Transcript Opening title - Woodbridge High School

Ninth Grade
and beyond!
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The High School Experience:
What Parents Need to Know
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Graduation Requirements
Course Selection Process
How High School Works
Advanced Courses
Preparing Your Student for College
Services available at WSHS
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Important information for
Graduating Class of 2018
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Algebra I Part I is not a math credit; it is an
elective credit
All students must take a Personal
Finance/Economics course during their junior
year
All students must take an online class. We have
embedded that in our Personal
Finance/Economics course.
All students must take, and pass, a CTE exam
There is no modified diploma for special
education students
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Graduation Requirements
Required Courses
English
Mathematics
Laboratory Science
History/Social
Sciences
Foreign Language
Health/Physical
Education I, II
Fine Arts or CTE
Foreign Lang, Fine
Arts or CTE
Economics/Personal
Finance
Electives
Student Choice
Total Credits
Required
Advanced Studies
Diploma
Standard Diploma
Standard
Credit =
Class Passed
Verified
Credit = SOL
Passed
Standard
Credit =
Class Passed
Verified
Credit = SOL
Passed
4
4
4
4
2
2
2
2
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
3 of one or
2+2
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
2
1
3
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1
0
1 (any
SOL)
9
6
24
0
1 (any
SOL)
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Modified Standard and Special Diplomas are available for Special Education
Students who have an Individualized Education Plan. See case manager for
info.
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Course Selection Process
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Mrs. Langley will schedule at middle schools.
All students will bring home a PINK copy of
the schedule for a parent signature.
Any specialty program transfer students
(CFPA, PLTW) will be scheduled by Mrs.
Langley after acceptance letters are sent out
in March.
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Course Selection Process
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General Guidelines
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It is recommended that students have an “A” or “B” in
the content area to sign up for a Pre-AP course.
It is recommended that students have at least a “B” in a
foreign language to go on to the next level.
Students who have a “C” or lower in Language Arts
might want to consider delaying the start of foreign
language learning until 10th grade.
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Course Selection Process
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Any student who is taking a high school credit
course in middle school may elect to expunge
that grade. A letter will be sent to your home
regarding the procedures to do this in May.
It is recommended that parents consider
removing any grade below a “B”.
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Course Selection Process
Foreign Languages
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WSHS has several foreign language choices for
your student. Next year we will offer to 9th grade
students
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French
Spanish
Spanish for Native Speakers
German
Italian
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Course Selection Process
Mathematics
 All students who have a “C” or lower in PreAlgebra will be encouraged to take Algebra I
Part I.
 This will be a double block course and will take
up two periods in the student’s schedule.
 Students will take Algebra I Part 1 first
semester and Algebra I Part 2 second
semester.
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Course Selection Process
Mathematics
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Pre-AP Algebra I - This course is designed to prepare
students who did not have Algebra I in 8th grade
and want to reach Calculus their senior year. Students
should have an A in Pre-Algebra and teacher
recommendation. Students will have to take Geometry
in summer school after 9th grade in order to take
Algebra II in 10th grade, Pre-Calculus in 11th grade, and
Calculus in 12th grade.
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Course Selection Process
Mathematics
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All students who are enrolled in Algebra I in the 8th
grade will be registered for Pre-AP Geometry for their 9th
grade math course. If a student has a C or lower in
Algebra I, it is recommended that they expunge the
grade and repeat Pre-AP Algebra I in grade 9.
All students enrolled in Geometry in the 8th grade will be
registered for Pre-AP Algebra II/Trigonometry . If a
student has a C or lower in Geometry, it is
recommended that they expunge the grade and repeat
Pre-AP Geometry in grade 9
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Course Selection Process
Electives
 Military Science
 Project Lead the Way
 Fine Arts
 Business
 Family and Consumer Science
 Technology Education
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Course Selection Process
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Form (copy given to you today)
Alternate Electives
A copy of your student’s course requests will
be sent to you at the end of May for a final
review. Changes may be made at that time.
Due to budget constraints, there will be no
schedule changes permitted after June 18,
2014 (or the last day of school).
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How High School Works
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Schedule
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All classes meet on a modified block schedule or A/B
schedule.
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Even (Green) Days periods 1, 2, 4 and 6 meet.
Odd (Gold) Days periods 1, 3, 5 and 7 meet.
First period meets for 1 hour each day.
All other classes meet for approximately 93 minutes every
other day.
We have five lunch shifts, and students are assigned
according to their block 4/5 class.
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How High School Works
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Grade Point Average
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Grade point averages are cumulative; therefore,
all grades earned in a high school credit course
count towards the final GPA.
Grade point averages are updated at the end of
the 1st semester and the end of the year. Only
semester and year grades reside on the official
transcript.
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How High School Works
Weighted Credit
 Weighted credit refers to grade point values assigned to Advanced
Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Courses,
certain Career and Technical Education Courses, qualifying college
courses, and designated prerequisite courses.
All Carnegie unit courses are used in determining a student’s
grade point average (GPA).
 When students successfully complete courses identified as ninth,
tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade courses prior to entering ninth
grade, they will receive standard units of credit toward graduation.
Such courses will be used in computing the student’s high school
grade point average.
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How High School Works
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Clubs, Activities, Athletics
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A variety of clubs and athletic programs are
available to students.
Most athletic programs and some clubs are
considered to be VHSL activities. Students must
be eligible to participate in these VHSL activities.
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How High School Works
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VHSL Eligibility
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A student must take and pass at least five (5)
courses in the school year. A “C” or better must
be earned in at least two courses.
Eligibility is determined by semester and year end
grades.
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How High School Works
Credits for Promotion
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To be in 10th grade = 6 standard credits
(three in required courses)
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To be in 11th grade = 11 standard credits (six
in required courses)
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To be in 12th grade = 16 standard credits
(nine in required courses)
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Advanced Courses
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Pre-AP and AP courses are available to
students in all of the academic areas.
Research shows that students who take at
least one rigorous course in high school are
more successful during their college
experience.
Encourage your students to “stretch and
reach” by taking advanced courses.
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Specialty Programs at Woodbridge High
School
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Project Lead the Way*
Advanced Placement Scholars
Center for Fine and Performing Arts*
Military Science Army Junior Reserve Officer
Training Corps (JROTC)
* Students may transfer to Woodbridge to be part of these programs. For more
information about transfer guidelines view the PWCS Specialty Program brochure
(available online)
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Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
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The Project Lead the Way High School Engineering
Program is a nationally recognized program, which
offers an enriched sequence of courses that prepare
students for university level engineering courses.
The Project Lead the Way program is offered at
both Woodbridge and Patriot High Schools
Application available online.
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Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
STUDENT BENEFITS
 Opportunity to learn math, science, and technology in a handson, relevant way and explore engineering careers before college.
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Better preparation for college engineering programs and more
likely to be successful.
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Ability to receive college credit as an increasing number of
colleges and universities are becoming National Affiliates of
PLTW.
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Increased analytical, problem solving,and team building skills.
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Motivate students to attempt challenging courses in both high
school and college.
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Provides direction in selecting future college majors.
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Center For Fine and Performing Arts
(CFPA)
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The Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
specialty program offers high school students the
opportunity to focus on a specific arts area while still
maintaining a full academic load.
Students in the program develop skills that
contribute to their success in many areas of
learning. Through activities that incorporate
problem-solving, collaborative reasoning, and
systematic inquiry, CFPA students are able to make
critical connections in both their arts and academic
classes.
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Center for Fine and Performing Arts
(CFPA)
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Students may audition to participate in one
of six concentrations including: Creative
Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Music
Technology, Vocal Music, Theater, and
Visual Arts.
Students may apply to enter the program in
grades 10 and 11.
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Military Science ARMY JROTC
Purpose:
 To teach high school students the value of citizenship, responsibility,
and a sense of accomplishment while instilling in them self-esteem,
teamwork, and self-discipline.
Mission:
“TO MOTIVATE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE BETTER CITIZENS.”
Objectives:
 Develop leadership potential
 Improve physical fitness
 Promote high school completion and attend college
 Provide incentive to live drug free
 Enhance life skills: Math and Science
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Military Science ARMY JROTC
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In addition to taking one JROTC class each year students
learn leadership and discipline by participating on one of
several teams:
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WSHS JROTC Armed Rifle Team
WSHS JROTC Color Guard Team
WSHS JROTC Raider Team
WSHS JROTC Rifle Team
WSHS JROTC Unarmed Drill Team
All students must participate in community service events
Students participate as leaders in JROTC classroom and
within cadet run organizations
An application is required. Each middle school counseling office
has paper copies.
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Advanced Placement
Scholars
(APS)
 All students in grades 9 through 12 are
eligible to apply.
 Students must be enrolled in a minimum
of two Pre-AP courses per year in grades
9 and 10 and 2 AP courses per year in
grades 11 and 12.
 Students will have an opportunity to
participate in instructional support
activities.
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Why join the Advanced
Placement Scholars
Program?
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Challenging course of study to include Pre
Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) and Advanced
Placement courses (AP)
A supportive framework open to all students willing
to tackle advanced courses
College exploration sessions at each grade level
School sponsored college tours in grades 11 and 12
Instructional support through school counseling
department
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Why join the Advanced
Placement Scholars
Program?
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Peer mentoring and peer tutoring
Faculty led and peer led study sessions
throughout the school year
Practice AP exams
SAT and ACT test preparation opportunities
Administrative monitoring and support
Multiple levels of recognition upon exiting the
program
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How do I apply for the APS?
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Application available online at the WSHS
website.
Students/parents must complete the
application online by April 1, 2014.
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Summer Opportunity for Advanced
Placement Readiness (SOAR)
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Designed to assist students enrolled in
advanced courses (Pre-AP and AP) for the
2014-2015 school year
Prepare advanced students for the initial
challenge of advanced course work
Will run from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MondayFriday (tentative dates are August 4 - 8)
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Summer Opportunity for Advanced
Placement Readiness (SOAR)
Workshop Schedule
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Reading and Writing skills
Study Skills
Content Specific Preparation
Culminating Activities
Tuition is $70.00. Applications will be available online or
through the counseling department at the end of March.
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Preparing Your Student
for College
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Colleges prefer to see a student who
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takes a variety of courses to included as many AP
and Pre-AP as possible.
is involved in extracurricular activities both at
school and in the community.
takes a full course load each year.
is able to express himself or herself in writing .
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Preparing Your Student for College
Admissions Data
College
GPA Accept
GPA
Net
Accept
Avg Accept Min Applied Accept
%
George Mason University
Northern Virginia Community College Woodbridge Campus
3.57
2.357
406
219
54%
2.43
0.969
353
297
84%
Virginia Commonwealth University
3.24
1.981
349
189
54%
James Madison University
3.71
2.8
348
168
48%
Old Dominion University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University
3.07
2.474
276
161
58%
3.99
3.183
234
107
46%
Radford University
3.02
2.304
191
114
60%
Christopher Newport University
3.55
2.478
159
84
53%
University of Virginia
4.1
3.626
142
62
44%
Longwood University
3.25
2.605
77
41
53%
University of Mary Washington
3.73
3.383
75
36
48%
College of William and Mary
3.96
3.654
63
15
24%
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Preparing Your Student
for College
Counselors will
 meet with your student each year to discuss
courses and college preparation.
 conduct classroom guidance units with each
grade level to discuss after high school
options.
 expose students to resources available to
them to explore post high school options.
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Services Available at WSHS
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Counselors closely monitor student progress
each grading period. If your student is
struggling, please contact the counselor. We
have services available to support your
student whether it be enrichment or
remediation.
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Vocabulary
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On the next few slides, you will find some
vocabulary that is helpful for all parents and
students to know.
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The PWCS Course Catalog is available
online at www.pwcs.edu for viewing.
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Standard Unit of Credit
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A standard unit of credit is based on a
minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction
and successful completion of the
requirements of the course.
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Verified Unit of Credit
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A verified unit of credit is based on a
minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction,
successful completion of the requirements of
the course, and achievement of a passing
score on the End-of-Course (EOC) Standards
of Learning (SOL) test or additional test for
that course as approved by the Board of
Education.
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Required Courses
Courses in the areas
listed to the right must
be completed to earn a
Standard or Advanced
Studies Diploma and
are considered to be
required or CORE
courses:
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English
Math
Science
Social Studies
Health and PE
Foreign Language (for
Adv. Studies only)
Fine Arts of CTE
(required for the
Technical diplomas)
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Advanced Placement Courses
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Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate
Diploma and Cambridge AICE Courses
Certain courses have been designated as Advanced
Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and
Cambridge Courses (AICE). These courses are
externally moderated and exceed the expectations of
grade-level objectives for a specific subject. Students
taking these courses will have a plus sign (+) beside
the course title listed on the student’s report card and
on the student transcript. These courses will receive
weighted credit.
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Electives and Fine or Practical Arts
Elective
 Electives are additional courses other than required courses that are
needed to meet the total minimum standard units of credit required to
earn a high school diploma.
Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education (practical arts)
 Fine Arts include elective courses under Dance, Music, Theatre and
Visual Arts. All of these courses meet this graduation requirement.
 Career and Technical Education courses are those in which a student is
taught a “hands on” or career related skill. All courses listed under
Career and Technical Education, JROTC, and Employ courses listed
under Special Education meet this graduation requirement.
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Sequential Electives
Sequential Electives
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According to the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE)
Standards of Quality (SOQ) and beginning with the graduating
class of 2003, students who plan to graduate with a Standard
Diploma or Modified Standard Diploma must complete at least
two sequential electives. Students who successfully complete
any career and technical education concentration or
specialization that consists of at least two 36-week courses or
semester equivalents that equal two 36-week courses will fully
meet this requirement. One credit used to satisfy the fine arts or
career and technical education requirement for the Standard or
Modified Standard Diploma may be used to partially satisfy this
requirement.
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Contact information:
Christina Langley, Director of School Counseling and Project
Lead the Way Coordinator
[email protected] – 703-497-8132
Carolos Castro, Project Lead the Way Coordinator
[email protected] – 703-497-8000
Debbie Floris, APS and Center for Fine and Performing Arts
Coordinator
[email protected] – 703-497-8161
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