Welcome AMS Parents ! Rising 9 th Grade Parent Night Class of 2013

Goals of Parent Night To learn about the new Future Ready Core high school graduation requirements To understand courses your student must take to meet the new graduation requirements To better understand the rigor of high school To lessen the stress and anxiety of high school transition time

The Block Schedule The block schedule pace is fast. Each block is 450 minutes/week! 4 classes per semester – 90 minutes each 1 st Quarter + 2 nd Quarter = Semester 1 3 rd Quarter + 4 th Quarter = Semester 2

Future Ready Core! "The Future-Ready Core will help ensure that students graduate with the academic foundation they need for success in the global economy"

Math – 4 Credits Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry 4 th Math Course to be aligned with the student's post high school plans (Advanced Functions, Calculus, Discrete Math, Math Analysis, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB & BC, etc.) In the rare instance a student is unable to complete the math requirements, upon principal approval they may be exempt.

English – 4 Credits English I, II, III, & IV

Science – 3 Credits Biology Earth/Environmental Science Physical Science (Chemistry, Physics, etc.)

Social Studies – 3 Credits World History Civics and Economics U.S. History

Health and Physical Education – 1 Credit We highly recommend it be completed during freshman year!

Foreign Language Not required for high school graduation, but 2 credits (minimum) required for admission to the UNC system. Foreign Language is generally not recommended for 9 th graders unless taking Honors English!  Levels I and II are taken the same year  Language course offerings vary from school to school

Electives – 6 Credits 2 elective credits of any combination from either Career and Technical Education, Arts Education, Second Languages. Four elective credits strongly recommended from one of the following: Career and Technical Education, JROTC, Arts Education, and any other subject area (Math, Science, Social Studies, English.)

Career and Technical Education Students are encouraged to use four elective credits to concentrate in an area of special interest. To qualify as a CTE Concentrator for graduation, students must earn four credits within one of the career clusters.

Career Clusters Agriculture Education Business and Information Technology Education Career Development Education Family & Consumer Sciences Education Health Occupations Education Marketing Education Technology Education Trade & Industrial Education  (State Career Cluster list – not all schools have each cluster.)

Computer Skills No requirement, although students must score proficient on the Computer Skills test.

TOTAL = 26 CREDITS to graduate from a Wake County High School (other counties/magnet school options may be different)

End Of Course Tests EOC tests are required for:  Algebra 1  Biology  Civics and Economics  English 1  U.S. History EOC’s count as 25% of the final course grade! Students MUST PASS the Computer Skills test (most students at AMS have taken and shown proficiency on the test.)

Sample Course Selections for 9 th Graders English 1 Math Science Social Studies Healthful Living Additional Course (Elective*)  Many students choose an additional math in place of an elective. Students do not get to select which courses they get each semester. Students could get 3 honors classes in the same semester.

Sample Schedule Semester 1 English I Honors World History Honors Earth Science Algebra I Plus Semester 2 Healthful Living Computer Apps I Algebra II Interior Design

OR…You take all Honors Courses and begin a Foreign Language… Semester 1 English I Honors W History Honors Biology Honors Spanish I Semester 2 Healthful Living Computer Apps I Geometry Honors Spanish II

Thoughts to Ponder Recommendations for core classes are made by current teachers for 9th grade. Think carefully about high school activities and how much time they will take (band, athletics, drama, etc.) Ask yourself—would I have time to do all of this? Your student WILL HAVE HOMEWORK MOST NIGHTS!

SPAN Students can register for high school courses through SPAN at home. All students must have two printed out copies of their high school course selection, signed, and returned to their homeroom teacher by Friday, March 20 th. Ms. Taylor & Mrs. Everitt will be available from 2:30 - 3:30pm each day during the week of March 16 th – 20 th to help students/parents with SPAN registration in the computer lab.

Registering on SPAN You have received detailed instructions (handout) and they are also available on the AMS 8 th Grade Information Page. Students will select 8 primary (1st choice) credit courses AND 3 alternate elective (2nd choice) credit courses. Choose CAREFULLY because many 9th graders will have alternates in their final schedule.

AMS HS Registration Timeline High School Registration & Four Year Plans February 16th - 20th, 2009  16th - Pirates  17th - Seahawks  19th - Spartans  20th - Mountaineers High School Registration through SPAN at AMS March 16th-20th, 2009 PRINTED & SIGNED Course Selection Confirmation page DUE! March 20th – Students give signed confirmation page to their Homeroom teacher.

CFNC – The College Foundation of North Carolina Numerous resources for high school/college planning.

College Planning? In Middle School? College Admission Offices pay careful attention to the following:  Grade Point Average (GPA)  Difficulty of course load  SAT/ACT scores  Attendance/Behavior  Class rank  HS and community activities, involvement  Recommendations IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PLANNING!

Get Involved! Band Chess Club Chorus DECA Drama Environmental Club FBLA French Club Game Club German Club GSA Key Club Latin Club Robotics Science Club Step Team Student Council Yearbook *Samples – not at each school!

Attendance Wake County policy dictates that a student absent for more than 10 days in a semester class or 20 days in a yearlong class can be assigned a grade of FF indicating failure due to excessive absences. This includes both excused and unexcused absences. 2 absences in a block scheduled class is like missing 4 days of learning.

DWFHS (Driving while Failing High School) Students must pass 70% of courses (3 out of 4 on a block schedule) to be able to obtain or maintain their drivers license!

GPA & Quality Points Grade Standard HonorsAP Courses A B C D F 0 0 0

Example – Junior Year COURSE GRADEQUALITY PTS. AP English III B5 Honors Algebra II A5 Honors Chemistry B4 US HistoryA4 French IA4 French IIB3 ChorusA4 PhotographyA 4 8 attempted credits 33 QT. PT GPA 33 divided by 8 = 4.125

Example… 9 th Grade Course Grade QP Honors English ID2 Algebra I D 1 Earth ScienceF0 World History D1 Healthful LivingF0 Speech C2 Computer AppC2 Teen LivingF0 TOTAL8 10 th Grade Course Grade QP English II C2 Geometry B 3 Honors Biology A5 Econ/Civics C2 HPEA4 Chorus A4 Theater Arts I C2 Computer App IIA4 TOTAL 26

Example con’t… YEARCREDITS ATTEMPTEDPOINTS 9 th th th 8 23 TOTAL DIVIDED BY 24 = 2.79 GPA

Let’s Fix 9 th Grade… Turn Freshman Grades to Sophomore Grades  = 26  = 83 83/24 = 3.46

Taylor’s Transition Survival Tips Be interested and enthusiastic about their move to high school. Don’t plan family vacations during the school year! Make sure your child keeps their mind engaged during the summer. Take your child to a college over the summer to visit.

Con’t… When in doubt, ask! We have probably heard it before! Bookmark both AMS and your student’s high school’s homepage. Know important dates. Teach your child how to advocate for themselves – only get involved when necessary (but always check their SPAN!)

Remember… Day One Counts (You have 210 days to get ready!)

Open House Dates TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS Apex High – March 2 nd, 7:00pm Cary High – Feb. 19 th, 6:00pm Green Hope High – March 3 rd, 6:30pm Holly Springs High – Feb. 26 th, 7:00pm Panther Creek High – Feb. 26 th, 7:00pm MAGNET SCHOOLS Wake Early College – January 5 th, 6:00pm Enloe – Feb. 3 rd, 6:00pm Garner – Feb. 4 th, 6:30pm Southeast Raleigh – Feb. 5 th, 6:30pm

Magnet Schools Magnet applications available online starting February 9, The application period ends February 28, Magnet applications will only be accepted online. CRITERIA  Was the application on-time? (see above)  Transportation patterns  Siblings  School capacity  Classroom capacity  Diversity  Present magnet/year-round status of applicant

THANK YOU! Questions? Comments? Julia Taylor –