Academics

Program Structure    

To maximize academic learning opportunities at Harbor, the school year has been organized around trimester scheduling. Students take fifteen full length Common Core aligned courses for a total of 7.5 credits in a year. Coupled with flexible scheduling, voluntary online course recovery programs, summer school offerings, reduced total credit requirements, work experience programs, and a devoted caring staff, Harbor High is devoted to providing opportunities for all students to graduate and earn a diploma.

  • Students participate in five academic classes in each of three trimesters (12 weeks long) throughout the year. 

  • Trimesters allow students to have an increased number of elective offerings and maximize credit earning potential.

  • Harbor students have the opportunity to participate in Dual enrollment opportunities with Oakland Community College and career and technical training at OSTC.

  • Students also have the option to participate in work experience programs earning up to 2 additional elective credits.

  • Optional summer school programs and additional online learning options for credit recovery are available on demand.

  • Students graduate with a reduced credit load from 22 to 18 allowing for a more manageable road to recovery, graduation, and success.

  • The 18 credits required represent the Michigan Merit Curriculum and the core academic classes provided by all schools in Michigan for a diploma.

  • HHS students complete their high school experience when they finish their required coursework and are eligible to graduate early after each of our trimesters. 

  • Graduates receive a traditional high school diploma and participate in a traditional high school commencement ceremony.

Required Coursework

(18 credits/36 classes) Each class is worth 0.5 credits.

  • 1.0 ELA 9

  • 1.0   ELA 10

  • 1.0   ELA 11

  • 1.0   ELA 12

  • 1.0   Algebra 1

  • 1.0   Geometry

  • 1.0   Algebra 2

  • 1.0   Math Elective

  • 1.0   Biology

  • 1.0   Chemistry

  • 1.0   Science Elective

  • 1.0   World History

  • 1.0   US History

  • 0.5 Economics

  • 0.5 Government

  • 2.0 Foreign Language (with option for VPA replacement)

  • 1.0 Art/Music

  • 0.5 Health

  • 0.5 Physical Education

 Testing Out

Students may receive credit for any course in which the student is not enrolled by passing a Test Out exam or a series of exams that cover all the content expectations. The Test Out exam(s) may consist of a portfolio, paper, project, presentation or other established means. For subject areas and courses in which a Test Out exam(s) is used as the assessment for successful attainment of the subject area content, the student must achieve a final grade of 78% (C+) or higher as established by the state in order to receive credit in the course. Credit will be awarded to successful students but grades will not be averaged into the GPA.

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment allows high school students the opportunity to take college coursework as part of their high school schedule. Students can receive high school and college credit for these courses and get one hour of release time from their high school schedule for each dual enrollment course. Dual enrollment is not limited to a specific grade level, though typically junior and senior students are most appropriate for dual enrollment. Students may dual enroll in up to two college courses per semester.

Most students elect to dual enroll through Oakland Community College, though students may take coursework through any college. In most cases, there is no cost to the student or family for tuition unless the tuition cost exceeds the maximum student allowance for a dual enrollment class. Families are responsible for textbook purchases, though textbook reimbursement may be available depending on the tuition cost for the course. Families are also responsible for tuition or fees associated with dropped or failed courses.

Eligibility for dual enrollment coursework is based on:

  • Academic appropriateness

  • Good high school attendance

  • College placement testing and high school standardized test scores

Other limitations to consider:

  • College course schedule may not conflict with attendance at high school classes

  • Dual enrollment courses must be academic in nature and not a hobby, craft, or recreational course

  • Dual enrollment courses may not be in a subject area of physical education, theology, divinity, or religious education

Required paperwork and enrollment procedures:

  • Dual enrollment involves a multi-step application and paperwork process that requires coordination between the high school and the college

  • Interested students are responsible for meeting any college deadlines for enrollment and turning in required paperwork to the high school in order for the school district to pay for the dual enrollment course

  • Most dual enrollment application, placement testing, and enrollment processes take place months before the start of a new semester at high school

For more information please reach out to the building administrator or counselor. 

Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC)

OSTC is Oakland County’s technical and career focused education option available to students during junior and senior year. Students attend a half day at their home high school and a half day at the OSTC campus. The HVS home technical campus is the Southwest campus located in Wixom. Bus transportation is provided to and from the Southwest OSTC campus. Students may explore an OSTC program at another campus if it’s not available at the home campus, though transportation is not provided.

Students are able to meet high school graduation requirements through coursework at OSTC and their home high school. In addition, OSTC students gain technical training and first-hand experience in a career field of interest. OSTC students learn from industry experts and qualified instructors to acquire the technical skills necessary to continue in college, trade school, or the workforce.

Programs at OSTC include:

  • Agriscience and Environmental Technologies

  • Automotive Technology

  • Collision Repair and Refinishing

  • Computer Programming

  • Computer Networking

  • Construction Technology* (not available at the Southwest campus)

  • Cosmetology* (only available at the Northeast campus)

  • Criminal Justice* (only available at the Southeast campus)

  • Culinary Arts and Hospitality

  • Cyber Security Networking* (only available at the Southeast campus)

  • Energy and Electrical Technologies* (not available at the Southwest campus)

  • Engineering, Robotics, and Mechatronics

  • Entrepreneurship and Advanced Marketing

  • Health Sciences

  • Machining

  • Medium and Heavy Truck Equipment

  • Visual Imaging

  • Welding

Enrollment at OSTC is based on:

  • Being on track for graduation with grades and credits

  • Good high school attendance

  • Demonstrated career interest in the OSTC program to which you are applying

  • Availability and space in the desired OSTC program

Application for OSTC takes place during the sophomore year (unless applying only for senior year). The OSTC counselor will hold an informational meeting for all sophomore students ahead of the application period. An OSTC field trip and open house dates are available to interested students each year as well.

For more information, speak with your high school counselor or visit the OSTC website: OSTC

Oakland Accelerated College Experience (ACE)

Oakland ACE is an early college program for students enrolled at participating Oakland County high schools. The ACE program is designed to give students facing challenges to college enrollment and success the opportunity, guidance, and support to earn an associate degree while still in high school. Students work toward their diploma and college degree simultaneously by splitting time between high school courses and college classes at Oakland Community College. There is no cost to the student for tuition, fees, or books.

Huron Valley Schools has set the following initial eligibility criteria to be considered for the ACE program:

  • Preference given to a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a 4-year, bachelor’s degree or higher) OR students eligible for the federal free/reduced lunch program

  • Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA

Interested students may apply beginning in February of the sophomore year. Acceptance into this program is limited and is based on:

  • Academic appropriateness and teacher recommendations

  • Good high school attendance

  • College placement testing and high school standardized test scores

  • Family and student commitment to the 3-year early college program (junior year, senior year, and an additional year after senior year)

For more information, speak with your high school counselor or visit the Oakland ACE website: Oakland Accelerated College

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