Our high schools use a 4×4 block schedule, which is a structure that provides students the opportunity to expand their horizons by enrolling in additional courses.

Helpful Information for Registration

  • Enroll in four classes each term if you’re an underclassman
  • Consider course prerequisites
  • Examine entrance requirements at various post-secondary institutions
  • Review minimum course requirements for admission to Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa.
  • Earn 53 credits to meet graduation requirements, as adopted by the Waukee School Board. A credit is defined as a passing grade in a term (9 weeks) of a given course.
    Graduation Requirements Credits ***World Language NOT required to graduate
    English 8 Speech Required
    Math 6
    Science 6
    Social Studies 6 Must include US History  (2) & Government
    Financial Literacy 1
    Health 1
    Physical Education 4 *One credit each year
    Electives 21 Includes Additional Core
    Total Credits 53

Course Format Terminology

  • Skinny Course. This course is offered for a semester in length for 45 minutes (½ block). Only specific courses are developed in this format to meet scheduling needs.
  • Virtual Course. These courses are offered online. Students are not required to attend in person.
  • Hybrid Course. Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with online learning. A portion of a hybrid course is scheduled on campus, and the rest is completed online. Hybrid courses offer students the best of both worlds — regularly scheduled interaction with teachers and flexibility of computer-based learning. All hybrid students must meet classroom and/or online requirements.

RAI: If a course has RAI (Regent Admission Index) listed after it, that course will be used in calculating a student’s RAI score. Iowa high school graduates must achieve a Regent Admission Index (RAI) score of at least 245 and take the minimum number of required high school courses to qualify for automatic admission as freshmen to Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa. The RAI Core Course Lists provide each Iowa high school with a list of their respective courses that are accepted for the RAI. Students who achieve a score less than 245 will be considered for admission on an individual basis.

The RAI combines factors that strongly predict success at the Regent Universities: ACT or SAT test score, high school cumulative grade-point average, and the number of completed high school core courses.

Below is a detailed description of the RAI formula:

The RAI Formula

(3 x ACT composite score)
+ (30 x Cumulative GPA)
+ (5 x Number of years of RAI-approved high school courses completed in the core subject areas)
= RAI score

I’M GOING INTO 10TH GRADE.  WHAT SHOULD I REGISTER FOR?

SUBJECT CURRENT COURSE → REGISTER FOR THIS NOTES TO CONSIDER
Math Basic Algebra I → Algebra I

Algebra I → Basic or Formal Geometry

Formal Geometry → Algebra II or Foundations of Algebra II

Algebra II → Trig or Prob/Stats or AP Stats or Finite Math

 Consult your current teacher and/or counselor for their recommendation. One math course per year is sufficient, but you can register for more if you would like.
Science Physical Science → Modern Bio or Honors Bio Consult your current teacher and/or counselor for their recommendation.
Social Studies Modern World History → Nothing Required for 10th Grade Recent U.S. History and Contemporary Affairs are available, but not required.
English English I → English II

Honors English I → Honors English II

Speech if still needed

 To move up or down a level, consult your teacher and counselor.
World Language Level 1 → Level 2* (Not Required)

Level 2 → Level 3* (Not Required)

 Current teacher may offer advice on whether or not to continue taking world language classes.

Not required to graduate (see notes below for more info).
PE/Health PE 9th → PE (Choose one from guide)

Health 9th → No additional Health Required

 Students must take PE in 10th grade. 9th grade Health meets the graduation requirement.
Electives Students may be taking a variety of Electives in 9th grade. These count for HS credit. Do no repeat a class you earned/will earn credit for in 9th Grade. Pay close attention to prerequisites before selecting electives.  

I’M GOING INTO 11TH GRADE.  WHAT SHOULD I REGISTER FOR?

SUBJECT CURRENT COURSE → REGISTER FOR THIS NOTES TO CONSIDER
Math Algebra I → Basic of Formal Geometry 

Basic Geometry → Foundations of Algebra or Consumer or Formal Geometry

Formal Geometry →Algebra II or Foundations of Algebra II

Algebra II → Trig or Prob/Stats or Finite Math or AP Stats

Prob/Stats → Trig or Finite or AP Stats

Trig → Prob/Stats or Finite or PreCalc or AP Stats

Pre-Calculus → AP Calculus or AP Stats

 Consult your current teacher and/or counselor for their recommendation.

See notes below for more guidance.

Trig/Prob and Stats are not required.

Algebra II is the highest math needed for college entrance.
Science Modern Biology → Chemistry or Ecology or Astronomy or Geology

Honors Biology → Chemistry

Chemistry → AP Biology or AP Chemistry or AP Physics

 Consult your current teacher and/or counselor for their recommendation.

See notes below for more guidance.
Social Studies You may or may not have taken Social Studies in 10th Grade → U.S. History or AP U.S. History You may take additional SS courses. 
English English II → English III

Honors English II → AP Lang

Speech if still needed

 To move up or down a level, consult your teacher and counselor.

 
World Language Level 1 → Level 2* (Not Required)

Level 2 → Level 3* (Not Required)

Level 3 → Level 4* (Not Required)

 Current teacher may offer advice on whether or not to continue taking world language classes.

Not required to graduate. (See notes below for more info.)
PE/Health PE  → PE (choose one from guide)

Health required before graduation

 Students must take PE in 11th grade. 

You can repeat the same PE.
Electives Students may be taking a variety of electives in 10th grade. Do not repeat a class you earned/will earn credit for in 9th or 10th grade Pay close attention to prerequisites before selecting electives.  

I’M GOING INTO 12TH GRADE.  WHAT SHOULD I REGISTER FOR?

SUBJECT CURRENT COURSE → REGISTER FOR THIS NOTES TO CONSIDER
Math Basic Geometry →  Foundations of Algebra II or Consumer

Formal Geometry → Algebra II or Foundations of Algebra II

Algebra II → Trig or Prob/Stats or Finite Math or AP Stats

Prob/Stats → Trig or Finite Math or AP Stats

Trig → Prob/Stats or Finite or Precalculus or AP Stats

Pre-Calculus → AP Calculus AB

Finite Math → Trig or Prob/Stats or AP Stats

AP Stats → Consult Math Teacher or Counselor

AP Calculus AB → AP Calculus BC

AP Calculus BC → Consult Math Teacher or Counselor

 Consult your current teacher and/or counselor for a recommendation.

See notes below for more guidance.

Trig is not required.

Math is encouraged every year for four-year, college- bound students.
Science Chemistry → AP Biology or AP Chemistry or Anatomy or AP Physics

AP Biology or AP Chemistry or Anatomy or AP Physics → You May Choose Another Course from the Science Department

Ecology or Astronomy or Geology → Ecology or Astronomy or Geology

 Consult your current teacher and/or counselor for a recommendation.

See notes below for more guidance.

Science not required Senior year if 6 credits completed.
Social Studies U.S. History → Government or AP Government

AP U.S. History → AP Government or Government

 You may still need one additional SS course. 
English English III → English IV and/or Oral Communications or English elective

AP Lang → AP Lit and/or Oral Communications

 

 English IV recommended for college-bound students
World Language Level 1-Level 5 → Level 2-5* (Not Required) Check with current teacher.

Not required to graduate. (See notes below for more info.)
PE/Health PE  → PE (Choose one from guide)

Health Required for Graduation

 *May be exempt from PE 12th grade. 

You can repeat the same PE.
Electives Students may be taking a variety of electives in 11th grade. Do not repeat a class you earned/will earn credit for in 9th-11th grade. Pay close attention to prerequisites before selecting electives.  

Requesting a Schedule Change

Please keep in mind the master schedule is developed by the number of course selections identified by students during the registration process. School administrators make decisions regarding the number of sections per department based on students’ course selections. For those reasons, we ask that students please be wise when initially registering and inputting their course requests.

Initial registration takes place in school, but communication will be facilitated through your child’s advisor.  Student schedule changes may be limited to the following:

  1. Approved level changes by the parent, teacher, and counselor within the first two weeks of the term — pending space available in the course.
  2. Failure in the prerequisite course.
  3. Computer and/or clerical error. Student requests are stored in PowerSchool.
  4. Special programming placement.
  5. Prerequisites not completed.
  6. Students who must enroll in a course to meet graduation requirements or college entrance requirements, as outlined by college communication.
  7. Seniors wanting to add/drop a course without disturbing the rest of the schedule within the first two days of the term (if space is available in the course).
  8. Administrator approval.

Course Guide

Please click on the content areas below to access information about the courses offered. If you have questions about registration procedures or your specific educational plan, please contact your counselor.