Curriculum and Class Schedule
Lexington High School offers a wide variety of courses for its students.
Classes begin at 7:45 a.m. and end at 2:25 p.m. Lexington High School operates on a block schedule containing 32 blocks per week, with classes between 45 and 55 minutes long. The blocks are organized in eight groups of four, assigned letter designations from A to H. The first A block of the week is denoted A1; the second, A2; etc. Meetings of the school senate take place during first block (denoted as X block) on Wednesdays; classes do not begin on Wednesday until 8:35. Z block is the 35-minute period between 2:25 pm and 3:00 pm; clubs and athletics are not allowed to begin mandatory meetings during this time to allow students the opportunity to meet with teachers. Among other times, students are also generally able to meet with teachers during X block. Students are required to attend homeroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays for announcements.
Credits at Lexington High School are usually awarded 1/4 credit per block-per-week per quarter. That is, a full-year, four block-per-week course will usually earn four credits. A half-year, 4 block-per-week course will usually earn two credits. A quarter-long, two block-per-week course (such as a gym course) will usually earn 1/2 credit. Hypothetically, a full-year class that meets only once a week will earn one credit. Most English, math, social studies and foreign language classes are worth four credits, as classes in these departments usually meet during one of these groups of blocks. Science classes are generally worth five credits, while the AP-level classes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, are worth six credits, as they meet for six blocks a week, including a double lab block.
As there are 32 blocks per week, the maximum number of credits most students take is 32. There are some exceptions. For example, some (if not all) of the jazz ensembles meet after school, and they are worth four credits. Students taking this can achieve 36 credits. Students may also obtain transfer credit by taking classes at an approved location (such as the Harvard Extension School). Usually, partial credit will not be given for completing part of a class.
Lexington High School requires that all seniors maintain a schedule of at least 26 credits. Sophomores, and juniors are required a schedule of at least 27 credits. Freshmen are required a schedule of at least 28 credits (and it is recommended that freshmen take no more than 30 credits).
If a student does not have a class during a particular block, then that student is assigned a study hall, unless the student is a junior or a senior. These students have open campus privileges.
In order to graduate, students who attend LHS for all four high school years must complete the following:
- 104 total credits, including the subject requirements listed below
- 40 hours of community service
- Pass the MCAS exams in ELA (English and Language Arts) and Mathematics (This is a requirement of all Massachusetts schools.)
Read more about this topic: Lexington High School (Massachusetts)
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