9th Grade Parent Meeting

Spring 2018

NWHS Number One Goal

All incoming freshmen graduate in May 2021 with a high school

diploma!

High School Terminology •ACT – (American College Test) – college entrance exam and readiness marker. Very Important!

•Carnegie Unit – one complete course •Credit – one complete course •Unit - one complete course

Grade Classification •9th Grade – Freshman = 0 – 4 ½ units •10th Grade – Sophomore = 5 – 9 ½ units and 2nd year student

•11th Grade – Junior = 10 – 16 ½ units and 3rd year student

•12th Grade – Senior = 17 – up units and 4th year student

WPSB Grading Scale

93 – 100 = A 85 – 92 = B 75 – 84 = C 67 – 74 = D 0 – 66 = F

How to Figure Grades • All grades figured using percentage • Add up all points scored • Divide by possible points • 45/50; 30/40; 90/100; 75/80; 69/90; 145/150 • Add points scored - 45+30+90+75+69+145 = 454 • Add total points - 50+40+100+80+90+150 = 510 • Divide points scored by possible points - 454/510 =

.8901 or 89% = B

Graduation Pathways •TOPS University – TOPS core curriculum to prepare students for a four year university pathway.

•Jump Start – Students take coursework and receive credentials to prepare for the workforce. Also eligible for community and technical college.

TOPS University Coursework

•4 – English •4 – Math •4 – Sciences •4 – Social Studies •2 – Foreign Language •1 – Art •2 – Health and PE •3 – Electives •24 Total Units

Jump Start Coursework •4 – English •4 – Math •2 – Science •2 – Social Studies •2 – Health and PE •9 – Vocational/Jump Start Courses •Specific Jump Start Credentials •23 total units

LEAP 2025 •English I and English II – must pass one •Algebra I and Geometry – must pass one •US History and Biology – must pass one •Counts 15% of total Grade •Advanced = A •Mastery = B •Basic = C •Approaching Basic = D •Unsatisfactory = F

TOPS TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend either one of the Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities, schools that are a part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Louisiana approved Proprietary and Cosmetology Schools or institutions that are a part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

TOPS Opportunity Award • 4 years of tuition • Minimum High School GPA of 2.50 (GPA computed

on core courses only) • 19.0 Core Units • Minimum ACT Score (or SAT Equivalent) of the prior

year state average; Currently 20 • Must enroll full time as a first time freshman, by the

first semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident • Meet TOPS Louisiana residency requirements

TOPS Performance Award • Tuition + $400 • Minimum High School GPA of 3.00 (GPA computed

on core courses only) • 19.0 Core Units • Minimum ACT Score of 23 • Must enroll full time as a first time freshman, by the

first semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident • Meet TOPS Louisiana Residency requirements

TOPS Honors Award • Tuition + $800 per year • Minimum High School GPA of 3.00 (GPA computed

on core courses only) • 19.0 Core Units • Minimum ACT Score of 27 • Must enroll full time as a first time freshman, by the

first semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident • Meet TOPS Louisiana Residency requirements

The ACT • Most important thing for college bound students • Score range 1 to 36 • All 11th graders take ACT • 19 required for dual enrollment (20 sub score for math,

19 sub score for English) • 20 required for basic TOPS • Scholarships - higher score more money

• 23 @ La Tech • 24 @ UL • 20 @ ULM and SAU

• ACT actually more important than GPA

WorkKeys • WorkKeys is a career-readiness assessment

measuring Applied Math, Workplace Documents, and Graphic Literacy as a way to build an understanding of how to improve skills and increase prospects for securing high-wage jobs in today’s 21st century workplace.

• Primarily for students in grade 11 & 12 who are on track for a Jump Start Diploma

Athletics at NWHS • Sports at NWHS – Baseball, Basketball, Cross

Country, Football, Golf, Softball, Tennis, Track • All athletes must take Varsity PE. – Girls Varsity PE,

Boys Varsity PE, 9th Grade Boys Varsity PE. • If student quits a sport they cannot participate in

new sport until the one they quit season ends • We hold student-athletes to very high standard • Letter Jackets given 11th or 12th grade and after 3

years of participation • Check NCAA for college athletic purposes.

Spirit Groups at NWHS •Groups at NWHS – Auxiliary, Band, Cheerleaders, Knightline, Lady Royales.

•Cheer and Knightline require previous participation.

•Letter Jackets given 11th or 12th grade and after 3 years of participation

New Things for 9th Graders

• Students do not stay together in groups all day • Students have much less structure in their day • All students have lockers with combination lock • Many more clubs and activities • All students eat lunch together – 2 shifts

High School Challenges • Students must pass specific courses to graduate • Students must pass specific LEAP 2025 tests to

graduate • Students must become responsible for their work • Students must do their assignments to pass their

courses • Students will have homework in High School • Time for students to start thinking about “After High

School”

Scheduling • Will meet with students on Monday, May 14 • All students will take:

• English I • Algebra I, Geometry, Intro to Algebra • Physical Science • Civics • Business Computer Applications • PE • Elective – Agriscience, FACS, Principles of Business

• We keep 9th and 10th grade students together in course progression

English 1 English 1 Honors Algebra 1 Geometry Honors Geometry Physical Science Physical Science Honors Civics Business Computer Applications IBCA (did not take or pass IBCA in Jr-High) PE(non-athlete) Band Beginning Band – (1st time band students only) Vocational Elective (Rank your choice 1, 2, 3 or 4) Gifted (must have IEP) _____ Agriscience 1 – general study of agriculture, plants, animals, intro to shop, forestry _____ Family and Consumer Sciences 1 – general study of cooking, sewing, and child care _____ Principles of Business – introduction to the general principles of the business world

Schedule Form

Honors Classes • NWHS offers honors classes to: English I, Geometry,

Physical Science • Honors classes offer more challenging curriculum • There is GPA boost for Honors Classes • Students that request Honors Classes are chosen

using test scores and past grades • Honors classes are limited to 30 students • Usually more students apply than are accepted.

Attendance • Attendance at school is very important • Students receive “Incomplete” grades when they

are not at school • Students must bring a parent note (3 per semester)

or doctor excuse to be eligible to make up work • Students with excessive absences are referred to

Truancy • Students are awarded through PBIS based on their

attendance

Dress Code • Tops – School T-Shirt or sweatshirt, Purple, Black,

White, Gray polo – no hoodies. No V-neck. • Pants – Khaki or black pants and knee shorts. No

jeans or stretch materials • Shoes – Must have hard sole and enclosed heel and

toe • Jackets - purple, white, black, and gray jackets or

approved spirit and letter jackets • No detracting hairstyles or unnatural (bright red,

pink, green, yellow, purple, etc.) colors will be allowed.

Discipline Points • Students are asked to respect themselves, other

students, and the school • Disrespect or disobedience to staff is not tolerated • Profanity is not tolerated • Students are expected to be on time and the in proper

class. • Class disruptions are not tolerated • Fighting is not tolerated – Always results in suspension

and sometimes arrest • NWHS follows Cell Phone policy.

Communicate With NWHS

• Website - nwhs.websterpsb.org

• Parent Center -

www.parentcenter.websterpsb.org/progress/

• Remind – text @nwhsknight to 81010

• Plans for Facebook Page • Please complete our Survey

Any Questions

Thanks for coming! We want you and your child to have a fun and successful four years

at NWHS!!!