Benson High School Orientation

Go Bunnies!!

Benson High

School Counselors

Mrs. Lannan – F, G – Director557-3020

Mr. Emmer – A, B, T, U, V – Career557-3022

Mrs. Stichler – C, D, W, X, Y, Z – Pers./Soc.557-3021

Mrs. Toney – H, I, J, P – Academic557-3024

Mr. Rohlfing – K, L, M, N, O – Adv. Ed.557-3025

Mrs. Brown – E, Q, R, S – Records557-3023

Benson High SchoolThe Decision Science and Career Pathway Magnet

The mission of Benson High School Magnet is to create lifelong learners through the use of project based learning and decision science empowering student success in a diverse global community.

Content Objectives

Students will be able to select courses based on their interests, teacher recommendation, parent recommendation, previous grades, test scores, and counselor input.

Students will be able to determine the impact their course selections have on college admission and career exploration.

Language Objectives

Students will be able to define credit, G.P.A., and class rank, and the impact credits have on G.P.A., class rank, and graduation

Students will be able to decipher between a required versus an elective course, as well as what a prerequisite course is

Students will be able to define what honors and AP classes are

Success at Benson High School

Being in class and being on time is necessary to learn and be successful.

You must pass courses (earn at least a D) to earn credit. You must earn 49 credits to graduate.

Student-Athletes can make or break their chances of playing Division I athletics in the 9th grade!

Participate in class, take notes, complete homework, and study. You need to start practicing these skills now. Do not wait until you get to high school.

A day / B day

Each class meets every other day for 90 minutes.

You will have 4 classes plus homeroom each day, which means you will have 8 classes each semester each worth 1 credit (8 credits per semester = 16 credits per year).

Block 1 7:40 – 9:06 a.m.

Block 2 9:11 – 10:35 a.m.

Block 3 (Homeroom) 10:40 – 11:00 a.m.

Block 4 (includes a 30 min lunch) 11:04 a.m. – 1:16 p.m.

Block 5 1:21 – 2:45 p.m.

Earning CreditsStaying on track for graduation

1 credit = 1 semester class passed

9th - 12 Credits 10th - 24

Credits 11th - 36

Credits 12th - 49

Credits

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

9th 10th 11th 12th

RequiredCredits

PotentialCredits

Graduation Requirements

English Social Studies Math Science PE/HROTC Human Growth Electives Total Credits

8 credits

7 credits

6 credits

6 credits

4 credits

1 credits

17 credits

49 credits

English Social Studies Math SciencePE/ROTC

or4 yr of Band

49 credits 8 credits 7 credits 6 credits 6 credits 4 credits

Required Courses

Eng 1-2Eng 3-4Eng 5-6Eng 7-8

US Hist 1-2Geog / EconWorld Hist 1-2

Am. Gov’t

Courses based on proper placement

Phys Sci 1-2Bio 1-2

1 Additional Year

Courses based on

personal preference

Graduation Requirements

College Admission Requirements(beyond Benson graduation requirements)

Colleges may require coursework beyond what is required for high school graduation:– World Language (two years)

Spanish

French

– Math (Algebra 1-2, Geometry 1-2, Algebra 3-4, 1 Additional Year)

– Science (Physical Science 1-2, Biology 1-2, Chemistry 1-2 or Physics 1-2)

NCAA Requirements

Successful completion of core courses, including world language

Minimum GPA

Minimum ACT/SAT score

*See a counselor for more details

Typical Freshman Schedule

Semester 1 Semester 2

1 English 1 English 2

2 US History 1 US History 2

3 Math: Math:

4 Physical Science 1 Physical Science 2

5 GPS GPS

6 Elective Elective

7 Elective Elective

8 Elective Elective

*Academic Literacy – Required Elective if Recommended

**Include Band, ROTC, or Choir if you plan to be involved in these groups.

***Two years of Spanish or French are required for college admission.

New Opportunities:

Honors Classes

Benefits:– Increase academic challenge– Increase future opportunities

Challenges:– Teacher Expectation and Pacing– Time Commitment

Plan on 1 hour of homework for each honors class.– One year obligation

Honors: How Do I Sign UP?

Teacher Recommendation

Middle School Grades

Test Scores (Yes, the CAT test counts!)

Choosing Electives

Concert band and/or P.E./ROTC? Do you have to take P.E./ROTC in 9th grade? If you plan to attend a 4 year college after high

school and you are not recommended for Academic Literacy class, consider world language as one of your electives.

Choose electives that match your career interests if possible. Check the on-line course guide for future electives and prerequisites.

More Course Information

http://www.ops.org/high/benson Click Benson Course Guide

Modeled InstructionFill in as students observe

Semester 1 Semester 2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Shared InstructionFill in as students give instructions

Semester 1 Semester 2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Guided PracticeHave volunteer come to board and fill in as students give instruction

Semester 1 Semester 2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Independent PracticeStudents fill in on back of registration sheet as I walk around (Display Grad Requirement Table)

Semester 1 Semester 2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Grade Point Average and Class Rank

GradeGrade Points

Academic Honors

A 4 5

B 3 4

C 2 3

D 1 2

F 0 0

Co-Curricular Expectations Involvement increases success

Get Involved! It opens doors to other opportunities.

School Spirit/Sense of Belonging

A group for everyone-Athletics -Academic-Service Oriented -Recreational

Athletics at Benson

Fall– Football– Volleyball– Cross Country– Girls’ Golf– Softball

Winter– Basketball– Wrestling– Swimming

Spring– Track and Field– Soccer– Tennis– Boys’ Golf– Baseball

BHS coaches will send information home based on who participated in those sports in M.S.

Activities and Clubs at BensonAcademics Decathlon Academy of Finance

Academic Decathlon Dance Team

African American Club DECA (Marketing)

Art Club Drama Club

Benson High Gazette (School Newspaper)

ESL Club

CCSJ FBLA (Future Business Leaders of Amer.)

Cartoon Club FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)

Cheerleading FEA (Future Educators of Amer.)

Chess Club GSA (Gay Straight Alliance)

Close Up Just Friends Club

Culinary Club Latino Leaders

Cupola (yearbook) Math Club

Activities and Clubs at Benson (cont.)Academics Decathlon Academy of Finance

NHS (National Honor Society) Skateboarding Club

Robot Club Student Council

Rocket Club World Languages Club

Cheerleading Tryouts

Practice – March 26-28 – 4:15-6:00 p.m. – Benson High School Gym

Tryouts – March 29 – 4:15-6:00 p.m. – Benson High School Music Room

Benson Summer Launch

JUNE 3 – 21 7:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Meet some of your classmates

Take some fieldtrips

Read some inspirational stories

AVID: Advanced Via Individual Determination (L. avidus): eager for knowledge

“ Rigor without support is a prescription for failure. Support without rigor is a tragic waste of potential.”

-Mary Catherine Swanson

Founder of AVID

Application Priority Deadline: April 1 Final Deadline: May 1

Welcome to Benson High School!