1. What is a typical day like?
A freshman day would include English, Math, Advisory, P.E., and a dedicated lunch (does not take up a class period). Students could then fill the remaining 4 periods with electives in Science (which takes 1 ½ class periods), Social Studies, World Language, Fine Arts, or Applied Arts as appropriate.
2. What is the minimum/maximum load of classes?
A minimum class load is five credits, which includes P.E. A maximum load within an 8 period school day would need to be an individual decision that considers specific courses and the extra-curricular involvement of the student. A student’s program should be challenging yet-allow for healthy choices.
3. What are Deerfield High School’s graduation requirements?
Students need 41 credits to graduate. These include:
Please keep in mind that colleges require more than the DHS graduation requirements. Typical college entrance requirements include:
4 years of English
3-4 years of Math
3 years of Social Studies
3 years of Science
2 years of Foreign Language
4. What are course designations?
Advanced Placement and
Honors:
Highly challenging courses involving high levels of critical and analytical
thinking, reading, and writing. These courses require that students work
well independently.
College Preparatory:
This is the
typical course placement. These courses demand significant levels of cognitive
and
problem
solving
skills. The instructional pace is rigorous and emphasizes curricular depth,
breadth and enrichment.
College Preparatory Survey:
These courses are designed to provide instruction to develop skills in reading
and writing, reasoning, higher-level thinking, computation, lab science,
and foreign language.
Students enroll in courses based on standardized test scores, prior achievement, and teacher recommendation.
5. Whom do I call if I have questions about curriculum or my student’s
course recommendations?
If there are questions about specific courses or if there are questions about the courses recommended for your student, the person to contact is the chairman of the specific department. Phone numbers are printed in the Program of Studies.
6. What is Advisory?
The advisory program provides freshmen with a daily small group experience designed initially to orient them to DHS, help in the transition to high school, and to assist them in their efforts to be successful. During the school year, time is devoted to developing study skills, discussing a variety of relevant adolescent topics, monitoring progress, and providing opportunities for having fun. Each advisory class is co-facilitated by a teacher and senior advisors.
7. What is a 4-year plan?
Counselors work with students in advisories to complete individual academic plans for each of their 4 years of high school. These plans include: all courses necessary for graduation, elective courses of interest to individual students, and the courses necessary for tentative college/career plans. Four year planning helps students to see how the courses “fit” over the 4 years of high school.
8. What is the deadline for dropping a course with no penalty?
A course may be dropped with no grade penalty up to and including the end of the 8th week of the semester.
9. What is the Pass/Fail Policy?
Students may elect to take the last semester in a course sequence pass/fail. Pre-requisite courses and graduation requirements may not be taken pass/fail. The application deadline for pass/fail is the end of the 8th week of the semester.
10. What are Progress Reports?
Progress reports are mailed to parents at approximately the mid-point of each quarter. These are sent for unsatisfactory work in a course and they include reasons for the unsatisfactory work and give suggestions for improvement.
11. When do grades come out?
Report cards are issued to students following each 9-week quarter. Report cards are mailed home each quarter.
12. What are Resource Centers?
Deerfield High School has a wealth of resource areas available to help students with academic preparation, study skills, organization and post high school planning. These include: WERCS and WERCS+ (English support and study skills), Math Lab, Foreign language lab and the College and Career Resource Center. Students can access these resource centers on non-class periods in their day.
13. What is Early Bird Tutoring?
Early Bird Tutoring is one-on-one, personalized tutoring provided by students, and it is available to any student with an average of C- or less in a specific course. It is offered during the “early bird” period.
14. How do I find out about the extracurricular program?
Click on the following link to view all of the clubs and activities that DHS offers. The Activities Director can answer additional questions. Any questions about Deerfield High School’s athletic programs should be directed to the Athletic Director. In the spring, the evening program “Something For Everyone” highlights the multiple extra curricular programs offered at DHS. Watch for this date on the calendar!
DHS Student Activities website
15. If my student is absent, whom do I need to contact?
Absences must be reported to the Attendance Office within 24 hours of the absence for it to be authorized. Calls can be made from 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. to 224-632-3003. If you are unable to call during regular office hours, there is a 24-hour attendance line at 224-632-3003 where the student’s name, I.D. number, and date of absence can be recorded on an answering machine.
16. What is the role of a counselor?
Counselors serve as students’ advisors and advocates. They help students with: academic planning, making good educational choices, setting realistic and appropriate goals, dealing with personal issues as they arise, and post high school planning.
17. What is the role of the College Counselor?
The College counselor provides comprehensive post secondary planning with students and parents.
18. Whom do I contact if I have questions about my student’s course performance?
The key person for information in any class is the teacher. He/she will be able to answer any questions about course content, course expectations and a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Teacher e-mail addresses are: first initial, last name @dist113.org (example: abricker@dist113.org)
The Guidance Department provides a Freshmen Parent Series throughout the school
year to inform parents of pertinent issues as they arise within the school
calendar. These sessions are held once per quarter. Watch for information
announcing the specific dates next year!
Counseling Web Site: www.dist113.org/dhs/depts/counseling/index.htm