Academic Information for 2014/2015
American educational institutions have existed with a 2 X 4 X 6 X 9 X 12 mentality for over a century. This mathematical formula simply means 2 covers to every book, 4 walls to every classroom, 6 periods to every day, 9 months to each school year and 12 levels of attainment to graduate from high school. Additionally, American schools actually require less in terms of school days (number and length) than any other civilized society on earth. Yet, our society requires more to be taught in that frame of time than other societies.
Luther North has continually addressed this problem by trying to stay at the cutting edge of educational endeavor by hiring quality teachers, providing professional development as well as 21st century learning opportunities involving the best technology money can buy. This means that textbook teaching and teaching to the test are not part of Luther North’s curriculum or practice. Learning is both interactive and collaborative for students and faculty as they work together to solve problems, critically analyze situations and propose possible solutions and have access to virtually the entire world of resources without leaving the building.
Instead of having a library separate from the world of the classroom, the library has transformed into an “Information Center” which not only has access to books but virtually anything, including communication with professionals in the outside world. The Information Center also provides a multitude of resources for student projects.
Truly, the education received by each student along with the myriad learning opportunities has transformed the century old mathematical formula above. Now books may not have covers and, while classrooms may have four walls those wall are not boundaries because of stop the information that technology makes available. The creative schedule that provides a relatively flexible number of opportunities for students has never been six periods at Luther North. (Unfortunately we’re still working on the nine-month school year and twelve levels of schooling until graduation, because that is mandated by outside entities.)
Luther North will provide each student with the best opportunities possible to learn and achieve…the only thing that remains for you is to answer the question, “how much do you want to learn before graduation?”
Diploma Offerings
Luther North awards two types of diplomas, based on separate sets of graduation requirements. While both the high school and college preparatory diplomas prepare students for college, students who earn a college preparatory diploma complete a more rigorous curriculum and maintain at least a B- average, which increases the likelihood of their success in a four-year college program. Typically, students must decide which diploma they’d like to pursue by the spring semester of their sophomore year.
High School Diploma
Each student must earn a minimum of 28 credits in order to earn a high school diploma. These credits are to be distributed as follows:
- Two credits in theology*
- Four and one half credits in English (includes public speaking)
- Three credits in social science
- Three credits in mathematics
- Two credits in a laboratory science
- One credit in computer science
- Two credits in physical education
- One half credit in health
- One credit in fine arts
- Seven credits in electives
- Two credits in Winterim*
- Senior portfolio
College Preparatory Diploma
Each student must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 and earn a minimum of 30 credits in order to earn a college preparatory diploma. These credits are to be distributed as follows:
- Two credits in theology*
- Four and a half credits in English (includes public speaking)
- Three credits in social science
- Three credits in mathematics
- Three credits in laboratory science
- Two credits in a foreign language
- One extra credit in science, math, or foreign language
- One credit in computer science
- Two credits in physical education
- One half credit in health
- One credit in fine arts
- Five credits in electives
- Two credits in Winterim*
- Senior portfolio
* Students transferring from other high schools must earn one-half (1/2) credit in theology and one-half credit in Winterim for each year at Luther North College Prep.