NPHS Course Selection Presentation 2015-2016 (Juniors)
The following presentation will guide you through the necessary steps to select your classes for the next school year. Please make sure that you pay close attention in order to ensure that you select not only the classes that you NEED but also the classes that you WANT!
The first thing you need to review, before you select any classes, is your TRANSCRIPT. Take a few moments to review the KEY COMPONENTS
The INFORMATION box. In this section you will find your name, address, phone number, NPHS ID, State ID (SSID), date of birth, place of birth, and parent or guardian name(s). Make sure that all the information is correct!
The GPA SECTION. GPA is usually the FIRST thing most people look at on a transcript. To figure out how the number on your transcript got there, consider the following: Cumulative GPA includes EVERY course you have taken thus far at NPHS. A numerical value (below), is assigned to each course, and the sum of all the courses is divided by the total number of courses. A+, A-, A = 4 B+, B-, B = 3 C+, C-, C = 2 D+, D-, D = 1 F = 0 Scholastic GPA is the same as Cumulative GPA WITHOUT any PE or sports classes. Weighted GPA is the same as Scholastic GPA (no PE or sports classes), and, in addition to the numerical values shown above, the following numerical values are assigned to ALL honors, AP, and IB courses: A+, A-, A = 5 B+, B-, B = 4 C+, C-, C = 3 D+, D-, D = 1 F = 0
Your COURSE HISTORY. For each grading term, you will find a school name, course ID(s), course title(s), grade level, letter grade(s) earned, and credits earned.
The Work in Progress section. Here you will find course ID(s), course title(s), grade level, entry dates, and exit dates. Make sure that all the classes you are currently taking are indicated in this section!
Now for the MOST important part the Graduation Requirements section. Here you will find (by subject) course titles, the number of credits that are still required to graduate, the total number of credits required to graduate, and the total number of credits that you have completed thus far towards graduation requirements. Please note that NPHS GRADUATION credit requirements are NOT the same as UC/CSU A-G requirements.
Now that you have an idea of the classes that you have thus far taken, and the classes that you still need to graduate, focus on your grade-level Course Selection Contract. Please note that, in order to get the classes you need and/or want for the next school year, you MUST do the following THREE things: 1. Select your classes (carefully) 2. Take the contract home and share your selections with your parent or guardian 3. Bring the contract BACK WITH SIGNATURES! NO FORM = NO CLASSES
In the upper left corner of your contract, fill out the following sections legibly!
Now review the directions and the guidelines, and keep them in mind as you select your classes. 1. Review the Course Catalog at www.nphs.org/counseling/. 2. Complete this contract and be sure to include signatures 3. Bring your signed and COMPLETED contract with you on the day you are assigned to meet with your counselor. Schedule changes will not be made to accommodate teacher requests, period requests, extracurricular or athletic activities. A required schedule change will be made for a student who failed a course or who completed a pre-approved summer school course. A requested schedule change will be made only if it improves the integrity of your schedule for graduation or college entrance requirements AND if there is space available. Schedule change requests can be addressed in August during Schedule Pick-Up Day.
If you are an athlete: Athletics - If you play a NPHS team sport, you can earn 5 Physical Education credits each season toward your 20-credit requirement. For all grade levels, you will be placed in your sport as an elective after your name appears on a team roster. For Athletic information, visit: nphsathletics.com/.
If you are planning to take an honors/ap/ib course: Honors Placement - If you are CURRENTLY taking an honors/ap/ib course and you earning a B or higher, you may choose the next sequential honors/ap/ib course. If you are NOT currently taking an honors/ap/ib course, you must earn an A in a CP course AND pass a subject exam for the course in which you want to enroll. Until then, do NOT select an honors/ap/or IB course on this contract. A schedule change, if necessary, will take place prior to the first day of school. Exceptions include AP Art History and AP Human Geography. For information about the honors application process and test content, visit: http://www.nphs.org/counseling/placementtests.htm
If you are planning to take a course that has a pre-requisite: Prerequisites If a course requires a prerequisite or an audition, as indicated in the column next to the course title, make sure that you qualify BEFORE you select it. If you do not qualify, choose a different course! For more information about specific prerequisites and audition dates, visit: http://nphs.org/counseling/coursesequences.htm.
In the upper-right corner of your contract, you will see the following: Course Selection Turn this form over and review the course offerings. Select a course for EACH section, including TWO alternates for your elective choice. Pay CLOSE attention to: EACH SECTION and the TWO ALTERNATES!
When you turn your form over, note the SUBJECT HEADINGS, the SUBJECT LEVELS, and the PREREQUISITES (if any): SUBJECT HEADING SUBJECT LEVEL(S) PREREQUISITE(S). BLANK = NO PREREQUISITES
Turn your form over to the front and review the REQUIRED COURSES section.
Select an English class. Most juniors will take English 11 CP. The ONLY exceptions to English 11 CP are as follows: 1. If you have an IEP, your case manager will indicate the appropriate English course that meets your goals. 2. If you are taking English 10 honors AND you want to take English IB HL 1, you may select it. Keep in mind that you MUST earn a B as a final grade in English 10 H to remain eligible for English IB HL 1. If you are NOT currently taking English 10 H, and you want to apply for English IB HL 1, select English 11 CP. If you earn an A in English 10 CP, and pass the honors placement test, your counselor will change your schedule prior to the first day of school.
Select an Math class. Many juniors will take Algebra 2 CP. Your math class depends on two things: 1. The level of math in which you are currently enrolled (if you have an IEP, your case manager will indicate the appropriate math course that meets your goals). 2. The final grade you earn at the end of your current math class If you are NOT currently taking an honors math class, and you want to apply for one, do NOT select it now (select CP instead). If you earn an A in your current class, and pass the honors placement test, your counselor will change your schedule prior to the first day of school.
All juniors must take a Social Science. Most juniors will take U.S. History CP. The ONLY exceptions to U.S. History CP are as follows: 1. If you have an IEP, your case manager will indicate the appropriate Social Science course that meets your goals. 2. If you are taking English 10 honors AND you want to take AP U.S. History, you may select it. Keep in mind that you MUST earn a B as a final grade in English 10 H to remain eligible for AP U.S. History. If you are NOT currently taking English 10 H, and you want to apply for AP U.S. History, select U.S. History CP. If you earn an A in English 10 CP, and pass the honors placement test, your counselor will change your schedule prior to the first day of school.
Electives CHOOSE TWO ALTERNATES! It is essential that you select two alternates that you would be thrilled to take if you do not get your first choice. Choose from the back of your form, and remember that you should NOT select ANY course, as your first choice OR your alternates, that requires an application OR an audition (those courses, AFTER the audition/application, will be added by your counselor).
Below is a sample of a student who wants to meet minimum UC entrance requirements. Because only two years of science are required to graduate from NP, a third year becomes an elective (as do any other courses that are taken beyond minimum requirements). No alternate for Spanish 2 is required because it is a core sequential course, but two alternates are required for any other non-sequential electives.
Fill out the next section ONLY if you want to take either/both a 1 st period and/or a 5 th period. In the example above, the student wants to take English 11 CP as a first period class. The Preferred Term boxes are NOT checked because the course lasts all year. If you are not taking a 1 st or 5 th period skip this section.
If you want to take a period 1 year-long class so that you can fit another elective in period 2, 3, or 4, list your additional first choice elective AND two alternates: If you are not taking a 1 st or 5 th period skip this section.
If you are taking a first-period ACADEMIC class, AND you want to have a FREE period (which can be only 4 th period in the Spring), fill out the section below as follows: AND make sure that your parent or guardian signs this section:
SUMMER SCHOOL (if you do not intend to go to summer school skip this section) There are two types of summer school. One is for accelerating (taking a class so that you can get ahead in credits or move up a level), and the other is for remediation (repeating a class in which you earned a D or an F). For the purpose of completing your Course Contract, even if you do plan to attend summer school for acceleration or remediation, select your required and elective courses AS IF YOU ARE NOT ATTENDING SUMMER SCHOOL. AFTER your grades post from whatever summer school course(s) you successfully complete, your counselor will adjust your schedule accordingly.
The following example illustrates a remediation summer school plan. The student is failing Algebra 1, but wants to move on to Geometry (no alternates required):
You are almost finished make sure that you take this Contract home and review it with your parents. Afterwards, make sure that both you and your parent or guardians signs the following section: Finally, bring your completed form with you when you meet with your counselor. Make sure that it is signed and that you do not leave any blanks! Keep in mind that your counselor cannot make your elective decisions for you so make sure that you review any classes you have questions about in the course catalog.
QUESTIONS?