Non Departmental Courses and Electives

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) - Grade 9 - 12

AVID 9th Grade

Prerequisites: 9th grade: Completed & approved AVID application. Must meet AVID Program criteria for acceptance; including a 2.0 minimum middle school GPA (no D's or F's) and 3.0 citizenship. Enrollment in advanced and honors courses is highly encouraged. Previous enrollment in AVID at the middle school level is preferred.

AVID 9 is the first course in a four-year, grade-level specific sequence of AVID courses that prepares students for college, and it is scheduled during the regular school day as a two-semester course. Each week, students receive instruction using a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center, tutor-facilitated study groups, strengthen metacognitive development, analytical reading and writing, communication skills, and academic success skills. Students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth. Students will increase awareness of their personal contributions to their learning, as well as their involvement in their school and community. Students will prepare for and participate in college entrance and placement exams while refining study skills and test-taking, note-taking, and research techniques.

AVID 10th Grade

10th grade: same as above except: 2.8 GPA in "a-g" courses (no D's or F's); 3.0 citizenship; and completion of 9th grade AVID with a grade of A is preferred. Enrollment in advanced/honors/AP classes is highly encouraged.

AVID 10 is the second course in the grade-level high school AVID sequence. In the second year, students will continue to refine their academic learning plans and goals, increasing awareness of their actions and behaviors, as well as develop an increased ability to self-monitor, self-regulate, and manage time. Students will expand their writing portfolio to include analyzing prompts, supporting arguments and claims, character analysis, and detailed reflections. Finally, students will narrow their colleges and careers of interest, based on personal interests and goals.

AVID 11th Grade

11th grade: Completed AVID application on file. Must meet AVID Program criteria including a 2.8 GPA in "a-g" courses; 3.0 minimum citizenship GPA; and completion of 9th and/or 10th grade AVID with a grade of C or higher; students must have prior high school AVID experience. Enrollment in advanced/honors/AP classes including AP U.S. History and/or AP English Language is highly encouraged.

AVID 11 is the first part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first- and second-year college students. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID seminar, the course includes college-bound activities, methodologies, and tasks that should be undertaken during the junior year to support students as they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans.

AVID 12th Grade

12th grade: Completed AVID application on file. Must meet AVID Program criteria including a 2.8 minimum GPA in "a-g" courses (no D's or F's); 3.0 minimum citizenship GPA; completion of 9th - 11th grade AVID with a grade of C or higher; and SAT Reasoning Test/ACT & SAT Subject Tests completion. Enrollment in rigorous courses, including a minimum of two AP/college courses. Seniors must meet all four-year college course and test requirements as well as PLHS graduation requirements.

AVID 12 is the second part in a junior/senior seminar course in which students will continue to refine their academic learning plans and goals, create legacy projects (including service learning projects/mentoring), as well as develop an increased ability to self-monitor, self-regulate, and manage time. Students will expand their writing portfolio to include an argumentative research paper on a social issue and detailed reflections. Finally, students will prepare for college through the use of inquiry-based collaborative study groups using higher-order thinking and questioning techniques.

Publications 1, 2 - Grade 9 - 12

* Students must submit an application that will be reviewed by instructor and staff.

This course provides individual specialized training and production work in publishing the school yearbook.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT 1,2 (ASB) - Grades 9 -12

* Students must submit an application that will be reviewed by instructor and staff.

Prerequisites: Election in the spring for an ASB office or selection as a commissioner. All commissioners and grade-level officers are required to take this course.

This course affords student body members experience as student leaders. Through guidance, training, experience planning, organizing, and executing a variety of school activities, community service projects, and practical experiences in student government and democratic leadership, these students will grow as leaders of their school and community.

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