Course Description

The goal of the Highland High School Counseling Office is to assist students in choosing the most enjoyable and beneficial courses that will meet New York State graduation requirements as well as prepare students for employment or higher education. As you plan your high school program, you may first want to try to establish your personal goals, such as employment upon graduation or continuing on to a higher education program. Always keep in mind your personal interests, aptitudes, and needs, knowing that with time some of these interests and skills may change. Learn about career and college entrance requirements as soon as possible and select courses on the basis of State requirements as well as courses that will help you achieve your goals.

The School Counseling Office maintains student permanent records and issues official transcripts upon written request.  Transcripts to colleges, future employers, the military, or to scholarship competitions may be requested through the School Counseling Office secretary.  Students must contact the official testing agency for SAT/ACT scores to be sent to colleges/universities.  Student athletes are encouraged to also report scores directly to the NCAA Clearinghouse.  A Transcript Release Form must be signed by parent/guardian if the student is under 18 years of age. A Transcript Request Form must also be completed for each transcript requested by a student.

The students of Highland High School have the opportunity to enroll in college courses outside of the standard course offerings.  If the course is being used as a requirement for graduation, it must be reflected on the high school transcript and will be factored into the student’s grade point average.  If the course(s) is being taken for elective credit, a student may choose to have the course(s) reflected on their high school transcript and computed into their grade point average.  If the student chooses to have the course factored into their grade point average, the student must provide their counselor with the college grade report.  Letter grades will be converted to numeric grades according to the approved high school conversion chart.  As an alternative, the student can provide their counselor with a letter from the instructor or credit granting institution stating the actual numeric grade. The reported grade will be used in the computation of the grade point average.

Initial scheduling meetings for Grades 9, 10, and 11 take place in the spring.  Each student in Grades 9-11 will be required to register for a minimum of six and a half credits per year.  It is also our practice that students Grade 9-11 are not allowed more than 1 study hall period per school day; 12th grade students will be allowed no more than 2 study hall periods per school day but may also have late arrival or early dismissal.

If a student fails a required course and does not register for summer school, the course will be put back into the student’s schedule the following school year.

To obtain a sophomore status, a student must have earned 4.5 high school credits.

To obtain a junior status, a student must have earned 10 high school credits.

To obtain a senior status, a student must have earned 15 high school credits and be scheduled for all courses required to graduate.

For purposes of determining class standing, Advanced Placement and college-level courses will be weighted differently than Regents and school-level courses.  AP/college courses = 1.065.  Regents courses = 1.025.

A cumulative listing of students in each grade level is determined by their weighted average at the end of each school year. The valedictorian and salutatorian (highest class average and second highest class average) will be recognized.

Highland High School uses cumulative final grades from each school year in the ranking system. Physical education is exempt from this calculation.

Enrollment decisions are to be made carefully. No changes will be considered until after the third week of instruction of the school year.  Any student who wishes to make a schedule change after enrollment must obtain a schedule change form from the School Counseling Office or the School Counseling website. This form states the reason for change and requires signatures from the following: the teacher whose class is being dropped; the teacher whose class is being added; and the parent or guardian.  After this completed form is returned to the School Counseling Office, a final determination will be made.  A student who requests schedule changes should not attend his/her “new” classes until he/she receives official notification from his/her counselor. 

Any schedule changes must occur within the first five (5) weeks of instruction.  Requests for a specific instructor will not be considered. 

Prerequisite:  A requirement of any kind that must be met before a student will be able to register for a given subject.  For example, a student must satisfactorily complete Spanish II before taking Spanish III. 

Unit of Credit:  The value assigned to a subject based on a State Education Department established time requirement.  The successful completion of a course may result in ½ or 1 unit of awarded credit depending upon the length of time studied.  Please note:  As a result of enrollment tallies and master schedule building, the credit value of a course stated in this guide is subject to change.

Elective:  Any subject that may be chosen by a pupil other than that required by the New York State Education Law for graduation.

Passing Grade:  A passing grade in all courses and on Regents exams is 65%, except where noted under “Local Diploma” requirements.

Students may not enroll in courses for which they have not met the stated academic requirements or prerequisites.

Students who fail courses may repeat those courses in a summer school program approved by Highland High School.  School counselors strongly encourage summer school courses as a way to help students stay on track for graduation.

Students who fall behind in English, Social Studies, or other required subjects may attend summer school assuming the course is offered for full credit at summer school.  Students who wish to accelerate in any required subjects must obtain approval through the department chairperson, school counselor, and principal.

To be on the Merit Roll a student must have an average of at least 85%, with no mark in a subject less than 75%. To be on the Honor Roll a student must have an average of at least 90%, with no mark in a subject less than 88%. Physical Education is exempt from calculation and consideration in Honor and Merit Roll.

To be eligible for National Honor Society membership, a student must be at least a second semester junior.  Selection is based on scholarship, character, leadership, and service.

To meet the academic requirement, students must have an unrounded weighted in-progress cumulative grade point average of at least 92%. Candidates must have performed volunteer activities that show evidence of service to school and the community.

Candidates are selected from school music students who exhibit exceptional scholarship, leadership, service, and character. 

Music Participation - Candidates must be enrolled in a music ensemble (band or choir) for the full year. 

Academic Achievement - Candidates must maintain a 90+ GPA in music classes and an 85+ overall GPA. 

Service - Candidates must maintain service hours as described by the TRI-M advisors. 

Character - Candidates must demonstrate respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

Candidates that meet all criteria will be inducted into Tri-M at the spring concert.

Students who are members of Tri-M for all years at Highland High School will be eligible to graduate "with cords."

To be eligible for Spanish Honor Society, a student must:

1.  be currently enrolled in Spanish 4 or 5 at Highland HS. Spanish 4 students must commit to studying Spanish 5 the following year to continue being a member.

2.  have a 3-quarter Spanish average of 90 or better

3.  have an overall average of 85 or better

4.  not have any referrals

Highland High School offers several courses for Advanced Placement (AP) and/or college credit.  These courses are taught by Highland High School teachers within the High School building in partnership with either SUNY Ulster or SUNY New Paltz. The Highland High School teacher follows the curriculum of the corresponding college and the students, once successfully completing the course, earn 1 (one) high school credit.  Students paying tuition for the course also receive college credit for the course, and that credit may be transferrable to other colleges upon enrollment after high school graduation.  Please see course descriptions for specific fees and college credits.  Registration for a college course, which includes payment of tuition, takes place once the school year begins.  Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch qualify for reduced tuition; please contact the School Counseling Office for more details.

Students who choose to take certain college courses may also prepare for and take a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam offered in May of each year. See course descriptions for corresponding AP exams. Most colleges and universities across the country offer college credit, advanced placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam scores. Students will be instructed to register for the AP exam through the College Board in the early fall and pay the registration fee shortly thereafter.  Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch also qualify for a registration fee waiver; please contact the School Counseling Office for more details. 

Students are strongly encouraged to register for both the college course and the AP exam for an increased opportunity to earn college credits, but they are not required to do both.  Students must, however, choose one or the other option.