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Loudoun County Public Schools Program of Studies Career ClustersCareer Clusters help students investigate careers and design their courses of study to advance theircareer goals. For this reason, the state of Virginia has adopted the nationally accepted structure of careerclusters, career pathways, and sample career specialties or n/career technical/career clusters/index.shtml A Career Cluster is agrouping of occupations and broad industries based on commonalities. Within each careercluster there are multiple career pathways that represent a common set of skills and knowledge - bothacademic and technical necessary to pursue a full range of career opportunities within that pathway,ranging from entry level to management, including technical and professional career specialties. Based onthe skill sets taught, all CTE courses are aligned with one or more of the career clusters and pathways. –Virginia Department of Education eerClustersPathways.pdf Agriculture, Food & Natural ResourcesFood Products and Processing Systems; Plant Systems;Animal Systems; Power, Structural and TechnicalSystems; Natural Resource Systems; EnvironmentalService Systems; Agribusiness SystemsArchitecture & ConstructionDesign/Pre-Construction; Construction;Maintenance/OperationsArts, AV Technology & CommunicationsAudio and Video Technology and Film; PrintingTechnology; Visual Arts; Performing Arts; Journalismand Broadcasting; TelecommunicationsBusiness, Management & AdministrationGeneral Management; Business InformationManagement; Human Resources Management;Operations Management; Administrative SupportEducation & TrainingAdministration and Administrative Support;Professional Support Services; Teaching/TrainingEnergyEnergy Sustainability and Efficiency; EnergyTransmission, Distribution, and Storage; FuelsProduction; Power GenerationFinanceSecurities and Investments; Business Finance;Accounting; Insurance; Banking ServicesGovernment & Public AdministrationGovernance; National Security; Foreign Service;Planning; Revenue and Taxation; Regulation; PublicManagement and AdministrationHealth SciencesTherapeutic Services; Diagnostic Services; HealthInformatics; Support Services; BiotechnologyResearch and DevelopmentHospitality & TourismRestaurants and Food/Beverage Services; Lodging;Travel and Tourism; Recreation, Amusements andAttractionsHuman ServicesEarly Childhood Development and Services;Counseling and Mental Health Services; Family andCommunity Services; Personal Care Services;Consumer Services Information TechnologyNetwork Systems; Information Support and Services;Web and Digital Communications; Programming andSoftware DevelopmentLaw, Public Safety, Corrections & SecurityCorrection Services; Emergency and FireManagement Services; Security and ProtectiveServices; Law Enforcement Services; Legal ServicesManufacturingProduction; Manufacturing Production ProcessDevelopment; Maintenance, Installation and Repair;Quality Assurance; Logistics and Inventory Control;Health, Safety, and Environmental AssuranceMarketingMarketing Management; Professional Sales;Merchandising; Marketing Communications;Marketing ResearchScience, Technology, Engineering & MathematicsEngineering and Technology; Science andMathematicsTransportation, Distribution & LogisticsTransportation Operations; Logistics Planning andManagement Services; Warehousing and DistributionCenter Operations; Facility and Mobile EquipmentMaintenance; Transportation Systems/ InfrastructurePlanning, Management and Regulation; Health,Safety, and Environmental Management; Sales andService1

Loudoun County Public Schools Program of Studies Grading Scale – Middle and High SchoolAdopted at the beginning of the 2009-10 school yearReport CardsGrading Scale – Middle and High SchoolAdopted at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year.GradeNumerical EquivalentA 98-100A93-97A90-92B 87-89B83-86B80-82C 77-79C73-76C70-72D 67-69D63-66D60-62F59 and belowWP: Withdrawn PassingWF: Withdrawn FailPoints ents receive report cards four times eachyear. They are issued on the seventh workingday for teachers after the end of each nineweek grading period. LCPS offers an on-lineparent portal to view student assignments,assessments, resources, schedules, andgrades. The parent portal is intended to beopen communication between teachers,students, and parents. Authorization formsrequesting access are posted on eachschool’s website.https://www.lcps.org/Domain/17270Grade Point Average and Class RankGrade point average (GPA) and class rank include all courses for which credit was earned or couldhave been earned in grades 9-12. Also included are the credit-bearing courses (Algebra I, Parts 1 and 2;Algebra I; Geometry; Algebra II; world language) completed at the middle school level. When a course isrepeated, both final course grades are included when calculating the GPA and rank. Based on their GPA,students are ranked at the beginning of the senior year and at the end of each semester of the senior year.If a student withdraws from a course before the end of the eleventh week of the course, the courseis not recorded on the scholastic record. All grades earned are recorded on the transcript. Partial credit isnot given for year-long courses dropped at the end of the first semester; however, grades earned areincluded in the determination of grade point average and class rank.If a student withdraws from a year-long course after the second week of second semester, WP, WF,or F will be recorded for the remaining grading periods. The final grade is recorded on the scholastic recordand included when calculating grade point average and class rank if the grade is an F. See correspondingchart under “Dropping Subjects/Withdrawals.”Advanced Placement, Honors, Dual Enrollment, Academy of Engineering and Technology, andAcademy of Science courses are all weighted, receiving either 0.5 or 1.0 added to the point value of thegrade, with the exception of a grade of “F.”Beginning with the Class of 2025 and beyond, class ranking will transition to the Latin Honor System.For more information, please see School Board Regulation 5030-B-Reg.2

Loudoun County Public Schools Program of Studies General Course Information and Graduation RequirementsFull-year Course – One Credit*First Grading PeriodCourses Dropped willnot be counted inGPA or class rankSecondGrading WP or WF recordedPeriodCourses dropped willnot be counted inGPA or class rankThird Grading PeriodWP or WF recordedFourth Grading PeriodCourses dropped willnot be counted inGPA or class rankWP or F is recordedCourses dropped willnot be counted inGPA unless it is an FAn F will be calculatedinto GPA and classrank.The above explanations for dropping a course does notpertain to any Dual Enrollment course.Semester Course – Half Credit*First Grading PeriodCourses dropped willnot be counted inGPASecond GradingWP or F is recordedPeriodCourses dropped willnot be counted inGPA unless it is an FGPAF will be calculatedinto GPA and classrankCourses dropped will not be countedin grade point average except whenan F is received*For the first grading period only, a student enrolled in a full-yearor one-semester course will have one week (5 school days) afterthe date on which report cards are sent home, in which to drop acourse without having a grade recorded.Dropping Subjects/WithdrawalsThe chart to the left explains if and howdropping a course affects the student’s GPAand class rank, as per LCPS Regulation 5-5. Inaddition, dropping a course may alter thestudent’s diploma status or impact VHSLeligibility.Course Selection, Course Load, andSchedule ChangesCourses listed will be included in thecurriculum for the 2020-2021 school year ifthere are sufficient enrollment and availablestaff. Students in Grades 6-8 are expected toselect and be enrolled in 8 classes, one ofthem being Resource or Spectrum. Students inGrades 9-11 are expected to select and beenrolled in 7 credit subjects or their equivalentand adhere to their selections and may takeone 8th credit per year through VirtualLoudoun. Schedule change procedures areestablished by each school and in specialsituations. Any variation requires theprincipal’s permission.Course Level ChangesRequests to drop down in rigor levelfrom an accelerated yearlong course (i.e., froman Honors level to an Academic level) may notbe considered prior to the Interim Time of theFirst Marking Period or after Interim Time of theThird Marking Period unless otherwise deemednecessary by the building principal/designee.Prior to requesting a drop down in rigorlevel, communication between student,teacher, parent or guardian, and counselorshould take place to support the student in theirattempted strategies for success at the selectedlevel of rigor.If after attempted strategies for successand collaboration with all involved parties, adrop down in rigor level is still requested, therequest is passed on to the buildingprincipal/designee to be reviewed for approval.If approved, a request to drop down inrigor level will only be made if space is availablein the desired course level. The schedule changemay require changing other courses and/orteachers within the student’s schedule. Schooladministration will determine final placement ofnew course (course block and teacher). Coursegrades earned in previous accelerated coursewill transfer to new course level. The student maybe responsible for completing make-up work inthe new level to cover any material not coveredin the previous level.3

Loudoun County Public Schools Program of Studies Dual Enrollment Course ChangesWithdrawal and grading policies of Dual Enrollment courses are specific to the accrediting collegeor university. Should the student not pass the first semester of a full year Dual Enrolled course, they will beautomatically dropped from the second semester of the Dual Enrolled course. Student course placementfor second semester would fall under course level change guidelines as explained above.Adding a CourseA student may not add a new yearlong course for credit after the 20 th hour of instruction. Thistraditionally falls near the first marking period interim time.Availability of ClassesSome classes listed in this publication at both the middle and high levels may not be offered at allschools. If enrollment in a class is low, the class may not be available, semester and year-long classes maybe combined, or, as stated above, it is possible that the class may not be offered at all. The school counselingoffices in each school will be able to provide information on what classes are available at that school.Selection of CoursesMiddle SchoolStudents may select a combination of academic and honors classes in English, Science,Mathematics, and Social Science. Classes designated as Honors in middle school are not weighted whendetermining a student’s grade point average.Both levels build on previous skills and require academic effort and independent efforts outsideschool. Both levels expect students to commit to regular and frequent homework; however, honors levelclasses will require a greater commitment of time and effort outside class. Honors level extension activitieswill be available for all teachers to use. Grading practices within the honors level will also carry a greaterexpectation for work, independent student, and concept mastery at a higher cognitive level.To select courses that reflect the goals for each student, parents and students should consider thefollowing: What grades have been earned in the subject over the past few years? What information do the standardized test scores and other measures tell the student about theirspecial skills and interests? Is the student willing to make the time commitment that each course requires? What are the recommendations of the student’s parents, teachers, and counselors?In mathematics, the skills required to be successful are more sequential and developmental than inother courses. Therefore, guidelines are set for recommended placement in middle school mathematicsclasses based on a student’s success on standardized tests and previous math performance.Parents are welcome to discuss with school counselors, teachers, or the principal any questions theymight have about placement for their child in any class.High SchoolAll high school students should choose classes that maximize their learning opportunities. Challenginghigh school courses prepare students for further education and successful careers.Parents and students should consider the following when making decisions about which level tochoose: Previous performance in subject area Standardized test scores Commitment of the student Recommendations from teachers, counselors, and the principal Increased workloadThe applicable Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) are incorporated in all classes.Course Level Designations – Middle and HighHonors, AP, and DE: Course content is rapidly paced with additional depth. Lessons are often designed tobe complex, abstract, and open-ended.4

Loudoun County Public Schools Program of Studies Academic: Course content and expected student performance require additional reading and writing at arigorous level.High school students will make course selections for the upcoming school year in late winter/earlyspring of the current school year. Available courses can be viewed through StudentVUE/ParentVUE.Individualized EducationProvisions are made for individualized education for students with identified disabilities. These includeprograms for students who are learning disabled, emotionally disabled, intellectually disabled, other healthimpaired, hearing impaired, speech impaired, visually impaired, or physically impaired. IndividualizedEducation Plans (IEPs) specify individual accommodations.Semester CoursesStudents receive one-half unit of credit for each semester course successfully completed, with theexception of some courses offered at the Academies of Loudoun.Full-Year CoursesStudents receive one standard unit of credit based on successful completion of a full-year course.Some full-year courses may offer more than one standard unit of credit.Students do not receive any partial credit for a full-year course. For example, a student who passesa year-long course at the semester but fails for the year would not earn partial credit for the passing gradeat semester, or a student who does not continue a year-long course beyond the first semester does notreceive partial credit at the semester for the course; rather, the student must repeat the entire course toobtain credit.Non-Credit ActivitiesA student who serves as a student helper or who is scheduled for study hall, Student CooperativeAssociation (SCA), CAMPUS, PEER Helper program, literary magazine, or video productions does not receivea credit for that class period.Courses Already PassedStudents who pass a course may repeat it for grade improvements, but a duplicate credit will notbe awarded. Both grades are recorded on the student’s transcript and are included when calculating gradepoint average and class rank.Sequential ElectivesStudents seeking Standard or Advanced Studies diplomas must earn at least two electives that aresequential. These must be two electives in one subject area such as Art I and II, Early Childhood Education,etc. Students should talk with their school counselor for further detailsFine Arts or Career and Technical EducationA fine arts or career and technical education course is any state-approved course completed inGrades 9-12 in Art, Theatre, Newspaper Journalism, Photojournalism, or Career and Technical Education(including Agricultural Education, Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences,Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing Education, Military Science, Trade and Industrial, and Technologyand Engineering Education).Student Credential ProgramsCertain programs within Career and Technical Education provide students with an opportunity forcredentials that can also count as a “student selected” verified credit toward Virginia graduationrequirements. The board has approved a schedule of career and technical examinations for licensure orcertification that may be substituted for SOL tests to earn student-selected verified units of credit. Tests forlicensure or certification that require the demonstration of knowledge and skills beyond what is associatedwith a single course may result in the awarding of two units of verified credit.To obtain the student-selected verified credit, the student must successfully complete the careerand technical education course sequence and pass the credential required by the certifying agency.5

Loudoun County Public Schools Program of Studies Such credentials provide students a competitive edge in the workplace, offer better opportunitiesfor earning money for college expenses, may provide increased options in military service, and help to definecareer pathways.Information about student-selected tests is available from the student’s school counselor or by goingto www.doe.virginia.gov and clicking on “Graduation Requirements,” then “Substitute for Verified Credit.”Credits from Middle SchoolStudents who complete Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Technology of Robotic Design and/or thefirst, second, or third year of a world language in middle school earn a high school credit for courses in thosesubjects. Each credit counts toward graduation requirements and is included in the grade point averageand class rank.Incomplete GradesTeachers may assign “Incomplete” grades in instances where the required assignments have notbeen submitted due to unusual but excused circumstances. In such cases, the teacher shall assign adeadline for making up the work; however, the work must be completed by the end of the following gradingperiod. Incomplete grades will result in an “F” if not completed.Incomplete grades may not be carried over from one academic year to another.Expunging GradesThe parent of any student who, while in middle school, took a high school credit-bearing course mayelect to have the grade (and credit) permanently expunged (removed) from the student’s transcript. If theparent elects to have such a grade permanently expunged, written notice of such election must be givenby the parent to the student’s middle school counselor (rising 7th and 8th graders) or to the school counselingdepartment of the high school the student will attend (rising 9 th graders), on or before August 15 of the yearin which the student finishes 8th grade. Parents of students eligible to make this election shall be providedwritten notice thereof and a form to be used for such election when the student receives the final reportcard from the middle school. LCPS Policy §5-5.1.Promotion in Middle SchoolFrom Grade 6 to 7 and Grade 7 to 8:Pass a minimum of three of the four core academic subjects: English; Mathematics; Science; SocialScience.From Grade 8 to 9:Pass a minimum of three of the four core academic subjects: English; Mathematics; Science; SocialScience and pass any year-long elective course, two one-semester courses, or health/physical educationcourse.Promotion in High SchoolHigh school students must have earned the minimum number of credits listed below to be promotedto the next grade level. A student’s grade level is not subject to change during the school year.Grade 10: 5 creditsGrade 11: 11 creditsGrade 12: The student must be scheduled to meet all graduation requirements by June.Standard and Verified CreditsA standard unit of credit is earned by passing a course with 140 clock hours of instruction.A verified unit of credit is earned by passing a course and its related end-of-course Standard ofLearning (SOL) test where an end-of-course test is required. Students may repeat end-of-course tests to earnthe verified credits needed for graduation.Student Selected Verified CreditThis requirement is for students who entered grade 9 prior to 2018-2019. Students will identify a firstchoice student-selected test. If the student fails the test th

Blue Ridge Middle School, Purcellville, VA Brambleton Middle School, Ashburn, VA . Students should study this guide and consult with their parents, school counselors, and teachers . Possible occupatio