Eighth Grade Advising: An Overview of Course Selection Options in the Upper School Years Emily Schuldt Associate Director of College and Academic Advising January 11, 2018
Office of College and Academic Advising Academic Adviser: Emily Schuldt Course selection advising, graduation requirements, academic difficulty tracking College Advisor: Frances Carhart Primarily works with grades 11-12 College exploration and application programming Writes the counselor letter of recommendation Goal to help each student take full advantage of the educational opportunities at Bear Creek And to choose course loads wisely in light of maximizing eligibility to meet current and post high school goals.
OVERVIEW FOR TODAY Overview of Upper School courses What decisions do I need to make for registration? What choices will I need to make?
English Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Honors Ancient Literature (1.0) Honors Medieval and Renaissance Literature (1.0) Honors Enlightenment and American Literature (1.0) Or AP Language and Composition (1.0) Rhetoric (0.5; one semester class) Honors Senior English (1.0) Or AP Literature and Composition (1.0) 4 credits of English and.5 credits of Rhetoric required for graduation.
History Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Honors World History (1.0) Honors European History (1.0) Honors U.S. History (1.0) Art History (0.5) U.S. Governme nt (0.5) Or Or AP European History (1.0) AP U.S. History (1.0) 4 credits of History required for graduation + Washington State History
Science Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Conceptual Physics (1.0) Chemistry (1.0) Honors Chemistry (1.0) Marine Biology (1.0) Or Biomedicine (1.0) AP Biology (1.0) Advanced Topics: Engineering (1.0) AP Chemistry (1.0) AP Physics (1.0) 3 credits of Science required for graduation. (A 4 th credit is needed for Bear Creek graduation in either science, math, or a language.)
Math Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Pre-Calculus or Honors Pre-Calculus Calculus AB Statistics Calculus BC Multivariable Calculus 3 credits of Math required for graduation, starting at Algebra 1. (A 4 th credit is needed for Bear Creek graduation in either science, math, or a language.) Math courses listed above taken in MS count toward the graduation requirement. They do not appear on the transcript or impact the GPA.
Christian Studies Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Early Christian Thought and Practice (0.5) Medieval Christian Thought and Practice (0.5) Logic (0.5) Modern Christian Thought and Practice (0.5) Worldview Capstone (1.0) 3 credits of Christian Studies required for graduation.
Languages Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Spanish 3 Spanish 4 French 1 French 2 French 3 French 4 Latin 1 Latin 2 Latin 3 Latin 4 (UW Latin 103) Latin 5 AP Latin 3 credits of Languages required for graduation. (A 4 th credit is needed for Bear Creek graduation in either science, math, or a language.)
Physical Education Graduation Requirement: 1.5 credits Can be met through Ski and snowboard program (0.25) Bear Creek sports (0.5 per season) Outside workout program (25+ hours) approved by P.E. and Health Department Chair (.25) Outside Sport (credit depends on hours spent in participation) Strength Training (0.5)
Electives Visual Art Graphic Design 1 (0.5) Graphic Design 2 (0.5) Photography 1 (0.5) Photography 2 (0.5) Studio Art 1 (0.5) Studio Art 2 (0.5) Studio Art 3 (0.5) Sculpture and Mixed Media (0.5) Advanced Studio Art (1.0) Fine and Performing Arts Drama Fall Drama (0.5) Spring Drama (0.5) Music Choir (1.0) Jazz Band (0.5) Concert Band (1.0) Vocal Ensemble (0.5) Mixed Ensemble (0.5) AP Music Theory (1.0) General Electives Yearbook (1.0) Forensics (0.5) Library Assistant (0.5) Anatomy & Physiology (0.5) AP Computer Science (1.0) Class of 2019 and after: 2.5 elective credits are required. 1.0 must be in the Fine and Perf Arts Elective credit can also be earned through academic classes after the minimum requirement is met.
Course Selection for Grade 9 English Honors Ancient Literature (1.0) History Honors Ancient and World History (1.0) Science Conceptual Physics (1.0) Math Next course in math progression (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus), 1.0 Christian Studies Early Christian Thought and Practice (0.5) Languages Latin 2, French 1, or Spanish 1 (1.0) Health Health (0.5) Elective Fine and Performing Arts Course (1.0 or 0.5), General Elective (1.0 or 0.5), or Study Hall (no credit).
Course Selection Considerations Math Prioritize solid understanding of math concepts and skills over advanced placement. Now is the best time to slow down the progression if necessary. Fine and Performing Arts One full credit of FPA are required for graduation. Many students choose to take care of this requirement freshmen year. Study Halls Study halls are opportunities to forgo taking a class during a period for no credit.
Student # 1 Maximizing the Bear Creek curriculum in most cases Taking more than the minimum requirements Has chosen a selection of AP classes Total number of credits far beyond Bear Creek s requirements May be considering highly selective colleges
Student #2 Has chosen a slightly lighter load, allowing 1 or 2 semesters of study hall per year. Have chosen to meet their elective credit with academic credits (math and science). Still resulting in quite a strong transcript
Student #3 Course plan is designed to meet all Bear Creek graduation requirements. One full year of study hall each year Fulfilled the Languages requirement after sophomore year Chose an AP class junior year, when he/she has the least amount of other coursework. Met PE requirements through outside athletics Would be a good course plan for a student with extensive extracurricular commitments.
Bear Creek AP Courses Advanced Placement Courses follow a nationally normed curriculum college level courses, managed by the College Board. College credit Shows rigor on the transcript AP Courses available to students sophomore senior year. Choose carefully! AP courses are challenging and require up to 1 hour of homework per night. Teachers are best resource to help students understand whether an AP class will be a good fit. Advisors can help too!
College Planning Best Fit Colleges Partnership between student, college advising office, parents, and teachers Student ownership of the process College Advising Programming: Evening and morning advising events Summer drop-in application support Career exploration, interview support Individual appointments starting in 11 th grade College visits Senior year and junior year classroom instruction on college essay writing