1. Ninth Grade Orientation Welcome to Solon High School Solon High School Guidance Department Mrs. Wendy DingmanA-De349-6242 wendydingman@solonboe.org Mr. Rick NowakDf-Ho349-6243 ricknowak@solonboe.org Ms. Ann BruceHp-Mc349-7407 annbruce@solonboe.org Mr. Cal WashingtonMd-See349-7307 calvinwashington@solonboe.org Mrs. Anne Johns, DirectorSef-Z349-6241 annejohns@solonboe.org Ms. Carol Rymaz Secretary349-7304 carolrymaz@solonboe.org Solon High School Guidance Webpagewww.solonschools.org/guidance

2. SHS Counselors Guiding Students 9 th 10 th 11 th 12th Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Administer the EXPLORE career assessment and review results with student Administer PLAN test and review results Administer AP exams Administer PSAT, ACT and SAT Administer AP exams Administer ACT/SAT Administer AP exams Meet with students monthly in the Freshman Mentor Program and register all 9th graders on Prep HQ Assist students in updating resume and four-year plan on Prep HQ Assist students in completing resume and continuing career and college planning Implement the college process with planning, applications, essays, and scholarship info Meet with each 9 th grader to create four-year plan and discuss long-term plans Meet with each 10 th grader to provide information about voc/tech programs and discuss career plans Meet with each 11 th grader to review post-SHS plans including college planning Meet with each 12 th grader to finalize post-SHS plans

3. Basic Graduation Requirements English4 Credits Social Science3 Credits (including World History, US History, Government, Economics) Mathematics (including Algebra 2) 4 Credits Science 3 Credits Physical Education.50 Credit Health.50 Credit Fine Arts 1 Credit Electives_________________________ 5 Credits TOTALMinimum21 Credits

4. Course Selection (Minimum) College Entrance Recommendations 4 years of English 4 years of Math (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry) 3 - 4 years of Science (Including Biology, Chemistry, Physics) 3 - 4 years of Social Studies 2 - 3 years of Foreign Language 1 year of fine, applied or performing arts

5. Honors Diploma Need SEVEN of these Eight Criteria 4 credits of English 4 credits of Math (Alg I, II, Geom and higher) 4 credits of Science (including Chemistry and Physics) 4 credits of Social Studies 3 credits of Foreign Language OR 2 credits each of two Foreign Languages 1 credit of Fine Arts 3.5 GPA on 4.0 scale (through the end of the third quarter of senior year) 27 ACT OR 1210 SAT (SAT combined CR/M scores)

6. Honors & AP Courses SHS offers nine honors courses and twenty Advanced Placement courses. Honors courses available to ninth graders include Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry and Honors Biology. Ninth grade recommendations are made by eighth grade teachers. Contact SMS teachers for questions about recommendations.

7. Academic Supports Solon High School is proud to offer academic supports and interventions to all students in need of assistance: Classroom-based interventions Peer tutoring Academic Labs/Resource Center After-School Study Center Before/After school help from student’s teachers Academic coaching by counselors/administrators Best Instructional Practices What do we expect all students to learn? How do we know if they have learned it? How do we respond when they are NOT learning?

8. GRADES AND GRADE REPORTS 1. Student report cards are distributed each nine weeks reporting the record of achievement for the student during that nine-week period of time only. (Parent Viewer same as SMS to monitor grades.) 2. The nine-week grade is expressed in terms of a letter grade for the purpose of figuring and reporting a semester or yearly grade. 3. The SHS grading scale is as follows : A = 90 – 100% B = 80 – 89% C = 70 – 79% D = 60 – 69% F = 0 – 59%

9. WEIGHTED GRADES GRADES FOR COURSES ARE WEIGHTED AT TWO LEVELS: REGULAR COURSE WEIGHT ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSE WEIGHT HONOR COURSE WEIGHT A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0 A = 4.5 B = 3.375 C = 2.25 D = 1.0 F = 0 A = 5.0 B = 3.75 C = 2.5 D = 1.0 F = 0 Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam for each course in May. Most colleges award college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores upon college enrollment.

10. SUBJECT GRADES English F Math B Ohio History A Home Economics B Physical EdP Computers C Music C Health B Credits Passed 7 of 8 classes 87.5 %= eligible for 2nd period EXAMPLES OF DETERMINING STUDENT ELIGIBILITY GRADE 8 SUBJECTGRADES English F Math D Ohio History F Industrial Art C Music B Computer B Physical Ed P Credits Passed 5 of 7 classes 71.4%= ineligible for 1st grading period in high school Passing grades must have been received in 75% of subjects in which enrolled in the grading period immediately preceding the sport. All courses in which a student receives a grade count toward 75% of eligibility requirement.

11. EXAMPLES OF DETERMINING STUDENT ELIGIBILITY GRADES 9-12 Passing grades must have been earned in a minimum of five one- credit courses, or equivalent, in the grading period immediately preceding the sport. PE classes do not count toward eligibility. SubjectGradeCredit &DurationFactorCredits English 9C1.00YEAR11.00 Spanish 1D1.00YEAR11.00 P.E.P0.50YEAR00.00 Algebra 1D1.00YEAR11.00 World HistC1.00YEAR11.00 BandA1.00YEAR11.00 ScienceC1.00YEAR11.00 Total Credit6.506.00 = eligible for athletics *Must carry at least 5 classes both semesters.

12. Excel TECC Programs Auto Mechanics Business Academy CADD Engineering Tech Computers, Networking & Electronics Construction Management Construction Trades Cosmetology Culinary Arts Early Childhood Education Environmental Education Hospitality/Food Services Information Technology & Programming Interactive Media Marketing Tech (12th only) Medical Careers Medical Technologies Performing Arts Academy Public Safety and Service TV Broadcasting & Video Production Visual Art and Design

13. Resume Plans after high school Academic achievements School activities/clubs Athletics Music/Art/Drama Volunteer experience Work experience Talents, skills, interests Career exploration: Job shadowing, internships Visit www.solonschools.org/guidance and click on CONNECT, our college/career planning website. Students create an account in ninth grade to use all four years for information and guidance regarding resume building, course planning, ACT/SAT/AP testing, summer enrichment programs, college planning/research, college application status, financial aid, and more.

14. EXAMPLE #1EXAMPLE #2EXAMPLE #3EXAMPLE #4EXAMPLE #5 English 9 CPEnglish 9 CPEnglish 9 HonorsEnglish 9 CPEnglish 9 Honors Science InvestigationsScience InvestigationsHonors BiologyScience InvestigationsScience Investigations Algebra ITrans Algebra ANDHonors GeometryAlgebra IHonors Algebra II World HistoryAlgebra I blockWorld HistoryWorld HistoryWorld History Physical EducationWorld History Physical EducationPhysical EducationPhysical Education Spanish 2Physical EducationBand or ChoirFrench ISpanish 2 Study HallStudy Hall (Interv)French 2Study Hall/ElectiveStudy Hall 9 th Grade Course Planning There are seven periods in the school day. Ninth graders take at least FIVE classes each semester AND Phys Ed. Students must pass five classes for athletic eligibility (excluding Phys Ed). Ninth grade courses: English, Math, Science, World History, Phys Ed., Elective(s) Study Hall is recommended for ninth graders. Course recommendations from SMS have been mailed to parents.

15. What if my child is NOT recommended for a course he/she wants to take?  If you should decide to take a non- recommended course, you must complete the Scheduling Risk Form (available online at www.solonschools.org/guidance or in SMS Guidance Office). www.solonschools.org/guidance  The form states that if the student chooses to drop this course during the school year, it will be noted on the transcript as a WF (Withdraw Failing).

16. Do colleges accept American Sign Language as a fulfillment of the Foreign Language recommendation?  There are currently over 200 colleges that accept ASL as a foreign language. It is suggested that you access the college websites to determine their requirements for foreign language. A list of the schools is available in the high school Guidance Office.

17. What if my child can’t fit Phys. Ed. on his/her schedule? There are three ways to address that situation:  Take ½ year of P.E. sophomore year opposite Health; take other ½ in 11th  Take P.E. in Solon HS Summer School (forms available from SHS main office in late May)  Take P.E. through the PSEO Summer College Program (after completion of ninth grade)  Take the “zero period” PE at SHS

18. What if my child can’t fit a study hall on his/her schedule? If a student does not have a study hall, there are still many ways to get support.  Student makes appointment to meet with teacher before or after school.  Student requests peer tutor.  Student attends After-School Study Center which is open Mon -Thr 3-4:15 and staffed by teachers.

19. Where can I find more information or answers to my specific questions?  For questions about class recommendations contact SMS teachers.  For general questions about courses, requirements, and academic programming see the Program of Studies booklet, which is also available online.  For any questions about the high school, contact your student’s high school counselor via email or phone.

20. SHS Profile Ranked #1 in Ohio School of Distinction- Ohio Department of Education 2008, 2009, 2010 ACT Red Quill Award Winner National Blue Ribbon School

21. College Attendance Size of Class of 2010433 Four-year College & Two-Year College95% Business, Technical School, or Military 5%

22. National Merit Scholars FINALISTS17 COMMENDED16 Presidential Scholars 1990, 1995, 2003, 2007, 2009

23. ACT Results - Composite National Average22.0 SHS Class of 201024.9 SHS Top 10%33.1

24. SAT Results – Verbal + Math National Average 1017 SHS Class of 20101143 Top 10% 1400-1600

25. Advanced Placement Program In 2010, 624 students took 1,446 exams. Score Distribution: -Score of 5: 411 -Score of 4: 434 -Score of 3: 333

26. Ninth Grade Orientation Welcome to Solon High School Solon High School Guidance Department Mrs. Wendy DingmanA-De349-6242 wendydingman@solonboe.org Mr. Rick NowakDf-Ho349-6243 ricknowak@solonboe.org Ms. Ann BruceHp-Mc349-7407 annbruce@solonboe.org Mr. Cal WashingtonMd-See349-7307 calvinwashington@solonboe.org Mrs. Anne Johns, DirectorSef-Z349-6241 annejohns@solonboe.org Ms. Carol Rymaz Secretary349-7304 carolrymaz@solonboe.org Solon High School Guidance Webpagewww.solonschools.org/guidance