Specialty Center students have required courses as part of both the specialty center curriculum and as part of HCPS' ‘Advanced Diploma’ graduation requirements. Successful graduation from the Todd Allen Phillips Center program requires that the student complete a minimum of 13 units of approved coursework that includes both specialty center core courses and elective courses. All coursework required as part of the specialty center curriculum is honors level. Please refer to the descriptions of specialty center core courses and elective courses on the following pages for more information.

Upon successful completion of the specialty center program, students will have a minimum of five AP courses (three AP science and two AP mathematics courses). Most graduating students have far more than this, as Mills E. Godwin High School offers a multitude of AP level courses in several disciplines from which to choose (English, foreign languages, mathematics, science and social studies).

These courses are the foundation of the CMS curriculum and all CMS students must successfully complete them. They are taught by CMS faculty and available only to CMS students. SOL courses are denoted with an asterisk. Center students are required to take a minimum of two science and one math course each year.

These courses are unique to the CMS curriculum. All students must complete a minimum of two CMS elective courses to fulfill the requirements for graduation from the program. These courses are taught by CMS faculty and are available only to CMS students. All CMS elective courses are honors-level.

All students must complete a minimum of three elective AP science courses in order to fulfill the requirements for graduation from the program. These courses are taught through Mills Godwin High School and are available to all Mills Godwin students.

Placement in Mathematics courses is dependent on each student’s highest level of math completed prior to entering. ALL students must have completed Algebra I as a full-year course no later than eighth grade to be eligible for admission to the specialty center.

Geometry is not currently taught as part of the specialty center curriculum. Thus, specialty center students may take geometry via any of the following options:

• As a full-year course in middle school.

• As a full-year course in ninth grade (honors-level, but mixed with non-Center students).