1. Are you ready to send your child to high school?1

2. Topics to Cover Introductions Important Dates Program of Studies
Diploma Options
Testing
Getting Involved

3. What Makes Penn so special?
We have excellent teaching staff who have gone through professional development training for many years.
We earned an “A” school rating from the Indiana Department of Education.
97% graduation rate for 2016.
Our Freshmen Academy makes a large school feel small.
Our Freshman Mentor Program gives students an automatic friend.
60 class offerings freshmen year – by senior year, students will have over 800 class offerings.
We have a variety of clubs, sports, and academic teams Extracurricular Activities

4. Tuesday, December 13 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Important Dates
Penn Showcase
Monday, December 12 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 13 6:30-8:00 p.m.

5. (on line course descriptions)
Program of Studies
(on line course descriptions)

6. Freshmen Academy
The teachers within a house often collaborate on assignments, plan field trips/community service projects, and discuss students in need of additional support.
Smaller Learning Community (Students typically share the same group of teachers for English, Math, Biology, and Geography – called Houses)

7. Achievement Academies
Achievement Academies are chosen sophomore, junior, and senior year. Students choose an area of interest and the academy is designed to bring focus and relevance to coursework.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math)
Fine Arts and Communication Academy
Management and Business Academy
Health and Human Service Academy
STEM – chemist, veterinarian, computer programmer, engineer; Fine arts – journalism, photographer, graphic designer, musician; MBA – entrepreneur, fashion merchandiser, financial manager, accountant; Health and Human Services- law enforcement, teacher, chef, nurse, counselor

8. Graduation Requirements

9. Earning Credits Report cards are issued in January and June.
Students will earn 1 credit each semester for each class passed (A, B,C,D).
Monitor HAC for the most up to date information.
Students who fail required courses must repeat them.

10. DIPLOMA OPTIONS

11. Course and Credit Requirements *
Course and Credit Requirements
English/ Language Arts
8 credits
 English 9, 10, 11, 12
Mathematics
6 credits
2 credits: Algebra I
2 credits: Geometry
2 credits: Algebra II
All students are required to take a math or physics course during their junior or senior year.
Science
2 credits: Biology I
2 credits: Integrated Chemistry-Physics or Chemistry I
2 credits: any Core 40 science course
Social Studies
2 credits: Geography/History of the World
2 credits: U.S. History
1 credit:    U.S. Government
1 credit:    Economics
Directed Electives
5 credits
World Languages
Fine Arts
Career/Technical
Physical Education
2 credits
Health and Wellness
1 credit
Electives*
(Career Academic Sequence Recommended)‏
                        40 Total State Credits Required

12. For the Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma, students must:
Complete all requirements for Core 40
Earn 2 additional Core 40 math credits
Earn 6-8 Core 40 world language credits
Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts credits
Earn a grade of C or better in courses that will count toward the diploma
Have a grade point average of B (3.0) or better
Complete one of the following:
Earn 4 credits in 2 or more AP courses, and take corresponding AP exams
Earn 6 college credits in dual credit courses
Complete a combination of AP (2 credits) and dual credit (3 credits)
Earn a combined SAT score of 1750 or higher and a minimum score of 530 on each (critical reading, math, and writing)
Earn a 26 or higher on the ACT (including the writing section)

13. For the Core 40 with Technical Honors, students must:
Complete all requirement for the Core 40 diploma
Earn 6 credits in career preparation courses and either get a certification or take 6 dual credits
Earn a grade of C or better in all of the courses that count toward the diploma
Earn a grade point average of B (3.0) or better
Complete one of the following:
One of the additional requirements for earning the Academic Honors Diploma
Take the Accuplacer and receive minimum scores of Writing 80, Reading 90, Math 75
Take the Compass and receive minimum scores of Writing 70, Reading 80, Algebra 66

14. ISTEP TESTING All 9th grade students take ISTEP (Biology)
In addition to the other graduation requirements, students must pass the ISTEP test given in the 10th grade (English & Math).

15. SCHEDULING

16. Sample Schedule

17. HONORS CLASSES

18. English 9 Honors, Biology Honors & World Geography Honors
These courses are rigorous Pre-AP courses. Students should have A's or high B’s in their core subjects. (Suggestion: if you are in doubt talk to your child’s current teacher.)
Students should be strong readers and able to understand fairly complex material. Concepts are in depth and comprehensive.
Students should have a strong work ethic and desire to take an honors course.

19. Math Level Placement Math 8 (Pre-Algebra) -> Algebra I
Grades of D or below in Math 8 and/or D.N.P. ISTEP should also take Algebra Lab
Algebra I/Algebra IB -> Geometry 9 Accelerated
Grades of B- or below should not move onto the next level and should retake the 8th grade class as a freshman.
Geometry -> Algebra II Honors
Algebra I grade must be an A or B to move onto Algebra II Honors
Algebra II -> Pre Calculus Honors (Pre AP-Pre Calculus/Trigonometry)
Must have an A in Algebra II H or should repeat in 9th grade

20. Additional support for English and Algebra
Your child’s counselor and teacher will help determine if either or both of these classes are appropriate for your child:
Contemporary Literature I – is for students who struggle in Language Arts, consistently do poorly on standardized tests, receives a Lexile score below 850, or can be considered a reluctant reader.
Algebra Lab – is for students who struggle in Math 8 (grades below a C) and consistently do poorly on standardized tests.

21. Electives
Students should choose electives in which they think they may be interested
Students should NOT choose electives because their friends are choosing them (they will probably not be in the same class with them anyway)‏
Elective choices are not guaranteed 
Make sure to choose alternates that they are interested in taking because we often have to use their alternate class
We rarely make schedule changes, unless it is for a course level.
*Some elective courses require prerequisites.

24. Summer School - PE Must attend both sessions Session 1: June 12-30 Session 2: July 10-28
In addition to daily attendance at Penn, there is an online component that must be completed (iPE).
Students can pick up the summer PE registration form in their middle school guidance office.
Registration form and money is due to the Penn bookstore by January 13, It can be delivered in person or by mail. ($50 or the fee is waived if student is on F/R lunch)

25. How to sign up for your classes…
Students will fill out the course selection form / 4 year plan together with you.
You and your child will log on to HAC and add the desired classes.
Students will turn in the pink form to their middle school counselor by December 23.
Middle school counselors will meet with each student individually to review the course selections / 4 year plan during the months of January and February.
Demonstrate how to sign up for classes via HAC

26. You don’t know your HAC password…
Check with your middle school counselors for your login ID and password.
HAC is great resource for checking grades, attendance, discipline, and now you have the capability to register for your classes.
Home Access Center login

27. Freshman Mentors

28. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities
Clubs and Organizations

29. Sign up for E-GUIDANCE
Get all the latest and greatest information from Penn High School sent right to your !
Sign up here on sheet or to be added to the Class of 2020.
Find out what our Freshman Mentors are doing each week, assemblies your student is attending, and important scheduling information.
You will get crucial info such as SAT dates, PSAT sign up, FAFSA information, scholarship information, and timelines as your student enters their junior and senior year

30. REVIEW Penn High School Showcase Choose your classes carefully
Get involved
E-Guidance

31. Thank you for coming! Open to General Questions
We will stay after for individual questions
Glenn Northern is here to answer any Band questions
Jen Grimm is here to answer any Exceptional Education questions