CLASS OF 2015 & Beyond Graduation Requirements

What does this mean? If you attend a Louisiana public high school after the 2008/09 school year, you fall under the Core 4 curriculum requirements. In order to be eligible to attend a four year university in Louisiana a student must complete the Core 4 curriculum along with other components. By completing this curriculum alone you are not guaranteed entry into a four year university after graduation. Each college has specific ACT score requirements and GPA requirements that must be satisfied.

Louisiana Core 4 Diploma English I, II, III, IV Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, one more math (Pre-Calculus or Calculus) Biology, Chemistry, two more sciences (Physical Science, Bio II, or Physics) World Geography, Civics, American History and World History or AP European History

Louisiana Core 4 Diploma Health ½ unit PE 1 ½ units  JROTC I & II will substitute for the PE/Health Requirements 2 units of the same foreign language or 2 units of speech* 1 unit of art, dance, music, theatre, or fine arts survey 3 units of electives »24 credits needed to graduate

TOPS The Core 4 curriculum, however, does not necessarily meet TOPS requirements!  Specific Courses must be taken in the Math subject area (Financial Math will not qualify)  Students are required to take two years of a foreign language. Speech DOES NOT substitute as a foreign language for TOPS.  The Taylor Opportunity Program for Scholars (TOPS) requires that students CURRENTLY graduate with at least a 2.5 g.p.a. and score at least a 20 on the ACT.

Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum The basic core curriculum is sometimes referred to as the “opt out” curriculum since you are opting out of following the LA Core 4. Following this curriculum will allow you to still receive a high school diploma but…

Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum You may only enter a two-year or technical college. You can transfer to a 4 year university after you meet the requirements for that specific university.  Most require a MINIMUM of 18 semester hours to transfer but, some require 2 full years of course work at the community or technical college level. You will need to contact the individual 4 year university you would like to transfer to in order to learn more about their specific policies regarding transfer students.

Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum The differences between the Core 4 and the Core Basic Curriculum are as follows:  Only required to have 3 Sciences  Only required to have 3 Social Studies  You do not have to take speech or a foreign language.  You do not have to meet the fine arts requirement.  You must take either Education for Careers or Journey to Careers and IBCA.

Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum You must declare an area of concentration. Do you want to be a nurse, paralegal, daycare worker, etc? You must follow the area of concentration’s minimum course requirements! NHS offers the following areas of concentration:  Agriculture Production, Journalism, Liberal Arts, Mass Communication, Performing Arts, Administrative Support, Business Administration, Education, General Studies, Banking and Finance, JROTC, Health Professional, Emergency Health Care, Pharmacy, Management of Family Resources, Social Services, Legal Services, Engineering

Opting Out—How do I do it? In order to opt out of the Core 4 curriculum, you, your parent and your counselor have to meet to discuss the ramifications of not following the Core 4. Only students who have completed at least two years of high school may opt out. Ideally, you should opt out when registering for your junior year. Everyone will have to sign off on paperwork and a new 5 year plan has to be completed. The documentation must be on file before the senior year.

End of Course Graduation Requirement Students are required to take all six tests. The test are given at the end of the school year. Test dates are not flexible and must be taken within the State Testing Schedule. Students must pass the following:  Algebra I or Geometry  English II or English III  Biology or American History Should a student not pass they are eligible to retest in the summer and fall semesters. If your student has failed an EOC test there are opportunities for remediation tutoring prior to testing.

I have questions who do I contact??? Counseling Dept. Main Line  Freshman Counselor  Amanda Gaines ext. 1 Sophomore Counselor  Pauline Calderone ext. 2 Junior Counselor  Amanda Duplantier ext. 3 Senior Counselor  Christie Nienaber ext. 4

Visit the Counselors’ Website Northshorehigh.stpsb.org  Faculty/Staff Counselors –Guidance Information »Please click on this link