Course Guide

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to the 2023-24 version of the North Kitsap High School Course Guide. Whether you are an incoming freshman, transferring from another school, or currently enrolled, this publication is designed to help you in selecting courses that oﬀer the best possible educational experience. The courses listed in this guide are a complete list of next year’s possible course oﬀerings as determined by our teaching staﬀ and state requirements.

We encourage you to sit down together, parent/guardian and student, and go through the guide page by page in order to be fully educated about credit and testing requirements for earning a North Kitsap High School diploma. There is a lot of information about our college preparatory program. The guide also provides details and options for many diﬀerent graduation plans. Please feel free to contact your counselor if you have any questions about the content of this guide.

For new student enrollment, the ﬁrst step is to complete our online registration found under quick links on our website. LINK. You will be contacted by the registrar when the online process is completed. We are partners with parents and students in the planning of a relevant, rigorous and meaningful education while at NKHS and are ready to assist you as you work through this registration process.

Throughout the year, we will be sponsoring many activities for further information, parent conferencing, and making connections with students and families. We value each student and strive to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment. We look forward to working with you while you are a member of our NKHS community.

Sincerely,

North Kitsap High School Staﬀ

Enrollment & Credit Guidelines

For the successful completion of a semester class with a score of 60% or above, a 0.5 credit is awarded. The guidelines concerning attendance and provisions for make-up are to be communicated by the respective teachers. It is mandatory for students to maintain regular attendance for all classes.

Grades and credits are recorded on the Washington State transcript based on a defined system. The grades range from 'A' for Excellent performance to 'F' which denotes failure and non-issuance of credit. Other grades include 'S' for Credit, 'P' for Pass, 'N' and 'U' for No Pass, all of which are not included in the GPA calculation. 'NC' denotes No Credit and represents a special circumstance that will later be converted into a regular grade. 'W' signifies Withdrawal from the course.

A	94% - 100%	4.0
A-	93.99% - 90%	3.7
B+	89.99% - 87%	3.3
B	86.99% - 84%	3.0
B-	83.99% - 80%	2.7
C+	79.99% - 77%	2.3
C	76.99% - 74%	2.0
C-	73.99% - 70%	1.7
D+	69.99% - 67%	1.3
D	66.99% - 60%	1.0
F	59.99% - 0%	0.0

High School Diploma Requirements

Earn specific high school credits requirements
Complete specific non-credit requirements
Fulfill Pathway requirements

Requirement details can be found below.

Required Credits & Tests

The State of Washington Graduation Toolkit outlines graduation requirements. The Washington State Board of Education offers an interactive graduation requirement table online..

Credit Requirements

Subject and Credit Requirements
English	4 Credits
Math	3 Credits
Science	3 Credits
Social Studies	3 Credits
Career & Technical Education	1 Credit
Health & Fitness	2 Credits
Fine or Applied Art / Personal Pathway*	2 Credits
World Language / Personal Pathway*	2 Credits
Electives	4 Credits
Total	24 Credits

* Personal Pathway Requirements are related courses that lead to a specific post high school career or educational outcome chosen by the student based on the student’s interest and High school and Beyond Plan, that may include Career and Technical Education, and are intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning.

Non-Credit Requirements

High School and Beyond Plan: This is a detailed program intended to steer students effectively throughout their high school journey while focusing on their future career and educational goals.
Washington State History: This course, usually completed in the 7th grade, provides a comprehensive understanding of the state's history and government.

Note: Despite being integral to a student's educational growth, these elements do not contribute to the accumulation of graduation credits.

Pathway Requirements

In order to graduate, students are required to complete a minimum of one of the designated pathway options. These pathways have been designed to provide students with a range of options to best suit their individual learning styles, interests, and future career goals. By offering diverse pathways, we aim to foster a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students not only for graduation but also for their journey beyond high school.

State Assessment (SBA ): Achieve the graduation scores or higher on the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) in English language arts (ELA) (2548) and mathematics (2595).
Dual Credit: Secure at least one high school credit in ELA and one in math in dual credit courses. These can be earned through Running Start, College in the High School, and/or Career and Technical Education dual credit courses.
AP/IB/Cambridge: Obtain a score of 3 or higher on specific Advanced Placement (AP) exams, a 4 or higher on specific International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, or an E on specific Cambridge International exams in both ELA and math. Alternatively, passing the course with a grade of at least C+ also fulfills this requirement.
SAT/ACT: Achieve or surpass the graduation scores as set by the SBE in both the math and ELA sections of the SAT or ACT.
Performance-based: Details on this latest pathway will be provided soon.
Combination: Fulfill any mix of at least one ELA and one math option from the above-listed options (1-5).
Transition Course: Successfully complete a transition course in ELA and math, such as the Bridge to College course. This enables a student to directly place into a credit-bearing college level course.
ASVAB: Meet the standard on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) by scoring at least the minimum set by the military for eligibility to serve in a branch of the armed services.
CTE Sequence: Successfully complete a sequence of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses.

Washington State Minimum College Admission Standards

High school graduates seeking freshman admission to Washington’s public baccalaureate institutions will be required to meet minimum college admission standards. At the core of these admission standards is a
common set of course requirements termed College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR). CADR
should not be confused with high school graduation requirements. CADR are more rigorous than high school graduation requirements, which are determined by the State Board of Education and local school districts.

College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR)

CADR reflect the minimum number of credits required in six subject areas (see below) that students must
earn to be eligible for routine admission consideration by four-year public baccalaureate institutions.
The minimum college admission standards encourage high school 9th graders to begin earning three credits of CADR credits each year of high school, including their senior year. Students must take a minimum of three CADR credits in grades 10-12.

College Academic Distribution Requirements by Subject Area

English (Literature & Composition) ................................................................. 4 credits
Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry or Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry) ....... 3 credits*
Lab Science ....................................................................................................... 3 credits**
Social Studies ....................................................................................................3 credits
World Language (same language) ................................................................... 2 credits
Fine, Visual and Performing Arts ..................................................................... 1 credit***

Career and College Preparation

Vocational/Technical College or 2 Year Community College Requirements

High School diploma
School-specific placement exam

See individual school catalogs for specific requirements.

Also visit: sbctc.edu

4 Year College/University Requirements (Public Baccalaureate Colleges & Universities – State of Washington)

High School diploma
SAT or ACT exam (optional)

English (Literature & Composition) ................................................................. 4 credits
Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry or Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry) .......3 credits*
Lab Science ....................................................................................................... 3 credits**
Social Studies ................................................................................................... 3 credits
World Language (same language) ................................................................. 2 credits
Fine, Visual and Performing Arts ..................................................................... 1 credit***
* Must take math-based quantitative course senior year (additional math, chemistry, or physics)
** The third credit does not need to be lab-based.
*** Some courses that meet the art graduation requirement do not fulfill the arts requirement for college/university entrance.
Must also earn a minimum of three College Academic Distribution Requirement (CADR) credits in
grades 10-12 (English, Math, Science, World Language, Social Studies, or Art).
Minimum 2.0 GPA for admission.
For the most current information, please visit: College Admissions | WSAC
NOTE: See individual college catalogs and/or websites for specific admission requirements.

U.S. Military

High School diploma
ASVAB exam (must meet minimum score requirements)
Pass pre-military physical

See individual recruiters during lunches at KHS or contact our local recruiting office for specific requirements.

Work Force / Apprenticeships

High School diploma
On-the-job training
Volunteer / Community service suggested

Visit the Career Center for more information on these options.

Additional Credit Options

BYU Independent Study, Olympic College and other local universities: An option for credit retrieval and for first time credit. It is up to the students/parents to contact the appropriate institution for more information and registration. Parents are required to get approval from KHS before paying for credit. Once students have earned credit from a course, they will need to request that the institution send an official transcript to our registrar in order to get the credit posted onto their high school transcript.
The North Kitsap School District Summer School program: Designed for students who have failed a course during the regular school year. Information about summer school is available in the floor offices and through the NKSD website at www.nkschools.org.
Tribal Education Summer School / Credit Retrieval Program: Available and designed for tribal students and may also be available to non-tribal students, space permitting. It is up to the student and parent to contact the Tribal Education Centers.

S’Klallam Tribal Education Department – (360) 297-6317
Suquamish Tribal Education Department – (360) 394-8566

West Sound Technical Skills Center: Eleventh and twelfth grade students may earn high school credit and Olympic College credit towards a technical certificate. Students attend KHS and WST each for half a day. Programs include advanced game design, automotive technology, biomedical research and health, collision repair, construction, cosmetology, culinary arts, engineering, medical careers, public safety, and welding.
West Sound Technical Skills Center Summer School Program: Students may earn a first-time 0.5 elective credit for completing a career or technical course during the summer. Students must have successfully completed 8th grade and be currently enrolled in a recognized public, private or online school (cannot have a HS diploma). The program is free, however students must provide their own transportation. Registration begins early spring.

Earn College Credit While in High School

Dual Credit

Students can earn FREE college credits and high school credit while enrolled in their high school Career and Technical Education classes. When they complete the class, and earn a “B” or better, students earn free credit for the equivalent college course. This saves time and money on college. You must register to qualify during the year you take the course. Course we currently offer for dual credit include:

Advanced Photography
Personal Finance

Career Choices
Video Production I

Work-Site Learning

Advanced Placement (AP)

AP classes are a cooperative educational endeavor of secondary schools, colleges, and the College Board. In early May, students have the opportunity to take the national AP examinations. In order to receive college credit and/or placement, students generally must earn at least 3 out of a maximum possible score of 5 on the exam. However, each college or university establishes its own criteria for acceptance of AP credits. There is a fee for all of the AP exams.

In order to be successful, students taking AP classes must be self motivated, intellectually curious, analytical, engaged and willing to put in the extra time, effort and work. AP classes focus on higher-level thinking activities, requiring strong communication skills, sophisticated essay writing and oral participation. Since AP classes move at a rapid pace, students must have a stellar attendance record in order to keep up. AP students are mature, exhibit impeccable behavior and always show respect to the teacher and to fellow students.

Biology
Pre-Calculus
Calculus AB and BC
Chemistry
Computer Science Principles
English Language & Composition

English Literature & Composition
Environmental Science
Physics 1 & 2
Psychology
Spanish
Statistics

2D Art and Design
3D Art and Design
Drawing
US Government and Politics
US History
World History: Modern

Running Start

Running Start is a unique dual enrollment program in Washington State that offers an exciting academic opportunity for high school juniors and seniors. The program allows students to take college courses at Washington's community and technical colleges and earn both high school and college credits simultaneously. This not only allows students to experience a different learning environment but also enables them to progress academically at an accelerated pace. Running Start is open to students in the public school system, private schools, and home-schooled students.

Participants in the Running Start program can complete high school requirements while earning college credits, potentially graduating with both their high school diploma and an associate degree. The program is largely beneficial in terms of cost, as tuition for these college-level courses is paid for by the student's school district. However, students are responsible for textbooks, transportation, and any other fees. This unique blend of secondary and post-secondary education allows Running Start participants to transition more smoothly into a college environment and take a significant step forward in their academic journey.