1. Achieving the Right Balance Class of 2021
Rising 9th grade Family Night
January 24, 2017
Dr. Edward Spurka, Principal
Ms. Kim Premoli, Assistant Principal
Ms. Jennifer Sidelinger, Counselor

2. Beginning the Transition
Increased Student Responsibility & Support Programs
Selection of Classes/Pre-Registration
Unique Schedule and Course Options
Grading Differences
Graduation Requirements
Availability of Athletics/Extra-Curricular Activities

3. Registration Process January By February 10, 2017 March & April
Current teachers make recommendations for core courses: science, math, English, social studies, world language
By February 10, 2017
Students and parents fill out verification form #1 by selecting elective courses and confirming teacher-recommended courses (or completing waiver to request non-recommended courses).
March & April
Parents/students make changes to core and elective course requests on verification forms #2 and #3 distributed to students.
June 16, 2017
– Final date to make course request changes.

5. Special Programs night
February 9, :30 pm
Electives
AP classes
WL Honor classes

6. Grading High School Middle School
Grades are calculated using a system of averages.
Example
8th English
Semester I – 60
Semester II – 80
Yearly Average – 70
Grades are not averaged.
Each semester counts separately.
Example
9th English
Semester I – 60
Semester II – 80
No yearly average – student fails 1st semester
Credits accumulate over 4 years.

7. Graduation Requirements
23 Units required to graduate
* 0.5 unit = 1 semester-long course
* 2 semesters in a school year
* 6 Classes taken each semester

8. 4 units of ENGLISH 4 units of MATHEMATICS 4 units of SCIENCE
All students will take
4 units of ENGLISH
4 units of MATHEMATICS
4 units of SCIENCE
3 units of SOCIAL STUDIES
1 unit of PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
½ unit Health & ½ unit Personal Fitness
3 units (minimum) from
WORLD LANGUAGE
and/or
CTE (Career & Technical Education)
FINE ARTS
4 units (minimum) of additional ELECTIVES

9. English / Language Arts 4 units required
Grade
Required Courses
Term
9th
9th Literature and Composition or
Honors 9th Literature and Composition
Year-long
10th
10th Literature and Composition or
Honors 10th Literature and Composition
11th
American Literature and Composition or
Honors American Literature and Composition or
Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition
12th
World Literature Composition and
Multi-cultural Literature and Composition or
Move On When Ready “MOWR” (“College English”) or
Advanced Placement (AP) Literature and Composition
Semester-long

10. Mathematics 4 units required
Grade
Required Courses
9th
1. GSE Algebra
2. GSE Accelerated Algebra/Geometry A Honors
3. GSE Geometry Honors (students 1 year ahead)
4. GSE Accelerated Geometry B/Algebra II Honors
10th
1. GSE Geometry
2. GSE Accelerated Geometry B/Algebra II Honors
3. GSE Algebra II Honors (students 1 year ahead)
4. GSE Accelerated Pre-Calculus Honors
11th
1. GSE Algebra II
2. GSE Accelerated Pre-Calculus Honors
3. GSE Pre-Calculus Honors (students 1 year ahead)
4. AP Calculus AB or BC
12th
1. GSE Pre-Calculus or Advanced Math Decision Making
2. AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC or AP Statistics
3. AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC or AP Statistics
4. AP Statistics or Multivariable Calculus through Georgia Tech
or other college-level mathematics course

11. Science 4 units required
Biology (On-level, Honors, or AP for upperclassmen)
Physical Science (On-level or Honors)
or Physics (On-level or AP)
Chemistry (On-level, Honors, or AP)
or Earth Systems
or Environmental Science
(On-level, Honors, or AP)
or Astronomy
or AP Science
4th Science

12. Social Studies 3 units required
American Government – 9th or 12th grade
9th grade - AP Government (year-long)
12th grade – Amer. Gov’t or AP Gov’t (semester)
World History – 10th grade
On-level or AP
U.S. history – 11th grade
Economics – 12th grade
Elective Options for Rising 9th
AP Human Geography (year-long) or World Geography (Semester)

13. Academics Electives for Freshmen
Social Studies
Advanced Placement Human Geography
Advanced Placement U.S. Government & Politics (in lieu of Am. Gov’t)
World Geography
English
Speech
Annual
Literary Magazine
Newspaper

14. General Health/ Physical Education
1 unit required
*General Health (1 Semester) – 9th grade
*Personal Fitness (1 semester) 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th (or waiver)
Electives
Weight Training
Body Sculpting
Recreational Games
General P.E.
Outdoor Education

15. World Languages Elective
Students planning to enter or transfer to a four-year college/university must take a minimum of 2 units of the same foreign language. World Languages offered at Cambridge HS: Spanish French Latin

16. Performing Arts
Band Chorus Orchestra Drama
ORCHESTRA DRAMA

17. Visual Arts Elective
Fine Arts -- *Introduction to Art (semester- long) is prerequisite.
Drawing
Painting
Ceramics
Sculpture
Jewelry &
Metal crafts
Photography
Printmaking
Graphic Design
AP Studio Art
2-D or 3-D
AP Art History

18. Career & Technical Education (CTE) – Elective
Audio, Video, Technology, & Film
Information Technology & Business
Engineering & Technology
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security
Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Veterinary Science

19. Audio Video Technology & Film CTE

20. Information Technology & Business CTE

21. Engineering & Technology CTE

22. Sports & Entertainment Marketing CTE

23. Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security CTE

24. Veterinary Science CTE

25. Talented & Gifted (TAG)
Students must complete one TAG activity each semester to remain in good standing.
TAG students are served in a variety of ways in a high school setting:
Seminar options for all 9th graders during fall semester
Advanced Placement Classes
Directed Studies (11th and 12th grade students)
Internships (11th and 12th grade students)

26. Special Education -Resource classes -Team Taught classes
-Career Technical Instruction
-Community Based Instruction
Transition meetings
Case Managers
Students who currently receive instructional support through special education services will continue to receive supports:

27. 9th Grade Registration Planning Guide
ENGLISH
(required)
_____ On-level English OR
_____ Honors English
Year-long 1
SCIENCE
_____ On-level Biology OR
_____ Honors Biology OR
_____ On-level Physical Science OR
_____ Honors Physical Science
MATH
_____ GSE Algebra OR
_____ GSE Accelerated Algebra / Geometry A Honors OR
_____ GSE Geometry Honors OR
_____ GSE Accelerated Geometry B/Algebra II Honors
P.E.
(suggested)
_____ General Health
Semester-long
0.5
SOCIAL STUDIES
______ World Geography (elective) OR
______ Advanced Placement Human Geography OR
______ Advanced Placement Government & Politics (Advanced Placement = college level course)
ELECTIVES
______________________________________ (1st choice)
______________________________________ (2nd choice)
______________________________________ (3rd choice)
Semester or Year
0.5 or 1
TOTAL 6

28. Traditional 9th grade Schedule
1st Semester
2nd Semester
1st
Physical Sci. or Biology
2nd
9th Lit.
3rd
GSE Algebra 1
4th
CLAWS/Lunch
Study Hall/Lunch
5th
Personal Fitness
Health
6th
Intro. to Art
Drawing 1
7th
Spanish 2

29. typical 9th grade schedule - 1
1st Semester
2nd Semester
1st
Intro.to Vet. Science
Intro. to Vet. Science
2nd
Health
World Geography
3rd
CLAWS/Lunch
Study Hall/Lunch
4th
GSE Algebra 1
5th
Honors Biology
6th
9th Lit on-level
7th
Spanish 2
Student Profile:
Interested in animals
Regular babysitter
Plays soccer
WL in MS

30. typical 9th grade schedule - 2
Student Profile:
Excels in Humanities
Took Health online over summer
Plays violin
WL & 9th Lit. in MS
1st Semester
2nd Semester
1st
AP Gov’t
2nd
Orchestra
3rd
GSE Algebra 1
4th
CLAWS/Lunch
Study Hall/Lunch
5th
10th Honors Lit.
6th
Spanish 2 Hon
7th
Honors Biology

31. Typical 9th grade Schedule - 3
1st semester
2nd semester
1st
Foundations Engineering
Foundations Engineering
2nd
Band
3rd
Honors Biology
4th
GSE Honors Geometry
5th
CLAWS/Lunch
Study Hall/Lunch
6th
World Geography
Health
7th
9th Lit on-level
Student Profile
Excels in math
Interested in Engineering
Plays drums
Took Personal Fitness online over summer
WL in MS

32. Flexible 9th grade Schedule
Student Profile:
Plays and travels for competitive sport
Interested in Broadcasting
1st Semester
2nd Semester
1st
Physical Sci.
2nd
9th Lit.
3rd
GSE Algebra 1
4th
CLAWS/Lunch
Study Hall/Lunch
5th
Personal Fitness
Weight Training
6th
Intro A/V
7th
Health Online
First Aid Online

33. Online Courses
ask yourself the following questions when considering online courses:
What is my motivation for taking an online course?
Do I have the self-discipline and self-motivation to work independently?
Am I a good self-advocate?
Am I organized?
Do I have strong written communication skills?
Do I have strong computer skills?
What will I miss (if anything) by not taking this course in a traditional learning environment?
Fulton Virtual or Georgia Virtual?

34. Success at Cambridge Select appropriate classes – BALANCE!
Complete homework.
Be organized, and keep an agenda.
Seek help when needed.
Study consistently.
Get involved and make connections with Cambridge’s programs, staff, and students.

35. Support for Freshman C.L.A.W.S. support period – 1st semester
Small groups
Faculty advisor
11th and 12th grade student mentors
Focus on Social, Emotional, and Academic Transition
C.L.A.W.S. Academy – 2 Wednesdays/month
In-depth seminars and workshops
regarding academic & life skills to
promote success

36. BEARS CARE Support at Cambridge CLAWS Mentoring Program CLAWS Academy
PAWS – Enrichment and Remediation Program
CLUB Fair – 1st week of school
Extra-curricular Opportunities
BEARS CARE

37. Questions? Cambridgehs.org Curriculum guide Course offerings
Course numbers
Course descriptions
Course pre-requisites
CHS Placement guidelines for honors and AP classes
Fulton County Placement Guidelines
Waiver form
Please complete and submit the question form below. A F.A.Q. will be developed for common questions. Individual questions will answered within the next couple of weeks.

38. Please complete and submit this question form. A F. A. Q
Please complete and submit this question form. A F.A.Q. will be developed and forwarded for common questions. Individual questions will answered within the next two of weeks.
Your Name (First and Last):
Your address:
Your Student’s Name (First and Last):
Student’s Current School:
Question(s):