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Diplomas / Graduation

 

DIPLOMAS

 

Sunland graduates recieve high school diplomas upon meeting the graduation requirements. The diplomas have been accepted by colleges and universities throughout the United States. Some universities or organizations may  required further steps for a student to enroll in their programs or academies. Discuss with a Sunland Counselor your goals and how to prepare your student for their future. 

 

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

 

1. TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED --200

Each semester class gives 5 credits and each full year class gives 10 credits.   Classes must be at least 5 hours each week to receive 5 credits.   1 school year = 175 days  = 35 weeks. 1 semester = 85-90 days = 17-18 full weeks.  1 semester course = 80-90 hours

 

 

2. REQUIRED COURSES      GENERAL DIPLOMA                          / COLLEGE-BOUND

 

English                             4 years                                             4 years 

Math                                2 years                                             3 years 

Science                             2 years                                             2 years (1 physical, 1 Biology/ with lab) 

World History                    1 year                                              1 year (includes geography)  

US History                        1 year                                                1 year 

US Government                 ½ year                                              ½ year 

Economics                         ½ year                                                ½ year 

Foreign Language                                                                      2 years (same language) 

Performing Arts                                                                         1 year (2002/3 school year)* 

Forgn Lang/Fine Art           1 year 

Physical Education             2 years                                               2 years 

Health                              ½ year                                              ½ year 

Career Education               ½ year  

Electives                         50 credits (= 5 - 1 year courses)

 

*The college bound requirements are based on the University of California's standards. Please check with the college of your choice for their course requirements.  Each college is different.

 

 

3. PASSAGE OF PROFICIENCY LEVELS ON STANDARDIZED TEST.

Starting at the 11th grade level, proficiency tests must be passed at the 10th grade level in the following areas: READING VOCABULARY AND COMPREHENSION, MATH, and ENGLISH. Students who meet course requirements but do not pass 10th grade level will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Sunland uses the Stanford Achievement Test 9 for these exams.

 

4. VOLUNTEER HOURS

 Each high school student is required to volunteer his/her time to produce a well rounded individual. These  hours may be from their church, library, local community center, retirement/nursing home, hospital, animal shelter, etc.  A total of 100 hours will be required for a student with Sunland all 4 years. Each semester, 12.5 hours is required

 

5. A SENIOR FEE of $50 is required.

Senior fees help cover the costs involved in the tracking and verification process of each senior. Time involved in test administration, preparation of offical transcripts, organizing senior activities, dinner and graduation are some of the expenses covered by this fee. Testing, each activity, the senior dinner and graduation have additional expenses.

 

 

SUNLAND COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

MINIMUM NUMBER OF CREDITS REQUIRED 200 credits (categorized as follows)

 

ENGLISH              40 credits required

MATHEMATICS     20 credits required

UNITED STATES HISTORY   10 credits required

WORLD HISTORY   10 credits required

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT / CIVICS 5 credits required

ECONOMICS          5 credits required

SCIENCE              20 credits required

FINE ARTS or FOREIGN LANGUAGE 10 credits required

PHYSICAL EDUCATION   20 credits required

HEALTH                5 credits required                 

CAREER PLANNING                             5 credit required 

ELECTIVES           50 credits required

VOLUNTEER HOURS - 25 hours per year - 9th - 12th grades)

  • American Literature and English Literature should be included for the collegebound student. High school English should stress writing skills and literature.        

  • Colleges expect students to have Algebra and Geometry, and higher math is recommended. Remedial, General and Consumer math courses will meet the math requirement.

  • One year U.S. History is required. It may be taken any year, ninth through twelfth.

  • One year of World History is required. It may be taken any  year, ninth through twelfth.

  • One semester of Government may be taken any year, ninth through twelfth. Federal, state, and local governments should be covered.

  • One semester of Economics is required any year, ninth through twelfth. Contrasts in differing market economy's, essential concepts such as competition in the marketplace and private ownership of capital should be covered in this course.

  • It is recommended that students include 10 credits of a Life Science and 10 credits of a Physical Science. Colleges usually require one year of Biology and one year of  Chemistry. Many colleges require that at least one of the Science courses be a laboratory class and some colleges require two years of a laboratory class.

  • Art, Dance, Drama, or Music may be used to meet the Fine Arts requirement. Or one year of a Foreign Language may be taken. Colleges will vary in their Fine Arts/Foreign Language requirements. Most will expect at least 5 credits of Fine Arts even if a year of a Foreign Language has been taken.    Some colleges require two years of the same Foreign Language  in addition to one year of a Fine Art. Consult the catalogue  of the college you plan to attend, or it is probably safest to take two years of the same Foreign Language plus one year of a Fine Art.

  • Physical Education can be accomplished through a variety of approaches. Daily aerobics, a determined exercise routine, community sports, weight lifting or jogging are some possible ideas.

  • This course should include many of these topics: physical fitness, human anatomy, physiology, nutrition, personal appearance, safety, disease, first aid, and drug abuse.

  • This course is for your student to gain insights into possible careers for his future. The student needs to explore more about his own interests and skills. Then, study can be done on different careers in some of these areas: important job market trends, current pay scales, outlooks for each career, what is involved in the work, the training to enter the field, working conditions, future prospects and personal qualifications. 

  • If a certain career seems to be desirable for your student, then he should study that career more in depth. Ask the high school counselor for a career books catalog and for ideas for this course. We are recommending a book to our parents called, "HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CAREER".  We have been purchasing these books, so please tell us if you would like to buy a copy. A REQUIREMENT for this course is for the student to type a personal resume and turn itin to the school office when you turn in the grade for that course.

  • Electives can be academic or non academic courses. Suggested elective courses are: Computer courses, Driver's Education, Home Economics, Work Experience, Photography, Vocational courses like Welding, or Electronics, or a third year of Science. Only 2 years are required by SCS, so the third year can be considered an elective academic course

  • SAMPLE LIST OF ELECTIVES: Typing, Accounting, Film Making, Photography, Introduction to Computer, Word Processing, Drama, Journalism, Speech, Mass Media, Cinema, Horticulture, Agriculture, Child Development, Auto Mechanics, Calculus, Choir, Band, community Service, Business Principles, Coputer Repair, Computer Aid Draft Design, Office Skills, Debate, Ceramics, Nature Study (docent training program), Interior Design, Sewing, Nutrition, Cosmetology, Introduction to Nursing, Early childhood Development, Survival Skills, Auto Maintenance & Repair, Home Maintenance & Repair, Drafting, Mechanical Drawing, Introduction to Building Trades, Woodworking, Electricity/Electronics, Introduction to Law, Entrepreneurship, Leadership Training, Video or TV Production, Volunteer Work (Tutoring, Hospital Work, Counseling).

  • Sunland sees volunteering as an integral part of well rounded student development. Sunland  requires 25 hours of volunteer work per year. Some examples of places to volunteer are:  hospital, church, pregnancy crisis center, political campaign, library, etc.

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