC courses have no testing requirements. 3. A fee per class will be assessed. This community college credit can be transferred to the state universities and some other colleges, but students are responsible for researching how each college handles the credit. www.transferiniowa.org is a website that explains the college credit policies at each of the three state universities. Credit for High School Courses Taken in Junior High: Junior high students will receive high school credit for high school courses taken while in junior high under the following conditions: The course is taken and passed at the junior high level. The student enrolls in the next level of work as a freshman. The teacher is high school certified in the given area. When these criteria are met: the student will receive high school credit and the grade will be included in the high school GPA. Note : The credit will not fulfill high school graduation requirements (for example, a student who takes Algebra 1 as an 8 th grader must still complete three years of math while in high school). Students may choose to retake the course at the high school level by re- enrolling in the course their freshman year. In this case, coursework at the junior high level will not be counted as high school credit or calculated into the grade point average. 7
BECKMAN HIGH SCHOOL FOUR-YEAR PLAN FRESHMAN YEAR COURSES Course Credit Course Credit Theology 9 2.5 Theology 9 2.5 P.E. 9 2.5 P.E. 9 2.5 Physical Sci. 5 Physical Sci. 5 English 9 5 English 9 5 Global History 5 Global 5 History Math 5 Math 5 JUNIOR YEAR COURSES Course Credit Course Credit Theology 11 2.5 Theology 11 2.5 P.E. 11 2.5 P.E. 11 2.5 Science 5 Science 5 English 5 English 5 U.S. History 5 U.S. History 5 Math 5 Math 5 Total Semester 1 Total Semester 2 TOTAL FRESHMAN CREDITS: SOPHOMORE YEAR COURSES Course Credit Course Credit Theology 10 2.5 Theology 10 2.5 P.E. 10 2.5 P.E. 10 2.5 Total Semester 1 Total Semester 2 TOTAL JUNIOR CREDITS: SENIOR YEAR COURSES Course Credit Course Credit Theology 12 2.5 Theology 12 2.5 P.E. 12 2.5 P.E. 12 2.5 Biology 5 Biology 5 English 10 5 English 10 5 Math 5 Math 5 Government 5 Social Studies English 5 English 5 5 Total Semester 1 Total Semester 2 TOTAL SOPHOMORE CREDITS Total Semester 1 Total Semester 2 TOTAL SENIOR CREDITS: TOTAL GRADUATION CREDITS NEEDED: 230 8