High School Graduation the First Step for Success High School, Here I Come!!! Transitioning from 8th Grade to High School

The World of High School Tons of options Class choices, clubs, sports and more Adult responsibilities Decisions affect your future College Readiness Everything counts towards college

High School Levels Freshman – 9th grade Sophomore – 10th grade Junior – 11th grade Senior – 12th grade

8th Grade 9-12th Grade Middle - vs - High school Report Card Classes are in a sequence Teachers give lots of reminders about classwork Official Transcript Credits to Graduate Teachers expect students to be responsible for own work GPA

High School Block Schedules Classes last approximately 90 minutes. * Some are hybrid schedules with classes that meet every day for one semester (4X4 block schedule) or every other day for year (X/Y block schedule). Some student schedules may include both 4X4 and X/Y courses.

Sample Modified Block-Hybrid Day Semester1 Semester 2 1 XY English 9 W. History I 2 Earth Science Algebra I 3 X Band Y PE 9 4 Spanish 2 Spanish 3

Diplomas All Students Earn Either: Standard Diploma - 22 Credits Advanced Diploma – 26 Credits Additional Diploma Opportunities: International Baccalaureate (IB) Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID) Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma

Standard vs Advanced Standard Diploma 22 Required Credits Advanced Diploma 26 Required Credits Subject Area Required Credits English 4 Health/PE 2 Math 3 World Language, Fine Arts, OR Career and Technical Education Science Economics & Personal Finance 1 Social Studies Electives, including 2 sequential electives Subject Area Required Credits English 4 Health/PE 2 Math World Language Either 3 credits of one language, OR 4 (two credits of two different languages). Science Economics & Personal Finance 1 Social Studies Fine Arts OR Career & Technical Education  1 Electives 3 (or 2)

Advanced Academic Programs Nickname Location Advanced Placement Programs of Excellence APPX Colonial Forge HS, North Stafford HS, & Stafford HS Commonwealth Governor’s School CGS International Baccalaureate Program IB Mountain View HS & Brooke Point HS Stafford Academy for Technology STAT Brooke Point & North Stafford HS

Advanced Academic Programs IB Offered at Mountain View and Brooke Point Internationally recognized Transportation NOT provided Application required CGS Regional Academic Gifted Education Program Transportation provided to North Stafford from MVHS

APPX Program available at CFHS, NSHS, & SHS Transportation NOT provided Requires Registration Agreement Includes AP Capstone Diploma Program

STAT Academy These programs provide specialized instruction in network systems, engineering, and biomedical sciences. Academic Core STAT Courses are Honors Level. Transportation provided to North Stafford from MVHS Requires an application; available in the Counseling office.

Course Descriptions Each core and elective class is described in detail in the Program of Studies (POS). Honors classes are offered in certain subjects and in all Advanced Academic Programs. Honors placement depends on grades and teacher recommendations.

Math 8 Students Algebra I: Best with if “C” or higher earned in Math 8. Meets requirement for graduation for all diplomas. Algebra I Part I & Part II: Best if grade earned in Math 8 is lower than a “C”. Both parts required to meet Algebra I requirement for graduation for all diplomas.

Algebra & Geometry Students Advanced Algebra I Advanced Geometry Geometry or Advanced Geometry Algebra II Or Advanced Algebra II

Social Studies MVHS NSHS World History/Geography I or Honors   World History/Geography II Honors: IB Candidates (Considering or Committed to Program)

Science Earth Science: Meets requirement for graduation for all diplomas. Earth Science Honors: Best with a “B” or higher earned in 8th grade Science.(Available for APPX, & STAT candidates) If Full IB take Biology Honors Meets requirement for graduation for all diplomas.

World Languages Spanish French German Latin

Health & Physical Education 9 – Required for All 9th Grade Students Health & PE Health & Physical Education 9 – Required for All 9th Grade Students

Electives World Language may count as an elective per diploma selection. Select at least eight electives in case you do not get your first choices. Number them in order of preference. CTE Courses

OnLine Registration All students/parents will register for 9th grade classes online, and on paper. You must register through your Student or Parent Vue screen. The following slides give you step by step directions.

HS Freshman Orientation Night Where: ALL HIGH SCHOOLS in their auditorium When: January 30th Who should attend: All Rising 9th graders and their parents! IB application deadline: February 8th STAT application deadline: February 28th APPX agreement deadline: April 5th

Questions Please ask us any questions about HS that you have – by phone, via email, or in person. Be mindful of the deadlines.

Details! We will review the individual student’s selected courses on paper and online before we send the registration forms to the high schools. Develop your own plan on Page 28. A packet for registration will be handed to students in the next few days. Each course selection form must have a parent signature. Mrs. Downey: downeybl@staffordschools.net Students with last names A-K. Mrs. Smithey: smitheydk@staffordschools.net Students with last names L-Z.

PSAT Score Reports Understanding Scores Khan Academy

Career Exploration and Investigation Go to www.vacareerview.org Exploring careers Who R U – interest inventory questionnaire