information night for parents of rising freshmen

Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen

Briar Woods High School

Agenda

Accomplishments and Expectations

Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

Selecting Courses for Next Year

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

Accomplishments and Expectations

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

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

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

BWHS Updates

Currently: 2169 total students 618 freshmen

Next Year, projections 1971 total students 375 freshmen

Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

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

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

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

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

Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

Diplomas

Standard Diploma Advanced Studies Diploma

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

Standard DiplomaAcademic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits

English 4 2

Social Studies 3 1

Mathematics 3 1

Science 3 1

Health/Physical Education 2

Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or Career & Technical Education

2

Economics and Personal Finance 1

Electives 4

Student Selected Verified Credit 1

Total 22 6

Advanced Studies Diploma

Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits

English 4 2

Social Studies 4 2

Mathematics 4 2

Science 4 2

Foreign Language 3-4

Health/Physical Education 2

Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1

Economics and Personal Finance 1

Electives 3

Student Selected Verified Credit 1

Total 26 9

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

Additional Requirements

See the Program of Studies for the “fine print” details

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

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

Selecting Courses for Next Year (and beyond)

Course Options for Freshmen1. English 9: Honors or Academic

2. World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic

3. Earth Science *: Honors, Academic, or General

4. Math: Follows sequence

5. Health & Physical Education 9

6. Elective – usually a foreign language

7. Elective

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.

Course Levels

Academic

Course content and expected student performance require additional reading and

writing at a rigorous level.

Academic is a “college-bound” level.

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.

Course Options for Freshmen1. English 9: Honors or Academic

2. World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic

3. Earth Science *: Honors, Academic, or General

4. Math: Follows sequence

5. Health & Physical Education 9

6. Elective – usually a foreign language

7. Elective

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

* Freshman Science

Earth Science Honors Academic General/Basic

Biology Honors

* 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

Electives Available to Freshmen

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!

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

“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!

“Lesson in Balance”

Take the most challenging classes you can handle.

“Lesson in Balance”

Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle.

“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?

“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!

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 = 1.86 Cumulative 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 = 2.90 Cumulative GPA = 3.12

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

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.

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 = 1.86 Cumulative 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 = 3.28 Cumulative GPA = 3.46

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

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

The Importance of the Freshman Year

These examples are not meant to scare you!

“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?

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)

“Lesson in Balance”

Don’t forget to consider the student’s interests when determining his/her

course load!

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

After the School Year Begins Elective changes will not be possible

Academic level changes Level change decisions are made case-by-case Input from a variety of sources will be needed We may implement level-change windows A class that is “difficult” for a student is not the

same as a class that is “too difficult” for a student! Changing a level often disrupts the student’s entire

schedule!

Agenda

Accomplishments and Expectations

Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

Selecting Courses for Next Year

Upcoming Events April 28: BWHS Activities EXPO (private &

homeschool students are welcome! Adult must supervise)

May: Athletics meeting for parents See BWHSports.org for details

Special education meeting – date TBA Week before school begins

Freshman Student Orientation Freshman Parent Meeting

First week of school – meeting with freshmen Monitor our website and look for our newsletter!