Academic Support

Did you know you can now check grades online?

Here you will find information on graduation requirements, course offerings, class schedules, Running Start and Tech Prep.

As students navigate their way through high school it is important to continually keep the future in mind.  Deciding what you will do after graduation is not an easy task. The military? Community College?  Technical school? University? The workforce?  What will be the right decision for you? Throughout high school students will have the opportunity to appraise their abilities and interests.

Each year students work individually with their counselor to identify what classes will best meet the needs of each student. 

 

Graduation Requirements	Class Schedules
Running Start	Class Descriptions
Tech Prep	Schedule Changes

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from Mount Baker students must meet certain requirements.  These standards are set by the Mount Baker School Board.  Starting with the class of 2006 students will have to complete a PRIDE Presentation in addition to the requirements listed below.

 

Class Name	Credits needed in each academic area:
(each class is worth .5 credit)
	Class of 2008	Class of 2009	Class of 2010 and 2011
English	4	4	4
Lab Science	1	1	1
Science	2	2	2
Earth & Space Science	1	1	1
PE	2	2	2
Health	.5	.5	.5
Math	3	3	3
Math-DS (block, taken 10th grade year)	1	1	1
WA State History	Taken in 8th grade	Taken in 8th grade	Taken in 8th grade
World History	1	1	1
US History I	1	1	.5
US History II	1	1	1
US Government	.5	.5	.5
Current World Problems	.5	.5	.5
Occupational Education	1	1	1
Fine Arts	1	1	1
Electives	10	10	10.5
Total Credits Needed	30.5	30.5	30.5
Must meet standards on WASL	Writing, Reading	Writing, Reading	Writing, Reading
Must complete a PRIDE Presentation	Yes	Yes	Yes

Just because a student meets MBHS requirements does not mean that they have met minimum college admissions requirements.  Click here to see the minimum requirements for a 4-year college.

Class Schedules

MBHS uses a block schedule.  Students take 8 classes each semester.  There are 4 classes each day with each class lasting 85 minutes.  Periods 1-4 meet on one day (A days) and periods 5-8 meet on the next day (B days).  

Working with teachers, parents, and counselors students can create a schedule that helps them work towards graduation and their post-high school goals.  Check out typical schedules below:

Scheduling for the next year starts with pre-registration in February and final registration occurs at the end of May.

Schedule Changes

For students to change their schedule they must see his/her counselor.  Schedule changes are only made for compelling academic reasons.  Below are the common reasons why a schedule can be changed:

Schedule changes occur for the first four days of the semester.  After the 8th day of the semester a student may not add or drop a class without receiving a failing grade.  Any exceptions to this rule must have administrative approval.

Class descriptions

Mount Baker offers over 75 courses to choose from. The course description book is a great resource to use as students plan out their class schedules.  Using Adobe Reader, you can download the course description book here.

Course Description Book (PDF)

Running Start 

The Running Start program is a state-wide partnership between high schools and community and technical colleges.  The program allows high school juniors and seniors to attend community college and technical school classes tuition free, and earn college credits which also apply to high school graduation requirements.   Students may enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes, or solely in college classes.

To participate students must be of eleventh or twelfth grade standing, as determined by the public high school. There are no GPA requirements however,  students must take an assessment test and place at or above college level English.

College tuition is paid by the state for students who are enrolled in the Running Start program.  Students are responsible for purchasing their own  books and any other equipment or lab fees.  Students are also responsible for their own transportation.  

While Running Start is a great opportunity, the decision to participate in this program should not be taken lightly.  Each March we have an extensive information night that parents and students are strongly encouraged to attend. Also, don't hesitate to call or talk with any of the counselors.

Most MBHS students attend either Whatcom Community College or Bellingham Technical College, but students are able to attend Skagit Valley Community College as well.

Is Running Start right for you?

Before attending any college it important to make sure you know all the information. There are potential pitfalls to attending college as a high school student.

1) Tuition is paid but you are responsible for books and transportation.

2) College classes are more challenging and students must be responsible and disciplined.

3) The average student's grade point may drop when attending college.

4) Some 4-year colleges, (especially out of state) do not accept some community college credits earned while still in high school.

5) All grades and credits earned in Running Start become part of your permanent cumulative college transcript.

6) Changing schedules at the college (by adding additional college classes) winter quarter can be challenging because there is a 3 week overlap of first semester high school classes after winter quarter at the colleges begin.

Are you eligible for Running Start?

1) The student must be under 21 years of age on September 1 of the present school year

2) The student must be eligible to enroll in the school district (and attendance area of the designated high school) in which the person seeks to obtain the award of the Running Start program

3) The student must be under the grade placement policies of the school district to be in the 11th or 12th grade (14 credits or more)

4) The student must not have a high school diploma. (Students with a GED may still participate in the Running Start Program)

5) The student must take an assessment test at Whatcom Community College or Bellingham Technical College and place at a level where he/she can qualify for college level courses (100 level or above). 

Benefits of Running Start?

 

*To get tuition paid and earn credits at college while still completing a high school diploma

* To be able to take a wider variety of classes at college that are not offered at Mount Baker

* To go to college for an adult environment instead of a high school setting

* To learn a skill for a future career or to be able to support yourself while continuing your education

* To earn a 2 year transfer degree and high school diploma simultaneously. The student can then apply to a 4 year public university in the state, and be admitted with junior status.

Which college should I attend?

Before going to Running Start it is important to investigate which college program best suites your needs. 

Whatcom Community College (WCC) - WCC offers a variety of programs for students. If a student is thinking about transfering to a 4 year college, then WCC is the place to attend.  WCC's courses are often transferable to other institutions.  Students attending WCC tend to take more traditional academic courses (English, History, Math, etc.).  Due to the flexibility in class choice at WCC it is usually easier to meet MBHS graduation requirements.

Bellingham Technical College (BTC)- BTC offers very specific technical training programs. Students must have a clear focus and interests to attend.  Because programs are so specific it can be more difficult to meet MBHS graduation requirements. If a student is excited about the opportunity to start learning a trade, then BTC is the place to go.

Tech Prep

Tech prep is way for students to earn college credit while taking classes at MBHS.  For all the details on this program go to the career center's tech prep page focusing on all the details.