1. Incoming 9 th Grade Students Highlands High School Parents Scheduling Meeting Mrs. Trinity Walsh 9/10 Counselor

2. Scheduling Packet PINK pages ◦ Recommendation Sheet ◦ Electives Sheet ◦ 4-Year Academic Plan SAMPLE Extracurricular Guide Course Catalog

3. Basic Graduation Requirements English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits Science – 3 credits Social Studies – 3 credits Fine Arts – 1 credit Health – ½ credit Physical Education – ½ credit Electives – 6 credits

4. Student Classification Freshman  Sophomore = 5 credits Sophomore  Junior = 10 credits Junior  Senior = 16 credits Senior  GRADUATION = 22 credits

5. Class Rank & GPA Your Grade Point Average, or GPA, is simply the average of your cumulative grades at then end of each semester of school. Some courses have more “weight” based upon the level of course. Your class rank is your standing in relation to ALL of the other students in your grade. This starts right away !!! At the beginning of your FRESHMAN YEAR!!!

6. Eligibility Students can not be failing more than one course to eligible for extracurricular activities (this includes: sports, music groups, clubs, school sponsored groups, AND school dances) College Athletic Eligibility (NCAA) ◦ www.eligibiltycenter.org www.eligibiltycenter.org ◦ Students interesting playing college athletics should let their counselor know as soon as they can.

7. Special Diploma Considerations Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum The Commonwealth Diploma Highlands High School Advanced Curriculum HHS Major of Intensive Study CAPSTONE Program

8. Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits ◦ Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Elective Science – 3 credits ◦ Life, Earth, or Physical Science Social Studies – 3 credits ◦ World Civ., US History, Government Health – ½ credit Physical Education – ½ credit Fine Arts – 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits Electives – 5 credits

9. The Commonwealth Diploma  22 Credits  Course Requirements English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits ◦ Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Elective Science – 3 credits ◦ Life, Earth, Physical Science Social Studies – 3 credits ◦ World Civ., US History, Government Health – ½ credit Physical Education – ½ credit Fine Arts – 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits Electives – 5 credits ◦ 3 rigorous courses ◦ Recommended strongly: 1 or more courses that develop Computer Literacy  AP Courses 4 AP courses with minimum grade of “C” English, Science, Foreign Language, Elective  AP Exams Successful Completion of AP Exams

10. HHS Advanced Curriculum Completion of Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum Completion of 10 “Advanced” Courses ◦ “AP” Courses can be substituted for “Advanced” Courses Completion of 2 “AP” Courses Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.75 Awarded Seal on Diploma and Noted in Graduation Program

11. HHS Major of Intensive Study Completion of a presentation and defense of a Senior Thesis Project. Completion of “Senior Seminar” Course Completion of at least 4 courses in the intended research area with a minimum average of “B” (85). Completion of Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum Students wear Honor Cord at graduation and Noted on Diploma and Final Transcript

12. Capstone Program Mass Communications/Performing Arts Unique Program beginning in 2011-2012 In conjunction with Western Kentucky University

14. 9 th Grade Courses REQUIRED COURSES – 4 periods English – full year Math – full year Science – full year Health - semester Physical Education - semester ELECTIVE COURSES – 2 periods Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Family & Consumer Science, Business, Technology, Mass Communications EARLY BIRD COURSE Early Start (Phys. Ed./Health) – full year 7:00am – 8:00am Enables students to take an additional course (7 period day)

15. Early Bird What are Early Bird Courses? What Early Bird Courses can I take? ◦ Freshmen – Early Start (Phys. Ed./Health) ◦ Sophomore – EB AP World History ◦ Junior – EB AP American Language & Comp. ◦ Senior – EB AP American Literature & Comp. What is the benefit?

16. AP Courses What is AP? What AP Courses can I take as a freshman? ◦ AP Human Geography What is the benefit?

17. Sequence of Courses English I  English II  English III  English IV Algebra I  Geometry  Algebra II  Pre-Calculus  AP Calculus (AB)  AP Calculus (BC) College Transitions Math Select Topics Physics  Biology  Chemistry World Civ  US History  Government

18. Scheduling Steps Scheduling Recommendations given out at the PARENT MEETING on January 18 th at 7:00PM. Review recommendations for English, Math, Science Select Electives ◦ Use the Electives Sheet Select Alternates – 2 for each course. Alternates CAN be the same for each course. Write the course number and course title on Recommendation/Scheduling Sheet Complete the 4-Year Academic Plan ◦ Use the Course Catalog and Electives Sheet Meet with counselor to review choices and plans

19. Summer Activities Freshmen Transitions Day ◦ Approximately 1 week before school starts Summer Reading ◦ Will be given book before the end of the school year ◦ Study Guide needs to be completed before the first day of school

20. Meeting with Your Counselor Can email or call anytime ◦ Trinity.Walsh@fortthomas.kyschools.us Trinity.Walsh@fortthomas.kyschools.us ◦ 859.815.2605 During School Year ◦ Open Door Policy ◦ Any day from 7:45 – 3:45