PROGRAM OF STUDIES The Program of Studies is now available online at (Student Resources tab). It is interactive, so you can click on the course name in the index and it will jump to the course description. Please check course prerequisites.

1.Go to District Website, 2.Click on “For Students” under the Parents/Students tab. 3.On that page, Click on “Program of Studies 9-12”

Program Planning Timeline (1) January 5 th – 8 th 1 st Semester English class visits Portal opens Friday, January 8 th January 28 th - February 1 st 2 nd Semester English class visits February 7 th (Sunday Night) Students must have all course requests into the system Yes, this is the same night as the Superbowl!

Program Planning Timeline (2) February 8 th – March 4 th Individual Meetings w/ Students March 14 th Course Verification Sheets are given to students during Advisory Signed Verifications are due March 16 th March 16 th Final submission of Course Verifications due No more changes to schedule requests after today!

Your counselor will meet with you at some point between February 8 th and March 4. Each student will be called down, you do not need to schedule an appointment. In order to meet with your counselor, you must first enter your courses online. You will likely be sent back to class if you are not ready. Please have your yellow Course Selection sheet with you each day, so you are ready to go when called. Appointment with Counselor

How to Enter Courses 1. Go to 2. Click on “For Students” under the Parent/Students tab.

Click on “Portal,” and then login Click on “Registration” on the left column Click “Course Search” to start entering courses.

COURSE CHANGE POLICY No changes to course requests for next year will be accepted after March 16, 2016 Except when the student: Fails to meet a prerequisite Requests to change levels (IE., Honors to Academic) All changes must be approved by administration These are the only reasons why you will be permitted to request a course change for next year. Choose core subjects, electives, and alternative courses carefully.

How to select courses Speak with teachers about Academic, Honors, or AP level Select courses where you will be challenged, but also consider outside activities and commitments. Try not to make every decision based solely on “what colleges want,” but more on what is appropriate. Talk to your counselor about questions!

For example… If you are getting “A’s” in an Academic/Honors level course, you may want to take an Honors/AP level in that subject. Assuming You aren’t putting in a major amount of work for that “A.” You have an interest in being challenged. You are comfortable having to adjust your study habits. You understand this may result in a lower grade. You have an interest in thoughtful exploration of the subject.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Can be found on p.3 of the Program of Studies For the Class of 2018 ( total credits ): English – 4 credits Social Studies – 4 credits Math – 4 credits Science – 3 credits PE – 1 credit Electives – credits Performance Assessment ( 9 th + Career Plan ) – 0.5 credit

1.0 additional Science credit 3 AP courses At least 2.0 credits of World Language 3.4 overall GPA overall credits Scholar’s Diploma is an honor determined at the time of graduation, not in advance. You do not put “Scholar’s Diploma” on college applications. Scholar’s Diploma

English 11 Academic and Honors AP English Language Please check prerequisites of all courses English

Please see the sequence table on p.22 of the Program of Studies. Find the course you are taking now, and take the next course in the progression. You must meet the prerequisite grade for the course you wish to enter. If you do not, you may need to repeat your current course. Discuss what makes sense with your current math teacher! Math

All students must take 3.0 credits of science. 1 credit must be in Biology Most colleges are looking for 4 years of science, and often at least 3 lab sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics). Please check your prospective colleges for admission requirements. While planning, check math and science prerequisites for higher level science courses. AP Biology and AP Chemistry are each 3 marking periods, so plan accordingly. Science

American Government and Economic Systems Academic and Honors AP United States History ( 3 blocks ) Please check prerequisites of all courses Social Studies

All students must take PE/Health between 10 th – 12 th If you didn’t take PE during 9 th grade, you will also need to sign up for at least one PE Elective Team Sports, Lifetime Sports, Personal Fitness, Stress Management You must have 1.0 total PE credit in order to graduate. Health and PE

Music runs all year, every other day. If you are taking music (choir, band, symphonic, etc), you may have to take a study hall opposite music each marking period. Music Theory, Music Technology, Jazz Lab, Psychology, Sociology, Personal Finance, Marketing, Digital Imaging, and SAT Critical Reading all should run opposite the music courses; however, they may not be offered during a block where you have an opening. Music

No Central Bucks language requirement… … BUT many colleges want to see AT LEAST two consecutive years of a language. Most colleges will only credit language courses taken from 9 th grade on. If you want to switch to a different language, doubling up next year is a possibility, but not a guarantee. World Language

Each Department (English, Science, etc.) has electives. You need total electives. Any “extra” credits you take in any required subject counts as elective credit. For example, if you take 5 science courses, your first 3 will count toward the required Science credit, and 2 will count towards your elective totals. Pick electives wisely – you cannot “drop” or “switch” them (Course Change Policy). This includes alternate courses. Read the last bullet one more time. Electives

Program Planning / Credits Any general questions?

College Search Overview Career Exploration- (10 th Grade) A career path can help narrow down options, and give direction. If Graduate School is necessary, this will also influence Undergraduate decisions. IE., Psychology and Law Many careers are associated with accrediting associations, providing a starting list of schools. For example, AACSB when going into Business.AACSB

College Search Timeline (10 th ) September - January Work hard, establish effective study habits. Consider joining sports/clubs/activities. Learn how to make decisions, and deal with things that come up. January - August Start to explore different career options. Consider visiting a local college over the summer Not a must, but can be helpful Summer experiences Jobs/volunteering

College Related Tests PSAT Taken in October; 11 th grade scores used for National Merit Scholarship consideration SAT vs. ACT Both SAT and ACT are used as part of college admissions. Some schools are “test optional.”test optional All students should take the SAT & ACT in 11 th gr. to gauge where they are. Results of SAT/ACT are also used by colleges when determining Merit Scholarships.

College Related Tests SAT Subject Tests About 160 schools use these scores for admissions. Visit the CollegeBoard website for a list.CollegeBoard website Usually take 2-3 total, depending on program req’s. IE., Chemistry, Physics, Math 2 = Engineering AP Exams Taken in May each year, on set days. Many colleges will offer credit to incoming students who score a 4 or 5 (out of 5) on an AP exam. Usually taken by students after completing an AP Course that year. Students can register for any AP exam they want to (assuming they prepare on their own).

College Related Questions We will cover the college search extensively during 11 th grade. This year, your focus should be on: -career exploration -learning how to study -getting involved. What questions do you have?

Thank you for listening … Now, lets take a look at some schedules