A well-structured high school syllabus is more than a course outline; it’s a vital roadmap for students, a communication tool for parents, and a framework for academic expectations. This free High School Syllabus Template for Google Docs helps educators create a professional, detailed, and easy-to-understand document for any Grade 9-12 subject.
Designed for clarity and student responsibility, this template provides a solid foundation for outlining learning objectives, assessment methods, and classroom policies. It helps prepare students for the increased rigor of high school and beyond by clearly establishing academic standards from day one.
Details:
- Complete Syllabus Structure: Organized sections covering all essential information.
- Course Identification & Teacher Information: Fields for course title, teacher contact, and office hours.
- Course Description Area: Space for official and expanded descriptions.
- Learning Objectives / Essential Questions: Prompts for defining core student outcomes.
- Texts & Materials Section: Clearly list required and recommended resources.
- Detailed Grading Breakdown: Table format for categories and weights.
- Major Assignments & Projects Outline: Space to describe key assessments.
- Tentative Course Outline/Schedule: Unit-by-unit topic overview.
- Classroom & School Policies: Sections for attendance, late work, academic honesty (including AI use), and technology.
Format: Google Docs
Contributed by: Olivia Davis
How To Use This Free Syllabus Template
Step 1: Access the Template
Opening and editing the template in Google Docs is straightforward:
Click the Download Template button to open the document in Google Docs.
Select the Use template button located in the top-right corner of the page.
Ensure you are signed into your Google account to save a copy to your Drive and begin editing.
Once saved, the template is fully yours to customize.
Step 2: Personalize with Course-Specific Information
Replace the placeholder text with your specific course details. Key areas to customize include:
Course Title, Teacher Name, Contact Information, Room Number, Term.
A tailored Course Description.
Specific Learning Objectives and Essential Questions for your subject.
Lists of Required Texts, Materials, and ISBNs.
Your detailed Grading Breakdown and scale.
Descriptions of Major Assignments and Projects with tentative timelines.
A Unit-by-Unit or Term-by-Term Course Outline.
Step 3: Integrate School and Classroom Policies
Adapt the policy sections to match your school’s official guidelines and your specific classroom expectations:
Attendance & Punctuality: Reference your school’s policy.
Late Work: Define penalties and procedures clearly.
Academic Honesty: Include your school's definition, consequences, and specific guidance on AI tool usage.
Technology Use: Outline rules for personal and school-provided devices.
Classroom Conduct: Set expectations for a respectful learning environment.
Step 4: Review and Refine
Read through the entire syllabus to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency in tone. Check that all links are correct and all necessary information is included.
Step 5: Save, Share, and Distribute
Once finalized, save your document. You can then:
Share it digitally via your Learning Management System (LMS) like Google Classroom, Canvas, etc.
Print hard copies for students.
Post it on a class website.
Remember to review and update your syllabus at the beginning of each new term or school year.
Why Educators Value This Template
Time-Saving: Provides a comprehensive framework, reducing setup time.
Ensures Thoroughness: Covers all critical components of a modern syllabus.
Professional Presentation: Creates a polished document that reflects course quality.
Clear Communication: Effectively conveys expectations to students and parents.
Promotes Student Responsibility: Emphasizes preparedness and academic standards.
Adaptable: Easily modified for any high school subject or specific school requirements.
