Mehlville High School Visit Q & A

Q: What are we doing on the visit? A. During our visit, you will go on a tour of the high school with some of the upperclassmen A. Orientation- There will also be an orientation in the auditorium where you will find out more information about high school as well as your freshman schedule

Q: How is a HS schedule different from a MS schedule? Q: How do I earn a credit? A. An 0.5 (or ½) credit is awarded to you after passing one semester of each class. EX: When you pass both semesters of your year-long math class, you earn a total of 1 credit - because = 1.0 Q: Can I just take any 25 credits I want?! A. Sorta, kinda, but not really, so no, but in a way. A: Credits. Before you can graduate, you must earn 25 credits.

Well, Study hard and take school work seriously so that you pass. Duh. But, you can’t just take any 25 credits out of the blue. Here’s the breakdown → SUBJECT AREAUNITS OF CREDIT English Language Arts4.0 Social Studies3.0 Mathematics3.0 Science3.0 Fine Arts1.0 Foreign Language or Fine Arts1.0 Practical Arts1.0 Physical Education1.0 Health0.5 Personal Finance0.5 Electives (chosen from any area)7.0 Total Graduation Units25.0 Q: So how do I get 25 credits?

Q: Do I have to take classes in a specific order? A: Yes. Many classes have a prerequisite. Q: What is a prerequisite? A: A prereq is a class that must be passed before another course is taken.  For example, Foods I is a prereq to Foods II. You must pass Foods I before you can take Foods II.  Another example, Algebra I or Algebra IA/Algebra IB is a prereq to Algebra II.

Q: So what will my freshman schedule look like? A: You will have 7 classes on a block schedule SUBJECT AREAUNITS OF CREDITFreshman Year English Language Arts4.0English 1.0 Social Studies3.0Social Studies 1.0 Mathematics3.0Math 1.0 Science3.0Science 1.0 Fine Arts1.0 Electives 2.0 Foreign Language or Fine Arts1.0 Practical Arts1.0 Physical Education1.0PE 0.5 Health0.5Health 0.5 Personal Finance0.5 Electives (chosen from any area)7.0 Total Graduation Units25.0Freshman Units 7.0

Q: What is block scheduling? A. You will have 4 classes on “A” days (blocks 1, 2, 3, & 4) A. You will have 3 classes + TAP on “B” days (blocks 5, 6, 7, & TAP) A. Each block class lasts about 90 minutes long. A: Your 7 classes + TAP class are divided into A/B days.

Q: What is TAP? Q: What do we do in TAP? A: Teacher Advisory Program. A: Lots of helpful things. a. Assistance in preparing & revising your four year plan b. Grades are discussed each grading term c. Academic skills are reinforced through lessons on organization, study skills, and test-taking d. Career exploration, post- secondary plans, employment skills, life skills.

Q: What classes should I take if I plan on going to college? Well, to be accepted into college, you must graduate (and, have an attractive GPA). To graduate, you must earn 25 credits. A. A credit in all core classes (English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Math) for all four years. B. Also plan on taking Foreign Language for two years (2 credits).

Q: Um, what is a GPA? So many questions!! A: GPA = Grade Point Average Every semester grade earns some points. Then you average them. Grading Scale: A = % = 4 points B = % = 3 points C = % = 2 points D = % = 1 point F = % = 0 points Note: Advanced Placement (AP) courses will earn higher points for each A, B, and C. If my semester report card shows I earned 3 As, 3 Bs, and a C, my GPA would be… = 23 / 7 classes GPA = 3.29

Q: Is it true that my attendance affects my credits earned? A. Yes! If you miss 6 days of ANY class, you will NOT receive credit for that class. A. Even if you have an A in that class, if you miss 6 days you will have to retake the class. A. If you had an F in the class and then miss 6 days, the F will stand as your grade for the course

Q: How is lunch setup at MHS? A. Lunches are mixed among all of the grade levels. A. The lunch shift you’re assigned will depend on the department you are in during a certain block. You’ll learn more about what lunches look like tomorrow at the field trip.

I’m interested in sports. Great!! ○ 3 seasons- Fall, Winter, Spring ○ This semester, we will have coaches come over to tell you more about the sports that are offered (we don’t know yet) ○ Keep in mind, it’s an expectation that your grades are maintained, your behavior is exemplary and your attendance is acceptable. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A small percentage of you might be eligible for athletic scholarships. A medium percentage of you might be eligible for academic scholarships. ALL of you might be eligible for scholarships for your involvement in extracurricular activities (clubs, organizations, service work, etc.) GET INVOLVED!

Tomorrow Morning. ✓ You’re going to receive a green folder with a course catalog and your official Course Request form. ✓ You’re going to create a profile on Missouri Connections to start identifying your career path. ✓ Once you’ve identified a few career paths you find interesting, you’re going to write one on your Course Request form. ✓ The green folder MUST GO HOME so you and your parents can help build your Course Request form. ✓ COURSE REQUEST FORMS ARE DUE TO COUNSELORS FEB. 11th! MHS counselors want you to build your schedule based upon some career interests you may have. Before the field trip →

Q: When I’m building my schedule, what are my freshman options? ○ English options → Assigned by your current teacher ○ Social Studies options ○ Math options → Assigned by your current teacher ○ Science options → Assigned by your current teacher ○ PE/Health options ○ Elective options:

Elective options: ○ Fine Arts (1 credit)  Music  Theatre  Visual Arts ○ Foreign Language or another Fine Arts (1 credit) I’m confused about the different types of electives. ○ Practical Arts (1 credit)  Business  FACS  Industrial Tech  PLTW/STEM ○ Any Other Area (7 credits)  including core content areas such as Public Speaking (ELA), Debate (ELA), AP Human Geography, and, for upperclassmen, Meteorology, Forensics, and Fossils and the Story of Ancient Life.

Q: What if I have more questions than these?! You can certainly ask your teachers, 8th grade counselor, your older siblings and their friends, and even your future freshmen counselor! Mr. David Pitts,

Kid President shares some words. And dance moves. Watch: From Kid President to people graduating from one point in life to another A pep talk to you

Super interesting links to help you prepare for high school 7 Things I Wish I Had Known as a Freshman Apps Teens Can Use for High School Mehlville High School