2023-2024 Course Bulletin Bishop McNamara High School

6800 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, Maryland 20747 | 301-735-8401 | www.bmhs.org

This course bulletin is annually revised and published during pre-registration, to help students select courses for the following school year

To view the course bulletin from a previous year, please click here: 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023

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New and Revised Courses for 2023-2024

● 322 Early American History (Social Studies)

● 323 Honors Early American History (Social Studies)

● 331 Honors United States History (Social Studies)

● 338 AP African American Studies (Social Studies)

● 9933 Broadcast Journalism (Fine Arts)

● 9252 Photography (Fine Arts)

● 9526 Film Production (Fine Arts)

● 560 Statistics (Mathematics)

● 320 Civilizations and Honors Civilizations (Social Studies) are now offered in 9th Grade

Timeline for Course Requests

Dates for 2023-2024

What Happens

February 6-10 Course bulletin published. Counselors visit classes to explain the registration process, provide students with a planning worksheet, and share how to access their mid-year report card (9th grade) or transcript (10th/11th grades).

February 13 - 24 Teachers recommend placement. Students may view their recommended courses inside Maccess, on or before this date.

February 27 - March 10

Students request courses inside Maccess. The classes you select during pre-registration become your official schedule for the upcoming year, so give your choices a lot of consideration

Course request verification. Counselors review requests to ensure students have an optimal schedule that fulfills all requirements

May 26 (tentative) Review list of classes. Students have an opportunity to review and request changes before this becomes their official schedule

10th day of 1st Quarter Last day to make schedule changes. After this date, schedule changes must be based on extraordinary circumstances, must use the official request form, and will incur a fee of $40.00.

Registration Counselors

Registration counselors assist students in selecting their courses and planning to earn credits required for graduation

Graduation Year Registration Counselor Email

2027 A-J

2026 A-J

2027 K-Z

2026 K-Z

2025 A-G

2024 A-G

2025 H-R 2024 H-R

2025 S-Z 2024 S-Z

Ms. Cherese Carter cherese.carter@bmhs.org

Academic Departments

Link to Courses Department Chair

English Ms. Emily Koenick

Fine Arts

Health & Physical Education

Key Terms

Mr. Michael Jones michael.jones@bmhs.org

Mr. Terry Burroughs terry.burroughs@bmhs.org

Ms. Cherese Howard cherese.howard@bmhs.org

Ms Shamelle Yemofio shamelle yemofio@bmhs org

Ms. Mary Mitchell-Donahue

Ms. Brenda Stephens

Mathematics Ms. Angelina Diehlmann

Modern & Classical Languages Ms. Paola Apolinares

Science Mr. Charles Shryock (Interim)

Social Studies Ms. Jaleshea Cobbs

Student Support Dr. Abigail Greer

Technology & Engineering Mr. Matt Walther

Theology Mr. Adam Greer

Term Definition

* Elective A course you choose to take Marked in the bulletin with an asterisk (*)

Courses numbered 1-4 must be taken in order, usually beginning at level 1.

Courses numbered 9-12 are taken in the designated grade (e g 9th grade), although adjustments are made for transfer students Courses with A and B versions may be taken in any order.

Application Audition Classes that require an audition or application are highlighted in yellow. Applications are linked directly from the bulletin. Auditions are scheduled by the Fine Arts Department (contact the Fine Arts Director). Late applicants will be considered only if a class is not full.

AP / Honors

While all courses at BMHS are college preparatory, our Honors and AP courses offer a more challenging course of study for students who are academically prepared and highly motivated to take a more active role in their learning process Students are recommended for Honors and AP courses through the admissions process (grade 9) or by their current teachers (grades 10-12), based on their performance in prior classes, testing scores, and any required applications/auditions. Students may be removed from Honors and AP courses at any time if their performance does not meet expectations, for example failing to complete summer assignments. These courses have a weighted GPA of 4.5 for Honors and 5.0 for AP. Students enrolled in AP courses have the option of taking the corresponding AP Exam in May, to earn credit at participating colleges and universities; registration information will be sent to enrolled students and parents via email (see also the AP Program page on the BMHS website). Space in these classes may be limited.

Requirements This lists all the extra requirements for a class, such as late rehearsals, special equipment, fees, or “pre-requisite” classes you must have already passed. If a grade is listed after the course title, you must have earned at least that grade

● Example: “Chemistry (A)” means you must have passed Chemistry with a final grade of “A” to take the class.

Recommendation

Ask your current teacher in this subject (or the department chair) for how to obtain a recommendation.

Credits Required for Graduation

Passing a full-year course earns 1 credit, and passing a half-year course earns 0.5 credits. Any exceptions are noted in course descriptions.

Sample Course of Study (30 credits)

9th Grade English Math Science

Social Studies

Theology

Modern & Classical Languages

Physical Education (0.5 credits)

Gateway Seminar (0.5 credits)

Elective (1 credit)1

10th

11th Grade English Math Science

Social Studies

Theology

Elective (1 credit)2

Elective (1 credit)

Elective (1 credit)

Social Studies

Theology

Modern & Classical Languages

Health & Physical Education

Elective (1 credit)

12th Grade English Math

Social Studies

Theology

Elective (1 credit)

Elective (1 credit)

Elective (1 credit)

Elective (1 credit)

TOTAL REQUIRED 27

1 Completing the Fine Arts and Technology & Engineering requirements in 9th and 10th grade is highly suggested.

2 A third year of Modern & Classical Languages is suggested for students who wish to attend a highly selective college or university

3 For Modern & Classical Languages, a minimum of two (2) consecutive years studying the same language is required.

4 A course may fulfill only one credit requirement at a time. For example, AP Physics can count as a Science credit or an Elective credit, but not both. After fulfilling a departmental graduation requirement, all additional credits in that department count toward the Elective requirement.