Make the Most of Your High School Experience

Making the transition to high school is an exciting and challenging time for students and their families. There are many options to choose from and a number of requirements to meet. In Prince William County Public Schools, we believe that all students should have a rigorous educational experience based on curriculum that builds on what students have learned at home, in our community, and at school. The high school experience is designed to prepare students for future employment, further study at the college and university level, and to be effective citizens in our local, national, and global community. It consists of high-quality diploma options, a wide choice of specialty programs, core required coursework, an array of elective offerings, and nontraditional options for earning credits. While academic programs form the core of our high school program, it is also important to take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in the rich extracurricular programs at all of our high schools.

Where Do I Start?

Select the diploma type you wish to earn. Students entering the 9th grade are strongly encouraged to consider the Advanced Studies Diploma option to maintain the greatest number of options as they progress through their high school career. School counseling services provide regular opportunities for families to evaluate student progress toward diploma requirements and to make adjustments to the type of diploma selected. All PWCS high schools provide diplomas and certificates to meet the needs of students with different interests and needs.

The purpose of this course description catalog is to describe in general terms the courses taught in Prince William County Public Schools' high schools, grades 9-12. Students should study this course catalog and consult with their parent/guardian, school counselors, and teachers in planning their individual program of study. It is the responsibility of each student and his/her family to ensure that requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma or a Standard Diploma are met. Graduation requirements are based on the year a student first enters 9th grade. School counselors can help with planning by reviewing test scores and records of past achievements and by discussing current interests and long-term goals. School counselors also have up-to-date information available about various training programs, schools, colleges, universities, and employment possibilities. School counselors review graduation requirements with students annually, and the school counseling staff at each school is available to assist you. Please work closely with your school counselor in making academic planning decisions.

Academic Year

The state requires that the regular academic year is at least 180 days, divided into two semesters. Courses are generally one year in length, and students receive a final grade and one standard unit of credit at the end of the school year for each course successfully completed. Some courses; however, are individually designed for one semester only. A one-semester course receives one-half credit, upon successful completion.

Course Selection

The course selection process in high school is a highly personal task and should be based on the student's aptitude and interests, teacher recommendations, and close collaboration among school, student, and parent/guardian.

Courses listed will be included in the curriculum for the 2024-25 school year if there is sufficient enrollment and available staff. Grade levels listed for courses indicate the grade(s) in which the course is normally taken. All students will be expected to maintain a full-day schedule of classes required to meet the minimum standards necessary for graduation and Virginia Board of Education regulations.

All courses described may not be offered at all schools due to staffing and/or enrollment limitations. School counselors will work very closely with students and parents/guardians to develop academic plans where appropriate substitutions can be made for courses not offered.

When selecting courses for the upcoming school year, students and parents/guardians should choose carefully. The courses selected should be based on the student's ability, past record of academic achievement, interest in the subject, career goal(s), and teacher recommendations. The pursuit of a course of studies leading to entrance into college may include those courses not directly related to college entrance. Fine and Performing Arts (dance, music, theatre, or visual arts) and Career and Technical Education courses offer students the opportunity to explore new areas of study as well as to gain knowledge and skills that may likely prove useful to them in whatever career they choose.

Through careful course selection and close cooperation between the student and the school counselor, a student will be able to pursue their chosen pathway and still have time for other course offerings without excluding any particular area of study.

This catalog includes a listing of courses taught in Prince William County Public Schools' high schools. Not all courses are taught in every high school. Course offerings are contingent on sufficient student interest. This may result in some courses not being available in certain schools even though they are listed for those schools.

A student desiring to take a course offered at a school other than his/her assigned school should contact his/her school counselor for details.

 

Driver Education

The classroom driver education course is offered as part of the 10th grade health education curriculum in all high schools. When students successfully complete the classroom phase and have secured a learner's permit, they then may take behind-the-wheel driver instruction. Behind-the-wheel driver instruction in Prince William County Public Schools is offered after school and during the summer. There is a fee for behind-the-wheel driver instruction.

Placement/Promotion Procedure

Recommendations concerning instructional placement of students are the responsibility of the teacher and other professional staff directly involved with the students. The final decision concerning placement, however, rests with the principal. Promotion at the high school level is based on the following guidelines:

• Students who are promoted from grade 8 will be placed in grade 9.
• Students in high school progress toward graduation on a course-by-course basis. Students take courses based upon academic performance, academic needs, graduation requirements, and previous credits earned.
• Graduation requirements for students shall be those in effect at the time the student entered the 9th grade for the first time.

The requirements for membership in grades 9-12 are as follows:

Grade Placement

• 9th Grade: Successful completion of grade eight.
• 10th Grade: Five units of credit, three of which must be in required courses.
• 11th Grade: Eleven units of credit, six of which must be in required courses.
• 12th Grade: Sixteen units of credit, nine of which must be in required courses.

To be classified as a 12th grader, a student must be in a program of studies which will enable the student to acquire the minimum number of standard units of credit and verified units of credit required for graduation by June of the senior year or by the end of summer school following the senior year. All alternative programs require the approval of the principal of the high school from which the student will graduate.

Course Requirements

All students, regardless of the diploma type or specialty program selected, will have to complete a set of required core classes in mathematics, science, social studies, English/language arts, physical education, and other subjects. The Standard, and Advanced Studies Diploma Charts are designed to help students see what required courses must be completed for each diploma type. Some specialty programs offer courses which may be substituted for required classes. Students and their families need to work closely with their school counselor to explore their available course options.

Specialty Programs

Specialty programs allow for career exploration, subject area concentration, and college/university preparation. Prince William County Public Schools provide excellent opportunities for students to explore a wide variety of special programs. These "specialty" programs give students the chance to investigate careers ranging from the various building trades to advanced computer science. Students participating in these programs can earn certifications, licenses, or other professional credentials in an area of study.

In addition to career exploration and concentrated study in fields of interest, all our high schools provide rigorous college preparation through the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) courses, IB, Programme, or Cambridge Programme (AICE). All three of these programs offer students the possibility of earning college credit for courses completed while in high school. There are also Dual Enrollment and Early Online College courses available to students in PWCS.

Families can explore the wide range of options available in their neighborhood high school program or consider one of the many options presented at our information nights held annually across the county. You can contact the counseling office of any high school for more information about programs of particular interest to you. Learn more about PWCS specialty programs to make the best choice.  

Electives

In addition to the core course requirements and specialty programs, all PWCS high schools offer elective course options which extend and enrich the curriculum, and challenge students. Students may choose these electives to customize their educational experience to meet their interests. Some examples are: advanced physical education, journalism, theatre, fine and performing arts, geography, astronomy, international relations, and many more. Speak with your school counselor to learn about the offerings available at your school.

Why should I take advanced courses during high school?

College Admissions

• Schedule Strength Matters: Colleges want to see students challenge themselves to the best of their ability.
• Preparation for College: Many students find their college course work to be easier after taking a challenging high school curriculum.
• Preparation for College Entrance Exams (i.e., SAT, ACT): Challenging coursework prepares you to perform at high levels on these tests.

Challenge Yourself

• Rigor is Best: Most colleges want to see students take English, math, science, social studies, and a world language each year of high school.
• Lifelong Payoff: Students who take rigorous courses during high school often do better in college and in turn are able to secure more stable employment.

Start a College Transcript

• Dual Enrollment: Students start a college transcript in high school when they take an approved Dual Enrollment course.
• Head Start: Students who take college courses, at low or no cost during high school, can save money on college tuition and are more likely to graduate college early or on time.

Balance is Best!

Students should make sure to leave plenty of time to participate in extracurricular activities both at school and in the community.