LHS Course Catalog

Twenty-two credits earned including*:   

• 4.0 credits of English
  • Must include (Honors)English 1, (Honors)English 2, and either English 3 or AP Language & Composition
  • Each English course meets the requirements of a writing intensive course 
• 2.5 credits of Social Studies including:
  • 1.0 credit-U.S. History
  • 0.5 credit-American Government/ Civics
• 2.0 credits of Science
• 3.0 credits of Mathematics
  • One of which must be Algebra 1 and one of which must include geometry content 
• 0.5 credit of Health Education
• 0.5 credit of Consumer Education 
• 3.5 credits of Physical Education (see numbers 3 & 4 below)
• 1.0 credit from ONE of the following: Career and Technology Education (CTE), Fine Arts, or World Language 
• 5.0 Elective Credits

*The above requirements do not apply to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an Individualized Education Program or students who are exempt from participation in certain courses in accordance with State law. 

1. All students planning to attend college after graduation are urged to complete a core curriculum consisting of no less than four years of English and three years each of Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.  College-bound students are also encouraged to take a minimum of 2 years of a World Language.
2. All students must complete 2 full credits of writing-intensive courses. The courses that contribute to this requirement have an asterisk on the course listed in the English section of this course description guide. 
3. All students are required to take and successfully pass Physical Education during each semester of enrollment at LHS.  Health Education, a semester course, can be used to fulfill the Physical Education requirement during one semester.
4. The School Board may excuse pupils enrolled in grade 12 from engaging in Physical Education for the reasons listed in Board Policy 6:310.
5. Students will be awarded 0.5 credits for each SEMESTER class completed with a passing grade (60% or higher).  Students presenting medical excuses exempting them from the usual Physical Education program shall receive an M (medically excused from PE). Actual PE credit will not be awarded.  They will then be required to select another class for their schedule.
6. Students desiring to take less than a normal class load must have the approval of the principal in advance.  Some situations which would be considered for shortened days include:

• Students with disabilities who have experienced difficulty in the full day necessary to take sufficient courses to meet this requirement.
• Fifth year students who require only a very small number of credits to meet the requirement of 22 credits.
• Students who have extraordinary circumstances for which they can benefit by being in school for an abbreviated period.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Graduation Requirement

As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, the parent or guardian of each student or, if the student is 18 years of age or legally emancipated, the student must comply with either of the following:

• File a FAFSA with the United States Department of Education. 
• File a waiver indicating that the parent or guardian or, if applicable, the student understands what the FAFSA and application for State financial aid are and has chosen not to file an application.

Counselors will begin the course registration process with students in October. Students will receive information about courses through presentations, classroom visits, and by reading this course guide (available online). Core area teachers will provide course recommendations in Powerschool. Students will make preliminary course selections based on teacher recommendations, parental input, and their own plans for their future. This includes choosing several alternate elective choices. Following that, counselors will meet with each student individually to determine final course selection based upon the student’s 4-year academic plans, academic history, student preference, parental input, test scores, and teacher input where appropriate. Once course selection is complete, students and parents will review the final information through Powerschool and request any necessary adjustments in February.  After this point, no schedule changes will be made outside of exceptional circumstances.

COURSE CHANGES:

Schedule changes are NOT permitted unless one or more of the following exceptions apply: 

1. Graduation or college entrance requirements necessitate a change.
2. Students may request to drop a course for a study hall only if they are enrolled in the maximum number of courses (seven) per semester and only after they have attended and participated in the course for ten class periods. A grade of “WF” will be reflected on the transcript of a student who chooses to drop a course after the sixth week of a semester.

LEVEL CHANGES: 

The process for level changes is explained below and in more detail HERE:

• Changes during Semester: Although rare, students may be approved to change levels of a course during the semester. Before any level change is considered, students must make an official request to change level with their teacher and Department Head for that course. Requests will be reviewed by the student’s Teacher and Department Head, using student interview information, student achievement data, academic history, social/emotional context, post-secondary planning, and overall student course load. As part of the level change review, students will be expected to demonstrate sustained effort in their current class for a minimum of two assessment cycles, which will likely involve seeking out additional help or enrichment opportunities from their teacher. Levels changes will not occur after 8 weeks from the start of the semester. 
• Semester Changes: Parent permission is needed for a change at semester. In some cases, other changes in the student’s schedule will have to be made to accommodate the level change. If classes are full, or other scheduled conflicts occur, a level change may not be possible.

A 0.5 unit of credit is awarded for all courses at the end of one semester to students who have earned a course average of 60% or greater. 

Students who fail a course required for graduation will need to repeat only the semester(s) that they failed.  

The school day consists of seven (7) periods. All students must carry a minimum course load of six (6) academic classes, and may take a study hall for one period. Students may choose to take a seventh academic class rather than enroll in a study hall, providing the student exhibits appropriate academic performance. Students also have the option of selecting from classes offered during Zero Hour, which is before school.  This allows a student to take a maximum of 8 academic classes per day.  

The Board of Education has approved the earning of some credits to be applied toward graduation through Administrator-approved online courses. This type of study may be utilized to make up credits, to pursue courses not offered at LHS, to help solve schedule conflicts or to earn college credit. Information regarding this approach may be secured from your counselor.  Requests will be reviewed on an individual basis.
 

Lisle High School attempts to meet the individual needs of students by providing ability grouping in several academic areas.  A student's permanent record reflects the level of courses taken.

HONORS COURSES

The purpose of the Honors courses at Lisle High School shall be to provide challenging educational experiences to pupils of outstanding ability.  The honors courses shall be designed to use approaches which are in keeping with this type of pupil and to foster standards of achievement which are greater than that expected in a regular high school program.  Departments develop criteria for the enrollment of students in honors courses.  

If students don’t fully meet these criteria, they may also choose to “opt-in” to an honors class.  Applications to opt-in and deadlines for consideration are available on the high school website.   Any student who chooses to “opt-in” to an honors level course will be required to remain in the class for a minimum of the entire first semester. Changes of level at the semester break are allowable. 

Credits earned in honors courses receive weighted grades. (See section on grading)  A student earning a D or lower at the end of the first semester may be removed from the Honors course and scheduled into a regular education section of that course.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

Lisle High School is committed to the success of all students.  Reflective of this commitment is the placement of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.  Inclusion facilitators individually assist those students with Individual Education Plans (IEP).  Students with IEP’s may participate in various educational settings in order to best support their growth.  

TECHNOLOGY CENTER OF DUPAGE (TCD) – Available to Juniors and Seniors

TCD, located in Addison, provides an opportunity for students to receive advanced career and technical training which will prepare them to enter the job market or continue to post-secondary training.  For information about TCD programs, please reference their web site at http://www.tcdupage.org. 

Lisle High School works with TCD to ensure curriculum alignment such that wherever possible, students may take introductory and intermediate courses at Lisle High School and advanced coursework at the TCD facility. Therefore, students should plan their course program at Lisle carefully so they will have the necessary background and preparation to take full advantage of their experiences at TCD.   Students interested in TCD are encouraged to meet with their counselor to discuss their options.  

Students who choose to enroll in the TCD program will take Lisle High School classes during periods one through four, and will attend TCD during periods five through seven. Students are required to utilize LHS provided transportation to and from the TCD facility daily.  Those who successfully complete one semester of coursework at TCD will earn 2.5 credits towards Lisle High School graduation. Students seeking to enroll at TCD must choose classes to take at LHS that total a minimum of 3.5 credits.  Together the two programs total a minimum of 6 credits for the year.

Students must be on pace to graduate with their class and have completed all core requirements in a timely manner in order to be considered for enrollment in TCD programs.  

Lisle High School offers many opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school. Students must have a proven record of academic success in order to qualify for these opportunities and/or fulfill any specific program requirements:

Advanced Placement Courses

LHS offers 14 different advanced placement courses, as described by the College Board. Students who enroll in these courses will earn high school credit and are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Exam for the course in May. A score of 3 or better on the exam will earn college credit for the course. Please consult the specific college or university in question to determine how the credit will be counted towards the student’s academics. 

Dual Credit Courses

LHS offers several courses in conjunction with the College of DuPage. For these classes, Lisle High School faculty serve as adjunct faculty to College of DuPage and a common syllabus is agreed between the college and the high school. Students who earn a grade of C or better in the high school course will also receive credit from the College of DuPage and an official college transcript. These courses can be applied at colleges and universities. Application dates and withdrawal deadlines as determined by the College of DuPage will apply to these courses as well.  Students who commit to these courses will receive a college transcript, regardless of the earned grade, unless he/she withdraws prior to the deadline. Please consult the specific college or university in question to determine how the credit will be counted towards the student’s academics.

College Coursework

Students may take college courses while enrolled in high school. Any course used to satisfy a Lisle High School graduation requirement requires approval from Administration, and will be used for both grade point average computation and for eligibility determination. Students are responsible for their own tuition and transportation. One-half unit of high school credit will be granted for each 3-semester or 5-quarter hour college course.