School Counseling

Irmo High School - Home of the Yellow Jackets

School Counseling telephone:  803-476-3005

Fax # 803-476-3022

Judy Peck & Michelle McCoy

Accreditation
Irmo High School is accredited by the South Carolina Department of Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the College Board. Irmo High School has been designated a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education three times.

Community
Irmo High School is located about 10 miles northwest of Columbia, SC and serves most of the St. Andrews and Harbison communities as well as a portion of the town of Irmo. This thriving suburban community offers a unique balance of life, incorporating both the amenities of our state’s capital city with the tranquility of rural byways. A family oriented community, residents expect and support excellence in education.
 
School: Enrollment 1,312
Irmo High School, a National Blue Ribbon School, is a four-year comprehensive public school serving grades 9-12. Curriculum areas offered include college preparatory, gifted and talented, technical preparatory and special education programs. In addition, Irmo High School graduated its first class of International Baccalaureate Diploma students in 2005-06. A variety of Advanced Placement and IB courses are offered. In addition, courses in psychology, engineering, automotive, carpentry and Teacher Cadet are offered for college credit.

School Calendar
Irmo High School’s year consists of four quarters of approximately nine weeks’ duration. Classes meet for 18 weeks (one semester) or 36 weeks (two semesters) on an alternating A/B block schedule of 90 minute class periods, four periods per day.
One (1) unit of credit represents two semesters’ work; one-half (1/2) unit represents one semesters' work; 

Course Placement
Placement in each subject depends on student achievement, standardized test scores, and teacher recommendation; students are not tracked into any one program or level.

Grade Point Ratio
A new uniform grading policy has been implemented for all students in South Carolina high schools effective 2016-2017. The GPR is calculated by assigning a weight to each numerical grade on all courses carrying credits. An additional .5 is assigned for Honors courses and an additional 1.0 is assigned for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (SL,HL) courses. To calculate GPR, the sum of the weights of each grade is divided by the number of units attempted.

Class Rank
In each class, the students’ Grade Point Ratio (GPR) is ranked from highest to lowest.

Transcript Designations
IB = International Baccalaureate             H =Honors
CP = College Preparation                       AP = Advanced Placement

Grading System
A = 90-100       B = 80-89       C = 70-79        D = 60-69        F = Below 59

Student Activities Program
Irmo High School sponsors an excellent program of co-curricular activities. Opportunities exist in student publications, community service, academic competitions, music, JROTC, theater and athletics, to name a few. Irmo High School is renowned for its academic and co-curricular success.

Advanced Placement Courses
English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics-B, US History, Human Geography, World History, United States History and Constitution, Government & Politics

Honors Courses
English I & II & III Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Physical Science, Biology I, Chemistry I, Physics I, French IV & V, German IV & V, Spanish IV & V, Latin IV, Drama IV & V, Chamber Choir I & II, Band IV & V, Orchestra Master Class III & IV, Economics, Pre-Cal IB, Photography II, Photoshop, 2D Design

IB Courses
English HL, Biology HL, Math Studies SL, Mathematics SL/HL, Chemistry SL/HL, Physics SL/HL, History of the Americas HL, French SL, German SL, Spanish SL, Theatre Arts SL/HL, Band SL/HL, Chorus SL/HL, Orchestra SL/HL,  Visual Arts SL/HL,

Graduation Requirements
To meet South Carolina graduating requirements, students must earn a minimum of 24 Carnegie units.  The State Department of Education specifies that credits must be distributed as follows:
24 Units

Note: College admission requirements may vary from graduation requirements

Block Scheduling
Irmo High School students enjoy an environment of enhanced study through the use of alternating day (A/B) block scheduling.  With block scheduling, students
-Have more in-depth study due to longer class periods.
-May take eight courses per year earning 32 credits during 4 years rather than the traditional 20-24 credits.
-Take college courses while in high school.
-Interact more personally with teachers due to longer class time.