Tucson High Magnet School

Academics

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements for Tucson Unified School District are to be completed during grades nine to twelve. Beginning September 1, 2004 each student may be granted a diploma when they have satisfied the following TUSD requirements.

Credit Requirements

Ending with the Tucson Unified School District graduating class of 2007, a student shall successfully complete a minimum of 20 credits that includes the following:

English

4 credits

Mathematics

2 credits

Science

2 credits

Physical Education

2 credits

Health

.25 credits

Driver's Ed

.25 credits

American & AZ History &
American Gov't

2 credits

World History/Geography

1 credits

Fine Arts or Voc Ed

1 credits

Electives

5.5 credits

Total

20 credits

Beginning with the Tucson Unified School District graduating class of 2008, a student shall successfully complete a minimum of 21 credits that includes the following:

English 4 credits

Mathematics 3 credits

Science 2 credits

Physical Education 1 credits

Health .5 credits

American & AZ History &
American Gov't 2 credits

World History/Geography 1 credits

Fine Arts or Voc Ed 1 credits

Electives 6.5 credits

Total 21 credits

Other Methods of Earning Credit

By earning credits through correspondence courses that meet graduation requirements in accordance with A.A.C. R7-2-302.04 and/or by passing appropriate courses at the college or university level if the courses are determined to meet standards and criteria established by the Board and in accord with A.R.S. 15-701.01

Agave Distance Learning

Courses Competency Requirements

Each student shall demonstrate accomplishment of grade level standards in reading, writing, science, social studies, and mathematics adopted by the State Board of Education.

AIMS Test

Each student shall demonstrate proficiency/competency in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics by achieving a passing score on established tests (AIMS beginning Class of 2006).

Exceptions

Graduation requirements for students receiving special education and who have IEPs will be the same as that for students receiving regular education with the following exceptions:

One-course substitution from any required academic area may be considered. The maximum number of course substitutions allowed is four.

The alternative course that will serve as a substitution must contain comparable content material.

Consideration for course waiver will be limited to the following:

Drivers' Education may be waived as a graduation requirement for any student receiving special education who is physically or mentally incapable of driving a car.

Physical Education may be waived for students receiving special education who are physically, mentally, or emotionally unable to complete the requirements.

Students who are physically, mentally, or emotionally incapable of completing or benefiting from the course of study prescribed by the Arizona Board of Education and Tucson Unified School District will be provided an alternative course of study developed by the multi-disciplinary conference/individual education plan committee and will satisfy an individualized graduation plan. Such students would receive a diploma upon completion of their individualized graduation plan.

Other Requirements

Four full years of attendance are required; however, a student may accelerate his/her educational program and graduate without four (4) complete years with the approval of the Principal or designee.

Beginning with the Tucson Unified School District graduating class of 2008, a student must take a minimum of six academic courses (6 credits) each year. This requirement may be waived by the principal or designee based on the following factors but not limited to:

Grades

Attendance

Discipline history

Progress towards graduation

Family or financial circumstances

Health factor

Graduating classes of 2005, 2006 and 2007 are expected to take six academic courses (6 credits) each year, but, for those years only, the parent may appeal to the Site Administrator to approve fewer than 6.

Transfer Students

High School credits earned in other schools and presented by transfer students toward graduation at TUSD shall be evaluated for approval by the high school principal. The principal may make exceptions to the specific graduations requirements provided that:

The student has done satisfactory work since the date of transfer;

The student has been unable to meet the specific requirements due to conditions beyond his/her control; and

The student would have graduated from the other school if he or she had not transferred.

All such exceptions to the established graduation requirements must be reported in writing to the superintendent.

Graduation Exercises Participation

In order to participate in graduation exercises a student must have been enrolled in and successfully completed the last semester at the Tucson Unified School District high school where they are officially registered.

Adopted: May 11. 2004
Revision: January 18, 2005

*For the Arizona college bound student, the following minimum credits apply.

Math Credits - (Algebra and Higher) 4

Science Lab 3

Foreign Language*(Years) 2

* Check with individual colleges for requirements (may be 3 years or more).

Freshmen House Program

The Freshman House Program was established at THMS in 1996 to provide additional structure and support for all incoming 9 th grade students. The transition from middle school to high school can often be a little intimidating because of a much larger campus, so many new faces, challenging academic expectations, graduation requirements, elective choices, etc. To help with this transition, Tucson High Magnet School created the Freshman House Program. It is based on the concept of “Teaming” something many middle schools already use.

Tucson High's House Program consists of three core or house classes: science, English and technology. The number of houses is determined by the total number of freshmen enrolled. There are approximately ninety students per house. The required average class size for a house is 30. In addition, there is an Algebra class with an Algebra Support class for a freshman in need of mathematics support. The remaining classes in a student's schedule are filled with electives. The teachers of the house team maintain consistent contact with the home when there is a need to communicate about attendance, grades, behavior, and general progress. They support student academic success in each content area by planning interdisciplinary activities, facilitating projects, developing homework assignments, tests and collaborating in other areas. The House Program is a tool to create a successful environment for freshmen. Regular attendance, coming to class prepared, (bringing materials and completed assignments), a willingness to learn, and taking advantage of extra help are critical to any student's success in high school.

Freshman House Program | Ashley Shafer - Freshmen House Coordinator

Alpha | Beta | Delta | Kappa | Nu | Sigma | Omega

English | Science | Technology | Math (non-house)| 3 Electives