1 MHS Ninth Grade PREVIEW NIGHT Thursday, March 3, 2011

2 Welcome Address and Introductions- Jim Comegys  Jim Comegys, Principal of MHS  Assistant Principals-Chris Beck, Felecia Duggins and Voni Perrine  Counselors - Ryan Jamison, Lolita Sims, Madeleine Reitemeyer,  Career Counselor – aQuena Williams  Secondary Curriculum Director- Ray Gravuer

3 Middletown High School  Excellent school with wonderful opportunities for each student  Siemens Award Siemens Award  1 of Top 5 public schools - Delaware Today Magazine

4 Renovations and Physical Plant Improvements  Entire Building  Painted  Room numbers & signs  Department upgrades  New State-of-the-Art Technology  Commercial Kitchen  Agriculture Wing  Parking Lot

5 The 9 th Grade Academy  MHS provides a smaller learning community within Middletown High School.  Dedicated administration, Ms. Duggins and Guidance counselor, Ms. Sims  This setting is designed to ease the transition for students entering the 9 th grade.

6 Unique Characteristics of the 9 th Grade Academy  9 th Grade Orientation Students come to the school one day before the upperclassmen for their own unique experience.  9 th Grade Welcome Social  Consistent rules, procedures, and policies among 9 th grade staff which eases the students’ transition to high school.

7 Standardized Testing  Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS)  Students who do not meet the standard on the 8 th grade DCAS may be placed in specific classes to meet their academic needs  Students will have end of course assessments in several subject areas

8 Graduation Requirements-Counselors CourseUnits of Credit English4 Social Studies4 Mathematics4 Science3 Foreign Languages2 Career Pathway3 Electives3.5 Physical Education1 Health0.5 Completion of SSP and Senior Project 0.5 each

9 Career Pathway  A planned program of sequenced or specialized courses designed to develop knowledge and skills in a particular career area  3 credits in a Career Pathway are required for graduation  The Career Pathway is not a life- long career choice and may not necessarily be something a student would like to pursue following graduation from high school

10 Pathway Programs Currently Offered  Academic Math, Science Technology Humanities World Languages  Agriculture Natural Sciences Plant Science Animal Science Natural and Wildlife Resources  Business, Finance & Marketing Business Information Technology Accounting Banking Services Marketing Management  Air Force Jr. ROTC / Leadership  Family Consumer Science Early Childhood Education Nutrition and Culinary  Technology Education Draft & Design Construction & Manufacturing Systems Graphic Design and Production  Visual & Performing Arts Vocal Arts Theatre Arts Instrumental Music Visual Arts  Jobs for DE Graduates  Allied Health

11 Academics Sample Student Schedule First Semester Second Semester Integrated Math I (All Year) Coord Science ISocial Studies 9 CP English 9Health/PE Spanish IArt I

12 Scheduling Process  High school counselors will visit the middle schools  Parents and students will begin to view their course requests in HAC  Parents and students are given course verifications in homeroom in the second week of May  Course request changes may be made during the month of May

13 Promotion/Retention Requirements: Grades 9  Students must take a full schedule  Students must take a minimum of one (1) course in each of the core areas: English, math, science, and social studies  For promotion, students must earn a minimum of five credits each year, four of which must be English, Social Studies, Science and Math.  Students who do not meet these criteria will be scheduled into appropriate courses the next semester/year.  Students must have 10 th grade status to be eligible for driver’s education.

Athletic Teams Fall Season Winter Season Spring Season Cheerleading Basketball (B & G) Baseball Football Wrestling Lacrosse (B & G) Boys Soccer Cheerleading Softball Volleyball Indoor Track Track & Field (B & G) Field Hockey Swimming (B & G) Girls Soccer Cross Country (B & G) Tennis (B & G) Golf (B & G)

15 Award-Winning Extra-curricular Programs  ROTC  Science Olympiad  Math League  Robotics  Band, Chorus, Musical Productions  Poetry-Out-Loud  DECA/BPA

16 Summary  Academic Program  Rigorous Courses  Academic Clubs / Organizations  Advisory  Character Development  Study Skills  Transitioning  Offer Support Programs & Opportunities for Students/Parents  Get involved – Monitor and Adjust

17 The transition to ninth (9th) grade is a process; not an event. - Jay Hertzog

18 Questions & Answers