8 th Grade Course Selection Welcome to Melrose High School!

High School Staff Assistant Principals Mr. Fogarty Mr. Fogarty Mr. Merrill Mr. Merrill Guidance Counselors Mr. Bolduc Mr. Bolduc Ms. LoGrasso Ms. LoGrasso Mr. Parrillo Mr. Parrillo Ms. Shackelford Ms. Shackelford Mr. Buxton Mr. Buxton

Welcome to High School High school is a time of learning, growth, fun, and more responsibility High school is a time of learning, growth, fun, and more responsibility High school is a HUGE step toward becoming an adult High school is a HUGE step toward becoming an adult Teachers and Counselors want to help you reach your individual goals and be successful Teachers and Counselors want to help you reach your individual goals and be successful

High School Graduation Requirements 4 Years of English 4 Years of English 4 Years of Math 4 Years of Math 4 Years of Science and Technology 4 Years of Science and Technology 3 Years of Social Studies 3 Years of Social Studies 2 Years of Foreign Language 2 Years of Foreign Language 4 Years of Health/Wellness 4 Years of Health/Wellness 2 Years of Fine/Applied Arts 2 Years of Fine/Applied Arts 24 credits total minimum 24 credits total minimum Pass MCAS ELA, Math, and Science Pass MCAS ELA, Math, and Science 48 hours of community service 48 hours of community service

Criteria for Teacher Recommendations Each department has their own criteria Each department has their own criteria Objective criteria are used as well as your effort and homework habits Objective criteria are used as well as your effort and homework habits Your teachers will recommend you for Honors or College Prep based on guidelines for each department Your teachers will recommend you for Honors or College Prep based on guidelines for each department Teacher recommendations for English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Global Language will be made online in Aspen in early April Teacher recommendations for English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Global Language will be made online in Aspen in early April We want you to be successful We want you to be successful

AP courses for 9 th grade AP Biology AP Biology AP European History AP European History AP or Advanced Placement courses are college level courses AP or Advanced Placement courses are college level courses Speak to your teacher and your parents if interested Speak to your teacher and your parents if interested These are difficult courses with a significant amount of homework and reading These are difficult courses with a significant amount of homework and reading Big commitment Big commitment

Pathways at MHS “Pathways” are courses that you take in specific areas that focus on skills you will need for college and your career “Pathways” are courses that you take in specific areas that focus on skills you will need for college and your career Pathways help you further develop areas of interest that you might study in college Pathways help you further develop areas of interest that you might study in college Specific requirements for each including projects and internships Specific requirements for each including projects and internships Pathways are described in detail in the Program of Studies available at Pathways are described in detail in the Program of Studies available at

Pathways at MHS Five optional “pathways” of study at MHS Five optional “pathways” of study at MHS Global Education in Melrose (GEM) Global Education in Melrose (GEM) Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Business Pathway Business Pathway Fine Arts Pathway Fine Arts Pathway Humanities Pathway Humanities Pathway

Program of Studies Contains course descriptions of each course offered in the high school, and pathways Contains course descriptions of each course offered in the high school, and pathways Contains information on graduation requirements Contains information on graduation requirements Also available online at under high school link, go to “our school” Also available online at under high school link, go to “our school”

9 th Grade Electives for See Elective Sheet See Elective Sheet

Global Language If you are taking a language now, your 8 th grade teacher will most likely recommend that you continue in the same language If you are taking a language now, your 8 th grade teacher will most likely recommend that you continue in the same language If you have not taken a language, you will sign up for the first year of a language, and will still need another elective. The choices for first year languages are Spanish 1, French 1, and Latin 1. If you have not taken a language, you will sign up for the first year of a language, and will still need another elective. The choices for first year languages are Spanish 1, French 1, and Latin 1. You can sign up for a second global language as your elective, but students that have never taken a global language are given top priority. You can sign up for a second global language as your elective, but students that have never taken a global language are given top priority.

Department Chairs Mrs. Singer – English Mrs. Singer – English Ms. Cardella – Math Ms. Cardella – Math Ms. Shea – Science Ms. Shea – Science Mr. Corrigan – Social Studies Mr. Corrigan – Social Studies Ms. Talbot – Foreign Language Ms. Talbot – Foreign Language Ms. DiFruscia – Fine and Performing Arts Ms. DiFruscia – Fine and Performing Arts Ms. Ruggiero – Health and Wellness Ms. Ruggiero – Health and Wellness Ms. Berman – Special Education Ms. Berman – Special Education

Questions? Contact the high school guidance office at , or you can ask the 8 th grade counselor Mr. Bolduc. Contact the high school guidance office at , or you can ask the 8 th grade counselor Mr. Bolduc.