Planning for Graduation
Map Your Journey to Graduation and Beyond!
Explore options available at Pattonville High School that will prepare you for the future you want:
Plan Ahead
- Graduation Requirements
- Testing Requirements
- Seal of Biliteracy
- AP® Classes, College Credit Courses, and Weighted Grades
- NCAA Requirements
- Planning and Registration
- Additional Course Options
Graduation Requirements
Pattonville School District requires a minimum of 24 units of high school credit.
All students are required to take ONE of the following courses to meet the requirement for ORAL COMMUNICATIONS for graduation:
- Communication Arts: Oral Communication; Debate & Public Speaking, Fundamentals of Debate, Speech & Theatre
- Fine Arts: Competitive Theatre, Introduction to Theatre
- Practical Arts: Television Studio Production, Video Production
Courses/Department | Credits |
---|---|
English Language Arts | 4 |
Social Studies | 3 |
Mathematics | 3 |
Science | 3 |
Fine Arts | 1 |
Practical Arts | 0.5 |
Personal Finance | 0.5 |
Physical Education | 1 |
Health | 0.5 |
Electives1 | 7.5 |
TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDITS | 24 |
1 Modern Language - 2 credits in the same language is an elective area that is usually required for college admission
Keep Track of Your Credits and GPA
Students, this is a Google Sheet template you can use to keep track of credit hours. Just click "Use Template" and a fresh copy will be added to your Google Drive for you to edit:
Testing Requirements
Students are required to complete End of Course Exams in select courses AND must take at least 1 standardized test prior to graduation. Students may choose from the following standardized tests to satisfy this requirement:
- ACT or SAT;
- ACCUPLACER
- ASVAB;
- ACT Work Keys
For more information on End of Course Exams and the standardized tests, visit PHS Counseling.
Seal of Biliteracy
Are you proficient in 2 languages? If so... apply for the Seal of Biliteracy!
What is the Seal?
The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is an award granted by a local district to recognize a student who has attained proficiency in English and one or more other world language(s) before high school graduation. The recognition of attaining biliteracy becomes a part of the high school transcript for these students and serves to certify attainment of biliteracy for the community, employers and universities. The Missouri Seal is meant to:
- encourage the study of a second language;
- recognize, promote, and praise students for their accomplishment;
- value diversity;
- provide employers with a means of identifying bilingual employees;
- provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants;
- prepare students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in a global economy and
- society; and
- strengthen relationships and honor the cultures and languages in a community.
What's in it for me?
The Seal of Biliteracy honors specialized skills and it is recognized on your high school transcript, which will be attractive to future employers and college admissions.
You can also earn up to 12 hours of college credit from many Universities in Missouri.
Who awards it?
The Seal of Biliteracy is credited by the Department of Early and Secondary Education. Learn more about the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy.
What do I have to do?
- Demonstrate proficiency in English
- English GPA ≥ 3.0
- Proficient on English EOC Exam or 4.0 on ACCESS Assessment
- Demonstrate proficiency in another language, including sign language
- 3+ on AP Language & Culture Exam or Literature & Culture Exam
- Complete a project that demonstrates socio-culture competence
- Complete an application;
- Meet with an assigned mentor to review requirements;
- Design a project to demonstrate socio-cultural competence;
- Complete approved project;
- Meet with mentor for final approval;
- Write a reflection and report on the completed project.
How do I apply?
Ask your counselor or principal for more information.
Eligibility
The Missouri Seal is intended to be earned by graduating high school students as well as awarded and celebrated at the culmination of the students’ senior year. Native English- speaking students may acquire the second language through traditional world language classrooms, community-based programs, at home, worldly experiences or any other method attempted by the student. English learners (ELs) and other heritage language learners are also eligible. It is important to emphasize that ALL students acquiring any language in addition to English is a potential awardee. As the Missouri Seal is intended to promote not only the acquisition of a second language but also the participation in a global society and economy, a measure of sociocultural competency is required of all students earning the Missouri Seal.
AP® Classes, College Credit Courses, and Weighted Grades
Advanced Placement
AP® or Advanced Placement is a nationally recognized curriculum that could provide you with college credit. You may earn the credit by completing an AP® course and scoring well on the national AP® test for that subject. A fee applies to take an AP® exam. The test is currently scored on a five-point scale, with five as the highest score.
Each college has the right to set the score that they will accept for college credit. Check with the college of your interest for further information. Because it is a national curriculum, it is accepted in many states that will not accept college credit from our local universities and/or colleges.
College Credit (CC)
College credit classes offer high caliber high school students the opportunity to earn college credits and become familiar with the college experience while still in a high school setting. College credits earned through college credit programs are widely accepted at Missouri public colleges and universities and many other institutions across the country. This is a way for high school students to earn college credit at the same time they are earning high school credit.
Weighted Grades
Grade | Non-weighted | Weighted |
---|---|---|
A | 4 | 5 |
B | 3 | 4 |
C | 2 | 3 |
D | 1 | 1 |
F | 0 | 0 |
Weighted grade points differentiate between regular courses, honors, advanced placement courses, college credit, gifted courses and other courses that have been approved (by the Curriculum Coordinating Council) and are associated with the weighted grade scale. Weighted grade points are inflated by one point if the student earns an A, B or C in a weighted course. Weighted and non-weighted GPA and class ranks are reported on report cards and transcripts.
Latin Honors
Top students will be recognized according to a cum laude system:
- summa cum laude 4.03+
- magna cum laude 375-4.02
- cum laude 3.74-3.50
NCAA Requirements
NCAA Division I Eligibility
Initial Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment
16 Core Courses
- 4 English
- 3 Math (Algebra 1 or higher)
- 2 Natural/Physical Science
- 1 additional English, Math, or Science
- 2 Social Science
- 4 additional courses from any area above or foreign language
10 core courses completed before the start of the 7th semester (end of junior year); 7 of which must be in English, Math, or Natural/Physical Science
Minimum GPA to COMPETE is 2.3*
Core GPA between 2.0-2.29*: It will be possible for D1 college bound student athlete to still receive athletic aid and the ability to practice, but cannot compete.
*Corresponding Sliding GPA/ACT Sum Scale - ACT sum score matching core course GPA
- sum score = combined score of each BEST subscore
NCAA Division II Eligibilty
16 Core Courses
- 3 English
- 2 Math (Algebra or higher)
- 2 Natural or Physical Science
- 3 additional from above areas
- 2 Social Science
- 4 additional from all areas or foreign language
Minimum GPA - 2.20*
Minimum ACT Sum Score of 70*
*Corresponding Teest-Score/GPA Scale
What is a Core Course?
ONLY these courses are used to calculate a student’s Core GPA for NCAA eligibility. They use your 16 BEST Core Courses to calculate your Core GPA.
The majority of classes offered by PHS in Math, Science Social Studies, English and Foreign Language are approved by the NCAA as Core Courses. However, the following courses are NOT NCAA approved Core Courses:
MATH
- Consumer Math 1 & 2
SCIENCE
- Concepts of Physical Systems
- Concepts of Biological Systems
- Principles of BioMedical Science
- Human Body Systems
- Medical Interventions
ENGLISH
- English 4
- Gifted Research Seminar
- Literature & Film Connections
- Drama as Literature
- English Fundamentals/Reading Essentials
- Intro to Philosophy
- AP® Art History*
- ECHO/Pirate Press
- Photojournalism
- Fundamentals of Debate, Speech & Theatre
SOCIAL STUDIES
- STUCO Leadership
- History of St. Louis*
MODERN LANGUAGE
- Spanish for Native Speakers*
*Courses pending NCAA approval
NAIA
Planning and Registration
Find the grade level that you will be in NEXT school year (2023-2024) and click the link to download a list of courses available for your grade level. Use this form with your Personal Plan of Study worksheet and your selected career pathway sheet to determine which courses you want to take next year.
For more information about the registration process, visit the Counseling website.
Reminders
- All course registration questions and requests for the 2023-2024 school year must be made prior to spring break. NO COURSE REQUEST CHANGES WILL BE ALLOWED AFTER SPRING BREAK.
- Schedule changes are only made for students that are academically misplaced. Schedules are picked up at orientation in August. Final schedules are handed out on the first day of school.
- If a student passes a summer course(s), the student's counselor will enroll the student in their alternate course choice that was made during the registration period in February.
- Students that drop a class after 10 days of school will receive and "F" in the class and zero credit.
Additional Course Options
Pattonville Summer School
Incoming freshmen and all 10th-12 graders can take up to two summer school courses with Pattonville teachers. Courses are offered for both credit advancement and credit recovery. All summer school courses are virtual using Canvas as the Learning Platform and occur in the month of June.
Incoming 9th Graders
- Physical Education
- Health
10th-12th Grade
- Advancement Courses offered are Personal Finance, Oral Communication, Health, Personal Fitness, and 2D Design.
- Remedial Courses offered are in core subject areas for students who do not pass a class during the school year.
Learn more about Summer School
Tech School
Pattonville students have the option to attend North Tech (tuition free) beginning their sophomore year. There are 25 different programs available including trades in the automotive, first-responder, law enforcement, health sciences, construction, culinary arts, veterinary school, and more!
If interested in these programs, visit their website for more information:
North Tech School
1700 Derhake Road
Florissant, MO 63303
(314) 989-7600
Virtual Instruction/Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP)
Because virtual instruction can be an effective education option for some students, there may be courses available either through a district-provided virtual option or through the Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP). Learn more about virtual instruction options.
Student Support
Search for Courses
The PHS course catalog is housed in Schoolinks. Filter the catalog by subject or search by course name.
Courses by Department
ELA
Required English Courses
**Oral Communication is required. See Graduation Requirements above for courses that meet this requirement.
9th: English 1 OR Honors English 1 OR Gifted English 1
10th: English 2 OR Honors English 2 OR Gifted English 2
11th: English 3 OR Honors English 3 OR Gifted English 3
12th: Seniors planning to attend a college or university should elect from the following courses in Group I. *These courses are the only ones which will fulfill the entrance requirements for English in the Missouri University system.
Group I
Seniors might elect from the following English electives:
- C.C. English 1900/2250
- AP Language & Composition
- College Prep English 4
- Creative Writing
- Modern Literature
- African-American Literature
- Science Fiction
- Literature & Film Connections
- Food Writing
- English 4
- Graphic Novels as Literature
Group II
Seniors might elect from the following Speech, Journalism electives:
- Debate and Public Speaking
- Debate and Public Speaking; Advanced
- Introduction to Journalism
- Photojournalism
- Pirate Press (Newspaper)
- Echo (Yearbook)
EL
EL (English Learner) Course Information
All EL courses are offered as full year courses.
One to two-year courses are available for students at beginning to intermediate proficiency in English to learn basic subject area vocabulary and concepts, academic language, and learning strategies necessary to access content in science, social studies, and math. Topics will vary according to student need. Students will be concurrently enrolled in Literacy for English Learners 1 or 2.
PREREQUISITE: Placement by MO Newcomer Screener, WIDA SCREENER, WIDA ACCESS, or teacher recommendation
Course Name | Grade-Level |
---|---|
EL Content | 9-12 |
Literacy for EL 1 | 9-12 |
Literacy for EL 2 | 9-12 |
Literacy for EL 3 | 9-12 |
Literacy for EL 4 | 9-12 |
EL Reading Essentials | 9-12 |
EL Instructional Support | 9-12 |
EL Government | 12 |
Math
Math Course Information
Recommendations
Designed for the student with above average ability or college preparation:
- Honors Algebra 1
- Honors Geometry
- Honors Algebra 2
- College Credit PreCalc/Trig
- College Algebra
- AP Statistics
- AP Calculus
Designed for the student with average and above average ability and college preparation:
- Algebra 1.1 & 1.2
- Geometry 1 & 2
- Algebra 2.1 & 2.2
- Probability and Statistics 1 & 2
- Algebra 3
- College Algebra
Designed for the student with difficulties, has interest or need for continued study:
- Algebra 1.1xy & 1.2 xy
- Algebra Success
- Algebra 1.1 & 1.2
- Geometry 1 & 2
- Algebra 1.1 & 1.2
- Algebra 3
Modern Language
Science
Social Studies
Social Studies Required Courses
9th Grade-(Choose 2 courses)
- Early Modern United States History
- Early Modern World History
- Honors Ancient World History
- Honors Early Modern World History
- Honors Early Modern United States History
10th Grade
- Modern World History OR
- AP® European History
11th Grade
- Modern U.S. History OR
- AP® U.S. History
12th Grade
- Government OR
- AP® U.S. Government
*Must pass Missouri and United States Constitution tests for graduation.