Harrison and McCutcheon High Schools are comprehensive secondary schools. The needs of each student are considered when offering an educational program. This guide is to inform students and parents of the requirements and the opportunities available within the curriculum of the Tippecanoe School Corporation. The descriptions are meant to be brief. More complete information and course outlines may be obtained from the schools’ counseling departments.

The Counseling Departments would like to work with students, parents, and faculty in planning each student’s course of study, although the primary responsibility for selecting courses must be taken by the student and his/her parents. Students will be aided through counseling as to what is available, what is required, and the possible outcomes of different choices. However, the actual choices are left to the student. If college bound, the student may wish to consult with his/her college choice for proper high school preparation classes.

The Tippecanoe School Corporation has adopted a schedule to allow secondary students the opportunity to experience a wider variety of courses. It is our intent that students be enrolled in either six or seven classes. Please select no more than one study hall per semester. Students and parents should give serious consideration to the selection of courses. Students will be expected to take those classes in the fall, which they select during registration.

This guide includes all courses approved by the Board of School Trustees of the Tippecanoe School Corporation. These courses are offered on the basis of student interest and staff availability.

Computer technology enables scheduling of each semester independently. This reshuffling of the course offerings each semester makes it possible for more students to fit more electives around the required two semester courses.

Note: $- The ($) symbol indicates a miscellaneous fee associated with this course. Fees are reviewed and approved each year. Please contact the school administration for information regarding the specific fees.

The Tippecanoe School Corporation offers the Double Up Program with IVY Tech, Early College Program with Vincennes University, and the Purdue College Program with Purdue University. Students should see their counselors for specific eligibility, expectations, and application information.

In 1994, the Indiana State Board of Education, the Commission for Higher Education, and Indiana’s colleges and universities developed Core 40, a college preparatory curriculum. The curriculum is designed to better prepare Indiana high school students for success in college and the workplace. Students who plan to attend colleges or universities should use the Core 40 curriculum as a guide to help them prepare. If the student knows in advance that he/she is interested in a particular college or specific program, the student should check with the college or university to see if there are any special requirements. The Core 40 curriculum became state required for obtaining an Indiana Diploma with the class of 2011.

Only those students who completed all graduate requirements will be permitted to participate in commencement.

In accordance with assessment requirements established by the Indiana Department of Education, students must exhibit proficiency in Algebra and English Language Arts.

The graduation qualifying assessment framework for Indiana high school students is currently undergoing modifications. Please contact your school counselor regarding specific assessment requirements relative to your graduating class.

Naturalization Examination

There are three ways to meet the ISTEP+ requirement.

1. Pass the ISTEP+ in Algebra I and English 10.
2. Fulfill the requirements of the Evidence-based waiver:

• Take the ISTEP+ at least one time in sophomore, junior, and senior years.
• Complete any ISTEP+ remediation.
• Maintain a school attendance rate of 95 percent or better (with excused absences) over the course of high school experience. Have a 2.0 GPA in the state required courses.
• Satisfy any other state and local graduation requirements.
• Get a written recommendation from the teacher(s) in the subject area(s) not passed, as well as one from the school principal, and show proof that the academic standards have been met.

3. Fulfill the requirements of the Work-readiness waiver:

• Take the ISTEP+ at least one time in sophomore, junior, and senior years.
• Complete any ISTEP+ remediation.
• Maintain a school attendance of 95 percent or better (with excused absences) over the course of high school experience. Have a 2.0 GPA in the state required courses.
• Satisfy any other state and local graduation requirements.
• Complete at least one industry certification from the state board’s approved industry certification list. (see counseling office at the high school for more details.)

Indiana’s Core 40 curriculum provides the academic foundation all students need to succeed in college and the workplace. The Core 40 is Indiana’s diploma requirement.

To graduate with less than Core 40, the following formal opt-out process must be completed:

• The student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student’s counselor (or another staff member who assists students in course selection) meet to discuss the student’s progress.
• The student’s career and course plan is reviewed.
• The student’s parent/guardian determines whether the student will achieve greater educational benefits by completing the general curriculum or the Core 40 curriculum.
• If the decision is made to opt-out of Core 40, the student is required to complete the course and credit requirements for a general diploma and the career/academic sequence the student will pursue is determined.

Graduation Requirements:

1. Fulfill diploma requirements- Earn one of the following diplomas

A. General

B. Core 40

C. Academic or Technical Honors/ Academic Honors with Distinction

2. Employability Skills

• Anytime between July 1 prior to freshman year through Sept. 30 post graduation.
• Can be during school day, after school, during breaks, etc.
• Seek admin. approval for service activities not listed.

A. Work-based Learning
75 hours of paid employment
I.C.E.
S.T.E.P.
J.A.G.
CTE Programs (Nursing, Fire and Rescue, etc.)
Governor's Work Ethic Certificate

B. Service-based Learning
4-H
Eagle Scouts
FOR Club
Future Farmers of America
Student Council
Athletics
Band/Choir
Community Service (75 hours continuous)
Fall Play/Spring Musical
National Honor Society

C. Project-based Learning
Topics in History
Engineering Design and Development
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Computer Science I
Digital Electronics
IT Support Capstone
Robotics

3. Post-Secondary Competencies- Fulfill one of the following:
A. Earn Academic or Technical Honors or Distinction Diploma

B. Benchmark SAT scores
Reading/Writing- 480
Math- 530

C. Benchmark ACT scores- **Must meet Eng or Reading AND Math or Science
English- 18
Reading- 22
Math- 22
Science- 23

D. Benchmark ASVAB score
31 or Higher

E. CTE Concentrator
Must earn a "C" average or higher in at least 6 high school credits in a state approved CTE pathway

F. AP/Dual Credit
Must earn a "C" average or higher in at least 3 courses
One of the three courses must be in core content or be a part of a CTE pathway

G. Locally Created Pathway

H. Industry Certification

All students are strongly encouraged to complete a Career Academic Sequences by selecting electives which support their career path.

Course and Credit Requirement

For the Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma, students must:

• Complete all requirements for Core 40
• Earn 2 additional Core 40 math credits
• Earn 6-8 Core 40 world language credits in one language, or 4 world language credits in each of two languages
• Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts credits
• Earn a grade of a “C” or better in courses that will count toward the diploma
• Have a grade point average of a “B” or better

Complete one of the following:

1. Earn 4 credits in 2 or more AP courses and take corresponding AP exams
2. Earn 6 verifiable transcripted college credits in dual credit courses from approved dual credit course list.
3. Earn both a minimum of 3 verifiable transcripted college credits from the approved dual credit course list and 2 credits in AP
4. Courses and corresponding AP exams

5. Earn a combined score of 1750 or higher on the SAT critical reading, mathematics and writing sections and a minimum score of 530 on each
6. Earn an ACT composite score of 26 or higher and complete written section

For the Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma, students must:

• Complete all requirements for Core 40.
• Earn 6 credits in the college and career preparation courses in a state-approved College & Career Pathway and one of the following:

1. State approved, industry recognized certification or credential, or
2. Pathway dual credits from the approved dual credit list resulting in 6 transcripted college credits

• Earn a grade of “C” or better in courses that will count toward the diploma.
• Have a grade point average of a “B” or better.
• Complete one of the following:

1. Any one of the options (A-F) of the Core 40 with Academic Honors
2. Earn the following scores or higher on WorkKeys; Reading for Information- Level 6, Applied Mathematics- Level 6, and Locating Information- Level 5.
3. Earn the following minimum score(s) on Accuplacer: Writing 80, Reading 90, Math 75.
4. Earn the following minimum score(s) on Compass; Algebra 66, Writing 70, Reading 80.

Only courses in which a student has earned a grade of B or above may count toward an Academic Honors Diploma With Distinction. Only courses with grades of either “D” or “F” may be repeated.

*Students must take a Mathematics course or a Quantitative Reasoning course each year they are enrolled in high school.

A student shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above.

A student shall volunteer at least 20 hours of community service during their four years. For details on the community service process, please see the high school website under Guidance and/or Counseling Services.

A student must complete one of the following:

1. Two advanced placement courses and corresponding AP exams resulting in four high school credits
2. Academic transferable dual high school/college courses resulting in six college credits
3. One advanced placement course and corresponding AP exam resulting in two high school credits and academic transferable dual high school/college course(s) resulting in three college credits
4. Must score 1750 or higher composite on SAT scores with no less than 530 in each section
5. Must score 26 or higher on ACT composite, including the writing portion.

A number of courses designed to prepare students for the rigorous Advanced Placement exams are offered. These exams are administered by the College Board and are designed to give colleges a standardized means for awarding college credit to students who have taken college level classes while still in high school. AP exams are given nationwide during the month of May. Students may score from 1 to 5, with most colleges awarding credit for scores of 4 and 5. The State of Indiana currently pays fees for students taking the AP exams in English Language, English Literature, Calculus, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Statistics. Additional fees are associated with each AP Exam. Exam fees are assessed on the annual student textbook fee statement.

Tippecanoe School Corporation offers a large selection of courses for dual credit. We continue to look for opportunities to give students options for their educational pursuits. We currently offer three types of dual credit:

• High School course that meets the requirements of a college level course.
• College course taught by college faculty at either TSC High School.
• High School student taking a course at a college campus.

Things to consider when signing up for a dual credit class:

• This will be put on the student’s college transcript, make sure the student will do well in the course.
• Check into how this course will transfer into the student’s program of student at the college level.

Students should check on their school website or guidance department to determine which classes are offered at their high school for dual credit. Dual credit offerings are subject to change.

To be scholastically eligible to participate in any high school athletic event, students must have received passing grades at the end of their last grading period in at least five credit subjects and must be currently passing in at least five credit subjects. (Semester grades take precedence)

If students wish to practice and play their freshman year at a NCAA Division I or Division II college, specific requirements must be met. A listing of high school courses, which specifically meet the NCAA Core requirements, may be obtained from the high school athletic director, high school coach or from the NCAA website at www.ncaa.org. These requirements are for NCAA eligibility, not college admission standards. Contact your school counselor for specific admission standards for the college of your choice.

The Tippecanoe School Corporation provides a variety of choices for its summer school offerings. Students may register for summer school beginning in February of that year. Offered courses change depending on student interest and registration. Students should consult with school personnel in January for a list of potential summer school courses, registration information, and necessary forms.

Valedictorian status is earned with the TSC Academic Honors with Distinction Diploma and highest GPA of the senior class after 8 semesters.

Students working toward an TSC Academic Honors Diploma with Distinction must complete 20 hours of Community Service. Community Service combines student-driven volunteering and service to the community. Community Service must be pre-approved by TSC’s staff. Please see a counselor for details.

The TSC requires all students to take a Speech as well as Preparing for College & Careers (PCC) course. Transferring Seniors are waived from taking both courses. Transferring Juniors are waived from taking the PCC class.

A quantitative reasoning course is a high school course that “advances a student’s ability to apply mathematics in real world situations and contexts” and that “deepens a student’s understanding of high school mathematics standards.” The Indiana Department of Education requires all students to follow the following guidelines.

• For the Core 40, Academic Honors (AHD), and Technical Honors (THD) diplomas, students must take a mathematics course or a quantitative reasoning course each year they are enrolled in high school.
• For the General Diploma, students must earn two credits in a mathematics course or a quantitative reasoning course during their junior or senior year.

The Indiana Department of Education has designed the following courses as Quantitative Reasoning courses:

Quantitative Reasoning Courses

*Quantitative Reasoning courses are subject to change. Courses may not be offered at both high schools.

The Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship is a one-time $4,000 scholarship for students who graduate from a publicly supported high school at least one year early. The scholarship may be used toward tuition and fees and any remaining funds shall be remitted to the student. This scholarship may not be used for remedial course work.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Must be an Indiana resident and a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Applicants must have had legal settlement (as defined by IC 20-18-2-11) in Indiana for at least the last two semesters prior to graduating from high school.
• Must have attended a publicly supported high school on a full-time equivalency basis for at least two semesters before the student graduated.
• Must have been awarded a minimum of a Core 40 high school diploma by the end of grade 11, including any summer course work completed by July 1 of the year of graduation.
• Must not have been enrolled in a publicly supported high school for any part of a fourth year (grade 12).
• Must enroll as a full-time, degree-seeking student at an eligible institution not later than the fall semester (or its equivalent, as determined by the Commission) in the academic year immediately following the year in which the student graduates from high school.
• Must meet any other minimum criteria established by the Commission.

HOW TO APPLY

• Submit a complete and clean FAFSA at FAFSA.gov
• Submit a complete Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship Application through ScholarTrack.
• Students will need to create a Student ScholarTrack Account to complete the application.
  • Once logged into ScholarTrack, click "Apply for State Aid" to access the application.
  • Students may also click the following line to directly access the application. You will be prompted to log into ScholarTrack: https://ScholarTrack.che.in.gov/Portal/#/application/356