Academic Guidelines
The Piney Woods School offers an academic program which reflects the general, college preparatory curriculum. The core courses of social studies, mathematics, science, and English, along with a diversity of electives, are delineated to afford each student a solid educational substructure.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
- English 4 units (English I, II, III, IV)
(Honors English III & IV are available for students with a 3.0 or above GPA in previous year of English class)
(Honors Enlgish III, IV; taken in order) - Mathematics 4 units (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and an advanced math; taken in order)
- Science 4 units (Biology, Chemistry, Human Anatomy*, and a science elective)
- Social Studies 4 1/2 units (AA History/Geography, MS Studies, World History, U.S. History, Government/Economics)
- Foreign Language 2 units of same language (Spanish I, II)
- Physical Training 2 units
- Computer Technology 1 unit
- Fine Arts 1 unit
- Electives 3 1/2 units
*Taken in grades 11 - 12
Total Required for Graduation from PWS (for all students) 26 units
NOTE: Graduation requirements which were in effect when student entered The Piney Woods School remain in effect until graduation.
ELECTIVES
| Calculus (pre-) 1/2 unit | Painting 1 unit |
| Calculus 1 unit | Performing Arts 1 unit |
| Comprehensive Health I 1/2 unit | Personal Finance 1/2 unit |
| Computer Applications 1/2 unit | Photography I 1/2 unit |
| Environmental Science 1/2 unit | Photography (advanced) 1/2 unit |
| Financial Technology 1/2 unit | Piano I 1 unit |
| General Music 1 unit | Piano II 1 unit |
| Global Studies I 1/2 unit | Science Survey 1/2 unit |
| Global Studies II 1/2 unit | Survey of World Religions 1 unit |
| Instrumental Music 1/2 unit | Trigonometry 1/2 unit |
| Keyboarding 1/2 unit | Visual Arts I 1/2 unit |
| Mass Communication 1 unit | Visual Arts II 1/2 unit |
| Music Appreciation 1 unit | Vocal Music I 1 unit |
| Vocal Music II 1 unit |
The requirements may be adapted or altered since the counselor will work with each student to assist in devising an academic plan to fit his/her individual needs.
Because The Piney Woods School is dedicated to a quality education for all, students are required to have seven classes each semester per year. This helps to ensure that students receive the mandated number of credits for graduation.
Courses should be taken in sequence. The course curriculum guide and the graduation assessment forms list the courses in the four major curriculum areas in sequence. The academic counselor charts classes in sequence as students’ schedules are made. The Piney Woods School classes are classified as full-year courses or semester courses. The final average grade determines whether the student passes or fails the course. If the final average grade is below 70, the student has failed the course and must make provisions to satisfy the requirements for completing the course.
Piney Woods operates on a regular seven-period day with fifty-five minute classes.