Alpharetta High School

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT FOR

8th GRADERS

Class of 2020Building the Foundation

Course Registration & Scheduling for 2016-2017Alpharetta High School will be nationally competitive in academics, arts, athletics,

and service to the community.

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT NIGHT FOR

8th GRADE PARENTS

Presented February 25th; 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.Alpharetta Theater

Alpharetta High School will be nationally competitive in academics, arts, athletics, and service to the community.

Academic Advisement 6:00 p.m. – 6:20 p.m.

• Welcome Dr. Shannon Kersey, Principal• AHS PTSA Mary Kaye Pepperman• School Information & Course Amy Longstreth, School Counselor

Registration for School Year 2015-2016 Clair Greenaway, Assistant Principal

Academic Course Option Panel 6:20 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

• English, Math, Science, and Social Studies

Break-Out Sessions and Activities Fair 6:50 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Three identical Sessions whereas parents/students can choose what they would like to learn more about.

• Activities Fair – clubs and sports offerings

NEXT STEP: HIGH SCHOOL

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST

OF YOUR RISING FRESHMAN’S

HIGH SCHOOL YEARS

Alpharetta High School will be nationally competitive in academics, arts, athletics, and service to the community.

Class of 2020

The freshman class of 2016-2017 will be made up of students from Webb Bridge Middle School and Hopewell Middle School. Students who have attended private schools and local charter schools through eighth grade will also be joining this freshmen class.

What to Expect: Daily LifeClass Schedule

– 6 periods every day and students take 6 classes

– Anchor time – 2 times per week (Tue./Thur.)

– Classes are 58 minutes long with 5 minutes in

between classes

– Lunch is 45 minutes during 4th period

• 4th Period Class / Lunch

• Lunch / 4th Period Class

– Most of your student’s classes will be yearlong• 9th Grade Lit, Math, Biology, World Languages, electives

– Some of your classes will be just a semester• American Government/Civics, Health, and some electives

What to Expect: Academics

• Homework is assigned every day inmost classes.

• AHS has very rigorous classes so it is important for students to stay on top of their assignments.

Recommendations: Agenda for assignments Teacher’s syllabus and website Home Access Center - check it

regularly Extra help sessions with teacher

What to Expect: More Academics

Highly Competitive – Honors and AP (Advanced

Placement)

courses provide rigorous preparation

for college

– Excellent Career Tech Training

– Great Test Scores:• Among highest SAT/ACT scores in Fulton

Country Schools

– Named one of the Top All Around High Schools by Atlanta Magazine• Ranked highly among the Atlanta Area…

What to expect: Faculty & Staff

Administration: Duties & Responsibilities• Discipline (An Assistant Principal assigned

to just the Freshman class)

• Supervision of Instruction/Curriculum• Textbooks • Lockers

Counselors: Students in grades 9 – 12 are assigned a counselor by their last name:

• Dee Webb A – CO• Keisha Iton CP - HI• Amy Longstreth HJ - MET• Susan Chamberlin MEU - SEE• Karen Bolt SEF – Z / Dept. Chair

• Individual Counseling• Classroom guidance• College & Career Planning• Coordinate Conferences with Parents, Teachers

and Students • Scheduling / Registration• Information Nights• Academic Advising• Study Skills support

What To Expect FromYour CounselorsA hundred years from now it will not

matter what my bank account was, the

sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I

drove, but the world may be different

because I was important in the life of a

child.... Forest Whitcraft

Graduation Requirements23 units of credit required for graduation:

• 4 units of ENGLISH• 4 units of MATHEMATICS• 4 units of SCIENCE• 3 units of SOCIAL STUDIES• 3 units required from: WORLD LANGUAGE* and/or

CAREER TECHNOLOGY and/or FINE ARTS• 1 unit in HEALTH/PERSONAL FITNESS• 4 units of ELECTIVES

* Students planning to enter or transfer into a 4-year college in Georgia must take at least 2 units of the same World Language

Each year students have the potential to earn 6 credits

What to expect: Graduation Requirements

EOC is comprised of the following content area assessments:English Language Arts – 9th Lit/Comp and 11th American Lit/CompScience – Biology and Physical ScienceMathematics - GSE Algebra and GSE GeometrySocial Studies - United States History and Economics

The tests serve as the final exam for the above courses.

The test scores serve as 20% of the students’ final

semester grade for all subjects. • The EOC tests are associated with the course the

student is taking. The EOC test scores cannot be “banked”.

• This means that if a student retakes a course they must retake the associated EOC test.

What if a class

is failed?

Retention PolicyTo be promoted to the next grade, students need the following number of credits:

• 5 units = 10th grade• 11 units = 11th grade• 17 units = 12th grade

STAY ON TRACK to graduate all 4 years by PASSING THEIR CLASSES

Making Up Failed Courses

• In schedule

• Online

• Credit Recovery

• Summer School

Advanced Level Courses

• Honors/Gifted(Gifted - available to 9th and 10th

graders in the TAG program)

• Advanced Placement (AP)

• College Courses

Seven (7) additional points are added at the end

of each semester to passing grades in

advanced level courses.

Advanced Placement

(AP)

• Available to 9th– 12

thgraders

• Program of college-level courses

• Opportunity to receive exemption or credit

in college through successful completion

of an AP exam

• Required to take the AP exam if taking and

passing the course

First Semester Second Semester

9th Grade Language Arts 9th Grade Language Arts

Math Math

Biology BiologyAmerican Government/Civics General Health

World Language or Elective

World Language or Elective

Elective ElectiveStudents receive grades at the end of each semester that is reported on the transcript; the two semester grades for a yearlong class are not averaged together for a yearlong grade

WORLD LANGUAGE and/or CAREER TECHNOLOGY and/or

FINE ARTS

3 UNITS

Graduation Requirements

World LanguageStudents planning to enter or

transfer into a 4-year Georgia

college must take a minimum of

2 units of the same world language

World Languages offered at AHS

• Chinese

• French

•Latin

• Spanish

WORLD

LANGUAGE

Visit the World Language website at: http://wlahs.weebly.com/

General Health/

Personal Fitness

1 Unit

General Health

(1 semester)

Personal Fitness

(1 semester)

CAREER

TECHNOLOGY

Career Pathways

o Architectural Engineering

Drawing & Design

o Broadcast & Video Production

o Business & Computer Science

o Culinary Arts

o Engineering

o Healthcare Science

FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT

• Music– Band

– Orchestra

– Chorus

– Guitar

• Drama/Performing Arts

• Visual Art23 classes offered (4 Advanced

Placement Classes)

Electives4 UNITS

• Art

• Orchestra

• Band

• Guitar

• Chorus

• Drama

• Business

• Engineering

• Journalism

• Healthcare Sci.

• Culinary Arts• Architectural

EngineeringDrawing & Design

• Computer Science• Broadcast & Video

Production• Physical Education (P.E.)• Speech/Forensics• World Language• Psychology

What to Expect: The Registration Process

Academic Courses: • Teachers have made recommendations and students and parents will have 3 opportunities to make adjustments to their academic and elective courses.

Elective Courses: • Student were able to select their electives on the Course Verification forms.• The Course Catalog with prerequisites and descriptions is available on the AHS website.

Students should now have their 2nd course verification which is due to their homeroom on March 4th, 2016.

Schedules will be given to students the week before school starts on Alpharetta High School’s Information Day.

Please choose your courses wisely because after the 3rd course verification form, there will be no

schedule changes!

Course Verification Forms

Please read the directions on the form carefully:

•When you complete the form, you should have a 6.0 TOTAL CREDITS. Remember a yearlong course is 1.0 unit of credit and a semester course is 0.5 units of credit.

•If you have 6.0 CREDITS shown on your form and you do not wish to change anything, student and parent signs the form and returns it by the deadline

•If you DO NOT HAVE 6.0 CREDITS, please select electives and enter them in the table on the form

•If you have more than 6.0 CREDITS, draw a line

through the course(s) you wish to drop.

What to expect: Course Verification Forms

Please read the directions on the form carefully (continued):

•If you want to change (or add) a course and take it ONLINE, draw a line through the course and add your new choice in the table on the form.

Virtual Learning/Online Courses:

Fulton County Virtual School (FVS)

http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/acd/learnteach/InstrTech/Pages/FultonVirtual.aspx

Georgia Virtual School (GAVS): http://gavirtualschool.org/

•If you want to change an elective a teacher recommended for you, draw a line through it and add your new choice in the table.

•If you want to change an Honors or AP course DOWN a level, draw a line through it and add your new choice in the table.

Course

Verification Forms

Please read the directions on the form carefully (continued):

•If you wish to WAIVER into a course you were not recommended for and do not meet the GRADE requirements for, draw a line through the course and/or add the course you wish to waiver into the table. Consider this decision carefully, talking to your teachers, counselor and parents.

– You do not need to waiver if you meet the Fulton County Course Placement Guidelines found in the Course Catalog. Just draw a line through the course and add the desired course in the table.

• List Alternate or back up electives in the table on the form.

•On the BACK of the verification form, please:– If waiving into a class, sign the Course Placement Waiver Statement.

– If taking an AP course, sign the AP Commitment Contract.

– If you want to take virtual classes, list the courses in the Virtual/Online course section.

A WORD OF ADVICE• Proper academic placement is essential for academic success.• Students are encouraged to pursue a challenging course of study• However, they should keep in mind that the demands of honor-level and Advanced

Placement (AP) courses are significantly higher than those of on-level courses. • Students should consider course load, extra-curricular commitments, interest level, after-

school jobs, and future goals when signing up for honors-level and AP courses. • In general, students in honors-level and AP courses should have well-balanced skills in

the subject area and a high level of enthusiasm for the subject.

What to expect: Ways to Get Involved

Clubs– Beta

– Speech / Debate

– Fencing

– Equestrian

– Student Council

– Math Club

– Environmental Club

– FBLA

– FCA

– Raider Ambassadors

– Key Club

– Friend’s Club– Habitat for Humanity– Medical Club– Students Against

Destructive Decisions (SADD)

– National Honors Society– Drama– Science Olympiad– French Club– and many more…

– Make sure to attend the Activities Fair!

Alpharetta High School’s mission is

to be nationally competitive in

academics, arts, athletics, and service to the community.

What to expect: Ways to Get Involved

Athletics (AAAAAA)• Baseball• Basketball• Cheerleading• Cross Country• Football• Golf• Gymnastics• Lacrosse

• Soccer• Softball • Swimming & Diving• Tennis• Track• Volleyball• Wrestling

Alpharetta High School’s mission is to be nationally competitive in academics, arts, athletics, and service to the community.

What to expect: Athletic Eligibility

• All students entering the 9th grade in the Fall of 2016 are immediately eligible for the fall semester

• Coaches will look at the student’s 8th grade grades and discipline to determine if they want the student on their team

• To participate in any sport, the student must pass 5 out of 6courses the preceding semester – summer school is considered an extension of spring semester

• All athletes must be on track to graduate at the beginning of each school year

• Remember: STUDENT comes first in STUDENT-ATHLETE

What to expect: Ways to Get Involved

Student-Centered Arts• Marching Band• Color Guard• Jazz Band• Symphonic Band• Show Choir• Choral Ensembles• Orchestra• Chamber Orchestra• Drama & Musical Theater

How to make the Most of High School Years

High School Success• Good Attendance is

essential

• Proper Placement in

classes

• Completing Homework

• Studying

• Being organized

(Keep an agenda)

• Seeking help when needed

• Getting involved

The End

Q & A

AHS website:

http://school.fultonschools.org/hs/alpharetta/Pages/default.aspx

It is the policy of the Fulton County School System not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability in any employment practice, educational program, or any other program, activity or service.

ACADEMIC COURSE OPTION PANEL

6:25 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Auditorium (Theater) and

6:50 p.m. - 7:10 p.m., Auditorium (Theater)

FEATURING:

• English/Language Arts – Allison Tubiak, Dept. Chair

• Math – Dr. Brian Wynne, Math Dept. Chair

• Science – Penni Johnson, Science Dept. Chair

• Social Studies – Mike Nance, Social Studies Dept. Chair

Language Arts

4 Units• 9th Grade Lit/Comp

(On-level, Honors, or Gifted)

• 10th Grade Lit/Comp(On-level, Honors or Gifted)

• 11th American Lit/Comp (On-level, H, AP Lang)

• 12th Grade Lit/Comp(On-level, AP Lit, College English)

Student’s Current Course

Student’s Current Performance Next Year Placement

Course #

Language Arts 8 On-Level

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Georgia Milestones Grade 7 ELA Level 1 or 2

9th Grade Lit/Comp

23.0610000

Semester 1 Average > 80% OR Georgia Milestones Grade 7 ELA Level 3 or 4

9th Grade Lit/Comp Honors

23.0610040

Language Arts 8 Advanced

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Georgia Milestones Grade 7 ELA Level 1 or 2

9th Grade Lit/Comp

23.0610000

Semester 1 Average > 80% OR Georgia Milestones Grade 7 ELA Level 3 or 4

9th Grade Lit/Comp Honors

23.0610040

TAG Language Arts 8

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Georgia Milestones Grade 7 ELA Level 1 or 2

9th Grade Lit/Comp Honors

23.0610040

Semester 1 Average > 80% OR Georgia Milestones Grade 7 ELA Level 3 or 4

9th Grade Lit/Comp Honors

23.2610040TAG Service

Dr. Brian D. Wynne, Mathematics Department Chair

wynneb@fultonschools.org

Mathematics

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the “typical” sequence of high school mathematics courses?

What is an accelerated mathematics course and who is the intended audience?

Which other paths exist for taking an Advanced Placement course without taking the accelerated pathway?

“TYPICAL” SEQUENCE OF

MATHEMATICS COURSES

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

GSE Algebra I GSE Geometry GSE Algebra II GSE Pre-Calculus

GSE Geometry Honors GSE Algebra II Honors GSE Pre-Calculus

Honors

AP Calculus AB or AP

Statistics

GSE Accelerated

Algebra I/Geometry A

Honors

GSE Accelerated

Geometry B/Algebra II

Honors

GSE Accelerated Pre-

Calculus Honors

AP Calculus AB, AP

Calculus BC, or AP

Statistics

GSE Accelerated

Geometry B/Algebra II

Honors

GSE Accelerated Pre-

Calculus Honors AP Calculus BC Georgia Tech Calculus

GSE On-Level vs. AcceleratedOn-Level GSE

Mathematics Courses Accelerated GSE

Mathematics Courses

GSE Algebra I GSE Accelerated Algebra

I/Geometry A Honors GSE Geometry

GSE Accelerated Geometry B/Algebra II Honors GSE Algebra II

GSE Pre-Calculus GSE Accelerated Pre-

Calculus Honors

Course Expectations

Pacing

Rigor

Opportunities for Assessment and Feedback

Earning of the 7 Honors Points

College and Career Readiness

Student’s Current Course

Student’s Current Performance Next Year Placement

Course #

Math 8 On-Level

Semester 1 Average < 70% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average < 70%

GSE Algebra I with GSE Algebra I Support

27.099000027.0997000

Semester 1 Average > 70% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average > 70%

GSE Algebra I 27.0990000

Grade 7 Georgia Milestones Math Level 3 or 4 AND Semester 1 Average > 80% OR Unit Assessment Average > 80%

Accelerated GSE Algebra I/ Geometry A H

27.0994040

Math 8 Advanced

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average < 70%

GSE Algebra I 27.0990000

Grade 7 Georgia Milestones Math Level 3 or 4 AND Semester 1 Average > 80% OR Summative Assessment Average > 80%

Accelerated GSE Algebra I/ Geometry A H

27.0994040

Student’s Current Course

Student’s Current Performance

Next Year Placement Course #

GSE Algebra I Honors

Semester 1 Average < 70% GSE Algebra I 27.0990000Semester 1 Average > 70% GSE Geometry Honors 27.0991040Grade 7 Georgia Milestones Math Level 3 or 4 AND Semester 1 Average > 80% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average > 80%

GSE Geometry Honors OR Virtual GSE Geometry Semester 1 in summer withAccelerated GSE Geometry B/Algebra II Honors

27.0991040OR27.3991001 or27.3991003with27.0995040

Accelerated GSE Algebra I/ Geometry A H

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average < 70%

GSE Geometry Honors 27.0991040

Grade 7 Georgia Milestones Math Level 3 or 4 AND Semester 1 Average > 80% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average > 70%

Accelerated GSE Geometry B/Algebra II Honors

27.0995040

Science4 UNITS BIOLOGY

•Biology (on-level/

Gifted/Honors/AP)

•Physical Science or

Physics (on-level or AP)

•Chemistry (on-level/

Honors/AP), Earth

Systems,

Environmental

Science,

or Human Anatomy

•4th Science

• Teachers understand that the transition in to high school is difficult and work with students and parents to try to make the transition as smooth as possible

• 9th graders have homework and projects that are expected to be turned in completed and on the due date

• Teachers create lessons that are meant to engage the students and to get them involved in their learning

Student’s Current Course

Student’s Current Performance Next Year Placement

Course #

Science of the Physical World On-Level

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average < 70%

Biology OR Physical Science

26.0120000OR 40.0110000

Georgia Milestones Grade 7 Science Level 3 or 4 AND Semester 1 Average > 80 % OR Summative Unit Assessment Average > 80%

Biology HonorsOR Physical Science Honors

26.0120040OR 40.0110040

Science of the Physical World Advanced

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average < 70%

Biology OR Physical Science

26.0120000OR 40.0110000

Georgia Milestones Grade 7 Science Level 3 or 4 AND Semester 1 Average > 80 % OR Summative Unit Assessment Average > 80%

Biology HonorsOR Physical Science Honors

26.0120040OR 40.0110040

Student’s Current Course

Student’s Current Performance Next Year Placement

Course #

High School Physical Science

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average < 70%

Biology OR Physical Science

26.0120000OR 40.0110000

Georgia Milestones Grade 7 Science Level 3 or 4 AND Semester 1 Average > 80 % OR Summative Unit Assessment Average > 80%

Biology HonorsOR Physical Science Honors

26.0120040OR 40.0110040

High School Physical ScienceHonors

Semester 1 Average < 80% OR Summative Unit Assessment Average < 70%

Biology 26.0120000

Georgia Milestones Grade 7 Science Level 3 or 4 AND Semester 1 Average > 80 % OR Summative Unit Assessment Average > 70%

Biology Honors 26.0120040

Social Studies

3 UNITS

9th

Grade

American Gov/Civics

• On-level or AP

(AP is year-long)

2014 AP Gov ScoresAHS Nation

5’s = 38 (52.7%) 11.9%4’s = 18 (25%) 12.4%3’s = 15 (20.8%) 26.5%2’s = 1 (1.3%) 24.6%1’s = 0 24.6%

10th

Grade

World History

• On-level or AP

11th

Grade

U.S. History

• On-level or AP

12th

Grade

Economics

• On-level or

AP Micro/Macro-economics

(1 semester)No honors classes in SS

Correlation of Course Grade and AP Exam Score 2013

1

2

3

4

5

55.00% 60.00% 65.00% 70.00% 75.00% 80.00% 85.00% 90.00% 95.00% 100.00%

AP

Sco

res

Spring Semester Final Grade

AP Scores and Final Grades

Student’s Current Course

Student’s Current Performance

Next Year Placement Course #

Georgia Studies 8 Anticipated promotion to Grade 9

American Government/Civics

45.0570005

Semester 1 Average > 90% OR Unit Assessment Average > 90% AND Georgia Milestones Grade 7 Social Studies Level 3 or 4

Equivalent 9th grade AP course, e.g. AP Government/Politics U.S. ORAP Human Geography

45.0520010

OR

45.0770010

TAG Georgia Studies 8

Anticipated promotion to Grade 9

American Government/Civics

45.0570005

Semester 1 Average > 90% OR Unit Assessment Average > 90% AND Georgia Milestones Grade 7 Social Studies Level 3 or 4

Equivalent 9th grade AP course, e.g. AP Government/Politics U.S. ORAP Human Geography

45.2520010

OR

45.2770010

World LanguageStudents planning to enter or

transfer into a 4-year Georgia

college must take a minimum of

2 units of the same world language

World Languages offered at AHS

• Chinese

• French

•Latin

• Spanish

WORLD

LANGUAGE

Visit the World Language website at: http://wlahs.weebly.com/

Student’s Current Course

Student’s Current Performance

Next Year Placement

Course #

Grade 8 Beginning or Continuous WL Course or No WL Course

Average < 70% for either of the two semestersORNo World Language Course

Level 1 World Language Course

Chinese 162.0110000French 160.0110000Latin 161.0410000Spanish 160.0710000

Student’s Current Course

Student’s Current Performance

Next Year Placement

Course #

Grade 8 Continuous WL Course

Semester 1 Average < 80%

Level 2 World

Language Course

Chinese 262.0120000French 260.0120000Latin 261.0420000Spanish 260.0720000

Semester 1 Average >80%

Level 2 Honors World Language Course

Chinese 2 H62.0120040French 2 H60.0120040Latin 2 H61.0420040Spanish 2 H60.0720040

Navigating Around AHS

Room NumbersEach room number on a student’s schedule may be decoded

in the following manner: The first number on the left is the wing (1-7). 1=main hallway 2,3,4,5=academic wings 6-gym 7=fine arts

2000 wing/hall = Blue (strip of tile down the hall)3000 wing/hall = Green (strip of tile down the hall)

4000 wing/hall = Red (strip of tile down the hall)

The second number is the floor of the building (1-3). The last two numbers are the room number on that hallway.

Example: 2317 (2000 hall, 3rd floor)

Transition Video A Look at Some of the Elective Offerings

for Freshmen at AHS

https://vimeo.com/156362860