1. Rising 8th Grade Course Selection
With this information you will: -Learn what course options are for 8th Grade -Learn about diploma types and high school credits -Prepare to help your child make elective selections with Mrs. Harper
Rising 8th Grade Course Selection

2. 8th grade required courses
Teachers will make recommendations for ALL students either Honors or Academic for: English 8, Physical Science 8, Civics 8
Math is sequential (which means it goes in order):
If a student is in now……Then the teacher recommended:
Math 7………………… Math 8 OR Algebra 1
Math 8 ………………… Algebra 1
Algebra 1……………… Geometry
Geometry………………. Algebra 2/trig
8th grade required courses

3. If your child is currently in Math 7
You might see that your child’s teacher has recommended Math 8 and maybe you were expecting Algebra 1, or vice versa. Math recommendations likely will change. Math teachers need to collect more information over the next few months to make sure they are making an accurate recommendation. So don’t worry!
If your child is currently in Math 7

4. What about Resource/Spectrum, PE and support classes like Reading?
All 8th graders who are NOT in Spectrum will be required to have a 90 min resource block.
All students who are currently in Spectrum will be enrolled in Spectrum 8 which meets for 45 min every other day, in a block with a 45 min Resource.
Some students will be recommended to take support classes such as Reading Strategies or Math support, parents of those students will be contacted.
All 8th grade students are required to take Health/PE 8.
What about Resource/Spectrum, PE and support classes like Reading?

5. 8th Graders Choose 2 Electives:
Band 8*
Strings 8*
Guitar 8 Level 1 or 2**
Chorus 8
*Students must have had Band, Strings or had equivalent music experience
**Level 1 guitar MAY be offered if there is enough interest
Art 8
Technology Education 8
Family and Consumer Sciences 8
Spanish 1 or 2
French 1 or 2
German 1 or 2
Latin 1 or 2
Spanish for Fluent Speakers (must have taken assessment)
8th grade elective course options To learn more about each elective, watch these fun videos!

6. High School Credit Courses
Algebra, Algebra 2/trig, Geometry and all World Languages are high school credit bearing courses. This means they will remain on your high school transcript and will be factored into your high school GPA (Grade Point Average).
These courses are fast paced and require time and effort outside of school in order to be successful.
High School Credit Courses

7. What if I want to take a summer class?
If LCPS offers summer courses for advancement purposes (it is always dependent on budget), typically they are online only, and middle school students are typically only allowed to take a math course. It is NOT recommended that a student take Algebra 1 for the first time in summer school.
For course selection purposes you will be registered for the next course in the math progression. If you complete a summer course, we will make changes later to your course selections.
What if I want to take a summer class?

8. Do I HAVE to take a World Language?
For an Advance Studies Diploma (which students will be working towards), the minimum requirement is 3 years of one World Language or 2 years of 2 different Languages. Most colleges like to see more than 3 years, and that several of those years were completed in high school.
Students who started their World Language in 7th grade and stayed with that same language, will be in the AP level during their senior year.
Do I HAVE to take a World Language?

9. Advance Studies Diploma
This is the column to look at
Advance Studies Diploma

10. Grade Point Average is the numerical average given to grades
Grade Point Average is the numerical average given to grades. All high school credit classes are averaged together to give you your overall GPA.
Once you get to high school ALL classes are factored into your GPA. In middle school it is just Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trig, and World Languages.
A A A B B B C C C D D D F 59 and below 0.0
What is GPA?

11. -You can now view your child’s recommendations in Parentvue: Course Requests tab.
-If you have a question about a recommendation, please contact that teacher directly. After that conversation occurs, if you wish to change a core course request, please contact Mrs. Harper.
-Starting January 30th Mrs. Harper will be meeting with students during Resource/Spectrum. On the day students meet with her they will be choosing their electives. Please take some time to discuss with your children, so that they know exactly what they are choosing. Parents/Students will be able to make changes to ELECTIVES ONLY, through March 10th.

12. Additional Resources that can help!
If you wish to read more about any of the courses offered in LCPS, please read the Program of Studies, both Middle School and High School Programs can be found here as well as the Math Progression chart:
If you want to know more about the elective options for 8th graders at HPMS, please check out our promotional videos which can be found here:
Additional Resources that can help!