Course Descriptions
Students and families often seek clarity on two common questions:
- Which classes are required for graduation?
- Which courses best support post-secondary goals?
This Course Selection Guide is designed to address those questions and support intentional decision-making throughout the high school journey.
Selecting courses throughout your four years of high school is an important step in shaping your future academic and career opportunities. Thoughtful planning allows you to build a strong foundation in core subjects while gradually exploring areas that connect to your interests and long-term goals. Each course you choose contributes to the skills, knowledge, and experiences that prepare you for success in college, technical training, the workforce, and beyond.
At the same time, planning your coursework does not lock you into a single pathway. Instead, it opens doors by giving you the chance to discover new possibilities and deepen your understanding of fields you may want to pursue. By intentionally choosing courses that challenge you, spark curiosity, and support your growth, you equip yourself to take on more advanced or specialized studies in the future. High school is a time to explore, learn, and refine your goals—and your course selections are an important tool in that journey.
Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Your interests, experiences, and goals will evolve over time, and effective planning requires regular reflection. The Four-Year Planning Guide provides a framework to help you set goals, review your progress, and make updates as new ideas and opportunities arise. Students are encouraged to revisit their goals each year—and even within each semester—to ensure that course selections continue to reflect their abilities, curiosity, and long-term objectives. The process is flexible by design: setting goals does not commit you to a single pathway but instead supports exploration and informed decision-making.
Career goals answer the question: what do I want to do in the future? Your career goals should be realistic and should influence your choices for postsecondary preparation and career planning. Update your goals each year as your interests and circumstance change. There is no "right" answer- it is about you finding out what interests you and taking steps to prepare for your life after high school.
Planning Documents
Goal Setting Guide
Goal Setting Guide
| Start Here | Where do you start? Ask yourself these questions every year- be open to opportunities. Identify what you like and what you don't like! | Complete and update this form before course selection each year. Review with your Counselor to learn more about opportunities. |
| Grade 9 | What are my career goals? | |
| What post-secondary education do I need to meet my goals? | ||
| What courses do I need to take in HS to meet my goals? | ||
| What work-based, extra-curricular, or volunteer experiences will help me to reach my goals? | ||
| Grade 10 | What are my career goals? | |
| What post-secondary education do I need to meet my goals? | ||
| What courses do I need to take in HS to meet my goals? | ||
| What work-based, extra-curricular, or volunteer experiences will help me to reach my goals? | ||
| Grade 11 | What are my career goals? | |
| What post-secondary education do I need to meet my goals? | ||
| What courses do I need to take in HS to meet my goals? | ||
| What work-based, extra-curricular, or volunteer experiences will help me to reach my goals? | ||
| Grade 12 | What are my career goals? | |
| What post-secondary education do I need to meet my goals? | ||
| What courses do I need to take in HS to meet my goals? | ||
| What work-based, extra-curricular, or volunteer experiences will help me to reach my goals? | ||
Four Year High School Planning Guide
COUNCIL ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOUR YEAR HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING GUIDE
The classes chosen are based upon successful completion of academic course work.
Name:
Grade:
Counselor:
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REQUIRED COURSES 23 Credits- Total |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
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English 4 Credits (1 CR/Year) |
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Math 3 Credits (9-12) |
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Science 3 Credits (9-12) |
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Social Studies 3 Credits (9-12) |
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Physical Education 1.5 Credits |
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Health .5 Credit |
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Arts and Humanities 2 Elective Credits |
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Electives 6 Elective Credits |
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**Personal Finance .5 Credit Required beginning Class of 2030 |
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TOTAL CREDITS- 23 |
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Academic Planning
Academic Planning
Academic planning involves understanding graduation requirements, identifying the sequence of courses in each subject area, and selecting electives that complement required coursework. The planning guide outlines the core credit requirements and provides space for students to map out the courses they have completed and those they intend to take. By consulting prerequisites, recommended course sequences, and available electives, students can build a four-year overview that supports their academic growth. This guide also serves as a progress chart, giving students and families a clear view of how each year’s choices contribute to the student’s overall graduation plan.
Use the chart provided below to assist you in the course selection process. Reference the course progression charts and the course descriptions in each department section to determine the path you would like to follow in order to meet your goals.
Talk to your teachers and counselors to learn more and to help you make decisions.
| 23 Credits Total for Graduation |
Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | |
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| ENGLISH 4 Credits (1 credit a year) |
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| SOCIAL STUDIES 3 Credits |
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| MATH 3 Credits |
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| SCIENCE 3 Credits |
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| ARTS AND HUMANITIES 2.0 Credits |
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| PHYSICAL EDUCATION 1.5 Credits HEALTH 0.5 Credit (10th Grade) |
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| ELECTIVE CREDITS** 6.0 |
*.5 Personal Finance required Class of 2030 |
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| TOTAL CREDITS |
6 |
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PLEASE NOTE:
-Many colleges/universities require that students take at least 2 years of the same foreign language.
-In order to graduate, one of the 5 Pathways to Graduation must be met. KEYSTONE EXAMS are given in English 10, Biology, and Algebra 1.
-*Financial Literacy (.5 credit) will be required as an elective credit beginning with the Class of 2030. Students may select when they will schedule the course over their 4 years of high school; however, the course must be successfully completed by graduation.
Career Preparation
Career Preparation
In planning your goals and selecting your courses, it is important to research and understand careers and how the courses in high school are aligned to different career pathways. The Counseling departments provide many resources to help you to identify your interests and to help you to connect your interests and abilities to possible careers.
To assist with making the connection between high school courses and possible careers, refer to the Career Pathway Guides below. Each Pathway includes charts representing five career pathway options—
- Arts and Communication
- Business and Information Systems
- Engineering and Industrial Technology
- Human Services
- Science and Health
These charts outline elective courses that support exploration of specific fields and help students align their academic experiences with potential career interests.
The guide also highlights vocational-technical programs offered through the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology for students in grades 10–12. These programs provide specialized, hands-on training for students who want to explore technical or trade-focused career paths.
Career Resources: Please use these links for more information
Career Pathways
- Arts and Communication
- Business and Information Systems
- Engineering and Industrial Technology
- Human Services
- Science and Health
Arts and Communication
Arts & Communication Pathway
This Pathway is designed to cultivate students' awareness, interpretation, application and production of visual, verbal and written work.
PATHWAY FOCUS AREAS
Performing Arts (PA)
Visual Arts (VA)
Publishing Arts (PA)
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Are you interested in...? |
Can you...? |
Possible Career Pathways... |
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SAMPLE CAREERS
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Entry Level |
Technical/Skilled |
Professional |
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CONSIDER THESE ELECTIVES...
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Performing Arts (PA) |
Visual Arts (VA) |
Publishing Arts (PU) |
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Business and Information Systems
Business and Information Systems
This pathway is designed to prepare students in the world of business, finance, and information technology.
PATHWAY FOCUS AREAS
Marketing & Sales (MS)
Information Technology (IT)
Business Management (BM)
Finance (F)
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Are you interested in... |
Can you... |
Possible Paths... |
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SAMPLE CAREERS
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Entry Level (OJT) |
Technical/Skilled (1-3 years) |
Professional (4+ years) |
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CONSIDER THESE ELECTIVES...
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Marketing & Sales (MS) |
Information Technology (IT) |
Business Management (BM) |
Finance (F) |
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Engineering and Industrial Technology
Engineering and Industrial Technology
This pathway is designed to enhance students' interests, awareness, and application to careers related to technologies necessary to design, develop, install, and maintain physical systems.
PATHWAY FOCUS AREAS
Construction (C)
Engineering & Engineering Tech (ET)
Manufacturing (M)
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (TDL)
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Are you interested in...? |
Can you...? |
Possible Paths... |
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SAMPLE CAREERS
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Entry Level |
Apprenticeships |
Technical/Skilled |
Professional |
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CONSIDER THESE ELECTIVES...
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Construction (C) |
Engineering & Engineering Technology (ET) |
Manufacturing (M) |
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (TDL) |
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Human Services
Human Services
This pathway is designed to cultivate students' interests, skills and experiences for careers related to family and human needs.
PATHWAY FOCUS AREAS
Counseling & Personal Care (CPC)
Hospitality & Tourism (HT)
Education (E)
Law, Public Safety, and Government (LPG)
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Are you interested in...? |
Can you...? |
Possible Paths... |
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SAMPLE CAREERS
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Entry Level |
Technical/Skilled |
Professional |
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CONSIDER THESE ELECTIVES...
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Counseling & Personal Care (PCP) |
Hospitality & Tourism (HT) |
Education (E) |
Law, Public Safety, & Government (LPG) |
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Science and Health
Science and Health
The occupations in this pathway are related to the promotion of health and treatment of disease.
PATHWAY FOCUS AREAS
Science, Technology & Math (STM)
Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources (AFN)
Health Science (HS)
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Are you interested in...? |
Can you...? |
Possible Paths... |
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SAMPLE CAREERS
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Entry Level |
Technical/Skilled |
Professional |
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CONSIDER THESE ELECTIVES...
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Science, Technology & Math (STM) |
Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources (AFN) |
Health Science (HS) |
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Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
Information About MBIT
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) is located in Warwick Township on York Road (Rt. 263) in Jamison, Pennsylvania. A The picturesque high school campus sits on 58 acres and is supported by Centennial, Central Bucks, Council Rock, and New Hope-Solebury School Districts. Middle Bucks Institute of Technology operates as a school of choice designed for students who are seeking to enhance their educational program with a highly relevant career and technical experience connected directly to the real world of business and industry. Over 400 business and industry advisors review and update the school educational program annually.
The MBIT experience provides students with a blend of classroom theory, technical applications in state-of-the-art laboratories, and off-campus work-based experiences. Students learn and apply reading, writing, mathematics, science, communications, and technology in a way that has personal meaning and career relevance. The educational program is organized around five broad career pathways and offers twenty-two state approved career programs. Approximately 800 students attend the daytime program. In addition to secondary students, the school clientele includes approximately 500 adults who are enrolled in daytime, evening, and customized industry training programs. The school operates fall and spring sessions, with a summer enrichment program for middle school students. The staff consists of approximately thirty-four professional educators and thirty support personnel. Instruction is individualized, self-paced, and highly personalized. Middle Bucks Institute of Technology prepares today's students for tomorrow's emerging technologies and provides students with the competitive edge needed for employment in a global marketplace and success in college.
Students interested in Middle Bucks Institute of Technology can their website here https://www.mbit.org/
Programs
Application Process
Please use this link to access the registration page of the MBIT website.
If you have questions, please see your Counselor.