Program of Studies
Credit Requirements for Graduation
A minimum of twenty-four (24) credits is required for graduation from
Cornerstone Academy. Of the 24 credits required, 18 core credits and 6 elective credits must be earned as follows:
4 credits of English Language Arts. These credits will be English I, English II, American Literature, and World Literature.
6 credits of Math and Science combined. To include at least 2 Mathematics credits and at least 2 Science credits.
4 credits of History. To include U.S. History, Government, World Geography, and World History.
1 credit of Computer Science I.
1 credit of Health I.
1 credit of Art or Music or Drama.
1 credit of Physical Education.
6 elective credits: The additional graduation credits will consist of courses from our booklet that exceed the academic requirements of the 18 credits identified above. A four year college bound student should take 2 credits of foreign language and 4 credits of math.
Total Credits: 24
Definition of a Unit of Credit
One unit of credit will be defined as 127 hours of classroom instruction. Eighty percent (80%) of the curriculum content must be completed to earn full credit for each course.
Course Offerings
Not all courses listed in this publication will be offered every year. See the Teaching Director for course availability.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
English I, one credit. Students read a variety of drama, novels, and poetry, and increase and refine their communication skills through planning, drafting, and completing written compositions.
English II, one credit. Students continue their study of literature. Students edit their writing for clarity, language, and correct use of the conventions and mechanics of language.
American Literature, one credit. This course surveys the American literary experience, from the writers of the Colonial Era to contemporary writers of essays, short stories, novels, and poems.
World Literature, one credit. Students read a variety of world literature, and write in a variety of forms, including business, personal, literary, and persuasive texts. Students interpret the influences of the historical context of a literary work.
MATHEMATICS
Fundamentals of Algebra and Fundamentals of Geometry, one credit each. These two courses are taken concurrently. The primary focal points of the courses are the use of the basic principles of algebra, geometry and spatial reasoning, measurement and statistics.
Algebra I, one credit. This course is recommended for all students who plan to attend college, or enter business or a skilled trade. It is the foundation for higher mathematic concepts.
Algebra I, Part A, one credit. This course is designed and recommended for students who wish to obtain a foundation for higher mathematic concepts, but would benefit from extra reinforcement of skills.
Algebra I, Part B, one credit. This course is designed and recommended for students wishing to obtain a foundation for higher mathematic concepts, but would benefit from extra reinforcement of skills.
Prerequisite: Algebra I, Part A.
Algebra II, one credit. This course is recommended for all students who plan to attend college. Course topics include quadratic equations and functions, and exponential and logarithmic functions.
Prerequisite: Algebra I.
Algebra II, Part A, one credit. This course is designed and recommended for all students who plan to attend college, but would benefit from extra reinforcement of skills.
Algebra II, Part B, one credit. This course is designed and recommended for all students who plan to attend college, but would benefit from extra reinforcement of skills.
Prerequisite: Algebra II, Part A.
Geometry, one credit. This course is recommended for all students who plan to attend college. It provides for the development of a mathematical system through the use of deductive, inductive, and indirect proofs, geometric figures, and spatial relationships and properties.
Prerequisite: Algebra I.
Business Math I and II, one credit each. Students solve real-life applied problems involving money, data, chance, patterns, and science, by applying mathematical and reasoning concepts and principles.
Consumer Math, one credit. Presents basic math skills used in everyday situations: paying taxes, buying food, banking and investing, and managing a household.
Life Skills Math, one credit. Provides comprehensive instruction that students & adults need for independent living. This course focuses on using math skills in real life situations, like sports, recipes, traveling, baseball statistics, lawn care and using energy.
Science
Integrated Physics and Chemistry, one credit. Students learn the properties of matter, elements, compounds, electricity, sound and light.
Biology, one credit. Students learn the basic principles of the living world through topical studies on the structure and function of the cell and the virus, tissues, nucleic acids, genetics, metabolism and energy transfers, and plants and the environment.
Chemistry, one credit. This course provides a background in the nature of matter, atomic structure, chemical solutions and bonding, chemical equations, and nuclear fusion and fission.
Prerequisite: One credit of High School Science and Algebra I.
Astronomy, one credit. The student explores questions of the orientation and placement of the earth, our solar system and the universe, characteristics of the life cycle of stars, and theories of the evolution of the universe.
Prerequisite: One credit of High School Science.
Earth Science, one credit. Students learn about the Earth, planets, atoms, elements, oceans and climate.
Social Studies
United States History Since Reconstruction, one credit. Students examine the political, economic, and cultural impact of events from 1877 to the present. Topics and issues include industrialization and urbanization, major wars, domestic and foreign policies, The Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement.
Government, one credit. The course focuses on the principles and beliefs on which the United states was founded and the structure, function, and power of government at the national, state, and local level. Major emphasis is given to the Constitution and the form of government it created.
Psychology, one credit. Students consider the development of the individual and the personality. Topics include theories of human development, motivation, and learning.
World Geography, one credit. Students examine people, places, and environments at local, regional, national, and international scales from spatial and ecological perspectives. Students will learn the patterns and characteristics of major landforms, climates and ecosystems of Earth, and the interrelated processes that create them.
World History, one credit. Students are offered an overview of the important events, and political, economic, and cultural issues since the 11th century. The course examines the history and impact of major religious and philosophical traditions.
Computer Technology
Software Applications, one credit. Introduction to keyboarding, word processing, database management, Power Point, Microsoft Excel, use of the internet and software integration.
Health Science
Health I, one credit. Students acquire the information and skills necessary to promote individual, family, and community health.
Advanced Health, one credit. Students are provided opportunities in researching, discussing, and analyzing health issues. Topics include the reproductive process, fetal development, prenatal care, and roles, relationships, and responsibilities relating to marriage.
Prerequisite: Health I.
Fine Arts
Art Appreciation, one credit. Students analyze artistic styles, periods, and traditions. Students create designs for practical applications and demonstrate use of art media and tools.
Music Appreciation, one credit. Students reflect on musical periods and styles, analyze and evaluate music, and develop criteria for making critical choices.
Drama, one credit. This course provides opportunities and activities that will build self confidence in each student. Students will use teamwork to build an ensemble and perform dramatic productions.
Foreign Language
Introduction to Spanish – one credit. An introduction to the Spanish language and culture. Students learn alphabet, numbers, accents and pronunciation, topical vocabulary lists, basic verb conjugations and sentence structure.
French and Spanish, I and II, one credit each, Academic. Students communicate in a language other than English using the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and pursue an understanding of cultural practices.
Physical Education
Physical Education, one credit. Students strive to reach optimal levels of health through participating in physical activity. This class may be repeated for a maximum of two credits.
STATUS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Students with 6 to 11 high school credits will be classified as sophomores. Students with 12 to 17 high school credits will be classified as juniors. Students with 18 or more credits will be classified as seniors.
GRADING SCALE
A Excellent | 90-100 | 4.0 quality points
B Above Average | 80-89 | 3.0 quality points
C Average | 70-79 | 2.0 quality points
D Below Average | 60-69 | 1.0 quality points
F Failed | 50-59 | 0.0 quality points
INCOMPLETE GRADE
An “incomplete” is only a temporary grade and will be given only when there is justifiable reason for work not being completed on time. Parents and students have the responsibility of taking the initiative to work with the teacher to establish a deadline for removing an “incomplete”. An “incomplete” is not recorded in the student’s permanent record unless the required work is not completed by the deadline as determined by the Director of the High School.
Summer School
A student may receive credit for a course taken between the end of school in June and the beginning of school in September that has been approved by the Director of the High School after having completed all course requirements as determined by the Director of the High School.
Eighth Grade
A student may receive one high school credit for completing Algebra I in eighth grade as determined by the Director of the High School.
