Dorchester District Two Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Information High School Course Information You Need For Your Child’s IGP

Tonight You Will Learn About South Carolina High School Diploma Requirements Core Courses and Recommendations English Math Science Social Studies Electives Choices Career & Technology Education Foreign Language Fine Arts Academic Electives Abbreviations used: EOCEP or EOC = End-of-Course Examination Program HSAP = High School Assessment Program CATE = Career & Technology Education CP = College Preparatory H = Honors AP= Advanced Placement IB = International Baccalaureate

SC High School Diploma Requirements Subject # of Credits Benchmark EOCEP Course Required English 4 credits (English 1) Math 4 credits (Algebra 1/Algebra 1-B) Science 3 credits (Biology) US History 1 credit (US History) American Government ½ credit Economics ½ credit ‘Other’ Social Studies 1 credit Computer Science 1 credit PE or JROTC 1 credit CATE or Foreign Lang 1 credit Electives 7 credits Total 24 credits EOC Exams are state mandated and generated final exams which count 20% of the final average for the course In addition to 24 prescribed credits, students must also pass the HSAP Exit Exam

9th Grade Core Course Options English English 1 CP or English 1 H English 2 CP or English 2 H Math Algebra 1-A Algebra 1 CP or Algebra 1 H Geometry CP or Geometry H Algebra 2 CP or Algebra 2H

9th Grade Core Course Options (cont) Science Physical Science CP or Physical Science H Social Studies World Geography CP or Honors The study of economic, political, and cultural societies within specific regions of the world and how they relate to the United States Human Geography AP

English Recommendations English 1 CP Pass 8th grade English; Freshman Seminar is attached as an elective credit English 1 Honors Pass 8th grade English with a grade of 93A or higher and/or show superior writing and language skills English 2 CP English 1 H credit with a grade less than 85B English 2 Honors English 1 H with a grade of 85B or higher REMINDER: EOC required for English 1 CP and H

Freshman Seminar Taken concurrently with English 1 CP only Focus on writing within and across the curriculum Develop and reinforce study skills Preparation for English 1 EOC Counts as an elective credit for graduation

Mathematics Recommendations Algebra 1-A Pass 8th grade math with a 76D or lower Standard Not Met on PASS may require placement in Math Essentials course for elective credit Algebra 1 CP Pass 8th grade math with a grade of 77C to 92B Algebra 1 Honors Pass 8th grade math with a grade of 93A or higher and/or demonstrate superior math skills through various assessments REMINDER: EOC required for Algebra 1 CP and H

Mathematics Recommendations (cont) Geometry CP Earned credit for Algebra 1 H with final grade of 84C or lower Geometry Honors Earned credit for Algebra 1 H with final grade of 85B or higher Algebra 2 CP Earned credit for Geometry H with a final grade of 84C or lower Algebra 2 Honors Earned credit for Algebra 1 H and Geometry H with a final grade of 85B or higher

Science Recommendations Physical Science CP Passed 8th grade science and will be taking Algebra 1-A or Algebra 1 CP in 9th grade Physical Science Honors Demonstrated strong interest and superior skills in 8th grade science with a final grade of 93A or higher. Completion of Alg 1 H Physical Science Honors and Biology Honors (with EOC) May be taken simultaneously with teacher recommendation Should demonstrate strong interest in science and have a desire to complete coursework at the AP/IB level

Social Studies Recommendations World Geography CP Passed 8th grade social studies World Geography Honors Recommendation from 8th grade social studies teacher Strong desire to take AP/IB classes in high school Should demonstrate superior writing skills Advanced Placement Human Geography Most advanced students Should demonstrate superior writing skills, advanced knowledge of history, sociology, and geography, and have the desire to complete coursework at the AP/IB level Required to take the AP exam at the end of the year

Elective Course Options Students may be able to choose up to three elective credits depending on their teacher recommended core courses. Alternates will be selected during your IGP in case you are not able to get your top choices.

CATE or Foreign Language Recommendations Must earn a Career & Technology Education (CATE) credit OR a foreign language credit Students attending a technical college are NOT required to take a foreign language CATE courses are offered at each high school as well as the Dorchester County Career & Technology Center

CATE or Foreign Language Recommendations (cont) Students planning to attend a 4-year college after high school are required to have two years of the same foreign language (some colleges require three) Students planning to attend a technical college, even if planning to transfer to a 4-year college, do NOT have to take a foreign language It is strongly recommended a student not attempt a foreign language until English 1 credit has been earned Students who earned a credit in level 1 of a foreign language may accept the challenges of a level 2 course and are encouraged to continue without a lapse between levels 1 and 2

Physical Education or JROTC Must complete a unit of PE or JROTC; not both May take any year of high school but most take in 9th grade PE 1 or JROTC 1 must be taken before a Weight Training course may be taken Weight Training does NOT satisfy the PE graduation requirement Each high school has a strong, successful JROTC program SHS ARHS & FDHS

Fine Arts Elective Performing Arts Visual Arts Chorus Not a high school graduation requirement South Carolina 4-year colleges require at least one Fine Arts elective for admission Performing Arts Visual Arts Chorus Piano Theater Dance Band Strings Drawing and Painting Sculpture and Ceramics Media Arts Photography

Retaking a High School Credit Course from Middle School Applies to ALL high school credit courses taken in 7th and/or 8th grade May retake same exact course and level without penalty (ex., took English 1 H, must retake English 1 H) Middle school grade and credit will be removed from the transcript and only the high school grade will remain, whether higher or lower

Retaking a High School Credit Course from Middle School (cont) Consider this option if not proficient in the high school credit course by the end of the school year Highly recommended students retake high school credit courses when final average is below 85B May retake course(s) taken in middle school during 9th grade ONLY

The International Baccalaureate Programme Dorchester District Two program housed at Fort Dorchester High School For highly motivated students who have plans to attend a 4-year university immediately after high school Offers coursework at the college level Suggested course of study in the District Course Guide

The International Baccalaureate Programme (cont) Must provide own transportation if not already zoned to attend FDHS Must appeal to the DD2 Board of Trustees if not already zoned to attend FDHS For more information, contact: Danielle McCall, School Counselor at FDHS dmccall@dorchester2.k12.sc.us

Freshman Academy Teams Students are assigned a team Teachers have common planning with team teachers Provides additional support across the curriculum Encourages collaboration with assignments and tests Student need determines team placement Course requests Teacher recommendations Middle school grades Middle school test scores (ex. Explore, PASS, SRI) Special Services team decisions Parent overrides

Freshman Academy Scheduling High school teachers assess students in the first 10 days of school and make recommendations for students who need to move up or down a level. Once the school year begins, level change requests (ex. Honors to CP) are not permitted Creates changes to entire schedule and/or team, not just one class Scheduling priority Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen

Questions? Thank you for attending. We look forward to seeing the Class of 2018 in August!