2. Rising 9th Grade Information Welcome to High School!

3. Rising Ninth Grade Registration 2012 - 2013

4. Standard Diploma Requirements 2011-2012 and Beyond Standard Diploma Course Requirements for Students Entering 9 th Grade for the First Time in 2011-2012 and Beyond SubjectStandard CreditsVerified Credits English42 Mathematics31 Laboratory Science31 History and Social Sciences41 Health and Physical Education2 World Languages, Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education2 Economic and Personal Finance1 Electives (must include sequential elective)3 Student Selected Test1 Total Credits226 3

5. Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements 2011-2012 and Beyond Advanced Studies Diploma Course Requirements for Students Entering 9 th Grade for the First Time in 2011-2012 and Beyond Subject AreaStandard CreditsVerified Credits English42 Mathematics42 Laboratory Science42 History and Social Sciences42 World Language3 Health and Physical Education2 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education1 Economic and Personal Finance1 Electives3 Student Selected Test1 Total Credits269 4

6. (Proposed) Standard Technical Diploma Requirements Standard Technical Diploma Course Requirements for Students Entering 9 th Grade for the First Time in 2012-2013 and Beyond SubjectStandard CreditsVerified Credits English42 Mathematics31 Laboratory Science31 History and Social Sciences41 Health and Physical Education2 Fine Arts or World Language1 Economic and Personal Finance1 Career and Technical Education (must include career concentration/ completer) 4 Student Selected Test1 Total Credits226 5

7. (Proposed) Advanced Technical Diploma Requirements Advanced Technical Diploma Course Requirements for Students Entering 9 th Grade for the First Time in 2012-2013 and Beyond Subject AreaStandard CreditsVerified Credits English42 Mathematics42 Laboratory Science42 History and Social Sciences42 World Language3 Health and Physical Education2 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education1 Economic and Personal Finance1 Career and Technical Education (must include career concentration/ completer) 3 Student Selected Test1 Total Credits269 6

8. English English 9 English 9 Honors

9. Social Studies World History/Geography 1 World History/Geography 1 Honors

10. Science Biology Biology Honors  Teacher Recommended  Year long in-class Science Fair Project is a requirement for the class!

11. Math Algebra 1 Part 1/Algebra 1 (2 credit course/Algebra 1 Part 1 counts as a math elective.) Algebra 1 Algebra 1 Honors Geometry Geometry Honors Algebra 2 Algebra 2 Honors

12. Foreign Language American Sign Language French German Spanish Spanish for Fluent Speakers (class is designed for students with a background in Spanish or who speak Spanish in the home) Latin

13. Health & Physical Education PE 9 » 1 quarter of Health » 3 quarters of Physical Education

14. Film Studies Journalism 1 (newspaper) Photojournalism 1 (yearbook) Creative Writing 1 Debate Sports Medicine Theater Arts 1 Technical Theater 1 Computer Graphics 1 Studio Art 1 Visual Communication (news program) Design and Technology Electronics 1 Basic Technical Drawing AJROTC 1 Leadership Training (application required) AVID (interview required) 9th Grade Electives:

15. Band Orchestra Guitar 1 Piano 1 Women’s Chorus Men’s Chorus Accounting Finance Introduction to Marketing Economics and Personal Finance Information Technologies Fundamentals (Computer) Information Systems Programming Web Page Development Multimedia Design and Web Technologies Developmental Reading Developing Literacies

16. AVID – an elective option! Advancement Via Individual Determination AVID is an academic program designed to increase the rigor of coursework taken by West Potomac students. Every AVID student is in at least one Honors/AP. All AVID Students have the goal of going to college! Over the last three years all AVID seniors who applied to a four year college were accepted into at least one four year school! Tutorials, College Visits, Family Nights, Guest Speakers… Fill out an AVID Application today! Please return to Ms. Caldwell by Feb 15, 2012

17. Remember ! Use caution….be realistic. Choose 7 classes Choose 3 alternate electives Know the expectations for Honors classes Course selection sheet needs to be signed by a parent

18. Time Management Considerations Extra-curricular activities Work Leisure Activities Family Commitments Coursework Expectations

19. Important Hints about High School Homework is important! Homework Counts!!! Agendas should be used every day. Buddy System should be established. Blackboard should be checked every day. Missed assignments are your responsibility. Late buses are available on designated late days for after school help. Grade Point averages are computed from your grades in ALL subjects, ALL four years. Ninth grade is important!

20. Important Hints about High School Daily attendance is important. Absences must be reported by a parent in an email or with a note within 3 days of an absence. Friends need to be chosen wisely. Activities such as clubs, sports and music are important to feel a part of high school. Grades must be maintained to participate in sports.

21. February 9 th, 7pm Rising 9 th Grade Parent Night (West Potomac HS)

22. Attention !! You will receive a list of your classes in May in the mail. Any changes or corrections should be done by JUNE 13th

23. If you have any questions, talk with your counselor. All information can also be found on the West Potomac website: www.fcps.edu/WestPotomacHS under “Student Services” and “Course Offerings”