Transitioning toUrbana High School

The Transition to High School

• Studies show that 8th graders:– Are both excited and concerned about HS– Look forward to more freedom, choice,

and opportunities.– Are nervous about older students’

teasing, getting lost, bad grades.– Fear that teachers will be more strict and

there will be more and harder work than in MS

The Transition to High School• However, those students found that:

– High school was “different”– Older students might tease, but were also

friendly and helpful.– They didn’t get lost in the building.– They were concerned about the difficulty

of classes and how to manage time with classes and extracurricular activities

Friendships• Friendships and social interactions are an

important “grounding” force for young adolescents.

• The transition from MS to HS often disrupts friendship networks.

• Involvement in activities can be an excellent way to expand the student’s network.

What can parents do?• Become familiar with HS programs and

procedures.• Be actively involved in student’s transition

to HS. (Curriculum Night, reviewing course selections, find classes together in August)

• Remain involved at the HS level.• Be supportive for your student while

cultivating responsibility and independence.

UHS Graduation Requirements45 credits including (in semesters)

• 2 Composition 9 (English)

• 2 Senior English

• 2 World Studies-Eng 2 World Studies-Soc St

• 2 Am Studies-Eng, 2 Am Studies-Soc St

• 1 American Gov't

• 1 Consumer Ed equivalent

• 6 Mathematics

• 4 Science (2 physical, 2 life)• 1 Health

• 2 from Art / Foreign Language / Music / Vocational Educ.

• 7 Physical Education

Earning Credits

• Each passing grade equals 1 credit per semester

• Students with fewer than 10 credits are classified as freshmen regardless of age or number of years in high school.

• Freshmen typically earn 14 credits during the year.

• Failed requirements must be made up.

Classification of Students

• Freshman: 0 - 9 credits• Sophomore: 10 - 20 credits and have

completed 2 semesters of high school• Junior: 21 - 30 credits and have

completed 4 semesters of h.s. by August or 5 semesters by January.

• Senior: 31 or more credits and have completed 6 semesters of high school.

• Summer School• Credit Recovery (APEX, Recapture) • Dual Credit at Parkland• Concurrent Enrollment at UI

A fee is required for all options except credit recovery

Other Credit Opportunities (outside the regular school day/year)

Minimum Requirements for 4 - year Colleges*

• 4 years of English• 3 years of Math (Algebra 1 and above)• 3 years of Science (Biology and above)• 2 to 3 years of Social Studies• 2 years of electives (usually a Foreign

Language)*Requirements do change and vary from year to year, major to major, and college to college.

“What do 9th graders usually take?”

• 2 semesters of English• 2 semesters of Math• 2 semesters of Science• 1 semester of PE, 1 semester of Health • Lunch• 2 semesters of elective(s) (Foreign

Lang/Vocational Ed/Arts) or ALS• 4 semesters of elective(s)

This example makes an 8 period (8:00 to 3:16) day.

"What about Study Support/Lunch?"

• 4th or 5th hour• Closed Campus for 9th and 10th graders• Study Support for 25 minutes/Lunch for 25

minutes• This is an excellent time to get individual or

small-group help from teachers or peers

“What is Academic Learning Support (ALS)?”

• Required for some students, but also an elective.

• 25 minutes of math help, 25 minutes of English/literacy help.

• Graded, credited course.• Students may be moved into ALS if they

have failing math/Eng grades at progress checks.

“Teams at UHS?”

• Yes, the high school has “teams” for all 9th graders and 10th graders.

• Unlike UMS teams, teamed students do not travel from class to class as a group.

• UHS teams are groups of teachers who have students in common.

• This allows for more individualized attention to and academic monitoring of our younger students.

“When do I get Driver Ed?”

• PE 10 is the course for Driver Education.• This course is taken in 10th grade IF the

student has passed 8 classes in the preceding 2 semesters and is 15 years old.

• Some students choose to take Dr. Ed through Champaign Unit 4 summer school or from a private driving school.

“How long is the school day?”

•The school day at UHS has 8 class periods of 50 minutes each, with one being the student’s study support/lunch period.

•A student may take 7 class periods (6 classes + lunch) or 8 class periods (7 classes + lunch). The 8 class period day is strongly encouraged.

•Everyone starts at 8:00 AM, out by 3:16 PM.

Counselors

• Neffi Dambo A - E• Samuel Furrer F - J• Jiwon Lee K – Q• Kevin Floress R - Z

•Students are assigned to counselors according to student’s last name.

•Students remain with the same counselor throughout high school.

•Office is on 2nd floor, Room 2116. Phone 384-3511

Future Planning

• Have an idea of where you’re headed. • Explore opportunities and options related to

your career interests.• Take a variety of coursework in high

school.• Involve yourself in activities in the school

and community.• Develop yourself as a positive leader.• Do your best.

What’s ahead after UHS?

(Interest Inventories tell which careers match a student’s interests: not what they “should be” or “are good at.”)

•Internet based inventories are quick and provide extensive feedback. Look for these on the UHS Guidance and Counseling Web Page.

•Talk to people about their careers.

•Take advantage of any opportunities to do a job shadow experience.

•Try to get a job related to your career interest.

Sources of Career and College Information

• UHS Counselors’ offices each have many general resource books

• UHS Library has an extensive collection of career and college materials

• UHS Guidance and Counseling Dept. web page has links to college, career, financial aid, job, and other information. Check it out!

• Public Library, book stores, colleges• Friends, Family, etc.

Activities• We have a wide variety of activities available to

UHS students. Many more exist in the community.• Participation helps broaden and enrich the

student’s school experience, develops leadership skills, and provides service to others.

Class ActivitiesBand, Orchestra, Choir

Art Club Key Club

Foreign Language Clubs

SportsDrama, Thespians

Chess

Social Justice CommitteeStudent Senate

Math TeamScience ClubGreen Tigers

Publications (Yearbook, Newspaper)

Multi-Cultural Club Interact

Eligibility for high school sports

• Every freshman begins high school with a clean slate regarding eligibility.

• Students must pass 5 classes each week to remain eligible. Eligibility is checked weekly.

• If 5 classes are not passed for a semester, the student is ineligible the following semester.

Pass/Fail Option

• Each semester, one course may be taken Pass/Fail. (There are restrictions on which courses.)

• A form signed by the parent must be received in the guidance office during the first four weeks of each semester.

• Students may request removal of a pass/fail after the first progress reports.

• Pass/Fail does impact Grade Point Average (GPA).

Grade/Honor Point ScaleUHS uses a 5 point scale to represent grade point average (GPA).

Many of our courses are weighted or may be taken with the weighted option. Weighted courses are more challenging and involve more work on the part of the student. The honor points used in computing GPA are higher for the weighted grades, producing GPA’s above 5.0 for some students.

Grade Unweighted Points Weighted PointsA 5.00 6.00A- 4.75 5.75B+ 4.25 5.25B 4.00 5.00B- 3.75 4.75C+ 3.25 4.25C 3.00 4.00C- 2.75 3.75F 1.00 1.00

Grade Weighting• When figuring GPA, an additional honor point is given for

grades of C- and better.

• Weighted courses cannot be taken "Pass/Fail."

Grade Non-weighted Points Weighted PointsA 5.00 6.00A- 4.75 5.75B+ 4.25 5.25B 4.00 5.00B- 3.75 4.75C+ 3.25 4.25C 3.00 4.00C- 2.75 3.75D+ 2.25D 2.00D- 1.75F 1.00

Honor Roll• Honor Roll is figured at the end of each semester. • Semester GPA of 4.20 or above with no D’s or F’s.

Academic Monogram• 4.0 GPA achieved during both semesters of the year

• Awards ceremony is held in the fall of the next school year

Cooperative Training Programs*

• WECEP--for students age 14 through 15– students have a work skills class– work during the school day (mostly foodservice)– receive credit for class and work, plus pay $– Does NOT jeopardize on -time graduation or the

option of going to college.• Coop--for students age 16 and older• STEP--for students who have an IEP

*these fulfill the consumer ed requirement

Support Services for Students

• Study Support for all 9th and 10th graders• ALS class focuses on Math/English• Minority Enrichment Program (MEP)--

provides support for minority students in enriched courses, after-school tutoring

• Peer Tutoring by National Honor Society (NHS) students

• Special Education placement through IEP; credit classes and support

Your Dean

• Deans are responsible for attendance and behavior issues.

• Your dean works with a section of the alphabet.

• Ms. Franklin

• Ms. Price-Hammond

• Mr. Morrow

Support Personnel for Students

• Counselors• Deans• Social Workers• School Psychologist• Minority Enrichment Program

Coordinator• Outreach Worker• School Nurse

Your experience at Urbana High School will be what you make it. Strive to do your very best in all

classes, have regular attendance, and steer clear of discipline problems. When you do have concerns,

promptly take them to the appropriate school personnel. We want your time here to be an

enjoyable, academically and socially enriching experience!

www.usd116.org/uhs

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www.usd116.org/uhs/guidance