Preparing for High School
-Class of 2021Scheduling Freshman Classes
What’s coming up?
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You are six months away from beginning high school
In four short years, you will graduate from high school and enter
into…
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College
Vocational training
Apprenticeship programs
Military
Workforce
Did you know?
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90% of the fastest growing and best-paying jobs require some
post-secondary education. Those jobs will be unachievable for
students who don’t get a high school diploma.
Policy Perspective: The Importance and Impact of Graduation Rates. Alliance for Excellent Education, December
2010
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A rigorous high school
academic curriculum is the
single-most significant
factor in determining a
student’s success in college
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Students who need to take
some remedial coursework
when they begin college are
at greater risk of dropping
out
How do I get there?
Studies also indicate...
The more rigorous your high school
curriculum, the more opportunities you
will have available to you after graduation:
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College acceptance
Financial aid
Scholarship opportunities
Rigorous academic preparation is now in
demand by colleges, vocational and
apprenticeship programs, employers, and
the military
High School Schedule
Block Four
Schedule
Classes and Credits
Most classes you take will last ONE
semester
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Some electives and other classes will
only meet for one quarter
Some classes may meet all year
(choir, band)
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Band: If you are wanting to
participate in band, please check Adv
Concert Band on your request form
Mr. Ellinger will place you based on
his recommendation
You will take four classes first semester
and four classes second semester
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8 different classes each year = up to
16 total credits/year
Help! What if I fail a
HS class?
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If you fail a required class in high
school, you must retake that
class until you are able to earn a
passing grade!
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This will take up space to
take elective classes that
you have interest in
You don’t want to be taking
required ‘freshman’ classes
as an upperclassman
If you have previously
failed a class, now is the
time to work on changing
your habits!
GPA and Transcript
•GPA: You will earn a letter grade in all of
your courses and those letter grades will
be given a score on a 4.0 scale
(A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, etc.) to make your
Grade Point Average.
•Your average score on that 4.0 scale is
your GPA
•Your GPA is VERY important in college
admissions
Ex: 3.64 was the average GPA of admitted
freshman at IU-Bloomington
The Princeton Review, 2016
•TRANSCRIPT: All of the grades you earn
in your high school courses will be listed
in one document called your TRANSCRIPT.
•Colleges look at your transcript in making
admissions decisions.
•Your transcript also includes your GPA
and your scores on tests such as the
ISTEP+ Graduation Qualifying Exams,
PSAT, SAT, ACT.
Diploma types:
Core 40
Core 40 with Academic Honors
Core 40 With academic honors: Differences
• You must complete ALL the requirements for a regular Core 40
diploma AND:
•Earn 2 additional Core 40 math credits
•Earn 6-8 credits Core 40 world language credits (6 credits in one
language or 4 credits each in two languages)
•Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts credits (art, music, etc.)
•Earn 1 Speech credit
•Earn a grade of “C” (73) or above in courses that count toward the
diploma
•Have a cumulative GPA of a “B” or above
AND…
Differences Cont...
Complete one of the following:
•A. Earn 4 credits in AP courses and take corresponding AP exams, (most popular option)
•B. 6 college credits in dual credit courses from priority course/approved dual credit list,
•C. Earn two of the following:
•1) 3 college credits from priority (or approved dual credit) course list,
•2) 2 credits in AP courses and take corresponding AP exams,
•3) 2 credits in IB courses and take IB exams.
•D. Earn a 1750 or higher on the SAT critical reading, math, and writing sections and a
minimum of 530 on each section
•E. Earn an ACT composite score of 26 or higher and complete written section
•F. Earn 4 credits in IB courses and take corresponding exams
Course and credit
requirements
What do I need to graduate?
English: 8 Credits
Freshman
English 9
English 9 Honors
Sophomore
English 10
English 10 Honors
Junior
English 11: (Mythology, American
Literature, Novels plus Composition)
OR AP Literature/Composition
Senior
English 12: (Sports Lit, Film Lit, or
Short Stories, plus Advanced
Composition) OR AP
Language/Composition
Math: 6-8 credits
•Algebra I
•Geometry
•Algebra II
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Math courses taken in middle school may count towards graduation
requirements, but students MUST take a math or quantitative reasoning
course EACH year they are in high school)
You may retake your most recent Algebra 1 or Geometry class as a
freshman, with one exception:
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If you are currently in Geometry as an 8th grader, you CANNOT retake Algebra 1 in
high school
Quantitative Reasoning Courses
Quantitative Reasoning courses are courses that help advance a student’s ability to apply
mathematics in real-world situations and contexts.
AP
Agriculture Ed:
Business
Engineering and Technology
Science
Social Studies
Biology, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry
Advanced Life Science, Animals OR
Landscape Management
Accounting, Business Math
Civil Engineering and Architecture OR
Principles of Engineering
Chemistry 1, Integrated Chem/Phys,
Physics 1
Economics
Social studies: 6 credits
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Geography and History of the World
OR World History and Civilization
US History
Government and Economics
Science: 6-8 credits
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Biology
Chemistry, Physics, or Integrated
Chemistry/Physics (ICP)
You may also take additional classes
for your electives
Additional credits
Physical Education and Health: 3
Credits
Business Education: 2 Credits
Directed Electives: 5 Credits
P.E 1 *summer school option
P.E. 2 *
Health
Personal Financial Responsibility, OR
Adult Roles and Responsibilities
(FACS)
World Languages
Fine Arts
Technology
College and Career Pathways
(http://www.doe.in.gov/cte/indiana-collegecareer-pathways)
Advanced Placement (AP)
•AP courses are rigorous courses designed
to prepare a student for the rigors of
college courses
•AP courses culminate in an AP exam at
the end of the course
•Students who score a 3 or higher on AP
exam may earn college credit toward their
degree at any Indiana public institution of
higher education.
•Students who score well on AP exams are
more likely to graduate from college and
earn a college degree
Dual credit
•Dual Credit courses allow students who earn a
qualifying grade to earn both high school and
college credits
•Dual Credit Courses include selected High Tech
Academy, Project Lead the Way, Business, and
Education Profession classes
•Credit is offered through Ivy Tech and Vincennes
University
•Unlike AP courses, you do not have to earn a
qualifying score on a test at the end of the course,
you just have to earn a qualifying grade to earn
college credit
•Both AP and Dual Credit courses can be a good
way to save money on college tuition
Vocational Programs
•In your junior or senior year you can begin taking courses in subjects
such as health sciences (nursing, pharmacy), veterinary science,
cosmetology, culinary arts, graphic design, computer animation, TV and
radio production, automotive technology, construction, welding, and
many other subjects at:
•Walker Career Center
•Anderson Career Campus
Integrated
cooperative
education
aka I.C.E
•In your senior year, if you
have enough credits, you may
participate in the ICE program
•You will attend two classes at
school for half the day and
work at a job the other half of
the day
•You must meet all curricular
requirements of the ICE
program
•You will earn THREE credits
per semester
21st Century scholars program
•Students whose families meet certain income requirements may be
eligible for the 21st Century Scholar Program
•Eligible students who earn a Core 40 diploma and a 2.5 GPA can earn up
to FOUR YEAR’S PAID TUITION at an Indiana public university (or that
amount towards a private or proprietary college/university)
•DEADLINE to apply is June 30, 2017
•Learn more at: http://www.in.gov/21stcenturyscholars/
A-D: Mrs. Crow
Who is your high
school counselor?
Students are assigned by last
name:
E-K: Mrs. Kotarski
L-R: Ms. Johnson
S-Z: Mr. Beaver
*Please direct current
scheduling questions to Miss
Pacheco*
tips!
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Visit the 2017-2018 High School
Course Catalog:
http://www.mvcsc.k12.in.us/userfiles
/355/my%20files/2017-18%20course
%20handbook.pdf?id=4541
Continue to develop good study and
organization habits.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! You
are going to be making decisions that
will affect your life beyond high
school - don’t lead yourself blindly!
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It is much easier to maintain a GOOD
GPA then bring up a bad GPA!
Don’t wait until your junior or senior
year to “start caring” about your
grades!
Students who are involved in
extracurriculars, volunteer or take on
job shadowing experience, tend to be
more prepared after high school!
8th grade checklist
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Today, you have received a 9th Grade
Course Request handout and a
handout on how to request courses in
Skyward
Sit down with your
parent(s)/guardian and discuss your
course selections for the 2017-2018
school year
If you have questions along the way,
please contact Miss Pacheco!
Important dates
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Monday, February 6th: Deadline to
complete Freshman course selections
on Skyward
Wednesday, February 8th: Deadline
to turn in MVHS 9th Grade Course
Request Sheet
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Course request sheets MUST be
turned in
MUST contain parent signature
MUST be completely filled out
Turn your completed form into your
SRT teacher or Mrs. Cappelletti
Questions?
Miss Pacheco
[email protected]