BROAD RUN HIGH SCHOOL RISING FRESHMAN PARENT COURSE REGISTRATION ORIENTATION 2014-15 WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL!!
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 STUDENTS INTERESTS & ABILITIES. Consider their academic strengths and challenges. Consider previous grades and test scores. What are THEIR interests?? What is THEIR academic motivation?? Goals??
COLLEGE AND OTHER POST HIGH SCHOOL PLANS SOUND 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 level Take the PSAT in October Get involved in at least one activity Focus 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 student s in the class of 2018: Advanced Studies Diploma 26 Credits/9 Verified Credits Standard Diploma 22 credits.6 Verified Credits Standard Diploma w/credit Accommodations 22 Credits/6 Verified Credits Only students receiving learning services and have IEP s can qualify for this diploma
Credits Verified Credits Students earn units of credit in high school by successfully completing all of the course requirements with a passing mark. Year-long classes earn 1 unit of credit 140 seat hours. Semester courses earn ½ unit of credit 70 seat hours. 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 2 Earth Science; Biology; Chemistry English Reading; English Writing (during Eng. 11)
ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Science (World Studies (2), US/VA Government, and US/VA History) Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II) Science (From 3 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth) World Language (3 years of one language or 2 years each of two different languages) 4 2 4 2 4 2 3 or 4 0 Health/Physical Education 2 0 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1 0 Economics & Personal Finance 1 0 Electives 3 0 Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1 Total (depends on foreign language option) 26 9
STANDARD DIPLOMA Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Science (World Studies, US/VA Government, and US/VA History) Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Functions, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II) Science (From 2 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth) 3 1 3 1 3 1 Health/Family Life/Physical Education 2 0 World 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
NEW GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2016 AND BEYOND A student must earn a board-approved career and technical education credential to graduate with a Standard Diploma, beginning with students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2013-2014. For example, students who attend Monroe Tech Center will have an opportunity to take an certification test/exam through most courses. Also, certain CTE courses at Broad Run will offer a board approved exam that will meet this requirement, example would be Personal Finance.
NEW GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE CLASS OF 2016 AND BEYOND A student must successfully complete one virtual course, which may be non-credit bearing, to graduate with either a Standard or Advanced Studies diploma, beginning with students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2013-2014. LCPS and Broad Run will be working on offering a course/courses that meet this requirement. Currently students taking Personal Finance have modules built in to meet this virtual requirement. Is not credit bearing therefore can be offered through another course a student is already taking.
ECONOMICS & PERSONAL FINANCE New Graduation Requirement for the Class of 2015 and beyond: 1-credit course in Economics & Personal Finance Can take in grades 11 or 12 Not available to 9 th graders Will be offered during the school year and in summer school
SEQUENTIAL ELECTIVES For the Standard Diploma students must complete two (2) sequential electives. Examples of courses that satisfy this requirement: Art I & Art II Applied Technology I & Applied Technology II Theatre Arts I & Theater Arts II Band (for two years) Computer Info. Systems & Desktop/Multimedia Presentations Latin I & Latin II (or any two years of the same world language) Any two-year program at the Monroe Technology Center Many other possibilities --- see a counselor for details!
HOW DOES YOUR STUDENT DECIDE ON WHICH DIPLOMA? Choose the most challenging courses in which you can get mostly A s and B s. (This gives you a strong high school transcript and a solid grade point average) Aim for the highest diploma you think you can achieve. (You can always back off later, but it s difficult to catch up once you are behind in course work) Take core classes every year. (English, social studies, math, science; and for competitive college admissions, foreign language) Consider your previous academic and SOL test performance. (If you are having trouble passing the required number of courses or SOL tests, you may need to choose a different diploma. Your counselor can help you make that decision.)
HMMM WHAT CLASSES DOES YOUR STUDENT SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR?
7 CREDIT COURSES IN GRADE 9 English 9 World History/Geography I Earth Science (a few may elect Biology Honors) Math Health/PE 9 World Language or Elective Elective Study Hall (Not for Credit)
BLOCK SCHEDULING SAMPLE SCHEDULE A Day B Day 1 English 9/H 5 World History I/A 2 Health/PE 9 6 Study Hall 3 Theater Arts 1 7 German I 4 Earth Science/H 8 Algebra 1
CONSIDER YOUR INTERESTS What is your students favorite subject? In what subject(s) does your student do well in? In what subject(s) does your student not do well in? What are your students hobbies? What career(s) is your student considering?
CONSIDER YOUR ABILITIES Look at your students previous report cards. Review your students previous SOL scores. Consider your students reading ability.
ENGLISH, SOCIAL STUDIES, & SCIENCE OPTIONS: Most 9 th grade courses are offered at two levels: Academic Honors or Pre-AP Reading level and work ethic are a key factors in deciding which level of courses a student should take in grade 9. Strongly consider teacher and counselor recommendations.
SCIENCE EARTH SCIENCE OR BIOLOGY A small number of 9 th grade students elect to take Biology Honors instead of Earth Science Honors. It is still recommended to take Earth Science as the normal 9 th grade science sequence. Both Earth Science and Biology are taught at the Academic and Honors Level. However, Biology can only be taken at the Honors level for 9 th grade students.
MATH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 9 TH GRADE Grade & SOL for current class 2013-2014 A or B AND Passed SOL Math 8 Algebra I Geometry Algebra 2/Trig Algebra I Geometry Algebra 2 Advanced Algebra/Precalculus or Mathematical Analysis C or D OR Failed SOL A in Algebra I & Geometry AND Pass both SOLs Algebra 1 N/A Expunge MS course Algebra I N/A Expunge MS course Geometry Algebra 2 or Algebra 2/ Trig Expunge MS course Algebra 2/Trig or Algebra 2 N/A
WORLD LANGUAGE Most four-year colleges prefer that you have a minimum of three (3) years of a World 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
APPLIED TECHNOLOGY 1 ART 1 9 th Grade Elective Course Options INTRO TO BUSINESS & MARKETING COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS THEATER ARTS 1 TECHNICAL THEATER 1 JOURNALISM NEWSPAPER JOURNALISM 1 PHOTOJOURNALISM 1 FASHION DESIGN & MERCHANDISING GOURMET FOODS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT HOUSING/INTERIOR DESIGN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 1 FRENCH 1, 2 & 3 GERMAN 1, 2, & 3 LATIN 1, 2, & 3 MANDARIN CHINESE 1, 2 & 3 SPANISH 1, 2, 3 MUSIC APPRECIATION MUSIC THEORY BAND CHORUS ORCHESTRA GUITAR
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR THE FUTURE AS YOU HELP PLAN FOR BEYOND NINTH GRADE Monroe Technology Center and the Loudoun Governor s Career & Technical Academy Advanced Placement (AP) Classes
MONROE TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND LOUDOUN GOVERNOR S CAREER & TECHNICAL ACADEMY Students seeking highly technical and industry-level certification and/or licensure will want to explore the programs offered at Monroe Technology 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
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. Forms must be completed and returned no later than mid August 2014. Once high school begins, this opportunity ends.
CAMPUS PROGRAM Rising freshmen apply Focus on students historically underrepresented in higher education and first-generation students Provide enrichment opportunities throughout high school for students to learn about postsecondary 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 INVOLVEMENT THERE S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Choral Groups Environmental Club Knitting Club Model UN French Club DECA Art & Literary Magazine Club Spanish Club Debate Team Chess Club Muslim Student Association Newspaper FCCLA Student Council Association (SCA) German Club Technology Student Association Smartans Walking Club Drama Club Japanese Manga &Anime Club PEER Future Educators of America (FEA) Art Club Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Step Team Latin Club Marching Band Academic Team Color Guard Jazz Ensemble Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Dance Team Fishing Club Battle of the Books Field Hockey Club
ATHLETIC INVOLVEMENT Fall Winter Spring Football Basketball Baseball Golf Wrestling Softball Cross-Country Swimming Soccer Volleyball Gymnastics Lacrosse Cheerleading Cheerleading Tennis Track & Field
Important Dates for Rising 9 th Graders FEBRUARY 10 & 11 - BRHS COUNSELORS TO FARMWELL STATION MS. FEBRUARY 18 CURRICULUM FAIR/OPEN HOUSE AT BROAD RUN AT 7PM FEBRUARY 4 BRHS COUNSELOR TO STONE HILL MS FEBRUARY 19 BRHS COUNSELOR TO EAGLE RIDGE MS MARCH 26 BRHS EXPO/ACTIVITIES FAIR
ANYONE FEELING OVERWHELMED? Everything will be okay. We are here to help you. The Program of Studies has all of this information and more! See the Index of Courses in the back of the POS You will have four years to become an expert on all of this information.
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.