Welcome to Solon High School #WeAreSC

WELCOME TO SOLON HIGH SCHOOL TONIGHT’S EXPLORATION PROCEDURE There are 3 exploration student groups Athletics – Gym 2. Clubs – Old Gym 3. Music/Drama – Band room There are 3 different colored tickets Blue Yellow White

IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION Color Perforation Bags On Tables (What are you interested in?) BLUE – MRS. KOSIOREK - Athletics YELLOW – MRS. RODENBUCHER – Clubs WHITE – MR. FRAZIER – Music/Drama

Ninth Grade Orientation       Welcome to Solon High School Ninth Grade Orientation Solon High School Counseling Department Mrs. Cynthia Russell A-C 349-6242 cynthiarussell@solonboe.org Mr. Rick Nowak D-Ho 349-6243 ricknowak@solonboe.org Mrs. Ann Trocchio, Director Hp-Mc 349-7407 anntrocchio@solonboe.org Mrs. Kathleen Kinney Md-See 349-7307 kathleenkinney@solonboe.org Mr. Brad Sims Sef-Z 349-6241 bradsims@solonboe.org Mrs. Jen Rooney Secretary 349-7304 jenniferrooney@solonboe.org Solon High School Counseling Webpage: https://www.solonschools.org/Page/2912 Introduction of Academic Department Chairs

SHS PROFILE Solon earned the state of Ohio’s #1 school report card for student achievement for the third year in row The Solon Schools earned a 2018 Ohio Overall A Award from the Ohio Department of Education, recognizing the academic achievement and growth of all Solon students Solon High School received a 2018 Overall A Award AND was one of only two Ohio high schools to receive an All A Award from ODE for 2018 National Blue Ribbon School Top-ranked Ohio high school, receiving a U.S. News Best Schools Gold Medal

SHS Post-Secondary Selections Four-year College & Two-year College 95% Business, Technical School, Military, or Work 5%

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS Nearly 10% of the CLASS OF 2019 One of the highest numbers in the state 15 Semi-Finalists 24 Commended

SAT RESULTS ERW + Math SHS Class of 2018 ERW 647 Math 666

ACT RESULTS Composite Scores National Average 20.8 SHS Class of 2018 25.7 SHS Top 10% 34.7

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM In 2018, 50% of our Solon High School students took 1,860 AP exams 87% received college credit for their scores

SHS Four-Year Advising Plan 9th 10th 11th 12th Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation PreACT AP Exams State Testing PSAT Practice Testing PSAT ACT SAT Meet with students in the Freshman Mentoring Program. Classroom counseling. Naviance registration and Career Interest Profiler. Assist students in updating resume. Introduce EXCEL TECC. Classroom counseling. Naviance investigation of colleges and careers. Assist students in completing resume. Continue career and college planning. Classroom counseling. Naviance use for college preparation. Implement the college and post-SHS planning process. Applications, essays, and scholarship information. Individual meetings to create college, career, and academic success plans. Individual meetings to finalize college, career, and academic success plans. Transition support.

Complete 21 course credits Our District’s Course Requirements Units Required English Language Arts 4 Units Mathematics Science 3 Units Social Studies Health .5 Units Physical Education Fine Arts 1 Units Electives 5 Units OUR DISTRICT’S COURSE REQUIREMENTS You must complete certain basic courses that all high school students in Ohio students must take: 4 units of English 4 units of mathematics 3 units of science 3 units of social studies (includes ½ unit of A.H. & ½ of A. Govt.) ½ unit of health & ½ unit of physical education 5 units of electives You will take other courses as well, such as fine arts and world languages, or detail on the course requirement opt-out. [Customize this slide to coincide with your local requirements].

Requirements for all students Complete 21 course credits Requirements for all students Take seven required state tests Earn diploma through one of three options REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS First, our district requires all students to complete ## course credits to graduate. You will get different numbers of credits for different courses, and they must add up to at least ## credits in the required courses. Second, you must take seven state tests. You will take these tests over the four years you are in high school, and each test comes at the end of a specific course. Third, you will pick one of three diploma options.

Take seven required state tests English I (9) English II (10) Algebra 1 Geometry Biology American History American Government REQUIRED STATE TESTS Changes to state tests are one of the most important new parts of earning a high school diploma in Ohio. Beginning with the Class of 2018 – or those who become 9th graders on or after July 1, 2014, the Ohio Graduation Tests will not be required.  Instead, you will take a state test at the end of seven of your courses. That’s why we call them “end of course” tests. The courses are algebra 1, geometry (or integrated math I and math II), biology, American history, American government, English I and English II. These tests will give us a much clearer picture of whether we are giving you the skills and knowledge you need to be college or career ready when you graduate. If you look at all the courses you will take in high school, you’ll find that in almost all of them you will have a final test. In the seven courses where you take a state end-of-course test, your teachers MAY decide to use the state test to replace the usual final test for the class. The purpose is to avoid making  you take more tests than you really have to. Students studying state-approved Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or college-level courses in biology, American history or American government may take special tests for those courses in place of the end-of-course tests. Again, that’s so we can avoid having you take more than one test. Here’s the last thing you need to know about tests: All of you, when you reach 11th grade, will take a nationally recognized college admission test (such as the ACT or SAT). The state of Ohio will pay for you to take that test, so your parents do not have to. Taking this test will tell you and our district if you are ready for college and what you still might need to do to become ready, if you see college as an option for you.

4 4 6 *Students need 18 points. Each test has a max value of 5 points. Earn a minimum of four points in English tests 4 Earn a minimum of four points in math tests 6 Earn a minimum of six points in science and social studies tests *Students need 18 points. Each test has a max value of 5 points. You must earn a total of at least four points on English tests, four points on math tests and 6 points on science and social studies tests.

College Entrance Recommendations (Minimum) 4 years of English 4 years of Math (including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry) 3 - 4 years of Science (including Biology, Chemistry, advanced science) 3 - 4 years of Social Studies 2 - 3 years of World Language 1 year of fine, applied or performing arts

Academic Honors Diploma This is one of six Ohio Honors Diplomas Must meet all but one of the required criteria 4 credits of English 4 credits of Math (Alg I, II, Geom and higher) 4 credits of Science (including two units of advanced science) 4 credits of Social Studies 3 credits of World Language OR 2 credits each of two World Languages 1 credit of Fine Arts 3.5 GPA on 4.0 un-weighted scale (through the end of senior year) 27 ACT OR 1280 SAT (SAT combined ERW/M scores) *See “Handouts” on the School Counseling webpage for the full list of Ohio Honor Diploma options.

Athletic Eligibility for Incoming Ninth Graders Bylaw 4-4-4: A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of five of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled. Bylaw 4-4-7: Summer school and other educational options may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic standards specified in Bylaw 4 during the last grading period of the school year.

EXAMPLE OF DETERMINING ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY GRADES 9-12 Passing grades must have been earned in a minimum of five one-credit courses, or equivalent, in the grading period immediately preceding the sport. PE classes do not count toward eligibility. Subject Grade Credit &Duration Factor Credits English 9 A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00 Spanish 1 C 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00 P.E. P 0.50 YEAR 0 0.00 Algebra 1 B 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00 World Hist B 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00 Band A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00 Science A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00 Total Credit 6.50 6.00 = eligible for athletics *Must carry at least 5 classes both semesters.

Honors & AP Courses SHS offers 8 honors courses and 28 Advanced Placement courses. Courses available to ninth graders include Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry, Honors Biology and AP World History. Ninth grade recommendations are made by eighth grade teachers. CONTACT SMS teachers/school counselors for questions about grade 8 recommendations.

WEIGHTED GRADES A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0 A = 4.5 B = 3.375 GRADES FOR COURSES ARE WEIGHTED AT TWO LEVELS: REGULAR COURSE WEIGHT HONOR COURSE WEIGHT ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSE WEIGHT A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0 A = 4.5 B = 3.375 C = 2.25 D = 1.0 F = 0 A = 5.0 B = 3.75 C = 2.5 D = 1.0 F = 0 Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam for each course in May. Many colleges award college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores upon college enrollment.

GRADES AND GRADE REPORTS Grades are accessible on Power School throughout the quarter to monitor student progress End of quarter grades are accessible via Power School The same parent code and student codes from SMS will be used at SHS

Academic Supports Solon High School is proud to offer academic supports and interventions to all students: Classroom-based interventions Peer tutoring Academic Labs/Resource Center Opportunity for Peer Study Groups Academic coaching by counselors/administrators/psychologists

Important Scheduling Considerations Students should choose courses that fit their academic goals and interests. Students should follow teacher recommendations but also consider time management, and aim for a healthy balance. Students do NOT have to take honors or AP courses to be admitted to colleges and universities. Finding the right individual academic balance is most important.

Enter the hours you plan to spend on each activity to determine how much of a course load you may be able to realistically manage.

9th Grade Course Planning There are seven periods in the school day. Ninth graders take at least FIVE classes each semester and often Physical Education/Health. Students must pass five classes for athletic eligibility (excluding Phys Ed). Ninth grade courses: English, Math, Science, World History, Phys Ed, Health, Elective(s) Study Hall is recommended for ninth graders. Course recommendations are from SMS. EXAMPLE #1 EXAMPLE #2 EXAMPLE #3 EXAMPLE #4 EXAMPLE #5 English 9 CP English 9 CP English 9 Honors English 9 CP English 9 Honors Biology Biology Honors Biology Biology Biology Algebra I Pre Algebra & Honors Geometry Algebra I Honors Algebra II World History Algebra I AP World History World History World History PE/Health World History PE/Health PE/Health PE/Health Spanish 2 PE/Health Band or Choir Spanish I Spanish 2 Study Hall Study Hall French 2 Study Hall/Elective Study Hall  

What if my child does not get the particular Physical Education class requested? Students may take the two semester Physical Education classes at ANY TIME during their four years at SHS. Physical Education is proven to play a role in stress management. Students may choose zero period Physical Education or Health which adds a class period to the day. Students may request a particular Physical Education class; however, scheduling constraints may dictate an alternate placement.

What if my child is NOT recommended for a course he or she wants to take? If your student decides to take a non- recommended course, you must complete the Scheduling Risk Form (available online at https://www.solonschools.org/Page/2922, High School, School Counseling or in SMS School Counseling Office). The form states that if the student chooses to drop this course during the school year, it will be noted on the transcript as a WF (Withdrawal Failing).

Where can I find more information or answers to my specific questions? For questions about class recommendations contact SMS teachers/SMS school counselor. For general questions about courses, requirements, and academic programming see the Program of Studies available on the Solon High School webpage.

Welcome to SHS Meet SC, Connect to SC, Succeed at SC and BE SC Class of 2023