Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen

Briar Woods High School

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)

Agenda

Accomplishments and Expectations

Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

Selecting Courses for Next Year

Accomplishments and Expectations

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

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

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

Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

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

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

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

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

Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

Diplomas

Standard Diploma Advanced Studies Diploma

The Standard Technical Diploma and the Advanced Studies Technical Diploma never arrived!

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

Standard DiplomaAcademic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits

English 4 2

Social Studies 3 1

Mathematics 3 1

Science 3 1

Health/Physical Education 2

Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or Career & Technical Education

2

Economics and Personal Finance 1

Electives 4

Student Selected Verified Credit 1

Total 22 6

Advanced Studies Diploma

Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits

English 4 2

Social Studies 4 2

Mathematics 4 2

Science 4 2

Foreign Language 3-4

Health/Physical Education 2

Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1

Economics and Personal Finance 1

Electives 3

Student Selected Verified Credit 1

Total 26 9

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

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

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

Selecting Courses for Next Year (and beyond)

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.

Course Options for Freshmen1. English 9: Honors or Academic

2. World History 1: Pre-AP (Honors) or Academic

3. Earth Science: Honors, Academic, or General

4. Math: Follows sequence

5. Health & Physical Education 9

6. Elective – usually a foreign language

7. Elective

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.

Course Levels

Academic

Course content and expected student performance require additional reading and

writing at a rigorous level.

Academic is a “college-bound” level.

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.

Electives Available to Freshmen

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.

“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!

“Lesson in Balance”

Take the most challenging classes you can handle.

“Lesson in Balance”

Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle.

“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?

“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!

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 = 1.86 Cumulative 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 = 2.90 Cumulative GPA = 3.12

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

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!

“Lesson in Balance”

Don’t forget to consider the student’s interests when determining his/her

course load!

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.

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!

Agenda

Accomplishments and Expectations

Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process

Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

Selecting Courses for Next Year

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!