Welcome to Northwest High School, home of the Falcons!
Lincoln Northwest is committed to cultivating an environment where all students feel safe and supported, respected and valued, and are encouraged to boldly chase their dreams This starts with a strengths-based, student-centered focus on high school graduation planning and conversations intentionally designed to help each student prepare for their future
This Academic Planning Handbook has been developed to provide important information to assist students and families in making wise, informed decisions concerning programs and course choices throughout your high school years Your school counselors and other Northwest faculty provide invaluable insight and guidance in this decision-making processes The Academic Planning Handbook is a general reference guide only This is not a comprehensive statement of all Lincoln Northwest policies and procedures that may be applicable in a given circumstance Please review the LNW Student Handbook and LPS Important Information booklet for additional information about school/district policies, both of which can be found on the LPS website (https://wwwlps org/about/important/)
If you or your child have questions about the information in this handbook, please contact your student’s Northwest school counselor. We’re here to help!
Brooke Sharpe
Margaret Pass
Last Names A-C & all LPS Last Names
Focus Program Students
Eligibility
Kelsey Dady
Last Names
Team & Hope Squad AP & Dual Credit mpass@lps org kdady@lps org
bsharpe@lps.org
LPS Graduation Requirements
Graduation from Lincoln Public Schools will require the accumulation of 245 credit hours in grades 9-12, subject to the following per LPS Board Policy 6222. Within the 245 credit expectation for graduation from high school, certain areas of study totaling 182.5 credit hours will be required of students, as outlined below. The remaining 60 credits are considered elective and can be earned by taking and passing any course.
ncluding at least 5 credit hours in CTE (Business, Family & Consumer Sciences, Industrial Technology)
Including at least 5 credit hours in Fine Arts (Dramatic Arts, Music, Visual Arts)
hours
in Civics, Geography, Government and Politics, and World
In addition to accumulating the required number of credit hours, students will also be required to demonstrate that they have necessary reading and writing skills. Demonstrations and standards for successful completion of these skill areas will be developed. Per LPS Board Policy, demonstrations may be completed in a particular class and/or independent of a class.
Scheduling & Grading Considerations
At Northwest, students in all grade levels are encouraged to enroll in four academic blocks each quarter so they may benefit from a full array of academic and enrichment experiences Students in 9th grade must have a full schedule of four academic blocks each quarter
Reduced Academic Schedules
With parent/guardian permission, eligible students in 10th grade may apply to be a teacher assistant in place of one academic block each semester Students in grades 11 and 12 may apply to be a teacher assistant in place of any academic block that is not needed to meet minimum graduation requirements or in preparation for post-secondary plans Students in 9th grade are not eligible to be a teacher assistant
With parent/guardian permission, eligible students in 11th and 12th grade may also apply to have a reduced schedule Juniors are limited to one pass period per semester. Seniors may have more than one pass period each quarter Students are responsible for ensuring their academic/athletic/activity eligibility - this is not the responsibility of their school counselor Any student who is approved for a reduced schedule must leave campus when they are not scheduled in a class. Students in 9th and 10th grade are not eligible for a reduced schedule.
Please visit the Forms page of the Northwest Counseling Center website for complete details, eligibility requirements, and applications
Class Drop/Add/Change Policy
During the first two days of the quarter, students may drop/add classes without any change to their permanent record (transcript), if needed. Please see the “Schedule Change Requests” section below for approved criteria. Unless extenuating circumstances exist, no new classes will be added after day two of each quarter Parent/guardian permission is required for any class dropped after day two of the quarter, or when the second half (S2) of a full-year (S1/S2) course (completed in one semester at Northwest) is dropped The LPS District policy regarding grading for dropped classes will be followed:
● If a student withdraws from a semester or quarter class during weeks one through three of the class, no notation goes on their cumulative record (transcript)
● If a student withdraws during weeks four through five of a semester class (completed in one quarter at Northwest), or weeks four through eleven of a traditional semester class (“skinny” class at Northwest), the class will be listed with a “W” (withdraw) on the student’s record.
● If a student withdraws during weeks six through nine of a semester class (completed in one quarter at Northwest), or weeks twelve through eighteen of a traditional semester class (“skinny” class at Northwest), an “F” will be placed on the student record
Schedule Change Requests
Students receive access to their class schedule in mid-July each year and should carefully review all scheduled classes for the entire school year at this time Requests for schedule changes after the first three days of the school year will only be considered for one of the following reasons:
1. A class on the schedule has already been taken and passed.
2. To change levels (i.e. move from a regular course to honors, or vice versa).
3 To add an elective class that aligns with current post-secondary plans (if openings available)
Schedule changes after the start of the school year will not be made for the following reasons:
● No longer wanting to take a class, or wanting to take a different class (unless as in #3 above)
● Preference for a different teacher
● Preference for the same class during a different block or quarter
● Preference to be in a class with friends
● Preference for a specific lunch
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading (Pass/Fail)
A mark of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory) can be recorded on the transcript when specifically requested in writing by the student and with approval from the student’s parent/guardian and school counselor Students in all grades can opt to receive an S/U mark rather than the standard letter grade for any class, and this decision can be reversed any time prior to the end of the grading period for the requested class. Requests must be received by the beginning of week 6 of the quarter in which the class is taken, or by the beginning of week 12 of a traditional semester class (“skinny” class at Northwest). Please contact your school counselor for the necessary paperwork if you are interested.
Students earn full credit for classes taken as S/U when a mark of S is earned. However, these are not considered graded credits; therefore, they are not included when calculating GPA and do not count toward the minimum credit requirement to maintain academic eligibility (30 graded credits per semester). Students may not request S/U marks for more than 30 credits during their high school career.
Academic Opportunities
eLearning Courses
LPS has been providing high school students with the option of eLearning courses as an opportunity to meet certain graduation requirements for many years eLearning is not the same as distance learningstudents are scheduled to attend these classes during their regular school day However, in an eLearning class, students work independently to complete online modules that include a variety of interactive content information (similar to an online textbook), activities, quizzes, and tests
At Northwest, students will be enrolled in an in-person class with their peers whenever possible. An eLearning course may be considered only when an in-person class that meets any remaining graduation requirement is not available (i e , schedule conflicts, credit recovery needed, etc)
If eLearning is determined to be an appropriate option, the following expectations apply:
● Students may be enrolled in a maximum of one eLearning block per quarter
● Students who complete an eLearning class prior to mid-quarter (or end of Q1 if enrolled in a half-block/”skinny”) may begin another eLearning class if they choose to do so
● Students must attend their eLearning class in person until the class has been completed and attendance is taken daily
● eLearning classes must be completed by the end of the quarter (or semester if enrolled in a half-block/”skinny”) in which they are started Afailing grade will be recorded for a class that is unfinished
● If the eLearning class is completed prior to the end of the quarter, students who are eligible for a reduced schedule may apply for such; otherwise, students will continue to attend their eLearning block as a study hall.
● Students in 9th grade are limited to the following eLearning classes:
○ Music Appreciation, Art Appreciation, Earth Science, and Geography
● Students 10th grade are limited to the following eLearning classes:
○ Music Appreciation, Art Appreciation, Earth Science, Physical Science, Geography, World History S1, and Health
● Students in grades 11-12 are not limited to specific eLearning courses, other than as described in the second paragraph above
Weighted Grades
Weighted grades are letter grades that are assigned a numerical advantage when calculating the grade point average, or GPA Weighted grading systems give students an advantage/incentive for grades earned in honors‐level courses with more rigorous learning experiences, such as differentiated (“diff”) courses or Advanced Placement (AP) courses The purpose of having weighted grades is to encourage students to enroll in the most rigorous academic courses in order to maximize preparation for their post‐secondary education In addition, with a weighted GPA students can potentially be more competitive when applying for college admission and scholarships
Dual Credit
Dual credit classes give students the opportunity to take rigorous college-level classes that can also be counted toward requirements for LPS high school graduation Available options vary each academic year Please visit the Northwest Counseling Center website for more information, or contact Northwest school counselor, Brooke Sharpe (bsharpe@lps.org), who serves as the LPS Dual Credit Point of Contact at Northwest, if you have any questions about this opportunity.
Dual Enrollment (DE)
Certain classes taken at LNW are also available as dual enrollment options. Students in these courses may choose to dual enroll with a participating local college to earn LPS credit along with college credit through successful completion of the course. Class availability is dependent on teacher qualification and choice to participate, making this subject to change each academic year. Not all dual enrollment courses are weighted.
CLICK HERE for the list of dual credit courses offered at LNW
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level classes offered in a variety of subjects that are taught at Northwest. These courses offer challenging coursework to give students an idea of what college courses are like, and are taught by highly qualified LNW teachers, providing an excellent transition to this level of rigor. AP courses allow for the option of earning college credit (if the student achieves a qualifying score on the corresponding subject-specific AP exam). All AP classes are weighted. Class offerings are subject to change each academic year. For more information about the AP program, please visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/.
2024-2025 Advanced Placement courses offered at LNW:
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Statistics
AP Language and Composition
AP Psychology
AP Modern World History
AP Macroeconomics
AP Calculus BC
AP Human Geography
AP Literature and Composition
AP US History
AP US Government and Politics
AP African American Studies
Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program
Through hands-on, immersive experiences and dual-credit classes, the BCHS focus program at Northwest will prepare students for a variety of careers in the medical field Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for the program and earn early college credit through Bryan College that can be transferred to many colleges/universities Labs and classrooms for this focus program are located within our school building Students are also provided with optional opportunities to take additional courses online or at Bryan College after their first year of participation
Please visit the focus program website at https://healthsciences.lps.org/ to learn more or apply for the program. Students planning to participate in both years of the focus program should apply during 2nd quarter of their sophomore year.
Work Experience
Students who are employed during their time at Northwest may be eligible to earn elective credit for their work experience. Students must be at least 16 years old to be considered. Please see connect with your Northwest school counselor if you would like to learn more about this opportunity.
Athletics and Activities Eligibility
To be eligible for participation in NSAA athletics or activities at Northwest, all students in grades 9-12 must have passed 20 credits the semester prior to their season of participation In addition, students in grades 9-11 must also be enrolled in a minimum of 15 credits during the season in which they are participants; seniors maintain their eligibility when enrolled in a minimum of 10 credits during the season in which they participate
Student athletes must graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.3 in select core coursework to meet eligibility requirements for NCAA Division I and II athletics Serious potential college student-athletes are advised to visit the NCAA Eligibility Center website to create a free profile account by the end of their freshman year at Northwest More information about eli
Academic Honors
A student’s cumulative weighted GPA will be used to determine the level of honor on a student’s high school transcript and for academic recognition at commencement exercises The following three levels of academic honors will be used:
Honor Roll
To qualify for the honor roll, a student must have earned a GPA of 3 50 or higher while enrolled in a minimum of 25 graded credits during the traditional semester (Q1 and Q2, or Q3 and Q4) Credit earned in classes taken for S/U marks will not be included when computing the honor roll This includes teacher assistants and work experience Students who do not earn a passing grade in any class, or those who end the semester with an Incomplete (INC), are not eligible for academic honors, regardless of credits or cumulative GPA. Four categories of academic achievement will be recognized on the honor roll:
1. Honor Roll: Students with a weighted GPA of 3.5 to 3.749 on a 5.0 weighted scale.
2. Honor Roll with Distinction: Students with a weighted GPA of 3.750 to 3.999 on a 5.00 weighted scale.
3. Honor Roll with High Distinction: Students with a weighted GPA of 4.000 to 4.249 on a 5.00 weighted scale
4 Honor Roll with Highest Distinction: Students with a weighted GPA of 4 250 and above on a 5 00 weighted scale
Academic Letter & Pin
Students having a weighted GPA of 4 00 or higher in two consecutive semesters will earn an academic letter This honor is based on individual semester GPA, not the cumulative GPA Students who complete two additional consecutive semesters at this level will receive an academic pin
At Northwest, Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 grades are combined in the Semester 1 GPA, and Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 grades make up the Semester 2 GPA This GPA is not recorded in Synergy StudentVUE or ParentVUE. Please contact your school counselor if you wish to obtain your semester-specific GPA Students can find their cumulative GPA under the Course History tab in StudentVUE/ParentVUE
Graduation Honors
A student’s final cumulative GPA will be used to determine the level of honor on the high school transcript, diploma, and for academic recognition at commencement exercises Graduation honors will be determined following the second to last quarter of high school, and the student is required to graduate by the end of the next quarter The following three levels of academic honors will be used:
1 SUMMA CUM LAUDE “with highest distinction”: Students with a cumulative weighted GPA of 4 250 and above on a 5 00 weighted scale
2. MAGNA CUM LAUDE “with great distinction”: Students with a cumulative weighted GPA of 4.000 to 4.249 on a 5.00 weighted scale.
3. CUM LAUDE “with distinction”: Students with a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.750 to 3.999 on a 5.00 weighted scale.
Career Development - Empowering Students to Take Flight
Career Development is the process by which students get to know their strengths and interests, learn how different jobs connect with those interests, explore careers in current labor markets, and build career planning and management skills to achieve their career goals We all know the world of work has changed and a high school diploma alone no longer guarantees a decent living wage However, one reality of today’s workforce has remained the same -- everyone needs to develop employability and career skills for the workplace A typical career path these days doesn’t necessarily follow the traditional course of high school, college, and long-term employment Today, there are multiple pathways to rewarding careers; today, it’s common to anticipate several entrance and exit points among work, education, and training throughout a lifetime
Career development skills equip students to take ownership in navigating their own career pathway The Nebraska Career Development Model recognizes three stages of career development Northwest school counselors provide the knowledge and opportunities for students to progress through each of these stages as part of our comprehensive school counseling program.
Self-Awareness
Self-Awareness skills refer to students gaining the ability to identify their interests, skills and work values
Self-awareness includes understanding one’s own mastery level of career readiness (employability) skills This enhanced self-awareness paves the way to effectively explore careers and identify personal career goals with the best fit At Northwest, our students take part in self-awareness activities primarily in grades 9 and 10
Career Exploration
Career exploration skills consists of learning how to identify and analyze various career options in terms of what education, training, experience and competencies are required for success Exploration involves learning how to evaluate how well a career matches or fits one’s own interests, skills, strengths and work values Career Exploration begins once students have identified their interests, skills, and values For most students, this exploration is an ongoing process throughout the high school years (and beyond!)
Career Planning and Management
Nearly all careers require training and education beyond high school. Knowledge of a wide variety of post-secondary options is important for students and parents to realize. All post-secondary college and career options have entrance requirements, application processes and financial aid or other cost considerations. Career planning and management is about identifying goals with the best-fit, then creating an action plan to accomplish those goals All Northwest students begin the career planning and management stage by creating their Falcon Flight Plan during Freshman year This plan is revisited and updated at least once each academic year as students prepare to request courses for the next school year This is an important tool that should reflect each student’s goals and should be modified if/when goals change Students in grades 11-12 participate in additional career planning and management activities to prepare for their top potential post-secondary plans
Career Development Resources
Every student meets with their Northwest school counselor, either individually or as part of small group, on a yearly basis to explore post-secondary options, including aspects of career development. The following resources are intended to supplement the work students do as part of these grade-level meetings Families are encouraged to utilize these resources to assist students in planning their next steps after high school You can find these links and more by visiting the Northwest Counseling Center website at home lps org/lnwcounseling/career-development/
Nebraska Career Clusters – Experience virtual industry tours that provide a unique opportunity to get a glimpse inside Nebraska-based industries without leaving your home or classroom No account required
Roadtrip Nation – A place to explore interests and get careers, majors, and high school classes that match what they like to do. Students log in with a CollegeBoard account (free to create).
Career Cruising – Self-exploration activities from this site are started by most LPS students in middle school, but access to resources and past assessment results continues throughout high school. Students log in through the LPS Portal.
Nebraska Career Connections – Similar to Career Cruising, NCC provides students with assessments to help identify strengths and interests, as well as how those connect with possible career pathways. Students log in through the LPS Portal.
NEworks – Nebraska Department of Labor website provides current job openings and labor market analysis facts, employment, wages and projections. Also available as a smartphone app. No account required to explore.
EducationQuest’s Reality Check – Use Reality Check to discover which careers will allow you to afford your desired lifestyle. No account required.
The Falcon Flights at Lincoln Northwest
We know that “what’s next” for our students takes many forms -- and we value the unique path each student will take.
We also believe that, since the early 2000s, a “college-for-all” theme has taken hold in education, and “college” has been much too narrowly defined as a 2- or 4-year institution. Furthermore:
■ On average, 52% of LPS high school graduates enroll in a 4-year college immediately after high school, while only 33% of all US jobs require that level of education…
■ Only 40% of these LPS graduates who choose the 4-year university path will finish their degree within 6 years…
■ The cost of attending a traditional 4-year college has continued to skyrocket, leaving Nebraskans with a total of $7 1 billion in student loan debt (in 2019)
■ And the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on economic projections and the workforce outlook across the country and around the world
So, we believe a change is needed.
The Falcon Flights -- a school-wide effort to provide better educational and career readiness outcomes for students -- is our solution Our Falcon Flights approach takes the viable and engaging curriculum provided for all LPS students to the next level by embedding key principles of career-readiness throughout all four years of high school
To aid in creating their Flight Plan, Northwest students are provided with opportunities to identify their personal strengths, explore career pathways that engage these strengths, and participate in career exploration and work-based learning experiences to further enhance their classroom studies In doing so, our graduates not only exceed the rigorous curriculum standards set by the district, but are also equipped with the skills necessary to guide the next steps of their journey Preparing for these next steps, or post-seconary planning, ensures that our graduates have the best possible start to life beyond high school, and we view this as a crucial component of student success.
College Planning with EducationQuest
The EducationQuest Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education across the state of Nebraska. For our students whose future career will require a 2- or 4-year college education, we encourage the us of these free college planning services provide by EducationQuest.
EducationQuest has offices in downtown Lincoln, as well as a College Planning Specialist who is available to meet with students and families at Northwest during the school day. Visit their website at https://educationquest.org/ for college planning tools and more information, or schedule an appointment with the Northwest EducationQuest College Planning Specialist by visiting the LNW Counseling Center website at https://home.lps.org/lnwcounseling/.