Student Handbook Index

PLANNING A COURSE OF STUDY

An instructor will be available to advise and assist the student with his/her course/curriculum selections. The program of studies should be planned to reflect the student's interests, needs, aptitudes and career goals. All of the general course objectives should be consistent with the school's content standards and state guidelines. Levels of student achievement will differ due to the individualized nature of the learning process and the student's own capabilities.

As you plan your program, the instructor will ensure that you follow the guides listed below so that the achievement levels and requirements for graduation, college entrance and basic skill competencies will be satisfied when applicable. Contact the Education Services Office to obtain the OFY Content Standards separately.

OPTIONS FOR YOUTH PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION

To be eligible for a high school diploma from Options for Youth, students must demonstrate the required skills in reading, writing and mathematics. As a prerequisite to graduation, students who are graduating prior to September 2003 must pass the OFY Proficiency Examination.

The OFY Proficiency Examination will be replaced by the new High School Exit Examination for students graduating in September 2003 and after.

HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAMINATION

Students who are graduating in September 2003 and after are required to pass the High School Exit Examination (HSEE) in order to receive a high school diploma from a public school in the State of California. All students who are 10th graders during the current 2001-2002 school year will be required to take the HSEE in March of 2002. If a student does not pass the examination given in March, additional opportunities to take it will be available during the summer and fall of 2002. The first two days of the examination cover English/Language Arts requirements and the final day covers Math requirements.

COLLEGE PREPARATORY PLAN

The college preparatory plan leads to enrollment in a four-year college or university or enrollment in community college and transfer to a four-year institution.

Students following this plan should enroll in:

1. Minimum graduation requirements in grades 9 - 12
2. Three or four years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
3. Three or four years of college preparatory science
4. Two, three, or four years of the same college preparatory foreign language

A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is recommended. STUDENTS SHOULD TAKE THE SAT OR ACT AT THE END OF THE JUNIOR YEAR OR EARLY IN THE SENIOR YEAR TO ESTABLISH APTITUDE FOR COLLEGE WORK.

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT

College preparatory courses (or others) not offered by the charter school can be taken at a local community college for high school credit. These courses may include foreign language, visual or performing arts and laboratory science. Depending on the college, students may have to complete a "Concurrent Enrollment Form," which can be obtained at the community college, before registering for these classes. Completed college courses (3 semester units or more) may transfer to high school as a year course. However, these courses may not also be counted for college credit.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The most current graduation requirements are here.

MINIMUM COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Community colleges provide transfer programs that enable students to transfer to four-year institutions such as the state university system, the University of California and independent colleges. They provide courses in occupational education programs that lead to vocational proficiency and, in some cases, the Associate of Arts degree. They also provide general education courses.

1. Open admission - 18 years of age or older
2. High School diploma or pass the California High School Proficiency Exam (if under 18)

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

California State University entrance requirements are designed to admit the upper 33% of California high school graduates.

Subject Requirement (15 Units/150 Credits - minimum)

1. 40 credits college preparatory English
2. 30 credits college preparatory mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2)
3. 20 credits US History / Government
4. 20 credits college preparatory science (lab required)
5. 20 credits of same foreign language (may be waived if equivalent or higher competency is demonstrated)
6. 10 credits of visual and performing arts
7. 10 credits of electives (college preparatory courses from these fields: history, English, agriculture, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, foreign language, social science, and the visual and performing arts)

Eligibility Index - The eligibility index is the combination of your high school grade point average (GPA) and your test score on either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I). Your GPA is based on grades earned during your final three years of high school (excluding physical education and military science) and bonus points for each C or better earned in approved honors courses (i.e., advanced placement courses).

Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last two years of high school can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 bonus points, B will receive 4 bonus points and C will receive 3 bonus points.

You can calculate the index by multiplying your GPA by 800 and adding your total score on the SAT I. Or, if you took the ACT, multiply your GPA by 200 and add ten times the ACT composite score. If you are a California high school graduate (or a resident of California for tuition purposes), you need a minimum index of 2900 using the SAT I or a minimum index of 694 using the ACT.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Minimum requirements for admission identify those students who are eligible to be selected. Selection is based on performance over and above these minimums.

University of California admission is limited to the upper 12.5% of all high school graduates. Selection by the University of California depends on performance over and above the minimums. Students who expect to be successful in the University of California must expect to complete 30 credits (6 courses) each semester for a total of eight semesters (240 credits), to include at least four academic courses each semester with special attention to advanced courses in the junior and senior years.

To be admitted to a campus of the University of California as a freshman, the student must meet the three requirements of admission: the Subject Requirement, the Scholarship Requirement and the Examination Requirement.

Students are expected to have a transcript pattern that includes academic courses that are college preparatory in nature.

1. Subject Requirement (15 Units/150 Credits - minimum)
   1. History - 20 Credits
      
      • World History - 10
      • US History/American Government - 10
   2. English - 40 Credits
      
      • College preparatory courses that include frequent and regular writing, as well as reading of classic and modern literature.
   3. Mathematics - 30 Credits
      
      • College preparatory courses that include elementary algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra or higher; 40 credits are recommended.
   4. Laboratory Science - 20 Credits
      
      • Life Science - 10
      • Physical Science - 10
      • The appropriate two years of an approved integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement; one year may be completed in the ninth grade; 30 credits or more are recommended.
   5. Foreign Language - 20 Credits
      
      • Twenty credits of the same language that include reading, grammar and composition with an emphasis on oral skills; 30 credits or more are recommended.
   6. College Prep Electives- 20 Credits
      
      • College preparatory elective courses taken in addition to the requirements listed above must be chosen from at least two of the following areas: visual and performing arts, history, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, social science or foreign language (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement above or two years of another language).

   At least 70 of the 150 credits listed above must be taken in the last two years of high school.

   Change Effective Fall 2003: Beginning with freshmen applicants for fall 2003, the Subject Requirement will include 10 credits (one unit) of coursework in visual and performing arts (dance, drama/theater, music or visual arts). The number of college preparatory electives required will be reduced from two units to one, so the total number of Subject Requirement units will remain at 15.

2. Scholarship Requirement/New Eligibility Index Effective Fall 2001

   A grade point average (GPA) in college preparatory courses of 2.80 satisfies the minimum Scholarship Requirement but does not guarantee admission. It qualifies an applicant as being eligible for admission to the University of California but does not assure selection. All students - even those with the highest GPAs - are required to meet minimum test score requirements. The SAT I composite is the highest combined mathematics and verbal scores from a single sitting. Highest individual SAT II scores from any sitting will be considered. The revised test score formula is [SAT I composite] + [2 x (SAT II writing + SAT II mathematics + third required SAT II)]. The SAT II is weighted more heavily than the SAT I, however, GPA continues to be the most important factor in the eligibility index.

3. Examination Requirement

   Candidates for admission are required to submit scores from the following:

   1. Composite American College Test (ACT) or combined Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I);
   2. Three SAT II subject tests including writing, math and one from remaining subject categories.

INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Admission policies of independent colleges and universities vary widely. Admission may be based on the following criteria:

1. Course selection
2. Grade point average (GPA)
3. Score on SAT or ACT tests
4. Achievement test scores
5. Personal recommendations
6. Participation in extracurricular activities

Students considering a highly competitive college such as Stanford, Harvard, Cal Tech or MIT should take 40 credits in most academic areas, have a GPA of 3.75 or higher, SAT scores totaling 1200 or higher and achievement test scores in the 600's or higher. Participation in school-community activities with significant achievement in one area outside of the classroom counts heavily in the admission process.

Other independent colleges expect the same preparation, but will admit students who have a 3.0 GPA and SAT scores totaling 1000 or higher. Many independent colleges will admit students with a "C" average and test scores below 1000.

Student Handbook Index