1. Transitioning to High School and PWCS Specialty Programs
What is my path?

2. Get to Know Your Professional School Counselor
It is EXTREMELY important for you to know who your school counselor is and what the school counseling office has to offer.
Ask about:
After school programs
Clubs and activities
Help with organization and time management
Counselors are here to HELP YOU!

3. Use Your Resources Available resources to enhance success:
Student Agenda
Parent Portal
School Messenger
After-School Tutoring
Parents
Teachers
Counselors

4. Graduation Requirements
The state of Virginia offers two types of diplomas to regular education* students:
STANDARD DIPLOMA
ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA
Note: You will receive a “Carnegie” unit course credit when you pass a class. The credit is considered verified when you pass the end of course Standards of Learning Test.
*Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive an “Applied Studies” diploma.

5. Other Graduation Requirements
Standard Diploma
STANDARDS CREDITS - 22
VERIFIED CREDITS - 6
Subject
Credits Needed
English 4 2
Math 3 1
Science
Social Studies
Health/PE
Student Choice
World Lang/Fine Arts/CTE
Other Graduation Requirements
Econ/Finance
Industry Credential
Electives 4*
Virtual Experience
CPR Training
*Courses to satisfy this requirement must include 2 sequential electives

6. Advanced Studies Diploma
STANDARDS CREDITS - 26
VERIFIED CREDITS - 9
Subject
Credits Needed
English 4 2
Math
Science
Social Studies
Health/PE
Student Choice 1
World Lang
2+2 or 3
Other Graduation Requirements
Econ/Finance
CPR Training
Electives
3 or 4*
Virtual Experience
*Courses to satisfy this requirement must include 1 Fine Arts or CTE credit

7. Standards of Learning (SOL)
SOL Subjects
SOL Courses
Advanced Diploma Verified Credit Requirement
Standard Diploma Verified Credit Requirement
English
English 11 Reading & Writing 2
Mathematics
Algebra I Geometry Algebra II 1
Science
Biology I Earth Science Chemistry
World History
World History I World History II US/VA History
Student Selected
Total 9 6

8. Transcripts A transcript is a resume for life after high school.
The information on transcripts includes course history, credits earned, GPA, and class rank.
Freshman year is as important as any other year.

9. Promotion Requirements
9th Grade Successful completion of eighth grade
10th Grade Five credits, three of which must be in required courses
11th Grade Eleven credits, six of which must be in required courses
12th Grade Sixteen credits, nine of which must be in required courses

10. High School Specialty Programs
Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty Program
Provides students with instruction in pre-college and college level courses.
The Biotechnology Center
For students interested in the medical field.
The Cambridge Programme
Courses are based on an investigative approach to learning with students using initiative and creativity in problem solving.
Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma
Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences
Focuses on a strong laboratory and field investigation components of the science field.
Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
Center for International Studies and Languages
A comprehensive program with a focus on global awareness.
Center for Information Technology
International Baccalaureate Programme
General Accelerated Program
Pre-Governor’s Osbourn Park

11. County-Wide Specialty Program Information Sessions
October 24, 2016, 7-9pm at Gar-field High School
October 25, 2016, 7-9pm at Stonewall Jackson High School
Information is available about a range of programs, check the HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES guide for more information.

12. Specialty Program Application Deadline
FEBRUARY 1, 2017

13. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have two attendance options: Transfer and Transport

14. Transport
Participation in the following programs requires transportation by bus from your base school to attend required classes at the program location:
Building Trades: Patriot (Begins in 11th Grade)
Cosmetology: Stonewall Jackson or Woodbridge (you will not use the transport option if you are already attending Stonewall Jackson HS or Woodbridge) (Begins in 11th Grade)
Culinary Arts: Patriot or Potomac (Begins in 11th Grade)
Practical Nursing: Osbourn Park (Begins in 12th Grade)

15. School Information Nights
Brentsville District High School
November 16, 2016 and
January 12, 2017
7:00pm
Program(s):
Agriculture

16. School Information Nights
C.D. Hylton High School
November 15, 2016 and
January 12, 2017
7:00pm
Program(s):
Center for International Studies and Languages
Auto Technology
Cabinetmaking
Television Production

17. School Information Nights
Colgan High School
November 15, 2016
7:00pm
Program(s):
Center for Fine and Performing Arts
*Application deadline is December 12, 2016

18. School Information Nights
Forest Park High School
November 17, 2016 and
January 5, 2017
7:00pm
Program:
Center for Information and Technology, including Network Design and Engineering

19. School Information Nights
Freedom High School
November 10, 2016
7:00pm
Program(s):
Center for Environmental and Natural Science
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning

20. School Information Nights
Gar-Field High School
November 1, 2016 and
January 17, 2017
7:00pm
Program(s):
International Baccalaureate Program
Project Lead the Way

21. School Information Nights
Osbourn Park High School
December 8, 2016 and
January 11, 2017
6:30pm
Program(s):
The Biotechnology Center
The Pre-Governor’s School
Auto Technology
PLTW Biomedical Sciences – 11th Grade
Practical Nursing – 12th Grade

22. School Information Nights
Patriot High School
November 9, 2016 and
January 18, 2017
7:00pm
Program(s):
Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty
Program Building Trades (transport) – 11th Grade
Culinary Arts (transport) – 11th Grade

23. School Information Nights
Potomac HS
November 17, 2016 and
January 12, 2017
7:00pm
Program(s):
Cambridge Program
Culinary Arts (transport) – 11th Grade
Welding
Cybersecurity

24. School Information Nights
Woodbridge High School
October 28, 2016
7:00pm
Program(s):
Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty Program
Cosmetology (transport) – 11th grade
Project Lead the Way
WHS-Theater, Dance, Music (Music Technology), Visual, Creative Writing are available at WHS. Auditions for Band, Orchestra, Music Tech and Choral, are on Jan. 4, 2014
Auditions for Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, and Visual Arts are on Jan 11, 2014

25. Battlefield or Stonewall Jackson
JROTC Programs
All high schools, with the exception of Brentsville, Colgan and Patriot, have a JROTC program.
Information may be available at the information night programs.
Brentsville, Colgan and Patriot students have the following options for transfer based on application and available space:
Base School
Transfer Location
Brentsville
Stonewall Jackson
Patriot
Battlefield or Stonewall Jackson
Colgan
Osbourn Park

26. Governor’s School @ Innovation Park
Information Sessions will be held on November 5, 2016 and December 3, from 9:00 to 10:30am at George Mason University Prince William Campus
To prepare for Governor’s School students may wish to apply to the Pre- Governor’s School program at Osbourn Park. However, students from any Prince William County High School may apply to the program.
Students must complete Algebra I prior to entering high school to be eligible for the program. It is recommended students complete Geometry before high school as well.

27. What does all this mean for me?
Take careful thought when applying for a specialty program:
Will I follow the program until the end?
Do I meet the qualifications for the program?
Can I manage my time wisely to complete this program successfully?
Will this program better prepare me for my next steps in life?
Every high school in PWCS will
provide you with a
World Class education!