GHHS Academics
One of the most exciting aspects of Grand Haven High School is the variety of exemplary academic opportunities available to students. There is a broad spectrum of classes to encourage a well-rounded education and meet the unique needs of each student.
Throughout the nearly 90 classrooms and 96 teaching centers, the academic emphasis focuses not only providing a solid core curriculum including Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, but also how to best prepare students for college - including the opportunity to earn credit in 16 AP courses. Grand Haven High School students also learn those skills necessary for the increasingly competitive and technologically advanced workplace through courses in world languages, and business, computer, and vocational education.
A result of the rigorous academic experience, Grand Haven High School students consistently score above county and state averages, and students have successfully carried their knowledge from the classroom and applied it through a variety of activities. The Science Olympiad program boasts a tradition of excellence, and has competed in more than 25 national tournaments - an unprecedented achievement. The student newspaper - the Bucs' Blade - is consistently awarded the highest level of achievement at the state level and is in the national high school newspaper hall of fame. These are just two examples of the many successful programs offered as part of the Grand Haven High School campus experience.
Curriculum Course Guides
Renaissance
Renaissance is the term that we have chosen at Grand Haven High School to identify our program of commitment to the promotion of academic excellence. The name Renaissance was chosen simply because of its definition - rebirth, renovation, restoration, refurbishment, and renewal.
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The purpose of Renaissance is to recognize students who are achieving academic excellence, and to also recognize those students who are greatly improving and/or have perfect attendance and are good citizens. Traditionally, such students get little more than a "thank you" and a pat on the back. Consequently, Renaissance has been established to recognize students with positive, tangible incentives to encourage them to keep up the good work!
Similar strategies have been used successfully for years in business (employee of the month, plaques, lapel pins, etc.) and in athletics (all-star, M.V.P., athletic letters, Olympic-style medals).
Please make yourself familiar with the various Renaissance categories. Some of you have already qualified for awards. Some of you can easily qualify by the end of the trimester!
Gold Card Renaissance Students: Qualifications
- All "A's/A-'s" for one trimester or a 4.0 GPA
- No more than 4 tardies in a class per trimester.
- No ISS or OSS in a trimester.
- No unexcused absences
Gold Card Awards
- 5-20% discount at participating businesses.
- One pre-planned earned day off per trimester. (Gold Card Day)
- Academic Excellence Certificate and Pin.
- Discounts on other school items to be determined.
Blue Card Renaissance Students: Qualifications
- 3.0 G.P.A. or better for one trimester with no D's or F's or all "B's/ B's/B-'s"
- No more than four tardies in a class per trimester.
- No ISS or OSS in a trimester.
- No unexcused absences
Blue Card Renaissance Students: Alternate Qualifications
- Increase G.P.A. by .75 from one trimester to the next
- No more than 4 tardies in a class per trimester.
- No ISS or OSS in a trimester.
- No unexcused absences
- No final grades of "F" for the trimester
Blue Card Awards
- 5-10% discount at participating businesses.
- One pre-planned earned class period off per trimester. (Blue Card Day)
- Discounts on other school items to be determined.
Other Opportunities
Academic Letter- Issued to Juniors and Seniors with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or above after six (6) trimesters
Online Learning
For several years, Grand Haven Area Public Schools has been offering students the opportunity to take online courses through Michigan Virtual University (MVU). Our experience with MVU has been a good experience for our district. MVU offers many classes aligned to the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC). Please review the 
Parent Letter outlining the details.
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For more information on Expanding Online Learning and the Implementation of 21F, please click on the link.
- If your student is interested in enrolling in an online course, please make sure that you follow the steps listed below.
- Review and discuss the Characteristics of Successful Online Learners.
- Review the link to Parent Guide to Online Learning published by MVU.
- Print and complete the Online Learning Questionnaire.
- Review the courses offered in the
Michigan Virtual High School Course Catalog. - Print and complete the Online Learning Application Form.
- Return the above forms to the school counselor/principal
- Schedule a meeting with the counselor/principal, student, and parent/guardian during the course registration window
- Complete the Online Learning Contract
- Complete enrollment
If you have questions regarding online courses, please call your building principal or your guidance counselor.
