Superintendent’s Message

Extraordinary Opportunities. Innovative Teaching. Exceptional Learning.

 
In Township High School District 211, we are proud to offer a comprehensive high school experience with more than 700 unique courses offering a range of opportunities for every student. For those who plan to pursue college or university studies, through our partnerships with Harper College and Northern Illinois University, we offer an everexpanding curriculum designed to better prepare our students for life beyond our schools. To that end, we are pleased to offer these advanced educational programs:

• Power of 15: In an effort to smooth the transition from high school to college, District 211 encourages students to strive to graduate with a minimum of 15 credit hours toward future degrees. These credit hours are earned through a variety of sources, including dual credit and advanced placement courses.

• Dual Credit Courses: Through a partnership with higher educational institutions including Harper College, University of Illinois, College of DuPage, and others, District 211 offers students more than 60 dual credit courses. More than half of these are taught within District 211 schools by District 211 teachers who have earned the additional credentials required to teach at the collegiate level. While transfer of credits are at the discretion of the institution the student attends, many courses have an Illinois Articulation Initiative designation. This designation puts them in line with an agreement among more than 100 colleges and universities in Illinois making the courses transferable.

• Advanced Placement Courses: Currently, more than 4,000 students throughout District 211 have enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These students have the possibility to earn a variety of financial and academic advantages as they advance to a college or university that may include earned college credit for the courses. District 211 offers AP courses in Art History, Studio Art, Music Theory, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Studies, Calculus, Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, Spanish, German, French, U.S. History, European History, World History, Human Geography, Economics, Statistics, Psychology, U.S. Government and Politics, and Computer Science.

• Business Degree in Three: One of the District’s newer programs built to aid students in post-high school education is the Business Degree in Three program. This program creates a pipeline from District 211 through Harper College to Northern Illinois University, with structured coursework that allows students to earn one of eight business degrees from NIU in three years following high school graduation. Through these various programs and partnerships, District 211 has worked to prepare students for their post-high school choices. Courses such as dual credit and Advanced Placement allow students can take college-level coursework while still having the close working relationship with their high school teachers. By earning course hours prior to graduation, the financial burden of college can be greatly reduced for students and parents.

Lisa Small
Superintendent  

Introduction

This Curriculum Guide is designed to help students plan their programs of study from the variety of courses offered in Township High School District 211. Students should plan their high school programs with the help of their parents, counselors, and teachers. In this guide, each course is described by level of instruction, length of course, specific prerequisite, and credit value. Courses offered off-campus are so noted. In addition to the course descriptions, this guide provides information about graduation requirements, grading, student services, summer school, and other areas of interest. This Curriculum Guide is intended to assist students and parents in making educational decisions about high school programs. Course offerings are subject to enrollment and slight variations may occur from school to school. A student’s counselor is always the best source for the most up-to-date information regarding course selection.