1. Work Hard & Be Nice Freshman Information Night Class of 2016

2. Our Agenda I.Welcome from Principal of the High School II.Overview of High School Graduation Requirements by Scott Smith, Director of Secondary Schools III.Overview of the 2011-2012 course selection process IV.Overview of signature pathways for freshmen V.Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice

3. James Scott Smith Director of Secondary Schools and School Improvement It’s all about the next four years….

4. Work Hard & Be Nice SMCPS Mission Know the learner and the learning expecting excellence in both. Accept NO excuses, educating ALL with rigor, relevance, respect, and positive relationships.

5. From our Middle Schools, we have grades, attendance, and teacher recommendations From our Data Warehouse we have county benchmarks and end of course exams From the MSDE, we have MSA reading and mathematics scores What do we know about our learners? Know the Learner Expecting Excellence Know the Learning

6. We know that the pathway chosen must be of high interest and individualized We know that students must choose a completer pathway to be successful We know that students need to complete 21 credits to graduate What do we know about the learning? Know the Learner Expecting Excellence Know the Learning

7. Choice is the single greatest factor in motivating students – if they feel they are directing their learning, they will be invested. Engagement comes from authentic learning with the students believing in the relevance of their work Excellence comes from engaged students in rigorous classes How do we get to excellence? Know the Learner Expecting Excellence Know the Learning

8. 5 Career Clusters 50 individual completer pathways High School STEM Academy Academy of Finance Global & Intern. Studies Fairlead 9 th grade 4 year program To this end, we have pathways of excellence 4 year program 1 year program

9. From the beginning.. Before being overwhelmed with more than fifty pathways to high school completion, we must first look at the core graduation requirements of each. Before being overwhelmed with more than fifty pathways to high school completion, we must first look at the core graduation requirements of each. Work Hard & Be Nice

10. SMCPS Graduation Requirements To receive a High School Diploma in St. Mary's County, students must satisfy the following requirements: Complete a minimum of 21 credits, including: English 4 Social Studies 3 Mathematics 3 Science 3 Physical Education/Health 1 Technology Education 1 Fine Arts 1 Core Credit Total 16

11. Work Hard & Be Nice Additionally Pass all the High School Assessments or earn a passing combined score Take a math class each year Complete the student service-learning component Compile a web-based career portfolio Complete a program sequence

12. Completer Programs Maryland University System Entrance Sequence: Completer 16 core credits Complete 4 credits in Mathematics to include Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry (non-trivial Algebra minimum in senior year) Complete 2 credits in a World Language Career and Technology Completer Sequence: Complete the 16 core credits Complete 4 credits in an approved Career and Technology Program Sequence There are two overall pathways a student can take in high school Dual Completer Sequence: Complete both the University of Maryland and CTE sequences

13. MD University Completer Grade 9 Department Available Courses 1English English 9 Honors or CM 2 U. S. History U. S. History CM 3Mathematics Algebra II H, Geo H, or Algebra I CM 4ScienceBiology Honors, or Concept Based Physics CM 5 Career Technology Education Foundations of Technology 6 Physical Education/Health 7 Fine Arts / World Language Fine Arts / Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Latin, American Sign Language Maryland University System Entrance Sequence: 4 Mathematics credits which must include Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry 2 World Language credits

14. CTE Completer Grade 9 Department Available Courses 1English English 9 CM or S 2 U. S. History U. S. History CM or S 3Mathematics Algebra I CM, Algebra Comprehensive, Algebraic Foundations 4ScienceConcept Based Physics CM or Explorations in Science 5 Career Technology Education Foundations of Technology 6 Physical Education/Health 7 Fine Arts Visual Arts, Crafts I Career and Technology Completer Sequence: Complete the 16 core credits Complete 4 credits in an approved Career and Technology Program Sequence

15. Work Hard & Be Nice Credit Requirements and Promotion Targets Freshman 0-4 credits Sophomore 5 credits Junior 10 credits Senior 15 credits

16. Work Hard & Be Nice Promotion Rate 2011 Freshman 92.5% Sophomore 93.2% Junior 96.3% Senior 96.7%

17. Work Hard & Be Nice Retention rates for 2011 Freshman 7.5% 100/1338 Sophomore 6.8% 88/1300 Junior 3.7% Senior 3.3% Data from www.MDREPORTCARD.org

18. How can Freshman success be ensured? Put forth one’s best effort in 8 th grade – all the way to the end of the year Put forth one’s best effort in 8 th grade – all the way to the end of the year Visit HAC weekly and take responsibility for grades Visit HAC weekly and take responsibility for grades Take advantage of high school informational sessions coming in the spring (extra-curricular activities and athletics) Take advantage of high school informational sessions coming in the spring (extra-curricular activities and athletics) Work with teachers and counselors to make sure the most academically appropriate courses are selected (after MSA) Work with teachers and counselors to make sure the most academically appropriate courses are selected (after MSA) Work Hard & Be Nice

19. Course requests Making the right choice MathematicsMathematics Work Hard & Be Nice Geometry Honors Algebra II Honors Algebra Honors Geometry Honors On Grade Level 8 Algebra I CM Algebraic Foundations Algebra Comprehensive

20. Course requests Making the right choice EnglishEnglish Work Hard & Be Nice Grade 8 RLA Honors English 9 Honors English 9 CM English 9 English 9/90 Grade 8 RLA OGL

21. Course requests Making the right choice ScienceScience Work Hard & Be Nice Grade 8 Science Biology Honors Concept Based Physics CM Explorations in Science Must have completed Algebra and/or Geometry

22. Course requests Making the right choice Social Studies Work Hard & Be Nice Grade 8 Social Studies United States History CM United States History

23. Final Choices Work Hard & Be Nice PE/ Health Foundations of Technology World Language JROTC Fine Arts Select one of the following: Spanish French German Latin Chinese ASL Visual Arts Crafts Theater Arts Chorus Band Strings

24. Course Requests New enhancements to our Student Information System allow a student’s current classroom teacher to make recommendations for their next year’s class. New enhancements to our Student Information System allow a student’s current classroom teacher to make recommendations for their next year’s class. Work Hard & Be Nice

25. Counselors Once teachers have made course recommendations, counselors will meet with 8 th graders individually to review these and move them over to course requests. Work Hard & Be Nice

26. Printed course requests Work Hard & Be Nice At the end of the session, counselors will print out a summary of each students’ course requests. This will go home to parents for review. This process will ensure that each student has the appropriate grade level course requests. These requests will be entered in the student information system and available for review by both the middle school and high school counselors

27. Special Considerations Work Hard & Be Nice Students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) will have their course requests reviewed and finalized during their spring transition meetings Students who have struggled in middle school will have their course selections audited to make sure they have enrolled in the most beneficial and appropriate classes Students accepted into one of the signature academies will be hand scheduled by the hosting high school

28. What are the SIGNATURE ACADEMIES?

29. Where can I get more information? Work Hard & Be Nice Visit www.smcps.org and click on the “Our Schools” tab.www.smcps.org

30. www.smcps.org/ourschools.aspx Check out the web pages for each of our signature academies Check out the high school’s website for additional information

31. STEM Academy web page Each academy website has valuable information including a PDF of their brochure, copies of informational power point presentations, frequently asked questions, and an on line application. The application form can be accessed directly from the site and submitted electronically

32. Academy of Finance web page Work Hard & Be Nice The application form can be accessed directly from the site and submitted electronically Each academy website has valuable information including a PDF of their brochure, copies of informational power point presentations, frequently asked questions, and an on line application.

33. Global and International Studies web page Work Hard & Be Nice Each academy website has valuable information including a PDF of their brochure, copies of informational power point presentations, frequently asked questions, and an on line application. The application form can be accessed directly from the site and submitted electronically

34. In the Auditorium…. Ms. Montgomery Principal LHS Ms. Montgomery Principal LHS The principal and selected staff will be available in the auditorium to answer any specific questions you may have

35. Email us We have set up an email account for your questions and comments. We have set up an email account for your questions and comments. Please email your questions/ comments to: Please email your questions/ comments to: classof2016@smcps.org

36. Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice Room: E07 Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program. STEM

37. Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice AOF There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program. Room: E11 Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00

38. Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice GIS There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program. Room: Media Center Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 (if needed)

39. Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice Fairlead Room: E09 Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 (if needed) There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

40. Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice JAFCTC Room: E14 Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 (if needed) There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

41. Thank you Please remember to visit www.smcps.org to learn more about the exciting opportunities for the class of 2016 Please remember to visit www.smcps.org to learn more about the exciting opportunities for the class of 2016 www.smcps.org Email questions and comments to “classof2016@smcps.org” Email questions and comments to “classof2016@smcps.org” Work Hard & Be Nice