Scheduling Resources

Factors used in selecting students for Honors and AP courses will include teacher/department recommendation, counselor recommendation, grades in previous courses, achievement/aptitude test scores, and student interest. Formal Advanced Placement (AP) programs in English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, AP Seminar English II, French, Spanish, Calculus, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, American History, Psychology, American Government, Comparative Government and Politics, Studio Art, World History, and Music Theory are offered. 

AP exams are given in May of each year.  Scores earned on these tests could result in college credit, advanced placement or exemption from certain academic requirements/prerequisites upon college enrollment at most colleges. 

Full year Advanced Placement (AP) courses receive .05 add-on credit and semester Advanced Placement (AP) courses receive .025 add-on credit. Board policy requires that AP students take the AP test and earn at least a C in the class in order to earn add-on credit. Any student may take any of the AP exams without being enrolled in Advanced Placement classes.  However, students will not receive add-on credit for taking the AP test without having taken the course. As transcripts are forwarded to colleges, grades in Honors/AP courses are identified on the official transcript. Colleges expect students to take advantage of stronger and more challenging programs if the opportunity exists. For more information concerning these special programs, contact the Guidance Department.

Students earning credit through College Credit Plus (CCP) will earn add-on points dependent on the number of credit hours. The add-on for a 3+ credit hour course is .05, .033 for 2 credit hours and .0165 for 1 credit hour courses.

Only CCP courses with an equivalent Advanced Placement course content area will qualify for the add-on. These areas are: 

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social studies
• World languages
• Art
• Computer science
• Music

College entrance requirements vary. The following courses are recommended for a strong college preparatory program:

• 4 units of English
• 4 units of college preparatory mathematics
• At least 3 units of one world language or 2 units each of two world languages
• 4 units of social studies
• 3 - 4 units of science (to include biology, chemistry and physics)

Some colleges expect more requirements and some less from applicants. Most engineering schools, for example, require 4 - 5 units of college preparatory mathematics plus physics and chemistry. Most colleges indicate 16 or more academic credits are preferred for an applicant to be adequately prepared for college.
Every student is advised to study the entrance requirements of the colleges being considered and plan courses accordingly. Oakwood High School provides courses necessary to prepare students for college. The college, when considering a person for admission, is usually concerned with the overall qualifications of the applicant. Emphasis is placed on such things as the quality and type of the high school preparation (grades and rigor of courses taken), scores on college admission tests *(SAT and ACT), motivation, high school and community activities, and recommendations from teachers, counselors and/or the principal.  During the registration process, students may request their scores be sent to up to 4 universities for no additional fee. Sending them after the exam will cost approximately $15 per test, per school.  Due to the fact many colleges and universities are now requiring SAT and ACT test scores be sent to them directly from the testing agency, OHS NO LONGER sends test scores as part of the supporting documents for students' college applications. The college enrollment picture is a changing one. Some colleges, because of the large number of applicants, can still be selective in admissions; others cannot because of lack of qualified applicants. Some students, either because of cost or because of admission policies, are going to find it wise to begin their college career in a two-year community or junior college. Early planning, intelligent choice of subjects and strong academic scholarship are very important.

Several educational options that vary from the standard college preparatory program exist.  These options are intended to provide for different individual needs, different educational goals and objectives, and for non-school related educational experiences.

A.  Career Education Programs
Participation in a state approved career education program is available on an allotment basis to Oakwood High School students through a contractual agreement with the Kettering and Centerville school districts. Two-year programs are available as well as some individual courses.

B.  Independent Study
Independent Study is defined as a learning experience or project that is completed by a student outside the structure and limits of the usual classroom setting.

Credit for independent study may be granted if certain requirements and conditions are met:

1. The content/subject matter of the project cannot be acquired in a regularly scheduled class.
2. The student, teacher and school counselor mutually agree on the curriculum that has been identified with stipulated objectives to be accomplished.
3. A teacher agrees to assume responsibility for meeting with, assisting, and guiding the student toward accomplishment of the objectives.  The teacher and the student coordinate meeting times.
4. Amount of credit to be granted for the project and requirements to be met for a pass/fail grade are mutually agreed upon before the program project is accepted and approved.
5. The burden of responsibility rests with the student in the accomplishment and completion of the objectives of the independent project.
6. All independent study courses will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
7. An application for approval of an anticipated independent study project must be submitted in writing with the limits of the project identified, objectives identified, time to be devoted to the completion of the project, amount of credit and grade requirements identified. The application must be signed by the student, parent, teacher who has accepted responsibility for supervising the independent study project, department chair, counselor, and approved by the principal. Applications are available in the Guidance Office.  Applications must be completed and submitted by the end of the third week of each semester.
8. Credit earned is not used in computing grade point average.

C.   College Credit Plus
Ohio’s CCP program allows students to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking college courses from community colleges or universities. The purpose of this program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wide variety of options to college-ready students. There is no fee for tuition and books for the student and their family, unless a student fails the course or withdraws past the deadline. A 3-semester hour college course or more translates to 1 high school credit, 2-semester hour to 2/3 high school credit, and 1-semester hour to 1/3 high school credit. Several CCP courses are offered through an agreement with local colleges and universities at Oakwood High School. Additionally, there are options for students to take courses either online or on a college campus. 

In order for students to participate in CCP, students and parents must:

• Attend the CCP Information session at Oakwood High School in February.
• If unable to attend, arrangements must be made through the Guidance Office for a session.
• Complete the Intent to Participate Google Form located on the high school CCP webpage no later than April 1.
• Apply to local community colleges or universities for acceptance by their deadlines (typically May 1st).  
• Upon acceptance, complete any placement tests required by the community colleges or universities by their deadlines.

D.  Online Coursework   
Students have a plethora of opportunities for online study. Students are encouraged to work with their school counselor when considering this option. It is the responsibility of the student and their parents to receive approval from the principal before utilizing any of the online providers.  Grades and credits for all online coursework will be recorded on the student’s permanent record. Grades will be recorded and will be used in calculation of the grade point average.

E. Early Graduation
Students are encouraged to attain their high school diploma over a four-year period. Some situations may make it desirable or necessary that a student consider completion of the high school program in less than four years.  Any student planning to graduate early must have his/her academic plan approved by the school counselor, principal, and the student’s parents. Early graduates are welcome to participate in the commencement ceremony only if they haven’t requested and accepted their diploma prior to the ceremony.

F.  Credit Flexibility   
Credit flexibility options are designed for those students who demonstrate the ability, interest, and maturity to accept personal responsibility for their learning in a selected curricular area and have the opportunity to pursue it outside of Oakwood High School. The credit flexibility option supports learners who conduct their own research, learning objectives, and stipulates a plan to accomplish the defined objectives outside of the traditional classroom. The policy provides a personalized educational opportunity for all students and helps them identify, acquire, and demonstrate the proficiency of their knowledge through standards to earn graduation credit. Students participate in an alternative learning experience beyond the boundaries of a classroom and demonstrate identified standards. Students must complete the Proposal for Credit Flexibility Form (see school counselor), define their educational goals, identify the standards they will demonstrate, and create a timeline for completion.  With the approval of Oakwood City Schools, students can collaborate with an approved off-site instructional provider. Students should be aware that the NCAA Clearinghouse might not accept Credit Flex Course options.  

Tenth grade assignment requires a total of 5.50 credits.
Eleventh grade assignment requires 11 credits.
Twelfth grade assignment requires 16.50 credits or projected to receive 22 credits by the end of the senior year.

Honors courses are currently offered in English, Mathematics, World Languages, Academic Decathlon and Orchestra. Honors courses involve enriched and advanced work, rigorous grading standards and selective admissions.

Students will earn a .025 add-on factor for each yearlong Honors course completed with a grade of C or higher. The add-on will be adjusted for .5 (.0125) and .25 (.00625) credit courses accordingly. Since Academic Decathlon is repeatable, students have an opportunity to earn a .025 add on every year they earn a grade of C or better and a qualifying test score (for more information, see the detailed course description). 

Oakwood High School allows students the option to earn a PE Waiver in order to meet the state of Ohio’s physical education graduation requirement.  

Students who participate in high school interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading for two full seasons may be eligible to earn a PE Waiver.   Students may still choose to meet this requirement by attending physical education classes in high school to earn .5 credit.  PE Waiver forms are available in the School Counseling Office or in the link below. Forms must be completed and submitted to the high school’s School Counseling Office.  PE Waivers will need to be approved prior to the waiver being added to the student’s record. Please discuss the PE Waiver with a School Counselor if interested.
 

PE Waiver Form

The following guidelines will be used by the Guidance Department when considering a request for changes in a student’s schedule. Please consider course selections carefully to avoid unnecessary schedule changes. Schedule changes may be limited by availability of classes, course conflicts, class size, and balance of class sizes.  If a course change is made after grades have been recorded, the grades from the first course will transfer to the new course to be averaged.

Year Courses:

1. A change to another full-year course may be made during the first two weeks of the first semester.

2. A drop/withdrawal before the end of the first nine-week grade period will not show on record as course attempted.

3. A drop/withdrawal during the second quarter will show a “W” on the report card.

4. A drop/withdrawal in the third quarter will show a “W” on the report card and a “W” for the second semester and final grade on the report card as well as on the transcript.  A yearlong course will not receive partial credit or a first semester grade.

5. A drop/withdrawal from full-credit courses will not be made in the fourth nine-week grading period.

Semester Courses:

1. A change to another semester course may be made during the first week of the semester.

2. A drop/withdrawal before the end of first nine weeks of the semester will not show on record as course attempted.

3. A drop/withdrawal after the end of the first nine weeks will be recorded as follows:  the first nine-week grade will be recorded on the report card. A “W” will be recorded on the report card for the second nine-week grade and for the semester grade on the report card as well as the transcript.

4. A drop/withdrawal from semester courses will not be made after the twelfth week of the semester.
   
   CCP Courses:
   CCP students have 14 calendar days to withdraw from a course starting the first day of class. Students who withdraw after the 14-day period will receive a W on both their college and high school transcript and will be responsible for reimbursement to the school district who paid the tuition.

Tenth grade assignment requires a total of 5.50 credits. Eleventh grade assignment requires 11 credits. Twelfth grade assignment requires 16.50 credits or projected to receive 22 credits by the end of the senior year.

Show competency by earning a passing score (684) on Ohio’s high school Algebra I and English II tests.
If a student does not earn a passing score after multiple attempts, three additional options exist to show competency:

• Option 1: Demonstrate two Career-Focused Activities: Foundational (proficient score on WebXams, a 12-point industry credential, or a pre-apprenticeship or acceptance into an approved apprenticeship program) or Supporting (Work-based learning, earn the required score on WorkKeys, earn the OhioMeans Jobs Readiness Seal)
• Option 2: Enlist in the military. Show evidence of having signed a contract to enter a branch of the U. S. armed services upon graduation.
• Option 3: Complete College Coursework: Earn credit for one college-level math and/or college-level English course through Ohio’s free College Credit Plus program.

Show readiness by earning two of the following diploma seals with at least one being an Ohio-designated seal (O) and no more than one being a locally-defined seal (L), choosing those that line up with individual goals and interests.  These seals give students the chance to demonstrate academic, technical and professional skills and knowledge that align to individual passions, interests and planned next steps after high school. The twelve seals a student could earn include:

OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal (O)                                       Honors Diploma Seal (O)
Industry-Recognized Credential Seal (O)                              Seal of Biliteracy (O)
College-Ready Seal (O)*                                                            Technology Seal (O)
Military Enlistment Seal (O)                                                    Community Service Seal (L)
Citizenship Seal (O)                                                                   Fine and Performing Arts Seal (L)
Science Seal (O)                                                                          Student Engagement Seal (L)

*All students will take the ACT college-admission test (paid for by the state of Ohio) during the spring of their junior year.

The following criteria have been adopted by the State Department of Education for the Academic Honors Diploma. To be awarded the diploma, students must meet the following requirements:

•  Successfully complete the requirements for graduation as established by the Oakwood Board of Education.
•  Successfully meet all but one of the following criteria:
  •  Earn four units of English
  • Earn four units of mathematics, including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or equivalent and another higher level course or a four-year sequence of courses that contain equivalent content
    •  Earn four units of science
    • Earn four units of social studies
    • Earn either three units of one world language or two units each of two world languages (ASL counts)
    • Earn one unit of fine arts (must be earned in high school)
    • Maintain an overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a four point scale up to the last grading period of the senior year
    • Obtain a composite score of 27 on the American College Test (ACT) or a score of 1280 on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT).    

Students have the opportunity to choose to pursue one Honors Diploma as defined on the Ohio Department of Education website.  The additional Honors Diploma pathways available to pursue include:

• Career Tech Honors Diploma
• STEM Honors Diploma
• Arts Honors Diploma
• Social Science and Civic Engagement Honors Diploma

Grade Point Averages (GPA) are calculated at the end of each semester. Each quarter grade counts for 40% and the exam is 20% of the semester average. Semester grades in all regular courses for which credit is granted are included in determining GPA with the exception of course work taken by tutoring, independent study, audit, and pass/fail. 

Grades in regular courses earn the following quality points:  

A = 4 (90-100)
B = 3 (80-89)
C = 2 (70-79)
D = 1 (60-69)
F= 0 (below 60). 

See Honors, Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus (CCP) course information below for add-on factors. 

Formula for GPA = Total Quality Points divided by Credits attempted, plus any add-on points earned.

Courses may not be audited unless the student is repeating a course taken earlier.  Grades earned in audit courses are not included in class rank and GPA. Students transferring into Oakwood High School from other accredited public and/or private schools do have their grades from the former school used in determining grade point average.  AP, CCP and Honors courses are given as an add-on to the GPA. Because of the tradition of academic rigor and the competitive educational environment at Oakwood High School, the school does not rank its students.

Students may earn recognition for their individual academic achievements through the instituted Latin Honors System. Students will qualify for the varying levels of honor depending upon their cumulative weighted grade point average (GPA)at the end of the 7th semester:

Summa Cum Laude:  4.0 cumulative GPA and above
Magna Cum Laude:  3.75 - 3.99 cumulative GPA
Cum Laude:  3.51 - 3.74 cumulative GPA