2 2 15 academic advising 9th grade presentation final

Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and

Curriculum Night

West Potomac High School February 2, 2015

Welcome Class of 2019Tonight’s Agenda

• 6:00-7:10pm

– Welcome/Introductions

– Overview of Academic Advising

– Overview of Advanced Academics at WPHS

• 7:20 – 8:40pm

– Curriculum Breakout Sessions – Quander Rooms

– Electives Open House - Cafeteria

Welcome from WPPTSA

• Ms. Karen Corbett-Sanders, PTSA President

Resources for Academic Advising

• WPHS Student Services Website

Standard Diploma Requirements

2013-2014 and Beyond

Total Credits to include Virtual Course (credit or non-credit bearing) and CTE Industry Certification – See Course Catalog for more information

Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements

2013-2014 and Beyond

Totals Credit to include Virtual Course (credit or non-credit bearing) – See Course Catalog for more information

Expunging Middle School Courses

• Students may take high school credit courses while in middle school– Algebra 1, Geometry, World Language, ESOL

• Parents may request that grades for any high school credit-bearing course taken in the middle school be removed from the student’s high school transcript– Student will not earn high school credit for the course or be

eligible for a verified credit in the course

• The request to remove a course from the transcript must be made in writing to the middle or high school the student will attend the following year, prior to the end of the first nine weeks. See current version of FCPS Regulation 2408

• Form available on WPHS Student Services Website

Expunging Middle School Courses

Typical 9th Grade Schedule(Seven Courses)

• English 9/English 9 HN

• World History and Geography 1/WHG 1 HN

• Math (see next slide)

• Biology/Biology HN (9th grade Science Fair for HN)

• Health and PE 9

• World Language (see later slide) or

Elective (see later slide)

• Elective

Math Courses for 9th Grade

• Algebra 1 Part 1 and Algebra 1 (double-block)– Algebra 1 Part 1 is an elective credit for Standard and Advanced

Diploma

• Algebra 1/Algebra 1 HN

• Geometry/Geometry HN

• Algebra 2/Algebra 2 HN

Teacher recommendation is very important!

World Language

• French

• German

• Latin

• Spanish

• Spanish for Fluent Speakers (designed for students with a background in Spanish or who speak Spanish at home)

Consult with current teachers for upper level recommendations!

Special Education

• Middle School Case Manager makes recommendations based on the student’s IEP

• Level of services (SC, TM, General ed)

• Special Education courses as needed

(Strategies for Success, Reading, Personal Development, etc.)

ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages

• Middle School ESOL Dept. determines the ESOL level of each student based on the WIDA scores.

• ESOL 1

• ESOL 2

• ESOL 2/3

• ESOL 3

• ESOL 4

9th Grade Electives

• English– Journalism 1, Photojournalism 1, Creative Writing, Film Study, Debate,

Developing Literacies

• Math– Computer Science

• Business– Economics & Personal Finance (required for graduation), Cyber Security

Capstone (Info Fund), Information Systems, Webpage Development, Programming , Accounting, Bus Law/Bus Mgmt

• Marketing– Marketing

9th Grade Electives

• Technology Education– Design & Technology, Basic Technical Drawing, Electronics,

Aerospace Science

• Visual Arts– Studio Art 1, Computer Graphics 1, Photography 1

• Performing Arts– Music Sampler, Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Percussion Ensemble, Piano,

Chorus (recommendation/audition)

• Theatre Arts– Theatre Arts 1, Technical Theatre 1

• West Potomac Academy– Dance 1, TV Prod-School News

• General– Army JROTC 1, AVID, Leadership Training (interview), Peer Mediation

AVID – an elective option!

• Advancement Via Individual Determination

• AVID is an academic program designed to increase the rigor of coursework taken by West Potomac students.

• Every AVID student is in at least one Honors/AP.

• Over the last four years all AVID seniors who applied to a four year college were accepted into at least one four year school!

• Tutorials, College Visits, Family Nights, Guest Speakers…

• Application required – see Ms. Caldwell for more information.

For more information visit AVID breakout session later this evening.

Honors vs. On-Level

• Course-specific information by each dept.

• Student interest/motivation

• Higher-order thinking skills

• Interdisciplinary connections

• Overall workload of seven courses

• Balance with other commitments (extra-curricular activities, family time, leisure, etc.)

• Time management and organizational skills are important

Advanced Academics atWest Potomac High School

Sara Veinbergs

Advanced Academics Coordinator

Rigorous academic studies

Open access to all students

Academic exploration and knowledge beyond the standard course of study

Require dedication of time and individual effort beyond the school day

College preparatory (Honors) and college-level (AP) courses

Visit http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml

What are Advanced Academic Programs?

Honors courses are college preparatory courses offered to either prepare students for AP Courses or are courses where a comparable AP course does not exist.

Students who do well in Honors courses have a foundation for doing well in AP and college courses.

The Basics - Honors

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Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) coursesare college-level courses offered in high school. AP courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses.

At the end of course, students take AP Exams—standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered college-level course work. (Some also have an SOL.)

The Basics - AP

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The MOST significant factor leading to success in college is the rigor of the high school curriculum.

Advanced academic courses expand student’s ability to read, write, and think critically; analyze and solve problems; and build 21st century skills.

Honors and AP courses can bolster a HS transcript and improve college acceptance.

Honors courses have .5 and AP courses have 1.0 (with completion of class and exam) weighted grades which add to a student’s GPA.

Many colleges grant credit for courses in which students earn a qualifying score on AP examinations.

Benefits of Participating in Advanced Academic Programs

Often the most interesting and fulfilling courses a student takes in high school.

Students develop confidence, and learn strong study habits and time management skills.

Colleges rank “Grades in college prep courses” and “Strength of curriculum” as the top two factors in the admission decision.*

* 2009 State of College Admission, NACAC

Benefits of Participating in AP Programs

85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.**

Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a college degree on time. ***

31% of colleges and universities consider a student’s AP experience when making decisions about which students will receive scholarships.****

** Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc. March 2007 *** IPEDS database, 2008*** Linda Hargrove, Donn Godin, and Barbara Dodd, “College Outcomes Comparisons by AP and Non-AP High School Experiences.” The College Board, 200**** Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc. March 2007

Benefits of Participating in AP Programs

Advanced Placement courses typically demand more of students than regular or honors courses.

Classes tend to be fast-paced and cover more material .

More time, inside and outside of the classroom.

Advanced Academics teachers expect their students to thinkcritically, analyze and synthesize facts and data, weighcompeting perspectives, and write clearly and persuasively.

What to Expect from AP

West Potomac is a CLT School: Working collaboratively, teachers can structure common activities, interventions, and instruction based on analysis of assessments.

Advanced Academics Mentoring Program: Underclassmen students in advanced courses are invited to be mentored by upperclassmen with experiences in taking similar courses, providing advice on time management and study skills.

First Quarter Skills Workshops: Students have the opportunity to work with Advanced Academics and AVID teachers on essential skills in an effort to start the school year off on the right foot.

Supports

• You! (Parents/Guardians)

– Advanced Academics is for the PREPARED not the ELITE

– Rigor ≠ More work…BALANCE is key

– Play to strengths and interest areas when selecting courses

Most Important Support

All registration materials are located on the WPHS website through the Student Services office http://www.fcps.edu/WestPotomacHS/studentservices/studentservices.html

Further information on Advanced Academic Programs can be found on the FCPS website http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/index.shtml

Further Information

Sara Veinbergs

Advanced Academics Coordinator

[email protected]

Drew Hamlin

Advanced Academics Assistant Principal

[email protected]

Contact Information

Preparing for High School

• Daily attendance is important.

• Utilize WPHS agenda book every day.

• Check Blackboard every day.

• Absences must be reported by a parent/guardian

by phone or with a note within 3 days to the

appropriate subschool.

• Utilize the Wolverine Time – meets every day.

• Late buses are available for after-school help.

Preparing for High School

• Establish a study buddy system.

• Activities such as clubs, arts and sports are great

ways to get involved in the school community.

• Grades must be maintained to participate in

sports.

• Grade Point Averages (GPA’s) are computed from

your grades in ALL subjects, ALL four years. Ninth

grade is important!

Upcoming Dates/Action Items

• February 5, 2015

– HS Counselors presenting to 8th grade students on Academic Advising

– Course Catalog and Selection Sheets distributed

• April – Course Selection Verification mailed home late April

– Correction are encouraged as quickly as possible –Contact High School Alpha Counselor

Academic Advising Materials

What’s Next