1. Ninth Grade Orientation Welcome to Solon High School Solon High School Guidance Department Mrs. Wendy DingmanA-De349-6242 wendydingman@solonboe.org Mr. Rick NowakDf-Ho349-6243 ricknowak@solonboe.org Ms. Ann BruceHp-Mc349-7407 annbruce@solonboe.org Mrs. Kathleen KinneyMd-See349-7307 kathleenkinney@solonboe.org Mrs. Anne Johns, DirectorSef-Z349-6241 annejohns@solonboe.org Ms. Carol Rymaz Secretary349-7304 carolrymaz@solonboe.org Solon High School Guidance Webpagewww.solonschools.org/guidance

2. SHS PROFILE Ranked #1 in Northeast Ohio School of Distinction- Ohio Department of Education 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 ACT Red Quill Award National Blue Ribbon Scho ol

3. COLLEGE ATTENDANCE Size of Class of 2012438 Four-year College & Two-Year College 95% Business, Technical School, or Military 5% Minority Population 28%

4. NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2012 -Finalists21 -Commended 19 CLASS OF 2013 -Semi-Finalists30 -Commended25 -National Achievement2

5. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS 1990 1995 2003 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012

6. ACT RESULTS Composite Scores National Average21.9 SHS Class of 2012 24.8 SHS Top 10% 33.3

7. SAT RESULTS Verbal + Math National Average1010 SHS Class of 20121170 Top 10% 1400-1600

8. ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM In 2012, 649 students took 1,576 exams. Score Distribution: - Score of 5: 682 - Score of 4: 412 - Score of 3: 328

9. SHS Counselors Guiding Students 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation EXPLORE Testing Career assessment and ACT practice PLAN Testing Career assessment and ACT practice PSAT Practice Testing AP Exams PSAT ACT SAT AP Exams ACT SAT AP Exams Meet with students monthly in the Freshman Mentor Program and register all 9th graders on Naviance Assist students in updating resume and four-year plan on Naviance Assist students in completing resume and continuing career and college planning Implement the college process with planning, applications, essays, and scholarship info Meet with each 9 th grader to create four-year plan and discuss long-term plans Meet with each 10 th grader to provide information about voc/tech programs and discuss career plans Meet with each 11 th grader to review post-SHS plans including college planning Meet with each 12 th grader to finalize post-SHS plans

10. Core Graduation Requirements English 9, 10, 11, 124 Credits Health.50 Credit Mathematics (must include Algebra II) 4 Credits Physical Education.50 Credit Science (Physical Sci, Biology, Advanced Sci) 3 Credits Social Studies (World, U.S., Gov, Econ) 3 Credits Fine Arts1 Credit Electives5 Credits TOTALMinimum21 Credits

11. College Entrance Recommendations (Minimum) 4 years of English 4 years of Math (including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry) 3 - 4 years of Science (including Biology, Chemistry, Physics) 3 - 4 years of Social Studies 2 - 3 years of Foreign Language 1 year of fine, applied or performing arts

12. Honors Diploma Need SEVEN of these Eight Criteria 4 credits of English 4 credits of Math (Alg I, II, Geom and higher) 4 credits of Science (including Chemistry and Physics) 4 credits of Social Studies 3 credits of Foreign Language OR 2 credits each of two Foreign Languages 1 credit of Fine Arts 3.5 GPA on 4.0 scale (through the end of the third quarter of senior year) 27 ACT OR 1210 SAT (SAT combined CR/M scores)

13. Honors & AP Courses SHS offers ten honors courses and twenty Advanced Placement courses. Honors courses available to ninth graders include Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry and Honors Biology. AP World History is also offered for ninth graders. Ninth grade recommendations are made by eighth grade teachers. Contact SMS teachers for questions about recommendations.

14. Academic Supports Solon High School is proud to offer academic supports and interventions to all students in need of assistance: Classroom-based interventions Peer tutoring Academic Labs/Resource Center After-School Study Center Before/After school support from student’s teachers Academic coaching by counselors/administrators Best Instructional Practices What do we expect all students to learn? How do we know if they have learned it? How do we respond when they are NOT learning?

15. GRADES AND GRADE REPORTS 1. Student report cards are distributed each nine weeks reporting the record of achievement for the student during that nine-week period of time only. (Parent Viewer same as SMS to monitor grades.) 2. The nine-week grade is expressed in terms of a letter grade for the purpose of figuring and reporting a semester or yearly grade. 3. The SHS grading scale is as follows : A = 90 – 100% B = 80 – 89% C = 70 – 79% D = 60 – 69% F = 0 – 59%

16. WEIGHTED GRADES GRADES FOR COURSES ARE WEIGHTED AT TWO LEVELS: REGULAR COURSE WEIGHT ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSE WEIGHT HONOR COURSE WEIGHT A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0 A = 4.5 B = 3.375 C = 2.25 D = 1.0 F = 0 A = 5.0 B = 3.75 C = 2.5 D = 1.0 F = 0 Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam for each course in May. Many colleges award college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores upon college enrollment.

17. Changes in Graduation Testing  State-mandated changes begin in the 2014-2015 school year.  The Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) will no longer be used.  Tenth graders will take a national college-readiness test.  Students will take separate exams at the end of ten courses: English 9, 10, 11 Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II Physical Science and Biology US History and US Government  The Ohio Department of Education will release more information about these changes this spring.

18. Athletic Eligibility for Incoming Ninth Graders  Bylaw 4-4-4: A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of five of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled.  Bylaw 4-4-7: Summer school and other educational options may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic standards specified in Bylaw 4 during the last grading period of the school year.

19. EXAMPLE OF DETERMINING ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY GRADES 9-12 Passing grades must have been earned in a minimum of five one- credit courses, or equivalent, in the grading period immediately preceding the sport. PE classes do not count toward eligibility. SubjectGradeCredit &DurationFactorCredits English 9A1.00YEAR11.00 Spanish 1C1.00YEAR11.00 P.E.P0.50YEAR00.00 Algebra 1B1.00YEAR11.00 World HistB1.00YEAR11.00 BandA1.00YEAR11.00 ScienceA1.00YEAR11.00 Total Credit6.506.00 = eligible for athletics *Must carry at least 5 classes both semesters.

20. Excel TECC Programs Arts and Communications: Digital Arts and Technology, Performing Arts Academy, Visual Art and Design Business and Administration: Business Academy, Culinary Arts Construction Technologies : Construction Management, Construction Trades Education and Training: Early Childhood Education Engineering/Transportation: Auto Mechanics, CADD Engineering Technology Environmental & Agricultural: Agriculture and Careers, Floriculture and Gardening Operations, Landscape and Turf Operations Health Sciences: Medical Technologies Human Services: Cosmetology, Public Safety Academy Information Technology : Interactive Media, Information Technology and Programming

21. Resume Plans after high school Academic achievements School activities/clubs Athletics Music/Art/Drama Volunteer experience Work experience Talents, skills, interests Career exploration: Job shadowing, internships Visit www.solonschools.org/guidance and click on Naviance, our college/career planning website. Students create an account in ninth grade to use all four years for information and guidance regarding resume building, course planning, ACT/SAT/AP testing, summer enrichment programs, college planning/research, college application status, financial aid, and more.

22. EXAMPLE #1EXAMPLE #2EXAMPLE #3EXAMPLE #4EXAMPLE #5 English 9 CPEnglish 9 CPEnglish 9 HonorsEnglish 9 CPEnglish 9 Honors Science InvestigationsScience InvestigationsHonors BiologyScience InvestigationsScience Invest. Algebra ITrans Algebra &Honors GeometryAlgebra IHonors Algebra II World HistoryAlgebra I blockAP World HistoryWorld HistoryWorld History Physical EducationWorld History Physical EducationPhysical EducationPhysical Education Spanish 2Physical EducationBand or ChoirSpanish ISpanish 2 Study HallStudy Hall (Interv)French 2Study Hall/ElectiveStudy Hall 9 th Grade Course Planning There are seven periods in the school day. Ninth graders take at least FIVE classes each semester and often Physical Education. Students must pass five classes for athletic eligibility (excluding Phys Ed). Ninth grade courses: English, Math, Science, World History, Phys Ed., Elective(s) Study Hall is recommended for ninth graders. Course recommendations from SMS have been mailed to parents.

23. What if my child is NOT recommended for a course he/she wants to take?  If you should decide to take a non- recommended course, you must complete the Scheduling Risk Form (available online at www.solonschools.org/guidance or in SMS Guidance Office). www.solonschools.org/guidance  The form states that if the student chooses to drop this course during the school year, it will be noted on the transcript as a WF (Withdraw Failing).

24. Do colleges accept American Sign Language as a fulfillment of the Foreign Language recommendation?  There are currently over 200 colleges that accept ASL as a foreign language. It is suggested that you access the college websites to determine their requirements for foreign language. A list of the schools is available in the high school Guidance Office.

25. What if my child can’t fit Phys. Ed. on his/her schedule? Students may take the two semester Physical Education classes at any time during their four years at SHS.

26. What if my child can’t fit a study hall on his/her schedule? If a student does not have a study hall, there are still many ways to get support.  Student makes appointment to meet with teacher before or after school.  Student requests peer tutor.  Student attends After-School Study Center which is open Mon -Thr 3:15-4:00 and staffed by teachers.

27. Where can I find more information or answers to my specific questions?  For questions about class recommendations contact SMS teachers.  For general questions about courses, requirements, and academic programming see the Program of Studies booklet, which is also available online.  For any questions about the high school, contact your student’s high school counselor via email or phone.

28. Ninth Grade Orientation Welcome to Solon High School Solon High School Guidance Department Mrs. Wendy DingmanA-De349-6242 wendydingman@solonboe.org Mr. Rick NowakDf-Ho349-6243 ricknowak@solonboe.org Ms. Ann BruceHp-Mc349-7407 annbruce@solonboe.org Mrs. Kathleen KinneyMd-See349-7307 kathleenkinney@solonboe.org Mrs. Anne Johns, DirectorSef-Z349-6241 annejohns@solonboe.org Ms. Carol Rymaz Secretary349-7304 carolrymaz@solonboe.org Solon High School Guidance Webpagewww.solonschools.org/guidance