Welcome 8th grade parents!

Agenda Graduation Requirements Courses for Ninth Grade Important Dates to Remember Questions and Answers

What do students need to graduate? 5 22

Regents Diploma Pass 5 Regents exams Algebra (65 or higher): Science Global History U.S. History English

22 Credits 4 credits of English & Social Studies 3 credits of Math & Science 2 credits of PE 1 credit of LOTE 1 credit of Fine Art Health (1/2 credit) Elective Courses (3 1/2 credits) = 22 credits In high school, students must pass 22 units of credit to graduate. They have to be in particular subjects. No matter what diploma students receive they still need the required amount of credits. The diploma students receive depends on the number of Regents Exams that they pass. (see pamphlet)

COURSES FOR 9th Grade

ENGLISH / Social Studies Regents level and GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY (9) - OR - You will need to take a course that gives you credit for English in 9th grade. This will be called English 9 or Pre-AP English.

English / SOCIAL STUDIES AP level PRE-AP ENGLISH 9 and AP WORLD HISTORY I (9) (Students prepare for both the Regents Exam and for the AP World exam) You will need to take a course that gives you credit for Global History in 9th grade. This will be called Global History 9 or Pre-AP World History 9. The AP World History Exam is given in the fourth quarter of the second year of World History, in 10th grade.

What is AP? AP stands for Advanced Placement College level work, more rigorous AP exams given at end of course Possible college credit 8th grade teachers made recommendations for these classes AP stands for Advanced Placement. Advanced Placement English courses are for 11th and 12th grade students who would like to take college level courses while they are in high school. The Pre-AP English course prepares students to take AP courses in high school and take AP exams that could earn them college credit.

MATH ALGEBRA OR GEOMETRY (only if your in Algebra now) You will need to take a math course in 9th grade. It will be a course called Integrated Algebra I or Algebra I if you are taking 8th grade math this year. If you are taking Math I this year and passing the course at the end of the year, you will take Math II next year.

SCIENCE LIVING ENVIRONMENT EARTH SCIENCE You will take a science course in 9th grade. You may choose between Earth Science and Living Environment. These are both Regents science courses. They meet three out of four days. There are lab requirements in both of these courses and there is a Regents exam at the end of the year for both of these courses.

LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH (LOTE) Level II: Spanish, Italian, ASL Level I Spanish All students must earn one credit of LOTE to graduate from high school. Eighth grade students must pass the Proficiency exam to earn LOTE credit. Language is usually required for students who plan to attend four year colleges. Two to four units of credits could be required. If you are doing well in your language class, we recommend you take Level 2 in high school. If you are not doing well, see your teacher and get extra help. If you do not pass the course in 8th grade, you will need to take a level 1 course in high school.

½ CREDIT PER YEAR – 2 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION PHYSICAL EDUCATION ½ CREDIT PER YEAR – 2 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

FINE ART REQUIREMENT Studio Art DDP (Design and Drawing for Production) Music (Chorus, Band, Orchestra)

A Typical schedule is 6 ½ Credits Exceptions: Voice (requires an audition) students usually take PE during Advisement Women’s Choir and Jazz Band meet during advisement Some music classes can be double booked.

ADVISEMENT TEACHERS ARE AVAILABLE TO SEE STUDENTS FOR EXTRA HELP TIME TO START HOMEWORK, MAKE UP A QUIZ, OR USE THE LIBRARY

Important Dates! December Ms. Dorsey visited 8th grade classrooms and completed course selection sheets with the students Spring 2018 High School Staff meets with students signed up for advanced placement courses. August 29 Freshman Orientation

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS