International Baccalaureate Program
Throughout the world the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) is recognized for the quality of its curricula and assessments, its successful pedagogical practices, the challenges of its coursework and the rich opportunities for post-secondary studies. The IB encourages students to become active, life-long learners who value the diversity of the global society in which they live. Students take courses in English, a foreign language, experimental science, social studies, math/computer science, and the arts in grades 11 and 12. In addition they take the Theory of Knowledge course, write a 4000 word Extended Essay and complete 150 hours of Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS). Students who complete the requirements for an IB Diploma can receive advanced standing in college.
Rockville High School submitted the IB Application in June 2007 and received authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization in December 2007. In 2006, we began our first Pre-IB 9th grade classes. In 2007, we expanded our program to include students enrolled in Pre-IB 10th grade and Pre-IB 9th grade classes and in the fall of 2008 we added our first IB Programme classes for grade 11 students. In 2009-10 Rockville High School will present its first IB Diploma Programme graduates. For further information, please contact Mrs. Deborah Wilchek, IB DP Coordinator (Deborah _L_ Wilchek@mcpsmd.org or 301-517-5595) or visit the RHS IB Web Page
Project Lead the Way
Project Lead the Way is part of the National Alliance for Pre-engineering programs. Because the United States is suffering from a shortage of engineers and well-educated technical workers, this program is designed to promote student interest and skills that would lead to an advanced career in the field of engineering. Students follow a sequence of courses, including engineering design and aerospace engineering that are linked to a post-secondary engineering program of study. College credit may be offered upon completion of the PLTW Engineering Program. For additional information, contact Ms. Gail Wolf, Academy Coordinator or visit the Project Lead the Way Web Page
Journalism Academy
The Journalism Academy at Rockville High School is the focus of the school’s Signature program. Its goal is to provide for students a hands-on environment in which to explore interests or possible careers in electronic and print media. The program’s flexibility encourages students to work in more than one of the following journalism-related areas: newspaper (print and online), television, radio, and yearbook and magazine publishing. Students enjoy the fast-paced environments of the television and radio stations and value the opportunity to work on a nationally- recognized publication such as the Rampage along with the opportunity to learn and work with the Adobe software line (Audition, InDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere). Academy students may also explore internship opportunities in their field of interest. For further information, please contact Tim Hibberd, Academy Coordinator at timothy_c_hibberd@mcpsmd.org or visit the Journalism Academy web page
Thomas Edison High School of Technology
Thomas Edison provides opportunities in career development programs not available at Rockville. Bus transportation is provided daily. Registration materials are available from RHS counselors and from Edison. Courses include Medical Careers, Hotel/Travel, Network Operations and Programming, Restaurant Management, Electronics Technology, Automotive Technology Dealership, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Graphics and Electronic Media, Masonry, and Plumbing.
Call Edison’s Counseling Office (301)-929-2181, to register for a tour or inquire about Open House dates.For more information visit the Thomas Edison High School web site.
Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
Honors, AP and advanced level courses provide rigorous and challenging studies for highly able and potentially high achieving students. Students in these classes are expected to maintain at least a “B” average; those receiving a “C” are counseled about ways to improve their performance. Students in AP courses are strongly encouraged to take an Educational Testing Service Advanced Placement examination which may give college credit. These examinations are held in May.
All students who have the capability, motivation, or potential to accept the challenge of honors and AP courses will be given the opportunity to do so. Enrollment in these classes is based on the following criteria:
- Mastery of course prerequisites (Grades of A, B or C)
- Parent/guardian recommendations
- Standardized test scores, as appropriate
- Willingness to accept challenging assignments
- Student interest or motivation
- Teacher/counselor recommendations
- Work samples and portfolios
Advanced Placement Diploma
RHS issues an AP Diploma to qualifying students. In order to receive an AP Diploma, a student must have taken and passed a minimum of five AP courses in three different subject areas and passed the AP exams for these courses, earning a 3, 4, or 5.
Student Withdrawals from Courses
Student-initiated withdrawal may occur when the student and parents/guardians determine that withdrawal will be beneficial to the student. The student’s withdrawal request must be approved by the parents/guardians in writing, reviewed by the counselor, and approved by the principal. No notation will be made on the student’s permanent record or report card if the request to withdraw is made by the 25th school day (October 6th for the first semester this year). After the 25th day, the grade achieved to the time of withdrawal will be entered on the report card and permanent record. Withdrawal grades are not used in computing GPA or WGPA but are used in determining student academic eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities.
Credit - No Credit
By special request, students may receive course evaluation on a credit - no credit basis instead of by the standard letter grades. The request must be made by the student with parent consent before the 25th day of the course. This option may only be used in courses not specifically required for graduation and cannot be applied to a Certificate of Merit. A student may have no more than one credit-no credit option per semester in Grades 9 and 10, two per semester in Grades 11 and 12. For academic eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities, a grade of NC is the same as a grade of E.
Grade Point Average (GPA) and Weighted Grade Point Average (WGPA)
All semester (final) grades appear on the report card and the permanent record card (transcript) and are used to determine GPA and WGPA, used by colleges for admissions decisions. To determine WGPA, an additional quality point is added to grades of “A”, “B”, and “C” in honors courses, and to “A”, “B”, and “C” in AP and advanced level courses. MCPS does not rank students.
Academic Eligibility for Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities
Students must maintain a 2.0 marking period average with not more than one failing grade in the preceding marking period in order to participate in extracurricular activities during the next marking period. The marking period average is not the same as GPA.
Alternative Provisions for Earning Credit
In addition to earning credits during the regular school day and year, credits may be earned through summer school, Saturday or evening school, work experience programs, and college courses. Consult your counselor about the specific provisions governing these programs.
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