BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL Curriculum Handbook 2011 - 2012

Dear Bellflower Parents and Students,A strong academic foundation opens doors to future achievements and personal success.Bellflower High School is committed to providing a rich academic education by offering a broadrange of courses for students who will pursue further academic endeavors and those whodesire to enter the work force upon graduation.It is important for all students not only to have a strong basic educational foundation that willenable them to learn and perform in a changing world, but also to learn higher-order skills tocommunicate effectively, use technology and develop a healthy lifestyle. Bellflower’s rigorousstandards-based curriculum and our school-wide expected learning results are designed tobuild upon the basic concepts and skills, as well as to stimulate challenging learning so thatstudents will achieve their “educational purpose” and prepare themselves to be responsible,contributing members of society.As our students plan their high school courses of study, they need to explore all avenues: theirinterests, abilities, talents, and desired career choices. The Curriculum Handbook 2011-2012 isdesigned to help students and parents gather the necessary information for making criticalselections to complete an individual educational plan. Careful study of this handbook willprovide course descriptions of both required and elective classes, as well as requirements forhigh school graduation, college entrance requirements and career preparation.In addition to course descriptions, this handbook includes district goals, a four-year planningchart, college and university entrance requirements, special programs, and extra-curricularactivities. This information enables parents and students to decide collaboratively on a course ofstudy that will accomplish goals for graduation and beyond. Parents and students areencouraged to plan a four-year course of study based on college and university entrancerequirements and co-curricular activities. Assistance in determining what courses to select canbe obtained from our high school counselors.Choices made now will have a direct impact on the direction and the career options availableafter high school and graduation. Judiciously planning courses in high school will assist inachievement of academic goals and an auspicious future.Sincerely,Joseph A. PerryPrincipal3