Freshman Orientation Class of 2018 Normal West January 8, 2014

Graduation Requirements English 4.0 credits Math 3.0 credits Algebra 1 Science 2.0 credits Social Science 2.0 credits US History/Constitution Test Health/PE 3.5 credits Consumer Ed .5 credits Electives 9.0 credits Junior State Standardized Testing ________ 24 Total Credits

CREDITS 6 Credits End of Freshman Year 12 Credits Credit is based on semester grade D (60%) Minimum grade for passing and receiving credit Each semester class = ½ credit 6 Credits End of Freshman Year 12 Credits End of Sophomore Year 18 Credits End of Junior Year 24 Credits End of Senior Year

Freshman Offerings English/Honors English Math (based on level) Biology/Honors Biology Regional World Studies Health/Foundations of Fitness/Drivers Ed Elective Study Hall or another elective

Freshman Electives Agriculture Art Business Family and Consumer Science Foreign Language Music Technology

Drivers Education Course Last Birthday Allowed DRV101/PHY101 Must turn 15 by the end of quarter 1 (2014) DRV111/PHY111 Must turn 15 by the end of quarter 2 (2014) DRV102/PHY102 Must turn 15 by the end of quarter 3 (2015) DRV112/PHY112 Must turn 15 by the end of quarter 4 (2015) Must pass 8 classes during that last 2 grading periods. Quarter grades will be averaged. Summer School option

Honors Definition of Honors: “Honors courses are enriched; they offer the same material in greater depth and with a faster pace… Honors courses emphasize critical and independent thinking to produce creative application of ideas… Motivation is the main quality that characterizes an honors student.” (Wikipedia)

Level Changes When moving down a level, student must show interventions have been utilized in writing. Forms for this are provided in the counseling office. Administration approval on the form is necessary.

Weighted Grading System BASE STANDARD HONORS A=4 A=5 A=6 B=3 B=4 B=5 C=2 C=3 C=4 D=1 D=2 D=3 F=0

Grade Point Average & Class Rank To figure GPA, the grades your child earns for the semester are assigned point value. Those points are then added up and divided by the number of classes you have. 25 points divided by 6 classes = 4.167 GPA Class rank is determined by total grade points using all classes. Course Grade Points Honors English I A 6 Algebra I B 4 Health C 3 RWS 5 French Biology Study Hall TOTAL POINTS 25

What’s Next? January 13 – 27 Middle School Counselors meet with students to select their freshman classes. February 28th – Copy of course requests will be sent home in the mail.

Course Selection Changes MARCH 21: Last day to make a change in a student’s course selection by completing a course change form. Before March 21 contact middle school counselor Questions after March 21 should be referred to high school counselor

TOP FIVE QUESTIONS What are the foreign languages requirements for college? When do I get my class schedule? Do I have to take swimming? How am I going to find my way around the building? And the Number 1 question: When do I take Drivers Education?

IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A WILDCAT!! Families new to Unit 5 please come to the stage and pick up a Course Description Book and registration information.