Academics

Dexter High School offers academic programs to fit all kinds of students, Please click on the tabs below to find out more about each program.

Academic Topics

DHS Academic Programs

early college alliance — Early College Alliance

closer look icon — Advanced Placement (AP)

construction icon — Career & Technical Education

Traditional High School

Beyond building a strong foundation in the basics, DHS students have the opportunity to explore a variety of interests through our wide range of elective classes.

Perform live music with our award-winning Band, Orchestra, and Choir programs.
Create jewelry and beautiful photographs in Art.
Delve deep into Humanities in this two-hour block class.
Travel the world and host a student from across the ocean through our French exchange program.
Design and furnish a virtual house in Interior Design.
Explore careers in science in Zoology or Forensics.

Through these classes and many more, Dexter High School students take learning beyond the classroom.

Career-Technical Education (SWWC)

The South & West Washtenaw Consortium provides Career and Technical Education to the Chelsea, Dexter, Lincoln, Manchester, Milan, and Saline. Open primarily to 11th and 12th grade students, all CTE courses are designed to equip students with entry level skills needed to gain employment, as well as prepare them for post-secondary training and education. Many courses offer certifications that will enable the student to enter the job market at an elevated pay scale. Many CTE classes offer advanced placement college credit and articulate with local community colleges.

CTE courses are designed to prepare students with entry level and transferable skills and knowledge needed to obtain employment. The student's selection of a career and technical education course in no way would prevent him or her from furthering their education beyond high school. Additional program materials are available in the guidance office or from instructors.

CTE courses are full-year courses, open primarily to juniors and seniors. Enrollments are limited; it is essential that students indicate their desires when considering their schedules for the fall. Interested students must complete an application form that is available from the counselor or any career and technical education instructor. This application must be returned to the guidance office at the time of scheduling in order to be considered for the program.

A committee will screen all applicants; if applications exceed the openings available, acceptance will be based upon career goals, attendance record, teacher recommendation, and graduation date plans. Priority will be given to seniors who will be in class the full year, then juniors.

Students not electing the program by April cannot be guaranteed a slot in the program of their choice. When it is necessary to attend another school to enroll in the program, bus transportation is provided, with the exception of Cosmetology and Auto Technology 2.

CTE Course Descriptions

SWWC Website

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Dexter High School became an accredited IB Programme in 2011, with the first diploma recipients graduating in 2014. Seventy-nine percent of candidates earned the Diploma. This exceeds the United States historical average and meets the worldwide historical average. This achievement is particularly impressive for a first-year program and is unmatched by comprehensive high schools belonging to International Baccalaureate Coordinators of Michigan.

Programme Coordinator
Deb Marsh
734-424-4240, ext. 7113

IB Programme Description

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is an international, non-profit educational foundation founded in 1968. There are currently 834 schools in the United States with IB diploma programs (only 30 in Michigan), and the credential is recognized in 75 countries at more than 2000 universities and colleges. The IB Diploma Programme is an academically rigorous two-year course for students ages 16-19 years. The curriculum includes six rigorous two-year courses, a 4,000 word Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge course, and the CAS project: Creativity, Action, and Service, which gives students hands-on experience planning and executing service programs that integrate what they've learned in their IB studies. Student projects, essays, and exams are graded by external IB evaluators.

IB CURRICULUM

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) has three core components:

Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
Creativity, action, service, in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.

The core components are are studied alongside individual subjects throughout a student’s time in the programme. Students choose a course from within each of the six subject groups:

Studies in language and literature
Language acquisition
Individuals and societies
Sciences
Mathematics
The arts

Each subject group offers several courses. Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course instead of a course in the arts.

Students will take some subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at the higher level. Each student takes at least three (but not more than four) subjects at higher level, and the remaining at standard level. Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. Higher level comprises 240 teaching hours.

For most courses, students take written examinations at the end of the DP. In many programme areas, students complete externally assessed coursework.

For more detailed information about the IB Diploma Programme curriculum, please use the links found on the International Baccalaureate website.

IB ASSESSMENT

Diploma Programme assessment procedures measure the extent to which students have mastered advanced academic skills in fulfilling these goals, for example:

analyzing and presenting information
evaluating and constructing arguments
solving problems creatively.

Basic skills are also assessed, including:

retaining knowledge
understanding key concepts
applying standard methods.

In addition to academic skills, DP assessment encourages an international outlook and intercultural skills, wherever appropriate. Student results are determined by performance against set standards, not by each student's position in the overall rank order. The IB uses both external and internal assessment in the DP.

External Assessment
Examinations form the basis of the assessment for most courses. This is because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability. They include:

essays
structured problems
short-response questions
data-response questions
text-response questions
case-study questions
multiple-choice questions – though these are rarely used.

Internal assessment
Teacher assessment is also used for most courses. This includes:

oral work in languages
fieldwork in geography
laboratory work in the sciences
investigations in mathematics
artistic performances.

Read more about this topic: Understanding DP Assessment

Personal Curriculum

The Michigan Legislature has provided an opportunity for students to slightly modify the State of Michigan graduation requirements. This modification is called a Personal Curriculum (PC). A student and his/her parent or guardian may request a Personal Curriculum for one of four reasons:

Students who are interested in earning additional credits in math, science, English language arts, or foreign languages.
Students who demonstrate a need to reduce the Algebra II requirement in the Michigan Merit Curriculum.
Students transferring from out-of-state or non-public schools after completing two years of high school.
Students with an Individualized Educational Program (IEP).

While a PC can be requested at any time during a student’s high school experience, with the exception of social studies and math, it should be used in limited circumstances after students have had the opportunity to succeed in the Michigan Merit Curriculum. If you are interested in looking further into the possibility of requesting a PC for your student, please contact a school counselor or administrator.

Dexter Early Middle College

Dexter Early Middle College (DEMC, founded 2020) is designed to allow a student to earn a Dexter High School diploma and either an associate's degree, up to sixty transferable college credits, or a completed Washtenaw Community College Certificate. Teachers, counselors, and administrators identify students who are good candidates for this program and invite them to informational meetings their sophomore year.

There are many benefits of being a DEMC student. Managing college courses while still in high school requires dedication, however with this level of responsibility comes advantages that will help shape students’ character and better prepare them for the real world.

Dexter Early Middle College will provide support to ensure high school students thrive. This support includes tutoring, counseling and guidance from a district coach and DEMC teachers who want students to succeed in both their high school and college coursework. There is no cost to students or their families to become a DEMC student. Tuition, fees, and textbook costs are paid for by Dexter Early Middle College.

LINK TO SLIDE DECK FROM 12/7/2022 INFO NIGHT

Head of School

Abby Holland

hollanda@dexterschools.org

734-424-4240 ext. 7002

Alternative Education

Dexter Alt Ed 8100 Shield Road Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 424-4240 ext. 1705		PROGRAM Staff Teacher Jessica Baese; Dr. Julie Snider Special Education Teacher Erica Ehinger
Program Hours T, W, Th 8:30am - 2:30pm M, F virtual or by appt. Half Days 8:30am-11:11am Staff Hours M-F 8am-3pm		Graduation Coach: Rob Schwartz Head of School: Abby Holland

Alternative Education is an invitation-only high school program for students who have been identified by Dexter High School staff as students who might thrive in this program.

Established in Fall, 2016, the Dexter Community Schools Alternative Education program is designed to help high school students who, for various reasons, would benefit from an alternative high school experience. By personalizing their curriculum, using proven intervention strategies, and employing innovative teaching techniques, this program enables students to stay on track to graduate and work toward their own personal goals. Students are highly supervised, but allowed to learn at their own pace. They are neither held back nor left behind: they are in the driver's seat, with caring and skilled instructors by their sides.

Alternative education provides students the support they need to complete their schoolwork while learning valuable study and life skills that will help them in their next endeavor, whether that will be entering the workforce, being trained in a skilled trade, or post-secondary study. A Frontline feature on high school drop-outs offers sobering statistics on the importance of helping kids finish school.

In Fall, 2019, the Alternative Education program moved to the Louie Ceriani Building at 8100 Shield Road. This project was financed by the 2017 Construction Bond. Thank you, Dexter voters! Click here to read more about Louie.

A photo of the Dexter Alternative Education building at 8100 Shield Road

Early College Alliance

The Early College Alliance (ECA) is a unique educational program designed to fully immerse high school-aged students into the post-secondary learning environment. ECA is a public, early/middle college program located on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. It exists in partnership with local school districts, including the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.

The program gives students an opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school and offers strong, academically focused students a chance to enroll in advanced, college-level coursework. It also provides an alternative for students who may not feel connected to their school.

ECA allows students to:

Graduate from high school with a diploma and up to 60 college credits.
Attend classes on a university campus with support.
Learn in a college environment that fosters maturity and academic growth.
Gain vital skills for college success.

ECA is funded through a percentage of each district's foundation allowance and continues seeking additional funding through both public and private sources.

ECA is recognized by the Michigan Department of Education as a Four Plus One program. Students can participate in the program a year past what would have been their graduation year, while not negatively impacting the district’s Adequate Yearly Progress. This is an added benefit to the district and to the student.

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment is an opportunity for high school students to take classes at both Dexter High School and a postsecondary institution at the same time with assistance for tuition and fees. Students in grades 9 through 12 who meet the qualifications with test scores (see link below) can dual enroll in up to ten postsecondary courses over their high school career.

Eligible courses include:

A course that is not offered by the school;
A course that is offered by the school but not available to the student due to a scheduling conflict;
A course that is not a hobby, craft, recreational activity or not in the areas of physical education, theology, divinity, or religious education.

Qualifying Scores for Dual Enrollment

Students who are interested in Dual Enrollment should meet with their counselor

LINK TO SLIDE DECK FROM 12/7/2022 INFO NIGHT

AP (Advanced Placement)

DHS has offered Advanced Placement (AP) courses since the 1990s, but starting with the graduating class of 2014, we also offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (click International Baccalaureate tab on this page for full program description). Both AP and IB classes are part of a criteria some college applications use known as "Most Demanding Program."

DHS counselors are often asked whether they recommend AP or IB courses. It really comes down to what the individual student needs and/or wants. Please review the A.P. and IB considerations in below as you plan your high school courses and think about college applications. The Canvas link below is a dashboard for all things AP and IB: courses, deadlines, calendar, etc.

Canvas - AP/IB Dashboard

Program Designations

In terms of college admissions, it often doesn't matter which route students choose. Typically, college applications ask guidance counselors to indicate whether a student's academic program is "Most Demanding," "Very Demanding, "Somewhat Demanding," etc. when compared with what else is offered at the school. These are the standards for students to earn the "Most Demanding" designation at DHS:

DHS students who've earned credit in six AP courses that DHS currently offers, in addition to four years of a world language, will earn the "Most Demanding" designation.
Students who complete the full IB Diploma Programme, will also earn the distinction of "Most Demanding."
Students who take a combination of 6 IB (HL) courses and AP courses, plus the fourth year of a world language, will also earn the "Most Demanding" designation.
It is important to note that unless a student falls into a special category (recruited athlete, underrepresented minority, VIP, legacy, etc.), often times the students within the "Most Demanding" category are the ones that get serious consideration at the most competitive colleges such as the "Ivy League" schools.

If earning the "Most Demanding" designation is important to you, please check with your high school counselor to make sure that your course selection meets the criteria. In either case, before you commit to either route, be certain that you understand what the complete IB program entails in terms of course selection, time commitment, etc. Your high school counselor or the IB coordinator at DHS can explain how IB works.

University Credit Transfer Policies

Another consideration is the fact that credit transfer policies differ from university to university.

Some colleges award college credit for IB (HL) courses and IB (SL) courses. However, some colleges only give college credit for IB classes taken at the "Higher Level." IB diploma students take three classes at that level and the rest at the Standard Level ("SL").
Some colleges give credit only for IB exam scores of 7 (the top); some give credit for lower scores. Again it depends on the individual college.

DHS counselors have this credit transfer information for all Michigan colleges and Big Ten schools. For other out-of-state schools, counselors can assist students with retrieving that information from the college webpages. As more and more high schools are adding an IB program, some colleges (most out-of-state) are offering significant scholarship money to students who complete the full IB Diploma.

The Overall High School Experience

For many AP and IB students, earning college credit is not necessarily a priority. Many students are focusing primarily on having an engaging high school experience and on impressing admission officials in the process. If a student is shooting for the Ivy League schools, and/or other hyper-competitive colleges, generally she isn't necessarily looking to arrive with credits under her belt. Nor does she intend to rush through college in three years (even though it might save Mom and Dad some money).

Scheduling Constraints

Students must also consider which choice of program might affect other options in the school day. For instance, do scheduling constraints mean that IB students may have to drop a desirable elective such as band, orchestra or choir? DHS counselors will do everything possible to help students fit everything in, whether that means a zero hour, on-line coursework, or a Personal Curriculum is necessary.

When students are deciding whether AP or IB is best for them, they need to remember that Dexter High School is fortunate indeed, to offer students a challenging high school experience that will also "look good" at college admission time, whether they opt for AP or IB.

Virtual Learning

"Virtual Learning" at Dexter High School is not an academic path itself, but a means to supplement other programs where appropriate.

Dexter High School has numerous virtual/online learning opportunities. Students may access virtual learning in the following ways:

when we don’t offer courses students want
when there is a scheduling conflict
when we lack electives to offer to students in a particular hour
by student choice, according to section 21f if students qualify
for credit recovery purposes
for some acceptable personal reasons

We currently use a number of vendors to accomplish our goal of online learning. Students should see their guidance counselor with specific questions.

Though virtual learning has created many more options for students, our experience tells us that it is not for every student. In particular, we have learned that virtual learning is not easier than instruction in the classroom in front of a teacher.