General Information
Introduction
Selecting a program of studies is one of the most important decisions students make. It becomes progressively more important, and often more difficult, as students move from the middle school to the high school. The broad curriculum and specific elective courses students select determine, to a large extent, the avenues of opportunity available to them during the immediate post-high school years. Choosing a pattern of courses that is challenging and worthwhile will promote students' personal satisfaction and permit them to achieve goals of value now as well as in the future.
Please review the curriculum and graduation guidelines provided throughout the webpage. It is important to consider your future goals and dreams as you select courses for next year. The world of work is rapidly changing as existing jobs become more complex and new jobs demand increased levels of education. Career planning is a life- long process that begins with the selection of courses during the high school years. It is important for underclassmen to think two and three years ahead and consider how this year’s course selections might have an impact upon future opportunities, not just seniors.
Selection of a program of studies, however, is only part of the obligation students must undertake in school. Study, preparation, participation, hard work, and, above all, disciplined behavior and attitude are further important ingredients necessary to achieve a well-rounded high school education.
A decision about a program of studies is not made by students alone. It is a cooperative effort on the part of students, parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators.
Counseling Services
Counselors at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School are available to help students understand abilities and pursue interests. They can help students define goals and learn about occupational areas. Most important, they wish to help students develop as individuals and be able to obtain the tools to reach future goals. Students are encouraged to meet with their counselors to discuss course selection.
There is a variety of factors to consider when making course selections:
1. Career goals and plans for post-high school training
2. Graduation requirements
3. Levels and weights of courses
4. Sequential subjects and prerequisites
5. Achievement record
6. Aptitude
7. Interests
Counselor E-mail addresses and phone numbers:
By students’ Last Names
Last Names A - D
Mrs. Emma Kromka ekromka@mbgsd.org 717-691-4547
Last Names E - K
Mrs. Ashlyn Ecker aecker@mbgsd.org 717-691-4545
Last Names L - R
Mr. Joel Covert jcovert@mbgsd.org 717-691-4546
Last Names S - Z
Miss Cori Galbraith cgalbraith@mbgsd.org 717-691-4544
Counselors at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School are available to help students understand abilities and pursue interests. They can help students define goals and learn about occupational areas. Most important, they wish to help students develop as individuals and be able to obtain the tools to reach future goals. Students are encouraged to meet with their counselors to discuss course selection.
Graduation Requirements
A requirement for graduation shall be the completion of required work and studies representing the instructional program assigned to grades 9 through 12, which are aligned to established state academic standards.
The Board requires that each candidate for graduation shall have earned twenty-six (26) credits including a successful completion of senior high project (.5 credit). Credits must include four (4) credits of English; three (3) credits of mathematics; three (3) credits of science; three (3) credits of social studies; two (2) credits of arts and/or humanities; two (2) credits of physical education; one-half (.5) credit of health; and eight (8) credits in the elective areas.
MASD School District Policy 217
Senior Alternative
MASH offers multiple programs that allow seniors to customize their senior year experience. The Senior Alternative is a privilege for 12th grade students who are in good academic and citizenry standing at MASH. The goal is to help members of the senior class to customize their senior year schedule to best prepare them for their immediate post-high school years. There are many advantages to the senior alternative pathway. Advantages include, arrive at the start of their first scheduled class on a given day, depart at the end of their last scheduled class on a given day, and students may schedule 4.5 credits as a minimum opposed to the traditional 6.5 credits for most seniors. Seniors should consult with their counselor to ensure they have enough credits to graduate prior to developing a reduced schedule.
DUAL ENROLLMENT – Earn high school and college credit for the same course.
- Opportunities available through our partner institutions of higher education. Please consult the Dual Enrollment Link on the Counseling webpage for information.
- Contact – your school counselor with questions.
INTERNSHIP – Gain practical experience by working in a profession.
- Refer to the External Programs Tab for more information. May be done for one (1) or both semesters.
- Contact –Mr. Luttermoser (jluttermoser@mbgsd.org)
WORK CO-OP – Receive credit and a wage while working at a job.
- Refer to the External Programs Tab for more information.
- Contact – Mr. Luttermoser (jluttermoser@mbgsd.org)
Design Your Own Course – Select your area of study and work with a mentor to achieve your goals.
- Application Process.
- Opportunities available in English, Social Studies, Science and Math.
- Contact – Mrs. Kline ( DKline@mbgsd.org )
SENIOR ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY (SOLO) – MASH offers a selection of online electives for seniors. To see the current offerings on the external programs tab. Please indicate the number of credits you plan to attempt during course selection.
- Each course is worth .5 credits. A total of 1.50 credits may be taken.
- Contact – your school counselor for questions.
Progressive Graduation and Senior Status
The graduation requirements for the Mechanicsburg Area School District are a combination of credits and proficiencies. It is essential that students and parents assist in the monitoring and attainment of credits. Below are the credit markers used to ensure that sufficient credits are earned within four years.
Grade 9 – Grade 10 Transition 6.0 credits minimum
Grade 10 – Grade 11 Transition 13.0 credits minimum
Grade 11 – *Graduating Senior Status 19.0 credits minimum
Diploma Earned 26 credit minimum
* Any MASH student who cannot attain the requisite number of credits for that academic year’s graduating class; and who therefore cannot earn the required credits for graduation prior to the evening of commencement (as determined by the credit total on the first day of the school year) will be designated a non-graduating senior and will not qualify for senior status. This designation applies whether he or she can potentially finish in the summer following commencement or if the student must return for some or all of a fifth year. With this status go the following conditions:
- Ineligibility for senior privileges, such as late arrival, early dismissal, and other senior alternative privileges.
- Non-participation in that year’s graduation ceremony, but eligibility to participate in the next ceremony as soon as graduation requirements are met.
Only credits received during the 9th through 12th grade years of high school will be added to the official high school transcript. No course, with credit or otherwise, will be included on the high school transcript if it was completed prior to entering 9th grade. This applies to all students whether they enter Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School from Mechanicsburg Middle School or are entering Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School at any time from a school district outside of the Mechanicsburg Area School district during the student’s high school career.
Act 158 Keystone Proficiency Experiences
All students who have not demonstrated proficiency on their Keystone Exams must reach a level of proficiency to earn a Mechanicsburg Area School District diploma. Any student in this situation will need to reach proficiency through participation in district designed experiences. These experiences are designed to further prepare students to transition beyond high school and to attain the level of performance required to obtain a diploma in Pennsylvania.
Project DREAMS
All students who desire to earn a diploma from Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School must satisfactorily complete the Graduation Project. Students earn .50 credit for satisfactory completion of the project. Grades are awarded as Honors (Distinguished), Pass, or Fail. The Project DREAMS graduation project guidelines are introduced beginning in the freshman Career Development course and are reviewed periodically throughout the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years.
Project DREAMS is designed so that students can explore, develop, and pursue their post-high school ambitions. The freshman Career Development course begins this process by teaching students how to research potential career areas using the web-based XELLO program, and guiding them through their first job shadow. The junior Career Development class helps to ensure students have the tools to pursue their goals by preparing a resume, cover letter, and building essential workplace skills. Students will also complete an additional job shadow during this class. The project culminates with an oral presentation, written reflection and online career portfolio during the fall of the student’s senior year. Questions should be directed to the Project DREAMS office at 717-691-2476, or via the Project DREAMS link on the district website (www.mbgsd.org)
Academic Load and Changing Courses
Students must carry six major subjects. If students wish to drop a course, they must do so before the end of the current year. Requests after the close of the current (2024-2025) school year will be restricted. Students are not permitted to drop courses once the 2025-26 school year begins. Students who wish to change their original course selections after they have been submitted, must make the request in writing to their counselor by the last student day of the 2024-2025 school year.
Class Rank
Ranking of all students begins in the freshman year and continues through senior year, and rank is computed each marking period using all major subjects. Grades for mid-terms and finals are also included in this rank. In order to provide an equitable class rank system, students are given two ranks: 1) a total class rank, based on grade point average and 2) a weighted rank, based on the course weight.
The weighted rank is computed by assigning a numerical value for each major subject. The weighted value (1.0 - 1.3) multiplied by the grade and divided by credits attempted results in a weighted average. The weighted averages are used to assign a weighted class rank. (There is a tab for a listing of course weights. Additionally with the departmental tabs for each department under the courses of study tab is the individual course descriptions and the weight of each specific course.)
Only class taught by MASD faculty are included in Class Rank. External programs and courses do not calculate into class rank.
Sequential Subjects and Prerequisites
It is strongly recommended that students earn a grade average of "C" or better before advancing to the next year of a subject (example - French I to French II). Students must also realize some courses have prerequisites.
Teacher Recommendations
(English, Social Studies, Math, and Science)
All returning MASH students will be recommended for their current level of courses as a part of course registration for the following year. Please understand that these recommendations are made in the best academic interest of the student. You are strongly encouraged to follow these recommendations. However, if you feel strongly that a change in level is appropriate please engage your child’s current teacher in that subject area and their counselor. Should a change be made, there is no assurance that a schedule adjustment will be able to be made at a later date if there is a desire to return to the recommended course level. Please refer to the course change information found in the Academic Load and Changing Courses section of this booklet.
Summer School
Students who fail a class are encouraged to attend summer school to retake and pass that class, therefore maintaining progress toward graduation. No student who has attained a grade of less than 50% may attend summer school and receive credit toward graduation without the approval of the principal. The maximum number of credits that a student may earn in summer school during the four years of high school is five, with a maximum of two per summer.
Repeating Subjects
A subject in which students have earned high school credit may not be re-scheduled for additional credit. If students fail a subject, they are STRONGLY encouraged to attend summer school. If this is not possible, courses may be repeated the following year if available for scheduling. Students are reminded to review their graduation credits with their counselor.
Senior Online Learning Opportunity (SOLO)
Students will be provided with a menu of online offerings. Our online offerings for seniors for 2025-2026
are offered based on career clusters and are through our partnership with CAOLA (the Capitol Area Online Learning
Academy). Each course is a .5 credit, self-paced elective, graded as a Pass/Fail course. A maximum of 1.50 credits
may be earned in this manner. If two (2) courses are taken in the same semester, they may count as a major course
for scheduling purposes.
Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center
Career education opportunities are available through the local career and tech school to students in tenth through twelfth grades. All students in ninth grade are oriented to these programs. Equal access to these vocational programs will be provided for all students, including handicapped and disadvantaged individuals. Further information is available within the External Programs tab.
Advanced Placement Courses
Students who plan to take any AP courses are advised to check with their potential colleges of choice regarding acceptance of AP exam scores for credit. Not all courses are offered every year.
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature & Composition
AP American History
AP European History
AP Government & Politics
AP Human Geography
AP Psychology
AP Statistics
AP Calculus I
AP Calculus II
AP Computer Science
AP Biology AP
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
AP Environmental Science
AP French
AP German
AP Spanish
AP Art History
College Athletics - NCAA Requirements
The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the academic and amateur credentials of all students who want to play sports in an NCAA Division I or II institution as freshmen. In order to practice, play and receive an athletic scholarship, students need to meet certain academic benchmarks. An additional certification process exists to make sure the student is still an amateur, necessary in order for the student to compete. For complete eligibility requirements refer to the NCAA’s website at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/ When you register for the SAT or ACT, use the NCAA Eligibility Center code of 9999 to ensure all scores are reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Test scores that appear on your transcript will not be used.
The following requirements must be met in order for a student to be able to practice, play and receive a scholarship at an NCAA Division I or II college or university.
Please refer to the Course Weights Tab to identify MASH Course Offerings that have received NCAA approval.
Division I:
1. Graduate from high school;
2. Complete a minimum of 16 core courses;
3. Complete 10 core courses, including seven in English, math or natural/physical science, before the seventh semester;
4. Present a minimum 2.30 core-course grade-point average (GPA);
5. Present a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT; and
6. Complete the amateurism questionnaire and request final amateurism certification.
Division I Core-Course Breakdown (Courses MUST appear on your list of Approved Core Courses)
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
- 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of a lab science)
- 1 extra year of English, math, or natural or physical science
- 2 years of social science
- 4 years of extra core courses from any category above or world language
Division II:
1. Graduate from high school;
2. Complete a minimum of 16 core courses;
3. Present a minimum 2.20 core-course grade-point average (GPA);
4. Present a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT; and
5. Complete the amateurism questionnaire and request final amateurism certification.
Division II Core-Course Breakdown (Courses MUST appear on your list of Approved Core Courses):
- 3 years of English
- 2 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
- 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of a lab science)
- 3 additional years of English, math, or natural or physical science
- 2 years of social science
- 4 years of extra core courses from any category above or world language