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Rising 9th Grade Course Selectionfor Sterling Middle SchoolPresented by Mrs. Talboo, 9th grade counselorFebruary 2013Todays Agenda Middle School Course SelectionWhat to Expect in High SchoolWhat is in the Program of StudiesHow to plan for successful College Admission in 2017Understanding credits, verified credits and moreSpecial Programs in High SchoolHigh School course progressionMiddle School Course Selection Students choose electivesTeachers make recommendations for Honors or Academic coursesCounselors meet with students to discuss recommendations and electivesParents give final approval at the end of the 3rd quarterChanges can be made until the end of the school year, but changes are not guaranteed.What to Expect in High School#1: YOUR Responsibility#2: Self-Advocacy and Communication#3: Organization#4: Expectations#5: Due Dates and Timelines#6: Study Hall (PRIDE), Peer Tutoring, Homework CafeWhat to Expect in High SchoolEVERYTHING counts!!You can ONLY expunge a course/grade before 9th gradeComplete the form and return to your GuidanceCounselor by August 2013.TranscriptAll your courses + all your grades + your attendanceYour GPA, your credits, verified creditsA future KEY PIECE of your college applicationWhat to Expect in High SchoolSpend time each night studying, completing homework and reviewing your notesGet involved!SportsActivities & ClubsAthletic events come cheer!Balance your time school, extracurriculars, fun, SLEEPIf you are struggling, SEEK HELP

Program of StudiesPVHS WebsiteSchool CounselingAcademicsProgram of Studies link (left navigation)LCPS 2013-14 Program of Studies

LCPS General Information, p. 1Promotion and Credit Information, p. 2Graduation Requirements, p. 4-6Grade Point Average and Class Rank, p. 7Dual Enrollment info, p. 12Career Clusters, p. 13Course Descriptions, p. 16-60Index of Course Offerings, p. 61-66

Promotion & Credit InformationPOS ~ page 2Grade 9: 0 4 creditsGrade 10: 5 10 creditsGrade 11: 11+ creditsGrade 12 student must be scheduled to meet all graduation requirements by June of that school year.8Standard Credit vs. Verified Credit POS ~ page 2You earn a standard credit by passing a year-long course.(Semester course = .5 credit)You earn a verified credit by passing a course and its related end-of-course Standards of Learning (SOL) test.

*Students may retake SOL tests as often as necessary (up to 3 times a year) to earn the verified unit of credits needed for graduation.Standard Credit vs. Verified CreditWhat happens if I pass the course but fail the SOL?You will remediate and retake the SOL test.

What happens if I fail the course but pass the SOL?You will retake the class but not the SOL. When you pass the course you will then receive both the credit and the verified credit.SOL Courses ~ POS page 3Reading (Eng. 11)Earth ScienceWriting (Eng. 11)BiologyChemistry

Algebra 1World History 1GeometryWorld History 2Algebra 2US HistoryAlgebra 2/Trig

Graduation and Diploma Requirements POS ~ pages 4-6 LCPS Program of Studies 2013-14

Standard Diploma22 credits + 6 verified creditsAdvanced Studies Diploma26 credits + 9 verified creditsRemember EVERYTHING Counts!Low grades in 9th can have a HUGE impact on your final GPA and class rank standing!

Check this out Park View Student #1

Grade 9:Grade 10:English C2EnglishB3HistoryC2HistoryA4MathD1MathC2ScienceD1ScienceB3HPEB3HPEA4ElectiveC2ElectiveA4ElectiveC2ElectiveA4Cumulative GPA = 1.86 Cumulative GPA = 2.64

Grade 11:Grade 12:English B3EnglishA4HistoryB3HistoryA4MathB3MathB3ScienceB3ScienceB3Adv. PEA4Adv. PEA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4Cumulative GPA = 2.76 Cumulative GPA = 2.89

Park View Student #2

Grade 9:Grade 10:English B3EnglishB3HistoryB3HistoryA4MathB3MathC2ScienceC2ScienceB3HPEA4HPEA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4Cumulative GPA = 3.14 Cumulative GPA = 2.64

Grade 11:Grade 12:English B3EnglishA4HistoryB3HistoryA4MathB3MathB3ScienceB3ScienceB3Adv. PEA4Adv. PEA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4ElectiveA4Cumulative GPA = 2.76 Cumulative GPA = 3.46

If you coast in 9th, it can jeopardize your overall GPA!The difference between a 2.89 GPA and a 3.46 GPA can be the ninth grade year!!!

This is especially important if you plan to apply to competitive colleges like UVA, VA Tech, GMU, etc.What counts for College Admissions?(ranked in order of importance)Your transcript ~ Challenging Classes + Good GradesYour Class Rank & GPAStandardized Admissions TestsTeacher/Counselor recommendation lettersStudent EssayStudents Demonstrated InterestExtracurricular Activities (quality NOT quantity)

An example of a final transcript

Another example of a final transcript

How to Get Into the College of your choice Be an excellenthigh school student!

Strong transcript + good extracurricular activitiesAdvanced Placement ClassesAdvanced Placement (AP) classes are challenging college-level courses available to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade .AP students who take the AP exam receive a 1.0 weight to their GPA.Anyone who meets the prerequisites and is willing to do the work can enroll in an AP course.The AP AdvantageCollege preparation ~ courses are taught just like a college classMakes you and outstanding candidate for College Admissions1.0 Weighted gradeDevelop your higher order thinking skillsA high score on an AP exam will earn your college creditAP ClassesWorld HistoryUS HistoryUS Government PsychologyEconomicsHuman GeographyEnglish LiteratureEnglish LanguageCalculus AB Calculus BC Statistics

Computer ScienceBiology Chemistry (every other year) Physics (every other year) Studio ArtMusic TheoryFrenchSpanish GermanLatin

Monroe Technology CenterPOS ~ page 53-60

Electives are 3 credit classes available for 10, 11, and 12th grade studentsStudents must APPLY and be accepted into a MTC programStudents are bussed daily between PVHS & Monroe for FREEProvides students with highly marketable career skillsSome programs offer dual enrollment w/ NVCC credits Some programs offer Certificate and State Board Licensure

For more detailed info, visit their website:

Monroe Technology Center

24What is CAMPUS?College Achievement Minority Program for Unique Students is an academic and college preparation designed to meet the specific needs of minority and first generation college students in Loudoun County.

CAMPUS supports students through:Academic enrichment and support Development of self advocacy skills Mentorship opportunities College and Scholarship preparation Careful course selection

Applications can be picked up from your school counselor.

AVID: Advancement Via Individualized DeterminationA credit bearing elective offered at PVHS 9th-12th Grades

What is AVID?AVID is an in-school credit-bearing academic support program that prepares students for college eligibility and success. AVID places academically average students in advanced classes. AVID benefits all students, but especially aims to identify and assist students without a college-going tradition in their families. This program requires an application process see your counselor for more details.If you are accepted into AVID, you will need to drop another elective in order to take AVID. AVID does not replace study hall!

NJROTC ~ POS page 39Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps

This is an elective class which is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces. Students must transfer to Loudoun County HS.Students must have their own daily transportation.All grade levels can apply.Does not require you to join the military.Talk to your counselor ASAP if you are interested. Planning to Play Sports?You MUST be passing 5 classes to be eligible!For more eligibility requirement details visit: www.vhsl.org

English ProgressionPOS~ page 19:Grade 9: English 9 (Honors or Academic)

Grade 10: English 10 (Honors or Academic)

Grade 11: English 11 (Honors or Academic)

Grade 12: English 12 Academic, AP English Literature, or AP English Language

29English SOL TestsEnglish ReadingEnglish Writing

Both are administered in English 1130

Math Progression, POS~page 33

Math SOL Tests:Algebra I GeometryAlgebra IIAlgebra II/Trig32Science ProgressionPOS~ page 40Grade 9: Earth Science (Honors or Academic)Grade 10: Biology (Honors or Academic)Grade 11 and 12:Environmental ExplorationsChemistryConceptual PhysicsPhysicsAP BiologyAP ChemistryAP Physics33Science SOL TestsEarth ScienceBiologyChemistry34Social Science ProgressionPOS~page 43Grade 9: World History/Geography 1 (Ancient to 1500)Pre-AP World History/Geography (8000 BCE to 1450 CE)Grade 10:World History/Geography 2 (1500 to Present)AP World HistoryGrade 11:US History (AP or Academic)Grade 12:US Government AcademicAP Comparative Government

35Social Science SOL TestsWorld History/Geography 1World History/Geography 2U.S. History36Health and PE POS~page 27Grade 9: Health/PE 9Classroom portion focuses on health, CPR, and first aidGrade 10: Health/PE 10 (Drivers Education)Classroom portion focuses on Drivers Education and healthGrade 11 & 12: Advanced PEWorld LanguagesPOS~page 28American Sign Language (ASL)**FrenchGermanLatinMandarin ChineseSpanishSpanish for Fluent Speakers

**does not count as a foreign language with some colleges and universitiesQuestions?