High School Planning

BCHS strives to help each student find their unique path toward their goals.  Please look through the slides below to explain the course options, sequencing, and other pertinent information.

Scheduling Information

4 Year Plan 2023-2025
4 Year Plan 2026+
 

The Curriculum Guide gives students an idea of each course and what it offers.

Curriculum Guide 2024-2025

Here is a quick look at the course offerings without the descriptions.

Course Offerings 2024-2025

One question that we get frequently is to explain the difference between an honors course vs. a standard course.  An honors course is designed to challenge students to dive deeper in to learning which often covers more content and at a deeper level with an expectation of taking AP courses later on.  Expect more reading, writing, and homework to go along with these courses. See the department progression slides for details on which courses lead to others.  

Course Progression for 2023-2025
Course Progression for 2026+

ENGLISH COURSE PROGRESSION
SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE PROGRESSION
MATH COURSE PROGRESSION
SCIENCE COURSE PROGRESSION FOR 2026+

Senior English Course Selection Guide

Scheduling FAQs for Current 9th-11th grade families

 

Byron Center High School is dedicated to collaborating with external partners to create meaningful academic experiences for students. To facilitate these experiences, BCHS partners with some area colleges, allowing students to receive credit for some of the career and technical course work they completed during their time in high school.  BCHS currently has articulation agreements with GRCC and Davenport.  If you are interested in attending one of those schools and learning more about articulation, please see your counselor.

Advanced Placement Program & Exams

Since 2009, Byron Center High School increased the number of tests taken in AP from 148 in 2009 to over 650 in 2018, while increasing the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher from 61% in 2009 to 75% in 2018. The majority of U.S. colleges and universities grant college credit or advanced placement for a score of 3 or above on AP exams.  

AP Credit Policy
AP Contract

Advanced Placement Options 

AP Calculus AB & BC
AP Statistics
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature & Composition
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics C
AP United States History
AP United States Government
AP Macro Economics
AP Micro Economics
AP Psychology
AP Spanish Language

AP Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science A

Students who take an AP Course should plan on taking the AP Exam. 

Dual Enrollment allows students to earn college credit while in high school.  Courses available are those that extend beyond the offerings of BCHS and are available to students in 9th-12th grade with a 2.5 GPA or higher.  See your school counselor for more information. 

The Kent Career Tech Center offers a wealth of options for preparing students for college and careers!   Check out http://www.thetechcenter.org/ to learn more about what they do and what programs they offer! Some highlights:

  • Bussing is provided and students are expected to ride the bus.

  • BCHS students choose either first session or third session.

    • First session: Leave BCHS at 6:10 and miss hours 1 & 2. Return to BCHS by 10:40 in time for hours 3-6.

    • Third session: Leave BCHS at 11:10 and miss hours 4, 5, & 6. Return to BCHS by 2:40 in time to catch a bus to return home.

  • Program Visits are a great way to check out KCTC. Write Mrs. VanDam at lvandam@bcpsk12.net to set up a visit.

School to Careers (also known as Work Based Learning) is time spent in business, industry, or other agency for the purpose of providing students with an opportunity to gain insight and direct experience related to one or more functions of the organization.  The School to Career Program gives a student paid or unpaid work experience in a career in which they have interest.  Students may take up to 3 credits their senior year.  Students are released from school classes for the equivalent time that they will spend in that experience. STC can take the place of one to three classes, and can be for either semester or both.

PREREQUISITE:  Students must secure their own placement in a legitimate business/career which is related to their career pathway/career goal as shown on their EDP. Students must also have or have had an approved, related course for the experience. Students apply to be in the program (forms available in the office).  Completed applications must be turned in to the School to Career Coordinator.  Application will be reviewed, placement site will be visited, and counselor/administrative approval must be obtained.  Students who are not on track to graduate or who have issues in attendance and/or discipline may not be approved.


STC - Requirements
STC - Application
 

North Star Academy is an alternative learning environment leveraging the power of online courses with a focus on social/emotional health and well-being of each student in the program.  Students will learn in a blended environment where teachers help students with their online courses.  This program is by application only and seats are limited.  See your counselor for more information. 

Each student has unique strengths and weaknesses.  We want to encourage the strengths, and work on the weaknesses.  In order to support our students, we have various systems in place.  See the graphics below for what BCHS offers our students.

Pyramid of Behavior Supports

Pyramid of Academic Supports