1. East Grand Rapids High School
Academic Planning
Class of 2021
March 13 or 15, 2017

2. High School Counselors
Mrs. Lori Johnston A-F; T-Z
Mrs. Danielle Beller G-S

3. Welcome to high school! Different surroundings
New classmates, new teachers
More choices ~ more advanced classes
New rules and procedures
Expanded opportunities
More freedom ~ and responsibility
FRESH START!

4. Tips for High School success
Work to be organized
Take care of yourself
Ask questions
Take responsibility for your learning
Participate in something – get involved
Have fun!

5. Tonight’s Objectives Academic Overview - terms you should know
EGRHS Graduation Requirements and Michigan Merit Curriculum Requirements
IB Diploma information
Select elective and world language course options

6. Terms you should know Credits Academic course – Core course
.5 for each class – each semester
Only recorded at the end of each semester
6 credit/year possible
Need 23 credits to graduate
Academic course – Core course
English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language

7. Terms you should know Non-academic course - Elective Required course
Examples – Art, Choir, Band, Basic Mechanical Drafting, TV Production, Journalism and others
Balance with academic courses
Required course
Courses you need in order to graduate
Michigan Merit Curriculum

8. Terms you should know Honors course Advanced Placement Program (AP)
More rigorous, moves more quickly, requires additional work outside of class
Advanced Placement Program (AP)
College level curriculum – standard across the US
Preparation for the AP exam in spring
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB)

9. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
New academic program and courses for juniors and seniors
Available to current students beginning their junior year of high school
Information Session geared toward 8th & 9th grade students and their parents on March 23, 2017:
7:00 HS Learning Commons Conference Room
Learn about the IB Diploma Program and how that might impact your child’s four year plan

10. EGRHS Graduation Requirements
English 4 credits
Mathematics 4 credits
Including Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra and a math course in senior year
Science 3 credits
Including Biology, Chemistry or Physics and a 3rd science
Social Studies 3 credits
Including US History, World History, and a semester of both Economics and Government
World Language 2 credits same language
Health/Physical Education .5 credit of each
Fine, Visual or Performing Art 1 credit
Electives 5 credits
Total credits

11. Recommendations for Course Placements
Recommendation for English, Math, Science, and Spanish courses are based on research and data – these have been preloaded in Skyward and can be found in your packets
Physics, Physics Honors, Biology, Biology Honors
Current Math course
7th grade Math and Science grades
8th grade Math and Science S1 grades
English or English Honors:
7th grade English grades
8th grade English S1 grade
7th grade Reading and Writing MEAP
8th grade Reading MEAP
Algebra, Geometry, Adv. Alg./FST(H)
Current Math course
Spanish 3-4 or Spanish 3-4 Honors
Honors is standard progression
MS Spanish Teacher recommendation
Math and Spanish are placements and one cannot choose to move up the sequence without the recommendation or testing out
English and Science are strongly encouraged recommendations based on data and historical experience. You may choose honors if you are not recommended, but before doing so seek consultation with our Director of Guidance, Lori Johnston.

12. A Typical 9th Grade Schedule?
1. English 2. Mathematics 3. World Language 4. Science 5. Preferred Elective or Social Studies 6. Health/Physical Education 7. Lunch

13. English Options for 9th grade
English 1-2 Honors

14. Math Options for 9th grade
Algebra
Geometry
Advanced Algebra
Adv. Algebra/FST -H

15. World Language Options for 9th grade
French 1-2
French 3 -4
Spanish 1-2
Spanish 3-4
Spanish 3-4 Honors
Latin 1-2

16. Science Options for 9th grade
Physics
Biology
Physics – Honors
Biology - Honors

17. Social Studies Options for 9th grade
World History
AP World History
Or -
No Social Studies in 9th grade

18. Electives – Visual Arts and Technology
Foundation Art I/II*
Digital Photography I/II
Basic Mechanical Drafting I/II
Computer Animation & Game Design I/II
Interior Design (.5 cr)
* prerequisite for all other art classes such as Sculpture, Drawing, etc

19. Electives – Communication
Public Speaking
Film Studies I
Film Studies II
Video Production
Intro to Journalism
Theater I
Theater II
All are one semester = .5 credit

20. Electives – Business
Introduction to Business I & II – full year

21. Electives – Performing Arts
Symphony Band
9th grade Orchestra
Vocal Music
Women’s Chorus
Varsity Men’s Chorus
*All are full year commitments

22. Health/PE Options Health Physical education
At EGRHS during school year
During the summer through MVU or
By Testing Out on August 21st*
At EGRHS during school year
By Testing Out on August 21st *
Personal Curriculum+
* See handout - application required
+ IB Diploma students will be eligible for a Personal Curriculum

23. Four Reasons for Personal Curriculum (PC):
To go beyond the academic credit requirements by adding more math, science, English language arts, or world languages credits
To modify the Advanced Algebra mathematics requirements
To modify curriculum requirements based on the disability of a student with an Individualized Education Plan
To modify credit requirements for a transfer student from out of state or from a nonpublic school who has completed the equivalent of two years of high school and is unable to meet the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements.

24. Dual Enrollment
Option to enroll in college classes with support for tuition and fees
Academic course – not offered or not available
Qualifying score on PSAT 8/9 test
Must meet eligibility requirements from the state of Michigan and the individual college
Maximum of 10 courses in high school
9th grade – maximum of two courses

25. NCAA Eligibility
Potential to participate in Division I or II athletics
Qualify with core classes, GPA, and test scores
Refer to the information in your packet for minimum requirements
See your counselor or coach if you have questions

26. What is next? Course review and selection
Student logs into his/her Skyward account
Check the grey half page instruction sheet in your packet
Review course placement recommendations – preloaded for you
Complete requests….6 credits/12 classes and 2-3 additional alternates
Student can make changes until March 30th

27. Before you leave tonight……..
Select classes on the computer
Plan to attend the IB Diploma Programme Scheduling presentation on March 23rd
Plan to attend the Freshmen Parent Forum in May following the PTO meeting at the High School
Begin to look forward to four great years at the high school!

28. Questions? Call the HS Guidance Office 616-235-7594 - or -
(Secretary ~ Carolynne Allaben)
- or -
us at: