PARENT WORKSHOP Academic Planning

Agenda Role of School Counselor 6-year plans Courses available in middle school High school diploma requirements and courses available in high school Special programs available in high school Transcripts and grades Naviance/Family Connection Questions/comments

Role of school counselors School counselors: Deliver a comprehensive school counseling program to the students whom we serve, that is proactive, research-based and evaluated for effectiveness Support students in the areas of academic achievement, career development, and social/emotional development, ensuring that students become productive, well-adjusted and successful adults Consult, collaborate and coordinate with teachers, parents, staff, and the community to create an optimal learning environment for all students

What are six year plans? What is the purpose of a six year plan? Helps you understand requirements for graduation from high school Helps you understand Standard of Learning (SOL) Testing and different diploma options Helps you understand what course options are available Provides you with a roadmap for the next six years

Academic Planning Sessions School counselor discusses available course options, career interests, current achievement levels, credits earned and needed, rigorous courses of study, post- secondary plans and available academic supports Each year in middle school, counselors meet with students in classroom groups to complete the academic plan form Students meet individually with their high school counselor to review the academic plan annually Parents are invited to contact the counselor at all grade levels for individual academic plan meetings Academic planning forms are mailed home each year

6 th Grade English Reading American Studies Science Math Physical Education Elective

7 th Grade English American Studies Life Science Math Physical Education Foreign Language, Math or Elective Elective

8 th Grade English World Geography Physical Science Math Physical Education Foreign Language or Elective Reading, Math or Elective

Academic Plan 6

Middle School Math Pathway

High School credit classes available in Middle School World Languages- Levels I and II  Spanish, French, Latin, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish for Fluent Speakers Mathematics  Algebra I, Algebra I Intensified, Geometry Intensified World Geography (all 8 th graders take) Students can earn up to 5 high school credit classes while in middle school! Parents have the option to waive credits taken in middle school from the high school transcript. This removes the credit and grade.

High School Graduation Types of DiplomasSOL Requirements Standard-22 credits 6 Verified Credits Advanced- 26 credits 9 Verified International Baccalaureate Special Diploma/Certificate for students who do not participate in SOL assessments

Standard Diploma Requirements

Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements

SOL Courses English 11 (must pass both Reading and Writing ) Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Earth Science Biology Chemistry World Geography World History Modern World History Ancient US History

9 th Grade English World History: Modern Biology Algebra,Geometry, Alg II Physical Education Foreign Language or Elective Elective

10 th Grade English World History: Ancient (or elective) Earth/Space Science Geometry, Algebra 2, or Pre-Calc Physical Education Foreign Language or Elective Elective

11 th and 12 th grade classes 11 th Grade12 th GradeEnglish U.S. & V.A. HistoryU.S. & V.A. Government Chemistry (or science)Physics (or science) Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, or Math Analysis Math Analysis, Pre-Calc, or Calc Foreign Language or Elective ElectiveElective

Academic Plan 9

High School Math Pathway 6

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB Diploma)  The IB Diploma is an internationally recognized program of studies available at Washington-Lee High School.  This diploma can serve as an academic passport to universities around the world.  Students who earn an IB diploma are also considered to have met the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma.  Students who wish to participate in W-L’s Pre-IB program must submit a Pre-IB application during the Fall of their 8 th grade.  Prerequisites for W-L Pre-IB for 9 th and 10 th graders:  Algebra I or greater in 8th grade or Geometry or greater in 9th grade  Spanish II, French II, Arabic II, Chinese II or Latin I in 8th grade (Latin II for rising 7 th graders)  Strong grades (A’s and B’s) in all subjects

Opportunities for Students to earn college credits in high school IB program at Washington-Lee AP program at all high schools  AP Scholars at Yorktown  AP Network at Wakefield Dual enrollment at all high schools/partnership with NOVA Certain career center classes

Career Center CosmetologyCulinary Arts EMTAuto Mechanics Animal ScienceAuto Body Repair Early Childhood Ed.Technical Drawing TV ProductionElectronics CarpentryBanking Forensic ScienceCommercial Art Air Force ROTCPhotography

Academic Planning Roadmap, available on APS website

Grades are Important! All of your grades are recorded on your high school transcript. A transcript is like a report card that includes all the grades you received for the high school level classes you took and your overall GPA or Grade Point Average Colleges look at your GPA to determine admission into to their school and financial assistance in post secondary education

GPA Stands for Grade Point Average It is your overall average grade of all your classes It is based on a 4.0 scale 4.0= A 3.0= B 2.0= C 1.0=D You have the opportunity to improve your GPA every quarter and every year The closer to 4.0 that you have, the better your GPA

Naviance/Family Connection Students begin to use Naviance, a career and college planning tool, in 6 th grade Throughout middle school, students take strengths assessments, learning style inventories, and career interest inventories to assist them in career exploration Naviance is used at the high school level as a college search as well as career exploration tool The Naviance website link is available on Kenmore’s homepage

Questions? Comments? Reminders:  Visit the Kenmore counseling department website, with links to the APS academic planning website and Naviance/Family Connection, and this PowerPoint presentation  You are invited to schedule an academic planning session with your child’s school counselor  Course Information Night at Kenmore will be held Wednesday, February 4 th at 7pm. Come out to learn about the course scheduling process for next year. High school course information nights are as follows:  Yorktown 9th Grade Parent Info Night, January 8th at 7 p.m.  Wakefield 9th grade Parent Info Night, January 22nd at 7 p.m.  W-L 9th Grade Parent Info Night, January 28th at 7 p.m.  Career Center Open House Saturday, January 10 th, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Thank you for coming out and have a great holiday season!