Course Policies and Procedures

A FOUR-YEAR PLAN OF STUDY is available for use in the Program of Studies.

As a 1st step, students must give serious consideration to completing the FOUR-YEAR PLAN of STUDY. This will help to ensure that students have a well-planned high school education that will lend itself to post high school plans. This FOUR-YEAR PLAN of STUDY may be updated on a yearly basis as appropriate in consultation with a school counselor. As a 2nd step, students must carefully read the Program of Studies paying particular attention to graduation requirements, college entrance requirements (2- and 4-year program), course descriptions, and prerequisites. 

As a 3rd step, students should work closely with their school counselors to clarify questions and seek advice to complete the FOUR-YEAR PLAN of STUDY. Counselors are also available to assist with questions regarding college entrance requirements and with job shadowing experiences.

1. A maximum of 15 credits of a combination of journalism, speech, and communication studies can be applied to fulfill the 60 credits of required English courses. 

2. The social studies requirement includes one year of World History, two trimesters of government, and one trimester of economics. 

3. The physical education requirement requires the student to be registered in PE for one trimester of each year of attendance. Seniors who participate in an athletic sport during the school year may request a waiver from participating in a physical education class. In addition, any student who takes seven classes all three trimesters may request a PE waiver. The requirement may also be waived for those students with a doctor's medical excuse filed in the Health Office. This waiver must be filed annually. 

4. Students must be registered in health for one trimester unless a parent waiver request is approved. 

Students are strongly urged to work closely with their school counselor regarding college entrance requirements and completing their FOUR-YEAR PLAN. A copy of the Iowa’s Regents Universities’ admission recommendations is included as a guideline and should be used early on for general planning purposes. In order to be best prepared for the future, students need to get specific information from a variety of schools and/or post high school programs. Not all courses listed in the Program of Studies meet college and/or NCAA admission requirements. 

In order to participate in any high school performance and or be eligible to participate in a sport or competitive activity, a student must have passed all courses the trimester prior to participation and must be enrolled in four subjects (Excluding Driver’s Education). A special education student who is making adequate progress in meeting goals and objectives on the individualized education plan, as assessed by the teacher, will be academically eligible. (Admin. Reg. 503.4c) 

Students at risk of withdrawing from high school or those far behind in credits may be considered for a referral to Elizabeth Tate High School, the district’s alternative high school. The alternative high school’s classes may not be used to accelerate the date of graduation. 

Early graduation is not encouraged because it generally provides only a minimum program; however, there are circumstances under which it is possible. Arrangements for early graduation should be made through the school counseling office during the previous term of the proposed year of graduation. Written application must be made to the student’s counselor, stating reasons for the request. No credit other than from regular high school courses may be used for early graduation. 

If students are behind in credits, they may elect to take courses through the ICCSD summer school or school-year credit recovery program (Edgenuity). The equivalent of 45 course credits* from recovery credit programs may be applied toward an ICCSD diploma. Students must request a written approval form from their counselor prior to enrolling in each course. *Note: These courses may not be substituted for specific ICCSD High School courses re- quired for graduation without approval from an administrator. 

Student-athletes interested in Division I or II collegiate athletics should go online to www.eligibilitycenter.org for a copy of the booklet NCAA Guidance for the College Bound Student Athlete. This booklet lists all academic, athletic and scholarship requirements and al- lows student athletes to set up accounts with the NCAA for registration purposes. Student-athletes interested in playing NAIA sports should go online to www.playNAIA.org for information about NAIA academic and athletic requirements and registration. Students may see their counselor for additional assistance. 

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a free federally required form for students seeking financial aid for college. This form should be filed after October 1 and prior to June 30th each year (some colleges and states have earlier deadlines). The FAFSA can be filed online at www.fafsa.gov; there is no charge to complete and submit the FAFSA. Students and families may receive assistance with the FAFSA and Financial Aid process from their counselors. 

Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and reduced lunch, the Family Investment Program (FIP),  Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance under open enrollment, or who are in foster care or are legally defined  as homeless are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived. Forms are available in the Main Office. 

All students are required to take a minimum of five courses each trimester. Ninth and tenth graders will be assigned to study hall when not in class. Juniors may have one open period each trimester. Seniors may have up to two open periods each trimester. Students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency prior to enrolling in advanced level courses. Students should not enroll in more than 2 courses from the same curricular area in any given trimester. 

To ensure students are progressing towards graduation, students who do not complete required courses and accumulate less than a minimum number of credits by the end of the school year will not be promoted to the next level. The grade classification follows:

A student may request to repeat a trimester course with the approval of a teacher if it is designated as a course approved for retaking in the Program of Studies.  The student may request a form from the Counseling Office and go through the approval process with their teacher and their school counselor.

1. Students may re-enroll in a course in which they received a “C” or lower grade.
2. Students will not earn additional credit for completing the course a second time - no double credit.
3. The better grade of the two attempts will appear on transcripts. 
4. The student must comply with the behavioral, academic, and attendance expectations of the course.

1. All level change requests must be made by the 15th day of each trimester or with teacher approval at midterm of the trimester or a trimester break. Exceptions must have administrative approval.
2. The request to change will reflect input from the school counselor, course instructor, and must have parent approval.
3. The student will be moved to a section meeting at the same period as the course dropped unless this section is filled or there is no section at that time. Capacity levels of classes will not be exceeded to grant the request.
4. The teacher will take into account grade-in-progress when determining the final grade for the new class.

Because students are responsible for accepting the course of study for which they register, they must plan very deliberately, always keeping in mind individual interests and post high school plans. Any adjustments following the initial Course Selection Process in January are limited and will be based only on the following reasons:

1. Computer error or imbalance of course sections.

2. Failure in a class that is a pre-requisite.

3. Teacher recommendation and/or request because of inappropriate level placement.

4. Unavailability of a class.

5. Class schedule that fails to meet minimum load requirements.

Requests for reasons other than those listed above are limited to extenuating circumstances and must have parent/guardian approval. Requests that would result in an imbalance in the section numbers of a course will NOT be approved. 

A request may be made during the posted adjustment period. 

Students wanted to add, drop or adjust their schedule must pick up a schedule adjustment request form from the counseling office and make an appointment to see their counselor. 

Requests for teacher change will not be granted except under extenuating circumstances. A teacher change form will need to be completed and turned in to the school counseling office. All requests will be reviewed by the principal and will require a parent contact. 

Late Enrollment

Students’ ability to earn credit is dependent on the date of enrollment.
In any grading period:

• After week 6-P/F (Pass/Fail)
• After week 9-AU (Audit-no credits awarded)

Parents/Guardians and students will be informed of the late enrollment guidelines.

Students are encouraged to complete the courses they start; however, in the event a student wishes to withdraw from a course, the following guidelines will be used.

Day 1–15: Students may withdraw from a course. No notation will appear on the transcript.
Day 16 to three days after Parent/Teacher conferences: A student may withdraw from the course with parent permission. The transcript will reflect a “W” (withdrawn).
Three days after Parent/Teacher conferences to End of Trimester: A student may withdraw from the course with parent permission. The transcript will reflect an “F” (failing) grade.

Any student who makes a request to drop a course must have prior approval from his/her teacher, counselor, and parent/guardian.

In order to participate in any high school performance and/or to be eligible to participate in a sport or competitive activity, a student must have passed all courses the trimester prior to participation and must be enrolled in four subjects (excluding Driver’s Education). 

*A special education student who is making adequate progress in meeting goals and objectives on the individualized education plan, as assessed by the teacher, will be academically eligible.
 

Special programs are offered to meet the needs of students with Individual Education Plans and include the full continuum of supports and services. Participation requires referral and staffing procedures. Specific supports and service are determined with input from the parents, student, school counselor, and case manager. 

View the Special Education Page

View more information about the Senior Year Plus Program

ICCSD High School juniors and seniors who meet specific criteria will have the opportunity to take approved courses at the University of Iowa. 

Students need at least a 3.50 cumulative high school GPA.

Tuition and textbooks will be paid by the district. 

Through this program the district is able to provide a wider variety of options including advanced courses in mathematics, science, social studies, humanities, and vocational technical education. * Students can only take courses that aren't offered at in the district.

Students who successfully complete college courses may earn both high school and college credit.

PLTW Pathway to Engineering (PTE) program is a sequence of courses which follows a proven hands-on, real-world problem-solving approach to learning. Students learn to apply the design process, acquire strong teamwork and communication proficiency, and develop organizational, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. They explore aerodynamics, astronautics, and space life sciences. Students apply biological and engineering concepts related to biomechanics. They design, test, and actually construct circuits and devices such as smart phones and tablets. 

All PLTW classes are dual enrollment except Aerospace Engineering. Students who enroll in PLTW courses will receive high school credit and college credit from Kirkwood. In addition, students who pass the final college credit exam may be eligible to receive four-year college credit at selected four-year colleges, for a small transcript fee. More information about PLTW college credit can be found at www.PLTW.org

Advanced Placement provides an academically challenging curriculum that allows students to take college level courses while still in high school. For each AP course, an AP Exam is administered in May at participating schools worldwide. High school students may choose to take the AP exams in specific subjects such as English, world language, chemistry, history, calculus, psychology, biology, economics, computer science, environmental sciences, and fine arts. Except for AP Studio Art, which is a portfolio assessment and AP Capstone Seminar, which includes student portfolio assessments starting with trimester 2, each AP exam contains a free response section (either essay or problem solving) and a section of multiple choice questions. The modern language exams also have a speaking component and the AP Music Theory Exam includes a sight-singing task. 

Colleges and universities use the AP results to determine college preparedness, student motivation, and placement. Students have the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at many of the nation's colleges and universities. A fee is required to take the AP exam. This fee may be waived for students who meet criteria for the free and reduced lunch program. Please refer to the College Board website at https://www.collegeboard.org/ and your school counselor for further information. 

The Workplace Learning Connection in collaboration with Kirkwood Community College and the Iowa City Community School District partners with local employers to offer a unique opportunity for work-based learning. Students may select career specific internship or practicum experiences. Upon completion of the on-site hours, career skill development hours, and additional requirements, students MAY receive elective high school credit - 5 credits for 45-hour Internship and 10 credits for a 90-hour Internship. This will be noted on the transcript with a Pass or No Pass and will not be included in the GPA. Sessions are available for the summer, fall, and spring. Additional information is available at https://www.kirkwood.edu/workplace-learning-connection/index. Students should consult with their counselor to coordinate this experience.