Level Placement

Level placement is used in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and world languages. The underlying goals and purposes are provided below. Students are assigned to the appropriate level based upon a combination of the following criteria:

• Stevenson departmental placement examinations
• past academic performance
• teacher recommendations
• student interest

The content area director considers each of these factors prior to determining a student's placement in a particular level or course.

College Core
This sequence of courses is designed to provide students with the opportunity to study college preparatory courses at a less rigorous pace.

College Prep
This sequence of courses provides students with the traditional college preparatory program. It is designed to prepare the student for entrance into college and for academic success in the college classroom. Students have an opportunity to pursue four years of mathematics, science, English, social studies and world languages.

Honors/Accelerated
This sequence of courses is designed to enable students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Students who complete the sequence may have the opportunity to earn college credit or placement through the Advanced Placement Examination.

Science Requirements
Students must complete two semesters of a biological science and two semesters of a physical science in order to fulfill this requirement. Six semesters of lab science are required for admission to most four-year universities.

Physical Education Requirements and Waivers
Students must participate in physical education during each semester they are enrolled in school unless:

Level Placement

•    the student is enrolled in Health Education (for the first time)
•    the student is enrolled in Applied Health Education
•    the student is enrolled in Driver Education (for the first time)
•    the junior or senior student receives an athletic waiver (see Athletic Waiver Policy)
•    the student is enrolled in first semester Marching Band or Color Guard
•    the student is enrolled in Dance
•    the senior student receives an academic waiver for six non- physical education classes

Refer to the section on waiver policies for more specific information.

Note: Students may elect to stay in physical education and forfeit any waivers.

Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) Requirement
By law, all juniors must take the Illinois State Examination. The Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) is required for graduation.

"The 46th Credit"
While not one of the 45 credits required for graduation from Stevenson High School, the "46th Credit" is as important as the rest. The "46th Credit" fulfills a District 125 commitment to provide students with a coordinated education and awareness program with critical information about alcohol and other drug use, as well as resources for support.

During their years at Adlai E. Stevenson High School, students are provided with information about substance abuse and are introduced to a variety of substance abuse prevention activities through Stevenson High School's Student Assistance Program. During the three week Drug Education unit in the Health Education classes, all students are issued a "46th Credit" manual which contains current information on the dangers associated with tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, addiction, recovery, available student prevention programs, school tobacco/drug/alcohol policies, state laws and local ordinances, as well as resources for assistance within the school and community. Students are held accountable for this information and must pass a test during their Health Education class in order to satisfy this requirement. This test, devised by the school's Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, is based directly on the information contained in "The 46th Credit" manual. The Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator personally works with all students who have not taken or passed "The 46th Credit" exam in the Health Education classes to ensure that this graduation requirement is met. Seniors must have passed "the 46th credit" exam in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.

One Stevenson Drive|Lincolnshire, IL 60069|Phone 847.415.4000|Contact SHS

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