WELCOME CLASS OF 2016

Credits Are earned when you pass a course. Year long courses are worth 1 credit; semester courses are worth ½ credit. If you don’t earn enough credits you will not be promoted to the next grade. If you do not earn the required 24 credits in 4 years, you will not graduate on time with your class.

Credits for Promotion 6 credits earned = promoted to10 th grade 12 credits earned = promoted to11 th grade 18 credits earned = promoted to 12 th grade 24 credits earned = student will graduate on time with the class in cap and gown Students are NOT promoted based upon age, special needs, etc. Passing classes and earning credits are the only ways to be promoted and graduate with a diploma. Online courses, at the student expense, can be used for this purpose. Students must be on “grade level” to compete in athletics and must pass 6 of their 7 classes EACH week of the athletic season.

Credits needed for graduation: ENGLISH (4): English I (CP or Honors) English II (CP or Honors) English III (CP or Honors) English IV (CP, Honors, AP) MATH (3): Algebra I (CP or Honors) Geometry (CP or Honors) Algebra II (CP or Honors) Other math elective: Senior Transitions Math, Pre-Calculus, or A.P. Calculus TAKESTUDENTS MUST TAKE MATH ALL FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL! Even if taking Algebra I in 8 th grade. SCIENCE (3): Integrated Earth/Space Science (CP or Honors) Biology (CP or Honors) Physical Science A student may choose to take Chemistry AND Physics in place of Physical Science. SOCIAL STUDIES (3): World History (CP Honors) Integrated Social Studies (CP or Honors) U.S. History (CP, Honors, or A.P.)

Credits for graduation, cont. Arts/Humanities Elective (1)Arts/Humanities Elective (1) Health & P.E. (1)Health & P.E. (1) Elective (13)Elective (13) 24 credits required for graduation from T.C.H.S.

Should I choose a College Prep or an Honors class? Honors course:Honors course: –for those students who want to be challenged and are anticipating going to a four-year college –for academically gifted students who can learn material at a faster pace than those in a regular course –are more difficult and will improve your weighted class grade point average because these courses are “weighted” College Prep course:College Prep course: –has the same content of the Honors class but moves at a more manageable pace –will prepare students for both college and career opportunities

A typical 9 th grade schedule… Grade 9:Grade 9: –English I: CP or Honors –World History: CP or Honors –Integrated Earth/Space Science: CP or Honors –Algebra I: CP or Honors (or Geometry Honors if you took Algebra I at TCMS) –PE/Health –Algebra I Math Lab (mandatory for students who take Algebra I at TCHS next year) –Elective #1 –(Stagecraft/Theatre, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Music Theory, Art, Language Lab, Computer Applications, Principles of Agriculture, Technology Concepts).

So…what if I am in the band? STAY IN THE BAND!!STAY IN THE BAND!! The opportunities for marching band, pep band, jazz band, pep rallies, parades, tournament games, concerts, and festivals, etc. are too fun to give up on or miss out! Your schedule will look something like this:Your schedule will look something like this: –English I –World History –Integrated Earth/Space Science –Algebra I (or Geometry if you had Algebra I at TCMS) –Algebra I Math Lab –PE/Health –Elective of your choice (BAND)

Can I “double up” on math? YES! It is possible to take both Geometry and Algebra II in the freshman year but only with teacher approval and appropriate placement scores. Your elective classes may be impacted though so be prepared for alternatives. Remember, this will have you in Pre Calculus as a sophomore, A.P. Calculus as a junior, and you will still be required to take a math class your senior year. This may be an online course.

How do I schedule classes? Become familiar with the Curricular Guide and Registration materials at Work with Mrs. Howerton and the 8 th grade team to determine the courses you need and want for next year. Talk at home about what you would like to take and research the course descriptions together. Schedule your classes online at the student portal by using the passwords distributed by Mrs. Howerton next week. Student portal will be available March rd for schedule requests.

Schedules… Schedule decisions are made in the spring/early summer. Often, classes fill up and we must use the alternate choices to fill your schedule. Don’t request it as an alternate if you can’t picture yourself in the course. the week prior to schoolPick up your schedule during the week prior to school so adjustments can be addressed. This is the only time that schedules will be changed. We will notify you of this date in May. It is not always possible to get every elective class that you request. Decisions are based upon class sizes, number of course offerings each day, and preference is given to upperclassmen to fulfill graduation requirements. This is why your alternate choices are so important.

How do I prepare for college and careers? START NOW…plan your four year program to include the following: –Become familiar with the Pre-College Curriculum in the curricular guide: 15 required classes plus 9 VERY CAREFULLY chosen electives… –2 years of the same foreign language –Chemistry and Physics –Additional rigorous electives in science, social studies, and math –Additional electives in technology, business, music, agriculture, physical education, etc.

What do I need to do to become college/career ready? Choose your courses carefully and make the best grades that you can. Do not fail any classes! Participate in extra curricular, community service, and volunteer opportunities. Utilize the Individualized Learning Plan to determine possible college and career options. Start looking at schools and making college visits now. Utilize the guidance website to assist with this process. Meet the state benchmarks on the ACT test (24 is a safe score for the Class of 2012). Work on your class rank and grade point average from day 1 at T.C.H.S. Take difficult classes, study, make good grades, and earn all credits each year.

Grade Point Average Is determined by the courses you take and the grades you make in those courses. The more difficult the class and the better the grade…the higher the grade point average, both weighted (can be above a 4.0) and unweighted (max of a 4.0). Grade point average will be reported on scholarships and college admissions applications in the future. It will be on your permanent transcript in the guidance office.

Weighted Grade Point Average Example Honors Courses: English I Honors: A = 5 Algebra I Honors: A = 5 Integrated Science Hon.: A = 5 Integrated Soc. St. Hon.: A = 5 PE/Health: A = 4 Band: A = 4 Rosetta Stone: A = 4 G.P.A. = 32/7 = 4.57 C.P. Courses: English I CP: A = 4 Algebra I CP:A = 4 Integrated Science CP: A = 4 Integrated Soc. St. CP: A = 4 PE/Health: A = 4 Band: A = 4 Rosetta Stone: A = 4 G.P.A. = 28/7 = 4.0

Weighted Grade Point Average Example Honors Courses English I Honors: A = 5 Algebra I Honors: C = 3 Integrated Sci. Honors: B = 4 Integrated Soc. St. Hon: A = 5 PE/Health: A = 4 Band: A = 4 Rosetta Stone: A = 4 G.P.A. = 29/7 = 4.14 C.P. Courses English I CP: A = 4 Algebra I CP:A = 4 Integrated Sci. CP: A = 4 Integrated Soc. St.: A = 4 PE/Health: A = 4 Band: A = 4 Rosetta Stone: A = 4 G.P.A. = 28/7 = 4.0

What if I want to play ball in college? Become familiar with the NCAA and NAIA websites. and PASS YOUR CLASSES! Your GPA combined with your ACT score determine eligibility. Be aware of the “NCAA Core Courses” that are acceptable for the required 16 credits that determine your NCAA g.p.a. Examples of classes that do not count: vocational school, career and technical, arts/humanities/music, physical education/health, journalism/media, our foreign language program. CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY!

Questions… Contact information and websites: Brigette Kunselman , ext 2003 The Trimble County High School webpage will give direct access to student portal for schedule requests. In addition, there will be a link to the curricular guide and this presentation.