1. Scheduling for Current Sophomores
It’s hard to believe it but we are ready to start scheduling for next year.
Making Informed Choices for Junior Year!!

2. Your Junior Year!
Its time to start selecting your courses for your junior year!
Think of today as a preliminary, practice run at selecting your classes. The courses you select today are not final so don’t get stressed!
Counselors will start meeting individually with students next week to discuss their choices and make adjustments as needed.
Today we will review your course options in each subject. Today’s information will give you a broad overview. Your subject teachers will be able to provide much more in-depth information. Please take their recommendations seriously! They are the experts!
Today we will review the courses choices you have in each subject for next year. I am going to ask you to make choices on your worksheet as we go along. However, understand that today’s worksheet is for practice only. The goal for today is to prepare you for when you meet with your counselor in a couple weeks. I also want to stress that I am only going to talk very briefly about the courses for next year. Your current teachers will provide you with much more in-depth information about the courses available to you in their specific subject areas.

3. Junior English classes
AP Language
English 11 Honors
English 11 Academic
You will have three choices in English: AP Language, English 11 Honors, or English 11 Academic.

4. AP English Language
Advanced Placement classes are of the same rigor as a first-year college course! This may be a good class for students who are ready for a challenge.
You will have the opportunity to take the AP Language & Composition Exam in May with the possibility of earning college credit.
If you are doing well in English 10 Honors and enjoy reading and writing, this may be a good choice for you!
Focuses on non-fiction selections
AP English Language is a rigorous college-level class. It may be a good choice for students who preformed well in English 10 Honors and are willing to work hard. This class involves a lot of writing, elvaluating, research and non-fiction reading.

5. English 11 Honors
This class may be recommended for students currently in English 10 Honors
If you do well in Honors English yet are concerned about the time commitment and/or the rigor of an AP English course this may be the right class for you.
English 11 honors is an accelerated class that emphasizes American literature. This class may be a good choice for the strong English students who is concerned about the time commitment and/or rigor of an AP Language course.

6. English 11 Academic
In Loudoun County Public Schools, the “academic level” is considered “college-prep” and is a great choice for many students, especially if you are taking honors or AP in other subjects!
Often recommended for students currently in English 10 Academic.
Academic English 11 is a great choice too. It is important to note, that in Loudoun County, academic classes are rigorous and considered “college-prep” courses. Even if a student is ready for an honors course, it is recommended they take into consideration their overall course load and after-school activities.
Remember, that your English teacher will review your choices, but please select an English course on your worksheet now.

7. Social Studies AP US History Dual Enrollment US History
Academic US History
You also have three choices in Social Studies: AP US History, Dual Enrollment US History and Academic US History.

8. AP US History
Advanced Placement classes are of the same rigor as a first-year college course! This may be a good class for students who are ready for a challenge.
This class is fast-paced and requires substantial preparation outside of the classroom. May be recommended for students currently in AP World and who have a love for history!
You will have the opportunity to earn college credit by taking the US History AP exam in May
As you know, Advanced Placement courses are of the same rigor as a first-year college course. AP US History is fast-paced and requires substantial preparation. This may be a good choice for students who have a strong desire to really understand and think critically about the formation of our country.
Students will have the opportunity to earn a college credit when they take the AP exam in May.

9. Dual Enrollment US History
Dual Enrolled US History is a fast paced course that also challenges students to think about social and historical factors that have shaped their lives.
This course is Dual Enrolled with NOVA and allows students the opportunity to earn 6 college credits in history.
Students will receive a .5 bump in their grade for this course.
Recommended for students that enjoy history and have done well in other history courses.
Dual Enrollment is also a college-level course with college-level expectations. Students will earn a high school credit toward graduation while simultaneously earning 6 college credits from the Northern Virginia Community College.

10. Academic US History
In Loudoun County Public Schools, the “academic level” is considered “college-prep” and is a great choice for many students, especially if you are taking honors or AP in other subjects!
In US & Virginia History students expand their ability to think clearly and carefully about social and historical forces that have shaped their lives
Students are expected to develop their ability to independently use historical evidence to make arguments and draw conclusions
Academic US History is a great choice too. Like other academic courses, it is important to note, that in Loudoun County, academic classes are rigorous and considered “college-prep” courses.
Even if a student is ready for an honors or AP course, it is recommended they take into consideration their overall course load and after-school activities.
Your current history teacher will be able to answer questions and give you insights about the 11th grade courses.

11. Math Functions Geometry Algebra 2 Algebra 2 with Trig Precalculus
Math Analysis
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
Stats & Discrete Math
Computer Math
AP Computer Science
There are many math classes to choose from, especially as you progress through high school. There is a very helpful chart in the program, of studies that will help you select a math class based on the course you are in now.

12. Math
Follow your current math progression and recommendations from your teacher
It is important to note that many students who do not follow their math teacher’s recommendations often perform poorly
If you have questions about this please talk to your math teacher!
The Briar Woods counseling department strongly suggest that you follow the recommendation of your current math teacher. Many times, students who do not follow their teacher’s math recommendations perform poorly .
Your math teacher will be able to give you much more in-depth information about the courses available next year. However please make a preliminary selection at this time.

13. Science classes
Chemistry – investigate the structure, properties and reactions of matter. It is recommended that you are also in Algebra 2 or higher.
Environmental Science – hands-on work studying ecological concepts
Physics or Conceptual Physics – the study of force and motion (Must have completed Algebra 2 to take Physics.)
Other science options include AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, Independent Science Research, and Geospatial Science (elective credit only)
Like math, it is advised to take your science teacher’s recommendations very seriously!
Like in math, your options in science increase as you progress through high school. Your science teacher will review your options in class. The BWHS science department has also posted information on their webpage to help guide students as they select their science courses for next year.
At this time, please select the science course that you believe you will take next year or the one the most interests you.

14. Personal Finance & Economics
These two semester classes are graduation requirements for all students
Students can take the year-long AP Economics class as an alternative to Personal Finance & Economics
If you are currently in these classes you can fill this spot with an elective of your choice!
All students must take personal finance and economics. These semester classes can be taken in the 10th, 11th or 12th grades. If you decide not to take these classes next year, you will have an extra space for an elective.
You are also permitted to take Advanced Placement Economics in place of personal finance and economics.
Your counselors will review these options with you at your scheduling conference.

15. World Language
For many of you, one of your electives may be a World Language course.
Benefits of continuing your language:
Colleges view world languages as core classes. The more you take, the more they will be impressed!
Students who take 4+ years are eligible for the Foreign Language Honor Society
Level 4 and 5 language courses are considered honors and receive the .5 GPA “bump”
Many students will take a World Language class as one of their electives. Remember that World Languages are a requirement for the Advanced Studies diploma, as well as a requirement at most 4-year colleges.
Please make a World Language selection at this time, or select an elective in it’s place.

16. Electives!!! Select a year-long course or two semester classes
Choose from an area that interests you!
Refer to the elective sheet
You can find descriptions of every class online in the Program of Studies
Please refer to your list of electives to finish the pre-scheduling process. You should select enough electives so you have 7-periods of classes for next year.

17. When selecting courses…
Graduation requirements
Take classes that interest you!
Challenge yourself but be careful not to over-extend yourself!
Are you involved in sports or activities?
Are you diligent with your studies?
Remember that balance is the key when picking your schedule
Once the school-year begins, we will not consider “level-changes down” until the first marking period interims are issued! Make sure you understand what you are committing yourself to!
Remember, it’s important to take classes that truly interest you rather than sign-up for classes you think someone else wants to see. While it is very important to challenge yourself, we want you to be careful to not over-extend yourself. Talk to your parents about the overall course-load that is right for you.
Next year, we will not consider level-changes until the marking period one interims are distributed, so please make sure you are committed to the courses you register for.

18. What’s next?
Keep your worksheet and review it with your parents. Remember: today’s activity was designed to get you ready to meet with your counselor.
Through the months of February & March, counselors will meet individually with every BWHS student to review their course selections, answer questions, and make adjustments if necessary
At that time you will receive a copy of your course requests along with an updated transcript to review with your parents
The deadline to finalize course requests is June 16, We cannot make changes after that date!
As discussed, today’s activity was designed to get you ready to meet with your counselor in a few weeks. When you meet with your counselor you will be expected to select your courses for next year. Don’t stress though – you will have until June 16 to make changes!
We hope you found this activity helpful. Have a great day!