Correction!!!

1. Correction!!! • Please note that at the 2/6/12 parent night, we announced that the EXPO would be on April 28. • That was an error!!! • The correct EXPO date is April 18th, 9:30-12:00 • We apologize for any inconvenience

2. Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen

3. Agenda • Accomplishments and Expectations • Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process • Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements • Selecting Courses for Next Year • This program is on the BWHS Guidance webpage under “presentations”

4. The Class of 2011

5. 74% are attending 4-year colleges

6. 21% are attending 2-year schools J Sargeant Community College

7. Class of 2011 • Accepted by 164 different colleges and universities and are currently on 71 different campuses • Attend school in 32 different states and three countries

8. 1% are in the military or other post- secondary training/schools 4% went directly into the work force

9. The Class of 2011 • Earned over 2.3 million dollars in scholarships and grants • Over two-thirds were enrolled in one or more Advanced Placement classes while in high school

10. Graduates to Date • Accepted at 342 different colleges and universities • International schools • Top universities and Ivy League schools • Military academies • Coast Guard Academy • Merchant Marine Academy • Air Force Academy • Naval Academy

11. Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process Eagle Ridge Middle School Stone Hill Middle School Area private schools & Homeschools

12. Scheduling ProcessBWHS counselors will visit the middle schools: Stone Hill Middle School February 14 & 15 Eagle Ridge Middle School February 3

13. Scheduling Process • BWHS counselors will review: • The 2012-13 Program of Studies • Transitioning to high school • Graduation requirements • The high school schedule • Advanced Placement courses • Activities & sports • Classes for next year

14. Scheduling Process • The 2012-13 Program of Studies can be found online on the BWHS Guidance webpage • In depth curriculum information and course syllabi can be found on the LCPS website in the “Instruction” section • Any family without internet access should speak to their child’s counselor

15. 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 with the input and assistance of their current counselors and teachers

16. Scheduling Process at Eagle Ridge • ERMS students have reviewed their course selections that were made last year and made necessary changes • On February 3rd, BWHS counselors will meet with students in large groups

17. Scheduling Process at Eagle Ridge • Students will then meet with Mr. Sharp to select classes using Family Connections • Parents and students will be able to view the selections and make changes on-line until February 29th • Changes after 2/29 should be directed to your current counselor

18. Scheduling Process at Stone Hill • The first week in February, students will receive their 6 year plan of studies to review along with a parent letter explaining the course selection process. • If a teacher recommendation involves moving up to honors, or to repeat a high school course, the student’s parent will be contacted by mid-February.

19. Scheduling Process at Stone Hill • February 14th & 15th: BWHS counselors will meet with students in large groups • February 16th & 17th: Students will select their courses through Family Connection. • Parents may log onto Family connection to make changes through March 2nd. • After March 2nd, any changes can be made through Mrs. Alberth.

20. Scheduling Process • If you disagree or do not understand why a level was recommended – please consider contacting your middle school counselor or teacher

21. Scheduling Process Your child becomes a BWHS High School student beginning June 11, 2012 Changes can be made until June 15, 2012 Schedules will be considered final after June 15! June 15

22. Scheduling for Students New to LCPS • New students usually begin enrolling in April • The information and materials needed to enroll a 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 • Any and all information you can bring is helpful (report cards, testing, curriculum information)

23. Diploma Types & Graduation Requirements

24. Diplomas • Standard Diploma • Advanced Studies Diploma • Standard Technical Diploma • Advanced Technical Diploma Diploma and graduation requirement changes begin with the Class of 2016 Regardless of the diploma type a student wants to pursue, the freshman year generally looks the same

25. Standard Diploma Advanced Studies Diploma

26. Standard Technical Diploma Advanced Technical Diploma

27. SOL Courses English Reading (Eng. 11) Earth Science Writing (Eng. 11) Biology Chemistry Algebra 1 World History 1 Geometry World History 2 Algebra 2 US History Science History Math

28. Selecting Courses for Next Year

29. Course Options for Freshmen • English course • Social Studies course • Science course • Math course • Health & Physical Education • Elective • Elective

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

31. Freshmen Science • Earth Science – Honors, Academic, General • Biology Honors Option • Skipping earth science leaves “holes” in a student’s base of science knowledge • Biology is a tenth grade course • A small percentage of freshmen take this course – less than 10% • Honors Biology has a research component which requires a large amount of independent work • The specific curriculum is under revision • Stay tuned for more information

32. 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. Honors often have 1+ hours of homework per class meeting. CONSIDER: Do you LOVE to read? Do you LOVE to write?

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

34. Course Levels General 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.

35. “Lesson in Balance” • Challenge the student vs. Overloading the student • Find the balance in the student’s course load • Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle.

36. “Lesson in Balance” Friends Family Sports TV/Video AP Classes Honors Classes Homework time Don’t forget to consider the student’s interests when determining his/her course load!

37. “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?

38. “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!

39. 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 A 4 Science B 3 Language A 4 Language A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 2.95Cumulative GPA = 3.14

40. Sara StudyHard Grade 9:Grade 10: English B 3 English B 3 History B 3 History A 4 Math A 4 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 = 3.43 Cumulative GPA = 3.43 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science A 4 Science B 3 Language A 4 Language A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.48 Cumulative GPA = 3.54

41. The Importance of the Freshman Year • The two student had identical 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years. The only difference was the ninth grade year. • The difference between a 3.14 GPA and a 3.54 GPA can be the ninth grade year!!! • The student with the “Slow Start” can earn straight A’s in grades 10 – 12, and still not catch up to the student who had a stronger freshman year.

42. Schedule Changes After the School Year Begins • Elective Changes • Level Changes for core classes • English • Social Studies • Math • Science

43. Schedule Changes - Electives • Students who do not receive their first choice in electives may be permitted to make schedule changes • Students who receive their first choice in electives can not be permitted to change their electives unless extenuating circumstances exist

44. Schedule Changes –Levels • Level changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis • Many factors are considered: • Student input • Parent input • Counselor input • Overall course load • Teacher feedback • Availability of alternate courses • Post-secondary plans • Individual strengths & weaknesses

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

46. Reminder… • This program is on the BWHS Guidance webpage under “presentations” • Changes can be made until June 15, 2012 • After June 15th schedule changes may not be possible!

47. Upcoming Meetings • April 18th: Activities EXPO • May: Sports meeting for parents • See BWHSports.org • Week before school begins • Freshman Orientation • Parent Meeting • First week of school • Freshman meeting • Monitor our website and look for our newsletter!

48. Class of 2016 !!!