High School Graduation Requirements and Course Structure

HIGH SCHOOL on the HORIZON Welcome Class of 2021 & Parents

GOALS OF PARENT NIGHT To learn about the current Future Ready Core high school graduation requirements To understand the courses students must take to meet these graduation requirements To explain the high school registration process

FUTURE-READY CORE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 26 Units of High School Credit needed to graduate (Magnet and Early Colleges have different required credits) High School students are promoted according to credits they have earned- To be promoted to 10th grade, students need 6 credits ( English 1, two credits in the areas of math, social studies or science and three additional credits) If students fails a core graduation requirement course, that course must be repeated to earn credit in order to meet the graduation requirements Students do not repeat a grade like they do in elementary or middle school.

Future-Ready Core Course of Study 4- English 4-Math 4-Social Studies 3-Science 1-Healthful Living 10-Electives

MATH 9thGrade Math I (Students who took 8thgrade math, and those who failed Math I in eighth grade will be required to take this course). *Foundations of Math I and Math I Math II- Students who have struggled Math I could be recommended for a refresher course prior to taking Math II. Math III or Math III Honors

Please Note Math I taken in middle school counts toward the four required math classes, but the grade is not calculated in the GPA. It is recommended that a math course be taken in the senior year.

End of Course Tests & NC Final Exams EOC tests are required for ( Math I, Biology, English II) EOC s count as 20% of the student s final grade NC Final Exams count as 20% of the student s final grade

Healthful Living- 1 credit Healthful Living- Students are encouraged to complete this course freshman year

Electives Electives 10 Credits 2 elective credits of any combination from *CTE, Arts or World Languages 4 elective credits are strongly recommended from one of the following areas: CTE, JROTC, Arts or any other subject area (Math, Science, English, Social Studies). Students are able to concentrate in an area of special interest. 4 elective credits from any area *CTE (Career & Technical Education)

CAREER CLUSTERS (State Career Cluster list has 16 not all schools have each cluster.) Hospitality & Tourism Human Services Information Technology Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Manufacturing Marketing Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Agriculture & Natural Resources Architecture & Construction Arts, Technology & Communications Business Management & Administration Education & Training Finance Government & Public Admin. Health Science

WORLD LANGUAGES Not required for high school graduation. For admission to the UNC system, students must have a minimum of two credits in the same world language. Middle school students who have a strong command of the language arts and/or math curricula are encouraged to begin world language study in the ninth grade. For the majority of students, world language study should begin in grade 10.

How does my student register for high school?

The Registration Process: Counselors will meet with feeder High Schools Eighth Grade teachers are in the process of making recommendations (ninth grade teachers will be able to view the recommendations) Your student will bring home all registration materials specific to their assigned high school Registration begins on February 22nd. Registration ends March 24

The Registration Process https://youtu.be/1n8XAijNRW8

Parents and students will: Review the teachers recommendations Choose electives using your high school s 9th grade elective sheet. These are the ONLY electives available to 9thgraders! Students will be registered for 8 courses, including electives and will choose 3 alternate electives. Enter recommendations into Powerschools Parents make the final recommendation choice

Sample Course Selections for 9th Grade Students English Math Science Social Studies Healthful Living Additional Course (*Elective) Additional Course (*Elective) Additional Course (*Elective) 3 Additional Alternate *Electives *Electives are courses you and your student choose

Timeline Information Magnet Application: Open until January 31; Notification: Feb. 16 Transfer Period: Feb. 22-28; Notification: March 8 *Please review the WCPSS Website for information on this process.* No need to worry about who registers first If you are applying for a transfer, please communicate with your child s counselor. If it is approved use the approved high school s course selection sheet

Grading Scale A = 90-100 B= 80-89 C= 70-79 D= 60-69 F= less than 60

GPA- Grade Point Average is based on Quality Points Letter Grades A B C D F Standard Courses 4 3 2 1 0 Honors AP 4.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 0 5 4 3 2 0

SAMPLE GPA 10th GRADE Course English II Common Core II Earth Science Amer. Hist I Healthful Liv Chorus Biology Computer App II 9th GRADE Course English I Common Core I Earth Science World Hist Healthful Liv Found of Math Computer App Teen Liv 11th GRADE Course_______ Grade___QP English III Honors CC Math III A Biology Amer. Hist II French I French II Chorus Photography Grade QP 1 D F D F C C F Grade QP C B A 4 C A A C A D B 3 5 3 4 4 3 4 2 3 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 B A 2 4 4 2 4 A B A A 4 7 30 25 CREDITS EARNED 5 TOTAL QPs CREDITS EARNED 8 TOTAL QPs CREDITS EARNED 8 TOTAL QPs 30 7 25 25 QP s divided by 8 = 3.75 GPA 25 QP s divided by 8 = 3.125 GPA 7 QPs divided by 8 courses= 0.875 GPA

SAMPLE OVERALL GPA 9 9th thGrade Grade 10 10th thGrade Grade 11 11th thGrade Grade Credits Earned= 8 Total QPs= 25 Credits Earned= 8 Total QPs= 30 Credits Earned= 5 Total QPs= 7 25 QP s / by 8 courses = 3.125 GPA 30 QP s / by 8 courses = 3.75 GPA 7 QPs / by 8 courses= 0.875 GPA Total Quality Points (7+25+30= 62) Total Quality Points (7+25+30= 62) Divided by Divided by Total Credits (5+8+8= 21) Total Credits (5+8+8= 21) = GPA = GPA 62 QP s Divided by 21 credits = 2.952 C GPA Freshman Year Counts!

Attendance Requirements In a block schedule: Up to 10 days per semester per class (EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED) Excessive absences result in school-based interventions. Students could be subject to an FF (Failed with a grade of F) for the course Parent may appeal the failure to an attendance committee comprised of teachers and administrators

Social Media Be aware of the social media sites your child is using! Continue to remind your child that what is posted matters. Colleges and employers may use internet searches and gain information about you.

COLLEGE PLANNING College Admission Offices pay careful attention to the following: Grade Point Average ( GPA) Difficulty of course load SAT/ACT scores Attendance/ Behavior Class Rank HS and community activities, involvement Recommendations

What Parents Can Do To Help What Parents Can Do To Help Assist your child with organization and planning Keep a master calendar of assignments, tests, projects, and extracurricular activities at home Be aware of student s grades each week in each class Be a Home Base user so you can look at grades and attendance on a regular basis and can e-mail teachers if problems arise Be supportive in their decisions and health negotiators Volunteer at school Offer suggestions and not demands Talk to your child about their day

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