Ninth Grade Orientation Welcome to Solon High School Solon High School Guidance Department Mrs. Wendy DingmanA-De349-6242 [email protected] Mr.

Ninth Grade Orientation

Welcome to Solon High School

Solon High School Guidance DepartmentMrs. Wendy Dingman A-De 349-6242

[email protected]

Mr. Rick Nowak Df-Ho 349-6243 [email protected]

Mrs. Ann Trocchio Hp-Mc 349-7407 [email protected]

Mrs. Kathleen Kinney Md-See 349-7307 [email protected]

Mrs. Anne Johns, Director Sef-Z 349-6241 [email protected]

Mrs. Laura Gordon Secretary 349-7304 [email protected]

Solon High School Guidance Webpage www.solonschools.org/guidance

SHS PROFILE

• Ranked #1 in Northeast Ohio

• School of Distinction-

Ohio Department of Education

• 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 ACT Red Quill Award

• 2012 ACT Red Quill Legacy Award

• National Blue Ribbon School

SHS Enrollment and Data

• Size of Class of 2015 412

• Four-year College &

Two-Year College 90%

• Business, Technical School,

Military, or Work 10%

• Minority Population 28%

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS

• CLASS OF 2014- Finalists 20- Commended 17- National Achievement 3

• CLASS OF 2015

-Semi-Finalists 17

-Commended 21

-National Achievement 2

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS

• 1990• 1995• 2003• 2007• 2009• 2010 • 2011 • 2012

ACT RESULTS Composite Scores

• National Average 21.0

• SHS Class of 2014 25.3

• SHS Top 10% 33.8

SAT RESULTSVerbal + Math

• National Average 1010

• SHS Class of 2014 1207

• Top 10% 1400-1600

ADVANCED PLACEMENTPROGRAM

• In 2014, 718 students took 1,558 exams.

• Score Distribution:

- Score of 5: 650

- Score of 4: 478

- Score of 3: 313

SHS Counselors Guiding Students

9th 10th 11th 12th Monitor academic progress

Review course selections

and credits toward

graduation

Monitor academic progress

Review course selections

and credits toward

graduation

Monitor academic progress

Review course selections

and credits toward

graduation

Monitor academic progress

Review course selections

and credits toward

graduation

Aspire Testing

PSAT Practice Testing

AP Exams

State Testing

Aspire Testing

PSAT Practice Testing

AP Exams

State Testing

PSAT

ACT

SAT

AP Exams

State Testing

ACT

SAT

AP Exams

State Testing

Meet with students monthly

in the Freshman Mentor

Program and register all

9th graders on Naviance

Assist students in updating

resume and four-year

plan on Naviance

Assist students in

completing resume and

continuing career and

college planning

Implement the college

process with planning,

applications, essays,

and scholarship info

Meet with each 9th grader

to create four-year plan

and discuss long-term

plans

Meet with each 10th grader

to provide information

about voc/tech programs

and discuss career plans

Meet with each 11th grader

to review post-SHS

plans including college

planning

Meet with each 12th grader

to finalize post-SHS

plans

Core Graduation Requirements

English 9, 10, 11, 12 4 Credits Health .50 CreditMathematics (must include Algebra II)4 CreditsPhysical Education .50 CreditScience (Physical Sci, Biology, Advanced Sci) 3 CreditsSocial Studies (World, U.S., Gov, Econ) 3 CreditsFine Arts 1 CreditElectives 5 Credits

TOTAL Minimum 21 Credits

College Entrance Recommendations (Minimum)

• 4 years of English• 4 years of Math

(including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry)• 3 - 4 years of Science

(including Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

• 3 - 4 years of Social Studies

• 2 - 3 years of Foreign Language

• 1 year of fine, applied or performing arts

Honors DiplomaNeed SEVEN of these Eight Criteria

• 4 credits of English• 4 credits of Math (Alg I, II, Geom and higher)

• 4 credits of Science (including Chemistry and Physics)

• 4 credits of Social Studies• 3 credits of Foreign Language OR 2 credits

each of two Foreign Languages• 1 credit of Fine Arts• 3.5 GPA on 4.0 scale (through the end of the third

quarter of senior year)

• 27 ACT OR 1210 SAT (SAT combined CR/M scores)

Honors & AP Courses

• SHS offers nine honors courses and twenty-four Advanced Placement courses.

• Honors courses available to ninth graders include Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry and Honors Biology. AP World History is also offered for ninth graders.

• Ninth grade recommendations are made by eighth grade teachers. Contact SMS teachers for questions about recommendations.

Academic Supports

Solon High School is proud to offer academic supports and interventions to all students in need of assistance:

• Classroom-based interventions• Peer tutoring• Academic Labs/Resource Center• After-School Study Center• Before/After school support from student’s teachers• Academic coaching by counselors/administrators

Best Instructional PracticesWhat do we expect all students to learn?How do we know if they have learned it?

How do we respond when they are NOT learning?

GRADES AND GRADE REPORTS1. Student report cards are distributed each nine weeks reporting the record of achievement for the student during that nine-week period of time only. (Grade Viewer same as SMS to monitor grades.)

2. The nine-week grade is expressed in terms of a letter grade for the purpose of figuring and reporting a semester or yearly grade.

3. The SHS grading scale is as follows:

A = 90 – 100%B = 80 – 89%C = 70 – 79%D = 60 – 69%F = 0 – 59%

WEIGHTED GRADESGRADES FOR COURSES ARE WEIGHTED AT TWO LEVELS:

REGULAR COURSE WEIGHT

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSE WEIGHT

HONOR COURSE WEIGHT

A = 4B = 3C = 2D = 1F = 0

A = 4.5B = 3.375C = 2.25D = 1.0F = 0

A = 5.0B = 3.75C = 2.5D = 1.0F = 0

Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam for each course in May. Many colleges award college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores upon college enrollment.

Changes in Graduation TestingFor the Class of 2018 and beyond, Ohio has established three pathways for students to meet state testing requirements for graduation (subject to change due to pending legislation):

1. Earn a cumulative passing score on end-of-course exams: English 9 & 10, Algebra I, Geometry, US History, US Government, Biology. (See page 7 in the Program of Study for more details.)

2. Earn a “remediation free” score on a nationally recognized college admission exams such as ACT or SAT.

3. Earn a State Board of Education-approved, industry-recognized credential or a state-issued license for practice in a career and achieve a score that demonstrates workforce readiness and employability on a job skills assessment.

Athletic Eligibility for Incoming Ninth Graders

Bylaw 4-4-4: A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of five of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled.

Bylaw 4-4-7: Summer school and other educational options may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic standards specified in Bylaw 4 during the last grading period of the school year.

EXAMPLE OF DETERMINING ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY GRADES 9-12

Passing grades must have been earned in a minimum of five one-credit courses, or equivalent, in the grading period immediately preceding the sport. PE classes do not count toward eligibility.

Subject Grade Credit &Duration Factor CreditsEnglish 9 A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00Spanish 1 C 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00P.E. P 0.50 YEAR 0 0.00Algebra 1 B 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00World Hist B 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00Band A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00Science A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00Total Credit 6.50 6.00 = eligible for

athletics*Must carry at least 5 classes both semesters.

Excel TECC Programs• Arts and Communications: Digital Arts and Technology, Performing Arts

Academy, Studio Art and Design

• Business and Administration: Business Academy, Culinary Arts

• Construction Technologies: Construction Trades

• Education and Training: Early Childhood Education

• Engineering/Transportation: Auto Mechanics, CADD Engineering Technology

• Environmental & Agricultural: Floriculture and Gardening Operations, Landscape and Turf Operations

• Health Sciences: Medical Technologies

• Human Services: Cosmetology, Fire/EMS Academy

• Information Technology: Interactive Media, Information Technology and Programming

Resume• Plans after high school

• Academic achievements

• School activities/clubs

• Athletics

• Music/Art/Drama

• Volunteer experience

• Work experience

• Talents, skills, interests

• Career exploration:

Job shadowing, internships

Visit www.solonschools.org/guidance and click on Naviance, our college/career planning website. Students create an account in ninth grade to use all four years for information and guidance regarding resume building, course planning, ACT/SAT/AP testing, summer enrichment programs, college planning/research, college application status, financial aid, and more.

EXAMPLE #1 EXAMPLE #2 EXAMPLE #3 EXAMPLE #4 EXAMPLE #5

English 9 CP English 9 CP English 9 Honors English 9 CP English 9 HonorsPhysical Science Physical Science Honors Biology Physical Science Physical Science Algebra I Trans Algebra & Honors Geometry Algebra I Honors Algebra IIWorld History Algebra I block AP World History World History World HistoryPhysical Education World History Physical Education Physical Education Physical EducationSpanish 2 Physical Education Band or Choir Spanish I Spanish 2Study Hall Study Hall (Interv) French 2 Study Hall/Elective Study Hall

9th Grade Course Planning• There are seven periods in the school day. Ninth graders take at least FIVE classes each semester and often Physical Education.

• Students must pass five classes for athletic eligibility (excluding Phys Ed).

• Ninth grade courses: English, Math, Science, World History, Phys Ed., Elective(s)

• Study Hall is recommended for ninth graders.

• Course recommendations from SMS have been mailed to parents.

What if my child is NOT recommended for a course he/she

wants to take? If you should decide to take a non-

recommended course, you must complete the Scheduling Risk Form (available online at

www.solonschools.org/guidance or in SMS Guidance Office). The form states that if the student chooses to

drop this course during the school year, it will be noted on the transcript as a WF (Withdraw Failing).

What if my child can’t fit Phys. Ed. on his/her schedule?

Students may take the two semester Physical Education classes at any time during their four years at SHS.

Students may choose zero period Physical Education which adds a class period to the day.

What if my child can’t fit a study hall on his/her schedule?

If a student does not have a study hall, there are still many ways to get support.

Student makes appointment to meet with teacher before or after school.

Student requests peer tutor. Student attends After-School Study Center

which is open Mon -Thr 3:15-4:00 and staffed by teachers.

Where can I find more information or answers to my specific questions?

For questions about class recommendations contact

SMS teachers. For general questions about courses, requirements,

and academic programming see the Program of Studies booklet, which is also available online.

For any questions about the high school, contact your student’s high school counselor via email or phone.

Ninth Grade Orientation

Welcome to Solon High School

Solon High School Guidance DepartmentMrs. Wendy Dingman A-De 349-6242

[email protected]

Mr. Rick Nowak Df-Ho 349-6243 [email protected]

Mrs. Ann Trocchio Hp-Mc 349-7407 [email protected]

Mrs. Kathleen Kinney Md-See 349-7307 [email protected]

Mrs. Anne Johns, Director Sef-Z 349-6241 [email protected]

Mrs. Laura Gordon Secretary 349-7304 [email protected]

Solon High School Guidance Webpage www.solonschools.org/guidance