Scheduling Policies

A student desiring to earn high school credit through online coursework should give this choice careful thought and discuss this option with the high school counselor. Prior approval is required for the acceptance of online credit toward graduation requirements.  Online courses that are requested to replace courses that are teacher-led at Brownsburg High School will not be approved unless an academic necessity is warranted.  In these instances, students will be required to complete a 4-year academic course plan documenting the need for online course flexibility.

A maximum of four (4) credits through online or other correspondence courses may be applied toward graduation.  It is recommended that students enroll in no more than two courses in this manner at a given time.  Likewise, it is recommended that the coursework be completed during the high school semester timeline.  Cost of online courses is the responsibility of the family.  Only courses that are offered by accredited institutions approved by the State of Indiana will be approved.

A student may enroll in on-campus or online courses offered by an accredited college or university.  All grades will add to the student transcript in a manner indicating that they were earned through an eligible post-secondary institution.

In order for credits earned directly through a college or university to be applied toward high school graduation requirements, approval is required by the guidance counselor prior to enrollment in the course.  If approved, grades earned from such courses may be factored into the high school cumulative GPA, but will not factor into class rank - except in rare circumstances where a student has exhausted an academic department’s curriculum.  A grade weight will only be granted in courses for which there is a Brownsburg High School equivalent that is also weighted. 

At Brownsburg High School, student course placement is based upon a variety of factors including student performance in preceding classes, standardized test scores, potential, and teacher recommendation. Teacher recommendation is a required prerequisite for many courses. Recommendations by teachers are greatly valued as they have personal knowledge of their students and of the curriculum in their departments.

The Indiana State Board of Education allows local high schools flexibility in determining the manner in which Physical Education proficiencies may be met.  In order to maximize educational scheduling opportunities for students, Brownsburg High School has adopted a policy through which Physical Education I & II credit may be earned through alternative means.  Credits will not be granted for any previous school year. 

A complete season of the following student activities has been approved for Alternative PE Credit:

• Any BHS sponsored IHSAA sanctioned sport and/or BHS Cheerleading
• Marching Band, Color Guard, or Dance Choreography
• Starlight Voices, Bella Voce, Choralaires and Dog Pound Competitive Show Choir

• Students may earn one (1) credit in PE I per school year for one (1) activity listed above.  A student may repeat the same activity during the sophomore year to receive one (1) credit in PE II to fulfill the PE requirements.
• A student may complete two (2) different activities from the list above in the same year to receive one (1) credit in PE I and one (1) credit in PE II, thus fulfilling the PE requirements for graduation.
• Both PE I and PE II credits must be earned by the end of the sophomore year.
• Retroactive credits will not be awarded.
• Student activity in any event not listed above is not eligible for the Alternative PE Credit.
• A complete season is defined as: first practice to final event.  The student must remain on the active roster for the entire season or the duration of the activity.  The student must attend all required practices, rehearsals, or competitions as dictated by the activity’s coach or director.
• The student will participate regularly in physical activity, demonstrated by participation in over 90% of group activities (injury free).
• Injuries or disciplinary or academic suspensions that result in withdrawal or dismissal from the team or activity will result in forfeiture of Alternative PE credit as determined by the coach or director.
• Students with injuries or those who are removed or withdrawn from their activity may not be placed into a regular PE course after the second week of a semester.
• Alternative PE credit and Athletic Development PE credit may not be earned in the same semester. 
• A grade of A will be granted for the Alternative PE credit to all students who meet the requirements listed above.

Additional Student Requirements & Information:

• Students must submit the “Brownsburg High School Application for Alternative PE I or PE II Credit” prior to spring break.  Forms will be distributed during scheduling sessions or may be downloaded from the BHS Guidance Office website.
• The designated BHS counselor will maintain forms and will verify team or activity rosters with the athletic office or activity directors.  PE credits will be entered into PowerSchool once seasons have been completed and verified.
• Students that do not participate in the activity indicated on their application should notify their counselor prior to the start of the semester in which the activity takes place so that they may be enrolled in a regular PE course. 
• Alternative PE credits may not count as an “enrolled” course toward IHSAA athletic eligibility.  BHS requires that students enroll in a minimum of 6 credit generating courses during each academic semester.

The course offerings at Brownsburg High School are based upon student requests during pre-enrollment. Therefore, it is necessary for students to determine their class choices with a commitment to complete those classes. All requests for schedule changes must be made by May 1st.  Requests for changes between March 15 and May 1 will be honored if space is still available in the course.

The guidance staff may need to use alternate classes if (1) an original class choice is not offered due to insufficient enrollment or (2) the student has selected two classes which conflict on the student’s schedule. Once schedules are built for the entire school, counselors may change a student’s schedule to obtain balanced class sizes. 

Schedule changes are discouraged and such requests will be given close scrutiny. All changes must be approved by the grade level team (assistant principal or counselor). There will be no schedule changes to accommodate a teacher preference. Students may not drop a class and then request to be a teacher assistant. Dropping a course may endanger athletic eligibility.  Students cannot schedule more than one study hall during any semester.

A student must demonstrate proficiency in each course required for graduation. Students may repeat a course where they have received a “D+”, “D”, or “D-“, “F“ in order to earn a better grade. The following rules will apply:

1. When repeating a course either failed “F” or already passed with a “D+”, “D”, or “D-“, the second grade will replace the first grade on the transcript. The first grade will appear as an “R” for no credit, and will not factor into the GPA. (Exception: In the event a student fails a previously passed course, both the “F” for the second grade and the first passing grade will appear on the transcript and both will count toward cumulative GPA).
2. When repeating a course, a student may go from an honors level course to a regular level (provided academic standards are the same for the two courses). For example, a student who earns a D+ in Pre AP English 10 may opt to take English 10 for a higher grade.

Students must maintain at least six (6) credit generating classes per semester in order to maintain a timely progress toward high school graduation.  The Superintendent or School Board will not grant approval per IC 20-33-2-12 for students to enroll in less than six (6) credit generating courses unless an I.E.P. or 504 plan is in effect. Students must attend a minimum of six semesters to receive a Designation.

An Incomplete (I) may be given under certain situations in lieu of a grade when a student does not complete the requirements of the course. The student must make arrangements with the teacher to fulfill those requirements. Teachers must submit final grades for each student upon completion of the course or indicate to the principal what arrangements have been made to remove the incomplete. Accommodations for individual situations shall be made by the building principal as the need arises.  Any work not made up will be recorded as failing. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the principal.

Midyear graduates are to comply with the following policies:

• May not enroll in career technical classes at Ben Davis during the seventh semester.
• Must enroll in one (1) semester classes only during the seventh semester.
• Must be approved for midyear graduation at pre-enrollment time in the spring.
• Must have passed the graduation qualifying tests if applicable.
• Must file a completed request form, properly signed by the parent, student, and Principal or designee by August 1st, prior to the beginning of the senior year.  Students who do not meet this deadline will not have the eighth semester of attendance waived.