Lori Ratliff
Director of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Pathways
Curriculum and Assessment Home
Curriculum and Assessment
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District 155 offers a comprehensive curriculum at its four high schools and the Haber Oaks Campus. This rigorous curriculum, which is infused with numerous career experiences for students, helps all students “Enter with promise. Leave with purpose.”Teachers and staff take great pride in the standard of academic excellence throughout the district.
The curriculum guide provides an overview of courses and academic pathways offered across Community High School District 155. You will find detailed course descriptions designed to support academic planning and career pathways.
Academic Grades
Student grades are reported by semester. Semester grades are calculated based on weighted categories of formative and summative assessments and a possible final exam. Percentages assigned to each category may vary based on the course, with the potential final exam counting for no more than 20% of the overall grade.
Grades are posted and updated regularly in the Skyward online gradebook.
Beginning with the graduating class of 2019, District 155 students will no longer receive a class rank, but will continue to have a GPA.
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In an effort to ensure consistency in grading practices, the following grading scale is used throughout all courses.
Letter Grade High Low *A grade of "C" is the minimum achievement expected for college preparation.*
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The grade point average system is separated into three categories: General (G), Honors (H), and Dual Credit / Advanced Placement® (AP®). To determine GPA, please use the following scale:
Letter Grade General Honors Dual Credit/ Advanced Placement®
Courses
General Courses
General (G) courses are for students who have attained fundamental school skills and who are working toward higher competencies.
Honors Courses
Honors (H) courses are for students working at higher, challenging levels and demonstrating skills at an accelerated pace.
Advanced Placement® (AP®) Courses
Advanced Placement® (AP®) courses are for students with exceptionally rapid learning abilities who are preparing for an AP® examination.
Dual Credit Courses
Dual credit courses provide students the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit while taking the course.
Graduation Requirements
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In order to graduate, D155 students must obtain 20.25 credit units.
Computer Education
0.5 units
English
4.0 units
Social Science (1)
2.0 units
Science
2.0 units
Mathematics (2)
3.0 units
Elective Courses (3)
6.0 units
Consumer Education (4)
0.25 units
Classroom Driver Education
0.25 units
Physical Education & Health
2.25 units
Career Experiences Program (5)
0.0 units
TOTAL
20.25 units
(1) At least one year of Social Science must be United States History. Students are also required to fulfill the global education requirement during their freshman or sophomore year and one semester of Civics. Courses that meet the Civics requirement will be noted in the Social Science section of the course catalog.(2) One credit of Mathematics must be in Algebra I, and one credit must be a course that includes Geometry content.
(3) One credit of electives must be in art, foreign language, music, or vocational education.
(4) Courses that fulfill the consumer education credit will be noted in the course catalog.
(5) The Career Experiences Program (CEP) requirement will be met by successful completion of all tasks assigned in the required seminar/advisory class each year. This graduation requirement begins with the class of 2025.
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Most colleges have courses that they require incoming students to have taken in high school. Unfortunately, not all schools have the same entrance requirements. Some colleges might have entrance requirements that exceed Community High School District 155's graduation requirements.
When a student knows which college he/she would like to attend, he/she should carefully check that school's entrance requirements. The following high school courses would meet the requirements of most colleges:- English >> 4 years
- Math >> 3 years
- Science >> 3 years
- Social Science >> 3 years
- Foreign Language/Fine Arts >> 2 years
Some colleges require less or will allow substitutions with vocational courses.
College entrance requirements are confusing and subject to change without notice. District 155 encourages all students to meet with school counselors to help clarify the requirements for specific schools.
Standardized Testing
Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the state of Illinois switched to the ACT for the high school spring accountability exam. This means that all freshmen-juniors are required to take a version of the ACT during the school day in April. Freshmen will take the PreACT9, sophomores will take the PreACT Secure, and juniors will take the ACT with writing. Seniors are excused from school during the testing day(s).
For more information about the ACT, including the various test sections and timing, please visit the link below:
For more information about the state’s required testing, please visit the link below:
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While there is no charge for the ACT that juniors take during the school day in April, some students may want to take the ACT again on their own. The exam is offered multiple times throughout the year at national testing sites. If you wish to take the ACT on a national testing date, please click below to see upcoming test dates.
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Students have the option to take the SAT on a national test day through the CollegeBoard. They must register and pay for that test administration. If students wish to take the SAT on a national test date, they should visit the link below to see the upcoming test dates.
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ISBE’s Assessment Inventory Results Tracker is offered as a tool to help school districts meet reporting requirements under Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/22-82.
Seal of Biliteracy
Any D155 student who believes they have met the requirements to earn the Seal or Commendation of Biliteracy should complete this application. Once the application has been submitted, D155 staff will work to confirm the information provided and will be in touch to let you know if the Seal or Commendation has been awarded or if further information is required.
If you have any questions when completing the application, please contact your World Language instructor or email the Director of Teaching, Learning, Curriculum, & Pathways (Lori Ratliff, lratliff@d155.org).