Mountain Brook Junior High School Rising 9 th Grade Course Selection and Registration Welcome!

Course Selection At-a-Glance February Counselors meet with students at MBJH in large groups and individually. Course Selection Forms are due to Social Studies teachers by Feb. 18 th. Early May- Mock schedules will be sent to students from MBJH for confirmation. June 2 nd - Deadline for Schedule Updates August - Registration- forms / fees / lockers / schedules/textbooks

Diploma Endorsements Advanced Diploma with Honors Advanced Diploma Regular Diploma

There is no indication on a student’s transcript as to which diploma the student has earned. Colleges receive a high school transcript that lists all courses taken, with 1 st semester and 2 nd semester grades earned in those courses. The transcript also reports grade point average (GPA). Diploma Options

Advanced with Honors AdvancedRegular Math4 Alg. I, Geo., Alg. II with Trig through Pre-Calculus or Discrete Math or beyond 4 Alg. I, Geo., Alg. II with Trig 4 Alg. I, Geo., Alg. II Science4 All Group 1- Bio and Chem Or Physics 4 3 Group 1 1 Group 1or 2 Bio and Chem or Physics 4 Bio and a Physical Science English444 Social Studies444 Foreign Language3-Same Language2- Same Language0* Health.5 Career Preparedness (CPA &CPB) 111 PE Life111 Fine Arts11- CTE/FL/Fine Arts013 Electives2.5 Total Credits25 24

Science Group 1: Biology (Reg & Adv) Chemistry (Reg & Adv) Chemistry II Anatomy & Physiology (Reg & Adv) Physics AP Biology AP Environmental Science AP Chemistry AP Physics 1 & 2 AP Physics C Group 2: Physical Science Environmental Science Forensic Science Marine Science

Differences in the 3 diplomas Math requirements Foreign language requirements Science requirements Number of electives

What are my options as a freshman? English OR Advanced English Algebra I, Geometry, OR Advanced Geometry/Team World History II OR Advanced World History II Biology OR Advanced Biology 3 electives (9 th graders are strongly encouraged to take Health, Career Prep A and Career Prep B) Lunch (not part of the course selection process)

Regular vs. Advanced Courses The regular curriculum level is College Prep. The advanced level better prepares students to take college coursework (AP Courses) while in high school. Advanced Diploma /Advanced Diploma with Honors doesn’t mean taking advanced courses.

Course Placement Recommendations are based on student data and teacher experiences working with the students over the course of the school year. Parent Placement option (form in back of course selection guide for courses other than English) English Parent Placement - Contact Larry McCain at for an appointment.

Weighted Averages 100 Point Scale AP point Advanced - +5 points 4 Pt. Scale AP quality point Advanced quality point Only raw scores are listed on the transcript and GPA is calculated based on the semester average. Weighted grades are used for class rank and weighted GPAs.

English Language Arts Advanced OR Regular Summer reading requirements Electives- Creative Writing and Reading

Social Studies Advanced OR Regular World History II Elective – AP Human Geography (new offering/ requires approval from current English or History teacher)

Mathematics Algebra I Geometry Advanced Geometry Advanced Geometry Team Math Lab (placement by recommendation) Note: There are correlations to high school science course.

Science Biology OR Advanced Biology

Foreign Language French I, French II OR Advanced French II Latin I, Latin II OR Advanced Latin II Spanish I, Spanish II OR Advanced Spanish II Note: Foreign Language classes are considered academic electives and involve homework and study time. **Many colleges require 1-3 years of foreign language and an entrance placement test

Visual Arts Introduction to Art Art I (Prerequisite is Intro to Art) Advanced Art (Prerequisite Art 1)

Performing Arts Band Beginning Band Concert Band Concert Band/Marching Band Choir Honors Choir (Prerequisite Choir or an audition) Theatre Drama

Career Tech Electives Foundations of Engineering Career Preparedness A Career Preparedness B Note: Career Preparedness A/B are part of the graduation requirements. CPA may have be taken in the 8 th grade for credit.

Physical Education Athletics/Weight Training PE-Athletics- Varsity and JV sports other than football (Coaches will provide the JH a list of athletes that will ride the 2:15 bus.) PE Weight Training- 2 nd semester Football players planning to play in 10 th grade Football players will ride the 3:00 bus to the HS for practice.

Other Electives Film Production Yearbook/Journalism Health (Graduation Requirement) Forensics/Debate Broadcast News (Audition required ) Note: Students who elect to take Debate will ride the 2:15 bus to the HS.

Instructional Support Academic Skills Used for organization, time management, and academic support Teacher and Counselor Recommendation Resource Lab Used for organization, time management, and academic support per a student’s IEP Note: ALL students receive additional academic support during the Academic Opportunities (AO) period.

Course Selection Course Selection Guides go home with students – read the descriptions carefully. Alternates are IMPORTANT. Sign form and include a legible and phone number in the space at the bottom

Recap 4 Core Classes 3 Electives 3 year –long 2 year-long and 2 semesters 1 year-long and 4 semester-long 6 semester-long Parent Placement in English – Contact Larry McCain (Meeting Required) Parent Placement in Advanced Geometry, Advanced Biology, Advanced World History and /or Advanced Foreign Language– attach parent placement form found in back of course selection guide

Recap Sharon Lyerly, 9 th Grade Counselor Read 9 th Grade Course Selection Directions very carefully. Descriptions will be attached to course selection form (mailed home). Key dates April 15 th - $25 fee to change schedule after this date June 2 nd - Deadline to request schedule change

Questions?