WELCOME CLASS OF 2017 TO

RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

TAKE P.R.I.D.E.

RAM UNIVERSITY – 9th GRADE ACADEMY

High Performing Schools have “an extraordinary commitment of resources and attention on 9th grade”

9th Graders have unique developmental characteristics Building a strong foundation in 9th Grade is key to success in high

school Students who do not graduate from the 9th grade are 5 times more

likely to drop out 90% of students with failure in 9th grade end up dropping out of

school Students who feel a sense of belonging and community are less

likely to drop out

MISSION OF A 9th GRADE ACADEMY

All 9th graders will earn 6 credits – zero tolerance for failure

Make connections through relationships Schedule students based on academic competence Focus on character-centered teaching Utilize a multi-tiered system of support for academic

and behavioral interventions Increase meaningful parent involvement Increase rigor & relevance in the 9th grade

PROGRAM DESIGN Every 9th grader is a member of the Ram U Learning Community Students select a team based on an instructional theme

(Arts/Business or Science & Technology/ Health & Human Services Students will be grouped in teams

2 teams of teachers Teachers share common students in core courses Teacher teams have common planning periods Teams meet weekly to discuss cross-curricular objectives and

individual student progress All teachers on team will attend parent conferences

Core courses will have a peer mentor assigned

Ridgewood High School

2013-2014Course Selection

Process

OWN YOUR CHOICES

COURSE SELECTION PROCESS

Registration Timeline & Checklist/Parent University Flyer (Pink)

Planning Sheet (Gold) RHS Programs & Academies/SUS Matrix (Green) AP Brochure (White), AVID Brochure, Robotics Brochure FAQ (Purple)

Setting Your Course:

Planning Sheet for Students &

Parents

Ridgewood High School Student Educational Goal Pathways

Explanation

Traditional – After high school, this student will enter the work force, join the military, or attend a technical or community college.

College Prep – After high school, this student will attend a community college or four-year university (with foreign language requirement completed).

Advanced College Prep – After high school, this student will attend a more competitive four-year university (with the foreign language requirement completed).

Part 1: Course Planning Sheet

Part 2: Course Planning Sheet

Advanced Placement Expectations

Advanced Placement Policy and Expectations

A separate Expectations Agreement is required for all Advanced Placement courses. Schedule changes

out of Advanced Placement classes will not be allowed until after the first quarter at minimum. Students

will also need to meet all expectations of the Advanced Placement classes, including completing

summer work, completing all assignments, participating in classes, and seeking extra help if there are

issues.

Freshmen may take AP Human Geography.

SCHEDULE CHANGE POLICY

Only the following schedule change issues will be addressed after the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year: 1. Student already passed course listed on his/her schedule. 2. Student is in a class and has not met the course

prerequisite. 3. Student is a 12th grader and is missing a course to meet

state graduation requirements. 4. Student has a “hole” in his/her schedule.

OWN YOUR CHOICES!

Every student must have at

least 1 Performing Art

credit.

VIRTUAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Students in the Class of 2015 and beyond must take one virtual course within their four years of high school.

Students who take the course during their 6 period day will work in a lab setting for one period.

RHS PROGRAMS & ACADEMIES

Academy of Health and Human Services (located @ MTEC) - CNA Medical Skills (1.0) > Health

Science I > Health Science II > Allied Health

Biomedical Science (located @ MTEC) – “PRE-MED” Principles of Biomedical Science

(1.0) > Human Body Systems (1.0)

RHS PROGRAMS & ACADEMIES

Academy of Robotics Foundations of Robotics (1.0)

AVID Program

ONLINE REGISTRATION: March

Feb. 14: High School Success Night @ RHS 6PM

May 15: Parent University – How to Successfully Make the 9th Grade Transition @ RHS

August: 9th Grade Orientation @ RHS

PREPARATION FOR 9th GRADE

Alicia Leary, Assistant Principal aleary@pasco.k12.fl.us

Kristi Garcia, Guidance Counselor kgarcia@pasco.k12.fl.us

Website: rhs.pasco.k12.fl.us RHS Hotline: 2/19-2/20 727-774-3916 or 727-774-3926

PROUD TO BE A

CONTACT INFORMATION