|
     
     
To: High School Students and Parents
As students begin their high school
education at Balboa Academy, selection of the most
appropriate and relevant courses is fundamental to the
realization of their individual academic and personal goals.
This Curriculum Guide will assist you in developing a high
school program that meets your educational goals, interests,
and needs. It describes the courses, which will be offered
during the school year.
The inclusion of a course description in
this booklet does not guarantee the course will be offered.
Courses will be scheduled based on student interest and
efficient use of faculty and facilities. (Courses requested
by with fewer than 8 students may not be offered.)
We hope to give the Balboa Academy
community greater ownership in the educational program by
describing the courses we can offer and allowing students
and parents the opportunities to tell us which ones most
interest them and suggest new courses.
You will need to select the courses,
which meet your needs for the school year. Students and
parents need to carefully examine each course description
and the Balboa Academy graduation requirements when making
course decisions. If any student or his/her parents need
more information on this course selection process or any
specific course, please contact the high school counselor,
or the high school principal.
ALL STUDENTS MUST ENROLL IN SEVEN
COURSES. Students need to choose courses, which are
challenging. Careful attention should be paid to course
prerequisites and to grade levels at which a course is
available. We strongly advise that students seek advice from
teachers and the counselor as to the appropriateness of each
course for the individual student's level of achievement.
Before the end of the school year, students will develop
their preliminary schedules for the following year for
approval by the high school counselor to make. All final
course placements are dependent on the Director’s approval.
Schedule changes disrupt the educational
process and should be avoided except when absolutely
necessary. Schedule changes will be considered during the
first week after classes begin in August, only when the
counselor and teachers decide the changes are educationally
appropriate.
This Program Planning Guide is designed
to assist students and their parents in better understanding
the Balboa Academy High School Educational Program. We will
appreciate your suggestions to improve the effectiveness of
this program.
We wish you success in this exciting
process of shaping your schedule for the next academic year.
Erinn Magee
High School Principal
Balboa Academy
The Educational
Program
Curriculum
The Balboa Academy educational program is
drawn from a wide variety of offerings in English, Social
Studies, Mathematics, Science, Spanish, French, Art, Music,
Computer Science, and Physical Education. Offerings in the
11th and 12th grade are college preparatory.
Promotion and Retention
Grade placement and promotion in high
school is based upon the total number of credits earned as
follows:
-
Promotion to grade 10: earned 6 credits
-
Promotion to grade 11: earned 12 credits
-
Promotion to grade 12: earned 18 credits
Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 24.5 credits, taken over a
four-year period are required for graduation. It should be
noted that these are the minimum graduation requirements.
|
SuSubject
Areas
|
Req Credits
to 2012
|
Req Credits for 2013 on |
|
English
|
4
|
4 |
|
Social Studies (to include one unit
US/PA history and one unit of US/PA government)*
|
3
|
4 |
|
Mathematics
|
3
|
4 |
|
Science
|
4
|
4 |
|
Second Language / Spanish* /
French
|
4
|
4 |
|
Physical Education
|
1
|
1 |
|
Fine and Applied Arts
|
1
|
1 |
|
Computer Science
|
1
|
1.5 |
|
Health
|
0.5
|
0.5 |
|
Electives
|
6 5
|
4.5 |
|
Total Units |
28 |
28 |
* Panamanian history and
government and 4 credits in Spanish are required to receive
a diploma from the Panama Minister of Education.
All courses that exceed the required
number of credits in each subject count as electives. The
majority of students will graduate with 28 credits. One
credit is equal to a minimum of 130 hours of class, lab and
field study.
Course Load
Students must take seven subjects each
year. Some advanced courses may require after school
meetings or field trips. Attendance is mandatory for all
students enrolled in these courses.
Four-Year Plan
Each year the counselor will meet
individually with students to establish and revise their
Four-Year Plan. This plan will list the courses that the
student will take throughout high school. Many courses have
prerequisites; therefore, advanced planning is essential.
Registration for high school classes will take place in
March or April for the subsequent school year. At this time
students will receive instructions on the registration
process and each student will be given a copy of the Balboa
Academy Program Planning Guide. The Program Planning Guide
describes all the courses offered by the high school. By
using the Four-Year Plan along with the Program Planning
Guide, the students can work with their advisor and
counselor to select classes that meet the Balboa Academy
graduation requirements, Panamanian requirements, and
preparatory requirements for the type of college or
university degree desired by the student. It's critical that
students plan ahead and give serious consideration to their
choice of college and major since certain high school
courses may be necessary for entrance into the college
professional degree program. Professions such as medicine
and engineering require that students have a thorough
background in math and science. Many colleges and
universities have specific entrance requirements. If in
doubt, students should consult with their advisor and
counselor to receive advise on course selection. They may
also need to directly contact the college or university they
desire to attend. Students are encouraged to challenge
themselves and to take the highest-level courses for which
they are properly prepared.
Grading and Reporting
The school year will be divided into two
semesters, each consisting of two marking periods. Each
marking period (called a quarter) will be approximately 9
weeks in length. The school academic calendar will give the
exact dates. Semester grades will be based upon grades
for the two quarters of the semester plus the grade earned
on the semester assessment. The semester assessment may
count for up to 20% of the semester grade. Instead of
semester exams, teachers may choose alternative assessments,
i.e., papers, or projects that exhibit the student's
understanding of the subject.
Grading Scale
|
Grading Scale
(Conversion of %s to Letter Grades to Grade
Point Equivalent GPE)
|
|
Percent
|
Letter
|
GPE
|
|
90-100
|
A
|
4.0
|
|
80-89
|
B
|
3.0
|
|
70-79
|
C
|
2.0
|
|
60-69
|
D
|
1.0
|
|
59 Below
|
F
|
0
|
The Balboa Academy uses a grade scale
with A through F and a 4.0 scale for grades on 9-12 grade
report cards and official transcripts. Advanced
Placement (AP) courses with grade A to C receive an
additional 0.5 additive grade point to the semester grade.
We do not rank nor give decimal ratings on our report cards
or transcripts due to our small size and short period of
operation of the school.
Proposed
Balboa Academy High School Course List
2010 2011
(COURSES IN RED
WILL NOT BE OFFERED THIS SCHOOL YEAR)
Updated
4 March 2009
|
Science
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
001
|
Physics 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
002
|
Chemistry 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
003
|
Biology 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
004
|
Biology 2
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
005 |
Physical
Science |
1 |
A |
CP |
|
011
|
Environmental Science
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
013
|
Chemistry 2 (Alt Yrs)
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
014
|
Physics 2 (Alt Yrs)
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
015
|
Marine Biology 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
016
|
Marine Biology 2 (Alt Yrs)
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
019
|
AP Biology (Alt Yrs)
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
020
|
AP Chemistry (Alt Yrs)
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
021
|
AP Environmental Science (Alt Yrs)
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
022
|
Physics Honors
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
023
|
Biology Honors
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
024
|
Chemistry Honors
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
025
|
Botany
½
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
026
|
Zoology
½
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
027
|
AP Physics
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
029
|
Human Anatomy ½
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
031 |
Forensic
Science |
1 |
A |
CP |
|
|
|
Social Studies
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
103 |
World Geo |
1 |
A |
CP |
|
104
|
US/PA History from 1877
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
106
|
Modern World History From 1600
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
113
|
AP US/PA History
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
114
|
AP US/PA Government
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
115
|
Ancient World History
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
118
|
AP World History (Alt Yrs)
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
120
|
AP European History (Alt Yrs)
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
121
|
US/PA Government
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
122
|
World Affairs
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
123
|
Psychology ½
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
124
|
Philosophy 1/2
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
128
|
Anthropology ½
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
|
Math
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
203
|
Algebra 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
226 |
Algebra 1
Honors |
1 |
A |
H |
|
204
|
Algebra 2
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
222
|
Algebra 2 Honors
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
207
|
Geometry
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
224
|
Geometry Honors
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
217
|
Pre-Calculus
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
217
|
Pre-Calculus Honors
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
218
|
Math Problem Solving in Science & Tech.
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
205
|
Calculus
|
1
|
A
|
H
|
|
225
|
AP Calculus AB
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
211
|
Math for the Global Economy
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
214
|
Statistics & Probability
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
238
|
AP Statistics
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
English
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
|
302
|
Understanding Literature 9 Honors
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
303
|
Understanding Literature 9
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
305
|
Appreciating Literature 10
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
306
|
English Literature
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
307
|
American Literature
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
310
|
World Literature
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
313
|
AP English Literature and Comp
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
|
321
|
Creative Writing ½ (Alt Yrs)
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
322
|
Literary Magazine ½ (Alt Yrs)
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
328
|
Eng Language and Lit.
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
329
|
Great Works of Literature
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
333 |
College
Freshman English Composition |
1 |
A |
C |
|
|
|
|
Fine Applied Arts
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
|
400
|
Beginning Band
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
407
|
Concert/Jazz Band
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
404
|
Art 1 Fundamentals
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
430
|
Art 2 Advanced Art
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
405
|
Art 3 Studio Art 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
462
|
Studio Art (AP)
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
|
431
|
Drawing & Painting 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
432
|
Drawing & Painting 2
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
435
|
Graphic Design 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
465
|
Graphic Design 2 (Year Book)
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
470
|
Digital Photography
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
467
|
Video Production
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
468
|
Art Fundamentals ½
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
|
|
Computer Science
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
|
501
|
Computer Science 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
506
|
Computer Applications 2
|
1
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
507
|
Computer Graphics 1
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
|
509
|
Computer Hardware (A+)
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
515
|
Computer Applications 1 (7 & 8)
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
516
|
Computer Applications 2 (1/2)
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
|
Spanish
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
608
|
Spanish 9 - Spanish Lit - Native Lang
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
609
|
Spanish 10 Panama Lit - Nat Lang.
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
610
|
Spanish 11 Hispanic Lit. - Nat Lang.
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
630
|
Spanish 12 World Lit. - Nat Lang.
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
603
|
Spanish 1 - Fgn Lang
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
604
|
Spanish 2 - Fgn Lang
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
605
|
Spanish 3 - Fgn Lang
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
607
|
Spanish 4 - Fgn Lang
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
632
|
AP Spanish Lit and Composition
|
1
|
A
|
AP
|
|
620 |
Spanish World
Lit
Honors |
1 |
A |
H |
|
624 |
Spanish Lit Honors |
1 |
A |
H |
|
629 |
Spanish World Lit Honors |
1 |
A |
H |
|
635 |
Hispanic Lit
Honors |
1 |
A |
H |
|
630 |
Spanish World
Lit and Comp
FL |
1 |
A |
CP |
|
636 |
AP Spanish
Lang and Composition |
1 |
A |
AP |
|
|
|
French
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
640
|
French 1 Alr Yrs
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
641
|
French 2 Alt Yrs
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
642
|
French 3 Alt Yrs
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
644 |
AP French |
1 |
A |
AP |
|
|
|
Physical Education
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
717
|
Health* (9) Sem
|
0.5
|
S
|
HS
|
|
718
|
Physical Education HS
|
1
|
A
|
HS
|
|
Electives
|
|
Num
|
Course
|
Credit
|
Len.
|
Level
|
|
802
|
Learning Strategies
|
0.5
|
A
|
|
|
804
|
Journalism Newspaper
|
1
|
A
|
|
|
807
|
Debate/Persuasive Writing
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
808
|
Advanced Research Topics (Honors)
|
1
|
A
|
CP
|
|
809
|
Advanced Research Topics (Honors)
|
0.5
|
S
|
CP
|
|
834 |
Study Skills |
1 |
A |
|
    
    
|