Registration Information

Bellevue High School

2016 - 2017

Bellevue’s Mission

To provide each and every student with an exemplary college preparatory education so they can succeed in college, career and life.

The Wolverine Way. It's Worth the Climb.Our Mission: We Are Bellevue.

We are a community dedicated to learning. We are students, teachers, parents, staff, family, alumni, and neighbors. Together, we strive for excellence in all we do. We educate our minds and strengthen our hearts. We are preparing for college and for life.

BSD Graduation Requirements vs.

College Entrance RequirementsBSD Grad

Requirements

(class of 2019/2020)

BSD Grad

Requirements

(class of 2017/2018)

College Admission

Requirements

English 4 years 4 years 4 years

Social Studies 3.5 years 3.5 years 3.5 years

Math 3 years 3 years 3 – 4 years

Science 3 years 2 years 2 – 4 years

PE 1.5 years 2 years

Fine Arts 2 years 1 year 1 year

CTE 1 year 1 year

Health .5 year .5 year

World

Language/Personal

Pathway

2 years 2+ years

Total Credits 24 credits 23.5 credits

Additional Graduation Requirements:

2.0 cumulative GPA

40 hours community service (10 to explore, 30 in-depth)

State Testing Requirements

Smarter Balance ELA

Math (Algebra 1 or Geometry) EOC or Smarter Balance Math

Biology EOC

English Courses

American Literature

& Composition

Grade 11

Honors Freshman Composition

& Literature

Grade 9

AP Literature

& Composition

Grade 12

Senior

English

Grade 12

AP Language

& Composition

Grade 11

Honors Sophomore

Composition & Literature

Grade 10

Math Courses

Business Calculus

Algebra 1

Differential

EquationsAdvanced Calculus

AP Calculus AB

AP StatisticsPre-CalculusBusiness Pre-

Calculus

Algebra 2

Geometry

Math Models

Science Courses

AP

Chemistry

AP

Environmental

Science

Environmental

Science

AP Physics 2

AP Physics 1

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

AP Biology

AP Physics C

Anatomy

Physiology

Social Studies Requirement

Washington State

History

US History

AP World History

AP Psychology

World History

Foundations of World History

AP Micro /Macro

EconomicsPsychology

AP US History

American Government/

Current World AffairsAP American Government

Classes with additional

requirements

Yearbook and Newspaper

Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band and Advanced Drama

Academic coaches … a great way to

help!

Academic coaches are needed for core subject

areas during the school day.

You earn a letter grade while helping younger

students

Looks good on your resume

Interested? See Ms. Blumenstein (next to the

Accountant’s office) or your counselor for an

application.

What are colleges looking for?

Rigorous classes, GPA, ACT/SAT test scores

Strength of senior year classes

Extension of academic interests outside the classroom

Leadership in work, volunteer, clubs/sports/drama/music

The college essay - initiative, motivation, self-discipline, persistence, ability to overcome hardships, strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, creativity, special talents …

Why challenge yourself in high school?

Increasing (with balance) rigor throughout high school is critical for starting strong as a college freshman. Your GPA in the first two years of college is often the primary factor in determining whether or not you are accepted into your chosen major

Math is a gate-keeper for many majors and needs to be taken all four years in high school

Biology, Chemistry and Physics are minimum science requirements for many colleges

Colleges view World Language as a core academic subject

The quality and rigor of your coursework will result in strong ACT/SAT scores

Options to add rigor to your schedule

Challenging classes beyond the minimum

requirements

WANIC

Running Start

AP Classes

Classes that offer college credit (“College in

the High School” and “Tech Prep”)

What we believe about AP?

Our goal is for all Bellevue graduates to receive an

education that prepares them to continue their education

at the college level. Nationally, only about 50% of the

students who begin college graduate within ten years.

Preparing students to begin college is not good enough.

They must have the skills, knowledge, attitudes and work

ethic to complete college. In higher education, students

must make connections among disciplines, integrate the

knowledge and skills from all the disciplines, and apply

them effectively to new and unfamiliar challenges. One

way we work toward this goal is through the AP Program at

Bellevue High School.

Increasing success in college

through AP

High school graduates who do not take any AP courses

graduate from college at a rate of only 33% by age 30.

Students who take only one AP course nearly double

the likelihood of college graduation to 59%.

Students who take two or more AP courses raise the

likelihood to 76%.

Nationally, research shows that students who score a

3 or higher on an AP exam typically earn higher grade

point averages in college and have higher graduation

rates than their non-AP peers.

Suggestions for AP classes

Because writing is such an important skill for college,

consider taking AP English Language at a minimum.

Consider a gradual increase in the amount of AP classes.

It is often not the number of AP classes that is a

problem for students, but rather the large change from

one year to the next that becomes a problem.

Consider taking 1 or 2 more than last year.

What is the AP Capstone Program?

• Earn Distinction – Stand out in the college admission process and have the opportunity to earn valuable college credit or placement

• Acquire Critical Skills – Students acquire rigorous college-level analysis, writing, and research skills that are increasingly valued by colleges

• Choose what to study – Students choose their own research topic and study issues and topics of interest and importance to them

AP Capstone: The Benefits

The Pinnacle of Distinction – AP Capstone Diploma This challenging program helps students deepen their passion for learning,

gives them greater confidence in your academic skills, and a broader

perspective on their world.

Students who earn scores

of 3 or higher in AP

Seminar and AP Research

will receive the AP

Seminar and Research

Certificate™

Students who earn scores of

3 or higher in AP Seminar

and AP Research and on

four additional AP Exams

will receive the AP

Capstone Diploma™.

Investigate real-world topics

from multiple perspectives

Carefully analyze

information, write evidence-

based arguments and

effectively communicate

them

Work independently and with

a team to research a topic,

develop a written report and

deliver a presentation

AP Seminar

Students learn how to:

1. Team Project &

Presentation

• 25%

2. Individual Research-

Based Essay &

Presentation

• 35%

3. End-of-Course Exam

• 40%

Exam score based on:

Teachers & Students select and study 2-4 topics.

Example

Topics

Aesthetics

Democracy

Education

Environment

Revolution

Technology

Sustainability

Typically taken in grade 10 or 11.

• Impact of youth sports on adolescent development

• Fossil fuels and global warming

• Ethics of personality testing in determining employability

• Consequence of genetically modified organisms

• A study of transhumanism

• How should the US respond to the Syrian refugee crisis

• Pros and cons of online dating

• Serial killers and the media

• Is graffiti art or vandalism

• Implications of accessing the “deep web”

• The effects of decriminalizing prostitution

• The impracticality of colonizing Mars

• Impact of differing parenting styles

• Technology dependency and internet addiction

Examples of AP Seminar Research Topics

“I think that this whole class as a whole has helped me grow as a presenter, a writer, a researcher, and a debater. I honestly love this class, It has been my favorite class this entire semester. This is probably because my passion lies in argumentative writing and debating, and it is what I want to pursue. I came into this class already fairly confident with my writing skills, but I my researching skills have expanded immensely during this semester. Now I feel very confident when it comes to finding credible and reliable sources for my topics, thanks to the databases we were introduced to. I've also improved at collaborating with others to achieve one specific goal. I used to hate working with groups because I felt as though I had to do everything for everyone, and I had to perfect everyone elseswork. Although I still feel this way, I have been able to put more trust in people I work with lately. Additionally, I know that my argumentative writing itself has improved because I'm able to construct a clear line of reasoning now, and I feel like I'm much better at creating a thesis. I think this Performance Task 1 project, and the one we did right before that are the times that I have experienced that most personal growth in this class.”

BHS Student Comments on AP Seminar

“I think I experienced both personal growth and improvement in skill in

collaboration. At the beginning of the year I was not excited about the idea of

working in groups and didn't want to do anything if it wasn't my way. Throughout

our practice essays I sort of realized what I already sort of knew but mostly

ignored and that is that my way isn't always the best way. And that's ok! I used to

kind of beat myself up over not coming up with a good idea or seeing something

from a certain perspective before someone else did but I didn't notice it wasn't

meant to be treated like a competition and we're in groups to help each other and

make our work better overall. Trusting other group members in doing their part of

the assignment was really scary for me at first because I worried they wouldn't do

their share or would do an inadequate job. In our most recent assignment,

Performance Task 1 I really tried to not be overly controlling and this project has

been some of my best work in this class, at least I hope.”

BHS Student Comments on AP Seminar

New Courses to Consider:

Anatomy and Physiology (UW College in the High School)

AP Computer Science Principles

Business Calculus

Men’s Ensemble

Chamber Choir

Race in the United States (semester)

AP Capstone 2 (AP Research)

WaNIC CLASSES

WaNIC (Washington Network for Innovative Careers) offers students rigorous class choices in career areas beyond the academic high school selections.

Participating students provide their own transportation and spend part of their school day in another high school.

Interested? Classes fill quickly so contact our Career Specialist in the College and Career Center (next to Main Office) right away.

Running Start

Is Running Start the right choice for you? Discuss with

your counselor and learn about next steps.

Bellevue College RS priority application deadline is

May 20th. Attendance at a mandatory info session at

BC is required.

You should sign up for a full schedule at BHS. If you

decide to participate in Running Start we will adjust

your schedule in June.

Make thoughtful choices

Maintain balance between academic and

extracurricular activities

Explore interests

Pursue rigor in passion areas

Become well rounded

“Balance” is key in high school …

Tools for Registration

Your registration packet includes:

Course selection form

Graduation credit check

List of available classes

Check your transcript carefully and let your counselor know if there are errors.

For reference, the course catalog is online:

www.bsd405.org (click on HS icon)

Choose courses carefully

The courses in the catalog will be offered next year only if enough students register this spring to fill a class. So, it is very important that students think carefully about choices now so that the courses students want will be available next year.

Register for lots of alternate electives to ensure you are enrolled in a class you want.

In the fall, students will be committed to the courses they register for in the spring.