1. Wren High School FRESHMAN ACADEMY
RISING 9TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT
January 31, 2017

2. Freshman Academy Staff Freshman Academy Building
INTRODUCTIONS
Freshman Academy Staff
Freshman Guidance Counselor- Mrs. Dillard
Director of Freshman Academy- Mr. Young
Principal- Mrs. Boseman
Freshman Academy Building
2 halls (3 teams of teachers)
Atrium
Auxiliary gym
Car Circle

3. What is High school all about?
What is a Carnegie unit?
Do elective units count?
What is a GPA and how is it calculated?
What is my class rank?
Graduation requirements vs. college admissions
1) Passing with a 70 or better, seat time 2)elective units count as CP credit, are required to graduate, will affect your GPA; 3) SC has a uniform grading scale where each numeric grades is assigned a GPA weighting 4)completed courses only 5)

5. Freshman Academy Divided into three teams
Each team has a math, science, social studies, and English teacher.
Academic Classes:
Taught 45 minutes each day
English, math, science, social studies
Recommendations made by teachers

6. FRESHMAN ACADEMY MISSION
Smooth Transition from Middle School to High School
Commitment to High School Graduation
Rigorous Academics
Preparation for 10th-12th Grades and Life after WHS

7. HAVE GOALS ACADEMIC SHORT TERM LONG TERM Complete all Assignments
Pass the test/Make A on Test
Make A’s and B’s on report card
LONG TERM
Pass 9th Grade
Graduate from High School
Go to College (Clemson, South Carolina, Tri-County, etc)
Join Military/Get a JOB

8. CORE ACADEMICS English, Science, Social Studies, Math Prerequisites
45 minutes daily
Teams
Homework/Lunch Detentions
Study habits, motivation, determination
Teacher Expectations

9. Elective Classes
Elective courses are taught 90 minutes every other day. Freshmen earn 8 units in the school year, and may choose 1.5 units of electives. We are on an A/B Block Schedule.
A sample schedule is listed below:
A Day: AE English Geog. Math Science Dig Lit
90 mins. 45 mins 45 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins mins.
B Day: ROTC English Geog. Math Science Band
90 mins mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins mins.

10. Academic Enhancement Required course for ALL ninth grade students.
All Freshman Academy academic teachers have Academic Enhancement with their students.
Students have the opportunity to be tutored and make up tests during this class period.
In addition, a curriculum is incorporated into this class that includes:
Organizational skills
Digital Citizenship
Unit on Bullying
Unit on College/Career Readiness
Tutorials
Career and Technology Center tours
Variety of speakers

11. PE or ROTC
All students must take 1 unit of PE or ROTC in order to receive a high school diploma.
Students should choose only one.
ROTC is an excellent program that teaches you about naval science, government, and physical fitness.
Required to wear a uniform once a week in ROTC.
This is a year-long course.
Opportunities for students to participate in competitions
PE consists of a yearlong course.
Students must dress out each class period
Follows State/National standards for physical fitness

12. digital literacy Digital Literacy
Students must complete a full unit of Computer Science in order to graduate.
Digital Literacy
Course is ½ credit toward Computer Science Requirement
Prerequisite for Computer Applications
Focuses on skills with Microsoft Word and Powerpoint
Units on Google Apps for Education
Project Lead the Way can fulfill Computer Science requirement

13. College requirements Fine Art requirement NCAA (College Athletics)
Four year colleges are requiring one full unit of a fine art (Theater, Band, Strings, Chorus, Art) in order to be admitted.
If you are planning to attend a four year college, you should choose .5 of the fine art unit your freshman year if possible.
NCAA (College Athletics)
does not accept Foundations of Algebra for eligibility.

14. Other Electives Remaining 1.5 electives are chosen by the student
The list of elective courses that are available to freshmen are on the back of the registration form
These are the ONLY courses that freshmen may choose at this time.
Please read the course descriptions to find out more information on each course.
Pay close attention to the unit value of each course since you can only choose 1.5 units.
Please note that courses like Foods ($20) require additional fees.

15. Other Electives, CONT. Advanced Art Courses
If you would like to apply for an advanced art course, please see Mrs. Dierks to get portfolio deadlines and requirements.
These courses are usually not available to freshmen due to scheduling conflicts.
Yearbook
If you wish to take Yearbook, please pick up an application from Mrs. Craig.
Show Chorus, Concert Chorus, and Jazz Band are not available to 9th Graders.

16. Other Electives, CONT.
Once you have chosen your 1.5 units of electives that you would like to take, you should put a check beside the course name. These are your first choice of electives, however, they are only course requests, not your official school schedule.
VERY IMPORTANT!
Students MUST write in 3 alternate electives on the bottom of their registration form.

17. Career guide/electives
Met with 8th grade students today
Career Guide has been ed to 8th grade students at Wren Middle
Career Guide contains course descriptions

18. Upcoming dates
Bring registration sheet and blue curriculum guide back for February 9th CAPS meeting.
Students will be putting their requests into the computer
Please go over your choices with your parents as they will have the final say at the CAPS Conference on March 24.

19. Any Questions:
Seth Young –
Paige Dillard –
or call