Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and

Curriculum Night

West Potomac High School January 11, 2016

C U R R I C U L U M N I G H T

Welcome/Agenda

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Tonight’s Agenda

• 6:00-7:10pmWelcome/IntroductionsOverview of Academic AdvisingOverview of Advanced Academics at WPHS

• 7:20 – 8:40pmCurriculum Breakout Sessions – Quander RoomsElectives Open House - Cafeteria

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Resources for Academic Advising

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• WPHS Student Services Website

Standard Diploma Requirements 2013-2014 and Beyond

Total Credits to include Virtual Course (credit or non-credit bearing/EPF) and CTE Industry Certification – See Course Catalog for more information

Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements 2013-2014 and Beyond

Totals Credit to include Virtual Course (credit or non-credit bearing/EPF) – See Course Catalog for more information

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Expunging Middle School Courses

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• Students may take high school credit courses while in middle school• Algebra 1, Geometry, World Language, ESOL

• Parents may request that grades for any high school credit-bearing course taken in the middle school be removed from the student’s high school transcript• Student will not earn high school credit for the course or be eligible

for a verified credit in the course• The request to remove a course from the transcript must be

made in writing to the middle or high school the student will attend the following year, prior to the end of the first nine weeks. See current version of FCPS Regulation 2408

• Form available on WPHS Student Services Website

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Typical 9th Grade Schedule (Seven Courses)

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• English 9/English 9 HN• World History and Geography 1/WHG 1 HN• Math (see next slide)• Biology/Biology HN (9th grade Science Fair for HN)• Health and PE 9• World Language (see later slide) or Elective (see later slide)• Elective

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Math Courses for 9th Grade

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• Algebra 1 Part 1 and Algebra 1 (double-block)• Algebra 1 Part 1 is an elective credit for Standard and Advanced

Diploma

• Algebra 1/Algebra 1 HN• Geometry/Geometry HN• Algebra 2/Algebra 2 HN

Teacher recommendation is very important!

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World Language

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• French• German• Latin• Spanish• Spanish for Fluent Speakers (designed for students

with a background in Spanish or who speak Spanish at home)

Consult with current teachers for upper level recommendations!

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Special Education

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• Middle School Case Manager makes recommendations based on the student’s IEP• Level of services (SC, TM, General ed)• Special Education courses as needed

(Strategies for Success, Reading, Personal Development, etc.)

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ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages

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• Middle School ESOL Dept. will determine each student’s ESOL level for 2016-17• Courses determined by the ESOL level• WIDA testing this winter – prepare and do your

best!

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9th Grade Electives

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• English • Journalism 1, Creative Writing, Film Study, Debate, Literacy Lab

• Math• Computer Science

• Business• Economics & Personal Finance (required for graduation), Information

Systems, Webpage Development, Programming , Accounting, Bus Law/Bus Mgmt

• Marketing• Marketing

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9th Grade Electives

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• Technology Education• Design & Technology, Basic Technical Drawing, Electronics, Aerospace Science

• Visual Arts• Studio Art 1, Computer Graphics 1, Photography 1

• Performing Arts• Music Sampler, Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Percussion Ensemble, Piano,

Chorus (recommendation/audition)• Theatre Arts

• Theatre Arts 1, Technical Theatre 1

• West Potomac Academy• Dance 1

• General• AVID, Army JROTC 1, Leadership Training (interview)

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AVID – an elective option!

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• Advancement Via Individual Determination• AVID is an academic program designed to increase the

rigor of coursework taken by West Potomac students. • Every AVID student is in at least one Honors/AP. • Over the last four years all AVID seniors who applied to

a four year college were accepted into at least one four year school!• Tutorials, College Visits, Family Nights, Guest Speakers…• Application required – Visit AVID Break out Session

tonight!

C U R R I C U L U M N I G H TMaking Decisions on Classes (Honors/On-Level)

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• Course-specific information by each dept.• Student interest/motivation• Higher-order thinking skills• Interdisciplinary connections• Overall workload of seven courses• Balance with other commitments (extra-curricular

activities, family time, leisure, etc.)• Time management and organizational skills are

important

Advanced Academics

Sara Veinbergs, Advanced Academics CoordinatorDrew Hamlin, Assistant Principal over Advanced AcademicsJanuary 11, 2016

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A D VA N C E D A C A D E M I C S C U R R I C U L U M P R E S E N TAT I O N

What are Advanced Academic Programs?

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Rigorous academic studies

Open access to all students

Academic exploration and knowledge beyond the standard course of study

Require dedication of time and individual effort beyond the school day

College preparatory (Honors) and college-level (AP) courses

Visit http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml

The Basics

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A D VA N C E D A C A D E M I C S C U R R I C U L U M P R E S E N TAT I O N

Honors Courses

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Honors courses are college preparatory courses offered to either prepare students for AP Courses or where a comparable AP course does not exist.

Students who do well in Honors courses have a foundation for doing well in AP and college courses.

A D VA N C E D A C A D E M I C S C U R R I C U L U M P R E S E N TAT I O N

Advanced Placement (AP)

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Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) courses are college-level courses offered in high school. AP courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses

At the end of course, students take AP Exams—standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered college-level course work. (Some also have an SOL.)

The Benefits of Participating in

Advanced Academics Programs

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A D VA N C E D A C A D E M I C S C U R R I C U L U M P R E S E N TAT I O N

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One of the most significant factors leading to success in college is the rigor of the high school curriculum.

Advanced academic courses expand a student’s ability to read, write, and think critically; analyze and solve problems; and build 21st century skills.

Honors and AP courses can bolster a HS transcript and improve college acceptance.

Honors courses have a 0.5 and AP courses have a 1.0 (with completion of class and exam) weighted grades which add to a student’s GPA. Many colleges grant credit for courses in which students earn a qualifying score on AP examinations.

What to Expect from Advanced Placement

(AP)

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A D VA N C E D A C A D E M I C S C U R R I C U L U M P R E S E N TAT I O N

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Advanced Placement courses typically demand more of students than on-level or honors courses.

Classes tend to be faster-paced and cover more content material .

More time required, both inside and outside of the classroom.

A strong expectation for students to think critically, analyze and synthesize facts and data, weigh competing perspectives, and write clearly and persuasively.

Supports

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A D VA N C E D A C A D E M I C S C U R R I C U L U M P R E S E N TAT I O N

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West Potomac’s Strong CT Culture: Working collaboratively, teachers can structure common activities, interventions, and instruction based on analysis of assessments.

Advanced Academics Mentoring Program: Underclassmen students in advanced courses are invited to be mentored by upperclassmen with experiences in taking similar courses, providing advice on time management and study skills.

First Quarter Skills Workshops: Students have the opportunity to work with Advanced Academics and AVID teachers on essential skills in an effort to start the school

year off on the right foot. WICOR Strategies: WICOR strategies stem

from AVID philosophy and are becoming a mainstay of West

Potomac instructional culture

A D VA N C E D A C A D E M I C S C U R R I C U L U M P R E S E N TAT I O N

Most Important Support

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You! (Parents/Guardians)Advanced Academics is for the PREPARED not

the ELITE

Rigor ≠ More work…BALANCE is key

Play to strengths and interest areas when selecting courses

Additional Information

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A D VA N C E D A C A D E M I C S C U R R I C U L U M P R E S E N TAT I O N

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All registration materials are located on the WPHS website through the Student Services office http://www.fcps.edu/WestPotomacHS/studentservices/studentservices.html

Further information on Advanced Academic Programs can be found on the FCPS website http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml

C U R R I C U L U M N I G H T

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• Daily attendance is important.• Utilize WPHS agenda book every day.• Check Blackboard every day.• Absences must be reported by a parent/guardian

by phone or with a note within 3 days to the appropriate subschool.

• Utilize the Wolverine Time – meets every day.• Late buses are available for after-school help.• PARENTS: Utilize ParentVue

Preparing for High School

C U R R I C U L U M N I G H TStudent Wellness

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• It is important to keep overall wellness in mind during academic advising season• Talk with your child – balancing rigor, activities, and

personal wellness • Review how current year is going, compared to

previous years, looking to next year• Think about what next year might include? Leading

a club? Participating in a sport?

C U R R I C U L U M N I G H T

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• January 14, 2016• HS Counselors presenting to 8th grade students

on Academic Advising• Course Catalog and Selection Sheets

distributed

• April – Course Selection Verification mailed home late April

Correction are encouraged as quickly as possible – Contact High School Alpha CounselorAll requests must be in my June 3, 2016

Upcoming Dates/Action Items

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Academic Advising Materials

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What’s next?