Dear Student,
This catalog contains a comprehensive program of study with a vast and varied selection of courses. The courses offered at Darien High School provide an array of possibilities for building a curriculum that is rich with theory as well as practical application. As you select your courses for the upcoming academic year please be cognizant of your interests, future plans, graduation requirements, and prerequisites. Make sure to discuss your goals and aspirations with your parents, teachers, and guidance counselor who will guide you in building a program of study that will help you achieve those goals.
Darien High School prides itself on its ability to provide an environment where students are encouraged to be reflective thinkers while striving for excellence. In the course selection process you have an exciting opportunity to realize your full potential while striving for that excellence. Please make sure to give it the attention that it requires.
Sincerely,
Dan Haron - Principal
COURSE SELECTION: Students choose their courses after consulting with their teachers, parents and guidance counselor. All students are required to carry a minimum of six full time subjects, in addition to Physical Education, each semester. It is recommended that at least four of the six subjects be in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and World Language. Seniors who are taking three or more courses at the Honors or Advanced Placement level have the option to take only five full time subjects, in addition to PE.
REGISTRATION: Both students and parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with course descriptions, paying particular attention to the prerequisites for each course. Course level is initially recommended by the teacher and the Department according to the stated pre-requisites. During registration students must note alternative electives in case their original course requests are not offered or do not fit in their schedules. A list of selected courses is sent home during this process for parent signature.
SCHEDULES: Students may NOT change courses once they have been registered as registration determines which courses and the number of sections that will be required for the next school year. Final student schedules (course selections), which may reflect the changes necessary to balance class sizes and maintain students registration requests, are mailed home during the summer. Teachers’ names do not appear on preliminary schedules (course selections) and requests to change sections to have a choice of teacher are not honored.
A WORD OF CAUTION: The budgeting of time, creating a balance between academic pursuits and activities outside of the classroom, is not an easy task. Students are encouraged to seek the advice of their parents, teachers, and counselor in determining what is an appropriate and sensible program of study.
Setting the display mode to table will give you the most compact view.
DHS levels decoded: 200: Skills | 300: Regular | 400: Honors/AP | 650: Course may be repeated | 750: Co-curricular
Activities | 900: Heterogeneous enrollment
Note: Some courses listed in this catalog may not be offered this school year as actual course offerings are limited by total registrations and by staff availability.
See something strange? Typos? Think you found an error? Please email Sean Otterspoor and let him know.