Graduation Requirements – Standard Diploma

Subject	Credits
Language Arts	8
Math	6
Science	6
Social Studies	8
Health	1
Physical Education	4 (1/2 Credit for 8 semesters)
Electives (from any category)	15
Total	48

Course Re-take Guidelines

It is the policy of Ankeny Community School District (ACSD) that courses are taken for credit one time. The only way students can retake a course for credit is if the student failed the course in the first attempt. Then the initial grade AND the second grade will be included on the transcript and in the student’s GPA. If a student wishes to retake a class, s/he may do so as an audit. The audit course must be IN ADDITION to minimum registration requirements. There are some courses at AHS and ACHS that can be repeated for credit, they include: instrumental music, video & audio broadcasting, vocal music, publications, yearbook and debate. The nature of these courses is such that the student will be completing new material each year.

Diploma Distinctions

Students may earn either the standard diploma or honors diploma. For further information, students should see their school counselor. Honors Distinction requirements are as follows:

Honors Distinction Diploma

Point System awarded to all students who have:

• Completed all Ankeny Graduation Requirements
• A weighted GPA of 3.67 or higher after 7 semesters
• Accumulated 12 or more points based on the point system below:
  • 4 points for a weighted grade point average (WGPA) greater than or equal to 4.0
  • 2 points for the completion of 4 sequential years of math from the following: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Calculus BC
  • 2 points for the completion of 4 years modern language (as indicated by completion of Chinese IV, French IV, or Spanish IV)
  • 2 points for the completion of 4 years science from the following: Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Environmental Science
  • 1 point per class completed (maximum of 13 points) for the completion of Advanced Placement (AP) course as indicated by completion of AP exam in the following courses: AP Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP European History, AP US History, AP Psychology, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Government & Politics: U.S., AP Music Theory, AP Comparative Government, AP Computer Science, AP Environmental Science

Advanced Placement

Ankeny Community School District (ACSD) offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses across multiple subject areas. AP courses are taught by highly qualified high school teachers who use the AP Course Descriptions to guide them. Each course is developed by a committee composed of college faculty and AP teachers, and covers the breadth of information, skills, and assignments found in the corresponding college course. The AP testing program falls under the College Board testing program.

AP courses provide students with a rigorous classroom experience designed to help them acquire the skills and habits needed to be successful in college. AP students will be expected to perform at a level equivalent to students in the freshman year of college. More than 90 percent of four-year colleges in the U.S. give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. Additionally, students taking multiple tests may have the opportunity to be designated as AP Scholars.

AP Exams

AP Exams are typically administered the first two weeks of May. The fee for each exam in 2015 will be approximately $91. Some students may qualify for free or reduced exam fees and should speak to the AP Coordinator regarding the fee reduction program through AP. The registration process for AP exams begins in February and concludes in March. Detailed information about the AP program can be found here.

Advanced Placement Opportunities: AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Comparative Government, AP Computer Science Principals and AP Computer Science A, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP Government and Politics, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, AP Macro Economics, AP Micro Economics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art: 2D Design and AP Studio Art: 3D Design, AP U.S. Govt., and AP U.S. History. (AP courses are designed to prepare students for success on the AP Exam in these subjects).

Honors/Enriched Courses: The “honors/enriched” designation indicates courses are taught at an accelerated pace. These courses do not receive weighted grades.

More than forty courses are offered at AHS/CHS for dual high school and college credit.

More extensive information regarding currently available curriculum may be found in the Course Description Guide.