Junior to Senior�Course Information

January 27th, 2026

AHS Counseling Staff

Juliet Thomas (Letters A-G) juthomas@goarrows.org

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Heath Grissinger (Letters H-O) hegrissi@goarrows.org

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Linda Hodapp (Letters P-Z) lihodapp@goarrows.org

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Ruth Anne Deppen – Guidance Secretary rudeppen@goarrows.org

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Nikki Gibbons-Bigelow – School Liaison nigibbon@goarrows.org

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Program of Studies Booklet

• Contains:
• Course descriptions
• Information on Graduation Awards
• Information on Graduation Requirements
• Information on Educational Opportunities
• Information for Potential College Athletes
• National Honor Society
• Course Planning

Program of Studies Booklet

• Online on guidance website
• https://sites.google.com/goarrows.org/ahsguidanceoffice/home

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• Available through Ashland High School App
• Apple/Google Store
• Found in documents or quick links > guidance

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• Paper copies available on request

Minimum Requirements for Graduation

• Part One: 21 credits
• 4 credits of English
• 4 credits of Math
• 3 credits of Science
• 3 credits of Social Studies
• ½ credit of Health
• ½ credit of P.E. (2 semester classes)
• 2 semesters of fine or performing art in grades 7-12
• ½ credit of Financial Literacy

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Graduation Pathway

Part Two: Showing Competency

–Students must demonstrate competency on ELA II and Algebra

End of Course Exams by scoring a 684.

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–Students that cannot demonstrate competency must use one of

the following three options:

1. Career Readiness through a Career Center Credentialed Program

2. College Credit Plus (earn credit in non-remedial math or English)

3. Military enlistment

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Graduation Pathway

Part Three: Demonstrate Readiness by earning two seals, one of

which must be State-Defined

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Other Considerations

• Students need six courses per semester

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• Students need to pass 5 credits each 9 weeks and have at least a 1.5 GPA in order to be eligible for extracurricular activities

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Important Information

• Ohio College Recommendations
• 4 credits of College Prep English
• 4 credits of Math
• Prefer Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II
• 3 credits of Science (2 lab sciences)
• 3 credits of Social Studies
• 2 credits of Foreign Language
• 1 credit of Fine/Performing Arts

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Other Important Information

AHS Guidance Website:

https://sites.google.com/goarrows.org/ahsguidanceoffice/home

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• Program of studies available online
• Junior & Senior page with information on colleges, careers, planning timelines, scholarship listings, financial aid, and information for potential college athletes
• Please be aware of the academic expectations the NCAA places on high school students who desire to be college athletes

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Other Important Information

• Considerations for college-bound juniors:
• Current juniors should be looking to take the ACT test again in April or June if it is necessary for your schools of interest
• Take advantage of the college visitation day students are permitted this spring, and try to visit other campuses in the summer

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Potential College Athletes

• Let your counselor know if you are planning on playing sports in college
• Remember to register with the NCAA eligibility center now if you are planning on playing at a DI or DII college
• When scheduling, remember that the NCAA does have specific course and credit requirements that you have to meet. Please check the approved course list in the program of studies against your schedule

Graduation Awards

• President’s Award for Educational Excellence
• 3.5 GPA + 26 Math ACT or 28 Reading ACT
• Honors Diploma (Non-weighted 3.5 GPA per state of Ohio)
• Latin Honors (Weighted GPA)
• Summa Cum Laude (With Highest Honor) 4.1 and above
• Magna Cum Laude (With Great Honors) 3.75 to 4.099
• Cum Laude (With Honors) 3.5 to 3.749
• The requirements for these awards can be found in the Program of Studies and on our Guidance Website

*Guidance is not responsible for Honor Roll or Scholar Athlete*

Important Information

*

College Credit Plus

College Credit Plus allows students to earn college credit either by attending classes at Ashland High School or by attending classes on a college campus

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• Requirements
• Must complete appropriate college application
• Must meet college admission testing requirements
• ACT
• Accuplacer

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• CCP Information Presentation:
• Wednesday, January 14th at 6pm
• Will be posted to CANVAS, AHS website, AHS Guidance site & YOUTUBE

2027

English Electives

Seniors may choose to take any other electives as desired, but should pay attention to sequence and difficulty level as described in the Program of Studies

• 4 credits required for graduation

Social Studies Electives

Full year courses

AP Government & Politics

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Semester courses

Psychology Honors Economics

Sociology Western Civilization 1 (CCP and Non)

Holocaust Western Civilization 2 (CCP and Non)

Economics

Science Electives

Full year courses

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• Anatomy & Physiology (regular and CCP)
• Prerequisite: Biology / Adv. Biology

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• Advanced Chemistry
• Prerequisite: Biology/Adv. Biology

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• Chemistry
• Prerequisite: Biology/Adv. Biology

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• Physics
• Recommended strong background in Algebra II & Chemistry

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• AP Chemistry
• 2 periods, strong background in Biology/Chemistry

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Science Electives Cont.

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Semester courses

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• Environmental Science
• Prerequisite: Physical Science & Biology
• Designed for students that need a 3^rd credit
• Physical Geology
• Prerequisite: Physical Science & Biology
• Designed for students that need a 3^rd credit
• Astronomy
• Prerequisite: Physical Science or Biology/Adv. Biology

Senior Math Courses

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• Functions, Statistics & Trigonometry
• Prerequisite: C or below in Algebra II or taking Practical Algebra II
• Precalculus
• Prerequisite: Algebra II or Honors Algebra II
• C or higher in Algebra II
• AP Calculus
• Prerequisite: AP Precalculus
• College Algebra (MTH1110)
• Prerequisite: Must qualify through North Central State
• Probability & Statistics (STAT1010)
• Prerequisite: Must qualify through North Central State

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World Languages

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• AHS currently offers:
• French I-V
• Spanish I-V

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• Three years of one world language or two years of two world languages are required for the Honors Diploma upon graduation

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• Ashland High School does offer 6 hours of college credit for those students completing French V
• Number of credits offered depends on courses taken and placement testing
• Students may purchase additional credit at the completion of the courses

Physical Education

(If PE is not done by the end of summer it will be added to your schedule)

½ credit of P.E. is required for graduation

½ credit of Health is required for graduation

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• Strength and Conditioning
• Co-ed

Lifting and fitness types of activities in the weight room. If you have a PE Waiver or have taken two PE classes you will not earn credit, but can still take the class.

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• Physical Education II
• Co-ed

Fitness: Weight Room, Sports: Frisbee, Soccer, Football, Disc Golf, Dance/Yoga, Self Defense, CPR/First Aid

ASHLAND CITY SCHOOLS PHYSICAL EDUCATION WAIVER

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Students who participate in two seasons of district-sponsored high school interscholastic athletics, marching band or cheerleading shall not be required to complete any physical education course as a condition to graduate. (An athletic season is defined by the rules and bylaws of the Ohio High School Athletic Association). Partial credit will not be granted.

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In order to be eligible to graduate, a high school student who is excused from the physical education requirement must still complete instruction in 6.5 electives.

ASHLAND CITY SCHOOLS PHYSICAL EDUCATION GRADUATION REQUIREMENT WAIVER

Please indicate on your registration sheet if you are planning on using the PE waiver in lieu of taking PE classes.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES:

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FALL WINTER SPRING

Football Girls Basketball Baseball

Girls Volleyball Boys Basketball Softball

Boys Cross Country Boys Wrestling Boys Track

Girls Cross Country Girls Wrestling Girls Track

Boys Soccer Cheerleading Boys Tennis

Girls Soccer Boys Swimming/Diving Sing & Swing

Girls Tennis Girls Swimming/Diving

Cheerleading Gymnastics

Marching Band Competition Cheerleading

Boys Golf Bowling

Girls Golf

Sweeties

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Summer Course Offerings

• Summer school information will not be finalized until late April. When applications are available we will make an announcement and put all information on our guidance website.

Elective Courses:

Agriculture and Horticulture

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Greenhouse & Nursery Management (full year)

Focuses on operational practices to run a successful greenhouse.  

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Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (full year)

Focus on plant life cycle, plant protection & diseases, soil & plant management

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Floral Design and Marketing (full year)

Focus on the creation of floral arrangements and business marketing

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Parks and Recreation Management (full year)

Focus on designing facilities, developing educational programs, & managing resources.

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Livestock Selection (full year)

Focus on applying principles and routine husbandry practices to animal populations.

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Elective Courses: �Exercise Science

• Sports Medicine
• Medical Terminology (regular and CCP)
• Topics include using the appropriate abbreviations and symbols for anatomical, physiological and pathological classifications and the associated medical specialties and procedures
• Nutrition and Wellness
• Students will increase their knowledge of comprehensive health and wellness. Students will discuss the relationship between physical fitness, performance, injury prevention, and nutritional intake.
• Injury and Prevention
• Students will identify signs and symptoms of injury and apply emergency procedures and techniques used in immediate care of athletic related trauma.
• Exercise and Athletic Training
• Students will apply procedures and techniques used in athletic training and in the care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and therapeutic exercise.

https://6442a94b92fd9.site123.me/

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Elective Courses: �Family and Consumer Science

• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Culinary Fundamentals
• Restaurant ownership, food safety and sanitation, different cooking methods
• Global Foods
• Students will focus on specific cooking techniques from worldwide regions
• History, geography, climate and traditions specific to each culture will be studied
• Child Development
• Pre-natal and infant care (under the age of 6 yrs), relationships, parenting, small food project
• College & Career Success (CCP credit only)
• Researching careers and the education/training necessary to attain those careers
• Gain the soft skills necessary for success in school and life

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Career-Based Intervention

• Program for at-risk seniors in need of elective credit
• Counselor referral is needed
• Counselors will discuss the option with seniors that select the course
• Students will meet with Mr. Smeltzer to determine if this course is the best fit for them
• Students can earn up to 4 credits
• Class period – one credit
• Work Experience – 1-3 credits

Learning Through Internships

• Need to find an outside internship
• Students in education or industry placements
• This is a field experience to help students determine a future career, this is not a work option
• Students are responsible for arranging their own site placement by the end of this school year.
• Must do 4 hours per week for each period of release from school
• Application Required
• Highly selective
• Grades
• Attitude
• Attendance/Tardies

Elective Courses: �Art

2-D Foundations

Semester Course

3-D Foundations

Semester Course

Sculpture

Ceramics

Drawing

Printmaking

Painting

Ashland High School’s Art program is divided into two separate pathways

3-D Art: Which includes Sculpture, Ceramics, and Crafts

2-D Art: Which includes Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking 

Each track consists of a semester Foundations Course. After completing the foundations course, students are able to take more specialized courses

Media Art

Full year courses

–Digital Media Production

• This course is designed for students who want to learn about visual communication through video, audio, and graphics

–Exploration of Media Arts

• This year-long course immerses the student in all aspects of digital video, photo, and graphic production.

–Media Arts Internship

• This is an opportunity for advanced media art students to continue perfecting their skill
• Needs to be arranged through Learning Through Internships with Mr. Smeltzer

Music

• Band
• Jazz Band A or B (by audition)
• Orchestra (by audition)
• Symphonic Choir (by audition)
• A Capella Choir (by audition)
• Treble Choir (New class)
• This is for students taking Symphonic or Acapella Choir who want a second period of Choir

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Music Continued

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• Intro to Music Technology (semester class)
• Will use programs like Garageband/Pro Tools
• Will learn about and create: Cinematic Scoring, Podcast Backgrounds, Mashups
• Will also learn basic music harmony & theory

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• Introduction to Guitar (semester class)
• All that is required is a working guitar.
• No need for prior musical experience

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Arrow to Arrow Mentoring (A2A)

• Juniors and Seniors can build leadership skills and become a valuable peer influence to Ashland Students
• Students will have a period in their day to:
• Learn proper leadership/mentoring skills
• Be assigned and meet with students ranging from elementary to freshman age levels

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Application required (located on the AHS Guidance Website)

• Grades, attendance, and behavior is taken into consideration

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Elective Courses:

Lifewise Academy Release

AHS students will have the opportunity to have release time in the 26-27 school year to take a class from LifeWise Academy.

• Lifewise 1A 1st semester (.5 elective credit-this will probably be Social Studies credit)
• Lifewise 1B 2nd semester (.5 elective credit-this will probably be Social Studies credit)

Available for students in grades 9-12 and offered off site at Southview Grace Brethren Church. Students may take one or both semesters. This course will likely take place 1st or 7th period.

Course Description:The course teaches the basic tenets of the Christian faith, the metanarrative of the Bible and how to live out the Christian faith individually and in the community. It is meant to deepen students’ knowledge of the biblical worldview through critical thinking and collaborative strategies. It will also serve to strengthen students’ ability to engage in further comparative worldview studies. Students will learn what the Bible has to say about life’s biggest questions: Who is God? What story has He been unfolding in the world? Where do you fit in?

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Scheduling Information

• Registration sheets are due February 6th to your Arrow Time teacher

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• Counselors will meet individually with all junior students to discuss scheduling options for future college/career planning