MCHS Curriculum Handbook

Introduction

This Curriculum Handbook is published to assist students and parents in planning student programs that will prepare them for post-secondary study or the workplace. The format provides detailed information on grade levels, content, pre-course recommendations, and descriptions for each course.

MCHS Curriculum Printable PDF

Student Forms

Students should contact their school counselor to obtain any of the following forms:

• Application to Audit a Course
• Request for Enrollment on a Pass/Fail Basis
• Application for Post-Secondary Program
• Application to Retake a Course
• Request for Early High School Graduation

Scheduling Process

• Career Planning: Before high school, students complete a career interest inventory and work with a school counselor to develop a Graduation Pathway Plan. The plan may be adjusted as the student progresses.
• Course Alignment: Selected courses should align with career goals and reflect academic and technical skills.
• Course Codes: Each course has a four-digit code corresponding to the high school course selection sheet.
• Annual Scheduling: Students meet with counselors each year to plan courses for the following year.
• Parental Involvement: Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the guidance office to provide input.
• Handbook Use: Students and parents should use this handbook to understand graduation and credit requirements when developing the Graduation Pathway Plan.

Schedule Changes

• Requests: Schedule changes must be submitted within the first two weeks of each semester for full consideration.
• Approval: All schedule changes require counselor, teacher, and/or administrative approval.
• Late Requests: Changes requested after the first two weeks are handled under the Withdrawal from Class policy.

Retaking a Course

• Students may retake a course to earn a higher grade.
• Both grades will be included in the calculation of the GPA.
• Only one credit will count toward graduation requirements.

Withdrawal from Class

• Students who wish to drop a course after the first two weeks must meet with their school counselor.
• A Course Change Request Form must be completed.
• The transcript may show a WD/F for the withdrawn course.

Class Audit

• Students may be allowed to audit a class using the following criteria:
• The student must have the approval of the principal after the student has consulted with the counselor and teacher.
• The student would be on a stand-by basis as class size permits.
• The student must do assignments required of students taking the class for credit.
• The student must adhere to the school’s attendance policy.
• The student cannot audit and then later take the class for credit. A student should see his or her counselor for an application to audit a class, prior to the start of the semester.

Gifted and Talented Program-Honors Classes 

The Muncie Community Schools, through its Gifted and Talented Program, offers Honors courses to students in grades six (6) through tenth (10). Students are selected for participation in the program based on their academic achievement and standardized test scores, course grades, and teacher recommendations.  Parents may also refer their children for program consideration.

Credit Recovery

The Credit Recovery program allows students to earn or recover credits needed to graduate on time.

• Students use APEX software during a regular class period to complete course requirements.
• Students must meet weekly work goals to remain in the program.

Eligibility

• Students must be on a diploma track and meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Attempted and failed the traditional course at least once.
• At risk of not graduating with their class due to insufficient credits.
• Withdrawn from a course for reasons other than serious behavioral issues.
• Approved at the discretion of a Muncie Central school administrator.

Dual Credit

Dual credit is when high school students have the opportunity to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously. Dual credit courses are taught by high school faculty, adjunct college faculty or college faculty either at the high school, at the college or university, or sometimes through online courses or distance education.

Note: A PSAT, SAT, ACT, and/or a KA score will be used to determine whether a student qualifies to earn dual credit. If a student does not qualify for the dual credit, they may remain in the course and earn HS credit.

Post-Secondary Credit

A local school board shall recognize courses completed in a post-secondary institution in meeting high school graduation requirements provided that:

• the institution is an accredited public or private college or university located in Indiana that grants a baccalaureate or associate degree
• prior approval is obtained as outlined by the local school board policy.

A student should request the post-secondary credit form from his high school counselor.

Graduation Requirements

Each student in the Class of 2025 through 2028 is required to meet the following in order to graduate.  Details about the Indiana Graduation Requirements can be found on the IDOE website.

Starting with the Class of 2029, students will be required to earn a minimum of forty-two (42) credits to earn a Muncie Central High School diploma. Students in this cohort will still be required to complete the following categories, including employability skills and postsecondary readiness competencies. Information about the graduation pathways are also found on the IDOE Website.

Honor Graduates (Class of 2026 and Beyond)

Students who meet the criteria below are recognized as Honor Graduates:

• Meet all graduation requirements
• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Attend both semesters of senior year

Honor Graduates receive:

• Special listing in the commencement program
• Recognition during the commencement ceremony
• An honor cord
• Placement of their name on the Honor Plaque

Graduating with Distinction

Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are recognized according to the following distinctions. The final transcript will include the designation of cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude.

Cum Laude – GPA 3.5–3.74 (“with praise”)

Recognized with a white ribbon medal at senior recognition events and commencement.

Magna Cum Laude – GPA 3.75–3.99 (“with great praise”)

Recognized with a silver ribbon medal at senior recognition events and commencement.

Summa Cum Laude – GPA 4.0 or higher (“with highest praise”)

Recognized with a gold ribbon medal at senior recognition events and commencement.

 

EARLY GRADUATION

• Request at the end of Junior Year – At the time of application, the student  must have completed 28 credits, or completed all requirements for the  Graduation Pathway Diploma.
• Students graduating at the end of Junior Year, need to be enrolling in a postsecondary program with verification
• Request for Early Graduation forms can be obtained from your school  counselor. It is advised that the student meets with his or her counselor to  verify that the student can meet all requirements before completing, signing,  and submitting the Request for Early Graduation forms to the Guidance  Office on or before September 1^st of each school year. 
• The high school principal will initially review the request form and approve or  deny the request. If the principal approves the request, the request form  must be submitted to the superintendent’s office for approval and signature. 
• The student will be notified by his or her school guidance counselor if the  request has been approved and/or denied. 
• A student granted a request to graduate early may participate in the  graduation ceremony with their designated class.

Program Overview

The Early College High School program is offered through a partnership between Muncie Central High School and Ivy Tech Community College. The program allows students to earn a high school diploma while completing college coursework. Students may earn college credits toward a degree or credential while still in high school. The program provides academic support to help students meet graduation requirements and prepare for college and careers. College courses taken as part of the Early College program are provided at no tuition cost to students.

Benefits of the Early College Program

• Students participating in the program may:
• Earn an Associate’s Degree from Ivy Tech Community College
• Earn the Indiana College Core (ICC) or Statewide Transfer General Education Core (STGEC) certificate
• Gain experience with college-level coursework
• Reduce the cost of college tuition
• Potentially graduate from a four-year college earlier

Research from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education shows that students who participate in Early College programs are more likely to enroll in college and complete a degree.

Program Options

Associate’s Degree

Students may earn an Associate’s Degree (60 credit hours) while enrolled in high school. This represents approximately two years of college coursework and may transfer to many four-year colleges and universities.

Indiana College Core (ICC)

Students may also earn the Indiana College Core (30 credit hours). This credential represents approximately one year of college coursework and is accepted by many colleges in Indiana. Visit the IvyTech Website here.

Admissions Process

Students interested in the Early College program complete the following steps:

1. Submit an Early College application during 8th grade.
2. Applications are reviewed based on:
   1. Attendance records ILEARN assessment results.
   2. Teacher recommendations about classroom work habits
3. Selected students must complete a Knowledge Assessment (KA) to determine readiness for college-level courses.
4. Students who do not initially meet qualifying scores may have additional opportunities to qualify for dual credit coursework.

Key Program Terms

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement courses are college-level classes offered at Muncie Central High School. Students may take an AP exam at the end of the course. Qualifying scores may allow students to earn college credit.

Knowledge Assessment (KA)

The Knowledge Assessment is used to determine whether a student is ready for college-level coursework.

Dual Credit (DC)

Dual credit courses allow students to earn both high school credit and college credit at the same time.

To earn an Associate’s Degree or STGEC certificate, students must complete at least 15 college credit hours directly through Ivy Tech courses offered at the high school, online, or at the college campus.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the Early College program with a credential from Ivy Tech Community College, students must:

1. Earn a Core 40, Academic Honors, or Technical Honors diploma.
2.  Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in required college courses.
3. Complete the required number of college credit hours, including at least 15 credits taken as an Ivy Tech student.
4.  Meet any additional program or accreditation requirements.
5. Complete an Application for Graduation during the final semester with assistance from the Early College Coordinator.

Additional Information

1. Course availability depends on the number of Ivy Tech-credentialed instructors available at the high school.
2. Students involved in band, choir, art, Project Lead the Way, or MACC programs may have alternative options for meeting Physical Education requirements.
3. Students who demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing, and math before course registration may have additional elective options.

GRADE PROGRESS REPORTS

Grade cards are distributed at the end of the nine-week grading period. Mid-term progress reports will be provided for each student on four dates specified by the corporation.

GRADING SCALE

The Muncie Community Schools’ 9-12 grade scale is:

90 - 100% = A

80 - 89% = B

70 - 79% = C

60 - 69% = D

59% & below = F

WEIGHTED GRADES

• Weighted grades apply to Honors, AP courses, and some dual credit classes.
• A weighting factor of .2 is multiplied by the total number of weighted courses taken and then divided by the number of semesters completed.
• The quotient is then added to the GPA established by the actual earned grades in all course work.

HONOR ROLL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

There will be three Honor Roll categories for secondary schools:

• 4.0 Grade Point Average Honor Roll
•  3.5 Grade Point Average Honor Roll
• 3.0 Grade Point Average Honor Roll

Additional criteria:

• Honor Roll will be determined from nine-week grades.
• To be eligible, students must be enrolled and earning credit in at least five (5) classes. A course taken on pass/fail option will not count as one of these five (5) classes.
•  Students will be ineligible for Honor Roll if they have earned a grade of “F” in any course.

GRADE REVIEW GUIDELINES

It is the position of the Board of School Trustees of the Muncie Community Schools that grades awarded for student achievement and performance are determined by the student’s teacher. This is totally appropriate because only the teacher has adequate information to make these decisions. It is extremely important that students, parents/guardians, and teachers understand this position completely. The following guidelines will be used in working with a request for reviewing a student’s grade. The request may be initiated at Step 1 or 2 by the student and/or parent/guardian.

1. A conference with the student and teacher will occur.
2. A conference with parent/guardian and teacher will occur. Other appropriate school personnel may be involved if requested.
3.  Formal request for a grade review must be made on the appropriate form within five (5) days following the official date grades are issued.
4. A conference involving a building administrator, parent/guardian, student, teacher, and other appropriate school personnel will be scheduled. Closure of a grade review request will occur within the ten (10) school days following the official date grades are issued.
5. At the end of the school year the formal request must be made on the appropriate form within one (1) week. Closure of the grade review request will occur within two (2) weeks following the official date grades are issued.
6. After closure of the grade review request, a student’s grade may be adjusted.

GRADING FORMULA FOR MACC CTE PROGRAMS

Following the Governor Workforce Cabinet’s Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS) course framework, first-year MACC students must complete three two-credit classes over the course of the school year. These courses are generally referred to as the Principles, Concentrator A, and Concentrator B courses. GWC has afforded us the flexibility of offering these courses in sequential order or offering them concurrently.  

INTERNSHIPS – CTE PROGRAMS

Internship experiences are required in some career and technical education program areas and optional for others, and sometimes limited to senior level students. Internships may be paid or unpaid, and students must meet all required criteria to participate, as well as provide their own transportation.

INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION

Career & Technical Education programs provide students the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to earn industry certification.  Examples include: 

• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
•  National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
• American Welding Society (AWS)
• Manufacturing Skills Standards Council 
• Indiana Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• State Board of Cosmetology
• Emergency Responders Certification

Credit by Proficiency

A student may earn credits toward graduation or an Academic Honors Diploma by demonstrating proficiency in a course or subject area, even if the student has not completed the course. Proficiency can be demonstrated through one or more of the following methods:

• Achieving a passing score on a standardized assessment recognized by accredited postsecondary institutions.
• Earning a high proficiency score on an end-of-course assessment without taking the course.
• Successfully completing a similar course at an eligible institution through the Postsecondary Enrollment Program (IC 21-43-4).
• Scoring 3, 4, or 5 on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam in the course or subject area.
• Other methods approved by the State Board of Education.

To participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be passing at least six (6) subjects each grading period and at the end of a semester.
• Semester grades take precedence over the last grading period grades.
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
  • Students with a GPA below 2.0 must attend a before- or after-school study program twice a week to maintain eligibility.
  • Failure to attend the study program will result in ineligibility for extracurricular activities for that grading period.

Eligibility Determination:

• Based on the last officially posted grades.
• Summer school grades can restore eligibility if a student passes five (5) combined classes for the second semester and summer school.

Grade Level Transition:

Students are eligible at the start of a new school level regardless of GPA from the previous level:

•  Elementary GPA does not affect middle school eligibility.
• Middle school GPA does not affect high school eligibility.

COLLEGE ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

Students who plan to enroll in college and participate in Division I or Division II athletics must be certified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Clearinghouse. Grade point, SAT, and ACT requirements can be located on the NCAA Eligibility Center website at www.eligibilitycenter.org.  Students need to start this process during their sophomore year.

NCAA Core Course Requirements

Division I

Core Courses Required: 16

Qualifier Requirements:

• English: 4 years
• Mathematics: 3 years (Algebra I or higher)
  • Ten core courses must be completed before the start of the seventh semester.
  • Seven of the ten must be in English, Math, or Natural/Physical Science.
  • These courses are “locked-in” for core-course GPA calculation.
• Natural/Physical Science: 2 years (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
• Additional English, Mathematics, or Natural/Physical Science: 1 year
  • Corresponding test score (ACT sum score or SAT combined score) and core-course GPA (minimum 2.300) required on a sliding scale.
• Social Science: 2 years
• Additional Academic Courses: 4 years
  • Can include any area above, foreign language, or comparative religion/philosophy

Division II

Core Courses Required: 16

Qualifier Requirements:

• English: 3 years
• Mathematics: 2 years (Algebra I or higher)
  • Earn at least a 2.200 GPA in your high school core courses.
  • Earn the SAT or ACT score that matches your core-course GPA on the Division II competition sliding scale.
• Natural/Physical Science: 2 years (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
• Additional English, Mathematics, or Natural/Physical Science: 3 years
• Social Science: 2 years
• Additional Academic Courses: 4 years
  • Can include any area above, foreign language, or comparative religion/philosophy
• High School Graduation: Must graduate from high school

Special Education

Muncie Community Schools provides educational opportunities to all eligible students with disabilities in compliance with Title 511, Article 7, Rules 17–31. A continuum of special education placements is offered in the least restrictive environment.

Eligibility

• Services are available for students at least 3 years old and under 22 years old, as determined appropriate by the case conference committee (CCC).
• Students in special education have access to the same variety of educational programs and services as all students.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

• Each year, the CCC reviews and updates the student’s IEP.
• The CCC determines the necessary educational modifications, accommodations, and special education services.
• The CCC also decides the extent of participation in general education courses, non-academic programs, and extracurricular activities.

Participation and Communication

• Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the CCC meeting to participate in program planning and course selection.
• Questions about an IEP should be directed to the building case conference coordinator.

Freshman Seminar

Freshman Seminar is a course designed to help new high school students achieve social and academic success. Topics include:

• School spirit and community involvement
• Effective note-taking and study skills
• Interpersonal skills and teamwork
• College applications and career planning

The curriculum is flexible to meet the needs of each class. Freshman Seminar provides dedicated time for students to focus on their future and understand the skills needed for high school, post-secondary education, and careers.

• Scheduled like any other course
•  Students earn competency-based credits at the end of each semester

Freshman Academy

Freshman Academy supports incoming freshmen by providing a team-based, supportive environment. Learn more about it here.

• Students are grouped with the same core subject teachers
• Teachers provide focused academic and social support
• The goal is to build a strong foundation for a successful high school experience

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

Advanced Placement Courses are those for which the College Board has developed a course description and examination and which may be used to meet high school graduation requirements. Note: Students taking an Advanced Placement (AP) Course will be required to take the corresponding AP Exam at the end of the course. Advanced Placement courses within the Muncie Community Schools are as follows:

• AP Biology
•  AP Calculus, AB
• AP Calculus, BC
• AP Chemistry
• AP Computer Sciences A
• AP Computer Science Principles
•  AP English Language and Composition
•  AP English Literature and Composition
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Government and Politics: United States
• AP Microeconomics 1
•  AP Macroeconomics 2
• AP Physics I, Algebra Based
• AP Physics II, Algebra Based
• AP Psychology
• AP Spanish Language
• AP Statistics
• AP Studio Art, 2D
• AP Studio Art, 3D
• AP U.S. History P World History Modern

 

Ivy Tech Community College – AP Credit Awards

Art History

• Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Course: ARTH 101 → Credits: 3
• Minimum Score: 4–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: ARTH 101 and ARTH 102 → Credits: 6

Biology

• Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Course: BIOL 101 → Credits: 3
• Minimum Score: 4 → Ivy Tech Course: BIOL 105 → Credits: 5
• Minimum Score: 5 → Ivy Tech Courses: BIOL 105 and BIOL 107 → Credits: 10

Calculus AB

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: MATH 211 → Credits: 4

Calculus BC

• Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Course: MATH 211 → Credits: 4
• Minimum Score: 4–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: MATH 211 and MATH 212 → Credits: 8

Chemistry

• Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Course: CHEM 101 → Credits: 5
• Minimum Score: 4–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 → Credits: 10

Chinese Language and Culture

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: Foreign Language Elective → Credits: 8

Comparative Government and Politics

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: POLS 211 → Credits: 3

Computer Science A

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: CSCI 101 → Credits: 3

English Language and Composition

• Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Course: ENGL 111 → Credits: 3
• Minimum Score: 4–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: ENGL 111, ENGL 215 → Credits: 6

English Literature and Composition

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: ENGL 206 → Credits: 3

Environmental Science

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: BIOL 120 → Credits: 3

European History

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: Humanities Elective → Credits: 3

French Language

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: FREN 201, FREN 202 → Credits: 8

French Literature

• Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Course: Humanities Elective → Credits: 3

German Language

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: Foreign Language Elective → Credits: 8

Human Geography

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: Humanities Elective → Credits: 3

Italian Language and Culture

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: Foreign Language Elective → Credits: 8

Japanese Language and Culture

Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: Foreign Language Elective → Credits: 8

Latin / Literature

Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Course: Humanities Elective → Credits: 3

Latin / Vergil

Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: Foreign Language Elective → Credits: 8

Macroeconomics

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: ECON 201 → Credits: 3

Microeconomics

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: ECON 202 → Credits: 3

Music Theory

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: HUMA 117 → Credits: 3

Physics B

• Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Course: PHYS 101 → Credits: 4
• Minimum Score: 4–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: PHYS 101 and PHYS 102 → Credits: 8

Physics C / Electricity and Magnetism

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: PHYS 102, PHYS 221 → Credits: 4

Physics C / Mechanics

Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: PHYS 101, PHYS 220 → Credits: 4

Psychology

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: PSYC 101 → Credits: 3

Spanish Language

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: SPAN 201, SPAN 202 → Credits: 8

Spanish Literature

• Minimum Score: 3 → Ivy Tech Courses: SPAN 201, SPAN 202, SPAN 240 → Credits: 11

Studio Art

• Studio Art Drawing / Studio Art 2-D Design / Studio Art 3-D
• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: ARTS 100, ARTS 102, ARTS 103 → Credits: 3 each

 U.S. Government and Politics

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Course: POLS 101 → Credits: 3

United States History

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: HIST 101 and HIST 102 → Credits: 6

World History

• Minimum Score: 3–5 → Ivy Tech Courses: HIST 111, HIST 112 → Credits: 6Students should request that results be sent to the specific Ivy Tech region they plan to attend.  Credit will be awarded only if the AP tests are applicable to the program concerned.