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Lake Park School District

Dedicated To Excellence In Education

Course Catalog

High School Course Guide

Graduation Requirements

In Lake Park Public Schools, to qualify for high school graduation, 21 units of credit with a minimum enrollment in seven semesters is required (See Board Policy IHF). The high school graduation requirements are designed to be completed in eight semesters.

A Distinguished Diploma shall be awarded to students who earn 31 credits (to include the 25 credits outlined for a Recognized Diploma) and earn an Associates Degree and/or International Baccalaureate Diploma.

  • Courses

    Recognized Diploma
    25 Total Credits

    Foundational Diploma
    **21 Total Credits
    English
    *College level English courses may fulfill these credits.
    4.5 Credits*
    • English 1 (1 credit)
    • English 2 (1 credit)
    • English 3 (1 credit)
    • English 4 (1 credit)
    • Speech, Forensics, or Debate (.5 credit)
    4 Credits*
    • English 1 (1 credit)
    • English 2 (1 credit)
    • English 3 (1 credit)
    • English 4 (1 credit)
    Math
    *College level math courses may fulfill these credits.
    4 Credits*
    • Algebra 1 (1 credit)
    • Geometry (1 credit)
    • Algebra 2 (1 credit)
    • 4th Year Math Course (1 credit)
    3 Credits
    • Algebra 1 (1 credit)
    • Geometry (1 credit)
    • Algebra 2 (1 credit)
    Social Studies
    *College level social studies courses may fulfill these credits.
    3 Credits*
    • World History (1 credit)
    • American History (1 credit)
    • American Government (.5 credit)
    • Business Economics (.5 credit)
    3 Credits*
    • World History (1 credit)
    • American History (1 credit)
    • American Government (.5 credit)
    • Business Economics (.5 credit)
    Science
    *College level science courses may fulfill these credits.
    3 Credits*

    Must include 1 credit from life science, 1 credit from physical science, and 1 additional science credit.
    3 Credits*

    Must include 1 credit from life science, 1 credit from physical science, and 1 additional science credit.
    P.E. / Health
    1 Credit
    1 Credit
    Fine Arts
    1 Credit
    1 Credit
    CTE
    2 Credits

    Must include Financial Literacy [formerly Consumer Education] (.5 credit) and Business Communications (.5 credit)

    		 Courses taken in this area may count towards the six credits of electives.
    World Languages
    *College level world language courses may fulfill these credits.
    2 Credits*

    Two years of one language

    		 Courses taken in this area may count towards the six credits of electives.
    Electives
    4.5 Credits
    6 Credits

     

    **The 21 credit Foundational Diploma will require a parent meeting with a counselor and will not qualify the student for The Kansas Scholars Curriculum.

  • Courses Recognized Diploma
    25 Total Credits    		 Foundational Diploma
    21 Total Credits

    Communications
    -College level English courses may fulfill these credits
    • 4 English Credits*
      • English 1 (1 credit)
      • English 2 (1 credit)
      • English 3 (1 credit)
      • English 4 (1 credit)
         
    • .5 Communication Credit
      May include speech, debate, forensics, journalism, public speaking.
    • 3.5 Credits*
      • English 1 (1 credit)
      • English 2 (1 credit)
      • English 3 (1 credit)
      • English 4 (.5 credit)
         
    • .5 Communication Credit
      May include speech, debate, forensics, journalism, public speaking.

    Society and Humanities
    -College level social studies courses may fulfill these credits
    • 3 Social Studies Credits
      • World History (1 credit) or World People Studies (1 credit)
      • American History (1credit)
      • American Government (.5 credit)
      • Social Studies Elective (minimum of .5 credit)
         
    • 1 Fine Art Credit
      Fine Arts, which may include art, music, dance, theater, forensics.
    • 3 Social Studies Credits
      • World History (1 credit) or World People Studies (1 credit)
      • American History (1credit)
      • American Government (.5 credit)
      • Social Studies Elective (minimum of .5 credit)
         
    • 1 Fine Art Credit
      Fine Arts, which may include art, music, dance, theater, forensics.
    STEM
    -College level math courses may fulfill these credits
    • 4 Mathematics Credits
      • Algebra 1 (1 credit)
      • Geometry (1 credit)
      • Algebra 2 (1 credit)
      • 4th Year Math Course (1 credit)
         
    • 3 Science Credits
      • Must include physical, biological, and earth and space.
         
    • 1 STEM Credit
      STEM elective may include computer science, advanced math, advanced science, robotics, advanced technology.
    • 3 Mathematics Credits
      • Algebra 1 (1 credit)
      • Geometry (1 credit)
      • Algebra 2 (1 credit)
         
    • 3 Science Credits
      • Must include physical, biological, and earth and space.
         
    • 1 STEM Credit
      STEM elective may include computer science, advanced math, advanced science, robotics, advanced technology.
    Employability and Life Skills
    • .5 Health Credit
       
    • .5 Physical Education Credit
       
    • .5 Financial Literacy Credit
      Formerly titled Consumer Education
       
    • 7 Additional Credits
      • World Languages two years of one language (2 credits)
      • CTE courses in a pathway (2.0 credits)
      • Other courses driven by Individual Plans of Study (3.0 credits)
    • .5 Health Credit
       
    • .5 Physical Education Credit
       
    • .5 Financial Literacy Credit
      Formerly titled Consumer Education
       
    • 4.5 Additional Credits
      • Other courses driven by IPS (4.5 credits)
    Post-Secondary Assets

    A Diploma+ and any state asset

    • Youth Apprenticeships
    • 40 or more Community Service Hours
    • Client-centered Projects (D+ Asset)
    • Workplace learning experience directly related to a student IPS (D+ Asset)
    • Industry-Recognized Certifications (D+ Asset)
    • Seal of Biliteracy (D+ Asset)
    • ACT Composition (Score of 21 or higher) [D+ Asset]
    • WorkKeys Level (Silver or higher)
    • 9+ College hours
    • State Assessment Scores of 3 or 4 for Math, ELA, Science (demonstration College Readiness)
    • ASVAB per requirements of military branch selected (D+ Asset)
    • SAT score (1200 or higher)
    • Completing Board of Regents Curriculum
    • International Baccalaureate Exam (4+)
    • Advanced Placement Exam (3+)
    • CTE Scholar (D+ Asset)
    • Eagle Scout or Gold Scout
    • 4-H Kansas Key Award
    • Two or more high school athletics/activities
    • JROTC
    • 95% attendance in high school
    • Senior Exit Interview/Senior Projects
    • State Officers in any state level high school organization

    A Diploma+ and any state asset

    • Youth Apprenticeships
    • 40 or more Community Service Hours
    • Client-centered Projects (D+ Asset)
    • Workplace learning experience directly related to a student IPS (D+ Asset)
    • Industry-Recognized Certifications (D+ Asset)
    • Seal of Biliteracy (D+ Asset)
    • ACT Composition (Score of 21 or higher) [D+ Asset]
    • WorkKeys Level (Silver or higher)
    • 9+ College hours
    • State Assessment Scores of 3 or 4 for Math, ELA, Science (demonstration College Readiness)
    • ASVAB per requirements of military branch selected (D+ Asset)
    • SAT score (1200 or higher)
    • Completing Board of Regents Curriculum
    • International Baccalaureate Exam (4+)
    • Advanced Placement Exam (3+)
    • CTE Scholar (D+ Asset)
    • Eagle Scout or Gold Scout
    • 4-H Kansas Key Award
    • Two or more high school athletics/activities
    • JROTC
    • 95% attendance in high school
    • Senior Exit Interview/Senior Projects
    • State Officers in any state level high school organization

     

    Distinguished Diploma shall be awarded to students who earn 31 credits (to include the 25 credits outlines for a Recognized Diploma) and earn an Associates Degree and/or International Baccalaureate Diploma.

    *NCAA requires students to take 4 full credits of English.  The NCAA will not allow a communication course to replace an English course.

     

High School Grading Policy

  • IHA – Grading System Policy from School/Parent Handbook

    The purpose of grading shall be to communicate student learning with students and parents/guardians. The communication shall be as such to invite participation within the student’s learning process. Grades shall communicate student learning relative to clearly stated instructional expectations based on the standards of the content. Grades shall be mainly determined by assessments in the form of, but not limited to written tests, essays, science experiments, multimedia presentations, products, performances, works of art, speeches, demonstrations, etc. Daily assignments, class participation, application of skills, etc. can be considered as a portion of the grade.

    Report cards for all students shall be sent home and posted in the online gradebook four times a year at the end of a quarter. In addition, progress reports for all students shall be issued at the midpoint of each quarter. Grades shall be updated in the online gradebook each week (approximately 10 per quarter) to keep everyone informed of student progress.

    Grading Scale

    All student work is based on standards. Grades cannot be explicitly used for reward or punishment. Grading practices cannot place a student in a situation where he/she is doomed to fail mid-year with no recourse.

    Grade Scales-Student performance shall be communicated using the appropriate grade-level scale.

    The scale for reporting grades in Grades 6 through 12.

    • A – 90-100%
    • B – 80-89%
    • C – 70-79%
    • D – 60-69%
    • F–59% or below
    • I – Incomplete

    High School Credit

    High school credit for successful completion of outcomes shall be based on the grades determined by the student’s teachers of record for the courses in which the student is enrolled each semester. High school credit shall be awarded for the letter grades of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “P” if in accordance with an approved Pass/Not Passed option. High school credit shall not be awarded for grades of “F” or “I” for incomplete. With the exception of quarter credit classes, all course credits will be issued on a semester basis.

    Each high school shall organize its program on the basis of units of credit. “Unit of credit” means one unit of credit earned for satisfactory completion of any approved subject taught for a minimum of one class period for two semesters or two class periods for one semester. One-half unit of credit shall be earned for approved subjects taught for a minimum of one class period for one semester or two class periods for one quarter.

Courses Required for Graduation (Class of 2028 and beyond)

  • Graduation Requirements: 4 English Credits*

    • English 1 (1 credit)
    • English 2 (1 credit)
    • English 3 (1 credit)
    • English 4 (1 credit) 

    *NCAA requires students to take 4 full credits of English.  The NCAA will not allow a communication course to replace an English course.

     

  • Graduation Requirements: .5 Communication Credit

    May include speech, debate, forensics, journalism, public speaking.

     

  • Graduation Requirements: 3 Social Studies Credits

    • World History Courses (1 Credit)
    • American History Courses (1 Credit)
    • American Government (0.5 Credit)
    • Social Studies Elective (minimum of 0.5 credit)
     

  • Graduation Requirements: 1 Fine Art Credit

    Fine Arts, which may include art, music, dance, theater, forensics.

     

  • Graduation Requirements: 4 Mathematics Credits

    • Algebra 1 (1 credit)
    • Geometry (1 credit)
    • Algebra 2 (1 credit)
    • 4th Year Math Course (1 credit)
     

  • Graduation Requirements: 3 Science Credits

    Must include physical, biological, and earth and space.

     

  • Graduation Requirements: 1 STEM Credit

    STEM elective may include computer science, advanced math, advanced science, robotics, advanced technology.

     

  • Graduation Requirements: .5 Health Credit

     

  • Graduation Requirements: .5 Physical Education Credit

     

  • Graduation Requirements: .5 Financial Literacy Credit

  • Graduation Requirements: 7 Additional Credits

    • World Languages two years of one language (2 credits)
    • CTE courses in a pathway (2.0 credits)
    • Other courses driven by IPS (3.0 credits)
     

Courses Offered at Lake Park School District

English

Science

Social Studies

Physical Education

Fine and Performing Arts

Communications

Debate

Course #: 01095011
Credit Type: Speech Communications
Credit: 0.5
Pre/Co Requisite: No
College Credit: No
College Hours Earned: 0
Grade Level: 9-12
Other Information: None
Description: This fall semester course is designed to support students to prepare and perform in debate competitions.  This course offers students the opportunity to learn how to use oral skills in formal and informal situations. Students will be able to develop such skills as logic and reasoning, research and analysis, organization of thought and supporting materials, argumentative style and skill, and effective presentation of one's voice and body. This course introduces students to the methods, aims, and styles used in various kinds of debates. Students are expected to participate in at least four interscholastic tournaments. Tournaments take place outside of the regular school day and may include weekends.

Speech

Course #: 01093001
Credit Type: Speech Communications
Credit: 0.5
Pre/Co Requisite: No
College Credit: No
College Hours Earned: 0
Grade Level: 9-12
Other Information: None
Description: This semester course examines speech situations relevant to a high school student.  Detailed work on research, outlining, and organization are covered in this course.  Basic research and techniques of effective delivery are developed through various types of speeches.  Thinking, language, bodily action and voice are studied to increase proficiency and the development of logical reasoning.  The student studies the prime factors in speech-making:  the speaker, the audience, the development of the subject, and the choice of language.  Activities help the student overcome inhibitions and achieve a style of speaking which is correct, effective, and as natural as possible.

Competitive Speech & Debate

Course #: 01095061
Credit Type: Speech Communications
Credit: 0.5
Pre/Co Requisite: No
College Credit: No
College Hours Earned: 0
Grade Level: 9-12
Other Information: None
Description: This spring semester course is designed to help students prepare and perform in public speaking, acting, and/or debate competitions.  Students will learn skills such as oral interpretation of literature, logic and reasoning, the organization of thought and supporting materials, and effective presentation of one's voice and body. The student is expected to participate in at least two of the above-mentioned areas in at least three Friday/Saturday interscholastic tournaments/competitions.