FFREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL RISING FRESHMAN PARENT NIGHT
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
7:00 p.m.Freedom High School Auditorium
A MINUTE WITH OUR PRINCIPAL
Christine ForesterPrincipalFreedom High School
INTRODUCTIONSKen Christopher, Director of GuidanceCounselors:Dr. Paul Harris Ms Kelli JohnsonMrs. Cristi GoldbergMs Colleen HurleyMrs. Ann BarrettDr. Carly Fuhrman (& Bailey)Reading Specialist:Mrs. Valerie Rife
WHERE DO WE START?
“Begin with the end in
mind.”The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
by Stephen R. Covey
HELPING YOUR YOUNG ADULT PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
THINK ABOUT YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER’S INTERESTS AND ABILITIES.
Consider your son or daughter’s academic strengths and weaknesses.
Review previous grades and test scores.
Look closely at your son or daughter’s reading level. This will help determine which level of classes might be appropriate for high school.
Consider your son or daughter’s interests and his or her “work ethic” regarding academics.
COLLEGES – WHAT DO I NEED TO GET IN??
HOW TO GET IN… Strong academic record
Challenging courses appropriate for their abilities all four years
Four years of “core” classes Solid standardized test performance
(SAT and/or ACT) Extracurricular, Athletic, and
Community Involvement Well Rounded STUDENTS “Quality vs. Quantity”
COLLEGE SOUNDS GREAT IN FOUR YEARS, BUT…WHAT CAN I DO AS A FRESHMAN??Choose a challenging college-preparatory
schedule of classes that is appropriate to your ability levelTake the PSAT in October
Get involved in at least one activityFocus on performing well in all ninth grade classes and making a successful transition to high school
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS
In Virginia, diploma options available to all students beginning with the Class of 2015: Advanced Studies Diploma
26 or 27 Credits/9 Verified Credits Advanced Technical Diploma
26 or 27 Credits/9 Verified Credits Standard Diploma
22 Credits/9 Verified Credits Standard Technical Diploma
22 Credits/9 Verified Credits
CreditsStudents earn units of credit in high school by successfully completing
all of the course requirements with a
passing mark.
Semester courses earn ½ unit of
credit.
Year-long classes earn 1 unit of
credit.
Verified Credits
A verified credit is earned by successfully earning a credit, and passing the associated Standard of Learning (SOL) test for a subject.
Students must earn a specified number of verified credits to earn a diploma in Virginia,
depending on the diploma type. High School Courses with an SOL
World Hist/Geog 1; World Hist/Geog 2; US History
Algebra 1; Geometry; Algebra 2Earth Science; Biology; Chemistry
English Reading; English Writing (during Eng. 11)
ECONOMICS & PERSONAL FINANCE
New Graduation Requirement for the
Class of 2015 and beyond:
1-credit course in Economics & Personal Finance
Can take in grades 10, 11, or 12
Not available to 9th graders
AP Econ would meet this requirement
ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMAAcademic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits
English 4 2Social Studies (World Studies (2), US/VA Government, and US/VA History)
4 2
Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II)
4 2
Science (From 3 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth)
4 2
Foreign Language (3 years of one language or 2 years each of two different languages)
3 or 4 0
Health/Physical Education 2 0Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1 0
Economics & Personal Finance 1 0Electives 3 0Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1Total (depends on foreign language option) 26 or 27 9
ADVANCED TECHNICAL DIPLOMAAcademic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits
English 4 2Social Studies (World Studies (2), US/VA Government, and US/VA History)
4 2
Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II)
4 2
Science (From 3 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth)
4 2
Foreign Language (3 years of one language or 2 years each of two different languages)
3 or 4 0
Health/Physical Education 2 0Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1 0
Economics & Personal Finance 1 0Career & Technical Education Concentration 3 0Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1Total (depends on foreign language option) 26 or 27 9
STANDARD DIPLOMAAcademic Areas Credits SOL Verified CreditsEnglish 4 2Social Studies (World Studies, US/VA Government, and US/VA History)
3 1
Mathematics(Algebra I, Geometry, Functions, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II)
3 1
Science (From 2 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth)
3 1
Health/Family Life/Physical Education 2 0
Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or CTE 2 0
Economics and Personal Finance 1 0
Electives (Must include 2 sequential electives) 4 0
Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1
Total 22 6
STANDARD TECHNICAL DIPLOMAAcademic Areas Credits SOL Verified CreditsEnglish 4 2Social Studies (World Studies, US/VA Government, and US/VA History)
3 1
Mathematics(Algebra I, Geometry, Functions, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II)
3 1
Science (From 2 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth)
3 1
Health/Family Life/Physical Education 2 0
Foreign Language or Fine Arts 1 0
Economics and Personal Finance 1 0
Career & Technical Education Concentration 4 0
Electives 1 0
Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1
Total 22 6
HMMM…WHAT CLASSES DO I SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR?
7 CREDITED COURSES IN GRADE 9 English 9 World History/Geography I Earth Science (a few may elect Biology/Honors) Math Health/PE 9 Foreign Language or Elective Elective Eagles Connect (non-credit Advisory Period)
“BLOCK” SCHEDULING SAMPLE SCHEDULE
“A” Day “B” Day1 – English 9/H 5 – World History I/A
2 – Health/PE 9 6 – Eagles Connect
3 – Algebra I 7 – German I
4 – Drama 1 8 – Earth Science/A
ENGLISH, SOCIAL STUDIES, & SCIENCE OPTIONS: All courses are offered at two
levels: Academic Honors or Pre-AP
Reading level and work ethic will be a key factors in deciding which level of these courses a student should take in grade 9.
Strongly consider teacher and counselor recommendations.
BIOLOGY/HONORS IN GRADE 9 A small number of 9th
grade students elect to take Biology/Honors instead of Earth Science.
This course requires the completion of a substantial Independent Science Research project. This project is started in Honors Earth Science, so students who skip Earth Science must be prepared to complete extensive summer work to be ready for the demands of the Honors Biology class.
MATH IN GRADE 9
Grade & SOL
2010-2011
Current Math Course in Grade 8
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra 2
Algebra 2/Trig
“A” or “B”
AND Passed
SOL
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra 2
Advanced
Algebra/Precalc.
Mathematical
Analysis
“C” or “D”
OR Failed SOL
Algebra 1
Expunge MS course
Algebra I or
Functions Alg., & Data Anal.
Expunge MS course
Geometry or
Functions Alg., & Data Anal.
Expunge MS course
Algebra 2 or
Advanced Functions and
Modeling
Expunge MS course
Algebra 2 or
Advanced Algebra/Precalc.
“A” in Algebra I & Geometry
AND Pass both
SOLs
N/A
N/A
Algebra 2/Trig
N/A
N/A
HEALTH/PHYSICAL EDUCATION Students must
complete two years of Health, Family Life, and Physical Education. These courses are normally completed in grades 9 and 10.
The Driver’s Education curriculum is taught as a part of Health/PE 10.
FOREIGN LANGUAGEMost four-year colleges prefer that you have a
minimum of two (2) years of a foreign language. Very competitive colleges will want 4
or 5 years.Spanish, French, German, and Latin are offered through the Advanced Placement (AP) level in Loudoun
County.American Sign Language and
Mandarin Chinese are each offered for 3 years
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR THE FUTURE AS YOU HELP PLAN FOR NINTH GRADE…
Monroe Technology Center and the Loudoun Governor’s Career & Technical Academy
Advanced Placement (AP) Classes
MONROE TECHNOLOGY CENTER ANDLOUDOUN GOVERNOR’S CAREER & TECHNICAL ACADEMY
Students seekinghighly technical
andindustry-level
certification and/orlicensure will want
toexplore the
programsoffered at MonroeTechnology Center
• Administration of Justice
• Auto Collision Repair Technology
• Building Construction
• Computer Integrated Engineering & Design
(CIED)
• Computer Network Administration (CNA)
• Advanced Computer Networking
• Computer Systems Technology (CST)
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• EMT
• Firefighter
• Graphic Communications
• Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning
(HVAC)
• Masonry
• Nail Design Technology
• Television Production
• Welding
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level courses that students complete while in high school.
These courses allow students to develop the reading, writing, critical thinking, organizational, and analytical skills needed for college. They also require a substantial investment of student effort and time.
In May of each year, students take AP exams for these courses. Colleges may award college credit for completion of these AP courses if students earn a qualifying score on the exam.
The first AP course students are eligible to take is AP World History in grade 10. We highly recommend that students hoping to pursue this course take Pre-AP World History/Geography 1 in grade 9 so that they will have the skills necessary to be successful in a college-level course in their sophomore year.
BENEFITS OF AN AP COURSE Gain invaluable academic skills Experience a college-level course and test Be more competitive in college admissions Study topics at greater depth Earn college credit or placement Save $$$ on college tuition Earn an additional 1.0 in your quality
points for your grade point average
IS THAT ALL I NEED TO KNOW?
21ST CENTURY LITERACY STRATEGIES
WHAT WILL I LEARN?Reading Skills
Sustained Silent Reading (SSR)/Read Aloud
Vocabulary Development
Comprehension Skills
Reading Strategies SOL Test Preparation Literary Terminology
Academic Skills Learning Styles Time
Management Contextual
Knowledge Study Strategies Organization Test-taking Skills
LEARNING + FUN = RETAINED KNOWLEDGE
Project Work Writing
Activities Novel-based
Projects Book Reviews Book Talks Group WorkWe read great novels such as this
by Sharon Draper…
OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Expunging high school credits
and grades taken in middle school
EXPUNGING HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS…
Students entering the ninth grade for the first time have a one-time chance to remove high school classes/credits that are earned in middle school.
Students/parents will be given a form later this year to complete if they want to take advantage of this opportunity. Form must be returned no later than August 15, 2011. Once high school begins, this opportunity ends.
CAMPUS PROGRAM Rising freshmen apply Focus on students historically
underrepresented in higher education and first-generation students
Non-credit class offered for students so that they have a lot of 1:1 interactions with CAMPUS teacher and counselor
Provide enrichment opportunities throughout high school for students to learn about post-secondary educational and scholarship opportunities---such as college campus visits, special presentations on careers, colleges, and scholarships, etc.
Students begin building a portfolio in ninth grade to prepare them for life after high school
EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENTTHERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
Choral GroupsEnvironmental Club
Black Student AssociationKnitting Club
Model UNThespian Society
French ClubDECA
Multicultural ClubArt & Literary Magazine Club
Spanish ClubDebate TeamChess Club
Muslim Student AssociationNewspaper
FCCLAStudent Council Association (SCA)
German ClubTechnology Student Association
Reading ClubYoung Americans for Freedom
Drama ClubJapanese Manga &Anime Club
PEERFuture Educators of America (FEA)
Art ClubFuture Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
HOPE ClubLeo Club
Peace & Justice ClubStep TeamLatin Club
Chinese Student Association Marching BandAcademic Team
Color GuardFriends of Rachel Club
Jazz EnsembleFellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Dance TeamSOAR Club
Biotechnology Club
ATHLETIC INVOLVEMENT
Fall Winter Spring
Football Basketball Baseball
Golf Wrestling Softball
Cross-Country Swimming Soccer
Volleyball Gymnastics Lacrosse
Cheerleading Cheerleading Tennis
Track & Field
FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR MIDDLE SCHOOL VISITS
Counselor Visits to Middle Schools Mercer Middle School – January 27-28
Stone Hill Middle School – February 7
ANYONE FEELING OVERWHELMED?
Everything will be okay. We are here to help you. You will get most of this
information in writing in the Program of Studies.
You will have four years to become an “expert” on all of this information ---and more.
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT….
Congrats!!Class of 2015!
GO
EAGLES!!
