- The NNPS Scholars Program is designed to provide an academically challenging and intellectually stimulating advanced course of study; to recognize students' academic achievements beyond the advanced requirements for graduation; and to further enhance the NNPS Advanced Placement course offerings. The Superintendent's Seal of Distinction will be awarded on the diplomas of students who successfully complete the Scholars Program.
- Requirements for the Scholars Program include:
- All requirements for the NNPS Advanced Studies Diploma
- As part of the graduation requirements, at least five Advanced Placement courses (at least one for each core content area – English, social studies, science, and mathematics – as well as a dual enrollment (college course) or an additional Advanced Placement course must be included in the student's program of study to qualify for a Scholars Seal. The Advanced Placement examination must be taken for all Advanced Placement credits applied toward the Scholars Program.
- A four-course sequence in at least one world language.
- Projects. The student must individually complete both of the following requirements:
- Individual Scholars Project – research paper/project or multi-media project.
- The Scholars Project must be pre-approved by the Division Scholars Committee. This committee will meet three times during each academic year, and the proposal should be submitted one week prior to an announced meeting date for consideration at that meeting.
- The project will be selected by the student in an area of his/her interest.
- The project must go beyond requirements for any course taken while in high school. International Baccalaureate senior papers and other senior projects may be expanded to meet the Scholars Project requirement.
- The project must have a tangible product such as an advanced research paper/thesis, a complex multi-media project, or a specialized portfolio.
- The project must culminate in a formal Scholars Presentation before an audience. The Scholars Project and presentation must be given no later than the end of the third quarter of the senior year.
- The Scholars Project presentation should be a minimum of 15 minutes and a maximum of 30 minutes. A question and answer period should follow the presentation.
- One hundred hours of elective community service which should be completed by the end of the eleventh grade. "Community Service" for this project is defined as, "Voluntary unpaid work for the good of others." The following guidelines describe hours that may be used for this community requirement.
- Community service for this project must directly benefit the citizens of Newport News.
- The 100 hours must be served on one focused service project in the area of the student's choice. The project should demonstrate a commitment, which is served over at least six sessions.
- A plan for the community service project must be presented to and be pre-approved by the Division Scholars Committee. The project proposal may be presented for approval as early as the freshman year, but no later than May 15 of the junior year.
- Community service hours credited toward the Scholars Program must be beyond hours required by any course, extra-curricular activity, or other school or community program requirement
- No monetary compensation may be received by the student for these hours.
- A log of hours verified by the supervising adult from the appropriate community organization must be turned in to the Scholars Program Coordinator (suggested completion by the end of the student's eleventh grade year).
- The student will meet with the Scholars Committee to reflect on the community service experience at one of the three annual Scholars Committee meetings.
- Adjustments to the required timeline will be considered on a case-by-case basis for students who transfer into NNPS during the 11th or 12th grade year.
- The Scholars Project and elective community service may be coordinated as two components of a single project.
See your school counselor for more information. The Newport News Program Application can be found at the back of this book.
