Patterson Mill High School 2019 8th Grade Guide to High School Registration

9th Grade Registration Process Middle school counselors have met with 8th grade students to discuss the transition into high school. Middle school teachers have received 8th grade students’ course selection sheets and will make their core class recommendations for each student. High school counselors will met with 8th graders about graduation requirements, elective options, pathways, and completers. February 4th: 8th grade students must submit completed registration sheets to math teachers. February 7th & 8th: 8th grade students will meet with high school counselors to register for 9th grade classes using their registration sheets.

Students are automatically enrolled in PE and Health. Registration Form 8th grade teachers will recommend English, Social Studies, Math, & Science courses. Students have the opportunity to select 1 fine art and 2 electives from the course worksheet. Students are automatically enrolled in PE and Health.

Student Education Planning Guide The student education planning guide is located on the HCPS.org website. You will find it under the student’s tab; click on Online Student Education Planning Guide http://www.hcps.org/sepg/ The Student Education Planning Guide will assist in the design of a long term, personalized educational plan that will prepare each student to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Through its use, students can see the relevance and purpose of high school coursework, service learning, and extracurricular activities, and the support they provide for individual career planning. This guide will help students, parents, teachers, and school counselors discuss career goals and develop and implement a six-year education plan. With advanced planning and sustained effort, students can graduate from high school having earned college credits and/or industry certifications

Class Placement Possibilities Collaborative Cooperative (CC) Smaller classes for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 plans, and students who would benefit from instruction provided by two certified teachers Regular Classes that have one certified teacher to provide standard instruction Honors Classes for students who are independent learners Advanced Placement (AP) College-level classes for independent learners and abstract thinkers who demonstrate strong work and study habits

Factors that go into 9th Grade Placement MD School Assessment results Grades earned - transcript review Teacher recommendations Review of students’ current courses and grades

Advanced Courses Offered for Freshmen: Honors Classes Advanced Courses Offered for Freshmen: Honors English Honors Biology Honors Algebra II Honors Government AP Government

The Schedule Students will take four classes per day. Students may or may not take the same classes each day. Rotating A and B days. High school classes are about 85 minutes long.

Graduation Requirements Students must earn 26 credits to graduate from Harford County high schools Credits are earned when students complete a class with a passing score. Classes that meet every other day for a year = 1 credit Classes that meet every other day for one semester = ½ credit Classes that meet every day for one semester = 1 credit * Students have the opportunity to earn 8 credits each year.

Graduation Requirements 26 Credits Completer Program Career Pathway Assessments 75 Service Learning Hours (built into the MS/HS Curriculum)

Graduation Requirements Math~ 4 Credits and 4 years English~ 4 Credits Science~ 3 Credits Social Studies~ 3 Credits Physical Education~ 1 Credit Fine Art~ 1 Credit Health~ ½ Credit Foundations of Technology/AP Computer Science Principles~ 1 Credit Selected Pathway/Completer~ 4-6 Credits

Graduation Requirements Pathways and Completers: An Overview Pathway- A Harford County graduation requirement that consists of 4 classes in an area of interest to each student. Some pathways require a separate completer; some pathways combine a pathway and completer. Completer- A Maryland State requirement that consists of 2 years of a World Language or 2 years of Advanced Technology (after taking Foundations of Technology/AP Computer Science Principles). CTE Career Completer Program- A program that combines pathway (Harford County) and completer (State of Maryland) courses.

Pathways requiring separate Completer Literary Arts Music Drama Visual Arts Social Sciences Medical Services Science and Mathematics Pathway & Completer Combinations Accounting and Finance Business Management Early Childhood Food & Beverage Management World Languages (4 years) General Engineering Pathways do not have to be defined until 11th grade after students have had opportunities to explore available electives.

Graduation Requirements High School Assessments (HSA) Government Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) Algebra I English II Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA)

Remember to: Review form with students. Contact teachers with any questions regarding course recommendations. Submit signed registration form to math teacher no later than Monday, February 4th.

Information Online Visit Patterson Mill’s website at https://pmhs.ss18.sharpschool.com/ 8th grade registration parent presentation Freshmen Course Registration form PMHS Career Pathway Options

Questions?