Rising 9th grade curriculum night presentation 1 11-17

WELCOME to West Potomac!

world‘s greatest high schoolexcellence is a tradition

WEST POTOMAC HIGH SCHOOL • 2016-2017

Rising 9th/Curriculum Night



Tonight’s Agenda

• 6:00-6:50pm• Welcome• Overview of Academic Advising• Overview of Advanced Academics at WPHS

• 7:05 – 8:40pm• Curriculum Breakout Sessions – Quander Rooms• Electives Open House - Cafeteria

The Worlds Greatest High School!



Welcome future Wolverines to

Worlds Greatest in all we do!



Resource for Academic Advising



• WPHS Student Services Website



We messaged this to 8th graders last week!

C2G



First thing we need to discuss…

Standard Diploma Requirements



Advanced Studies Diploma



Academic Advising 2017-18



• What is it?• Process to select your 7 classes for 2017-18

• Why is it important?• Determines staffing at WPHS to ensure you get the

classes you select

• In September there are no class changes! So take time to make these important decisions

Expunging Middle School Grades



• 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 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

2017-2018 Schedule



PE

Typical 9th Grade Schedule



• 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



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

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

Teacher recommendation is very important!

Typical 9th Grade Schedule

Math Options for Rising 9th Graders



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

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

Teacher Recommendation for upper levels!

World Languages



Health and Physical

Education• PE 9

• 1 quarter of Health• 3 Quarters of Physical Education

• PE 9 is a PREREQUISITE for PE 10 (Drivers Ed)



Special Education• Middle School Case Manager makes

recommendations based on the student’s IEP

• Support available as needed • Strategies for Success, Reading, Personal Development,

etc.)



ESOL – English Speakers of other Languages• 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!



9th Grade Electives• English

Journalism/PhotoJournalism 1, Creative Writing, Film Study, Debate, Literacy Lab

• MathComputer Science (Co-requisite of Algebra 2)

• Social StudiesAP Human Geography

• BusinessEconomics & Personal Finance (required for graduation) Information Systems, Webpage Development, Programming Accounting, Business Law/Business Management

• MarketingMarketing



9th Grade Electives• Technology Education

Design & Technology, Basic Technical Drawing, Electronics, Aerospace Science• Visual Arts

Studio Art 1, Digital Art and Design 1, Photography 1• Performing Arts

Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Percussion Ensemble, Piano, Chorus (recommendation/audition)• Theatre Arts

Theatre Arts 1, Technical Theatre 1• West Potomac Academy

Dance 1• General

Army JROTC 1, AVID, Leadership Training (interview)



an elective option!

• 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. • All AVID Students have the goal of going to college!• Over the last four years all AVID seniors who applied to a four

year college were accepted into at least one four year school!• Application required – see Ms. Caldwell for more information• Young Scholar? This is a great fit for you!



How To Be Successful in High School?



Things to do before selecting classes:• Talk with teachers both tonight and current

classroom teacher• Discuss student interest/motivation• Review overall workload of seven courses • Balance with other commitments (extra-curricular

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

important

AdvancedAcademics



ENGAGED LEARNING

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

DEEPENED CULTURE

Sara Veinbergs, Advanced Academics Coordinator

Programs?



What are Advanced Academic 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

BasicsThe



ENGAGED LEARNING

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

DEEPENED CULTURE

Courses



Honors 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.

Have a +0.5 weighted grade overall.

Placement (AP)



Advanced College-level courses offered in high school. AP courses

reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses

AP Exams—standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered college-level course work, taken in May. (Some also have an SOL.)

Have a +1.0 weighted grade overall (upon completion of the course and the exam.)

Of Taking Advanced Courses

Benefits



ENGAGED LEARNING

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

DEEPENED CULTURE



Rigor of high school curriculum is linked to success in college

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

Advanced Academics courses can bolster a HS transcript and improve college acceptance.

Many colleges grant credit for courses in which students earn a qualifying score on AP examinations.

From Advanced Placement (AP)What to Expect



ENGAGED LEARNING

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

DEEPENED CULTURE



Typically demand more of students than on-level or honors courses.

Tend to be faster-paced since more content material is covered.

Strong expectation for students to: think critically analyze and synthesize facts and data weigh competing perspectives write clearly and persuasively.

Supports



ENGAGED LEARNING

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

DEEPENED CULTURE



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

Wolverine Time: Daily remediation/intervention period during which student can visit any of their teachers.

Mastery Learning Policies: Opportunities to relearn and show mastery of material already covered.

WICOR Strategies: WICOR strategies stem from AVID philosophy and are becoming a mainstay of West Potomac instructional culture



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

Support

Most Important



IMPORTANT DATES• January 5: WP Counselors visit SMS

• January 9: Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and Curriculum Night

• March 10: Course Selections available on ParentVue

• Late April: Course Selection Verification mailed home for review

• June 3: Deadline for any updates/changes



Action Items• BRING your course selection sheet/booklet to

counselor meeting.• Select seven courses and two alternate electives.• Seek out teacher recommendations (HN – expected

to stay in the course for the first nine weeks).• Work with your counselor• For more information, visit our website:www.fcps.edu/WestPotomacHS under “Student

Services” and “Academic Advising”

http://www.fcps.edu/WestPotomacHS



What’s next??



An exciting journey ahead!!



Thank you and Go Wolverines!!