1. Welcome OTMS to Ridgeland High School
Home of the Titans

2. RHS Administrators and Counselors
School Website
Counselors
Ms. Culliver
Mrs. D. Cutrer
Mrs. S. Hawkins
Mrs. S. Henry
Principal
Mr. T. Dowdy
Assistant Principals
Mr. B. Goodloe
Mrs. K. Harness
Mr. C. Zumbro

3. So what should you know about being a student at Ridgeland High School ?

4. What courses will you need to take next year at RHS?

5. Required courses for all 9th graders:
Your first 5 class periods will be used to take:
English (English I or Accelerated English I)
Math (Foundations of Algebra, Algebra I, or Geometry)
Science (Foundations of Biology or Biology)
History (all 9th students will take World History and World Geography)
Technology (all 9th students take Freshman Focus)
Then you select the remaining 3 class periods from
“Elective” course(s)

6. Freshman Focus
Freshman Focus is a class designed to introduce 9th grade students to career pathways and career decision-making. The content areas that will be covered by this class include self-development, career clusters, career pathways, college planning, financial planning, and presentation and research skills. At the conclusion of this class, students will develop a 6-year plan that will guide them in making decisions about high school courses, college courses, and their future careers.

7. So, tell me about Career Academies 9th graders can choose from…
Orientation to Culinary Arts
Engineering Fundamentals

8. Academy of Engineering

9. Engineering Fundamentals
Engineering Fundamentals is another RHS Career Academy program and is designed for those students that have an interest in the field of engineering and the careers associated with this field. Through this program, students will also learn the foundations and fundamentals of robotics, electronics, engineering and materials.
To qualify to take this class, 8th grade students must:
Have completed STEM;
Have an overall “B” average and strong grade in Math;
Have no major discipline issues;
Complete an “application” to enroll in this class;
and be approved by selection committee for admission to the program

10. Academy of Culinary Arts

11. Orientation to Culinary Arts
Orientation to Culinary Arts is part of the RHS Career Academy program and is designed for those students that have an interest in Culinary Arts (food preparation, restaurant management, hospitality & tourism, etc.)
To qualify to take this class, 8th grade students must:
Have an overall “C” average;
Have no major discipline issues;
Complete an “application” to enroll in this class;
and be approved for admission to the program

12. What Are the Elective Choices
What Are the Elective Choices? (a 1 credit course is a full year; a ½ credit course is one-semester only)
Arts
Visual Art I ½ credit
Visual Art II ½ credit
Ceramics I ½ credit
Ceramics II ½ credit
Drawing I ½ credit
Photography I ½ credit
Theatre I ½ credit
Theatre II ½ credit
Choral Music 1 credit
General Music 1 credit
Band 1 credit
Business
Graphic Design I ½ credit
Graphic Design II ½ credit
Personal Finance ½ credit
Business Fundamentals 1 credit
Communications
Debate 1 credit
Oral Communication 1 credit
Foreign Language
French I 1 credit
Latin I 1 credit
Spanish I 1 credit
Spanish II 1 credit

13. Elective Courses (continued)
Health
Contemporary Health ½ credit
Journalism
Foundations of Journalism 1 credit
Military Science
JROTC I 1 credit
PE & Personal Development
Child Development ½ credit
Drug Education ½ credit
Family Dynamics ½ credit
Nutrition & Wellness ½ credit
Resource Management ½ credit
Physical Education ½ or 1 credit
(can take either one or both semesters)
Driver Education ½ credit
Technology
STEM 1 credit
Science
Environmental Science ½ credit
Culinary
Orientation to Culinary Arts 1 credit
Engineering
Engineering Fundamentals 1 credit
Sports
9th Grade Sports ½ or 1 credit
(sports may be either one or both semesters)

14. RHS Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2022 (24 credits total)
4 credits of English
4 credits of Mathematics
4 credits of Social Studies
4 credits of Science
½ credit of Health
½ credit of Physical Education
1 ½ credit of Technology
1 credit of Fine Arts
4 ½ additional credits of Elective courses

15. College Entrance Requirements in Mississippi
For a 2-year Junior/ Community College
Any RHS student who earns his or her high school diploma and has taken the ACT is eligible for Freshman entrance into a 2-Year college in Mississippi. No specific ACT score is required.
To attend a 4-year College or University
Any RHS student who earns his or her high school diploma, has a minimum score of 18 or higher AND has taken 2.0 credits of additional “Required Electives” is eligible for entrance into a Mississippi 4-year college or University. The list of courses a student may choose to fulfill the “Required Electives” are as follows:
1 credit must be taken from first year of a Foreign Language or Advanced World Geography
The remaining 1 credit must be from the second year of a Foreign Language, an additional credit of math above Algebra II, or an additional credit of Lab- based Science.

16. When completing your Pre-Registration Form
Please be neat and print legibly
Please fill out ALL Information
Including Alternate courses.
Please return form ON TIME
Due on Wednesday, January 31st.
Please choose your selections CAREFULLY
Talk with your parents about your choices.
Talk with your teachers and school counselors.

17. What else should I know about RHS
What else should I know about RHS? What type of clubs, activities or sports are available to me next year?

18. RHS Clubs and Organizations
Band
Choir
JROTC
Yearbook Staff
Newspaper Staff
Student Government Association
RHS School Ambassadors
RHS Junior Diplomats
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
RHS Newcomers Club
Academic Competition Team
Speech and Debate Team
Forensics Team
Anime Club
Art Club
Beta Club
Book Club
Chess Club
Multicultural Club
Drama Club
Photography Club
FCCLA

19. Clubs and Organizations (continued)
French Club
Future Business Leaders of America
Honoraries:
Mu Alpha Theta
National Honor Society
National Art Honor Society
Key Club
Latin Club
Spanish Club
Technology Student Association (TSA)
Titans Against Bullying (TAB) Club
Volunteer Club

20. RHS Athletics and Activities
Golf
Power Lifting
Soccer
Softball
Slow Pitch & Fast Pitch
Swimming
Tennis
Track
Volleyball
Archery
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Dance Team
Football

21. So there’s a LOT to look forward to at RHS next year, but first things first! Right now you should focus on:
Choosing the best courses for you to take next year as a 9th grader;
Working hard to learn and make the best grades you can now… so you will be prepared for taking your high school classes; and
Thinking about the clubs, organizations, and sports you might like to be involved with next year at Ridgeland High School!

22. So enjoy your tour of RHS and what we have to offer … and we’ll see you again (with your completed choice sheets) at OTMS on TOMORROW!!