High School Academics

The academic program at Bellevue Christian High School is more than "just courses to take." We are hoping to help students build a four-year program that will equip them for the college or university of their choice and more importantly, learn how to think for a life of Godly service.

• Students will be expected to carry a full academic load for eight semesters. Early graduation is not normally permitted.
• The minimum requirements for graduation are not the normal expectation at BCS. Minimum requirements are rarely sufficient for admission to typical four-year colleges and universities, and won't fully equip students to serve God in any ministry or vocation.
• Students are expected to register for at least one course in Biblical studies each year. For details, see the Bible course descriptions.
• If you transfer from another school, you may find that some courses on your transcript do not meet BCS requirements, even though the course titles may be identical to ours.
• Students will be expected to show minimum competence in basic math and English.
• Credits earned outside the regular school day do not reduce the regular class load.

Bellevue Christian School believes that students should be encouraged to develop their talents within the widest possible scope of academic disciplines. Therefore, we have set minimum requirements for graduation that are higher than those required by Washington State Law.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in U.S. History, Physics B, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, English literature and Spanish. Accelerated mathematics and science programs are also offered and begin in junior high school.

No additional value is placed on AP grades at BCS. However, some colleges and universities see successful completion of AP courses on the transcript as a predictor of a higher college GPA.

Modified Programs

We realize that in some cases students will be better served by a Modified Program. At times students may learn more and develop their God-given talents more effectively by taking a course of study that is different than the one required for most students. A Modified Program might include an altered sequence; a faster or slower pace; a modified grade; the modification, substitution or waiver of an individual course; or a modified schedule.

This process may be initiated by contacting the counseling office or the SAS Director. A Modified Program which is approved by the Principal on the recommendation of the Academic Affairs Committee, the counselor, and/or the Student Academic Services director will qualify for a BCS diploma.

Credit for Courses Taken at Other Schools

Because of the emphasis at BCS on a Christian perspective in learning, you are expected to meet your graduation requirements through BCS courses. While enrolled at BCS, you may earn credit for courses taken at other schools only with prior written approval of the Academic Affairs Committee. Permission will be granted only if:

1. The course is not offered at BCS, or
2. The course cannot be taken at BCS because of scheduling conflicts, or
3. The course is part of an approved Modified Program

Specific permission is not required from the Academic Affairs Committee for courses offered through the vocational education program, NEVAC, described in this course handbook.

Graduation

To graduate with a BCS diploma, you must earn at least ten of your last twelve credits at Bellevue Christian School

Requests for early graduation are not normally granted. Students who feel that they are ready for college are encouraged to apply for early admission to their college of choice. Such programs normally provide for issuance of a high school diploma upon successful completion of two years of college.

All exceptions to the stated graduation requirements must be approved by the Academic Affairs Committee: NOTE: The State of Washington minimum course requirement for graduation (38 specific credits) cannot be waived under any circumstances.

Minimum Requirements for Graduation*

To graduate from Bellevue Christian High School a student must earn a minimum of 45 semester credits. At Bellevue Christian High School the normal class load is six classes per semester. The following minimum requirements must be met in specific subject areas in grades 9 through 12.

• Bible: 4 credits, including Philosophy of Education, Introduction to Ethics, Relationships and one Bible elective
• English: 8 credits, including 2 each in freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years
• Social Studies: 6 credits, including 2 junior year (U.S. History) and 2 senior year (Politics and Government and 20th Century). The state requirement for Washington State History is met by the 8th grade course at BCS.
• Mathematics: 6 credits, including 2 in 9th grade. The 6 credits may include one credit of computer programming and one credit of Technical Drawing.
• Occupational Education: 2 credits (must be two different courses). One of these must be a computer course unless competency is demonstrated.
• Science: 4 credits, including 2 physical sciences (physical science, chemistry, physics)
• Health: 1 credit
• Physical Education: 4 credits, including at least 2 different in-class P.E. courses which must be taken in 9th or 10th grade. The remaining 2 P.E. classes may be taken in 11th or 12th grade. (9th or 10th grade participation in BCS sports may be counted in place of the third and/or fourth P.E. credits.)
• Fine/Visual/Performing Arts: 2 credits including any elective in art, drama, music, photography or speech.

*A course which meets a state high school requirement does not necessarily meet the entrance requirement of every college (e.g. speech is counted for English but not for performing arts by some colleges).