Courses (2023-2024 Registration Information)

Students and their parents use the Franklin Pierce Schools High School Course Catalog and the other information that appears under the tabs below as a means of exploring the curriculum to select classes that will be the most useful to the individual student. During the spring, students are asked to choose the classes they would like to take the next school year. This information is needed to generate a master schedule of classes for the following school year. Please take this process seriously. Your choices help determine what classes you will be taking. Be sure to check the prerequisites for each class to insure you will be allowed to register for the course. Selecting a class indicates a commitment to that course. You will be expected to remain in any course you select. If you do not understand a course description, ask your counselor or teacher for further explanation. Be sure you sign up for classes required for graduation.

2023-2024 course registration

Course registration for the 2023-2024 school year

March 21^st & 22^nd in the Corrigan Room immediately following each student’s SLC (conference).
Students should bring their charged school laptops and their registration planning guides with them.
Counselors, working with students' current teachers, will roll up students’ English, History, Math and World Language courses to the next appropriate level.
Students will enter their Science, Elective and College in the High School/AP course requests into Skyward. (Remember you are making course requests, not your actual schedule. Your final schedule will depend on staffing and course ability.)

View the Counselors' full registration video

FPS High School Course Catalog

Dual Credit Programs

College in the High School

· Earn College credit for completing college level courses at the high school.

· Credit is determined through students’ work throughout the class and not on a single test score

· There is no fee for students to enroll in a CHS dual credit course to earn only high school credit.

· Fees apply for students who choose to enroll in a CHS course to earn both high school and college credit. These costs are lower than those charged on the college campuses. College credit fees are as follows:

o Central WA University: $60/credit

o Eastern WA University: $65/credit

o University of WA: $66/credit, plus a $45 registration fee

· Courses typically 5 credits each and fees are collected by the University at the beginning of fall and/or spring semester.

· Students may qualify for free or reduced costs based on their Free & reduced lunch status. Be sure to complete the application with nutrition services.

Advanced Placement

· Annual Required Spring Testing

· Open to all interested students

· Can earn college credit.

· University credit is generally granted for test scores of 3 and above on a five-point scale; however, each university has their own standards for accepting credit for AP exams.

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

· Satisfies more than one graduation requirement.

· Can earn college credit.

· High school students who complete selected high school courses with a grade of ‘C’ (2.0) or better can earn Community/Technical College credit.

· Click here to view a presentation about current CTE courses.

Pierce County Skills Center

· Open to Juniors and Seniors (AM sessions only)

· Transportation provided by the district. Bus leaves from and returns to FP.

· Offers career training that leads to jobs and certifications in specific fields.

· Students who attend PCSC earn credit towards graduation.

· Applications opened on February 23^rd, 2023

Running Start

· Open to Juniors and Seniors

· Ability to earn an associate degree and their high school diploma simultaneously.

· Running Start students and their families do not pay college tuition. They are, however, responsible for mandatory fees, books, and transportation to/from the college campus. PLEASE NOTE: summer quarter is not paid through the RS program.

· Universities typically attended by FPHS students include Pierce College, Tacoma Community College, Clover Park Technical College, and Bates Technical College.

RUNNING START

FPSD Running Start Information Sessions

For the 2023-24 School Year: 3/29/23 at 1 pm & 3/30/23 at 6 pm on ZOOM

JOIN THE ZOOM HERE 3/29 & 3/30

What is Running Start?

Running Start is a program that allows 11th and 12th grade students to take college courses at Washington's 34 community and technical colleges. Students earn both high school and college credits for these courses. The Washington 45 agreement spells out a list of courses offered by Washington state's community and technical colleges that satisfy up to one year’s worth (45 credits) of general education requirements at public four-year institutions. “Washington 45” list of one year's worth of transfer courses.

FPSD students have the luxury of 4 choices for Running Start in the Tacoma area: Tacoma Community College, Bates Technical College, Pierce College, and Clover Park Technical College.

Running Start students and their families do not pay tuition, however, they are responsible for mandatory fees, books and their own transportation.

So, how does it work with the high school schedule?

Most students are "full-time" Running Start students, meaning they either have only 1 class at WHS/FPHS/Gates or no classes at their HS while taking 15 credits (3 classes) at the college.

Most colleges operate on a quarter system which is often different from the high school academic calendar. Holidays and vacation periods are frequently different. Students are expected to attend classes at the college even though their high schools may not be in session. Careful planning must occur in order to avoid conflicts in family and school activities.

The high school is the final authority on high school graduation requirements. It is important to work closely with a high school counselor to ensure graduation requirements will be met.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

The determination of whether a student meets the requirements to enroll in Running Start is within the jurisdiction and authority of the college. In general, to be eligible for Running Start at any of the 4 colleges in the area, a student must show the ability to place at college English ENGL& 101.

Get more information at the FPSD Virtual Interest Meeting on 3/29 at 1pm or 3/30 at 6pm

FPSD is offering TWO virtual opportunities (on Zoom) to learn more about Running Start.

1. Wednesday, March 29 at 1pm

2. Thursday, March 30 at 6pm

There will be reps available from Pierce, TCC and CPTC who will give a short presentation about Running Start at each of their institutions. Towards the end of the session, there will be breakout rooms with each college to allow students and families the opportunity to ask specific questions, as needed.

JOIN THE ZOOM HERE 3/29 & 3/30

Required Follow Up Enrollment Orientation

If students/families decide that Running Start is the next step for the 2023-24 school year, they will be asked to attend ONE Virtual FPSD Running Start Enrollment Orientation, which goes over the "nitty gritty" of attending Running Start.

This will be a required step before an Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) will be provided or signed by Mrs. Detweiler (FPHS students) or Mrs. Plutko (WHS students). Gates students should connect with Ms. Kirklin.

Virtual Enrollment Orientation Dates are TBD but we expect to have 5 or 6 dates between April and June at varying times of day to accommodate our students and families.

Want to know more? Check out the Running Start Handbook!

English Spanish

Russian Tagalog