Iowa public schools are governed by requirements from the State of Iowa. Chapter 12, General Accreditation Standards, Iowa Administrative Code, School Rules of Iowa establish required programs and content. Iowa Legislature adopted the Iowa Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, 21st Century Skills, and Financial Literacy in which all public schools teach and assess.
The Monticello Community School District ensures all students are successful in the required programs and meet the Iowa Core Standards. Monticello also offers a variety of elective courses for students to take, as well as partners with Kirkwood Community College for students to receive college credit and professional certificates. The Monticello Community School District is committed to providing the highest quality of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to all of our students.
The Monticello Community School District strives to provide the highest-quality instruction for all students. Although the State of Iowa has set Standards for students to meet, districts have the flexibility in resources and craft used to teach students to meet those standards. Through effective curriculum, districts are provided a measurable plan and structure for delivering quality education. Teachers use effective teaching strategies to deliver quality curriculum and measure student progress toward standards.
Link to Iowa Core Standards Website
Standards Referenced Reporting (SRR) is a research-based approach to assessing and reporting student achievement. SRR focuses on what students know and are able to do. Teachers teach, assess and provide constant feedback to students on where they are currently in their learning, where they need to go to meet each standard, and how they will reach each standard. Interventions and enrichment are provided to students based on where they are with their learning and understanding. When a student struggles to reach proficiency, MCSD staff intervene on the student’s behalf to provide interventions and additional opportunities to learn and relearn the standards. If a student demonstrates proficiency on a standard prior to teaching and learning occurring, MCSD staff provide enrichment opportunities to enhance student application of the standard.
HS Standards-Referenced Reporting Handbook
MS Standards-Referenced Reporting Handbook
REQUIRED CREDITS FOR GRADUATION
| Credits | |
| ENGLISH – Four years of English are required, including English I and English II or Advanced English I/ II, English III, two or four semesters of English electives (AP English, English IV, KCC Composition, or Western World Lit). | 8 |
| SCIENCE – Three years of science are required. Beginning with the class of 2019, Science 9 is required of all 9th-grade students, Biology for 10th grade, and Chemistry for all 11th graders. | 6 |
| MATHEMATICS – Three years of Mathematics are required. Beginning with the class of 2020, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II are required. Computer courses do not fulfill the Math requirement. | 6 |
| SOCIAL STUDIES – The required courses include World History (10 – 12th grade), US History (9 – 12th grade), Economics (11th or 12th grade), and American Government (12th grade). | 6 |
| PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH – Five credits of PE are required – Health 1 and Health 2 in 9th grade and 1 credit each year. If you opt-out or waiver a semester, you must document 120 minutes of physical activity (10 – 12th grade) | 5 |
| ELECTIVES | 23 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 54 |