Loudoun County High School 9th Grade Course Selection 2019-2020

What is? 68% Percent of LCHS 2018 graduates that went directly to a FOUR-year college 23% directly to a TWO-year college, 2% military, 7% other 6 Number of Dual Enrollment Classes offered at LCHS English 12, US History, Geospatial Science, Teacher Cadet, AP Biology and AP Chemistry 1467 Total student enrollment at LCHS (364 freshman) 22 Credits needed to graduate from a Virginia High School

Loudoun County Website Presentation Program of Studies

Letter to Parents Letter that describes the course selection process. Please look for key dates that relate to the timeline for picking classes for next school year.

Course Selection Sheet Courses that are offered to freshman at LCHS. Students will pick their elective courses. 8th grade teachers at Simpson will pick the students’ core classes

Typical 9th grade schedule English 9 Math (Geometry) Science – Earth Science Social Science – World History Foreign Language Health/PE Elective Resource/Study Hall

Level of Classes Course content and expected student performance at grade level Academic Course content rapidly paced Weighted GPA (.5) 9th – 12th grade Honors (Research or Intro to AP) College level course Weighed GPA (1.0) Starting in 10th grade Advanced Placement (AP) High School and College credit bearing courses Weighted GPA (1.0) Traditionally starting in 11th grade Dual Enrollment

Know your diploma options Advanced Studies Standard 26 credits 4 English (2) 4 Math (1) 4 Science (1) 4 Social Science (1) 3 Foreign Language or 2 of 2 2 Health/PE (CPR) Economics and Personal Finance 1 Fine or Technical art Additional credentials CPR, 5 sols 22 credits 4 English (2) 3 Math (1) 3 Science (1) 3 Social Science (1) Foreign language (not required) 2 Health/PE (CPR) Economics and Personal Finance (wise) 6 Additional Electives (2 consecutive) Additional credentials Wise, CPR, 5 sols

Additional Credentials Standards of Learning (SOLS) Verified Credit (pass the course and pass the sol) Tests at the end of the school year – MAY Project-Based Assessment Certification Tests – Standard Diploma only Wise Workplace Readiness CPR Health/PE 9

Plan of studies worksheet Use this worksheet to help guide and track your student’s progress through their high school years. Counselors at LCHS will have a scheduling meeting at least once a year to make sure your student is on track to graduate.

Course selection process Simpson Teachers recommend core subjects for their students Parent Night at LCHS High School Counselors visit Simpson to discuss course options Student courses selected through StudentVue Continue to discuss course selections – review 3rd quarter report card

Course selection process - continued Changes? Scheduling Letter mailed home on May 3rd Decisions need to be finalized by May 24th Return the letter or e-mail Daniel.Croyle@lcps.org Course Changes during the school year are DIFFICULT No course changes the first week of school No level changes until interim (week 5)

Academies of Loudoun Three Unique Educational Opportunities: AET (Academy of Engineering and Technology) Engineering Entrepreneurship Information Technology 8th graders should have applied (notified March/April) As of now – students can apply for their 11th grade year AOS MATA Formerly known as Monroe Technology Center Students traditionally apply in their 11th or 12th grade year (some exceptions) One and two-year programs

Transcript High School Transcript Final Grades only High School Credits that are taken in Middle School are posted Document that is sent to college

expunging Removes the grade from the student’s transcript Applies only to high school credit courses taken in Middle School Forms will come from the middle school Discuss with current teacher Cannot be reversed Due date is very important Return the form to the high school by mail or e-mail (Daniel.Croyle@lcps.org) Call the high school counseling department with questions

Other Notes Academic Outside the classroom Math is not a RACE! Independently, students can handle many of the classes that are offered in 9th and 10th grade. Collectively, it becomes overwhelming to many. BALANCE – self management Use the PSAT results. Read Get involved/ Take initiative The effort that a student puts into high school has a correlation to the overall experience. Activity and Athletic Participation – enrolled in 5 and passing 5. Time management

Questions? Thoughts? Concerns? What happens next? ROTC? Students not attending Simpson?

Timeline February 5th Academic Night February 11th + 12th Scheduling at Simpson March 28th End of the 3rd quarter April 9th 8th graders visit LCHS April 24th Rising 9th grade Athletic Night May 3rd Scheduling Letter mailed home May 24th Deadline for changes August 20th High School 101 - am August 20th Welcome to parents - pm August 22nd First day of High School

QUIZ 1. When discussing GPA, what is a weighted class? 2. How many credits are needed to graduated? 3. What is a verified credit? 4. In a typical year, what percent of LCHS graduates will attend a two-year college? QUIZ Let’s review!!!

Where Do I go next? Enjoy the Open House Ask questions! Teachers are here to help answer questions about 9th grade and beyond.