The secondary or high schools of Columbia County invite you to share in the excitement of a new school setting offering a multitude of courses from which to choose; in the diligence and responsibility needed to excel in demanding course work; in the enjoyment of football and basketball games, fine arts presentations, debate meets, and student written productions; and in the tears and hugs as friends walk across the stage to receive diplomas.

The secondary curriculum is composed of courses in Communication Skills (grammar, composition, and literature); Fine Arts (art, band, chorus, and drama); Foreign Language (French, German, Latin, Spanish); Junior Reserved Officer’s Training Corps; Mathematics; Physical Education and Health; Science; Social Studies; and Technology and Career Education. A description of each course offered is available in the Course Description Catalog, which is available in the guidance office.

The Georgia Board of Education adopts a rule, which includes the requirements for receiving a diploma at graduation. A student must meet the requirements for the rule in effect when the student entered the ninth grade for the first time in order to graduate and receive a diploma. The state board may adopt a new rule as it deems necessary. Therefore, it is imperative that new students request a copy of the requirements for their graduation.

Currently, Georgia offers two types of diplomas, Technology/Career Preparatory and College Preparatory. The requirements for the diplomas are similar with the Technology/Career Prep courses being taught as real-world, hands-on courses and the College Prep courses being taught in a more traditional manner. Students, with parental approval, will select courses in which to enroll each year. The selections should be based on needs, abilities, graduation requirements and plans following high school.

Students desiring to attend post-secondary school, either technical school or college should determine the particular entrance requirements for the post-secondary school in which they are interested and should register for the courses needed. Special attention should be given to the areas of mathematics, science and foreign language, since post-secondary requirements may vary in those areas.

Beginning with the freshman class in the year 2001, the Board of Regents will have different entrance requirements for the three levels of institutions within the University System of Georgia. Students will be required to have earned four Carnegie units of college prep English, four units of college prep math with one course higher than Algebra II, three units of college prep laboratory science, three units of social studies and two units of the same foreign language. In addition, the colleges and research universities will require two to four additional college prep courses to enroll in their level.

Students and parents must assume the responsibility of researching and enrolling in courses required by the post-secondary schools of choice if the student is to be competitive in the post-secondary admission process. Students pursuing the academic program should complete their course of study by enrolling in a full course load of academic subjects in their senior year. Students should plan to attend a post-secondary school, which meets their career goals and should enroll in courses, which relate to their unique skills, talents and interests with particular career goals in mind. School counselors are knowledgeable of the graduation requirements and will assist students and parents in planning the student’s schedule of classes.

Columbia County high schools currently operate on a semester system, which is a division of the regular school year (August-June), into two halves or semesters of ninety days each. The semester system provides the flexibility to meet students’ needs by offering a wide variety of course selections. Each semester is independent. All courses taken during a semester are completed at the end of the semester; grades are assigned; and credit is awarded. There is no yearly average for a course to determine the awarding of credit. Each course is eighteen weeks long and carries one-half (1/2)-unit credit. Two semester courses equal one Carnegie unit.

Each semester course will meet for a minimum of fifty minutes per day according to the school calendar. Regular daily attendance in classes is required for pupils to receive adequate instruction for full credit in any course.

There are high expectations for appropriate student conduct. Parents, teachers, and administrators strive to maintain an atmosphere of support and safety for all students. Cooperation among these groups and joint support for adherence to basic rules of safety and behavior result in a quality environment for learning. No student or employee shall possess, distribute, sell, or manufacture controlled substances or other dangerous drugs. Alcohol, tobacco products, and weapons are not permitted on campus.