High School Course Selection Guide

It is strongly recommended that students earn a final grade of "C" or better before advancing to the next year or level of a subject (e.g., Spanish 1 to Spanish 2). Some courses have prerequisites or requirements that must be met before the course can be selected. For example, the successful completion of Algebra I is the prerequisite for Physics I.

Students should carefully read the course descriptions to be sure that they have met the prerequisites for their course selections.

Block scheduling is a method used by schools where students have longer class periods instead of the traditional 45- to 50-minute periods. This system allows teachers to dive deeper into lessons and gives students more time to engage in hands-on activities, projects, and discussions. Students generally have fewer classes each day but attend them for longer periods, which can help reduce the stress of switching between classes frequently. The goal of block scheduling is to enhance learning by providing more focused time for both teaching and student participation.

Block Scheduling Course Credits

1 block typically equals 1 credit.

• 1 semester = 1 credit
  • This class meets every day of the semester for one block of time.
     
• 1 marking period = 0.50 credits
  • This class meets every day of the marking period for one block of time.
     
• 2 semesters = 2 credits
  • This class meets every day of the school year for one block of time.
     
• 2 semesters = 1 credit
  • This class meets every other day of the school year for one block of time.
  • For example, the class will meet during one block on days 1,3,5

After the completed schedule is created, changes will only be made in the event of

• conflicts (two classes scheduled at the same time),
• missing courses, or
• academic concerns (e.g., course prerequisites not met, courses failed during previous school year, change of academic/career goals, etc.). 

Requests for adjustments of this nature for first and second semesters must be completed prior to the first day of school.

The following totals represent the minimum earned requirements necessary for promotion to the next grade:

• Grade 09: 5.00 credits
• Grade 10: 12.00 credits
• Grade 11: 18.00 credits
• Graduation: 25.00 credits

The grades to be used in reporting student progress are as follows:

A = 90 -100%

B = 80 - 89%

C = 70 - 79%

D = 65 - 69%

F = 64% and below

I  = Work required for grade is incomplete

Honor Roll: a weighted grade average of 90-97.9% with no grade lower than 85% in courses of one or more credits and not less than 80% in courses of less than one credit, Advanced Placement courses, College in the High School courses or Dual Enrollment courses.

Distinguished Honor Roll: a weighted grade average of 98% or above with no grade lower than 85% in courses of one or more credits and not less than 80% in courses of less than one credit, Advanced Placement courses, College in the High School courses or Dual Enrollment courses.

All grades received will be averaged using the appropriate weighted value to determine honor roll eligibility.

Courses are assigned a value or weight according to the degree of difficulty of the course content. Ranking of students within their graduating class begins in ninth grade. 

Class rank is based on cumulative weighted averages and calculated twice each school year. The weighted grade point average is determined by computing the product of the grade, weight, and credit for each course and dividing the sum of the products by the total number of credits. The course weighting system is as follows:

• Level One (Normal): 1.0 Courses worth 0.25 credit, semester or year-long courses that cover information at a comprehensive level.
   
• Level Two (College Prep): 1.05 Semester or year-long courses that cover college preparatory information.
   
• Level Three (Honors): 1.1 Semester or year-long courses that cover honors information.
   
• Level Four (AP/CIHS): 1.15 Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (see below), or College in the High School courses.

Students also receive a cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.0 scale [i.e. A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1; F=0].  The unweighted GPA is calculated by converting the letter/percentage grade for each course to the 4.0 scale and dividing the sum of all the courses by the total number of credits.

Two courses are available for students who have been identified as "gifted" according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines. These students may elect Gifted Seminar and/or Gifted Independent Project.

Honors courses are offered in grades nine through twelve.  To select Honors program courses, it is recommended that students meet specific criteria.

A. To enter the program, it is recommended that the student meet at least one of the following criteria*:

1. Be identified as a gifted student.
    
2. Have attained a final grade of at least 93% in the subject for the year immediately preceding the Honors course placement (91% in Advanced Communication Arts).
    
3. Have attained a final grade of 90-92% in the subject for the year immediately preceding the Honors course placement with recommendations from two teachers (88-90% in Advanced CA).
    
4. Have a written parental request for the honors course(s).

B. To remain in the program, it is recommended that the student meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Be identified as a gifted student.
    
2. Have earned a final grade of at least 86% in the subject for the year immediately preceding in the program.
    
3. Have recommendations from the sending and receiving teacher in that subject for the student who has attained 85% or lower.
    
4. Have a written parental request to remain in the honors course(s).

C. At the conclusion of each school year, the performance of each student will be reviewed to determine if the student may advance to the next level.

Students who wish to pursue a vocational program while in high school and who will be promoted to ninth or tenth grades [with passing grades in the four major subject areas of English, mathematics, science, and social studies] may apply to the York County School of Technology. Ninth and tenth-grade students enter an academy area and rotate through the pathways within the academy. Eleventh and twelfth-grade students will be admitted only when a student is transferring from another vocational-technical school. 

Application for admission must be made through the Spring Grove Area Middle or High School Counseling Offices. Grades, discipline, attendance, student statement of interest, and an interest inventory are admission criteria, which are reviewed as part of the application process. Once accepted, the applicant will be committed to completing one year at the York County School of Technology unless the student declines the acceptance in writing.

Application is provided online at YCP Admissions.

SGAHS offers summer school free of charge in the areas of Math, English, Science, and Social Studies. Additionally, summer school is available to students at several local high schools at a cost. 

The courses offered in summer school programs are strictly remedial (meaning they are designed as a means for students to attain credit for courses previously taken and failed). Students are strongly encouraged to attend summer school to earn credit for any failed courses that are graduation requirements.

Students are only able to complete two courses for credit recovery reasons over the summer. Courses in which students have earned credit may not be rescheduled for additional credit; exceptions may be made by the building principal.

If students fail a subject and do not attend summer school, the course may be repeated the following year if it is available for scheduling. Students who fail any courses should review their course selections and graduation credits carefully with the school counselors.