Curriculum
The specific courses each RCHS student will take during their two years to earn a high school diploma while accumulating college credits ultimately depends on each individual student’s academic skills and career goals. However, students will not be allowed to select their courses without academic advisement. Students must first follow the path that leads to high school diploma. A student must enroll each semester through an RCHS academic advisor. They will review the student’s academic record to identify the courses the student should take the next semester and for the remainder of time at RCHS.
In addition to earning a high school diploma, RCHS students will work to complete the Dallas County Community College District core curriculum. This curriculum adheres to state requirement for every higher education institution to offer a core curriculum of 42-48 credit hours that meets the goals outlined below. When a student successfully finishes a college’s core curriculum, it is transferable to any other Texas state higher education institution. In other words, a student who completes the core curriculum at Richland College can transfer to any other Texas state college or university without being required to take any of that institution’s core courses.
The following chart compares high school graduation requirements for the “Recommended” and “Distinguished Achievement” diplomas with Richland College ‘s core curriculum requirements:
| High School Graduation Requirements | RLC Core Curriculum Requirements |
|---|---|
English/Language Arts (4 credits)
| Communications (9 credit hours)
|
Mathematics (3* credits)
*4 credits for Distinguished Achievement | Mathematics (3 credit hours) (DMAT 0098, 0099 = Alg. II)
|
Science (3* credits)
*4 credits for Distinguished Achievement | Lab Sciences (8 credit hours)
|
Social Studies (31/2 credits)
| Social/Behavioral Sciences (12 credit hours)
|
Economics (1/2 credit)
| Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 credit hours)
|
Foreign Language (2* credits)
*3 credits for Distinguished Achievement | No foreign language requirement |
Physical Education (11/2 credits)
| Physical Education (1 credit hour)
|
Health Education (1/2 credit)
| No health education requirement (PHED 1301) |
Speech (1/2 credit)
| Communications (3 credit hours)
|
Technology Applications (1 credit)
| Technology Applications (3 credit hours)
|
Fine Arts (1 credit)
| Visual and Performing Arts (3 credit hours)
|
| Humanities No humanities requirement | Humanities (3 credit hours)
|
| Electives (21/2 credits) Preferably courses in English, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies (21/2) | Electives Selected with advisor to include courses to complete high school graduation requirements |
| *State Recommended requires 24 credits *Distinguished Achievement requires 26 credits in addition to Advanced Measures | *An Associates degree requires additional courses. Please refer to your specific degree plan for the required number of college hours for an Associates degree. |
RHCS students will enter after completing the 9th and 10 grades and the high school graduation requirements taught in those grades. For their electives in the 11th and 12th grades, they will take the additional courses in areas such as English to complete their high school graduation requirements. As available, these students may also take electives in courses they need to help them prepare for their career goals or to meet curriculum requirements at their anticipated transfer university.