2016 Scheduling Freedom High School Counseling Office

Objectives to Discuss  Credits for Graduation  9th, 10th, 11th grade  SOL’s for Graduation  Course Catalog  Requirements  Process for Scheduling  English Classes in Feb & March  Online Parent Portal  Teacher Recommendations  Student/Parent Selection  Counselor Finalization

Credits for Graduation Class of 2015 and beyond Advanced DiplomaStandard Diploma English 44 Math 43 Science 43 Social Studies 43 Health and PE 22 Fine Art or CTE Foreign Lang 1 3 or ( 2 or 2) 2 of any with 1 in Fine Arts or CTE Electives 3 4 (including Sequential) Economics & Personal Finance 11 Total 2622

SOLs for Graduation Advanced Diploma Standard Diploma English ( Reading & Writing) 22 Math (Alg 1, Geom, Alg II) 21 Science ( Earth Sci, Bio, Chem) 21 Social Studies (Wld Hist I, Wld Hist II, UsVa Hist) 21 Additional Test or Certification 11 Total 96

Credits for Promotion  To be in 10 th grade = 5 standard credits (three in required courses)  To be in 11 th grade = 11 standard credits (six in required courses)  To be in 12 th grade = 16 standard credits (nine in required courses)

Course Catalog  The Course Catalog  Online – See your counselor if you do not have internet access  Can be accessed from the student tab on the PWCS website  Will help with selection of student course work  Contains helpful information about specialty programs  Contains information about Graduation Requirements

High School Specialty Programs FHS currently hosts the following specialty programs:  The Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences  HVAC Program All specialty programs and special concentrations:  Require applications with strict deadlines  Most require transfer to another school  Research online in the course selection book (check the table of contents), and the Counseling Office

Advanced Placement and Pre-AP Courses Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Diploma and Cambridge AICE Courses Certain courses have been designated as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Courses (AICE). These courses are externally moderated and exceed the expectations of grade-level objectives for a specific subject. Students taking these courses will have a plus sign (+) beside the course title listed on the student’s report card and on the student transcript. These courses will receive weighted credit.

Programs offered at other High Schools Welding – Potomac Senior High School* Auto Technology – Hylton High School* TV Production – Hylton High School* Practical Nursing – Osbourn Park High School Culinary Arts – Potomac Senior High School Cosmetology – Woodbridge HS Ask your counselor how to apply!! *Indicates that you must transfer to the school to take these courses.

Recommendation Process Teacher Recommendations in Student Management System Parent & Student Recommendations in Parent Portal Meet with Counselor to schedule from teacher recommendations Students, Parents and Teachers can re-evaluate non-recommended courses

Parent Portal Scheduling  Teachers will begin meeting with students in January about recommendations and will add those to Parent Portal by January 31st.  Students will have access to view these recommendations and make additional course selections beginning February2 nd until February 8 th at 11:59pm.  It is important for you to be sure you are able to access parent portal in order to make course selections.  Please make sure your parents know they will not be able to see your teacher recommendations or course selections on a Parent account – sit down with your parents to make selections in your student account  See the handout provided for additional directions. The handout will also be made available online on the counseling website.

Requirements  Grade Level  Students must be at the appropriate grade level for certain classes  Pre-Requisite  Students must have taken and successfully passed the Pre-requisite for certain classes  Minimum Grades  Students must have minimum grades to be eligible to take certain classes

Steps for choosing classes: Understand the diploma requirements for graduation. Know what classes are offered at FHS (#10 in the Course Catalog). Check the prerequisites for required and elective courses. Gather information from teachers, the Course Catalog (found online), parents, your counselor, other students, and college entrance requirements on websites. Know the 7 classes you want to take next year. Match your class requests with your after high school plans and dreams. Choose three alternate electives that you would be happy with. (A total of 7 first choice and 3 alternate classes – Prioritize!) Meet with your counselor to check your academic progress, teacher recommendations, and to finalize your Official Course Request Form.

CENS Students: Be sure to review the CENS course selections so you may obtain the CENS degree of your choice. This form is included in the handouts you are receiving today.

Scheduling Process Time Line  January  Students can access the online course catalog  Students will view a scheduling presentation in Advisory and receive a handout on how to enter course requests online  Teachers are given the opportunity to give class recommendations on Parent Portal and meet with students on January 26 th and 27 th to discuss their recommendations  February  Students select classes on Parent Portal (February 2nd – February 8th)  CENS and other specialty program applications due (Feb 1 st ), check for March deadlines for transport programs  Counselors meet with students through English classes and finalize course selection starting Feb 10 th – March 18 th

Scheduling Process Time Line  March  Students return signed schedules with any change requests ( Do this as soon as possible to the end of March as many classes fill up and close so you may not be able to make a change later.)  Students return course applications where applicable  April & May  Students have to opportunity to meet with their counselors to make final changes to course selections until May 15 th. Only NO CLASS requests for seniors will be considered after May 15 th.  June  Students will be placed in alternative courses for classes that did not meet minimum enrollments  July  The master schedule will be developed  August  Students will be contacted regarding scheduling conflicts

No Schedule Change Policy  Make sure to choose your courses wisely because there will be no schedule change requests accepted after May 15th.  You will NOT be able to change your schedule when you return to school in September.

Questions  Questions on scheduling should be addressed to your school counselor  A-Dia – Mr. Rolong  Dib-K – Mr. Yeboah  L-Rer – Mrs. Dykes  Res-Z – Ms. Johnson  9 th A-K – Ms. Jessup  9 th L-Z – Mr. Nerenberg