Important Information for Alma Students and Parents
We graduate artist-scholars prepared to succeed. As you review this guide and select courses, please consider the art forms you wish to explore, as well as your educational destination beyond the Alma experience. Keep in mind the graduation requirements specific to Alma d’Arte Charter High School and from the State of New Mexico Public Education Department. As early as your sophomore year, plan your courses in keeping with admission requirements of post-secondary institutions that you may choose to attend. Discuss your selections with your parents/guardians and seek advice from Alma staff during Platica as you complete this process. These people can provide tremendous insight into your course requests as you design your schedule for next year.
Graduation Requirements
Credit Requirements
Total Required Credits* = 25 from NM PED
4 — English (English 9, English 10, English 11, English 12 or AP 11/AP12)
4 — Mathematics (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Math IV, Financial Literacy, Trigonometry, AP Calculus)
3 — Science (Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry)
3.5 — Social Studies (NM History, Us History, World History, Government)
1 — Physical Education (Any class with physical activity or sport, PE, Dance, Exercise, Weight Training, etc.)
1 — Career / Transition or Foreign Language (Chinese, Platica [can also count as elective credit], Study Skills)
0.5 — Health
7 — Elective (Any combination of Culinary, Literary, Media, Performing, or Visual)
1 — Either Honors, AP, DC, or On-Line (English, Calculus, Art or Government)
Plus Demonstration of Competency in 5 areas:
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
One credit, either required or elective, must be honors, Advanced Placement, dual credit, or on-line.
* The total required credits for graduation from Alma d’arte are determined on an individual basis by the Principal. Factors include where and for what duration the student was enrolled, and the credit plans in force at those schools.
Demonstration of Competency
To earn a New Mexico Diploma of Excellence and graduate from Alma d’arte, students must demonstrate competency in five assessed areas. These are:
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Various measures of demonstration include the PARCC and SBA test platforms, End of Course examinations in numerous core classes, and alternate means such as ACT, SAT, and COMPASS college admissions examinations. The different means evolves from year to year; current information will be presented to students as such becomes available.
Academic Classes
English
English 9
Honors English 9
English 10
Pre AP English 10
English 11
AP English 11
English 12
AP English 12
Mathematics
Algebra I*
Geometry*
Algebra II*
Math IV
Trigonometry
AP Calculus
Science
Physical Science*
Biology*
Chemistry*
Honors Chemistry*
Social Studies
New Mexico History
World History*
US History*
Government and Economics
AP Government
*These classes will be scheduled at an Honors level with sufficient requests
Arts Classes
Visual Arts
Artist Within (Introduction to Visual Art),
Drawing and Painting I
Drawing and Painting II, 3D Art (Ceramics), AP Art
Performing Arts
Chorus
Guitar I
Guitar II
Piano
Digital Media
Digital Design
Digital Journalism
Video / Film Production
Culinary Arts
Culinary I
Culinary II
Introduction to Culinary
Literary Arts
Poetry and Creative Writing
Mythology in Comics
Foreign Languages
Chinese I
Chinese II
Career Readiness
Platica