Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen

1. Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen Briar Woods High School

2. This Information is Online! • BWHS School Counseling >>> Presentations • Tonight’s parent presentation PPT – key points will be headlined in red • 2013-2014 Program of Studies • Rising freshman course selection worksheet – lists 9th grade academic courses and electives • LCPS Course Curriculum information • Student presentation PPT (will be online in Early February)

3. Agenda • Accomplishments and Expectations • Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process • Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements • Selecting Courses for Next Year

4. Accomplishments and Expectations

5. The Class of 2012 • 74% are attending 4-year colleges • 20% are attending 2-year school • 1% are in the military or other post- secondary training/schools • 4% went directly into the work force

6. The Class of 2012 • Earned over 5.5 million dollars in scholarships and grants (344 graduates) • Approximately 75% enrolled in one or more Advanced Placement classes while in high school

7. College & University Attendance • To date, accepted by approximately 200 different colleges and universities and are currently on approximately 90 different campuses • Attend school in over 25 different states and four countries

8. Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

9. Scheduling Process • There is a different process for scheduling at each middle school • The end result is the same: Students and parents will select their courses using information from the high school counselors, and with the input and assistance of their current middle school counselors

10. Scheduling Process at Stone Hill • Late January – SHMS counselor will review 6-year plans and course options for next year • February 7 – BWHS counselors will meet with students in large groups to share information • Week of February 11 – Students will meet with SHMS counselor in smaller groups: • The SHMS counselor will guide students through the selection of their courses for next year using Family Connection • Parents can log onto Family Connection to review and make changes until February 22, 2013 • After February 22, 2013, parents may contact the SHMS counselor to make changes

11. Scheduling Process at Eagle Ridge • February 8 & 11 – BWHS counselors will meet with students in their science classes to select courses using Family Connection • Student will receive a letter which will provide their parents with instructions to log onto Family Connection • Parents can log onto Family Connection to review and make changes until February 22, 2013 • After February 22, parents may contact their ERMS counselor to make changes • The ERMS counselor will review academic plans with students

12. Scheduling for Students New to LCPS • New students usually begin enrolling in mid-April • The information and materials needed to enroll an new student can be found on the BWHS and LCPS websites • New students and their parents will select their courses with a BWHS counselor when they enroll • Enrollments are by appointment

13. Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

14. Diplomas • Standard Diploma • Advanced Studies Diploma • The Standard Technical Diploma and the Advanced Studies Technical Diploma never arrived!

15. Diplomas • Diplomas are based on: • Standard Units of Credit – 140 clock hours of instruction & passing grade • Verified Units of Credit – Standard unit of credit plus passing the end-of-course SOL associated with that class

16. Standard Diploma

17. Advanced Studies Diploma

18. SOL Courses = Verified Credits Reading (Eng. 11) Earth Science Writing (Eng. 11) Biology Chemistry Algebra 1 World History 1 Geometry World History 2 Algebra 2 US History

19. Breaking News from the VA DOE • Beginning with this class: • All students must take an online course while in high school • We are not yet sure exactly what this means – The details! The details! • This might be Economics & Personal Finance in the 11th grade

20. Breaking News from the VA DOE • Beginning with this class: • Standard Diploma students must pass a board-approved “technical education credential” • More information to follow soon

21. Selecting Courses for Next Year (and beyond)

22. Course Requests • We cannot make changes to course requests after the deadline of June 14, 2013 • Requests for changes should be directed to the middle school until the last day of school, June 6 • Between June 7 and June 14, requests for changes should be directed to BWHS.

23. Course Options for Freshmen • English 9: Honors or Academic • World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic • Earth Science: Honors, Academic, or General • Math: Follows sequence • Health & Physical Education 9 • Elective – usually a foreign language • Elective

24. Course Levels General – science only Course content and student performance are commensurate with the student’s grade level. Middle school personnel will speak to parents directly if a general-level course is recommended.

25. Course Levels Academic Course content and expected student performance require additional reading and writing at a rigorous level. Academic is a “college-bound” level.

26. Course Levels Honors and Pre-Advanced Placement Course content is rapidly paced with additional depth. Lessons are often designed to be complex, abstract, and open-ended.

27. Electives Available to Freshmen • French • Spanish • German • Latin • Chinese • ASL • Tech Ed • Applied Tech • Computer Info Systems • Business & Marketing • Creative Writing • Theater Arts • Technical Theater • Journalism • Music Theory • Music Appreciation • Art • Guitar • Band • Strings • Color Guard • Chorus • JROTC (at LCHS) • Independent Living • Choices • Gourmet Foods • Human Development • Leadership • Fashion Design • Housing/Interior Design • Art/Architecture History

28. Reminders • You have five months to change your mind (June 14)! • A rising freshman course selection worksheet is online! • The 2013-2014 Program of Studies is online! • Course curriculum information can be found on the LCPS website! • The middle school counselors and teachers are a great resource when making these decisions.

29. “Lesson in Balance” • Challenge the student vs. Overloading the student • Finding balance in the students course load • If you figure out the formula for this, create an app! You’ll make millions!

30. “Lesson in Balance” Take the most challenging classes you can handle.

31. “Lesson in Balance” Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle.

32. “Lesson in Balance” • How much time do you have available to study and do homework? • Do you play sports? • Are you involved in activities? • What does your track-record indicate? • How committed and disciplined are you?

33. “Lesson in Balance” Think long-term: It’s easier to improve your schedule each year by taking more challenging classes… than it is to improve a damaged GPA!

34. Johnny LateStarter Grade 9:Grade 10: English C 2 English B 3 History C 2 History A 4 Math D 1 Math C 2 Science D 1 Science B 3 HPE B 3 HPE A 4 Elective C 2 Elective A 4 Elective C 2 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 1.86Cumulative GPA = 2.64 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 2.90Cumulative GPA = 3.12

35. Sara StudyHard Grade 9:Grade 10: English B 3 English B 3 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math C 2 Science C 2 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.29 Cumulative GPA = 3.36 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.38 Cumulative GPA = 3.46

36. The Importance of the Freshman Year • The difference between a 3.12 GPA and a 3.46 GPA can be the ninth grade year!!! • The student with the “Slow Start” would have to earn straight A’s in grades 10, 11, and 12 just to equal the student who had a stronger freshman year. • This example is not meant to scare you!

37. “Lesson in Balance” Don’t forget to consider the student’s interests when determining his/her course load!

38. Reminder • We cannot make changes to course requests after the deadline of June 14, 2013 • Requests for changes should be directed to the middle school until the last day of school, June 6 • Between June 7 and June 14, requests for changes should be directed to BWHS.

39. After the School Year Begins • Elective changes will not be possible • Academic level changes • Level change decisions are made case-by-case • Input from a variety of sources will be needed • A class that is “difficult” for a student is not the same as a class that is “too difficult” for a student! • Changing a level often disrupts the student’s entire schedule!

40. Agenda • Accomplishments and Expectations • Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process • Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements • Selecting Courses for Next Year

41. Upcoming Events • April 17: BWHS Activities EXPO (private & homeschool students are welcome!) • May: Athletics meeting for parents • See BWHSports.org for details • Special education meeting – date TBA • Week before school begins • Freshman Student Orientation • Freshman Parent Meeting • First week of school – meeting with freshmen • Monitor our website and look for our newsletter!