1. Dorchester District Two Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Information
High School Course Information You Need For Your Child’s IGP

2. Tonight You Will Learn About
South Carolina High School Diploma Requirements
Core Courses and Recommendations
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Electives Choices
Career & Technology Education
Foreign Language
Fine Arts
Academic Electives
Abbreviations used:
EOCEP or EOC = End-of-Course Examination Program
HSAP = High School Assessment Program
CATE = Career & Technology Education
CP = College Preparatory
H = Honors
AP= Advanced Placement
IB = International Baccalaureate

3. SC High School Diploma Requirements
Subject # of Credits Benchmark EOCEP Course Required English 4 credits (English 1) Math 4 credits (Algebra 1/Elem Algebra for Tech 2) Science 3 credits (Biology) US History 1 credit (US History) American Government ½ credit Economics ½ credit ‘Other’ Social Studies 1 credit Computer Science 1 credit PE or JROTC 1 credit CATE or Foreign Lang 1 credit Electives 7 credits Total 24 credits
EOC Exams are state mandated and generated final exams which count 20% of the final average for the course
In addition to 24 prescribed credits, students must also pass the HSAP Exit Exam

4. 9th Grade Core Course Options
English
English 1 CP or English 1 H
English 2 CP or English 2 H
Math
Elementary Algebra for the Technologies 1
Algebra 1 CP or Algebra 1 H
Geometry CP or Geometry H
Algebra 2 CP or Algebra 2H

5. 9th Grade Core Course Options (cont)
Science
Physical Science CP or Physical Science H
Social Studies*
Global Studies 1 CP (all schools)
GS 1 is World Geography & Ancient History through the Renaissance
Global Studies 1 H or AP Human Geography (SHS)
Advanced Placement Human Geography is an introductory-level college course
Global Studies 2 H or AP Human Geography (ARHS, FDHS)
GS2 is World History from the Renaissance to Modern Day
*Global Studies 1 & 2 do not have to be taken sequentially, but are designated by the time period covered in the curriculum

6. English Recommendations
English 1 CP
Pass 8th grade English; Freshmen Seminar is attached as an elective credit
English 1 Honors
Pass 8th grade English with a grade of 93A or higher and/or show superior writing and language skills
English 2 CP
English 1 H credit with a grade less than 85B
English 2 Honors
English 1 H with a grade of 85B or higher
REMINDER: EOC required for English 1 CP and H

7. Freshman Seminar Taken concurrently with English 1 CP only
Focus on writing within and across the curriculum
Develop and reinforce study skills
Preparation for English 1 EOC
Counts as an elective credit for graduation

8. Mathematics Recommendations
Elementary Algebra for the Technologies 1
Pass 8th grade math with a 76D or lower
Standard Not Met on PASS may require placement in Math Essentials course for elective credit
Algebra 1 CP
Pass 8th grade math with a grade of 77C to 92B
Algebra 1 Honors
Pass 8th grade math with a grade of 93A or higher and/or demonstrate superior math skills through various assessments
REMINDER: EOC required for Algebra 1 CP and H

9. Mathematics Recommendations (cont)
Geometry CP
Earned credit for Algebra 1 H with final grade of 84C or lower
Geometry Honors
Earned credit for Algebra 1 H with final grade of 85B or higher
Algebra 2 CP
Earned credit for Geometry CP or H with a final grade of 84C or lower
Algebra 2 Honors
Earned credit for Algebra 1 H and Geometry H with a final grade of 85B or higher

10. Science Recommendations
Physical Science CP
Passed 8th grade science and will be taking Elementary Algebra for the Technologies 1 or Algebra 1 CP in 9th grade
Physical Science Honors
Demonstrated strong interest and superior skills in 8th grade science with a final grade of 93A or higher
Physical Science Honors and Biology Honors (with EOC)
May be taken simultaneously with teacher recommendation
Should demonstrate strong interest in science and have a desire to complete coursework at the AP/IB level

11. Social Studies Recommendations
Global Studies 1 CP*
Passed 8th grade Social Studies
Global Studies 1 Honors (SHS only)
Strong desire to complete AP coursework in Social Studies
Should demonstrate superior writing skills
*Global Studies 1 curriculum covers World Geography and Ancient History through the Renaissance

12. Social Studies Recommendations (cont)
Global Studies 2 Honors (FDHS and ARHS)**
Strong desire to complete AP/IB coursework in Social Studies
Should demonstrate superior writing skills
**Global Studies 2 curriculum covers World History from the Renaissance to Modern Day. Courses do not have to be taken sequentially, and are designated only by the time period.
Advanced Placement Human Geography
Most advanced students
Should demonstrate superior writing skills, advanced knowledge of history, sociology, and geography, and have the desire to complete coursework at the AP/IB level
Required to take the AP exam at the end of the year

13. Elective Course Options
Students may be able to choose up to three elective credits depending on their teacher recommended core courses. Alternates will be selected during your IGP in case you are not able to get your top choices.
Elective Course Options

14. CATE or Foreign Language Recommendations
Must earn a Career & Technology Education (CATE) credit OR a foreign language credit; not both
Students attending a technical college are NOT required to take a foreign language
CATE courses are offered at each high school as well as the Dorchester County Career & Technology Center

15. CATE or Foreign Language Recommendations (cont)
Students planning to attend a 4-year college after high school are required to have two years of the same foreign language (some colleges require three)
Students planning to attend a technical college, even if planning to transfer to a 4-year college, do NOT have to take a foreign language
It is strongly recommended a student not attempt a foreign language until English 1 credit has been earned
Students who earned a credit in level 1 of a foreign language may accept the challenges of a level 2 course and are encouraged to continue without a lapse between levels 1 and 2

16. Physical Education or JROTC
Must complete a unit of PE or JROTC; not both
May take any year of high school but most take in 9th grade
PE 1 or JROTC 1 must be taken before a Weight Training course may be taken
Weight Training does NOT satisfy the PE graduation requirement
Each high school has a strong, successful JROTC program
SHS
ARHS & FDHS

17. Fine Arts Elective Not a high school graduation requirement
South Carolina 4-year colleges require at least one Fine Arts elective for admission
Performing Arts
Visual Arts
Chorus
Piano
Theater
Dance
Band
Strings
Drawing and Painting
Sculpture and Ceramics
Media Arts
Photography

18. Retaking a High School Credit Course from Middle School
Applies to ALL high school credit courses taken ANY year, not just 8th grade
May retake same exact course and level without penalty (ex., took English 1 H, must retake English 1 H)
Middle school grade and credit will be removed from the transcript and only the high school grade will remain, whether higher or lower

19. Retaking a High School Credit Course from Middle School (cont)
Consider this option if not proficient in the high school credit course by the end of the school year
Highly recommended students retake high school credit courses when final average is below 85B
May retake course(s) taken in middle school during 9th grade ONLY

20. The International Baccalaureate Programme
Dorchester District Two program housed at Fort Dorchester High School
For highly motivated students who have plans to attend a 4-year university immediately after high school
Offers coursework at the college level
Suggested course of study on page 31 of the District Course Guide

21. The International Baccalaureate Programme (cont)
Must provide own transportation if not already zoned to attend FDHS
Must appeal to the DD2 Board of Trustees if not already zoned to attend FDHS
For more information, contact: (after January 3rd)
Danielle Watson, School Counselor at FDHS

22. Freshman Academy Teams
Students are assigned a team
Teachers have common planning with team teachers
Provides additional support across the curriculum
Encourages collaboration with assignments and tests
Student need determines team placement
Course requests
Teacher recommendations
Middle school grades
Middle school test scores (ex. Explore, PASS, SRI)
Special Services team decisions
Parent overrides

23. Freshman Academy Scheduling
High school teachers assess students in the first weeks of school and make recommendations for students who need to move up or down a level.
Once the school year begins, level change requests (ex. Honors to CP) are not permitted
Creates changes to entire schedule and/or team, not just one class
Scheduling priority
Seniors
Juniors
Sophomores
Freshmen

24. Questions? Thank you for attending.
We look forward to seeing the Class of 2016 in August!