Scheduling Notes for the Class of 2017
2016-2017 school year
GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Check graduation requirements included in this packet.
2. REMEMBER:
a. There are 7 periods in the day. Be sure your choices add up to 7 periods.
b. Students do not need to take a study period, but if a study is chosen, students may take only one
study period each semester.
3. A.P. COURSES – Students must meet pre-requisites and complete the form. AP courses cannot be
dropped after May 1st.
4. PRE-REQUISITES: Individual course pre-requisites are available in the on-line Curriculum Guide.
All honors courses and some non-honors courses have pre-requisites. If the pre-requisites are not met,
the student will not be allowed to take the course.
HONORS OR ADVANED PLACEMENT PRE-REQUISITIES:
 If a student is currently enrolled in an Honors or AP course, he/she must maintain an A or B
for both semesters in order to continue in an Honors or AP level course in that subject area.

If a student is currently enrolled in an “A-level” or high academic level class, he/she must
maintain a grade of A for both semesters in order to move up to an Honors or AP level course
in that subject.

For Honors or AP Social Science, students must maintain these requirements in current
English as well as any Social Science courses.

Students currently enrolled in “B-level” or average academic level courses should not move
into Honors or AP courses since this constitutes a double jump in academic levels.
THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT:
 All seniors must take Sacraments and one elective (either Global Ethics or World Religions).
SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT:
 US History/AP US History and Western Civilization/AP European History are graduation requirements.
 One elective from the Social Science Department must be taken to complete the requirement.
 Either Economics or Macroeconomics satisfies the graduation requirement.
 AP Microeconomics may be taken after Economics or Macroeconomics has been completed.
WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT:
 Two consecutive years of the same language are required for graduation for all students. To take the
third and fourth year of a language, the student must have at least a C for each semester in that language.
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT:
 All courses are electives.
 See the handout concerning dual credit (available through Moraine Valley Community College).
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT:
 ART: A student must take Intro to Art before taking any other Art course. A minimum of C grade must
be maintained to continue in Art courses.
 BAND: Students who would like to continue with music without taking on the additional requirements
of Band Honors may take Band.
 BAND HONORS: A student must have completed a full year of Band and received A’s for both
semesters. Students must pass a written music proficiency exam and a performance exam given by the
Band Director. Honors students are selected in January/February for the following year.
 BEGINNING CHOIR: If this is the first year taking Choir, Beginning Choir must be taken. This is a
full year course.
 CHOIR: Choir may be taken one or two semesters. A full year of Choir (regular) may be taken for
those who do not wish to take on the additional requirements of Choir Honors.
 CHOIR HONORS: A student must have completed a full year of Choir and received A’s for both
semesters.
 Students must pass a music proficiency/performance exam given by the Choir Director. Honors
students are selected in January/February for the following year.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT:
 Co-Ed PE may be taken Soph, Jr or Sr year for a full year or for a semester.
 Co-Ed Strength Training is one semester which can only be taken once and cannot be taken the same
semester as Co-Ed PE, Fitness or Intro to Sports Medicine.
 Fitness is one semester which can only be taken once and cannot be taken the same semester as Co-Ed
PE, Co-Ed Strength Training or Intro to Sports Medicine.
 Intro to Sports Medicine is one semester which can only be taken once and cannot be taken the same
semester as Co-Ed PE, Co-Ed Strength Training or Fitness.
ADDITIONAL COURSES AVAILABLE: See the Distance Learning Pilot Program handout explaining
additional courses available through Brigham Young University. All BYU courses are electives; they do not
fulfill PCHS graduation requirements.
The TOTAL count of ALL courses must equal SEVEN full periods for each.
NOTE: Course Requests will be honored to the extent the Master Schedule allows.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS OF 2017
In order to receive a diploma from Providence Catholic High School, a student must complete the
following:
1. Each student must earn at least 22 credits to meet the academic requirement for
graduation. Therefore, each year a student must take and pass courses worth at
least 5½ credits. If a student earns less than 5 and ½ credits because of semester
failures, these deficiencies must be made up in summer school to remain eligible
to return to Providence Catholic for the next school year.
2. Each student must take and receive a passing grade in the following courses:
4 years
4 years
3 years
3 years
3 years
2 years
1 year
½ year
½ year
½ year
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
Theology (1/2 credit taken per each semester)
English
Math
Laboratory Science
Social Science (US History and Western Civilization)
World Language (Same and Consecutive)*
Physical Education or Band
Health
Economics or Macro-Economics
Technology
The remaining credits are electives. A student must earn at least 5½ credits per year
and 22 credits over a four year program of study. A student may not have more than
one study period per semester.
*The Principal or the Assistant Principal may substitute designated courses
from the Fine Arts or Technology Departments for the two year Foreign Language
requirement when needed.
3. Each student is required to pass an examination on the United States and
Illinois Constitution.
4. Each senior must complete a retreat.
5. Each junior must take the ACT test in April or June during his/her junior year.
6. Each student, in order to participate in Commencement Exercises and/or receive
a diploma, must satisfy penalties imposed for poor conduct, financial obligations,
and attend all Baccalaureate and Graduation Practices and/or Services.
PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL - CLASS OF 2017
2016-17 SENIOR CLASS COURSE SELECTIONS
Please refer to the PCHS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS included in this packet.
NOTE: Students must meet prerequisites before selecting classes.
ENGLISH
English 4
English 4 Honors-WT
AP English [4] Literature & Comp-WT
Speech-1 sem
Nonfiction Literature-1 sem
BYU-Creative Writing-1 sem
BYU-Writing Poetry-1 sem
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Western Civilization
AP European History-WT
Psychology
AP Psychology-WT
American Government
AP US Government/Politics-WT
BYU-Current Events-1 sem
BYU-US Foreign Policy-1 sem
BYU-Intro to Sociology-WT
BYU-Intro to International Politics-WT
FINE ARTS
Intro Art-1 sem
Two Dim Design-1 sem
Drawing-1 sem
Painting-1 sem
Studio
AP Studio Art: Drawing-WT
AP Studio Art: 2-D Design-WT
Band
Band Honors-WT
Beginning Choir
Concert Choir-1 sem or full year
Choir Hnrs-WT
Music Appreciation-1 sem
AP Music Theory-WT
Accounting
Economics-1 sem
Macroeconomics-1 sem
AP Microeconomics-WT
BYU-Business Law-1 sem
BYU-Marketing-1 sem
STUDY
Study
Study-1 sem
TECHNOLOGY
Digital Media-1 sem ***
Web Page Design-1 sem ***
Intro to Computer Programming-1 sem ***
Graphic Design-1 sem ***
AP Computer Science A-WT
LEARNING RESOURCE
MATH
Algebra 2C
Algebra 2B
Algebra 2A
Trig/Adv Topics
Pre-Calculus Honors-WT
Pre-Calculus
Calculus Honors-WT
AP Calculus AB-WT
AP Calculus BC-WT
Statistics
AP Statistics-WT
THEOLOGY
Sacraments-1 sem
Global Ethics-1 sem
World Religions-1 sem
WORLD LANGUAGE
Spanish 2B
Spanish 2A
French 2
Spanish 3
Spanish 3 Honors-WT
French 3 Honors-WT
Spanish 4
Spanish 4 Honors-WT
French 4 Honors-WT
AP Spanish [5] Language-WT
PHYSICAL ED
Co-Ed PE
Co-Ed PE-1 sem
Co-Ed Strength Training-1 sem
Fitness-1 sem
Intro to Sports Medicine-1 sem
SCIENCE
General Chemistry
Chemistry
AP Chemistry-WT
Human Physiology
Physics Honors-WT
Physics
AP Biology-WT
AP Physics-WT
BYU-Astronomy
(Non Lab) – 1 sem
BYU-Meteorology
(Non Lab)-1 sem
BYU-Nursing & Medical Terminology-WT
BYU-Essentials of Human Nutrition-WT
WT=Weighted Courses
NOTE: Course Requests will be honored to the
extent the Master Schedule allows.
BYU=Brigham Young University course taken through the
Distance Learning Pilot Program. All BYU courses
are electives; they do not fulfill PCHS graduation
requirements.
(Non Lab)
(Non Lab)
*** Optional Dual Credit through Moraine Valley College
Distance Learning Pilot Program 2016-2017
Purpose:
This Distance Learning Program provided through Brigham Young University’s Independent Study Program will provide
the PCHS curriculum the ability to offer students high school elective courses as well as college credited courses. This
program will enhance the PCHS curriculum providing courses that the current PCHS curriculum is not able to provide due
to cost and/or qualified teaching staff. This type of Distance Learning Program is based upon professor and individual
student interchange. It does not provide group instruction or an interactive online group environment.
Scheduling:
These offerings would be scheduled during one period of the school day between 7:55 and 2:35 in the computer lab. A
supervising teacher would be assigned to the computer lab to monitor and help facilitate the student completion of these
courses.
Pre-Requisite:
These offerings will be limited to junior and senior students who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of student
registration in February. The maximum number of students accepted into this program is 30 due to available space in the
computer lab. All BYU courses are electives; they do not fulfill PCHS graduation requirements.
Course Programs & Credit:
There will be two different and distinct programs offered. The first will be elective high school courses for PCHS credit.
The second will be elective college courses in which the student earns both PCHS High School credit and Brigham Young
University credit concurrently. The concurrent college courses will be weighted while the elective high school courses
will not be weighted. It should be noted that the college GPA earned for these courses may be included in the student’s
overall college GPA as these credits transfer to the student’s university.
Cost:
The high school elective courses are one semester courses that will cost approximately $144 per course. The concurrent
college courses will cost approximately $178 per credit per course. Therefore, a three credit course will cost $534, and a
four credit course will cost $712. There is an additional registration fee of $20 per course. There may be additional fees
associated with specific courses, as well as the cost of textbook(s). NOTE: Tuition costs for the 2016-17 school year
are not announced until June. Most likely, the amount will be increased.
Billing:
Providence Catholic High School will act as the billing agent for any of the Brigham Young University Distance Learning
courses offered.
Transcripts:
Students will provide PCHS with a copy of their BYU University transcript at the end of each semester; a copy will be
maintained as part of the student’s official high school record.
Transfer of BYU Credit:
It should be noted that the transfer of BYU course credits is accepted by other universities and colleges on a case by case
basis; there is no guarantee that credit will transfer. The acceptance of the BYU credits may require the submission of the
BYU course syllabus with the BYU transcript. The non-acceptance of BYU course credits may depend upon the existence
of a similar course at the university or college receiving the credits.
Course Offerings: SEE WEBSITE FOR CATALOG – http://is.byu.edu/site/


then go to Courses for the Course Catalog.
High School Elective Courses by Department:
Science
Social Science
English
Business
Astronomy
Meteorology
Current Events
U.S. Foreign Policy
Creative Writing
Writing Poetry
Business Law
Marketing
Concurrent College Credit Courses by Department: (Weighted Courses)
Science
Nursing & Medical Terminology
Essentials of Human Nutrition
Social Science
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to International Politics
Dual Credit for Technology Classes 2016-17
Providence Catholic High School has partnered with Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) to offer
students the option of earning dual credit for courses in our Technology Department. Below are answers to the most
frequently asked questions.
Q: Which courses will be dual credit for 2016-17?
A: You may take any class (except AP Computer Science) as dual credit.
Q: Why is PCHS offering this option?
A: Students in these classes are already doing college-level work. PCHS wants to provide the option of earning
college credit for that work.
Q: If I enroll in these courses, do I have to take the dual credit?
A: Dual credit is completely optional. The coursework will be the same for all students in the class, whether or not
they are working towards dual credit.
Q: Which students are eligible for dual credit?
A: Students in class of 2017, 2018 and 2019 are eligible for dual credit (except those in AP Computer Science).
Students must also have met the course pre-requisites as stated in the PCHS curriculum guide.
Q: What does it cost?
A: Current fees are approximately: $44 dual credit and $131 general education/transfer fee for a total of $175.
Payments are made directly to MVCC either in-person, by phone or online. Online payment instructions will be
mailed to student households.
MVCC Transcripts fee: $7 per transcript.
Q: Is there a residency requirement? Do I have to live in the MVCC district?
A: There are no residency requirements for dual credit courses.
Q: How do I register for dual credit?
A: Students will register during a class period with the teacher providing instruction. Students will register online
via MVCC’s dual credit homepage. Students will receive instructions from the classroom teacher before online
registration opens.
Q: Who teaches the class?
A: Classes are taught by PCHS faculty members. The class is part of the student’s normal 7-period schedule here at
PCHS.
Q: How will I be graded?
A: Students will receive a grade as normal on their PCHS report cards and transcript; that grade is based on the
PCHS grading scale as posted in our student handbook. Students will receive a separate grade on a MVCC
transcript, using the college’s grading scale. Thus, it is possible that a student could earn different grades at each
institution.
Students will be given a MVCC username to access the MVCC student portal that contains their final grades,
unofficial transcript and online payment.
Q: How many college credit hours will I earn?
A: Students must earn at least a “B” for the semester grade to earn college credit. Students can earn 3 college credit
hours per course.
Learn more about MVCC dual credit program at http://www.morainevalley.edu/dualcredit/ or stop by the PCHS
computer labs and talk to Mr. Devine, Mrs. Hartel or Mrs. Grigoletti.
APPLICATION FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES
2016-2017
All of the following criteria are necessary to be enrolled in an
Advanced Placement Course at Providence Catholic High School.
Student’s Name ____________________________________________ Class of ______________
AP COURSE(S) REQUESTED:
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
1.
The student must meet all prerequisites for the specific courses as detailed in the Curriculum Guide
for each particular course. Grades will be checked at the end of the school year. If the prerequisites
are not met, the student will be dropped from the class.
2.
Students who do not qualify will only be considered after the last possible drop date for AP courses
which is May 1st. Students wishing to be admitted must seek out their counselor from
May 11th to May 30th.
3.
No student will be admitted to an AP class after May 30th.
4.
The Chairperson of each department must approve the placement for each AP class in which the
student is enrolled.
5.
The student can anticipate introductory readings and/or projects during the summer before the
school year begins.
6.
The student must take the corresponding AP exam for each AP class in which the student is enrolled.
7.
AP courses incur additional fees. Currently the fee is $92 for each AP exam in addition to regular
lab and course fees charged in the regular (non-AP) level courses. These fees will be charged to
the tuition bill.
8.
All students are required to take the AP exam associated with each course and are expected to put
forth their best effort. Failure to do so will result in the overall semester grade being lowered by
one letter grade.
9.
The student and parents must understand that the level and quality of work will be equal to a college
level course. The student must be willing to undertake the rigorous demands of the AP course.
10.
The student MAY NOT drop any AP class after May 1st. No exceptions are made to this rule.
11.
A student needs “special permission” to take three or more AP classes.
Signature of Student: ______________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent: _______________________________________________________________
SPECIAL PERMISSION FOR A STUDENT TO TAKE THREE
OR MORE ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES
Advanced Placement classes are the equivalent of college courses and are meant to be taught as a college
class would be taught – reading and student assignments to be done independently; lectures that need
to be attended; challenging material that needs to be mastered by a certain date. In other words, these
classes demand the full attention of a student who is extremely motivated and hard-working.
Taking three or more AP classes is a very heavy load for a student. Besides the AP classes, the student
also has other classes that demand his/her time and attention, extra-curricular activities which are
important to the growth of the student, and sometimes part-time employment. Some students are very
successful in meeting the challenges these classes present. However, it is very important that you and
your son/daughter discuss the consequences of taking three or more AP classes.
If you give your son/daughter permission to take three or more AP classes, please sign this form and
return it. Please remember that students will not be allowed to drop any AP class after May 1st.
The policy regarding dropping AP classes supersedes any other policy regarding schedule changes.
Thank you for your attention to this important decision. This form must be turned into your child’s
Guidance Counselor no later than February 5, 2016.
I give my child permission to take three or more AP classes during the 2016-2017 school year.
Signature of Parent: ________________________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________
Please refer to the Parent-Student Handbook for further information.
Please return this form to your Guidance Counselor no later than Friday, February 5, 2016.