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Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen

Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen. Briar Woods High School. Agenda. Accomplishments and Expectations Rising 9 th Grade Scheduling Process Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements Selecting Courses for Next Year. This Information is Online!.

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Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen

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  1. Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen Briar Woods High School

  2. Agenda • Accomplishments and Expectations • Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process • Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements • Selecting Courses for Next Year

  3. This Information is Online! • BWHS School Counseling >>> Student Scheduling for 2014-2015 • Tonight’s parent presentation – key points will be titled in red • Students’ presentation • 2014-2015 Program of Studies • Rising freshman course selection worksheet – lists 9th grade academic courses and electives • LCPS Course Curriculum information

  4. Accomplishments and Expectations

  5. The Class of 2013 • 76% are attending 4-year colleges • 17% are attending 2-year school • 5% are in the military or other post- secondary training/schools • 2% went directly into the work force

  6. The Class of 2013 • Earned over 4.9 million dollars in scholarships and grants (453 graduates) • Approximately 80% enrolled in one or more Advanced Placement classes while in high school

  7. College & University Attendance • To date, accepted by approximately 484 different colleges and universities and are currently on approximately 260 different campuses • Attend school in over 25 different states and four countries

  8. BWHS Updates • Currently: • 2169 total students • 618 freshmen • Next Year, projections • 1971 total students • 375 freshmen

  9. Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

  10. Scheduling Process • There is a different process for scheduling at each middle school • The end result is the same: Students and parents will select their courses using information from the high school counselors, and with the input and assistance of their current middle school counselors

  11. Scheduling Process at Stone Hill • Late January – SHMS counselor reviewed 6-year plans and course options for next year • February 4 – BWHS counselors will meet with students in large groups to share information • Week of February 10 – Students will meet with SHMS counselor in smaller groups: • The SHMS counselor will guide students through the selection of their courses for next year using Family Connection • Parents can log onto Family Connection to review and make changes until February 28, 2014 • After February 28, 2014, parents may contact their SHMS counselor, Ms. Bryan, to make changes through June 13

  12. Scheduling Process at Eagle Ridge • February 18 & 19 – BWHS counselors will meet with students in their science classes to select courses using Family Connection • Student will receive a letter which will provide their parents with instructions to log onto Family Connection • Parents can log onto Family Connection to review and make changes until March 14, 2014 • After March 14, parents may contact Mrs. Mostero to make changes. The last day to make changes through Mrs. Mostero is June 13, 2014 • The ERMS counselor will review academic plans with students

  13. Students New to LCPS • New students usually begin enrolling in mid-April • The information and materials needed to enroll an new student can be found on the BWHS and LCPS websites • New students and their parents will select their courses with a BWHS counselor when they enroll • Enrollments are by appointment

  14. Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

  15. Diplomas • Standard Diploma • Advanced Studies Diploma

  16. Diplomas • Diplomas are based on: • Standard Units of Credit – 140 clock hours of instruction & passing grade • Verified Units of Credit – Standard unit of credit plus passing the end-of-course SOL associated with that class

  17. Standard Diploma

  18. Advanced Studies Diploma

  19. SOL Courses = Verified Credits Reading (Eng. 11) Earth Science Writing (Eng. 11) Biology Chemistry Algebra 1 World History 1 Geometry World History 2 Algebra 2 US History

  20. Additional Requirements • See the Program of Studies for the “fine print” details

  21. Additional Requirements • VA Department of Education: All students must receive online instruction while in high school • There is an online instructional component within the required “Personal Finance” class which satisfies this requirement

  22. Additional Requirements • VA Department of Education: Standard Diploma students must pass a board-approved “technical education credential” • There is a credential component within the required “Personal Finance” class

  23. Selecting Courses for Next Year (and beyond)

  24. Course Options for Freshmen • English 9: Honors or Academic • World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic • Earth Science *: Honors, Academic, or General • Math: Follows sequence • Health & Physical Education 9 • Elective – usually a foreign language • Elective

  25. Course Levels General – science only Course content and student performance are commensurate with the student’s grade level. Middle school personnel will speak to parents directly if a general-level course is recommended.

  26. Course Levels Academic Course content and expected student performance require additional reading and writing at a rigorous level. Academic is a “college-bound” level.

  27. Course Levels Honors and Pre-Advanced Placement Course content is rapidly paced with additional depth. Lessons are often designed to be complex, abstract, and open-ended.

  28. Course Options for Freshmen • English 9: Honors or Academic • World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic • Earth Science *: Honors, Academic, or General • Math: Follows sequence • Health & Physical Education 9 • Elective – usually a foreign language • Elective

  29. Math Sequence • See Program of Studies, page 33 • Algebra 1 >>> Geometry • Geometry >>> Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 w/Trig • Post Algebra 2/Algebra 2 w/Trig: • Advanced Functions and Modeling • Advanced Algebra/Precalculus • Math Analysis

  30. * Freshman Science • Earth Science • Honors • Academic • General/Basic • Biology • Honors

  31. * Freshman Science • Earth Science Honors or Biology Honors • Skipping Earth Science is not recommended by LCPS or BWHS • Biology is a tenth grade course. A small percentage of freshmen opted to take this course • Students who skip freshman Earth Science will miss important science content • Honors Biology has a strong research component; students first learn the research process through Earth Science • AOS students receive Earth Science instruction and take the Earth Science SOL

  32. Electives Available to Freshmen • French • Spanish • German • Latin • Chinese • ASL • CADD • Tech Ed • Applied Tech • Computer Info Systems • Business & Marketing • Creative Writing • Theater Arts • Technical Theater • Journalism • Music Theory • Music Appreciation • Art • Guitar • Band • Strings • Color Guard • Chorus • JROTC (at LCHS) • Independent Living • Choices • Gourmet Foods • Human Development • Leadership • Fashion Design • Housing/Interior Design • Art/Architecture History

  33. Course Requests • Requests for changes should be directed to the middle school until the last day of school, June 13 • Between June 13 and June 20, requests for changes should be directed to BWHS. • We cannot make changes to course requests after the deadline of June 20, 2014. You have 4 months to change your mind!

  34. Reminders • A rising freshman course selection worksheet is online • The 2014-2015 Program of Studies is online • Course curriculum information can be found on the LCPS website • The middle school counselors and teachers are a great resource when making these decisions

  35. “Lesson in Balance” • Challenge the student vs. Overloading the student • Finding balance in the students course load • If you figure out the formula for this, create an app! You’ll make millions!

  36. “Lesson in Balance” Take the most challenging classes you can handle.

  37. “Lesson in Balance” Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle.

  38. “Lesson in Balance” • How much time do you have available to study and do homework? • Do you play sports? • Are you involved in activities? • What does your track-record indicate? • How committed and disciplined are you?

  39. “Lesson in Balance” Think long-term: It’s easier to improve your schedule each year by taking more challenging classes… than it is to improve a damaged GPA!

  40. Johnny LateStarter Grade 9:Grade 10: English C 2 English B 3 History C 2 History A 4 Math D 1 Math C 2 Science D 1 Science B 3 HPE B 3 HPE A 4 Elective C 2 Elective A 4 Elective C 2 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 1.86Cumulative GPA = 2.64 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 2.90Cumulative GPA = 3.12

  41. Sara StudyHard Grade 9:Grade 10: English B 3 English B 3 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math C 2 Science C 2 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.29 Cumulative GPA = 3.36 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.38 Cumulative GPA = 3.46

  42. The Importance of the Freshman Year • The difference between a 3.12 GPA and a 3.46 GPA can be the ninth grade year!!! • When they apply to college they will use their junior year GPA: 2.90 vs 3.38 • The student with the “Slow Start” would have to earn straight A’s in grades 10, 11, and 12 just to equal the student who had a stronger freshman year.

  43. Johnny LateStarter Grade 9:Grade 10: English C 2 English A 4 History C 2 History A 4 Math D 1 Math A 4 Science D 1 Science A 4 HPE B 3 HPE A 4 Elective C 2 Elective A 4 Elective C 2 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 1.86Cumulative GPA = 2.92 Grade 11:Grade 12: English A 4 English A 4 History A 4 History A 4 Math A 4 Math A 4 Science A 4 Science A 4 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.28Cumulative GPA = 3.46

  44. Sara StudyHard Grade 9:Grade 10: English A 4 English A 4 History A 4 History A 4 Math A 4 Math A 4 Science A 4 Science A 4 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 4.00 Cumulative GPA = 4.00 Grade 11:Grade 12: English A 4 English A 4 History A 4 History A 4 Math A 4 Math A 4 Science A 4 Science A 4 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 4.00 Cumulative GPA = 4.00

  45. The Importance of the Freshman Year • With a “complete turnaround” vs. straight A’s scenario, the final GPA is a 3.46 vs. 4.00 • When they apply to college, they will be using their junior year cumulative GPA: 3.28 vs. 4.00

  46. The Importance of the Freshman Year These examples are not meant to scare you!

  47. “Lesson in Balance” • How much time do you have available to study and do homework? • Do you play sports? • Are you involved in activities? • What does your track-record indicate? • How committed and disciplined are you?

  48. Looking Beyond the Freshman Year • Students a not stuck on an honors or academic “track” • Student often mix and match honors-level classes • They can move “up” or “down” from year-to-year in most subjects (notable exceptions are math and foreign language)

  49. “Lesson in Balance” Don’t forget to consider the student’s interests when determining his/her course load!

  50. Reminder • Requests for changes should be directed to the middle school until the last day of school, June 13 • Between June 13 and June 20, requests for changes should be directed to BWHS. • We cannot make changes to course requests after the deadline of June 20, 2014

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