MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS

High school gives you a chance, perhaps for the first time in your life, to choose many of the subjects you study. Which subjects should you take?

Answering this important question is hard. But the Illinois Board of Higher Education would like to help you by offering the following advice.

The subjects you take in high school either will increase your chances for education and jobs after high school-or they will reduce those chances. That is why your choices now are very important.

At this time in your life, you can't be sure what your future career will be. The American economy is changing. New kinds of jobs are created every day. That is why our choices now are very important.

What is the best way to prepare for this changing future? Take subjects which will give you as many future choices as possible. Don't cut yourself short. Take subjects which will keep increasing your communication and computational skills. Take subjects which will broaden your technical skills.

Do you think you might like to go to college? Here's more advice-especially if you think you'd like to get a Bachelor's Degree.

There are over 180 colleges and universities in Illinois alone. Each decides for itself how it will select high school graduates for admission. Admission requirements vary from one college to another. You must contact each one to find out what its specific requirements are. Admission requirements also are changing.

What is the best way to prepare for these different and changing requirements? Again, don't cut yourself short. Take at least two years of a foreign language and take four years in each of the following subjects:

English-emphasize written and oral communication and literature
Social Studies-emphasize history and government
Mathematics-include introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and
Fundamentals of computer programming
Science-include biology, chemistry, and physics

Finally, ask for help and advice from your teachers, your counselor, your principal, and your parents. These are the people who know the most about you and can help you with individual advice based upon your abilities and interests.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate from Hillsboro High School, a student is required to earn 22 academic credits.

These credits must include a minimum of:

In addition all students must take and receive a passing grade on the Constitution test.

Students are also required by law to take the Prairie State Achievement Exam as a condition of receiving a high school diploma.

All school fees must be paid in full in order for a student to be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. No student shall participate in the graduation ceremony who has not met all necessary requirements.

Graduation will be held Friday evening of week 47 in the IHSA calendar.
  

CREDIT FOR ALTERNATIVE COURSES AND PROGRAMS

Students may earn a maximum of 2 credits toward graduation through the Illinois Virtual High School or the University of Missouri. Usually these courses are reserved for fourth or fifth year students. the student is responsible for all fees associated with these courses. Any exceptions must be approved by the building principal and/or the superintendent.
  

COLLEGE COURSES

A student who successfully completes a community college or university course may receive high school credit under the following circumstances:

     1.  Must be a senior in good standing
     2.  The course is not offered in the high school curriculum
     3.  The course is approved in advance by the high school guidance counselor and the high school principal
     4.  Student assumes responsibility for all fees
     5.  A maximum of 2 units of credit may be counted toward graduation
 

GRADE CLASSIFICATION

Students are classified according to credits earned.

WEIGHTED CLASSES

• Advanced Placement (AP) History
• Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry
• Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus
• Advanced Placement (AP) English
• Advanced English III
• Spanish IV

EARLY GRADUATION

While early graduation is not recommended for the majority of students, it is an option for a select few. Students may graduate early, after 7 semesters if the following requirements have been met:

1. Applications must be submitted to the guidance office prior to the student's 7th semester, and approved by the high school principal.
2. A conference with the student's parents and the guidance counselor is held.
3. The student must have completed all requirements for graduation as set forth by the Boarad of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Studens who choose to graduate early are permitted to return to participate in the graduation ceremony or their diploma may be mailed to them.

Early graduates must take full responsibility to make arrangements with the high school office for anything pertaining to the graduation ceremony (announcements, cap and gown, etc).

Last updated: July 29, 2011