Grades 6-12
WHCP works with its students to set long-term goals, and prepares them to attend the college or university of their choice. One hundred percent of our graduates pursue higher education. Our middle and high school programs are fully accredited by The Western Association of School and Colleges.
What we provide:
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Small classes where students receive attention to their individual needs.
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Challenging, well-rounded curriculum.
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Opportunities for tailored one-on-one academic programs and tutoring services.
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A welcoming, family-like atmosphere.
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Highly qualified team of faculty, many of whom hold advanced degrees.
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Strong programs in science, math, writing, and the arts.
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Opportunities to participate in student government, class projects, and after-school programs.
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Regular progress reports.
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Opportunities for parent involvement including field trips, class projects, fundraisers, and monthly PTO meetings.
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Academic counseling services with our partners at College Access Plus.
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Support in pursuing community service and internship opportunities within the community.
Curriculum
WHCP provides a well-balanced college preparatory program. We emphasize rigorous academic standards and the development of individual initiative and responsible independent study habits. We also partner with parents to enhance student success.
Units / Credits for Graduation
Students must complete a minimum of 23 units earned credit in grades 9-12 in order to graduate from WHCP. This is equal to 230 semester hours of classwork. Students receive 5 semester hours of credit for each course that they pass. A full year (two semesters) of a single course successfully completed with a passing grade will earn a student 10 semester hours of credit or one (1) unit.
No credit towards graduation is earned for courses in which a student receives a grade of “D” or “F.” Students may receive a failing grade if they miss too many classes in a single subject, as well. Courses may be retaken during Summer School.
All courses completed during grades 9-12 count towards a students’ GPA to be included in transcripts for university applications.
Required Subjects
WHCP offers all courses required by the California Educational Code and by the University of California to meet admission requirements. Students receive counseling to ensure that they are on the proper track to complete courses necessary for university admission. The required subjects include:
Middle & High School
The above graduation requirements meet the admission standards of most colleges and universities. Depending on a student’s proposed college major, an extra year or more of the following may be desirable and are available to our students:
Honors Program / Advanced Placement Preparation
The honors program is designed for those with high academic standing. The courses are enriched in an effort to develop the scholastic abilities which have been identified in a select number of students. These courses require independent research and study. A student's placement in these courses and, particularly, Advanced Placement courses is based upon teacher/counselor evaluation, G.P.A., qualifying exercises, and permission from the A.P. teacher. (Students must maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 3.4 for continued enrollment in honors and A. P. classes.)
Students who successfully complete an honors sequence in any subject may take the College Board Advanced Placement Exams to attain advanced placement in college courses and/or earn credit toward the baccalaureate degree.
Advanced Placement Preparation Courses are available in Spanish, English, American History, U.S. Government, Biology, Calculus, Economics (Macro), Economics (Micro), and others upon request.
Tracking
Students are placed in what we believe to be the optimum learning environment to maximize their progress. Placement is based on their Entrance Exam and mid-year exam scores, teacher assessment and student achievement. Student placement is periodically re-evaluated and changes may be made.
Course List
* Russian, Spanish, or French.
This sequence of subjects is followed, but not all courses are offered every year. For example, Algebra I AB may be scheduled in 8th grade for honors students and in 10th grade for students who did not take it in 9th. The number and type of electives vary from year to year depending on the interests of teachers and students.
SAT & College Placement exam preparations are also offered as extensions to regular math and English courses.
Community Service Requirement for Graduation
WHCP requires its 9th-12th grade students to complete 100 hours of Community Service in order to graduate. WHCP’s counselor and staff assist students in completing the requirement with lists of community service opportunities, assisting students in locating those opportunities best suited to their interests and abilities, and keeping records of the students’ participation in community service opportunities. Parental support and involvement is also necessary to ensuring that students meet their community service requirement.
Past WHCP student community service projects include:
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Assisting at the West Hollywood Book Fair.
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Participating in the Revlon Walk for Breast Cancer.
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Participating in AIDS Walk Los Angeles.
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Assisting with the West Hollywood Kids Fair.
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Assisting with the West Hollywood Russian Culture Festival.
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Assisting with the West Hollywood Holocaust Remembrance Day Event.
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Fundraising for the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
After School & Extracurricular Activities
Students are encouraged to participate in both after school and extracurricular activity offerings both for their own enrichment and for enhancing the quality of their college applications. It is important for students, parents, and teachers to work together to ensure that students have support for activities but are not overwhelmed by them. Schoolwork always comes first. Activity participation is only partially student driven—an adult advisor who is either on the WHCP faculty or is a dedicated parent will be assigned when enough students are interested in pursuing an activity.
Types of activities which Middle & High School students may organize and engage in include (depending on student interest levels):
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Student government.
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Special class trips on the weekends or in the evenings.
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School fundraisers.
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School yearbook.
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Local election campaigns.
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A campus performance such as a talent show or play.
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Math Olympics.
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School Literary Journal of creative writing and art.
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Student Art Show.
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Student Film Festival.
Academic Counseling
In WHCP’s small school setting, teachers, partnered counselors, and administrators team-up to motivate students to learn and be their very best. In addition to giving our students a thorough academic preparation for college, we promote such important values as responsibility, self-discipline, strong ethics, and self-respect. Proper respect for administrators, faculty, staff members, fellow students, school rules, and property of others is also emphasized. These values and standards help students to enhance their overall attitude, reach his/her full potential, and successfully survive the crucial teenage years. WHCP’s team approach encourages our students to develop their future educational goals. We assist students and keep them informed, discussing achievement, behavior, future plans, courses of study, and/or personal needs. The following is a partial listing of services available to students and parents at WHCP:
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Register students in classes using the available information as to ability and achievement.
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Assist students in planning a long-range academic and activity program that will prepare them for future academic training and work.
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Counsel students and parents on developing strong study habits and a supportive home environment.
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Provide an understanding atmosphere for discussing school and personal problems.
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Counsel students and parents on choices of extra curricular and after school activities and proper time management.
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Tracking student attendance and work habits with students and parents.
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Work cooperatively if behavioral, academic, or personal challenges arise.
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Assist students who need or are seeking additional challenges in their studies.
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Keep a cumulative file of grades, test results, etc. on each student.
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Provide a wholesome atmosphere conducive to learning and building mature social relationships.
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Provide college information and guidance on choosing and applying for colleges.
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Host a College Counseling Night for students and their parents.
Students in Middle and High School must meet with the school counselor twice a year to ensure that they are on the right track to meet and exceed high school graduation and college entrance requirements. Students will also review their general academic performance with the counselor to discuss their academic strengths and weaknesses and further plan their school program accordingly.
In addition to academic counseling, students will be counseled on their community service hours and extracurricular activity programs, participation in after school activities and school projects, and more. Students will also review their college career plans in detail and work on a strategy for attending their college of choice.
To take advantage of Counseling services, students and parents may approach the administration to make an appointment for counseling at any time.