High School Curriculum 2007 - 2008

To: High School Students and Parents

As students begin their high school education at Balboa Academy, selection of the most appropriate and relevant courses is fundamental to the realization of their individual academic and personal goals. This Curriculum Guide will assist you in developing a high school program that meets your educational goals, interests, and needs. It describes the courses, which will be offered during the school year.

The inclusion of a course description in this booklet does not guarantee the course will be offered. Courses will be scheduled based on student interest and efficient use of faculty and facilities. (Courses with fewer than 8 students may not be offered.)

We hope to give the Balboa Academy community greater ownership in the educational program by describing the courses we can offer and allowing students and parents the opportunities to tell us which ones most interest them and suggest new courses.

You will need to select the courses, which meet your needs for the school year. Students and parents need to carefully examine each course description and the Balboa Academy graduation requirements when making course decisions. If any student or his/her parents need more information on this course selection process or any specific course, please contact the high school counselor, the High School Dean of Academics.

ALL STUDENTS MUST ENROLL IN SEVEN COURSES.  Students need to choose courses, which are challenging. Careful attention should be paid to course prerequisites and to grade levels at which a course is available. We strongly advise that students seek advice from teachers and the counselor as to the appropriateness of each course for the individual student's level of achievement. All course placements are dependent on the Director’s approval.

Before the end of the school year, students will develop their preliminary schedules for the following year. If any errors are found, the student must consult with the counselor to make immediate corrections.

Schedule changes disrupt the educational process and should be avoided except when absolutely necessary. Schedule changes will be considered after classes begin in August, only when the counselor and teachers decide the changes are educationally appropriate.

This Program Planning Guide is designed to assist students and their parents in better understanding the Balboa Academy High School Educational Program. We will appreciate your suggestions to improve the effectiveness of this program.

We wish you success in this exciting process of shaping your schedule for the next academic year.

Jean Lamb, Director
Balboa Academy

The Educational Program

Curriculum

The Balboa Academy educational program is drawn from a wide variety of offerings in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Spanish, French, Art, Music, Computer Science, and Physical Education. Offerings in the 11th and 12th grade are college preparatory.

Promotion and Retention

Grade placement and promotion in high school is based upon the total number of credits earned as follows:

• Promotion to grade 10: earned 6 credits
• Promotion to grade 11: earned 12 credits
• Promotion to grade 12: earned 18 credits

Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 24.5 credits, taken over a four-year period are required for graduation. It should be noted that these are the minimum graduation requirements.

*   Panamanian history and government and 4 credits in Spanish are required to receive a diploma from the Panama Minister of Education.

All courses that exceed the required number of credits in each subject count as electives. The majority of students will graduate with 28 credits. One credit is equal to a minimum of 130 hours of class, lab and field study.

Course Load

Students must take seven subjects each year. Some advanced courses may require after school meetings or field trips. Attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in these courses.

Four-Year Plan

Each year the counselor will meet individually with students to establish and revise their Four-Year Plan. This plan will list the courses that the student will take throughout high school. Many courses have prerequisites; therefore, advanced planning is essential. Registration for high school classes will take place in March or April for the subsequent school year. At this time students will receive instructions on the registration process and each student will be given a copy of the Balboa Academy Program Planning Guide. The Program Planning Guide describes all the courses offered by the high school. By using the Four-Year Plan along with the Program Planning Guide, the students will work with their advisor and counselor to select classes that meet the Balboa Academy graduation requirements, Panamanian requirements, and preparatory requirements for the type of college or university degree desired by the student. It's critical that students plan ahead and give serious consideration to their choice of college and major since certain high school courses may be necessary for entrance into the college professional degree program. Professions such as medicine and engineering require that students have a thorough background in math and science. Many colleges and universities have specific entrance requirements. If in doubt, students should consult with the advisor and counselor to receive advise on course selection. They may also need to directly contact the college or university they desire to attend. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves and to take the highest-level courses for which they are properly prepared.

Grading and Reporting

The school year will be divided into two semesters, each consisting of two marking periods. Each marking period (called a quarter) will be approximately 9 weeks in length. The school academic calendar will give the exact dates.

Semester grades will be based upon grades for the two quarters of the semester plus the grade earned on the semester assessment. The semester assessment may count for up to 20% of the semester grade. Instead of semester exams, teachers may choose alternative assessments, i.e., papers, or projects that exhibit the student's understanding of the subject.

Grading Scale

The Balboa Academy uses a grade scale with A through F and a 4.0 scale for grades on 9-12 grade report cards and official transcripts.  Advanced Placement (AP) courses with grade A to C receive an additional 0.5 additive grade point to the semester grade. We do not rank nor give decimal ratings on our report cards or transcripts due to our small size and short period of operation of the school.

Proposed Balboa Academy High School Course List 2007-2008 

(COURSES IN RED WILL NOT BE OFFERED THIS SCHOOL YEAR)

 Updated 29 March 200