The document outlines the course offerings for the Burlington High School (BHS) program for the 2012/2013 academic year, including new courses, prerequisites, and modifications to existing courses. It also details graduation requirements, the course selection process, college credit opportunities, online course options (VHS), and information regarding college admissions testing and requirements. Important policies about AP courses and a sliding scale for college admissions based on GPA and standardized test scores are included.

1. Course
Scheduling
2012/2013 BHS Program of
Studies can be found on the
BHS Guidance Blog
http://burlingtonhsguidance.blogspot.com/

2. Course Levels
 ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)
 HONORS
 COLLEGE PREP I
 COLLEGE PREP II

4. New Courses
 Digital Publishing Team, Gr. 9-12, 5 Credits (Microsoft Office no longer
offered)
 Fashion Design, Gr. 10-12, 5 Credits
Prerequisites: None (preference goes to students who have taken Design)
 Geology, Gr. 11 & 12, 2.5 Credits
Prerequisites: 2 years of sciences with at least a C average
 The Earth and the Atmosphere, Gr. 11 & 12, 5 Credits
Prerequisites: 2 years of sciences with at least a C average
 Young Adult Fiction (CPI & Hon), Gr. 9 & 10, 2.5 Credits
 AP Psychology, Gr. 11 & 12, 5 Credits
Prerequisites: Successful completion of biology (B+ or better, or petition to
the Department Head), strong writing skills, and the ability to discuss complex
readings on sensitive topics within a classroom setting.
 Pre-Calculus (CPI), Gr. 11 & 12, 5 Credits
Prerequisites: Algebra II (225) or Dept. Head approval
 Work Study

5. New Courses
(continued)
 Student Technology Integration, Gr. 10-12, 2.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Prior understanding of Apple OS, Microsoft Windows OS, and
the iPad iOS
 Freshman Health Education, Gr. 9, 1 Credits
Required for all grade 9 students
NEW P.E. Electives:
 Women’s Wellness, Gr. 10-12, 2 Credits
 Advanced Recreation Games, Gr. 12, 2 Credits
 Exploring Personal Fitness, Gr. 10-12, 2 Credits
 Movement Studies, Gr. 10-12, 2 Credits

6. Courses to be Modified
 Introduction to Architecture (was Interior/Exterior Design)
Gr. 10-12, 5 Credits
Prerequisite: Design
 Creative Writing I – Fiction (was Creative Writing)
Gr. 10-12, 2.5 Credits
 Creative Writing II – Poetry (was Creative Writing II)
Gr. 11 & 12, 2.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Creative Writing I with a B or higher average
 Calculus (now a full year course)
Gr. 12, 5 Credits
OTHER:
 Intro to Computer Science (was Visual Basic)
 Computer Science I (was C++)
 Media Production and Advanced Media Production (now open to Gr. 11 & 12)

7. Changes
Change to Senior Health Requirement:
 Seniors are required to enroll in one of the following courses. Each course
meets the BHS Senior Health Graduation Requirement.
• Introduction to Sports Medicine
• Introduction to Health Occupations
• Senior Wellness
**Juniors enrolled in one of the above are still responsible to take a senior
health requirement.
AP Program Change for Juniors and Seniors:
 Juniors and Seniors may take fewer credits if enrolled in two or more AP
courses.
• See your counselor for more information.

8. Preparing for Graduation
Course Credits
English 20
Mathematics 20
Science: 15
5 credits in Life Science
5 credits in Physical Science
Social Studies 15
US History I & II
World History II
World Language: 2 year sequential program 10
Electives from Courses #500s - 900s 10
Physical Education/Health 10
Specific Requirements Total 100
(excluding additional electives)
Total Required for Graduation 110
This information can also be found in the
BHS Program of Studies online.

9. Course Selection Process
 Course selection discussions begin today
• All online – portal opens March 6
 Should be rigorous for college bound students
 5 Academic Subjects recommended by
teachers
 32 or 34 credits - depending on grade level
and # of AP courses
Counselors will be available for online
chats on publicized dates.

22. Additional Opportunities
College Credit/Dual Enrollment Options
 Bay Path College - available to Juniors and
Seniors.
 Calculus course at BHS (now full year) -
only for Seniors.
 Applications and details will be
communicated periodically throughout the
school year

23. Virtual High School
(VHS)
What is VHS?
 Offers a variety of online courses for high school students all around the world.
 The courses require a REAL commitment. Priority is given to Seniors and
Juniors.
 VHS courses are listed on your transcript, but do NOT count toward rank or
GPA.
 The Administration and Guidance Department may recommend VHS courses
to accommodate specific, unusual individual student needs (i.e., irresolvable
scheduling conflicts or transfer situations).
How do I find out more info about VHS?
 Talk to your guidance counselor.
 Students may read the online course catalog on the BHS Guidance website and
visit the VHS website and take a demo course to get a feel for VHS.
What next?
 When considering a VHS course, you must still register for a full courseload.
 Fill out a VHS application and turn it in to your guidance counselor.
 Only upon approval will you be allowed to drop an elective and be assigned to
the library to complete coursework.

24. Using Naviance
Career & College Planning Site
Overview
https://connection.naviance.com/burlington

25. 4 Year Planner on Naviance
Grade 11 :: edit
Subject Credits Needed Planned Courses Credits Planned Courses Completed Credits Earned Credit Gap
 Art (Courses #500's- #900's) 0 --- - --- -
 Business (Courses #500's- #900's) 0 --- - --- -
 Computer Technology & Application Course 0 --- - --- -
 English 5 --- - --- - -5
 Family & Consumer Science (#500's-900's) 0 --- - --- -
 Foreign Languages 0 --- - --- -
 Interdisciplinary (Courses #500- #900) 0 --- - --- -
 Mathematics 5 --- - --- - -5
 Music (Courses #500's- #900's) 0 --- - --- -
 Physical Education & Health 4 --- - --- - -4
 Science 0 --- - --- -
 Social Studies 5 --- - --- - -5
 TOTAL 19 - - -19
ON YOUR NAVIANCE PROFILE CLICK THE “COURSES” TAB

26. What Can Students
Be Doing Right Now?
• Talk to teachers and counselor about
appropriate course selections.
• Expand involvement in school
and community activities.
• Explore career options.
• Use the Naviance Program
http://connection.naviance.com/burlington
• It’s not too early to begin looking at
colleges – either online or in person.
• Get a part-time job or
volunteer, especially during the summer.
• Get the best grades you can!

27. MCAS Testing
 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment
System
 All students are required to pass Math, English
and Science
 Students who score Needs Improvement must
follow an Education Proficiency Plan (E.P.P.)
 Students who Fail must re-take the exam
 Students who meet qualifying scores may receive
a tuition waiver

28. College Admissions Testing
 Freshmen/Sophomore Year:
• PSAT – (Oct.) Practice SAT. All
sophomores take the PSAT free of
charge.
• PLAN – Practice ACT. Offered to
freshmen and sophomores.
• SAT Subject Tests – Required by
selective colleges/universities.
Students may take in June of
whatever year they’re enrolled in
a particular class (e.g. Biology for
grade 9, Chemistry for grade 10).

29. College Admissions Testing
 Junior Year:  Senior Year:
• PSAT – (Oct.) Practice • SAT – Take again before
SAT. Juniors should STILL January to improve your
take this even though taken scores.
in grade 10. Some may • SAT Subject – Take before
qualify for National Merit January if required by
Scholarship. specific colleges or for Koplik
• SAT – Offered in Award.
March, May or June • ACT – Alternative to
• SAT Subject Tests- SAT, take in fall, if needed.
Take in May or June. Take if • AP Exams – Take in May
required by specific colleges
• TOEFL – Test of English as
• ACT – Take in spring of a Foreign Language. Register
junior year (optional) early (summer or early fall)
• AP Exams – Take in May since seats fill up fast!

30. How are the tests different?
 Most common in East & CA  Most common in Mid-West
 4 subjects:
 3 subjects: Critical English, Reading, Science, an
Reading, Math, and d Writing (optional)
Writing  No penalty for wrong answers
 ¼ point for wrong answers
 Not offered at BHS
 Offered at BHS (Feb., April, June, Sept., Oct., Dec.)
(May, June, Oct., Nov., Dec.)
ACT plus Writing
SAT + Subject Tests = www.actstudent.org
“All” colleges accept both SATs or ACTs.
www.collegeboard.com

31. Can I still take tests during
my senior year?
 Unless you plan to apply Early Decision/Early
Action, then you still have time next year.
 SAT and Subject Tests are offered each
spring and fall.
 Generally, taking the test twice is sufficient.
 If you are not happy with your SAT scores, you
may want to try taking the ACT – “all” colleges
accept SAT or ACT scores.
 Remember that you cannot take the SAT
Subjects the same day as your SAT so plan
accordingly.

32. Transcript

33. Transcript Broken Into Sections

39. 4 Year College Requirements
 4 years English
 Math through Algebra II
 3 years history
 3 years of science (2 should be a lab science)
 2 years same foreign language

40. More Competitive Colleges
 Math through Calculus
 Biology, Chemistry and Physics
 3-4 years of same foreign language
 Rigorous senior year schedule
 Please check college websites for specific
course requirements

41. State College Admissions
• Minimum of 16 academic courses at BHS
• Minimum GPA required:
3.0 for State Colleges and Universities
< 3.0 Sliding Scale of GPA / SAT-ACT
* No student admitted with GPA less than 2.0 *
SAT or ACT Required

42. Sliding Scale (used when GPA is lower than the minimum required GPA)
If an applicant’s GPA falls below the required minimum, a sliding scale will apply.
This scale should be used only when an applicant’s GPA falls below the required
3.0 minimum for admission to the state colleges or UMass.
Sliding Scale for Freshman Applicants to UMass
Weighted High School GPA
Combined SAT – CR + M
Must Equal or Exceed
GPA SAT (Math & Reading only) ACT
2.51-2.99 950 (20)
2.41-2.50 990 (21)
2.31-2.40 1030 (22)
2.21-2.30 1070 (23)
2.11-2.20 1110 (24)
2.00-2.10 1150 (25)
NO APPLICANT WITH A HIGH SCHOOL GPA BELOW 2.00
MAY BE ADMITTED TO A STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.
Sliding Scale for Freshman Applicants to a State College
Weighted High School GPA
Combined SAT-I V&M
Must Equal or Exceed
GPA SAT (Math & Reading only) ACT
2.51-2.99 920 (19)
2.41-2.50 960 (20)
2.31-2.40 1000 (21)
2.21-2.30 1040 (22)
2.11-2.20 1080 (23)
2.00-2.10 1120 (24)

43. College Admission Options
• Regular Decision (don’t be afraid to apply R.D.)
• Most common method
• Application deadline from January 1 to March 1
• May 1 candidate reply date
• Early Action
• For the strongest students
• Can apply to several early action schools*
• Decision received by the end of December
• May 1 reply date in effect
* Trend beginning to limit early action applications to one school

44. College Admission Options
(continued)
• Early Decision
• For students who have a first choice school
• Must be a strong candidate for that school
• If admitted, student is expected to attend
• Rolling Admission
• Schools review applications as received
• Earlier the better
• Offer decisions quickly
• Wait List
• Safety valve for colleges
• Admission only if insufficient number of regular
admits