Slide 1

8th Grade OrientationToRobertsdale High School

1THE RULES CHANGE

2Block SchedulingA year is divided into two terms.Each term has four blocks.Each block last about 90 minutes.Term 1 lasts from August to December. The four classes taken, end in December.Term 2 lasts from January to May. Four new courses start in January and end in May.You will register for both terms at once.

3Bell Schedule7:50First Bell for Homeroom (First Block also)7:53 -9:28FIRST BLOCK9:31 11:219:28 9:42 1st break SECOND BLOCKSECOND BLOCK10:01-10:15 2nd breakSECOND BLOCKFirst LunchSecond LunchThird Lunch11:21 - 1:2611:21-11:47 LUNCHTHIRD BLOCKTHIRD BLOCKTHIRD BLOCK11:51-12:19 LUNCHTHIRD BLOCK1:00-1:26 LUNCH1:30 3:05FOURTH BLOCK

4Challenge Yourself!All diploma options list minimums!You should take the highest level course in any subject area that you can handle.EX: If you are good in math, take upper level courses, even if your diploma does not require it.WHY? 1) You will be taking the ACT upper level courses help you prepare for this test2) You will know better prepared for college courses.

5Choosing a DiplomaStandard/AdvancedCollege PrepCP+DistinctionAverage AbilityAbove Average Ability in all core subjectsExcellent Ability in all core subjectsStanines 4-6Stanines 5-9Stanines 7-9Good StudentDoes schoolwork

Average & works hard ORAbove average & does schoolworkSuperior ability & works hard

6English 9Algebra IWorld History BiologyEnglish 10GeometryUS History I A Physical ScienceEnglish 11________US History II +2 credits (Marine, English 12________Govt & Econ Earth, Environmental)

Health*PE/LIFEFine Arts Computer

5.5 Electives

County working on waver for Marching Band and JROTC to count as Physical Education for next year.

Must pass all five parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam

Standard Diploma24 credits to graduate

7English 9Algebra IWorld History BiologyEnglish 10GeometryUS History I A Physical ScienceEnglish 11Algebra II/TrigUS History II +2 credits (Marine, English 12________Govt & Econ Earth, Environmental)

Health*PE/LIFEFine Arts Computer

French/Spanish IFrench/Spanish II

3.5 Electives

County working on waver for Marching Band and JROTC to count as Physical Education for next year.

Must pass all five parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam

Advanced Diploma24 credits to graduate

8College Prep Diploma28 credits to graduateHon English 9 Algebra I Hon World History Hon BiologyHon English 10 Geometry Hon US History I Chem I or PhysicsHon English 11 Alg II/Trig Hon US History I Human Anat, Hon Hon English 12 PreCal or Govt & Econ Marine Sci, Chem II AP Stat (choose 2) Health *PE/LIFE Fine Arts Computer French/Spanish IFrench/Spanish II

7.5 electives

County working on waver for Marching Band and JROTC to count as Physical Education for next year.

Must pass all five parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam

9CP + Distinction Diploma30 credits to graduateHon English 9 Algebra I Hon World HistoryHon BiologyHon English 10 Geometry Hon US History IChemistry IAP English 11 Alg II/Trig US History II APPhysicsAP English 12 Precalculus Govt & Econ AP HumAnat, Hon AP Calculus or Marine Sci, Chem II AP Statistics (choose 1)

Health *PE/LIFEFine ArtsComputer

French/Spanish IFrench/Spanish II

8.5 ElectivesCounty working on waver for Marching Band and JROTC to count as Physical Education for next year.

Must pass all five parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam

10Additional ProgramsEarly College Enrollment Program with Faulkner State Community CollegeDual Enrollment with Faulkner State Community CollegeHigh School Early ExitSenior Early Release ProgramCommunity and Workforce DevelopmentAdvanced Placement (AP) CoursesInternational Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

11Destinations after RHSCollege or University - 4 yrs; Bachelors Degree; need HS diploma, ACT/SAT scores & GPA to be accepted, GED with minimum ACT scoreJunior or Community College - 2 yrs; Associates Degree; must have HS diploma or GEDTechnical or Trade School - 2 yrs or less; Associate Degree or Certificate; must have HS diploma or GEDMilitary Academy? - Highly competitive; ROTC - Can go to school first; Enlisted - must have HS diplomaWork - Employers looking for good attendance and clean discipline record; most want HS diploma Everyone is ultimately training for a career!

How do you get there from here?...Earn your credits each year!CREDITS - 32 Possible in 4 yrsMust have 24-30 to graduate (according to diploma type)7 credit min. 10th grade14 credit min. 11th grade21 credit min. 12th grade

What happens if you loose credits?

13You must PAY $$$$$$$$Make-up credits are costly:Summer School $150 per term $300 per creditCorrespondence Courses - $$ varies; must be approved by principal

14Grade Point AverageAll courses count !An A in PE gives you the same number of quality points as an A in Physics - howeverColleges may look at both your overall GPA & your core GPA.Scholarships have a minimum GPA.

Valedictorian/Salutatorian (CP+Distinction only) will bedetermined by the unweighted GPA.Your GPA at the end of yourJunior year will be important!

GPA WorksheetLets say you make 2 As, 1 B, & an F.Heres the math.A - 2 x 4 pts = 8B - 1 x 3 pts = 3F - 1 x O pts = 0 11 4= 2.7 or CThe longer you are in school, the harder it is to bring up a GPA.

Alabama High School Graduation ExamReadingLanguageMath (9th gr. If finish Alg I in Dec. or finish Alg for Mastery by test date)Science (9th if finish biology in Dec.)Social Studies

(All 1oth graders take all parts not passed in spring.)

Keep your grades above 75% for your best chance at passing.

You will have at least 5 chances to pass before graduation. Pass it the first time..you will never have to retake it!!!!!!

Scholarship Applications are looking for:Challenging courses Good gradesParticipation in extra-curricular activities: band, clubs, service organizations, sports, work, etc.Leadership qualitiesScholarships are based on GPAs and test scores.Certain scholarships are guaranteed based on ACT or SAT scores.If you prepare yourself academically, there is noreason why you could not go to college.

Accept Your ResponsibilitiesTake responsibility for your educationMake sure your schedule is balancedPay attention in classComplete assignments & study for testsAttend school regularly Good Attendance brings successEarn your credits each yearPlan aheadGet involved in school & or community activities

High School IsChallenging both academically & socially.Very different from elementary or middle school.The beginning of the end of your childhood.

Take advantage of all the opportunities.Only you can.

Preference Sheet

Shirley Bell251-947-1998sbell@bcbe.org