1. A guide for 8 th grade students and parents

2. Differences between Middle School and High School High School teachers do not have teams ◦ Students may have several tests & quizzes on the same day Attendance Policy ◦ More than 5 unexcused absences in quarter will result in an ‘attendance failure’ (64) for that quarter. Students are expected to be more independent and responsible ◦ Students need to keep track of their assignments, complete work on time and use Plus Portals to check their progress. ◦ There will be daily homework in most classes.

3. Differences between Middle School and High School Courses 2 levels of classes for World History ◦ General & College Prep (CP) 3 levels for English & Science ◦ General, College Prep (CP) & Honors Options for Mathematics ◦ Students who need additional work in basic math skills will be recommended for General Algebra 1A. The course provides a review of basic mathematical concepts in addition to Algebra I concepts at a slower pace than CP Algebra I. ◦ Other students who were not recommended for Algebra I in the 8 th grade, will take CP Algebra I for 9 th grade ◦ Students currently in Algebra I who have a strong Algebra foundation, will take either Geometry or Honors Geometry depending on ability & performance. ◦ Students currently in Honors Geometry who have a strong Algebra foundation, will be recommended for either Honors or CP Algebra II. Elective Classes ◦ There are students in grades 9 – 12 students in most elective classes

4. Course Recommendations: Teachers will make recommendations for English, Math, Science, Social Studies & Spanish (if CP English or higher)  Teacher recommendations are based on:  Test/quiz/writing scores  This may not be equal to the students’ grade in the course  Standardized Assessment scores  Work Ethic

5. General Level Courses General level courses are designed for those students who would benefit from focused work on writing and math skills so that they can move on to CP level work with greater success General level English, history, and science classes follow a similar curriculum to the CP level courses but spend additional time in class on writing and vocabulary along with the content. In addition alternate texts are sometimes used or the same text is further broken down for students to increase comprehension Students may begin high school in a general level but advance to the CP level later on in high school once the necessary skills have been attained.

6. College Prep (CP) Level Courses For students planning to attend a four year college or beyond ◦ Provides a solid framework for further education beyond high school ◦ More independence is expected than at the general level ◦ Students do not need to be in the same level for all courses ◦ Students may change levels from year to year

7. Honors Level Classes ◦ This level is designed for students with an intellectual curiosity and superior ability as evidenced by demonstrating ‘higher level’ thinking skills in the classroom through class discussion, strong test scores & writing ability that includes synthesizing information ◦ More rigorous and in depth course work than the CP level ◦ Advanced Placement & Early College Experience courses offered Junior and Senior year for advanced students

8. Homework In addition to WEB & study hall time that may be available during the day, students should spend at least one hour per night on homework, reviewing notes and organization at the college preparatory level. Honors level students should plan on at least 2 hours per night (sometimes more). Parents/students can check academic progress in Plus Portals. Teachers are available daily for extra help during WEB & after school.

9. Minimum Graduation Requirements English 4.0 Social Studies (including civics)3.0 Mathematics 3.0 Science 3.0 Business/Computer Applications I & II1.0 Financial Professional Management.5 Physical Education1.0 Health.5 Career/Technical Education/Fine Arts1.0 Electives 6.0 TOTAL CREDITS 23.0

10. English Sequence: ◦ Grade 9: English I ◦ Grade 10: English II ◦ Grade 11: English III ◦ Grade 12: English IV or Advanced English  (AP/ECE English Literature & Composition)

11. Social Studies Sequence: ◦ Grade 9: World History ◦ Grade 10: Modern World History/American Government ◦ Grade 11: US History ◦ Grade 12: Electives:  AP US Government & Politics  Sociology (1/2 credit),

12. Mathematics Sequence: ◦ Grade 9: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II** ◦ Grade 10: Algebra I Part B, Geometry, Algebra II** or Precalculus ◦ Grade 11: Algebra II**, Precalculus, Calculus ◦ Grade 12: College Math, Precalculus, Calculus, or Statistics ** You can also earn CCP Credit for Algebra II

13. Science Sequence ◦ Grade 9: Physical Science ◦ Grade 10: Biology (Graduation Requirement) ◦ Grade 11: Chemistry ◦ Grade 12: Physics, AP/ECE Biology, ◦ Electives (11&12): Anatomy & Physiology(CCP), Microbiology, Medical Terminology(CCP), Intro to Computer Programming

14. World Language Grade 9: Spanish I or II ◦ Based on teacher recommendation ◦ Students in CP or Honors English Grade 10: Spanish II or III (if recommended) Grade 11: Spanish III or IV (if recommended) Grade 12: Spanish IV or V (if recommended) Students planning to go to a competitive 4 year college (UConn) should have 3 to 4 years of Spanish Students applying to other state colleges (Eastern, Western, Southern or Central) should complete a minimum of 2 years

15. Career & Life Skills Physical Education – one credit ◦ One Semester grade 9 & grade10 Health – ½ credit ◦ Taken in grade 9 Computer Applications I & II (CCP) ◦ Grade 9 & Grade 10 Financial & Professional Management ½ credit ◦ Taken in grade 11

16. Career Pathways -all students select a career pathway their freshman year Arts – Fine Arts ◦ Art ◦ Music: Choral or Instrumental Arts – Media Technology & Communications Business Medical Professions Hospitality Education & Human Services Manufacturing Construction Technologies and Design

17. Arts: Fine Arts - Art Grade 9: Drawing I & Drawing II Grade 10: Painting I & Painting II Grade 11 & 12: Pottery I & Pottery II and/or Advanced Drawing Art History I & Art History II

18. Fine Arts: Music - Choral Freshman Options ◦ Chorus ◦ Concert Choir ◦ Musical Theater  ½ credit Additional Options for Upperclassman Chamber Singers (audition required)

19. Fine Arts: Music - Instrumental Music Choices ◦ Band (One credit) ◦ String Orchestra (One credit) ◦ Piano Music Theory I & II (Half credit each) ◦ Guitar I & II, Bass Guitar (Half credit each) ◦ Music Technology (Half credit)

20. Arts: MediaTechnology & Communications Pathway Grade 9: Exploratory Graphic Communications & Basic Photography Grade 10: Production Graphics & Multimedia Communications Grade 11: Digital Imaging & Broadcast Production and/or CADD I Grade 12: Advanced Studies in Photography and/or Publications I & II

21. Business Pathway Grade 9: Introduction to Business & Marketing Grade 10: Accounting I Grade 11: Accounting II Grade 12: ◦ Electives:  Business Law  Entrepreneurship

22. Medical Professions Pathway Grade 9: CP or Honors Physical Science Diversified Health Occupations (CCP) Grade 10: CP or Honors Biology ◦ Sports Medicine (1/2 credit) Grade 11: CP or Honors Chemistry ◦ Medical Terminology I&II (CCP) Grade 12: ◦ Anatomy & Physiology (CCP) ◦ Physics ◦ Advanced Biology (AP/ECE) ◦ Microbiology (1/2 credit) ◦ Certified Nurse’s Assistant ◦ Recommended: Intro. to Individual & Family Development (ECE)

23. Hospitality Pathway Grade 9: Food & Nutrition Grade 10: World of Foods & Regional Foods (1/2 credit each) Grade 11: Bakeshop I & II (1/2 credit each) ◦ Suggested: Accounting I Grade 12: Culinary Essentials ◦ Suggested: Psychology (1/2)

24. Education & Human Services Pathway Grade 9: Child Growth & Development (1/2) Grade 10: Teaching the Young Child Grade 11 or 12: Intro. to Individual & Family Development (ECE) OR Early Childhood Education (CCP) Grade 12: Introduction to Psychology (1/2)

25. Manufacturing Pathway Grade 9: Introduction to Production & Computer Aided Drafting & Design I (1/2 credit each) Grade 10: Transportation Technology (1 credit) & Manufacturing Technology (1/2 credit) Grade 11: Computer Aided Drafting & Design II (full year) Grade 12: Computer Aided Drafting & Design III (full year)

26. Construction Technologies & Design Pathway Grade 9: Introduction to Production Systems & Computer Aided Drafting/Design I (1/2 credit each) Grade 10: Construction I & II Grade 11: Computer Aided Drafting & Design II (full year) Grade 12: Computer Aided Drafting/Design III (full year)

27. Additional Graduation Requirements Elective Credits – 6 credits ◦ May include Pathway Courses ◦ Courses in World Language, Art, Music, Technology, Computers or Business ◦ Other additional courses such as Fashion Design may be selected

28. High School Transcript Freshman year begins the high school transcript that post-secondary schools will use as part of their admission decision. All final grades appear on the transcript. Class rank is released at the end of each year ◦ This is a students weighted grade point average in comparison to his/her classmates ◦ Honors & AP courses receive additional weight ◦ - must take AP exam to receive AP designation on transcript

29. High School Transcript College Financial Aid When determining financial aid for college parent/student income is taken into account In addition to income guidelines, colleges are increasingly using “merit aid” as part of their financial aid packages “Merit Aid” is based on a students’ grade point average A students grade point average generally needs to be above a 3.0 (80) to receive any merit aid In general, students with higher averages receive more merit aid

30. College Preparation Students should plan to take the most challenging courses available to them based on their ability to be successful In addition to the scholastic record, extracurricular activities (especially leadership & community service) are very important for college applications as well as National Honor Society membership ◦ National Honor Society looks at character, leadership, scholarship & service when evaluating applications. ◦ Students are invited to apply for National Honor Society during the Junior year. ◦ Students will begin developing a resume freshman year and add to it each year.

31. College Preparation Students have MANY opportunities to earn college credit while in high school ◦ Note courses designated CCP, AP or ECE in the Program of Studies Book  There is a small cost involved for ECE (ECE course ~$125)  There is a small cost involved for AP (AP exam ~ $92)  All CCP courses are FREE (but you must fill out the application!!) 8 courses available  ANY of the above options is MUCH less expensive than a college course  Students on Free or Reduced lunch get any of the above courses for FREE if the ‘consent to share’ form is returned

32. “Typical” 9 th grade Schedule 1 English 2 World History 3 Physical Science 4 Algebra I / Geometry/ Algebra II 5 PE (1/2 credit) /Health (1/2 credit) 6Pathway Elective Course(s) 7 Spanish I/II or Elective 8 Computer Apps I/Elective (full year or ½ year) or Study Hall

33. Elective Courses Students should select elective courses based on their interests Please note that some courses have prerequisites (see the Program of Studies) Select alternative courses just in case the first choice elective does not fit into the schedule ◦ Please list course #’s in order of preference ◦ Once pathways course(s) are chosen students may pick any other courses as electives

34. Master Schedule The schedule for the high school will be developed based on students’ core classes first It is designed so that the highest number of students can fit into each course Teachers are not assigned to courses until the master schedule has been completed

35. Extracurricular Activities Athletic Activities ◦ Fall  Football  Soccer  Cross-country  Volleyball  Cheerleading ◦ Winter  Wrestling  Fencing  Indoor Track  Basketball  Cheerleading ◦ Spring  Lacrosse  Baseball  Softball  Track  Golf  Cross Country

36. Athletic Eligibility Eligibility based on previous quarter’s grades Students must pass a minimum of 4 courses

37. Other Activities Activity Period ◦ Held every Friday during WEB. All students are strongly encouraged to join clubs.  Clubs  National Honor Society  Student Council  Fitness Club  Gay Straight Alliance  Scrabble Club  Games Club  Computer Programming (‘Raspberry Pi’)  Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)  Class Meeting  Entire freshman class meets with advisor  Discuss Fundraisers etc.

38. STUDENTS: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION THIS IS YOUR JOB FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS -Consider your pay for this “job” as a student “delayed gratification” – YOU WILL BE PAID LATER IN LIFE FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ARE PUTTING IN RIGHT NOW

39. $1421 $ 1370 $1129 $937 $699 $653 $583 $409

42. ALL FRESHMAN COURSE SELECTION SHEETS NEED TO BE TURNED IN TO THE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE BY FRIDAY, MARCH 18th