1. Welcome to Hartselle High School
As an upcoming freshman, you will need to plan out your next four years in order to maximize the opportunities we have to offer. These will not be “set in stone”, but used as a guide to help you be successful.
Complete the four year Educational plan offered in the Academic Guide as a visual for what you want to do with your high school career.
If considering a path to college, have pre-AP and AP courses on your list.

2. How do class choices now impact Grade Point Average later?
Students will get their first calculated Grade Point Average (GPA) at the end of 9th grade. GPA is considered for college admission as well as entrance into high school honor societies and in deciding on class Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
Advanced classes (Pre-AP and AP) receive special weight towards GPA. In other words, grades from these classes are “worth more” when GPA is calculated.
–Any Pre-AP course earns an additional 0.50 quality point.
- Any AP course earns an additional 1.0 quality point.

3. Alabama High School Diploma Requirements
Four(4) credits in English
Four (4) credits in Math
Four (4) credits in Science
Four(4) credits in Social Studies
One(1) credit in Physical Education(P.E.)
One-Half(0.5) credit in Health Education(Health)
One(1) credit in Career Preparedness(required)
Three(3) credits in CTE(Career Tech) and/or Foreign Language and/or Arts Education.
Four and one-half(4.5) credits in Electives.
Twenty- six(26) total credits to graduate.

4. Diploma Options
As the class of 2017, you will have two options for a diploma:
Alabama High School Diploma- issued to all students who complete the state course requirements and earned 26 credits.
Alabama High School Diploma with Honors- issued to students who have completed the highest level of core (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) courses offered and two courses of Foreign language as well as all other state course requirements.
* In addition to these two options, students will be able to add a Service Endorsement to either diploma. Details will be coming soon.

5. The Basics
Students and parents choose seven classes in 9th grade: Four core classes (English, History, Math, and Science), Career Preparedness Course (Required for all incoming 9th graders), and two elective courses.
We do offer a zero period which could be an option for our students who are very involved in school. This allows students to take 8 classes a day.
In the core courses, your child’s 8th grade teachers will make a recommendation for their content area for your student.
EXPLORE test scores can assist you in deciding which classes are best for your student. This is only a guide...it is ultimately up to the parents as to what is scheduled.

6. How will I use EXPLORE test results to assist in selecting the appropriate classes?
Throughout this presentation, suggested EXPLORE scores that correlate to certain classes are given. This is only a suggested guideline to use…it does not mean your child will not be successful if they did not make that score…it is just a recommendation.
These recommendations are based on research connecting EXPLORE scores with a 75% chance of making a 3 or higher on an AP exam. For students enrolling in a Pre – AP class, it is expected that they will eventually be taking an AP class and exam.

7. Core Required Course: English 9
English 9: This is our standard course. Students will complete assignments in reading, writing, and grammar in English 9.
Pre-AP English 9: This is an advanced course that will move at a brisk pace and will require more in-depth analysis of text than a regular course. If your student did well this year (an A/high B semester average or above) and is willing to take on a more rigorous course, Pre-AP English 9 may be for your student. This course is for students who plan to take AP English in 11th and 12th grade.

8. What is the main difference in English 9 and Pre-AP English 9?
Pre-AP English 9 is for motivated students who scored 13 or above on the English portion of the EXPLORE testing, who scored 15 or above on the Reading portion of EXPLORE testing, and who are:
willing to do additional reading outside of class
seek to become a critical reader
seek to become an effective writer in a variety of modes
interested in evaluating and improving their analytical composition skills
and, intending to move to Advanced Placement level English classes later in high school

9. Core Required Course: World History
World History : This is the standard history class for 9th graders. Most incoming students take this course.
Pre-AP World History : This is an advanced course that will move at a brisk pace and will require more in-depth analysis of text than a regular course. If you did well this year in History and English (an A or high B semester average) and you are willing to take on a more rigorous course, Pre-AP World History may be for you.
AP World History: This is an advanced course requiring instructor approval. This course is for the exceptionally studious student who desires to earn college credit through a rigorous academic program. If you did well this year in History and English (an A semester average or above).

10. What is the main difference in World History and Pre-AP/AP World History?
Pre-AP World History and AP History are for motivated students who scored 15 or above on the Reading portion of the EXPLORE testing and who:
Interested in completing independent reading research
Read and write at an advanced level
Self-disciplined in their studies
Intend to move to Advanced Placement level history classes later in high school
Please feel free to Mr. Daniel Cooper at if you have any questions concerning our AP World History class

11. Core Required Course: Math
Algebra 1: This is the cornerstone of high school mathematics. Students who take this course are most likely taking Pre-Algebra as an 8th grader or are taking Algebra 1 and have a C average or below.
Algebra IA & IB: For students who struggle in 8th grade math and need more time to build a strong algebra foundation. Explore score of 12 or lower in math.
Pre-AP Geometry: This is an advanced course that will move at a brisk pace and will require more in-depth analysis of the concepts than a regular course. If you did well this year (an A or high B semester average or above) in Algebra I, you scored 17 or above on the Math portion of the EXPLORE testing, and you are willing to take on a more rigorous course, Pre-AP Geometry may be for you.

12. What is Pre-AP Geometry?
Pre-AP Geometry is for motivated students who scored 17 or above on the Math portion of the EXPLORE testing and who:
have mastery of Algebra I concepts
show talent in mathematical problem-solving and logic reasoning
can take mathematical concepts and apply them to new problems
are self-motivated to EXPLORE math topics
intend to move to Advanced Placement level math classes later in high school

13. Core Required Course: Science
Biology: This is the standard science class for 9th graders. Most incoming students take this course.
Pre-AP Biology: This is an advanced course that will move at a brisk pace and will require more in-depth analysis of text than a regular course. If you did well this year in Science (an A or high B semester average) and you are willing to take on a more rigorous course, Pre-AP Biology may be for you.

14. What is the main difference in Biology and Pre-AP Biology?
Pre-AP Biology is for motivated students who scored 20 or above on the Science section and 15 or above on the Reading portion of the EXPLORE testing and who:
have strong reading and writing skills
can apply their literacy skills to produce cohesive, structured writing
utilize higher-order critical thinking skills
are self-motivated to complete independent research projects
possess strong study habits and have a strong work ethic
intend to move to Advanced Placement level science classes later in high school

15. Career Preparedness Course
This is a one-credit course that prepares students with content knowledge and skills to be college and career ready.
This course is required for all incoming 9th graders and will cover the following components :
Career Development and Academic Planning
Computer Skills Application
Financial Literacy Knowledge

16. Electives
You will need to select two electives on your course registration form.
Rising 9th graders are expected to fulfill their physical education , health, and three credits in the CTE and/or Foreign Language and/or Arts Education requirements before graduation.

17. Advice on choosing electives
Consider your child’s interests.
Consider your child’s extra-curricular activities.
Consider your child’s EXPLORE test scores. Your test scores may indicate you need to take certain intervention courses in reading and/or math.

18. What about PE?
Students must take 1 year-long PE course for 1.0 credit in order to meet graduation requirements.
Typically most students(especially females) choose to take PE their 9th grade year.
As a ninth grader, students can take:
PE /LIFE: This class is for students that are not participating in a sport in 9th grade.
Athletic PE LIFE, Boy or Girl: This class is for students that are participating in a sport in 9th grade. Students that did not participate in a sport in 8th grade but make a team in 9th grade will be moved into Athletic Weight Training when the team’s roster is complete.
Two years of Symphonic Band(Marching Band). This fulfills the Physical Education requirement.

19. Could a foreign language be one of my electives?
Yes, many students decide to begin their foreign language studies in ninth grade.
In ninth grade, students can take:
Latin I
Spanish I
These are advanced courses and one must remember that two years are required in the same language in order to graduate with the Honors diploma.

20. What are other elective choices?
Some students begin to study in a field they are interested in and that might lead to a career later on. Some of these courses that students may choose to take are:
Agriscience
Marketing Principles
Personal Finance
Sports Marketing
Family and Consumer Science
Food and Nutrition
Fashion
Housing

21. HHS Course Selection Guide
The course selection guide lists all the courses offered at Hartselle High School. The complete course guide can be viewed on the Hartselle
High School website.
Please feel free to call the Guidance Office if you have any questions.