1. HIGH SCHOOL on the HORIZON
Welcome Class of 2021 & Parents

2. GOALS OF PARENT NIGHT
To learn about the current Future Ready Core high school graduation requirements
To understand the courses students must take to meet these graduation requirements
To explain the high school registration process

3. FUTURE-READY CORE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
26 Units of High School Credit needed to graduate
(Magnet and Early Colleges have different required credits)
High School students are promoted according to credits they have earned- To be promoted to 10th grade, students need 6 credits ( English 1, two credits in the areas of math, social studies or science and three additional credits)
If students fails a core graduation requirement course, that course must be repeated to earn credit in order to meet the graduation requirements – Students do not repeat a grade like they do in elementary or middle school.

4. Future-Ready Core Course of Study
4- English
4-Math
4-Social Studies
3-Science
1-Healthful Living
10-Electives

5. MATH – 9th Grade
Math I (Students who took 8th grade math, and those who failed Math I in eighth grade will be required to take this course).
*Foundations of Math I and Math I
Math II- Students who have struggled Math I could be recommended for a refresher course prior to taking Math II.
Math III or Math III Honors

6. Please Note
Math I taken in middle school counts toward the four required math classes, but the grade is not calculated in the GPA.
It is recommended that a math course be taken in the senior year.

7. End of Course Tests & NC Final Exams
EOC tests are required for ( Math I, Biology, English II)
EOC’s count as 20% of the student’s final grade
NC Final Exams count as 20% of the student’s final grade

8. Healthful Living- 1 credit
Healthful Living- Students are encouraged to complete this course freshman year

9. Electives Electives – 10 Credits
2 elective credits of any combination from *CTE, Arts or World Languages
4 elective credits are strongly recommended from one of the following areas: CTE, JROTC, Arts or any other subject area (Math, Science, English, Social Studies). Students are able to concentrate in an area of special interest.
4 elective credits from any area
*CTE (Career & Technical Education)

10. CAREER CLUSTERS (State Career Cluster list has 16 – not all schools have each cluster.)
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Arts, Technology & Communications
Business Management & Administration
Education & Training
Finance
Government & Public Admin.
Health Science
Hospitality & Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
Manufacturing
Marketing
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

11. WORLD LANGUAGES Not required for high school graduation.
For admission to the UNC system, students must have a minimum of two credits in the same world language.
Middle school students who have a strong command of the language arts and/or math curricula are encouraged to begin world language study in the ninth grade.
For the majority of students, world language study should begin in grade 10.

12. How does my student register for high school?

13. The Registration Process:
Counselors will meet with feeder High Schools
Eighth Grade teachers are in the process of making recommendations
(ninth grade teachers will be able to view the recommendations)
Your student will bring home all registration materials specific to their assigned high school
Registration begins on February 22nd.
Registration ends March 24

14. The Registration Process

15. Review the teachers’ recommendations
Parents and students will:
Review the teachers’ recommendations
Choose electives using your high school’s 9th
grade elective sheet. These are the ONLY electives available to 9th graders!
Students will be registered for 8 courses, including electives and will choose 3 alternate electives.
Enter recommendations into Powerschools
Parents make the final recommendation choice

16. Sample Course Selections for 9th Grade Students
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Healthful Living
Additional Course (*Elective)
3 Additional Alternate *Electives
*Electives are courses you and your student choose

17. Timeline Information
Magnet Application: Open until January 31; Notification: Feb. 16
Transfer Period: Feb ;
Notification: March 8
*Please review the WCPSS Website for information on this process.*
No need to worry about who registers first
If you are applying for a transfer, please communicate with your child’s counselor. If it is approved use the approved high school’s course selection sheet

18. Grading Scale
A = B= C= D=
F= less than 60

19. GPA- Grade Point Average is based on Quality Points
Letter Grades
Standard Courses
Honors AP A 4
4.5 5 B 3
3.5 C 2
2.5 D 1
1.5 F

20. 7 QPs divided by 8 courses=
SAMPLE GPA
9th GRADE
Course Grade QP
English I D 1
Common Core I D 1
Earth Science F 0
World Hist D 1
Healthful Liv F 0
Found of Math C 2
Computer App C 2
Teen Liv F 0 7
CREDITS EARNED
TOTAL QPs 7
7 QPs divided by 8 courses=
GPA
10th GRADE
Course Grade QP
English II C 2
Common Core II B 3
Earth Science A Amer. Hist I C 2
Healthful Liv A 4
Chorus A 4
Biology C 2
Computer App II A 4 25
CREDITS EARNED 8
TOTAL QPs
25 QP’s divided by 8 =
3.125 GPA
11th GRADE
Course_______ Grade___QP
English III B 3
Honors CC Math III A 5
Biology B 3
Amer. Hist II A 4
French I A 4
French II B 3
Chorus A 4
Photography A 30
TOTAL QPs
3.75 GPA

21. SAMPLE OVERALL GPA Total Quality Points (7+25+30= 62)
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
Credits Earned= 5
Total QPs= 7
7 QPs / by 8 courses=
GPA
Credits Earned= 8
Total QPs= 25
25 QP’s / by 8 courses =
3.125 GPA
Total QPs= 30
30 QP’s / by 8 courses =
3.75 GPA
Total Quality Points ( = 62)
Divided by Total Credits (5+8+8= 21)
= GPA
62 QP’s Divided by 21 credits = C GPA
Freshman Year Counts!

22. Attendance Requirements
In a block schedule: Up to 10 days per semester per class (EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED)
Excessive absences result in school-based interventions. Students could be subject to an “FF” (Failed with a grade of F) for the course
Parent may appeal the failure to an attendance committee comprised of teachers and administrators

23. Social Media Be aware of the social media sites your child is using!
Continue to remind your child that what is posted matters. Colleges and employers may use internet searches and gain information about you.

24. COLLEGE PLANNING
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

25. What Parents Can Do To Help
Assist your child with organization and planning
Keep a master calendar of assignments, tests, projects, and extracurricular activities at home
Be aware of student’s grades each week in each class
Be a Home Base user so you can look at grades and attendance on a regular basis and can teachers if problems arise
Be supportive in their decisions and health negotiators
Volunteer at school
Offer suggestions and not demands
Talk to your child about their day

26. QUESTIONS