1. High School Graduation the First Step for Success High School, Here I Come!!! Transitioning from 8th Grade to High School

2. The World of High School
Tons of options
Class choices, clubs, sports and more
Adult responsibilities
Decisions affect your future
College Readiness
Everything counts towards college

3. High School Levels Freshman – 9th grade Sophomore – 10th grade
Junior – 11th grade
Senior – 12th grade

4. 8th Grade 9-12th Grade Middle - vs - High school
Report Card
Classes are in a sequence
Teachers give lots of reminders about classwork
Official Transcript
Credits to Graduate
Teachers expect students to be responsible for own work
GPA

5. High School Block Schedules
Classes last approximately 90 minutes.
* Some are hybrid schedules with classes that meet every day for one semester (4X4 block schedule) or every other day for year (X/Y block schedule).
Some student schedules may include both 4X4 and X/Y courses.

6. Sample Modified Block-Hybrid
Day
Semester1
Semester 2 1 XY
English 9
W. History I 2
Earth Science
Algebra I 3 X
Band Y
PE 9 4
Spanish 2
Spanish 3

7. Diplomas All Students Earn Either: Standard Diploma - 22 Credits
Advanced Diploma – 26 Credits
Additional Diploma Opportunities:
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID)
Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma

8. Standard vs Advanced Standard Diploma 22 Required Credits
Advanced Diploma
26 Required Credits
Subject Area
Required Credits
English 4
Health/PE 2
Math 3
World Language, Fine Arts, OR Career and Technical Education
Science
Economics & Personal Finance 1
Social Studies
Electives, including 2 sequential electives
Subject Area
Required Credits
English 4
Health/PE 2
Math
World Language
Either 3 credits of one language, OR 4 (two credits of two different languages).
Science
Economics & Personal Finance 1
Social Studies
Fine Arts OR Career & Technical Education  1
Electives
3 (or 2)

9. Advanced Academic Programs
Nickname
Location
Advanced Placement Programs of Excellence
APPX
Colonial Forge HS, North Stafford HS, &
Stafford HS
Commonwealth Governor’s School
CGS
International Baccalaureate Program IB
Mountain View HS & Brooke Point HS
Stafford Academy for Technology
STAT
Brooke Point &
North Stafford HS

10. Advanced Academic ProgramsIB
Offered at Mountain View and Brooke Point
Internationally recognized
Transportation NOT provided
Application required
CGS
Regional Academic Gifted Education Program
Transportation provided to North Stafford from MVHS

11. APPX Program available at CFHS, NSHS, & SHS
Transportation NOT provided
Requires Registration Agreement
Includes AP Capstone Diploma Program

12. STAT Academy
These programs provide specialized instruction in network systems, engineering, and biomedical sciences.
Academic Core STAT Courses are Honors Level.
Transportation provided to North Stafford from MVHS
Requires an application; available in the Counseling office.

13. Course Descriptions
Each core and elective class is described in detail in the Program of Studies (POS).
Honors classes are offered in certain subjects and in all Advanced Academic Programs.
Honors placement depends on grades and teacher recommendations.

14. Math 8 Students Algebra I:
Best with if “C” or higher earned in Math 8.
Meets requirement for graduation for all diplomas.
Algebra I Part I & Part II:
Best if grade earned in Math 8 is lower than a “C”.
Both parts required to meet Algebra I requirement for graduation for all diplomas.

15. Algebra & Geometry Students
Advanced Algebra I
Advanced Geometry
Geometry or Advanced Geometry
Algebra II Or
Advanced Algebra II

16. Social Studies MVHS NSHS World History/Geography I or Honors
World History/Geography II Honors: IB Candidates
(Considering or Committed to Program)

17. Science
Earth Science: Meets requirement for graduation for all diplomas.
Earth Science Honors:
Best with a “B” or higher earned in 8th grade Science.(Available for APPX, & STAT candidates) If Full IB take Biology Honors
Meets requirement for graduation for all diplomas.

18. World Languages
Spanish
French
German
Latin

19. Health & Physical Education 9 – Required for All 9th Grade Students
Health & PE
Health & Physical Education 9 – Required for All 9th Grade Students

20. Electives
World Language may count as an elective per diploma selection.
Select at least eight electives in case you do not get your first choices. Number them in order of preference.
CTE Courses

21. OnLine Registration
All students/parents will register for 9th grade classes online, and on paper.
You must register through your Student or Parent Vue screen.
The following slides give you step by step directions.

30. HS Freshman Orientation Night
Where: ALL HIGH SCHOOLS in their auditorium
When: January 30th
Who should attend: All Rising 9th graders and their parents!
IB application deadline: February 8th
STAT application deadline: February 28th
APPX agreement deadline: April 5th

31. Questions
Please ask us any questions about HS that you have – by phone, via , or in person.
Be mindful of the deadlines.

32. Details!
We will review the individual student’s selected courses on paper and online before we send the registration forms to the high schools.
Develop your own plan on Page 28.
A packet for registration will be handed to students in the next few days.
Each course selection form must have a parent signature.
Mrs. Downey:
Students with last names A-K.
Mrs. Smithey:
Students with last names L-Z.

33. PSAT
Score Reports
Understanding Scores
Khan Academy

34. Career Exploration and Investigation
Go to
Exploring careers
Who R U – interest inventory questionnaire