CLASS OF 2015
&
Beyond
Graduation Requirements
What does this mean?
• If you attend a Louisiana public high school
after the 2008/09 school year, you fall under
the Core 4 curriculum requirements.
• In order to be eligible to attend a four year
university in Louisiana a student must
complete the Core 4 curriculum along with
other components.
• By completing this curriculum alone you are
not guaranteed entry into a four year university
after graduation. Each college has specific
ACT score requirements and GPA
requirements that must be satisfied.
Louisiana Core 4 Diploma
• English I, II, III, IV
• Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, one
more math (Pre-Calculus or Calculus)
• Biology, Chemistry, two more sciences
(Physical Science, Bio II, or Physics)
• World Geography, Civics, American
History and World History or AP
European History
Louisiana Core 4 Diploma
• Health ½ unit
• PE 1 ½ units
 JROTC I & II will substitute for the PE/Health
Requirements
• 2 units of the same foreign language or 2 units
of speech*
• 1 unit of art, dance, music, theatre, or fine arts
survey
• 3 units of electives
» 24 credits needed to graduate
TOPS
• The Core 4 curriculum, however, does not
necessarily meet TOPS requirements!
 Specific Courses must be taken in the Math
subject area (Financial Math will not qualify)
 Students are required to take two years of a
foreign language. Speech DOES NOT
substitute as a foreign language for TOPS.
 The Taylor Opportunity Program for Scholars
(TOPS) requires that students CURRENTLY
graduate with at least a 2.5 g.p.a. and score
at least a 20 on the ACT.
Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum
• The basic core curriculum is sometimes
referred to as the “opt out” curriculum since you
are opting out of following the LA Core 4.
• Following this curriculum will allow you to still
receive a high school diploma but…
Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum
• You may only enter a two-year or technical
college.
• You can transfer to a 4 year university after you
meet the requirements for that specific
university.
 Most require a MINIMUM of 18 semester hours
to transfer but, some require 2 full years of
course work at the community or technical
college level. You will need to contact the
individual 4 year university you would like to
transfer to in order to learn more about their
specific policies regarding transfer students.
Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum
• The differences between the Core 4 and the
Core Basic Curriculum are as follows:
 Only required to have 3 Sciences
 Only required to have 3 Social Studies
 You do not have to take speech or a foreign
language.
 You do not have to meet the fine arts
requirement.
 You must take either Education for Careers or
Journey to Careers and IBCA.
Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum
• You must declare an area of concentration. Do
you want to be a nurse, paralegal, daycare
worker, etc?
• You must follow the area of concentration’s
minimum course requirements!
• NHS offers the following areas of concentration:
 Agriculture Production, Journalism, Liberal Arts,
Mass Communication, Performing Arts,
Administrative Support, Business Administration,
Education, General Studies, Banking and Finance,
JROTC, Health Professional, Emergency Health
Care, Pharmacy, Management of Family
Resources, Social Services, Legal Services,
Engineering
Opting Out—How do I do it?
• In order to opt out of the Core 4 curriculum,
you, your parent and your counselor have to
meet to discuss the ramifications of not
following the Core 4.
• Only students who have completed at least
two years of high school may opt out.
• Ideally, you should opt out when registering for
your junior year.
• Everyone will have to sign off on paperwork and
a new 5 year plan has to be completed.
• The documentation must be on file before the
senior year.
End of Course Graduation
Requirement
• Students are required to take all six tests.
• The test are given at the end of the school year.
• Test dates are not flexible and must be taken within
the State Testing Schedule.
• Students must pass the following:
 Algebra I or Geometry
 English II or English III
 Biology or American History
• Should a student not pass they are eligible to retest
in the summer and fall semesters.
• If your student has failed an EOC test there are
opportunities for remediation tutoring prior to
testing.
I have questions who do I
contact???
•
Counseling Dept. Main Line
 649-3620
• Freshman Counselor
 Amanda Gaines ext. 1
• Sophomore Counselor
 Pauline Calderone ext. 2
• Junior Counselor
 Amanda Duplantier ext. 3
• Senior Counselor
 Christie Nienaber ext. 4
Visit the Counselors’ Website
• Northshorehigh.stpsb.org
Faculty/Staff
• Counselors
–Guidance Information
»Please click on this link