Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen Briar Woods High School

Agenda Accomplishments and Expectations Rising 9 th Grade Scheduling Process Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements Selecting Courses for Next Year

This Information is Online! BWHS School Counseling >>> Student Scheduling for  Tonight’s parent presentation – key points will be titled in red  Students’ presentation  Program of Studies  Rising freshman course selection worksheet – lists 9 th grade academic courses and electives  LCPS Course Curriculum information

Accomplishments and Expectations

The Class of % are attending 4-year colleges 17% are attending 2-year school 5% are in the military or other post- secondary training/schools 2% went directly into the work force

The Class of 2013 Earned over 4.9 million dollars in scholarships and grants (453 graduates) Approximately 80% enrolled in one or more Advanced Placement classes while in high school

College & University Attendance To date, accepted by approximately 484 different colleges and universities and are currently on approximately 260 different campuses Attend school in over 25 different states and four countries

BWHS Updates Currently:  2169 total students  618 freshmen Next Year, projections  1971 total students  375 freshmen

Rising 9 th Grade Scheduling Process

Scheduling Process There is a different process for scheduling at each middle school The end result is the same: Students and parents will select their courses using information from the high school counselors, and with the input and assistance of their current middle school counselors

Scheduling Process at Stone Hill Late January – SHMS counselor reviewed 6-year plans and course options for next year February 4 – BWHS counselors will meet with students in large groups to share information Week of February 10 – Students will meet with SHMS counselor in smaller groups:  The SHMS counselor will guide students through the selection of their courses for next year using Family Connection  Parents can log onto Family Connection to review and make changes until February 28, 2014  After February 28, 2014, parents may contact their SHMS counselor, Ms. Bryan, to make changes through June 13

Scheduling Process at Eagle Ridge February 18 & 19 – BWHS counselors will meet with students in their science classes to select courses using Family Connection  Student will receive a letter which will provide their parents with instructions to log onto Family Connection  Parents can log onto Family Connection to review and make changes until March 14, 2014  After March 14, parents may contact Mrs. Mostero to make changes. The last day to make changes through Mrs. Mostero is June 13, 2014  The ERMS counselor will review academic plans with students

Students New to LCPS New students usually begin enrolling in mid-April The information and materials needed to enroll an new student can be found on the BWHS and LCPS websites New students and their parents will select their courses with a BWHS counselor when they enroll Enrollments are by appointment

Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

Diplomas Standard Diploma Advanced Studies Diploma

Diplomas Diplomas are based on:  Standard Units of Credit – 140 clock hours of instruction & passing grade  Verified Units of Credit – Standard unit of credit plus passing the end-of-course SOL associated with that class

Standard Diploma Academic AreasCreditsSOL Verified Credits English42 Social Studies31 Mathematics31 Science31 Health/Physical Education2 Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or Career & Technical Education 2 Economics and Personal Finance1 Electives4 Student Selected Verified Credit1 Total226

Advanced Studies Diploma Academic AreasCreditsSOL Verified Credits English42 Social Studies42 Mathematics42 Science42 Foreign Language3-4 Health/Physical Education2 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education1 Economics and Personal Finance1 Electives3 Student Selected Verified Credit1 Total269

SOL Courses = Verified Credits Reading (Eng. 11)Earth Science Writing (Eng. 11)Biology Chemistry Algebra 1World History 1 GeometryWorld History 2 Algebra 2US History

Additional Requirements See the Program of Studies for the “fine print” details

Additional Requirements VA Department of Education: All students must receive online instruction while in high school  There is an online instructional component within the required “Personal Finance” class which satisfies this requirement

Additional Requirements VA Department of Education: Standard Diploma students must pass a board-approved “technical education credential” There is a credential component within the required “Personal Finance” class

Selecting Courses for Next Year (and beyond)

Course Options for Freshmen 1. English 9:Honors or Academic 2. World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic 3. Earth Science *: Honors, Academic, or General 4. Math: Follows sequence 5. Health & Physical Education 9 6. Elective – usually a foreign language 7. Elective

Course Levels General – science only Course content and student performance are commensurate with the student’s grade level. Middle school personnel will speak to parents directly if a general-level course is recommended.

Course Levels Academic Course content and expected student performance require additional reading and writing at a rigorous level. Academic is a “college-bound” level.

Course Levels Honors and Pre-Advanced Placement Course content is rapidly paced with additional depth. Lessons are often designed to be complex, abstract, and open-ended.

Course Options for Freshmen 1. English 9:Honors or Academic 2. World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic 3. Earth Science *: Honors, Academic, or General 4. Math: Follows sequence 5. Health & Physical Education 9 6. Elective – usually a foreign language 7. Elective

Math Sequence See Program of Studies, page 33  Algebra 1 >>> Geometry  Geometry >>> Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 w/Trig  Post Algebra 2/Algebra 2 w/Trig: Advanced Functions and Modeling Advanced Algebra/Precalculus Math Analysis

* Freshman Science Earth Science  Honors  Academic  General/Basic Biology  Honors

* Freshman Science Earth Science Honors or Biology Honors  Skipping Earth Science is not recommended by LCPS or BWHS  Biology is a tenth grade course. A small percentage of freshmen opted to take this course  Students who skip freshman Earth Science will miss important science content  Honors Biology has a strong research component; students first learn the research process through Earth Science  AOS students receive Earth Science instruction and take the Earth Science SOL

Electives Available to Freshmen French Spanish German Latin Chinese ASL CADD Tech Ed Applied Tech Computer Info Systems Business & Marketing Creative Writing Theater Arts Technical Theater Journalism Music Theory Music Appreciation Art Guitar Band Strings Color Guard Chorus JROTC (at LCHS) Independent Living Choices Gourmet Foods Human Development Leadership Fashion Design Housing/Interior Design Art/Architecture History

Course Requests Requests for changes should be directed to the middle school until the last day of school, June 13 Between June 13 and June 20, requests for changes should be directed to BWHS. We cannot make changes to course requests after the deadline of June 20, You have 4 months to change your mind!

Reminders A rising freshman course selection worksheet is online The Program of Studies is online Course curriculum information can be found on the LCPS website The middle school counselors and teachers are a great resource when making these decisions

“Lesson in Balance” Challenge the student vs. Overloading the student Finding balance in the students course load If you figure out the formula for this, create an app! You’ll make millions!

“Lesson in Balance” Take the most challenging classes you can handle.

“Lesson in Balance” Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle.

“Lesson in Balance” How much time do you have available to study and do homework?  Do you play sports?  Are you involved in activities? What does your track-record indicate? How committed and disciplined are you?

“Lesson in Balance” Think long-term: It’s easier to improve your schedule each year by taking more challenging classes… than it is to improve a damaged GPA!

Johnny LateStarter Grade 9:Grade 10: English C2EnglishB3 HistoryC2HistoryA4 MathD1MathC2 ScienceD1ScienceB3 HPEB3HPEA4 ElectiveC2ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 1.86 Cumulative GPA = 2.64 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B3EnglishA4 HistoryB3HistoryA4 MathB3MathB3 ScienceB3ScienceB3 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 2.90 Cumulative GPA = 3.12

Sara StudyHard Grade 9:Grade 10: English B3EnglishB3 HistoryB3HistoryA4 MathB3MathC2 ScienceC2ScienceB3 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 3.29 Cumulative GPA = 3.36 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B3EnglishA4 HistoryB3HistoryA4 MathB3MathB3 ScienceB3ScienceB3 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 3.38 Cumulative GPA = 3.46

The Importance of the Freshman Year The difference between a 3.12 GPA and a 3.46 GPA can be the ninth grade year!!! When they apply to college they will use their junior year GPA: 2.90 vs 3.38 The student with the “Slow Start” would have to earn straight A’s in grades 10, 11, and 12 just to equal the student who had a stronger freshman year.

Johnny LateStarter Grade 9:Grade 10: English C2EnglishA4 HistoryC2HistoryA4 MathD1MathA4 ScienceD1ScienceA4 HPEB3HPEA4 ElectiveC2ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 1.86 Cumulative GPA = 2.92 Grade 11:Grade 12: English A4EnglishA4 HistoryA4HistoryA4 MathA4MathA4 ScienceA4ScienceA4 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 3.28 Cumulative GPA = 3.46

Sara StudyHard Grade 9:Grade 10: English A4EnglishA4 HistoryA4HistoryA4 MathA4MathA4 ScienceA4ScienceA4 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 4.00 Grade 11:Grade 12: English A4EnglishA4 HistoryA4HistoryA4 MathA4MathA4 ScienceA4ScienceA4 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 4.00

The Importance of the Freshman Year With a “complete turnaround” vs. straight A’s scenario, the final GPA is a 3.46 vs When they apply to college, they will be using their junior year cumulative GPA: 3.28 vs. 4.00

The Importance of the Freshman Year These examples are not meant to scare you!

“Lesson in Balance” How much time do you have available to study and do homework?  Do you play sports?  Are you involved in activities? What does your track-record indicate? How committed and disciplined are you?

Looking Beyond the Freshman Year Students a not stuck on an honors or academic “track” Student often mix and match honors-level classes They can move “up” or “down” from year-to- year in most subjects (notable exceptions are math and foreign language)

“Lesson in Balance” Don’t forget to consider the student’s interests when determining his/her course load!

Reminder Requests for changes should be directed to the middle school until the last day of school, June 13 Between June 13 and June 20, requests for changes should be directed to BWHS. We cannot make changes to course requests after the deadline of June 20, 2014

After the School Year Begins Elective changes will not be possible Academic level changes  Level change decisions are made case-by-case  Input from a variety of sources will be needed  We may implement level-change windows  A class that is “difficult” for a student is not the same as a class that is “too difficult” for a student!  Changing a level often disrupts the student’s entire schedule!

Agenda Accomplishments and Expectations Rising 9 th Grade Scheduling Process Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements Selecting Courses for Next Year

Upcoming Events April 28: BWHS Activities EXPO (private & homeschool students are welcome! Adult must supervise) May: Athletics meeting for parents  See BWHSports.org for details Special education meeting – date TBA Week before school begins  Freshman Student Orientation  Freshman Parent Meeting First week of school – meeting with freshmen Monitor our website and look for our newsletter!