Senior High Course Selection Policies

Requirements for Graduation
Advanced Placement and Honors Courses
Auditing a Class
BSM Hour
Course Change Policy
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options
Shortage of Credits
Study Abroad
Withdrawals from a Course
College Admission Requirements
NCAA Eligibility Requrements
Four-Year Plan

Requirements for Graduation

This Program of Studies has been designed to provide information for students and parents as they make informed decisions regarding course selection during their years at Benilde-St. Margaret’s.  Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their course selections with their counselors, teachers, and parents.  The high school experience is intended to be a four-year process in which students complete an extensive curriculum in preparation for post-secondary studies.  Benilde-St. Margaret’s offers a variety of elective courses that enhance a college preparatory curriculum.  With this philosophy in mind, we will not allow students to complete their studies after the first semester of senior year.  

The following is a summary of the courses that are required for graduation.  One credit equals one semester of satisfactory completion of coursework, with the exception of Physical Education 9, Wellness 10, Wellness/PE 11, Wellness/PE 12 and Career College Planning.

English	8 credits	Theology	8 credits
Fine Arts	2 credits	Science	6 credits
Guidance	0.5 credits	Social Studies	6 credits
Health	1 credit	Wellness/PE	2.5 credits
Mathematics	6 credits	World Language	4 credits
Electives	7 credits	Total credits	51

 

The courses listed in this Program of Studies will not necessarily be the same as the final courses offered during the school year.  The number of students registered for a course, scheduling priorities and personnel will determine final course offerings. Counselors are available to students and parents throughout the course selection process.

Amanda Anderson – Grades 11-12, Last Names L-Z
Amy Desmond – Grades 11-12, Last Names A- K
Jeff Steffenson – Grades 9-10, Last Names A-K
Fran Roby – Grades 9-10, Last Names L-Z

Advanced Placement and Honors Courses

Student registration in an Advanced Placement (AP) or honors course is based on academic record, teacher recommendations, and student motivation. A placement test may also be required. Courses are designed in conjunction with the curriculum expectations of the College Board’s AP Program and seek to prepare students to take the AP exam(s) in May. Students and parents must be aware that AP and honors courses are quite rigorous and require a great deal of self-directed study and additional reading. It is strongly recommended that students seek a teacher recommendation before registering for an AP or honors course. Students must obtain written permission from their current teacher in the appropriate subject to register for an AP or Honors course.

Refer to the specific AP course you are interested in for additional prerequisite information. A student may enroll in these courses only at the beginning of the school year. A student will be transferred from an honors course or AP course at the semester if he or she is not maintaining a grade of "C" or better.

Auditing a Class

Sometimes a student may need to take a course for review or to strengthen his/her skills in order to progress through the sequence in an academic area.  This can be done through auditing a class.  Although a student receives a grade that is reflected on his/her permanent record, he/she does not receive credit for the audited class.  The grade is not computed into a student’s cumulative grade point average. The student should make arrangements to audit a class by contacting his/her counselor.

Top of Page

 

BSM Hour

Each student will be scheduled for a BSM (Body, Spirit, Mind) Hour during the regular school day for both semesters.  During the BSM Hour all students will earn their Physical Education/Wellness credit.  Physical Education meets every other day for freshmen.  For sophomores, juniors, and seniors, Wellness meets approximately one day a week.  Students will also be required to attend sessions with their academic counselor during their BSM hour throughout the school year.  In addition, students will have access to resource centers in various disciplines (Math, Writing, Science, World Language) and have expanded opportunities for peer tutoring, music sectionals, college and career planning, fitness activities, technology assistance, meetings with counselors or the campus minister and time for individual and group work.  The BSM Hour is an integral part of the academic mission of the school and is not optional.

 

Course Change Policy

Students register for courses in the spring of each year, and it is important for students to select courses carefully.  The BSM Program of Studies contains a listing of all courses offered, and prerequisite information is noted if appropriate.  Course requests are carefully reviewed by each academic department after semester two grades have been posted.  Students who do not meet the necessary course prerequisite will be placed in the appropriate level or may be asked to make an alternate course choice.  Administration will place a student in a course necessary to fulfill graduation requirements if an alternate selection is not chosen. The administration reserves the right to cancel any course with insufficient numbers or where changes in personnel are required. 

Changes prior to the start of school:

In late summer students are required to attend one of the two Round-up days, during which they will review their preliminary schedule and may make adjustments during this period.  There is no fee assessed at this time.  All changes are subject to class space availability.

After the start of school:

Based on the recommendation of your guidance counselor and appropriate department chair, a course change may be approved after the start of the school year, taking into account the following guidelines:

□      All changes must be made by the date set by administration, usually the end of the first week of school.

□      A change request form must be completed.

□      Teacher and hour preference are not considered valid reasons for a schedule change.

□      All changes are subject to available class space.

□      All changes are subject to a $20 fee.

□      All change requests must be made with the appropriate guidance counselor.

Level Changes:

Students are placed in the course level most appropriate to their academic ability.  Each department allows a four-week period at the beginning of first semester to confirm that a student is in the most appropriate course level.  In some cases a level change adjustment may become necessary to insure the best possible academic experience for a student.

Level changes may be initiated by the student or teacher.  Students are encouraged to speak with the instructor of the course if they feel they need a level change.  The teacher will speak with the student’s academic counselor, their department chair and a parent.  If a change is warranted, the department chair will confirm the change with the academic counselor.  Every effort is made not to disrupt the entire student schedule; however, it may be necessary to adjust one or more additional courses to accommodate a level change.

Independent Study

Students choosing to study an area not offered in the regular curriculum may arrange to take a course on an independent study basis.  A student must be enrolled in six courses and complete an Independent Study Form with the assistance of the BSM course instructor.  Students taking an independent study course are required to meet a minimum of one hour per week with their instructor.  Students may enroll in only one independent study course per semester.  An additional fee of $300 will be assessed.

 

Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

Students wishing to take college courses while in high school may want to consider PSEO.  Juniors and seniors are allowed to apply for PSEO part time.  Several guidelines and requirements have been set for BSM students to participate in this program.  Detailed information regarding BSM’s PSEO policy can be obtained from the PSEO coordinator in the guidance office.

 

Shortage of Credits

Students are required to be making satisfactory progress toward graduation in order to be allowed to continue enrollment at Benilde-St. Margaret's School.

If a student fails a course and is subsequently short the required number of credits toward graduation, it is the responsibility of the student and his/her parents to make arrangements to make up the failed course and the loss of credit.  Credit may be recovered by enrolling in an approved course offered at BSM, a local high school, community college summer or evening program, or an online course.  The course must be approved by the appropriate BSM department head prior to enrollment.

 

Study Abroad Program

Students choosing to spend one or more semesters studying abroad will need to see their counselor to discuss arrangements.  Issues concerning transfer of grades, and credits earned through studying abroad will be discussed.  Prior to leaving, the student must have written consent from the principal.  Students should be aware  Benilde-St. Margaret’s School and Minnesota State graduation requirements will not be waived and will need to be completed in order for the student to graduate. 

 

Withdrawals from a Course

Withdraw Procedure

After approved schedule changes have been made, withdrawals from a course are strongly discouraged.

A student may withdraw from a course during the first six weeks of the semester if consent is obtained from the student’s parent/guardian, his/her counselor, and the teacher of the course.  If a student withdraws from a course within the six-week period, a “W” is placed on the transcript.  After the first six weeks of the semester, no withdrawals will be permitted except for serious and prolonged illness or other unavoidable emergencies.  Students who withdraw from a class after the first six weeks of the semester will receive an “F” on their permanent record.

Withdrawal from a Yearlong Course

When enrolling in a yearlong course, students should expect to remain in the course for both semesters.  When applying to colleges, students are required to list their course of studies.  A college will look for successful completion of a yearlong course.  A grade issued for only one semester of a yearlong course may be a red flag to a college admissions office.  Any student wishing to withdraw from a yearlong course must receive permission from the instructor of the course.

Top of Page

 

College Admission Requirements

Colleges have a wide range of admission requirements. For specific requirements, students should contact the admissions office at the colleges or universities they are interested in attending.  Students planning to attend college should have the following courses:

English	4 years	Social Studies	3 years
Math	3-4 years	Science	3-4 years
		World Language	3 years

 

The principle factors colleges consider in making admission decisions include the following:

1. The courses a student has taken.
2. High school GPA (grade point average).
3. ACT and/or SAT test scores.

Very selective colleges are interested in the pattern of high school courses taken by their applicants.  Students interested in these schools should take the most rigorous courses available and should take all the science, math, English, social studies, and world language available.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses at BSM are first-year-college equivalent courses, approved by the College Board.  They are designed to assist in preparation for the AP exams held annually in May.  With enrollment in an AP comes the expectation the student will take the exam in May.  Students may earn college credit if their scores qualify.

 

NCAA Eligibility Requirements

Students wishing to participate in inter-collegiate athletics on a Division I or Division II level must abide by NCAA guidelines.  Students must register and be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center.  Students should be  

aware some courses offered at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School do not meet NCAA core course guidelines.  Following is a list of these courses:

Pending	Denied
Algebra Plus	Advanced Film Studies
	Algebra Concepts (commencing with the 2012-13 school year)
	Applied Chemistry
	Film Studies (commencing with the 2012-13 school year)
	Geometry Concepts (commencing with the 2012-13 school year)
	Intermediate Algebra (commencing with the 2012-13 school year)

For additional information about DI or DII course, grade and test score requirements please go to the NCAA website:  www.elgibiltycenter.org.  Select:  Enter Here > Resources > US Students > Eligibility Quick Reference Sheet

Top of Page

 

Four-Year Plan

Freshmen-Minimum Credit Requirement = 13   Typical Credits = 15

First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
Theology 9	1	Theology 9	1
English 9	1	English 9	1
Mathematics	1	Mathematics	1
Science	1	Science	1
Physical Education 9	.5	Physical Education 9	. 5
Health OR Fine Art	1	Health OR Fine Art	1
World Language	1	World Language	1
Elective	1	Elective	1
Total Credits per Semester	6.5 to 7.5	Total Credits per Semester	6.5 to 7.5

Sophomore-Minimum Credit Requirement = 12.5   Typical Credits = 14.5

First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
Theology 10	1	Theology 10	1
English 10	1	English 10	1
Mathematics	1	Mathematics	1
Science	1	Science	1
Wellness	.25	Wellness	.25
Social Studies	1	Social Studies	1
World Language	1	World Language	1
Elective	1	Elective	1
Total Credits per Semester	6.25 to 7.25	Total Credits per Semester	6.25 to 7.25

Junior – Minimum Credit Requirement = 13   Typical Credits = 15

First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
Theology	1	Theology	1
English	1	English	1
Mathematics	1	Mathematics	1
Science	1	Science	1
Social Studies	1	Social Studies	1
Wellness	.25	Wellness	.25
Elective	1	Elective	1
Elective	1	Guidance: Career College Planning	.5
	.5	Elective	1
Total Credits per Semester	6.25 to 7.25	Total Credits per Semester	6.75 to 7.75

Senior – Minimum Credit Requirement = 12.5   Typical Credits = 14.5

First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
Theology	1	Theology	1
English	1	English	1
Social Studies	1	Social Studies	1
Wellness	.25	Wellness	.25
Elective	1	Elective	1
Elective	1	Elective	1
Elective	1	Elective	1
Elective	1	Elective	1
Total Credits per Semester	6.25 to 7.25	Total Credits per Semester	6.25 to 7.25

Top of Page