Course of Study (25-26)

Academic Program

Upper School Program

Middle School Program

College & Career Planning

International Baccalaureate Program

Student Support

Course of Study

Course of Study Home

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

World Languages

Arts/Other

International Baccalaureate Courses

College & Career Planning

24 credits are required for graduation.

English – 4

Mathematics – 3

Science – 3

Social Studies – 3

World Languages 3 (same language)

Arts – 2

Other – 6

• The three year World Language requirement may be waived by the Dean of Academics based on student need.
• Each senior will plan, write, and deliver a Core Talk to the entire LTS student body during a morning meeting. This project is an opportunity for seniors to reflect on their personal experiences, values, and beliefs, and share them with the younger students, creating a lasting impact on the school community.  A Core Talk is a presentation that serves to encapsulate, distill, or present what is at your “core.” It is a chance to share a piece of who you are with the LTS community. The talk can cover any topic or theme but should aim to provide a window into your core values, beliefs, life lessons, or words of wisdom. Think of it as a “what I wish I knew when I was you” talk, where you pass on valuable insights to your peers.
• Although not required, Long Trail strongly encourages students to take four years of mathematics, science, and social studies. The Dean of Academics must approve exceptions to the required course of study.
• In order to qualify for a diploma, students in grades 9 through 12 must satisfy the various departmental requirements regarding level of study and proficiency, and must successfully complete all requirements. Successful completion (passing grade) of a full-year course earns one (1) credit and a semester course earns one-half (.5) credit.
• Students in grades 9-11 are required to carry a minimum of 6 credits per year.
• Students in grades 12 are required to carry a minimum of 5 credits per year.
• Students are highly encouraged to take courses in all disciplines each year.
• International students must successfully complete at least one year of a mainstream English class in order to earn a LTS Diploma.
• Students may also complete summer work in order to accelerate into a higher-level course for the following year with prior approval.
• Long Trail students who complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, fully meeting all of their requirements, may also receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The cumulative credit requirements necessary for upper school grade level promotion are as follows:

• 9th grade to 10th grade: 6 credits (1 in English)
• 10th grade to 11th grade: 12 credits (2 in English)
• 11th grade to 12th grade: 18 credits (3 in English)
• Exceptions may apply to case managed students with differentiated learning plans.

LTS will honor all courses granted credit by a sending school, provided the school is an accredited secondary school. LTS will not apply middle school credits to its upper school requirements, nor does it accept independent study credit from other secondary schools. Transfer students must earn a minimum of twelve credits at LTS in order to meet graduation requirements. Exceptions to this must be presented to the Dean of Academics for approval. Transfer students will be placed in the grade deemed appropriate based on their transcript, previous upper school experience, and LTS entrance testing.

Grades 90-100%: Superior work marked by:

• Consistent and thorough preparation

• Exceptional grasp both of material and mechanics of subject, and outstanding recall

• Demonstrated ability to independently connect themes, ideas and concepts

• In independent work, demonstration of capacity for individual interpretation and analysis of materials derived from inquiry in depth, for discriminating selection of materials, and for clear and interesting presentation.

Grade 80-89%: Strong work marked by:

• Regular and thorough preparation

• Thorough grasp, both of material and mechanics of subject

• Capacity to recall material and make relationships to new material

• In independent work, a demonstration of depth of thought, of careful attention to sources and selection of material, and of capacity for clear presentation.

Grade 70-79%: Satisfactory work that may be marked by one or a combination of:

• Somewhat irregular preparation

• Adequate grasp of material and mechanics of subject

• Tendency to rely on memory rather than to identify relationships

• Basic focus on the material or topic

• In independent work, a survey approach rather than inquiry and analysis in depth; presentation may contain mechanical errors.

Grade 60-69%: Less than satisfactory work that may suggest inability to continue more advanced work in the subject with success. Often marked by:

• Hasty, irregular, inadequate preparation

• Under developed study skills and/or reading ability, limited motivation

• Carelessness in mechanics, presentation and/or completion of work.

Grade Below 60%

• A grade of 59 or below is a failure (F). A student receiving an F as a final year grade will be instructed as to whether they may retake the course at LTS or at an approved summer school to earn the credit. In some cases, a student with a semester or final grade of an F will be notified that their continued enrollment may be at risk.

Honors are awarded for students at the end of the first and second semesters and for year-long performances. Students electing to take a class on a Pass/Fail basis are not eligible for Academic Honors.

• Upper School High Honors: 93 or above in all courses (91 for IB courses)

• Upper School Honors: 90 or above in all courses (88 for IB courses)

• Middle School Honors: 90 or above in all courses

Permission to withdraw from a course is granted by the Dean of Academics on a case-by-case basis.

A student may not be permitted to withdraw from a course if it means that they will drop below the minimum course load. Students wishing to add/drop a course must complete a Course Change Form prior to the deadline.

During the first week of the first semester (for first semester and full-year courses) and at the beginning of the second semester (for second semester courses), an upper school student may follow the add/drop procedure to change courses. Students wishing to add/drop a course must complete a Course Change Form found on the LTS website. Students are not permitted to add or drop a new course after the add/drop period has ended.

Individually designed courses can be developed in specialized topics not offered within the regular LTS curriculum. These classes are generally reserved for juniors and seniors, and are treated as an exception, not an expectation, for students. An interested student may plan an individually designed course with a faculty member and submit a proposal for approval to the Dean of Academics. Students are limited to one individually designed course per semester and, with permission, the individually designed course can replace a course requirement. All proposals for first semester or full-year individually designed courses must be submitted no later than the add/drop deadline in order to be considered. Proposals for second semester individually designed courses must be submitted to the Dean of Academics no later than the first week of January. Students, advisors, and faculty supervisors will be notified if an individually designed course proposal has been approved.

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in good academic standing may arrange for either a first or second semester internship in substitution for up to two courses (excluding diploma requirements). The student must demonstrate in writing how the internship will meet the student’s learning objectives, how the student will be evaluated, and how the opportunity expands the student’s experience at LTS. The student must present the internship proposal to a faculty committee which will determine internship acceptability.

Dual enrollment allows Long Trail students to also take classes at some Vermont colleges and universities during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students can pursue online or in-person courses in topics that may not be offered at Long Trail or to complement their LTS courses. Students may get college credit in addition to Long Trail School credit. Dual enrollment is open to all 11th and 12th grade students; Vermonters from tuition-sending towns are awarded two vouchers to cover tuition. There is a brief application process.

The Vermont state college systems offers early college admissions to eligible high school juniors. Students earn dual credit and complete their high school diploma while enrolled full-time in a Vermont state college setting. Tuition is free in the Early College program, such that students complete their first year of college at zero cost. Interested students should discuss this opportunity with their school counselor.

Long Trail School believes that standardized testing can be a useful tool to examine student performance; skill mastery; and post-secondary exploration. Any questions regarding testing or result interpretation should be directed to the Dean of Academics. Students will engage in standardized testing over the course of their middle school and high school careers.

Fall

• PSAT (G10-11), required
• ACT (G11-12), optional college entrance exam
• SAT (G11-12), optional college entrance exam

Spring

• VTCAP – Language Arts (G6-9), required
• VTCAP – Mathematics (G6-9), required
• VTCAP – Science (G8,11), required
• ACT (G11-12), optional college entrance exam
• SAT (G11-12), optional college entrance exam