1000 Lake Street
Sitka, Alaska 99835
(907) 747-3263

Graduation Requirements………………………………………………………………………….…3
Recommendations for College-Bound Students……………………………………….…….3
Grade Level Calculation by Credits…………………………………………………………….….4
Other Learning Opportunities………………………………………………………………………4
Alaska Performance Scholarship at SHS…………………………………………………….…..5
Tips to Making a Good Schedule……………………………………………………………………6
Required Freshman Courses……………………………………………………………………...…7
Freshman Elective Options……………………………………………………………………...8-12
Physical Education……………………………………………………………………………………….8
Vocational Education………………………………………………………………………………8-10
Metals………………………………………………………………………………………………….8
Mechanics………………………………………………………………………………………..….9
Design & Construction Technology………………..………………...………..………….9
Information Technology……………………………………………………………...…..9-10
Applied Arts………………………………………………………………………………………………10
Music………………………………………………………………………………………………………...11
Drama………………………………………………………………………………………………..……...11
Language Arts……………………………………………………………………………………………12
World Languages……………………………………………………………...………………………..12
Other Electives……………………………………………………….…………………………….........12
2

Language Arts
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
Physical Education
Vocational
Electives
Testing
In addition to course credit requirements, all students must pass the following examinations:
4 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
2 Credits
1 Credit
8 Credits
1 credit of U.S. History,
1 credit of American Government,
1/2 credit of Global Issues and
1/2 credit of Alaska Studies
Must pass Integrated Math 2 or equivalent plus Elective Math
1 credit of Life Science
1 credit of Physical Science and
1 credit Science Elective
Must include 1/2 credit Health
Alaska High School Graduation Qualifying Exams o Reading o Writing o Math
Sitka High School Swim Competency
Total Credits
Teacher/Office Aide
Work Experience
23 Credits Minimum required credits
Maximum credits that can be used for graduation:
1 Credit
2 Credits
1 class/semester maximum
1 credit/year (1.2 credit = 100 hours work)
Physical Education 3 Credits Including Health
A word of caution: students who intend to go on to college or other post-secondary training should do much more than the graduation requirements! The requirements listed above are minimums, and WILL NOT prepare you properly for the
Language Arts
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
World Languages
Fine or Performing Arts
Challenging Electives
GRADES
4+ Credits
3-4 Credits
3-4 Credits
3-4 Credits
2-4 Credits
1+ Credit rigors of college!
See eligible APS courses on the next page for recommendations of college preparatory courses in Language Arts- take challenging ones!!
In addition to required courses, taking World History, Geography, and/or dual enrollment Psychology will give you a nice background in Social Studies
Challenge yourself to make it as high in math as possible! Remember, we’ve got great A/P opportunities in Stats and Calc which could even give you college credit!
Colleges like to see laboratory sciences, so taking courses such as Chemistry,
Physics and Forensics will give you a good base in Science
Many colleges like to see a minimum of 2 years in a single foreign language (some like more than 2 years).
Many colleges like to see at least a year of fine or performing arts, this could be music, art, or drama
Choose your electives wisely! Make sure that the fun courses you choose challenge you and lead you toward your future goals!
Keep your grades up!!! EVERY grade you earn in high school goes on your transcript which will be sent to the colleges and scholarships you apply to!
3

Sitka High School assigns grade level by the number of credits students have earned toward graduation (not necessarily by the number of years he or she has been in high school). Credits are earned by receiving passing scores in courses and may be transferred in to Sitka High from other approved high schools.
The guidelines for grade placement are as follows:
0.0-5.0 Credits
5.1-11.0 Credits
11.1-16.0 Credits
16.1+ Credits
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
As a small high school we may not have all of the learning opportunities you desire within our walls, however we do collaborate with some other wonderful programs to expand your options!
*Please note that any tuition costs or fees associated with such programs are assumed by your family, not by SHS.
REACH Homeschool
For the independent learner, a wide variety of courses in all subject areas are available through REACH Homeschool.
Courses may be offered in print materials or through online sources. Homeschool students must have a parent or other reliable adult who will assume responsibility for some grading and keeping students on track. Contact your counselor or the REACH Homeschool office at 966-1330 for more information.
Pacific High School
Located on Lincoln Street, Pacific High School is also in the Sitka School District. Courses offered at PHS do run on a different schedule than Sitka High School, but with careful planning some students are able to enjoy learning opportunities at both schools. For information talk with a Sitka High counselor or the co-principals at PHS.
Various Online or Distance Education High Schools
Sitka High will accept transfer credits from a wide variety of accredited distance and online high schools. Some common programs that we have accepted credit from include Brigham Young University High School, Raven Correspondence,
North Dakota Center for Distance Education, AVENTA, Alaska K12, and Alaska’s Learning Network (AKLN). If you intend to take a course through an outside agency such as these, talk with your counselor to verify that credits earned will be accepted at Sitka High. We do not endorse any specific program.
4

To qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, students in the graduating class of 2015 and beyond must take a rigorous course load including specific course titles. The tables below indicate which Sitka High School courses are included in eligibility for this scholarship.
For details about the Alaska Performance Scholarship please visit http://acpe.alaska.gov
Mathematics Department
Approved Mathematics Courses
Recommended as
“Equivalent Courses” to the 2015 Eligibility Checklist
Recommended as
“Additional Courses” for APS eligibility
Math Courses NOT Approved for APS Eligibility
Integrated Math 1A
Integrated Math 1B
Integrated Math 1
Integrated Math 2
Integrated Math 3
Integrated Math 3/PreCalc
PreCalculus
A/P Calculus
A/P Statistics
Algebra for College
Approved Language Arts Courses
English 9
English 10
American Literature
Creative Writing
Debate/Speech
Honors English
Mythology
Shakespeare
Approved Science Courses
Life Science
Physical Science
Chemistry
Forensics
Physics
Science Mentorship
Approved Social Studies Courses
Alaska Studies
A/P Human Geography
American Government
American Studies/U.S. History
Global Issues
U.S. History
World Geography
World History
Equivalent to: .5 Integrated Math1 semester 1
*NOTE- limited APS credit
Equivalent to: .5 Integrated Math 1 semester 2
*NOTE- limited APS credit
Equivalent to: .75 Algebra 1& .25 Geometry
Equivalent to: .75 Algebra 2 & .25 Geometry
Equivalent to: .5 Algebra 2 & .5 Geometry
Equivalent to: .5 Algebra 2, .5 Geometry & 1.0
PreCalculus
X
X
X
.5 Algebra 2
Language Arts Department
Recommended as
“Equivalent Courses” to the 2015 Eligibility Checklist
Equivalent to: .5 American Lit 1 & .5 Composition 1
Equivalent to: .5 World Literature 1 &
.5 Composition1
X
X
X
Equivalent to: .5 Advanced Composition &
.5Advanced World Literature
Equivalent to: .5 Advanced Composition&
.5 Advanced World Literature
Recommended as
“Additional Courses” for APS eligibility
Equivalent to: 1.0 British Lit.
Science Department
X
X
X
Recommended as
“Equivalent Courses” to the 2015 Eligibility Checklist
Equivalent to: 1.0 Biology
Social Studies Department
X
X
Recommended as
“Additional Courses” for APS eligibility
Recommended as
“Equivalent Courses” to the 2015 Eligibility Checklist
Equivalent to: .5 Alaska History
X
X
X
Equivalent to: .5 Geography
X
X
X
Recommended as
“Additional Courses” for APS eligibility
Math 1 Lab
Math 2 Lab
Language Arts Courses
NOT Approved for APS Eligibility
Alaska Literature
Surveying Literature &
Writing
Drama
Young Adult Literature
Science Courses NOT
Approved for APS Eligibility
Alaska Naturalist
Field Science
Robotics
Science & Tech
Social Studies Courses NOT
Approved for APS Eligibility
5

Make sure you’ve included your graduation requirements! During registration your counselor will provide you with a list of the courses you need to take to stay on track. Make sure that you include the required courses in your schedule or… 1) your schedule will be changed by your counselor to include what you need or 2) you will be behind in credits toward graduation and will need to catch up on required courses the next year!
Make your courses count! Every course you take at Sitka High School should be leading you in a future direction. Required courses are helping you achieve your goal of Graduation. Elective courses should also be chosen with great care so that you take courses that will help you toward your future career. Talk to your counselor about career pathways and/or college preparatory plans so that you can get the most out of your high school experience.
Choose courses for the right reasons! Never take a class just because you assume it will be easy or because your friends are all taking it!
Your chosen schedule should be helping YOU reach your future goals. This may mean that you have to challenge yourself or meet new classmates.
Make a long-term plan! Use the 4-Year Academic Plan below to plot out your high school career. This will keep you on track for graduation and let you evaluate whether your course choices are leading you toward your future goals.
6

Last Updated (4.9.14)
LANGUAGE ARTS
ENGLISH 9:
This course is required for all 9th graders and is integrated with American Studies.
Required for Grade 9 Year-Long
Students will practice reading, writing, and public speaking in this course that is required for all 9th graders. English 9 is a block class taught in combination with American Studies.
SOCIAL STUDIES
AMERICAN STUDIES (U.S. History):
This course is required for all 9th graders and is integrated with English 9.
Required for Grade 9 Year-long
Students will study American history from 1800 to the present. American Studies is a block class taught in combination with English
9.
MATHEMATICS
You will be placed into the appropriate math course based on teacher recommendation, current grades and SBA scores
MATH 1A Grade 9 Year-long
Prerequisite: This course must be taken with teacher recommendation.
This course, intended for students who had difficulty in their 8th grade math course work, is the first of a two-year sequence
(followed by Integrated Math 1B). Topics covered in Math 1A/1B are equivalent to topics covered in the Integrated Math 1 course.
Topics include Algebra/Functions, Geometry/Trigonometry, Statistics/Probability, and Discrete Mathematics. Periodic review of relevant mathematical concepts is integrated throughout the two-year sequence. Math 1A counts as ½ math credit and ½ elective credit.
INTEGRATED MATH 1: Grades 9 – 12 Year-long
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the 8th grade math course
This course consists of seven units, each covering a different mathematical topic. Topics include Algebra/Functions,
Geometry/Trigonometry, Statistics/Probability, and Discrete Mathematics.
INTEGRATED MATH 2: Grades 9 – 12 Year-long
Prerequisites: Must successfully pass Integrated Math 1 (or Algebra 1) with a grade of C or better, or successful completion of both
Math 1A and Math 1B.
This course consists of seven units, each covering a different mathematical topic. Topics include Algebra/Functions,
Geometry/Trigonometry, Statistics/Probability, and Discrete Mathematics.
SCIENCE
LIFE SCIENCE: Grade 9 Year-long
Prerequisites: None
Life Science is the study of living things – their similarities and diversity. Topics include scientific method, diversity of life, chemistry of life, cells, and genetics.
HEALTH:
Prerequisites: None
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Grade 9-12 1 Semester
Students will learn about outdoor survival, drug/alcohol awareness and prevention, and social/emotional health including stress management and communication skills. Students will learn nutrition, fitness principles, and the components of an affective workout program. Students will be taught a sexual education curriculum that promotes abstinence while still giving students the detailed information they need to stay safe and healthy.
7

INDIVIDUAL/TEAM ACTIVITIES:
Prerequisites: None
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Grades 9-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for credit
Emphasis in this course will be to continue conditioning, refine skills, and become proficient in a variety of recreational activities, whereby the student will continue these activities past his/her high school years.
PERSONAL FITNESS
Prerequisites: None
Grades 9-12 1 Semester, Repeatable for credit
Students in this class will learn to set both long-term and short-term fitness goals for themselves. Using a variety of activities and equipment, students will monitor their fitness levels. Emphasis will also be placed on nutrition and how this relates to overall fitness goals.
PHYSICAL TRAINING:
Prerequisites: None
Grades 9-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for credit
The class will rotate through various forms of exercise. Exercises will include, but are not limited to, body conditioning through weight training, low impact and high impact aerobics, hiking, and body weight exercises.
SHAPE AND TONE: Grades 9-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for credit once
Prerequisites: Females only
The class will rotate through various forms of exercise, in conjunction with lectures/discussions on health and nutrition, diets/body image, and fitness. Exercises will include, but are not limited to, body conditioning through weight training, fitball, low impact aerobics, and aqua aerobics.
SHS TEAM PE:
Prerequisites: Approval by Coach and Counselor
Grades 9-12 Repeatable for credit
Students earn credit toward the Physical Education graduation requirements by participation in extracurricular sports. Up to .5 credit may be earned in a semester by successfully completing the entire season of a SHS sport, or by completing a minimum of 75 hours of community-based sports such as dance through the Sitka Studio of Dance. Students are responsible for informing the counseling office prior to beginning of the sport season, completing a request for credit report, and successfully completing the sport season. SHS Team PE cannot be used to complete all of the PE graduation requirements.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
METALS:
Prerequisites: None
Lab Fee: $20
METALS
Grades 9-12 1 Semester
Emphasis is placed on projects, which will cover sheet metal forming, foundry, machining, gas welding, blueprint reading, and basic metallurgy. This class is designed so that students will have a better understanding of the importance of metals in their daily lives.
ADVANCED METALS:
Prerequisites: Metals 1
Lab Fee: $25
Grades 9-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for credit
This course offers advanced techniques in machining, metal forming, and metallurgy. Introduction of arc welding is also included in this class. Problem solving through the use of individual or group projects is a part of this class.
8

SMALL ENGINES:
Prerequisites: None
Lab Fee: $10
MECHANICS
Grades 9-12 1 Semester
This class involves the tear down, identification, and assembling of single cylinder, air-cooled 2- and 4-cycle engines. In addition to the mechanized parts, the fuel system, including carburetor and ignition system, will be studied.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION:
Prerequisites: Woods 1
Lab Fee: None
Grades 9-12 1 Semester
This course is an introduction to residential construction and building practices. Through classroom and hands-on experience, you will become familiar with terminology and practices related to the carpentry trade. The course will include basic blue print reading, layout skills, framing techniques, and the proper safety and use of the tools in the construction business.
BEGINNING WOODS:
Prerequisites: None
Lab Fee: $35
Grades 9-12 1 Semester
This is a beginning woodworking course. No previous experience is required. Students will learn to safely use nearly all the hand and power tools in the shop. Students will learn about the nature of wood, species identification, basic joinery, construction, and finishing techniques. All students will complete a project selected by the instructor. This will be an in-depth project and will take up most of the time for most students. However, when students finish this project, they will be able to design and build a project of their own choice. These students must pay for the materials used in their project.
ADVANCED WOODS: Grades 9-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: Must have received a grade of C or higher in any high school woodworking class.
Lab Fee: None
This course is an advanced woodworking class and students must have a high school woodworking class as a prerequisite. Students in the class must be motivated to build high quality, more complex projects than in Beginning Woods.
DESIGN & FABRICATION Grades 9-12 1 Semester
Prerequisites: None: However, students who have difficulties with math are advised against this course
In this course students will learn to draw objects in two and three dimensions using different computer aided design software.
Students will be taught design principles which will enable them to conceptualize, draw, and fabricate objects using CNC vinyl cutting, laser cutting, and 3D printing tools.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BASIC COMPUTER APPLICATIONS: Grades 9-12 1 Semester
Prerequisites: None
This introductory computer course covers the fundamentals of today’s computing: introduction to computers and internet, operating system and file management, word processing, electronic presentations, spreadsheets and other productivity tools for practical purposes. Emphasis is on proper procedures and practical examples suitable for coursework, professional purposes and personal use.
ADVANCED COMPUTER APPS: Grades 9-12 1 Semester
Prerequisite: Must have received a grade of C or higher in Basic Computer Apps.
This advanced computer course will give students the opportunity to expand workplace oriented (vocational) skills by using the advanced features of word processing, database design, spreadsheets, electronic presentations and desktop publishing. Focus is on component integration, increased productivity and workgroup collaboration. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have an option to take an industry standard certification exam.
9

WEB PAGE DESIGN: Grades 9-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for credit
Prerequisite: Must have received a grade of C or higher in Basic Computer Applications or Digital Photography
This course teaches students how to create digital content (graphics and animations) for the web and how to create web pages using web editing software. Emphasis is on good page layout and site design using industry standards.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Grades 10-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for credit
Prerequisite: Must have received a grade of C or higher in Basic Computer Applications
Lab Fee: $20
This course teaches fundamentals of digital photography, from proper equipment selection and use to digital photo editing for a variety of purposes: posting on a web page or publishing. Course integrates color theory, formats, vectored and bitmapped images, filtering techniques, file optimization and compression options.
DIGITAL VIDEO: Grades 10-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: Must have received a grade of C or higher in Basic Computer Applications or Digital Photography
Lab Fee: 20
This project-based course guides students through five production stages of digital video making: conceptualization, planning, shooting, editing and distribution. Course integrates storyboarding, capturing video, multiple editing techniques, adding effects and titles, and outputting to variety of formats.
ART AND DESIGN 1:
Prerequisites: None
Lab Fee: $20
APPLIED ARTS
Grades 9-12 1 Semester
This basic skill development course for all beginning art students provides the background for all advanced art courses. Students will explore principles and elements of design through a variety of techniques. Experiences in history, criticism, aesthetics, and studio production will be included in assignments. NOTE: Not repeatable.
1 Semester ART AND DESIGN 2: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: Must successfully pass Art and Design 1 with a grade of C- or higher.
Lab Fee: $25
Students will continue exploring the principles and elements of design through a variety of techniques. Experiences in history, criticism, aesthetics, and studio production will be included in assignments. This is not a set curriculum: projects often change from semester to semester.
1 Semester CERAMICS: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites Must successfully pass Art and Design 1 with a grade of C- or higher.
Lab Fee: $25
Students will learn various approaches to clay, from construction processes to finished pieces. Surface design, glazing, and various kiln-firing methods are demonstrated.
COSTUME DESIGN AND TEXTILES: Grades 9-12
Prerequisite Must successfully pass Art and Design 1 with a grade of C- or higher.
1 Semester
Lab Fee: $40
In the first quarter of the semester, students will design and create costumes by altering, sewing, and customizing cast-off clothing, using fabrics, papers, synthetics, and any other available fiber. Basic sewing skills appreciated, but not required. The focus of the class is not on sewing; time does not allow for complex sewing projects, such as formal dresses. During the second quarter, textile painting, dying, printing, and weaving are some of the techniques that will be explored.
10

MUSIC
CONCERT BAND: Grade 9 Year-long; Repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: Placement by instructor
Course Fee: $10 (good for all music courses, paid one time.) + $75 Band Uniform Deposit (refundable)
Concert Band is an instrumental ensemble course designed for the performance of appropriate and challenging band literature. Performances outside of the school day are required.
SYMPHONIC BAND:
Prerequisites: Placement by instructor
Grades 10-12, (9 by audition) Year-long; Repeatable for credit
Course Fee: $10 (good for all music courses, paid one time.) + $75 Band Uniform Deposit (refundable)
Symphonic Band is an instrumental ensemble course designed for the performance of appropriate and challenging band literature. Performances outside of the school day are required. Weekly sectionals are required. Incoming freshmen must audition for placement in this group.
JAZZ BAND:
Prerequisites: Audition only.
Grades 9-12 Year-long; Repeatable for credit
Course Fee: $10 (good for all music courses, paid one time.)
This class is performance-oriented, employing the various techniques of jazz ensemble performance, jazz improvisation, and jazz theory/harmony. Acceptance is based on both a favorable audition and the needs of the ensemble. Enrollment and participation in
Concert Choir, Treble Choir, or Symphonic Band is required in order to be in Jazz Band. Performances outside of the school day are required. This class meets from 7:00-8:00 a.m.
CONCERT CHOIR:
Prerequisites: Placement by instructor
Grades 9-12
Course Fee: $10 (good for all music courses, paid one time.)
Year-long; Repeatable for credit
Concert Choir is a performance oriented class with emphasis on vocal technique, ensemble singing skills, and music reading skills. The repertoire will include 4 to 8-part choral music, ranging in style from Renaissance to popular. Weekly sectionals are required. Performances outside of the school day are required.
DRAMA
DRAMA:
Prerequisites: None
Grades 9-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for Elective credit.
Drama is a class that is designed to give students an overall experience of what it is to be involved in the theater. A significant portion of the course will be spent on acting technique. Therefore, you must be comfortable performing in front of a group to be successful in this class. The class will also be exploring stage design, costume design, stage management, theater history, stage makeup, and play analysis. May count toward elective Language Arts credit.
THEATER PRODUCTIONS:
Prerequisites: None
Grades 9-12 1 Semester; Repeatable for Elective credit
Actors produce the spring play. A tryout at the end of Fall Semester is required for this class. Experienced actors who have demonstrated stage readiness and responsibility will be given preference over beginners. Students must participate fully in the final performance to earn credit.
LANGUAGE ARTS
DEBATE/SPEECH:
Prerequisites: None
Grades 9-12 1 Semester
In Debate/Speech, students will refine public speaking skills and learn the fundamentals of debate. Students spar debate, public forum debate and deliver a variety of speeches. Students do not have to be on the debate team to take this class, but the class will prepare students to be successful at meets.
11

SPANISH I:
WORLD LANGUAGES
Grades 9-12 Year-long
Prerequisites: Minimum of 3.0 in 8th Grade Language Arts. Students expecting to be successful in a world language class must be prepared to do daily homework and study outside of class.
Spanish I is an intensive study of present tense constructions, as well as other basic grammar rules in Spanish. Students will learn
COMMUNICATION skills by learning to speak, write, and understand conversational scenes. Students will learn WRITING skills through writing mini-compositions about themselves, their families, etc. Students will read a chapter book during the 2nd semester to develop READING skills.
OTHER ELECTIVES
COLLEGE PREP: Grades 9-11 Year-long
Prerequisites: Students must have a strong desire to go on to college, and be willing to work hard for the opportunity. Once admitted to College Prep, students are expected to continue in this program throughout their high school career.
College Prep is a long-term system to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility. Not only are students enrolled in their school's toughest classes, but also in the College Prep elective. For one period a day, they learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities.
ESL: Grades 9-12
Prerequisite - Must be identified by the district as an English language learner
1 Semester, .5 credit
This course is comprised of direct instruction geared towards proficiency and fluency with speaking, reading, writing, listening, and comprehension of the English language. Students will also be able to work on content-class assignments and homework.
MATH LAB
Prerequisites: None
Grades 9 – 12 Year-long
This is an elective class taken in addition to a Math 1 or Math 2 class. It is intended for students who need additional time to master math concepts. In each class, students are given time and assistance to complete their regular math classwork and homework, and periodic review of relevant math concepts is integrated throughout the course. Each semester counts as ½ of an elective credit.
12