1 Transition to Ninth GradeClass of 2021: Transition to Ninth Grade
2 As a freshman, you will: Have more freedom than you do in middle school Have more responsibility than you do in middle school Have an attendance policy (required to attend classes to pass them) Have many more students around you throughout the school day Have a new beginning if you need it
3 The high school reality is:Your “record” starts the day you begin high school. Colleges see final grades for each year. They also may be able to see/know your attendance, discipline, and certain test scores. There will be many opportunities to make good and bad choices. Many of your choices will center around your social group, so friendship decisions are important!
4 By the end of senior year, the Class of 2021 will complete:5 English (Eng 1, 2, 3, 4, + Grad Project) 4 Math (Math 1, 2, 3 and Advanced Math) 4 Social Studies (World History, Civics and Economics, American History 1 and 2) 3 Science (Earth/Environmental, Biology, a Physical Science) Health/PE
5 Transcripts show all your courses.The transcript is a running record that shows an accumulating numerical average, weighted and unweighted GPA, and class rank for each course taken.
6 GPA
7 Credits ‘Credit’ means course or class: 4 in fall, 4 in spring, earning 8 credits per year 5 English + 4 Math + 4 SS + 3 Science + PE=17 Total credits needed to graduate=28 Total credit potential in 4 years=33 + middle school courses taken for high school credit
8 What classes do most students take in 9th grade?English Math World History Earth/Environmental Science Health/PE + 3 electives
9 Classes are based on the individual student’s needs.Your classes may vary from the previous list if: You participate in STAE You participate in Pre-DP (IB) You have taken some of these classes in middle school
10 How the Schedule Works You may take a combination of yearlong classes and semester classes. Each day, you will go to four blocks or periods. You have one hour for lunch, tutoring, and club meetings (SMART Lunch) between your second and third block.
11 Choose courses carefully!You will choose 8 courses and 4 alternate courses. The 4 alternate courses are chosen in case you don’t get your first choices of electives. Choose courses that you are interested in, because you may not be able to change your schedule. **More about this at the end.
12 Honors Courses... go more in-depth into topics than regular classescover content at a quicker pace expect more work outside of class (reading and homework) often have 45 min or more of homework per night Honors is a good choice when a student has previously been successful in the subject matter AND when the student is good about doing homework and studying every night.
13 Arts Electives: Vocal MusicBand (Marching, concert, jazz ensemble, color guard) Orchestra Visual Arts Dance Fitness and Wellness (yoga/pilates) Theatre Arts **You have to sign up for two slots of these classes if you want to take them in fall and spring. Fall and spring commitments are expected for Vocal Music, Band, and Orchestra.
14 Programs that build communitiesIB Ms. Hall (applications and information-https://sites.google.com/a/nhcs.net/international-baccalaureate-diploma-programme/) STAE Ms. Coleman (applications and information- https://sites.google.com/a/nhcs.net/catherinecoleman/stae-program) Vocal/Band/Orchestra/Theatre NJROTC Club and Athletic participation (Club starts in September and fall athletics will begin in August so check website to contact coaches)
15 Career/Tech Ed (CTE) ElectivesParenting and Child Development, then Early Childhood (parenting skills, learning to care for children) Foods 1, then Foods 2 if you want (nutrition + cooking) Apparel 1, then Apparel 2 if you want (learning all aspects of sewing + use of sewing machine) Interior Design (planning interior of homes + design) Microsoft Word (Honors or on level) Technology Engineering and Design (fun group projects, introduction to engineering)
16 Career/Tech Ed (CTE) cont. . .Horticulture 1, then Horticulture and Landscaping if you want (study of plants, plant names and recognition, greenhouse) Core and Sustainable Construction, then Carpentry 1 if you want (building) Marketing Principles of Business and Finance- (Beg. level business course) Personal Finance (and Honors Personal Finance) (Managing finances) CompTIA IT Fundamentals (basic computer technology course)
17 World Languages Spanish French German Latin Japanese (online)Arabic (online) Russian (online) Mandarin Chinese (online) **You can wait to take these until 10th or 11th grade.
18 NCVPS In 9th grade, you can begin NCVPS classes second semester. You take the class online, at school, during one of your four blocks. Ninth graders do not take online classes first semester. These procedures and policies will be explained more when you get to Hoggard.
19 Know the bottom line-to pass 9th grade:Pass English 1 Pass Math 1 Earn at least 6 of the 8 credits
20 Athletics Must maintain a 2.0 GPA and pass ¾ classes each semester to be eligible to play sports.
21 FAQ: May I change my schedule if I don’t like my class or classes?Course selection is super important because the school schedule is built around the courses that 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students select now. That means that your choices now help build the schedule. There may not be enough space in electives to change your schedule. This will be more understandable after your first semester in high school. For now, know that it is very important to choose your first choices of electives and your alternates very carefully. It is also important to choose Honors versus on-level very carefully for the same reasons. The following are not considered appropriate requests for schedule changes: “I want to be in class with my friends.” “I want a certain teacher.” “I need PE at the end of the day so I am not sweaty all day.” “I play a sport and need my elective at the end of the day.”
22 Open Choice Open Choice Window- March 20th-April 28thThose not districted to Hoggard and approved through open choice will pre-register May 18th, 19th, or 22nd. *Having to wait until May does not affect your child’s class options. Courses are not run in powerschool until summer.
23 Course Selection Form Public SchoolsYour schools may use this to help determine class choices. Your middle school counselors will help the student register for courses. Private/Open Choice Please bring this completed form with you to your pre-registration meeting. You will sit down briefly with a counselor to be sure the proper courses are selected
24 We look forward to working with our new students and their familiesQuestions? Repeat Rising Ninth Grade Parent Nights: Wednesday, March 29th, 6-7 p.m. and May 16th 6-7 p.m. We look forward to working with our new students and their families