Transcript Transition to High School

TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL
A guide for 8th grade students and parents
Differences between Middle School and
High School

High School teachers do not have teams
◦ Students may have several tests & quizzes on the
same day

Attendance Policy
◦ More than 5 unexcused absences in quarter will
result in an ‘attendance failure’ (64) for that quarter.

Students are expected to be more independent
and responsible
◦ Students need to keep track of their assignments,
complete work on time and use Plus Portals to check
their progress.
◦ There will be daily homework in most classes.
Differences between Middle School and
High School Courses

2 levels of classes for World History
◦ General & College Prep (CP)

3 levels for English & Science
◦ General, College Prep (CP) & Honors

Options for Mathematics
◦ Students who need additional work in basic math skills will be recommended for
General Algebra 1A. The course provides a review of basic mathematical
concepts in addition to Algebra I concepts at a slower pace than CP Algebra I.
◦ Other students who were not recommended for Algebra I in the 8th grade, will
take CP Algebra I for 9th grade
◦ Students currently in Algebra I who have a strong Algebra foundation, will take
either Geometry or Honors Geometry depending on ability & performance.
◦ Students currently in Honors Geometry who have a strong Algebra foundation,
will be recommended for either Honors or CP Algebra II.

Elective Classes
◦ There are students in grades 9 – 12 students in most elective classes
Course Recommendations:
Teachers will make recommendations for English, Math, Science,
Social Studies & Spanish (if CP English or higher)

Teacher recommendations are based on:

Test/quiz/writing scores

This may not be equal to the students’ grade in
the course
Standardized Assessment scores
 Work Ethic

General Level Courses

General level courses are designed for those students who would
benefit from focused work on writing and math skills so that they
can move on to CP level work with greater success

General level English, history, and science classes follow a similar
curriculum to the CP level courses but spend additional time in
class on writing and vocabulary along with the content. In addition
alternate texts are sometimes used or the same text is further
broken down for students to increase comprehension

Students may begin high school in a general level but advance to
the CP level later on in high school once the necessary skills have
been attained.
College Prep (CP) Level Courses
For students planning to attend a four year
college or beyond
◦ Provides a solid framework for further
education beyond high school
◦ More independence is expected than at the
general level
◦ Students do not need to be in the same level
for all courses
◦ Students may change levels from year to year
Honors Level Classes
◦ This level is designed for students with an
intellectual curiosity and superior ability as
evidenced by demonstrating ‘higher level’ thinking
skills in the classroom through class discussion,
strong test scores & writing ability that includes
synthesizing information
◦ More rigorous and in depth course work than the
CP level
◦ Advanced Placement & Early College Experience
courses offered Junior and Senior year for advanced
students
Homework
In addition to WEB & study hall time that may
be available during the day, students should
spend at least one hour per night on
homework, reviewing notes and organization at
the college preparatory level.
 Honors level students should plan on at least 2
hours per night (sometimes more).
 Parents/students can check academic progress
in Plus Portals.
 Teachers are available daily for extra help during
WEB & after school.

Minimum Graduation Requirements
English
Social Studies (including civics)
Mathematics
Science
Business/Computer Applications I & II
Financial Professional Management
Physical Education
Health
Career/Technical Education/Fine Arts
Electives
4.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
1.0
.5
1.0
.5
1.0
6.0
TOTAL CREDITS
23.0
English

Sequence:
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Grade 9: English I
Grade 10: English II
Grade 11: English III
Grade 12: English IV or Advanced English
 (AP/ECE English Literature & Composition)
Social Studies

Sequence:
◦ Grade 9: World History
◦ Grade 10: Modern World History/American
Government
◦ Grade 11: US History
◦ Grade 12: Electives:
 AP US Government & Politics
 Sociology (1/2 credit),
Mathematics

Sequence:
◦ Grade 9: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II**
◦ Grade 10: Algebra I Part B, Geometry,
Algebra II** or Precalculus
◦ Grade 11: Algebra II**, Precalculus, Calculus
◦ Grade 12: College Math, Precalculus, Calculus,
or Statistics
** You can also earn CCP Credit for Algebra II
Science

Sequence
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Grade 9: Physical Science
Grade 10: Biology (Graduation Requirement)
Grade 11: Chemistry
Grade 12: Physics, AP/ECE Biology,
Electives (11&12): Anatomy & Physiology(CCP),
Microbiology, Medical Terminology(CCP), Intro
to Computer Programming
World Language

Grade 9: Spanish I or II
◦ Based on teacher recommendation
◦ Students in CP or Honors English
Grade 10: Spanish II or III (if recommended)
 Grade 11: Spanish III or IV (if recommended)
 Grade 12: Spanish IV or V (if recommended)

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Students planning to go to a competitive 4 year college
(UConn) should have 3 to 4 years of Spanish
Students applying to other state colleges (Eastern,
Western, Southern or Central) should complete a
minimum of 2 years
Career & Life Skills

Physical Education – one credit
◦ One Semester grade 9 & grade10

Health – ½ credit
◦ Taken in grade 9

Computer Applications I & II (CCP)
◦ Grade 9 & Grade 10

Financial & Professional Management ½
credit
◦ Taken in grade 11
Career Pathways
-all students select a career pathway their freshman year

Arts – Fine Arts
◦ Art
◦ Music: Choral or Instrumental
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Arts – Media Technology & Communications
Business
Medical Professions
Hospitality
Education & Human Services
Manufacturing
Construction Technologies and Design
Arts: Fine Arts - Art
Grade 9: Drawing I & Drawing II
Grade 10: Painting I & Painting II
Grade 11 & 12:
Pottery I & Pottery II and/or
Advanced Drawing
Art History I & Art History II
Fine Arts: Music - Choral

Freshman Options
◦ Chorus
◦ Concert Choir
◦ Musical Theater
 ½ credit
Additional Options for Upperclassman
Chamber Singers
(audition required)
Fine Arts: Music - Instrumental

Music Choices
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Band (One credit)
String Orchestra (One credit)
Piano Music Theory I & II (Half credit each)
Guitar I & II, Bass Guitar (Half credit each)
Music Technology (Half credit)
Arts: MediaTechnology
& Communications Pathway
Grade 9: Exploratory Graphic
Communications & Basic Photography
 Grade 10: Production Graphics &
Multimedia Communications
 Grade 11: Digital Imaging & Broadcast
Production and/or CADD I
 Grade 12: Advanced Studies in
Photography and/or Publications I & II

Business Pathway
Grade 9: Introduction to Business &
Marketing
 Grade 10: Accounting I
 Grade 11: Accounting II
 Grade 12:

◦ Electives:
 Business Law
 Entrepreneurship
Medical Professions Pathway

Grade 9: CP or Honors Physical Science

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Diversified Health Occupations (CCP)
Grade 10: CP or Honors Biology
◦ Sports Medicine (1/2 credit)

Grade 11: CP or Honors Chemistry
◦ Medical Terminology I&II (CCP)
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Grade 12:
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Anatomy & Physiology (CCP)
Physics
Advanced Biology (AP/ECE)
Microbiology (1/2 credit)
Certified Nurse’s Assistant
Recommended: Intro. to Individual & Family Development (ECE)
Hospitality Pathway
Grade 9: Food & Nutrition
 Grade 10: World of Foods & Regional
Foods (1/2 credit each)
 Grade 11: Bakeshop I & II (1/2 credit each)

◦ Suggested: Accounting I

Grade 12: Culinary Essentials
◦ Suggested: Psychology (1/2)
Education & Human Services Pathway
Grade 9: Child Growth & Development(1/2)
 Grade 10: Teaching the Young Child
 Grade 11 or 12: Intro. to Individual &
Family Development (ECE) OR
Early Childhood Education (CCP)
 Grade 12: Introduction to Psychology (1/2)

Manufacturing Pathway
Grade 9: Introduction to Production &
Computer Aided Drafting & Design I (1/2 credit each)
 Grade 10: Transportation Technology (1 credit) &
Manufacturing Technology (1/2 credit)
 Grade 11: Computer Aided Drafting & Design
II (full year)
 Grade 12: Computer Aided Drafting & Design
III (full year)

Construction Technologies & Design Pathway
Grade 9: Introduction to Production
Systems & Computer Aided
Drafting/Design I (1/2 credit each)
 Grade 10: Construction I & II
 Grade 11: Computer Aided Drafting &
Design II (full year)
 Grade 12: Computer Aided
Drafting/Design III (full year)
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Additional Graduation Requirements

Elective Credits – 6 credits
◦ May include Pathway Courses
◦ Courses in World Language, Art, Music,
Technology, Computers or Business
◦ Other additional courses such as Fashion
Design may be selected
High School Transcript
Freshman year begins the high school
transcript that post-secondary schools will
use as part of their admission decision.
 All final grades appear on the transcript.
 Class rank is released at the end of each year

◦ This is a students weighted grade point average in
comparison to his/her classmates
◦ Honors & AP courses receive additional weight
◦ - must take AP exam to receive AP designation on
transcript
High School Transcript
•
College Financial Aid
•
•
When determining financial aid for college
parent/student income is taken into account
In addition to income guidelines, colleges are
increasingly using “merit aid” as part of their financial
aid packages
•
“Merit Aid” is based on a students’ grade point average
• A students grade point average generally needs to be above
a 3.0 (80) to receive any merit aid
• In general, students with higher averages receive more
merit aid
College Preparation


Students should plan to take the most challenging
courses available to them based on their ability to be
successful
In addition to the scholastic record, extracurricular
activities (especially leadership & community service)
are very important for college applications as well as
National Honor Society membership
◦ National Honor Society looks at character, leadership,
scholarship & service when evaluating applications.
◦ Students are invited to apply for National Honor Society during
the Junior year.
◦ Students will begin developing a resume freshman year and add
to it each year.
College Preparation

Students have MANY opportunities to earn
college credit while in high school
◦ Note courses designated CCP, AP or ECE in the
Program of Studies Book
 There is a small cost involved for ECE (ECE course ~$125)
 There is a small cost involved for AP (AP exam ~ $92)
 All CCP courses are FREE (but you must fill out the
application!!) 8 courses available
 ANY of the above options is MUCH less expensive than a
college course
 Students on Free or Reduced lunch get any of the above
courses for FREE if the ‘consent to share’ form is returned
“Typical” 9th grade Schedule
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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English
World History
Physical Science
Algebra I / Geometry/ Algebra II
PE (1/2 credit) /Health (1/2 credit)
Pathway Elective Course(s)
Spanish I/II or Elective
Computer Apps I/Elective (full year or ½ year)
or Study Hall
Elective Courses
Students should select elective courses
based on their interests
 Please note that some courses have
prerequisites (see the Program of Studies)
 Select alternative courses just in case the
first choice elective does not fit into the
schedule

◦ Please list course #’s in order of preference
◦ Once pathways course(s) are chosen students
may pick any other courses as electives
Master Schedule
The schedule for the high school will be
developed based on students’ core classes first
 It is designed so that the highest number of
students can fit into each course
 Teachers are not assigned to courses until the
master schedule has been completed

Extracurricular Activities

Athletic Activities
◦ Fall
 Football
 Soccer
 Cross-country
 Volleyball
 Cheerleading
◦ Winter
 Wrestling
 Fencing
 Indoor Track
 Basketball
 Cheerleading
◦ Spring
 Lacrosse
 Baseball
 Softball
 Track
 Golf
 Cross Country
Athletic Eligibility
Eligibility based on previous quarter’s grades
 Students must pass a minimum of 4 courses

Other Activities

Activity Period
◦ Held every Friday during WEB. All students are strongly
encouraged to join clubs.
 Clubs
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National Honor Society
Student Council
Fitness Club
Gay Straight Alliance
Scrabble Club
Games Club
Computer Programming (‘Raspberry Pi’)
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
 Class Meeting
 Entire freshman class meets with advisor
 Discuss Fundraisers etc.
STUDENTS: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR
HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
THIS IS YOUR JOB FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS
-Consider your pay for this “job” as a student “delayed
gratification”
– YOU WILL BE PAID LATER IN LIFE FOR THE WORK
THAT YOU ARE PUTTING IN RIGHT NOW
U.S. MEDIAN EARNINGS OF FULL-TIME
WAGE-AND-SALARY WORKERS
$1421
$1370
$1129
$937
$699
$653
$583
$409
COURSE SELECTION SHEET - FRONT
COURSE SELECTION SHEET - BACK
ALL FRESHMAN COURSE
SELECTION SHEETS NEED
TO BE TURNED IN TO THE
SCHOOL COUNSELING
OFFICE BY
FRIDAY, MARCH 18th
QUESTIONS???