Ninth Grade Orientation Welcome to Solon High School Solon High School Counseling Department Mrs. Wendy DingmanA-De Mr. Rick NowakDf-Ho Mrs. Ann TrocchioHp-Mc Mrs. Kathleen KinneyMd-See Mrs. Anne Johns, DirectorSef-Z Mrs. Laura Gordon Secretary Solon High School Guidance Webpage

SHS PROFILE Ranked #1 in Northeast Ohio School of Distinction- Ohio Department of Education 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 ACT Red Quill Award 2012 ACT Red Quill Legacy Award National Blue Ribbon School

SHS Enrollment and Data Size of Class of Four-year College & Two-Year College 95% Business, Technical School, Military, or Work 5% Minority Population 35%

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS CLASS OF Finalists16 - Commended 21 - National Achievement 2 CLASS OF Semi-Finalists23 - Commended24

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS

ACT RESULTS Composite Scores National Average21.0 SHS Class of SHS Top 10% 34.2

SAT RESULTS Verbal + Math National Average1010 SHS Class of Top 10%

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM In 2015, 733 students took 1,707 exams. Score Distribution: - Score of 5: Score of 4: Score of 3: 356

Requirements for all students Complete 21 course credits Take seven required state tests Earn diploma through one of three options

Our District’s Course Requirements Units Required English Language Arts4 Units Mathematics4 Units Science3 Units Social Studies3 Units Health.5 Units Physical Education.5 Units Fine Arts1 Units Electives5 Units Complete 21 course credits

1.English I (9) 2.English II (10) 3.Algebra 1 4.Geometry 5.Biology 6.American History 7.American Government Class of 2020 Take seven required state tests

All students must take all seven tests

18 points on state tests College readiness score on national test Industry certification and a work- readiness score on WorkKeys Three Graduation Options

Option: 18 points on state tests

Performance Level Graduation Points Advanced 5 Accelerated 4 Proficient 3 Basic 2 Limited 1

Earn at least four points in English tests Earn at least four points in math tests Earn at least six points in science and social tests

Option: College readiness score on a national admission test

Option: Earn industry certification and a work-readiness score on WorkKeys

SHS Counselors are here to help!

SHS Counselors Guiding Students 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Aspire Testing PSAT Practice Testing AP Exams State Testing PSAT Practice Testing AP Exams State Testing PSAT ACT SAT AP Exams State Testing ACT SAT AP Exams State Testing Meet with students monthly in the Freshman Mentoring Program and register all 9th graders on Naviance Assist students in updating resume and four-year plan on Naviance Assist students in completing resume and continuing career and college planning Implement the college and post-SHS planning process with resources, applications, essays, and scholarship info Meet with each 9 th grader to create four-year plan and discuss long-term plans Meet with each 10 th grader to provide information about voc/tech programs and discuss career plans Meet with each 11 th grader to review post- SHS plans including college and career planning Meet with each 12 th grader to finalize post- SHS plans

College Entrance Recommendations (Minimum) 4 years of English 4 years of Math (including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry) years of Science (including Biology, Chemistry, Physics) years of Social Studies years of World Language 1 year of fine, applied or performing arts

Honors Diploma Need SEVEN of these Eight Criteria 4 credits of English 4 credits of Math (Alg I, II, Geom and higher) 4 credits of Science (including Chemistry and Physics) 4 credits of Social Studies 3 credits of World Language OR 2 credits each of two World Languages 1 credit of Fine Arts 3.5 GPA on 4.0 scale (through the end of senior year) 27 ACT OR 1210 SAT (SAT combined CR/M scores)

Honors & AP Courses SHS offers eight honors courses and twenty-four Advanced Placement courses. Honors courses available to ninth graders include Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry and Honors Biology. AP World History is also offered for ninth graders. Ninth grade recommendations are made by eighth grade teachers. Contact SMS teachers for questions about recommendations.

Academic Supports Solon High School is proud to offer academic supports and interventions to all students in need of assistance: Classroom-based interventions Peer tutoring Academic Labs/Resource Center After School Study Center Before/after school support from student’s teachers Academic coaching by counselors/administrators Best Instructional Practices What do we expect all students to learn? How do we know if they have learned it? How do we respond when they are NOT learning?

GRADES AND GRADE REPORTS 1. Student report cards are distributed each nine weeks reporting the record of achievement for the student during that nine-week period of time only. (Grade Viewer same as SMS to monitor grades.) 2. The nine-week grade is expressed in terms of a letter grade for the purpose of figuring and reporting a semester or yearly grade. 3. The SHS grading scale is as follows: A = 90 – 100% B = 80 – 89% C = 70 – 79% D = 60 – 69% F = 0 – 59%

WEIGHTED GRADES GRADES FOR COURSES ARE WEIGHTED AT TWO LEVELS: REGULAR COURSE WEIGHT ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSE WEIGHT HONOR COURSE WEIGHT A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0 A = 4.5 B = C = 2.25 D = 1.0 F = 0 A = 5.0 B = 3.75 C = 2.5 D = 1.0 F = 0 Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam for each course in May. Many colleges award college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores upon college enrollment.

Athletic Eligibility for Incoming Ninth Graders  Bylaw 4-4-4: A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of five of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled.  Bylaw 4-4-7: Summer school and other educational options may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic standards specified in Bylaw 4 during the last grading period of the school year.

EXAMPLE OF DETERMINING ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY GRADES 9-12 Passing grades must have been earned in a minimum of five one- credit courses, or equivalent, in the grading period immediately preceding the sport. PE classes do not count toward eligibility. SubjectGradeCredit &DurationFactorCredits English 9A1.00YEAR11.00 Spanish 1C1.00YEAR11.00 P.E.P0.50YEAR00.00 Algebra 1B1.00YEAR11.00 World HistB1.00YEAR11.00 BandA1.00YEAR11.00 ScienceA1.00YEAR11.00 Total Credit = eligible for athletics *Must carry at least 5 classes both semesters.

Excel TECC Programs Arts and Communications : Digital Arts and Technology, Performing Arts Academy, Studio Art and Design Business and Administration : Business Academy, Culinary Arts, Travel, Tourism and Hotel Management Construction Technologies : Construction Trades, Production Welding, Welding Education and Training : TEACH – Teacher Education and Children’s Health Engineering/Transportation : Auto Collision, Auto Service, CADD Engineering Technology Environmental & Agricultural : Floriculture and Gardening Operations, Landscape and Turf Operations Health Sciences : Allied Health, Health Informatics, Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Medical Assisting, Medical Technologies Human Services : Cosmetology, Fire/EMS Academy Information Technology : Interactive Media, Information Technology and Programming

Resume Plans after high school Academic achievements School activities/clubs Athletics Music/Art/Drama Volunteer experience Work experience Talents, skills, interests Career exploration: Job shadowing, internships Visit and click on Naviance, our college/career planning website. Students create an account in ninth grade to use all four years for information and guidance regarding resume building, course planning, ACT/SAT/AP testing, summer enrichment programs, college planning/research, college application status, financial aid, and more.

EXAMPLE #1EXAMPLE #2EXAMPLE #3EXAMPLE #4EXAMPLE #5 English 9 CPEnglish 9 CPEnglish 9 HonorsEnglish 9 CPEnglish 9 Honors BiologyBiology Honors BiologyBiologyBiology Algebra IPre Algebra &Honors GeometryAlgebra IHonors Algebra II World HistoryAlgebra I blockAP World HistoryWorld HistoryWorld History Physical EducationWorld History Physical EducationPhysical EducationPhysical Ed Spanish 2Physical EducationBand or ChoirSpanish ISpanish 2 Study HallStudy Hall (Interv)French 2Study Hall/ElectiveStudy Hall 9 th Grade Course Planning There are seven periods in the school day. Ninth graders take at least FIVE classes each semester and often Physical Education. Students must pass five classes for athletic eligibility ( excluding Phys Ed ). Ninth grade courses: English, Math, Science, World History, Phys Ed, Elective(s) Study Hall is recommended for ninth graders. Course recommendations from SMS have been mailed to parents.

Enter the hours you plan to spend on each activity to determine how much of a course load you may be able to realistically manage.

How important are course selections for future college planning? Colleges consider grades, test scores, course selections, activities, essays, recommendation letters, and more.  Students should choose courses that fit their academic goals and interests.  Students should follow teacher recommendations, but also consider time management, and aim for a healthy balance.  Students do NOT have to take honors or AP courses to be admitted to colleges and universities. Finding the right individual academic balance is most important.

What if my child is NOT recommended for a course he/she wants to take?  If you should decide to take a non- recommended course, you must complete the Scheduling Risk Form (available online at or in SMS Guidance Office).  The form states that if the student chooses to drop this course during the school year, it will be noted on the transcript as a WF (Withdraw Failing).

What if my child can’t fit Physical Education on his/her schedule?  Students may take the two semester Physical Education classes at any time during their four years at SHS.  Students may choose zero period Physical Education which adds a class period to the day.

What if my child can’t fit a study hall on his/her schedule? If a student does not have a study hall, there are still many ways to get support.  Student makes appointment to meet with teacher before or after school.  Student requests peer tutor.  Student attends After-School Study Center which is open Mon-Thr 3:15-4:00 and staffed by teachers.

Where can I find more information or answers to my specific questions?  For questions about class recommendations contact SMS teachers.  For general questions about courses, requirements, and academic programming see the Program of Studies booklet, which is also available online.  For any questions about the high school, contact your student’s high school counselor via or phone.

Ninth Grade Orientation Welcome to Solon High School Solon High School Counseling Department Mrs. Wendy DingmanA-De Mr. Rick NowakDf-Ho Mrs. Ann TrocchioHp-Mc Mrs. Kathleen KinneyMd-See Mrs. Anne Johns, DirectorSef-Z Mrs. Laura GordonSecretary Solon High School Guidance Webpage