Scheduling Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen Briar Woods High School

Evening Agenda 6:45 – 7:30 Presentation 7:30 – 8:30 Scheduling Fair in the Cafeteria Core departments Elective departments School Counseling department

This Information is Online! BWHS School Counseling >>> Student Scheduling for 2015-2016 Tonight’s parent presentation – key points will be titled in red Students’ presentation 2015-2016 Program of Studies Rising freshman course selection worksheets LCPS Course Curriculum information

Presentation Agenda Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process Questions? School counseling table Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements Selecting Courses for Next Year Questions? Department tables

Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

Current LCPS Middle School students We will visit both middle schools on February 10 & 11, and walk students through their course selections class-by-class. The middle school will send home your student’s course selections for your review You will have until June 19, 2015 to make changes Each middle school will have additional actions or activities

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 & a passing grade Translation: Pass the class, get a credit Verified Units of Credit – Standard unit of credit plus passing the end-of-course SOL associated with that class Translation: Pass the class and SOL, get a verified credit

Standard Diploma Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Studies 3 1 Mathematics Science Health/Physical Education Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or Career & Technical Education Economics and Personal Finance Electives Student Selected Verified Credit Total 22 6

Advanced Studies Diploma Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Studies Mathematics Science Foreign Language 3-4 Health/Physical Education Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1 Economics and Personal Finance Electives 3 Student Selected Verified Credit Total 26 9

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

The four most emotional topics… Politics Religion Should my child take Honors or Academic classes? The difference between Earth Science and Biology?

Course Options for Freshmen Please relax!!! You have until June 19th to make your final decision!!!

Course Options for Freshmen English 9: Honors or Academic World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic Earth Science *: Research (Honors) or Academic Math: Follows sequence Health & Physical Education 9 Elective – usually a foreign language Elective

Academic is a “college-bound” level. 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 Course content is rapidly paced with additional depth. Lessons are often designed to be complex, abstract, and open-ended.

Course Options for Freshmen English 9: Honors or Academic World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic Earth Science *: Research (Honors), Academic Math: Follows sequence Health & Physical Education 9 Elective – usually a foreign language Elective

Math Sequence See Program of Studies, page 30 Algebra 1 >>> Geometry Geometry >>> Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 w/Trig Algebra 2 w/Trig is for the “easy straight A” math student! Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 w/Trig >>> Advanced Functions and Modeling Advanced Algebra/Precalculus Math Analysis

* Freshman Science Earth Science – 9th grade course Research/Honors Academic Biology – 10th grade course Academic is not available for freshmen

* Freshman Science Earth Science Honors or Biology Honors Most freshmen take Earth Science, 72%. Skipping Earth Science is not recommended by LCPS/BWHS. Students who skip freshman Earth Science will miss important science content – perhaps the most important science content an involved citizen should have Students have not had the same level of exposure to this subject in middle school Academy of Science students receive Earth Science instruction and take the Earth Science SOL Honors Research Biology has a strong research component; students first learn the research process through Honors Research Earth Science Students who skip Earth Science may be able to go “higher” in science with less concessions (assuming they want to; and assuming they have the math to do so)

LCPS Science Courses SUBJECT GRADE LEVEL PREREQUISITES Earth Science 9-10 None Biology Chemistry 10-12 Algebra 1; Algebra 2 recommended Physics 11-12 Algebra 2 Conceptual Physics Algebra 1 Environmental Science Two science classes AP Biology Biology & Co-requisite of Chemistry AP Environmental Science Earth Science & Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics Physics & Co-requisite of Calculus DE Independent Science Research (GMU) DE Geospatial Science I (JMU) NOT FOR SCIENCE CREDIT DE Geospatial Science 2 (JMU) 12

Science, continued Talk with your child about what science classes they may be interested in – next year, and beyond Use the plan of studies worksheet/four-year plan (found on our website) to estimate when your child might want to take those classes – the middle schools will also do this with your child Where will their math be? Math is a prerequisite for some science classes Talk to our science representatives tonight

Plan of Studies/Four-Year Plan

Work Load, freshman survey English 9 Academic = 1 hour 29 minutes/week English 9 Honors = 2 hours 40 minutes/week Earth Science Academic = 1 hour 32 minutes/week Research Earth Science Honors = 2 hours 32 minutes/week Research Biology Honors = 2 hours 40 minutes/week World History Academic = 2 hours 10 minutes/week PreAP World History = 3 hours 23 minutes/week Algebra 1, Geometry & Algebra 2 = 1 hour 48 minutes/week Algebra 2 w Trig = 2 hours 18 minutes/week Foreign Language = 1 hour 21 minutes/week

Work Load, freshman survey All Academic = 8+ hours of work outside of school All Honors = 12+ hours of work outside of school

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

Reminders A rising freshman course selection worksheet is online A plan of studies worksheet is online The 2015-2016 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

Course Options for Freshmen One more time… Please relax!!! 3-4 honors/academic decisions in 3-4 months! English, science, social studies; maybe math You have until June 19th to make your final decision!!!

“Lesson in Balance” The Goal: Challenge the student vs. Overloading the student If you figure out the formula for this, create an app! You’ll make millions!

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

Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably 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 – both in or outside of school? What does your track-record indicate? Do you complete your work with little prompting? How committed and disciplined are you? What are mom and dad prepared for?

than it is to improve a low GPA! “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 low GPA!

Johnny LateStarter Grade 9: Grade 10: English C 2 English B 3 History C 2 History A 4 Math D 1 Math C 2 Science D 1 Science B 3 HPE B 3 HPE A 4 Elective C 2 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 1.86 Cumulative GPA = 2.64 Grade 11: Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 2.90 Cumulative GPA = 3.12

Sara StudyHard Grade 9: Grade 10: English B 3 English B 3 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math C 2 Science C 2 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.29 Cumulative GPA = 3.36 Grade 11: Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 Science B 3 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.

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

Looking Beyond the Freshman Year Student often mix and match honors-level classes Students are not stuck on an honors or academic “track” 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 courses and overall course load!

Course Options for Freshmen OK… and one more time… Please relax!!! 3-4 decisions in 3-4 months! English, science, social studies; maybe math You have until June 19th to make your final decision!!!

About that deadline While you do have until June 19th…. We cannot make changes to course requests after the deadline of June 19, 2015.

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 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! Changing a level is often not possible! Class space is finite!

Agenda Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process Questions? School counseling table Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements Selecting Courses for Next Year Questions? Department tables – ask the experts!!!

Upcoming Events March 27: 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 – meet the principal First week of school – meeting with freshmen Monitor our website and look for our newsletter!

Have Fun at the Scheduling Fair!