STEAM Academy Class of 2021 9 th Grade Advisement
Objective and Outcomes Objective for Today: To discuss all the components of the schedule to help you make decisions to get your perfect schedule for next year Outcomes for Today: A completed schedule including alternate electives for next school year to be used when we meet students one-on-one for advisement the week of March 19
Items for Reference Transcript Schedule Template to be completed today Electives Worksheet
Sample Transcript
Sample Transcript
Schedule Template
Pursue your interests There is always a tendency for competition that causes students to pick classes based on quality points only. Find what you love and pursue it to the greatest depth possible. This will look strong to colleges.
Pursue your interests Our encouragement to all students is the following: Pick your coursework and your extracurricular activities based on your passions. Do what you love. Don t pick courses because they are popular. Don t pick courses because you think they will make you look better on a college application. Don t pick courses just to keep up with some arbitrary standard that you think has been set by fellow students. Pursue your passions and the things that are most exciting and appealing to you. When you pursue your passions, everything else will fall into place. You will enjoy your educational experience more because you are pursuing your passions. You will look strong to colleges because you are pursuing your passions. You will make an impact on those around you because you are pursuing your passions. When selecting the level of courses you are going to take, pick the most rigorous courses in which you are confident that you can be successful. Make sure as you consider this rigor that you take into consideration your overall course load. You may be able to be very successful in 4 AP courses if they were taken one at a time, but if all 4 are taken in the same semester, it may affect how much time you can devote to each, which then affects your overall performance in the class. Be realistic about your own abilities, the time you have available, and how much energy you are willing and able to devote to a course. I know the above ideas may be easier said than done, but we believe they are in line with a positive experience here at Wheeler, as well as preparing each student for the next level of their education. We are here to support you as you make these decisions. Please reach out to your teachers and our staff if you have questions.
Work Ethic Consider overall load (8 courses all together) Can student manage this level of work? Has student demonstrated this level of work in the past (not just verbally but by their actions)
Balance We will do our best to balance the courses between semesters (different for each student) Advocate for yourself in terms of balance Sometimes balance is not feasible - can lead to hard choices
AP Courses Require significant time and significant work ethic - taught at a college level At the beginning of the semester, grades are often extremely low (F s, D s). They often come up over the course of the semester, but there is no guarantee, so be proactive and talk to the teacher if you receive low grades. Earn a full quality point (5.0)
AVID
Rigor Three main considerations 1. Colleges look heavily at rigor for admission More rigor = more college opportunities 2. Certain scholarships look exclusively at GPA Less rigor = easier to maintain higher GPA Hope rigor requirements 3. Preparation for College More rigor = better preparation for college rigor Students and families must carefully consider all three factors when deciding what level of rigor to pursue
Hope Rigor Requirements For the High School Graduating Class of 2017 and beyond, a student must earn a minimum of four full credits from the academic rigor course categories listed below prior to graduating from high school. 1. Advanced math, such as advanced algebra and trigonometry, taken at the high school, or an equivalent or higher course taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution 2. Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, taken at the high school, or an equivalent or higher course taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution 3. Foreign language courses taken at the high school, or taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution; or 4. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Credit Enrollment courses in Core subjects.
Development of Schedules Advisement selections Teacher Recommendations/Registration (info may be viewable on Synergy now) Teacher recommendations overrule advisement selections - waivers must be completed to take a course not recommended by the teacher (waiver not encouraged - teacher recs are there for a reason based on previous experiences and past performance)
Opportunities for changes Window for the time during which schedule changes can occur is defined by Wheeler HS Course requests must be finalized in May no changes to courses made after that time Schedule corrections if major issues (like significant imbalance) can be requested in late July (for both semesters) and again in October (spring semester issues only) Process designed to minimize students missing class at start of semester
GPA/Class Rank Colleges have told us they evaluate students based on the following criteria: 1.Rigor of coursework 2.Standardized test scores 3.GPA 4.Pursuit of passions/leadership/extracurricular
Waiver Process
Dual Enrollment Opportunity to take courses at local colleges to earn both college and high school credit Set up an appointment to speak with your counselor if interested
Resources www.wheelerhigh.com under Academics and Counseling tabs
Advisement Course Selection Science Math Social Studies English Foreign Language Career/Tech Health/BPE Electives
STEAM Academy Science Course Sequence 9 th H Biology and H Chemistry 10 th H Physics or AP Physics and Science Elective 11 th AP Computer Science Principles and AP Seminar 12 th AP Research
Science Course Placement Rubric Honors AP Post-AP 95 or better in on-level course 80 or better in Honors course 90 or better in Honors course 85 or better in Magnet course **Note: Some AP science courses require a summer packet 80 or better in AP Course
STEAM Academy 10 th Grade Science Elective options Magnet Biochemistry Honors Anatomy Honors Forensic Science Astronomy Earth Systems AP Env Science AP Biology AP Chemistry
Math Course Selection Need Algebra 1 Need Geometry Need Algebra 2 Need 4 th math
Math Course Placement Rubric Honors AP Post-AP Support 95 or better in on-level course 80 or better in Honors course 70-84 in Accelerated course 85 or better in Accelerated course for AP Calc 80 or better in Accelerated course for AP Stat 80 or better in AP Course Below 74 in a onesemester course Taking a previous Support course **Note: Summer math packet required **Note: Summer math packet required
Math courses to consider Geometry Algebra II Pre-Calculus
Social Studies Course Selection Need World History Need US History Need Government (1/2 credit) Need Economics (1/2 credit)
Social Studies Course Selection World History Honors World History AP World History AP Psychology (elective) AP European History (elective) Consider overall course load, work ethic, and interest to determine if CP, Honors, or AP is a best fit
Social Studies Course Placement Rubric Honors 95 or better in on-level course 80-94 in Honors course AP 92 or higher in Honors course (85 or higher for AP Psych and AP European History) 85 or higher in AP course **Note: Some AP social studies courses require a summer packet
English Course Selection Need 9 th Lit (usually in 9 th grade) Need American Lit (usually in 11 th grade) Need 3 rd English course Need 4 th English course
English Course Selection World Lit Honors World Lit
English Course Placement Rubric Honors 90 or better in on-level course and 85 or better on EOC AP 90 or better in Honors course and 92 or better on EOC 80 or better in Honors course and 85 or better on EOC
Foreign Language Course Selection French, Latin, Spanish, Chinese Need two courses in the same language at Wheeler to maximize your college application 85 or higher needed to move to Honors for Level III or higher Not required to receive High School Diploma
Career/Technology Course Selection Pathway completion Career Interest Skill Development
Career/Technology Pathways ROTC Video Productions Agriculture/Horticulture Digital Technology/Computer science Drafting/Architecture Electronics Engineering Healthcare Science Culinary Arts **Strongly considering a Marketing pathway (would include fashion and sports marketing)
AP Computer Science Principles Info from Mr. Kent: Learn to make apps for your phone No computer programming experience necessary Easiest AP class offered by College Board Very little, if any, homework Opportunities to learn additional languages (Java Script and/or Python) in addition to the primary language for the class, App Inventor For the motivated student
Fine Arts Course Selection Visual Arts Band Orchestra Chorus Acting Technical Theater Prerequisites are critical see course catalogue
Health/BPE Course Selection Need Health/BPE to graduate Most took it in 9 th grade
PE Electives Consider overall balance Consider personal interest Consider rigor
Electives Consider your interests and look through the list of electives on the course registration document.
Next Steps Students will complete an individual advisement with a counselor or scheduler the week of March 19 You may leave the Electives Worksheet with me if you like; I recommend taking a picture for your records. **Make sure names are on them**
Preparing for College Already heard from Ms. Moudgal College Planning Institute March 20 at 6:30 pm Surviving the College Process Finacially