8th Grade Parent Night

WOODFORD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

2015-2016 ADVISING MEETING

Welcome Class of 2019 Yellowjackets

Agenda

AB Block ScheduleThe Anatomy of a High School

Transcript Graduation RequirementsCore, AP, and CTE courses @WCHSThe Course Description GuideThe Course Request Process

The AB Block Schedule

What is a Block Schedule?An academic schedule in which the school year is divided into two 18 week semesters, students have fewer classes per day for longer periods of time, all year long.

AB or Alternating Block

A Day “Gold Day”: Students will attend 4 classes for approximately 90 minutes.

B Day “Black Day”: Students will attend 4 different classes for approximately 90 minutes.

Classes meet all year long, every other day.

Students will select 8 courses to complete.

The AB Advantages

Students receive core content instruction throughout the entire school year.

Students can participate in an arts program, CTE major, or elective for the entire year.

The AB Advantages

Students will have 2 nights to complete homework

Testing will be more efficient and streamlined. EOCs and AP testing will all take place at the end of the year. All STAR testing will be through English and Math classes.

Make-up work is more manageable because students miss fewer classes per day.

Sample Weekly Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday Friday

English II Geometry English II Geometry English II

Integrated Science I

Economics/Government

Integrated Science I

Economics/Government

Integrated Science I

Health/PE Spanish I Health/PE Spanish I Health/PE

Band Principles of Health Science

Band Principles of Health Science

Band

Sample Schedule- 9th grade

A Day “Black Day”

B Day “Gold Day”

1st block8:10-9:45am

English I OR

Advanced English II

Algebra I, Pre-AP Alg II, or

Advanced Geometry

2nd block9:50-

11:20am

General or AdvancedIntegrated Science I

OR Advanced

Integrated Science II

AP Government OR

(Adv)Government/Economics

3rd block11:25-1:25pm Health/PE

Elective: Introduction to

Engineering

4th block1:30-3:10pm

Elective: Spanish II Elective: Band

AB Grading Information1st Semester

Progress Reports at 6 and 12 weeks

Report Cards at 18 weeks

90 minute classes

½ credit

2nd Semester Progress Reports at

6 and 12 weeks Report Cards at

18 weeks 90 minute classes ½ credit

The High School Transcript In high school, student not only earn grades

when they complete a class, but they also earn credits.

However, students must pass the class to earn the credit.

Students must earn enough credits in order to graduate from high school!

A transcript is like a report card, it shows the letter grade, percentage, and credit that students earn in each class.

The first time that grades and credits will appear on the transcript will be in December.

Promotion is based on total credits

Students must earn 7 credits by the end of the Freshman year to be promoted to the 10th grade (Sophomore year)

Students will earn ½ credit for each class passed in December and another ½ credit for each class passed in May.

Promotion Requirements

Class of 2018 Student ClassificationGRADE LEVEL Minimum number

of Credits Required

10 711 1412 21

Graduate 28

Grade Point Averages

(aka GPA) At the end of each semester, the GPA will be recorded on the report card and transcript.

Un-weighted GPA is based on a 4.0 scale A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0

Good grades = Higher GPA Colleges are looking for high school students with

high GPAs. In order to earn a high GPA, students must start off

with strong grades their Freshman year. Failing a class seriously affects the cumulative GPA.

Graduation Honors

Cumulative GPA

Level of Distinction

4.0 or higher Summa Cum Laude

3.75-3.899 Magna Cum Laude

3.50-3.749 Cum Laude

Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship

(KEES)Students in Kentucky can actually earn

College Scholarship money by making good grades while in high school.

Students who earn at least a 2.5 GPA will qualify for KEES awards.

Students can also earn bonus KEES money based on a composite ACT of at least 15.

Woodford County High School Graduation

RequirementsEnglish 4 credits English I, II, III, IV

Math 4 credits Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, math elective

Science 3 credits Integrated Science I, II, and Biology

Social Studies 3 credits Govt/Econ or AP Government, World Civ, U.S. History

Health/PE 1 credit

Arts &Humanities

1 credit *Mrs. Marks presentation

Total Credits 28 credits *English & Math required each year

** 2 years of Foreign Language required for pre-college

curriculum

Class of 2019—NEW Graduation ExpectationCollege or Career Readiness for

Core vs. Elective Courses

Core courses are required for graduation.

Elective courses are classes that a student chooses based on their interests/abilities.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses

Advanced Placement classes offer college-level course work.

Students must take a standardized test at the end of the school year.

American colleges often grant placement and course credit to students based on the results of the test.

Because of the rigorous nature of the curriculum, AP courses are designated as such on the transcript and receive a “weighted grade.”

Students and Parents must sign an AP Commitment Contract to enroll.

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

English Language European History

English Literature Psychology

Calculus AB U.S. Government-9th grade AP course

*Mrs. Finney presentation

Calculus BC U.S. History

Statistics World History

Biology Spanish Music

Chemistry Studio Art

Physics Studio Art 3D

Career Major Courses(CTE)

Hands-on experience in the classroom Real-World experience outside the

classroom KOSSA certificate (after earning 3

credits) Industry Certificate Articulation Agreements (College Credit Awards Night Recognition Strengthens job and college applications

CTE Career MajorsAnimal Science Systems Horticulture and Plant Science

Systems

Agriculture Power, Structural, & Technical Systems

Agribusiness

Marketing/Sports Marketing Business Management

Business Multimedia Fundamentals of Education

Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Culinary & Food Service Consumer & Family Management

Medicaid Nurse Aide (MNA) Pharmacy Technician

EKG Technician Phlebotomy Technician

Instrumental Music Vocal Music

Theatre Visual Arts

The Gold Standard

College Ready

College & Career Ready

Career Ready

College and Career Ready students receive honor cords to wear at graduation

Class of 2019 students must show

College OR Career Readiness to Graduate!!

WCHS Course Description Guide

The WCHS Course Description Guide offers a complete listing of the courses that are offered at Woodford County High School and graduation requirements.

It is available online, please visit the WCHS Guidance News page at www.woodford.kyschools.us

Guidance News

Course Description Guide

Course Request Card Directions

Use a PENCILPrint first and last name Circle one Academy Pathway, if

applicable. Circle one CTE Career MajorDon’t forget the PARENT

SIGNATURE

Course Request CardInstructions

1. To select a course on the Course Request Card, put an “X” by the name of the course. Choose 8.

2. To indicate alternate choices, place an “A1” by the 1st alternate, “A2” by the second alternate, etc. Choose 5 alternate course.

Course Request CardInstructions

1. Academy students MUST select the course titled “P.A.S.T/Bluegrass Land & Life.”

2. Teacher signature is REQUIRED for any English, Math, Science, or AP Government.

Course Selection GuidelinesCurrent 8th Grade Class Request this 9th Grade Class

English Language Arts General or Advanced English I

Pre-Academy Adv English I

Advanced English II

Math Pre-Algebra General or Advanced Algebra I

Algebra I Advanced Geometry

Geometry Pre-AP Algebra II

Science Science General or Adv Integrated Science I

Advanced Science General or Adv Integrated Science I

Pre-Academy Integrated Science I

General or Advanced Integrated Science II

Social Studies

Social Studies Government&Economics or AP Government

Pre-Academy AdvancedSocial Studies

Government&Economics orAP Government

The Academy Application Process

Students applying to The Academy for the 2015-2016 school year must submit the following by February 9, 2015 to their Social Studies teacher.

Academy Application

Current 8th grade School Schedule-provided by Guidance Office

8th Grade 1st semester report card-provided by Guidance Office

Additional pieces to be submitted

2 teacher recommendations(Submitted to WCHS or WCMS guidance offices by February 27th)

Additional audition/portfolios are required for fine arts students. Fine Arts students will be contacted in April for audition/portfolio submissions.

Four Year High School Plan

January 27: 8th Grade Advising night

January 29: Academy Advising night

February 3: WCHS Advising night

February 9: Course Request Cards, AP Commitment Contracts and Academy Applications Due to Social Studies Teacher

Hail Woodford The Gold Standard

We look forward to seeing you this fall

YellowJackets!!!

Questions??