Riverside Brookfield High School

Curriculum Guide 

 

REGISTRATION The Registration Process Graduation Requirements Selecting a College Preparatory Program Admission to Illinois Public Universities Choosing a Two Year College Preparatory Program Maximizing a General High School Program Course Level Placement Grading and Class Rank Credit/No Credit Grading Option Class Load and Assignment Schedule Changes     RB CURRICULUM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES     Residency Eligibility     Fees     Annual Graduation Classes      Early Graduation      Guidance and Counseling Services     Home Bound Instruction      Independent Study      NCAA Requirements for Athletes      Proficiency Examinations

MISSION STATEMENT       BOARD OF EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATION and DEPARTMENT CHAIRS         FACULTY ROSTER

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS    Advanced Research Program   Applied Arts       Work Experience / Continuing Education (Dual Credit)       Business and Technology       Television and Radio Production       Family and Consumer Sciences       Industrial Arts    English    Fine Arts       Fine Arts Survey       Dance       Drama/Theatre       Music       Visual Arts       Humanities    Foreign Language    Mathematics    Science    Social Studies    Special Services/Special Education    Television and Radio Production    Wellness    Health    Driver Education    Support Services/Summer School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

  

 

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THE REGISTRATION PROCESS 

As you select courses for the next year, you will need to take into account graduation requirements, college admission standards, and your own academic performance.  The information provided on these first pages is important to the context of your decision making.

 

Students are responsible for scheduling courses to comply with graduation requirements.  Although each counselor will advise the student, the student must initiate scheduling changes when changes are required.

 

Parents are encouraged to contact their child's counselor when questions arise.  Counselors are available during the school day.  When a personal conference is required, please phone for an appointment.  This will allow for a specific date and time to ensure a more productive conference.  Counselors may also be available evenings and during summer by appointment only.

 

When you have studied all of this material carefully, you should be ready to make your course selections. It is extremely important you select course work that reflects personal educational needs and interests.  You must select a minimum of five (5) units to be classified a full-time student. You will receive a registration packet from your counselor which contains sample four year planning charts which serve as planning guides for full four year high school courses of study.  An individual’s four-year plan should be referred to annually and amended as personal, educational, and career goals change.  After discussing the four-year plan with your parent(s) and completing your worksheet, have your parent sign it.  You are expected to bring your signed worksheet to your registration appointment with your counselor. 

 

Once registration has been completed in February, course request verifications will be sent home for parental approval.  Every attempt will be made to meet all requests, but in some cases, scheduling conflicts will occur.  Students should register for at least two alternate courses.  Students will not be allowed to enroll in fewer than five courses at Riverside Brookfield High School.  No new courses can be added after 10 days into any semester.

 

After completion of the registration process, student initiated course changes should not be made without serious consideration by the student, parent, and counselor.  Requests made after the initial registration may not be honored.  To request a schedule change, students or parents should contact the assigned counselor and complete a Program Change Request.  Students will remain in the original course until this form is completed and a $25 processing fee has been paid.  Changes will be made only if the criteria detailed in the section on “Schedule Changes” are followed and space is available.

 

 

 

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

 

Riverside Brookfield High School graduate requirements include a minimum of 22 units of credit.

The following subjects are required.

This reflects state requirements and those of local Board of Education, District 208

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The Global Studies A, B, C, or D  (only A & B offered beginning 05-06) graduation requirement may also be fulfilled by taking

          - Four years of the same foreign language in high school

                       OR                                                

          - AP World History

** The ½ unit Fine Arts graduation requirement may also be fulfilled by taking

          - Four years of the same foreign language in high school

 

Units of credit are generally reflective of the time spent in class. One-half unit of credit is extended for a semester class, one unit of credit for a year long class, and two units of credit for a double period year long class.  The only exception to this is driver education, which does not earn credit.

 

Please note as detailed on the following pages the minimum four year public university admission requirements at most Illinois public universities.

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SELECTING A COLLEGE PREPARATORY PROGRAM

 

Parents and students should begin to think about career and college plans early so that courses taken in high school will be selected to meet the subject requirements of the colleges the students wish to attend.  It is not too early to investigate the various kinds of colleges:  the liberal arts college, the university, the community college, or the specialized school.  College entrance requirements vary greatly.  Students should plan academic programs in high school which maximize opportunities for admission to college.  For those students who are planning to participate in athletics in college, we have detailed the NCAA requirements for admission in the last section of this guide.

 

College admissions officers are concerned with a student's overall record. They consider the types of courses selected, scores on tests such as the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) and/or the American College Testing Program (ACT), high school class rank, college essay, extracurricular activities, and the school's recommendation.  They may also attach importance to demonstrated responsibility, leadership, and service.

 

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR FOUR YEAR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ADMISSION

 

Students who plan to attend a four year college or university directly from high school should begin planning their academic programs accordingly, beginning with freshman year.  The expectation of most four-year colleges and universities is that students will have completed a more rigorous academic program in high school than that required for graduation alone.  The subject pattern required by most of our state universities, which are representative of most systems is: English, 4 units; Mathematics, 3 units through advanced algebra; Lab Science, 3 units; Social Studies, 3 units; plus 2-3 units of the same foreign language, the same area of fine arts, computer science, or vocational education.  A detailed listing of admission requirements for our state universities follows. While these standards are listed as "minimal requirements," some exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis at some of the universities in specific programs.  If you anticipate a problem, please contact your counselor who will help facilitate consultation with individual institutions for more specific information.

 

 

HIGHLY SELECTIVE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ADMISSION

 

Students who plan to attend highly selective colleges and universities must take a rigorous high school curriculum throughout their four years in high school.  Honors and Advanced Placement courses are likely to be considered strongly in admission decisions at those institutions.  While the specific courses may vary somewhat, a typical pattern of high school courses needed for admission to more competitive colleges would include: English, 4 units; Mathematics (beginning with algebra or geometry), 4 units; Social Studies, 3-4 units; Lab Science, 3-4 units; Foreign Language, 3-5 units; Other Electives, 2 units.  Honors courses are not necessarily expected in every curricular area, but students who excel in two or more areas should take the maximum number of courses in those areas at the highest level possible.  Other factors considered important in selective college admission include:  special talents and interests, co-curricular activities, service to the community, leadership, college essays, recommendations, and college interviews.  Geographic and demographic balance may be a consideration in admission decisions as well. 

 

 

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PLAN AHEAD

 

The first step in college preparation is taking essential courses while in high school. Many colleges expect an educational program to include at least four academic courses each year including English, foreign language, math, science, and social science. Highly selective institutions require more. Listed below is a comparison of certain academic guidelines from the 2006 – 2007 school year.

 

 

 

 

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STATE UNIVERSITIES IN ILLINOIS

ADMISSION INFORMATION FOR 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR

Costs reflect approximate tuition and fees and room & board. Additional expenses will generally equal approximately $3,000 each year for books and supplies, travel insurance, personal items, entertainment, etc.