1 Charmelle McMillan-Turner Director of School Counseling

Graduation Requirements Course Selection Process How High School Works Advanced Courses Preparing Your Student for College 2

Algebra I Part I will no longer be a math credit; it will be an elective credit All students must take a Personal Finance/Economics course during their junior year All students must receive a Career & Technical Education Credential All students must sit in a class with a virtual component or take a virtual course for credit or non-credit. 3

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Ms. McMillan-Turner scheduled at middle schools in February. All students should have brought home a PINK copy of the schedule for parent signature. Any specialty program transfer students (CFPA, PLTW, APS) will be scheduled by Ms. McMillan-Turner after acceptance letters are sent out. 5

General Guidelines It is recommended that students have an “A” or “B” in the content area to sign up for a Pre-AP course. It is recommended that students have at least a “B” in a foreign language to go on to the next level. Students who have a “C” or lower in Language Arts might want to consider delaying the start of foreign language learning until 10 th grade. 6

Any student who is taking a high school credit course in middle school may elect to expunge that grade. A form must be completed and submitted to the high school counseling director. Forms can be obtained from the middle school counseling office. It is recommended that parents consider removing any grade below a “B”. 7

Foreign Languages WSHS has several foreign language choices for your student. Next year we will offer to 9 th grade students French Spanish German Italian American Sign Language 8

Mathematics Students who have a “D” or lower in Pre-Algebra will be encouraged to take Algebra I Part I. This will be a double block course and will take up two periods in the student’s schedule. Students will take Algebra I Part 1 first semester and Algebra I Part 2 second semester. 9

Mathematics Pre-AP Algebra I - This course is designed to prepare students who did not have Algebra I in 8th grade and want to reach Calculus their senior year. Students should have a B or better in Pre-Algebra. Students will have to double up on Pre-AP Geometry and Algebra II in 10th grade, or take Geometry in summer school after 9th grade in order to take Algebra II in 10th grade, Pre-Calculus in 11th grade, and Calculus in 12th grade. 10

Mathematics All students who are enrolled in Algebra I in the 8 th grade will be registered for Pre-AP Geometry or Geometry for their 9 th grade math course. If a student has a C or lower in Algebra I, it is recommended that they expunge the grade and repeat Algebra I in 9 th grade. All students enrolled in Geometry in the 8 th grade will be registered for Pre-AP Algebra II/Trigonometry or Algebra II/Trigonometry. If a student has a C or lower in Geometry, it is recommended that they expunge the grade and repeat Geometry in 9 th grade. 11

Electives Military Science Project Lead the Way Fine Arts Business Family and Consumer Science Technology Education 12

Form (student’s should have brought home for review last month) Alternate Electives A copy of your student’s course requests will be sent to you at the end of May for a final review. Changes may be made at that time. Due to budget constraints, there will be no schedule changes permitted after June 17,

Schedule All classes meet on a modified block schedule or A/B schedule. Even (Green) Days periods 2, Flex, 4 and 6 meet. Odd (Gold) Days periods 1, 3, 5 and 7 meet. All other classes meet for approximately 93 minutes every other day with the exception of the flex period which is split into two 45 minute class periods. We have five lunch shifts, and students are assigned according to their block 4/5 class. 14

Grade Point Average Grade point averages are cumulative; therefore, all grades earned in a high school credit course count towards the final GPA. Grade point averages are updated at the end of the 1 st semester and the end of the year. Only semester and year grades reside on the official transcript. 15

Weighted Credit Weighted credit refers to grade point values assigned to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Courses, certain Career and Technical Education Courses, qualifying college courses, and designated prerequisite courses. All Carnegie unit courses are used in determining a student’s grade point average (GPA). When students successfully complete courses identified as ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade courses prior to entering ninth grade, they will receive standard units of credit toward graduation. Such courses will be used in computing the student’s high school grade point average. 16

Clubs, Activities, Athletics A variety of clubs and athletic programs are available to students. Most athletic programs and some clubs are considered to be VHSL activities. Students must be eligible to participate in these VHSL activities. 17

VHSL Eligibility A student must take and pass at least five (5) courses in the school year. A “C” or better must be earned in at least two courses. Eligibility is determined by semester and year end grades. Further determination of a student’s eligibility is made at the end of each nine-week period. 18

To be in 10 th grade = 5 standard credits (three in required courses) To be in 11 th grade = 11 standard credits (six in required courses) To be in 12 th grade = 16 standard credits (nine in required courses) 19

Pre-AP and AP courses are available to students in all of the academic areas. Research shows that students who take at least one rigorous course in high school are more successful during their college experience. Encourage your students to “stretch and reach” by taking advanced courses. 20

Project Lead the Way* Advanced Placement Scholars* Center for Fine and Performing Arts* Military Science Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Cosmetology * Students may transfer to Woodbridge to be part of these programs. For more information about transfer guidelines view the PWCS Specialty Program brochure (available online) 21

The Project Lead the Way High School Engineering Program is a nationally recognized program, which offers an enriched sequence of courses that prepare students for university level engineering courses. Application available online at the WSHS website. Application due date for transfer students from Hylton HS was February 1, Space in the program is limited. 22

STUDENT BENEFITS Opportunity to learn math, science, and technology in a hands-on, relevant way and explore engineering careers before college. Better preparation for college engineering programs and more likely to be successful. Ability to receive college credit as an increasing number of colleges and universities are becoming National Affiliates of PLTW. Increased analytical, problem solving,and team building skills. Motivate students to attempt challenging courses in both high school and college. Provides direction in selecting future college majors. 23

The Center for the Fine and Performing Arts specialty program offers high school students the opportunity to focus on a specific arts area while still maintaining a full academic load. Students in the program develop skills that contribute to their success in many areas of learning. Through activities that incorporate problem-solving, collaborative reasoning, and systematic inquiry, CFPA students are able to make critical connections in both their arts and academic classes. 24

Students may audition to participate in one of six concentrations including: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Music Technology, Vocal Music, Theater, and Visual Arts. Application deadline has passed. Students may apply to enter the program in grades 10 and

Purpose: To teach high school students the value of citizenship, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork, and self-discipline. Mission: “TO MOTIVATE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE BETTER CITIZENS.” Objectives: Develop leadership potential Improve physical fitness Promote high school completion and attend college Provide incentive to live drug free Enhance life skills: Math and Science 26

In addition to taking one JROTC class each year students learn leadership and discipline by participating on one of several teams: WSHS JROTC Armed Rifle Team WSHS JROTC Color Guard Team WSHS JROTC Raider Team WSHS JROTC Rifle Team WSHS JROTC Unarmed Drill Team All students must participate in community service events Students participate as leaders in JROTC classroom and within cadet run organizations An application is required. Each middle school counseling office has paper copies. 27

All students in grades 9 through 12 are eligible to apply. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of two Pre-AP courses per year in grades 9 and 10 and 2 AP courses per year in grades 11 and

Challenging course of study to include Pre Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) and Advanced Placement courses (AP) A supportive framework open to all students willing to tackle advanced courses College exploration sessions at each grade level School sponsored college tours in grades 11 and 12 29

Colleges prefer to see a student who takes a variety of courses to included as many AP and Pre-AP as possible. is involved in extracurricular activities both at school and in the community. takes a full course load each year. is able to express himself or herself in writing. 30

31 CollegeMin GPA Req.Accept % George Mason University3.514% Northern Virginia Community College - Woodbridge Campusn/a84% Virginia Commonwealth University2.554% James Madison University3.748% Old Dominion University2.558% Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University3.446% Radford University2.860% Christopher Newport University3.553% University of Virginia3.444% Longwood University2.553% University of Mary Washington3.248% College of William and Mary3.624%

Counselors will meet with your student each year to discuss courses and college preparation. conduct classroom guidance units with each grade level to discuss after high school options. expose students to resources available to them to explore post high school options. 32

Counselors closely monitor student progress each grading period. If your student is struggling, please contact the counselor. We have services available to support your student whether it be enrichment or remediation. After school assistance is available for students based upon teacher availability. 33

On the next few slides, you will find some vocabulary that is helpful for all parents and students to know. The PWCS Course Catalog is available online at for viewing. Once on the website, click on the student’s tab on the left column and scroll to High School Course Catalog 34

A standard unit of credit is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction and successful completion of the requirements of the course. 35

A verified unit of credit is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction, successful completion of the requirements of the course, and achievement of a passing score (400 – 600) on the End-of-Course (EOC) Standards of Learning (SOL) test or additional test for that course as approved by the Board of Education. 36

37 Courses in the areas listed to the right must be completed to earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and are considered to be required or CORE courses: English Math Science Social Studies Health and PE Fine Art CTE Foreign Language (for Adv. Studies only)

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Diploma and Cambridge AICE Courses Certain courses have been designated as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Courses (AICE). These courses are externally moderated and exceed the expectations of grade-level objectives for a specific subject. Students taking these courses will have a plus sign (+) beside the course title listed on the student’s report card and on the student transcript. These courses will receive weighted credit. 38

Electives Electives are additional courses other than required courses that are needed to meet the total minimum standard units of credit required to earn a high school diploma. Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education (practical arts) Fine Arts include elective courses under Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts. All of these courses meet this graduation requirement. Career and Technical Education courses are those in which a student is taught a “hands on” or career related skill. All courses listed under Career and Technical Education, JROTC, and Employ courses listed under Special Education meet this graduation requirement. Students must take any corresponding external assessments. 39

Sequential Electives According to the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Standards of Quality (SOQ) and beginning with the graduating class of 2003, students who plan to graduate must complete at least two sequential electives. Students who successfully complete any fine arts or career & technical education concentration or specialization that consists of at least two 36-week courses or semester equivalents that equal two 36-week courses will fully meet this requirement. 40

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