What is the College Core?
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The College Core is a system for determining a student's class rank. This system is in effect for the class of 2013 and beyond. |
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The College Core is based on 17 courses. 16 of the courses are identified by the Arizona Board of Regents, and 1 additional social science course identified by the Arizona State Board of Education. Students must demonstrate competence in these courses for admission into Arizona’s public universities. The College Core requirements are consistent with admission practices at a majority of universities across the nation.
The College Core courses are:
|
Subject Area |
Total Credits |
Total Semesters |
|
English |
4 |
8 |
|
Math |
4 |
8 |
|
Science (Laboratory) |
3 |
6 |
|
Social Studies |
3 |
6 |
|
World Language |
2 |
4 |
|
Fine Arts |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
17 |
34 |
The College Core is first calculated at the completion of a student’s first semester of the 10th grade year. The College Core will then be re-calculated for each semester through a student’s final semester of their 12th grade year.
The number of College Core credits/semesters used for the calculation will remain constant for semester and end of the year reports (i.e., 10 credits/20 semesters for 10th grade, 14 credits/28 semesters for 11th grade, and 17 credits/34 semesters for 12th grade).
Students who take the most rigorous schedule of College Core classes (e.g. weighted courses) and earn the most grade points, will have the highest College Core. The College Core could be considered a Grade Point Average (GPA) of the 17 courses as described above.
College Core Calculation Table
-Based on an expected number of College Core courses taken each year
|
Grade |
# of College Core Credits |
# of Semester |
Coursework factored into the College Core calculation |
Calculation for the College Core, with # of semesters as the divisor: |
|
10th |
10 |
20 |
Cumulative Credits: |
Total number
Divided by: 20 |
|
11th |
14 |
28 |
Cumulative Credits: *Replacement credits and/or any credits not included in the 10th grade calculation |
Total number
Divided by: 28 |
|
12th |
17 |
34 |
Cumulative Credits: 2 World Language *Replacement credits and/or any credits not included in the 11th grade calculation |
Total number
Divided by: 34 |
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Total Credits: 17 |
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*Replacement credits would pertain to any courses with the highest grade points for students taking more than the minimum number of core courses in a particular College Core subject area. Example: A weighted Math course with a higher grade would serve as a replacement course for one of 4 other non-weighted Math credits.
Links:
College Core Calculation Tables
For Personal College Core Calculations
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
Example of an advanced student's College Core upon graduation