(Current year) 2023-24 AOHS Course Guide

Graduation Checklist Worksheet

Course Planning Worksheets

More information can be found in each grade level's respective Google Classroom for scheduling purposes.

Coursework Required

25 total credits are required to graduate. Each semester of a course is worth 1/2 credit.

• English: 4 credits

• Math: 3 credits (inc. Algebra I & Geometry)

• Science: 2 credits (both lab sciences)

• Social Studies: 2 1/2 credits (inc. 1 cr. American History, 1/2 cr. Gov't & passing both US & IL Constitution exams)

• Fine Art, Vocational, OR Foreign Language: 1 credit

• Students must be enrolled in Physical Education all four years.

• Other Required Courses: Career Exploration, Composition, Consumer Education, Health

  Click here for the bill that will be implementing new state graduation requirements, some starting as early as the Class of 2026. More information on what this will look like for students at AOHS to come.

Other Graduation Requirements

• Take the SAT, the state-required standardized exam. Go to Testing for more information.

• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on or after October 1 of a student's senior year, or complete the FAFSA waiver form and turn it into the counseling office.

A student's grade level is determined by the number of credits the student has completed.

• Freshman= < 4 credits

• Sophomore= 4-10 credits

• Junior= 11-17 credits

• Senior= 18+ credits

What happens if a student doesn't meet the minimum for the next grade level?

• Summer School: If the classes you need are available through Apex Learning, you will be offered the opportunity to do summer school in the month of June as long we we're able to host it. Most students are able to complete around 2 classes (1 credit) in summer school

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If the credit requirement is not met after summer school, that student will be retained in their current grade level in TeacherEase, and their locker will be placed accordingly. Other privileges may be limited due to a student's grade level.

• Credit Recovery: If you're going into your third or fourth year of high school and are in danger of not graduating, talk to Mrs. Mendez about other credit recovery options during the school year.

• Futures Unlimited: Once a student is past the point of recovery, they may be given the option to transfer to Futures Unlimited, the alternative education program hosted by the Regional Office of Education. Students are not eligible for Futures until they're at least 16 years old. Referrals to Futures are given on a priority basis quarterly, and spots are limited. AOHS students who graduate from Futures still receive a diploma from AOHS as we are still their home school, but they are not allowed to walk in the AOHS graduation ceremony.

All of the following programs are credit-bearing. Students cannot do more than one of the following programs in one year.

Sangamon Valley CEO Program Are you interested in entering the world of business or starting your own business one day? Juniors can apply to be a part of the SVCEO Program for their senior year. This would take up periods 1-2 on your schedule. Click the link to learn more.

Heartland Technical Academy Programs HTA is a high school career center on Richland Community College's campus that provides half-day programs in the subject areas listed in the link. 

Richland Transfer Academy Application Process The Richland Community College Transfer Academy is a half-day program where students take 3 RCC general education, transferable classes per semester.

Caterpillar Career Pathways Internship Caterpillar offers a PAID (~$14/hr) 12-month career training program to high school seniors. It starts in June before their senior year and runs through May of their senior year. If it goes well, they are offered a full-time position upon graduation starting at $26+/hr. Students apply in January/February of their junior year for this program. It would cover half of their school day as a senior. Positions available include Welding, Assembly, Quality, and Maintenance.