Program of Studies 2025-2026
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During 10th and 11th grades, students will have the opportunity to take the PSAT. Students benefit by both the practice in taking a national test and early identification of academic strengths and weakness to provide opportunities to improve their scores and to guide in selecting future courses of study. Students can see their progress from the previous years and juniors will enter special scholarship competition such as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. PSAT measures critical reading, writing and math reasoning skills. This test is administered only in October.
Any 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students should consider taking the ASVAB if they are considering joining any of the military branches or if they are looking for a career inventory. The ASVAB is a timed multi-aptitude test, which is given at over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide and is developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. Results of the aptitude test and the interest inventory enable students to evaluate their skills, estimate their performance in academic and vocational endeavors, and identify potentially satisfying careers.
To earn a high school diploma in Virginia, students must earn the required minimum number of units of credit in effect when that student first entered the 9th grade. There are two types of units of credit that a student must earn:
- A standard unit of credit is earned by completing 140 hours of instruction and passing the course.
- A verified unit of credit is earned by passing a course and its related Standards of Learning test, approved substitute test, or local alternative assessment. Students may repeat certain end-of-course tests to earn the verified credit required for graduation.
In addition to the specific diploma requirements below, student must also complete the following to earn a diploma:
- Complete an AP, honors, IB, or dual enrollment course, complete a work-based learning experience, or earn a CTE credential.
- Complete one virtual course. The course may be credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing. It may be taught fully online or utilize a blended instruction model.
- Be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators, including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This requirement will be met for all students as part of Health and Physical Education 9 curriculum. Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan documenting that they cannot successfully complete this training shall be granted a waiver from this graduation requirement, as provided.
Diplomas
Standard Diploma
Subject Area | Standard Credits Required | Verified Credits Required |
English | 4 | 2 |
Math | 3 | 1 |
Laboratory Science | 3 | 1 |
History & Social Sciences | 3 | 1 |
Health & PE | 2 | 0 |
World Lang., Fine Arts, or Career & Tech Ed | 2 | 0 |
Economics & Personal Finance | 1 | 0 |
Electives* | 4 | 0 |
Totals | 22 | 5 |
Advanced Studies Diploma
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*Two sequential electives are required. Sequential electives refers to any series of courses in which the content increases or expands in the scope and sequence as students move through the various levels of the courses. For example, Art I and Art II or Welding I and Welding II. See the school counselor for a complete list of sequential offerings. |
Credit accommodations provide alternatives for student with disabilities to earn the standard and verified credits required to graduate with a Standard Diploma. Credit accommodations for students with disabilities may include:
● Alternative courses to meet the standard credit requirements
● Modifications to the requirements for locally awarded verified credits
● Additional tests approved by the Board of Education for earning verified credits
● Adjusted cut scores on tests for earning verified credits
● Allowance of work-based learning experiences through career and technical education courses.
An Applied Studies Diploma will be awarded to students with disabilities who complete the requirements of their Individualized Education Program (IEP), but do not meet the requirements for other diploma types. For specific course requirements for each type of diploma, consult your child’s school counselor.
Students may take advantage of a program which allows them to meet the requirements for high school graduation while simultaneously earning college credits. In all cases, students must receive prior written approval by the participating high school and the college for particular courses to be taken. Only those courses that are used for high school diploma requirements or VHSL eligibility will be recorded on a student’s high school transcript and included in class ranking. Students need to speak with their counselors to determine which courses may be used as diploma requirements. There is a cost for dual enrolled credits. It is the responsibility of the student to pay the tuition rate as set by the college at the time of enrollment. Limited financial assistance may be available. Please discuss this with the school counselors.
The Early College Scholars Program provides a full semester of college credit before graduating from high school. Seniors become Early College Scholars by signing an Early Scholar Agreement. To qualify, a student must:
- Have a “B” average or better
- Be pursuing an Advanced Studies Diploma
- Take and complete college-level coursework (i.e., Advanced Placement or dual enrollment) that will earn at least 15 transferable college credits.
Early College Scholars receive a diploma seal and certificate from the Governor recognizing their achievement.
The Warren County Public Schools Gifted/Talented Program provides services for students who are identified as gifted in grades K–12. Programs and services are available for students who are gifted in general intellectual aptitude (grades K-12).
Curriculum and instruction is differentiated for identified students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Gifted students are cluster grouped in English and math classes. Students may enroll in the GATE elective.
Students in grades 9-12 may take honors classes, Advanced Placement courses, independent study, or may be dual enrolled in college classes. In addition, they may apply to Mountain Vista Governor’s School for Math, Science, and Technology, which serves students in grades 10, 11 and 12. (See below.)
In addition to classes, programs, and activities provided by the local school system, Warren County’s identified gifted students have opportunities to participate in other programs sponsored by state, or regional groups. Summer Residential Governor’s Schools are statewide programs available to tenth and eleventh grade gifted students. Blue Ridge Environmental Studies Regional Summer Governor’s School is available to gifted students in grades five through eight.
Mountain Vista Governor’s School is a regional school for students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade who have the abilities and desire to accept a challenging program of studies that emphasizes science and mathematics. The program engages students in scholarly investigations of the integrated processes of science with research and extended learning opportunities patterned after the activities of scholars and professionals. Students attend Governor’s School at Laurel Ridge Community College in the mornings and take classes at their base high school in the afternoons. There is the opportunity to earn college credits each year by taking Advanced Placement exams and/or by receiving dual enrollment credits. Students must participate in an application process and be accepted in order to attend. Once accepted, students may withdraw only at the end of the first semester or at the end of the school year. A limited number of slots are available to each participating school system. Final applications will be due March 1 of each school year. Students may be required to take one or more online courses through their base school in order to fulfill graduation requirements.
MVGS offers two science focus options, Physics/Engineering or Biology/Life Science. Selection of a focus area is made during the 10th grade year, or year one at MVGS.
Prerequisites: Geometry and Algebra II. Biology is highly recommended but not required prior to acceptance at MVGS. Biology is required prior to the end of 10th grade year for the Biology/Life Science focus.
Virtual Virginia offers full-time and part-time online instruction to students throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Courses are available in a variety of subject areas, including core academic subjects, world languages, career and technical education (CTE), electives, and AP courses. Each public school student enrolled in VVA retains membership with their enrolling school division. For additional information about Virtual Virginia’s program, please visit the following website https://www.virtualvirginia.org/student-parent-handbooks/ or contact your child’s school. WCPS will pay the cost of tuition for those students enrolled, but parent/guardian(s) must complete a financial agreement to repay tuition if the student fails or does not attend the Virtual Virginia course.
Students participating in Virtual Virginia must participate in person in all state assessments applicable to the grade level or course, including SOL testing. Participation in these assessments in person is a condition of enrollment.
The top two students at each high school with the highest academic GPA and who meet the criteria detailed below will receive either the Carl and Emily Thompson Scholarship or the Warren County Educational Foundation Scholarship. The scholarships are usually in the amount of $3000 each, but may be adjusted depending on the amount of money available for distribution at the time of graduation.
Criteria for the scholarships are as follows:
- Recipients must have evidence of acceptance at an accredited, degree-granting college or university.
- Attendance in grades 9-12 in the Warren County Public School System is required. Attendance means that the student shall be enrolled in a minimum of two classes at the student’s high school.
The top two students at Skyline High School will be awarded scholarships from the Thompson Scholarship. The top two students at Warren County High School will also be awarded from the Thompson Scholarship and the Warren County Educational Foundation.