General Course Information
Course Selection
At registration time, students will be given information concerning course selection for the coming year. The information in this guide should be used in planning a program of studies. The courses listed will be included in the curriculum for the school year if there is sufficient enrollment and available staff. Grade levels listed for courses indicate the grade(s) in which the course may be taken.
Middle School Information
Types of Courses:
Core Courses: Core courses include English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Exploratory Courses: Exploratory courses include classes such as art, computer skills, music, exploratory world languages, and technology education.
Elective Courses: Elective courses include classes such as world languages, and health and physical education.
High School Information
Definitions:
Standard Unit of Credit
The standard unit of credit for graduation is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction and successful completion of the requirements of the course. A semester course receives one-half credit.
Verified Unit of Credit
A verified unit of credit for graduation is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction, successful completion of the requirements of the course, and a passing score on the end-of-course Standards of Learning (SOL) test for that course.
A state-approved substitute test may be used for specified SOL tests. (See the Substitute Tests section in Appendix A.)
Diploma Types
The graduation requirements for students who entered the ninth grade for the first time in 2018-2019 and beyond are prescribed by the Board of Education in section 8VAC20-131-51 of the Standards of Accreditation (SOA). Additional clarification on certain provisions of the Standards of Accreditation, including graduation requirements, is provided in the Guidance Document Governing Certain Provisions of the SOA (8VAC-20-131) (Word).
To graduate with a Standard Diploma, a student must earn at least 22 standard credits and 5 verified credits. Standard credits are earned by successfully completing required and elective courses; verified credits are earned by successfully completing required courses and passing associated end-of-course SOL tests or other assessments approved by the state Board of Education. More information on standard credits, verified credits, and locally awarded verified credits can be found on the Credits for Graduation webpage.
Standard Diploma Course Requirements
Subject Area | Standard Credits | Verified Credits | Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
English | 4 | 2 | N/A |
Mathematics | 3 | 1 | Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two different course selections from among: algebra I, geometry, algebra functions, and data analysis, algebra II, or other mathematics courses approved by the board to satisfy this requirement. |
Laboratory Science | 3 | 1 | Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selection from at least two different science disciplines: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics. |
History and Social Sciences | 3 | 1 | Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include Virginia and U.S. history, Virginia and U.S. government, and one course in either world history or geography or both. |
Health and Physical Education | 2 | 0 | N/A |
World Language, Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education | 2 | 0 | Credits earned for this requirement shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or career and technical education. An approved computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a career and technical course credit. |
Economics & Personal Finance | 1 | 0 | N/A |
Electives | 4 | 0 | Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives. |
Total | 22 | 5 | N/A |
Advanced Studies Diploma Course Requirements
Subject Area | Standard Credits | Verified Credits | Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
English | 4 | 2 | N/A |
Mathematics | 4 | 1 | Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two different course selections from among: algebra I, geometry, algebra functions, and data analysis, algebra II, or other mathematics courses approved by the board to satisfy this requirement. |
Laboratory Science | 4 | 1 | Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selection from at least two different science disciplines: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics. |
History and Social Sciences | 4 | 1 | Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include Virginia and U.S. history, Virginia and U.S. government, and one course in either world history or geography or both. |
World Language | 3 | 0 | Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include three years of one language or two years of two languages. |
Health and Physical Education | 2 | 0 | N/A |
Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education | 1 | 0 | An approved computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a career and technical credit. |
Economics & Personal Finance | 1 | 0 | N/A |
Electives | 3 | 0 | Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives. |
Total | 26 | 5 | N/A |
Applied Studies Diploma Requirements
The Applied Studies Diploma is a diploma option available to students identified as having a disability who complete the requirements of their individualized education programs (IEPs) and meet certain requirements prescribed by the Board of Education pursuant to regulations, but do not meet the requirements for any named diploma.
Grading
Manassas City Public Schools recognizes the importance of providing students and parents with frequent communications regarding student achievement through scheduled reports of progress combined with parent-teacher conferences.
Manassas City Public Schools is committed to effective grading practices and providing parents and students with reports of progress in the following ways:
Student achievement will be measured by objective performance standards.
The school system will seek consistency in grading and reporting.
School staff will take particular care to explain the meaning of grades and symbols to parents and students.
The following requirements apply to assignments, assessments, and final grades earned during each of the four quarters.
Students may reattempt any assignment and/or assessment grade.
Students will earn full credit for any assignment/assessment.
MCPS grades shall be based on bands of 10 points for each grade (A-F).
A school’s department or grade level team shall determine the weighted formula for calculating final grades for each quarter.
High school credit-bearing course final grades will be computed by averaging the two semester grades.