• Subject Area

    Description

    Personal Curriculum

    Grades 10 – 12

    Modifications

    English Language Arts
    4.0 credits

    Aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the Department and approved by the State Board of Education
    • English 9 or Honors English 9
    • English 10 or Honors English 10
    • English 11 or AP English Language & Composition
    • English 12 or AP English Literature & Composition
    • EL English Level 1, 2, 3, or 4

    No Option for Personal Curriculum

    AP Seminar and/or Research may replace the English 11 or English 12 requirement if AP Seminar/Research is taught by an English Certified teacher.
    Writing Center in 12th grade may replace the English 12 requirement

    Mathematics
    4.0 credits

    Aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the Department and approved by the
    State Board of Education.
    • Algebra I
    • Geometry
    • Algebra II
    • One additional math or math-related credit in the final year of high school

    Personal Curriculum Math Options (see below)

    Note: Must align with Educational Development Plan

    No Modification

    Science
    3.0 credits

    Aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the Department and approved by the
    State Board of Education.
    • Biology
    • Chemistry or Physics
    • 1 additional science credit

     

    No Option for Personal Curriculum

     

    No Modification

    Social Studies
    3.0 credits

     

    Aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the Department and approved by the
    State Board of Education.
    • 0.5 Civics
    • 0.5 Economics
    • U.S. History and Geography
    • World History and Geography

    All students:

    Complete 2 credits in social studies, including civics.

    Personal Curriculum Options:

    One additional credit in English Language arts, mathematics, science or in a language other than English

    OR

    Complete a formal Career Technical Education program (see Note 6)

     

    Note: Must align with Educational Development Plan

     

     

     

     

     

    No Modification

    Health and Physical Education

    1.0 credit

    Aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the Department and approved by the
    State Board of Education.

    Personal Curriculum Options:

    One additional credit in English Language arts, mathematics, science or in a language other than English

    OR

    Complete a formal Career Technical Education program (see Note 6)

     

    Note: Must align with Educational Development Plan

    Physical Education credit may be awarded through a flex option for students who participate in district approved extracurricular athletics or other district approved extracurricular physical activity

    Visual, Performing, Applied Arts, CTE
    1 credit

    Aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the Department and approved by the
    State Board of Education.


    One credit must be in the area of Visual, Performing or Applied Arts

    Personal Curriculum Options:

    One additional credit in English Language arts, mathematics, science or in a language other than English

    OR

    Complete a formal Career Technical Education program (see Note 5)

     

    Note: Must align with Educational Development Plan

     

     

     

     

    No Modification

    Online Learning Experience

    Online course or learning experience

    OR 

    Online experience is incorporated into each of the required credits

    No Option for Personal Curriculum

     

    No Modification

     

    World Languages

    2.0 credits

     

    Aligned with subject area content expectations developed by the Department and approved by the
    State Board of Education.


    Students must complete two credits in grades K – 12 that are grade appropriate in a language other than English or course work or other learning experiences that are substantially equivalent to 2 credits.

    No Option for Personal Curriculum

     

     

     

    Students may fulfill 1.0 credit with a formal Career Technical Education program or curriculum (see Note 5)

    OR

    Visual, Performing and Applied Arts course, plus four additional elective credits

    Personal Finance
    0.5 credit (Starting with the Class of 2028)

    May take as an independent course or embedded in Economics

    No Option for Personal Curriculum

    No Modification

    Michigan
    Merit Exam

    Students must participate

     

    Defined by the State of Michigan applicable to Special Education students

     

     

    Available Endorsements

     

     

     

    UCS Seal of Global Language

     

    Multi UCS Seal of Global Language proficiency pathways exist

    STEM Endorsement

    • 6 math credits
    • 6 science credits
    • 0.5 technology activities credits
    • 0.5 engineering activities credits

     

    AP Capstone Diploma

    Score of 3 or higher on the following exams:

    • AP Seminar Exam
    • AP Research Exam

    4 additional AP Exams

     

     

  • NOTES:

    1. To meet minimum graduation requirements, a total of 22 high school credits must be earned. One-half credit is granted for each semester course.
    2. Special Education students: The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) shall identify the appropriate course or courses of study and identify the supports, curricular requirements, or in a Personal Curriculum, and meet the requirements for a high school diploma.
    3. Each student is expected to successfully achieve a full high school program each year.
    4. It is the responsibility of students to meet with school staff to ensure course work meets the basic requirements of the college and/or career of their choice.
    5. A personal curriculum may be requested after completion of grade 9.
    6. Career Technical Education program or curriculum consists of the following requirements:
      1. A coherent sequence of courses so that students gain academic, technical, and work behavior skills.
      2. Instruction that includes classroom, laboratory, work-based learning, and leadership opportunities.
      3. Instruction that is supervised, directed, or coordinated by an appropriately certificated Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher.
      4. Consists of standards approved by the State Board of Education.
      5. Received approval from Michigan Department of Education/Office of Career and Technical Education through an application process.
      6. Successful completion is defined as completed coursework covering all program standards, and/or take any required technical assessment.
    7. If a pupil successfully completes one or more of the required high school credits before entering high school, the pupil shall be awarded high school credit.
      1. For the class of 2022 and beyond:
        1. Students who complete any of the 3 required math courses prior to grades 9 – 12 must still earn three math credits (taking one math class each year during grades 9 -11) in grades 9 – 12 and must successfully complete 1 credit in a math course or in a math related course during their senior year.
      2. For the class of 2023 thru 2026:
        1. Students who received a grade of credit (CR) for a high school course taken in grade 7 and/or grade 8, may choose to keep the CR or change the CR to the earned letter grade and the grade will count towards the Grade Point Average (GPA) and class ranking determination. This request will need to be submitted to the building principal by December 20, 2024.
        2. A parent or guardian must submit the UCS CR Removal to Letter Grade Form to the building principal requesting to have the CR changed to the earned letter grade.
      3. For the class of 2027:
        1. Students who received credit (CR) for a high school course taken in grade 7, may choose to keep the CR or change the CR to the earned letter grade and the grade will count towards the GPA and class ranking determination. This request will need to be submitted using the Utica Community Schools CR Removal to Letter Grade Form to the building principal by December 20, 2024.
        2. Students taking a high school course in 8th grade will earn a letter grade for the course according to the UCS grading policy for high school students. The high school course will be placed on the high school transcript and the grade will count towards the student’s GPA and class ranking. Any student taking a high school course prior to grade 9 can have the course removed from their transcript and may retake the course if the following criteria is met. A parent or guardian must submit the UCS Credit Removed Request Form to the building principal prior to the first day of the student starting grade 9, requesting the course to be removed from the student’s high school transcript and for the student to retake the course. Credits that are removed will act as if the course was never taken.
      4. Beginning with the classes of 2027 and 2028:
        1. Students taking a high school course prior to grade 9 will earn a letter grade for the course according to the UCS grading policy for high school students. The high school course will be placed on the high school transcript and the grade will count towards the GPA and class ranking determination.
        2. Any student taking a high school course prior to grade 9 can have the course removed from their transcript and may retake the course if the following criteria is met. A parent or guardian must submit the UCS Credit Removed Request Form to the building principal prior to the first day of the student starting grade 9, requesting the course to be removed from the student’s high school transcript and for the student to retake the course. Credits that are removed will act as if the course was never taken.
    8. In accordance with MCL 380.1278b each student shall be provided the following opportunities:
      1. Develop an Educational Development Plan (EDP) during grade 7 and shall have his or her EDP reviewed by school personnel during grades 8 – 12.
      2. Develop a Talent Portfolio. A talent portfolio shall be developed and revised throughout the implementation of a pupil’s EDP.
      3. Develop and use a resume and talent portfolio. In addition, know how to request and use a letter of reference and school record.

     

    Personal Curriculum Math Options

    A student earns Algebra II credit when he or she has demonstrated proficiency in the required content expectations for Algebra II. Students may take Algebra II over 1.5 years for 1.5 credits without requesting a Personal Curriculum. See the table below for additional options.

    Personal Curriculum Math Options Diagram