NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Hello Northwest High School Freshmen. Today - PDF document

NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Hello Northwest High School Freshmen. Today we will be reviewing the Course Registration Process for the 2020‐2021 school year and getting ready for Grade 10! Students please look at the registration card in front of you to make sure you received the correct card with your name listed. 1

Objectives  Review the Northwest HS counselor caseloads.  Review graduation requirements and course suggestions for your specific grade level.  Review elective options.  Plan for completing registration on paper and online. We will review Northwest High School’s Counseling Department caseloads, review high school graduation requirements and course suggestions based on your specific grade level. We will review some elective options and plan for completing the registration process. 2

Northwest Counselors A-Ber Mr. Flach Bes-Deb Ms. McCarthy-Redd Dec-Go Ms. Kravitz Gp-Kak Ms. Blanco Kal-Map Ms. Cois Maq-N Mr. Freeman O-Ros Ms. Buck Rot-Thn Ms. Kim Tho-Z Mr. Stewart MC2 Grade 9 Ms. Bunting MC2 Grade 10-12 Ms. Edmunds There are 11 counselors at Northwest High School assigned to students by last name. Your counselors are here to help you with course registration and can provide information about course offerings and what courses may be the best fit for your interests and long term goals. Please write your counselor’s name on the upper left hand corner of your registration card. 3

Registration Card Use the back of the card as a reference for courses you may select. Honors English 10 A Honors English 10 B Recommendations are Algebra 2A Algebra 2B pre-printed for you. Honors Chemistry A Honors Chemistry B Honors NSL A Honors NSL B Spanish 2A Spanish 2B Honors Health Literature as Film Ceramics 1A Ceramics 1B Digital Art A and B Photography A and B Honors Financial Planning Please take a look at your registration card front and back. Northwest High School has many different course offerings to choose from. On the front of the card there are some preprinted course recommendations. These course recommendations were made by your current teachers, but you are not limited to those recommendations! If you would like to try a more rigorous course or level, you are encouraged to seek more information on that course and discuss your thoughts with your current teacher and counselor. I will share the process for registering for a different course than the recommendation in the following slides. If you have blanks or more than one course recommended for a particular subject, please talk with your teacher and/or counselor to determine the best fit for you if you need help selecting a course. 4

10 th Grade Recommended Course Offerings On the back of your registration card you will see a list of recommended course offerings available for Grade 10. If you would like to learn more about a course, you can find course descriptions listed in the online High School Course Bulletin. Look for the link to the MCPS High School Course Bulletin on the Northwest website. You can search by course name or number. Each listing will give a description of the course, it will tell you if the course gives weighted credit, and if there are any prerequisites for taking that course. Your teachers are also a good source to ask questions about course content and typical workload. 5

Course recommendations and selections • These are recommendations: if you would like to take something other then a recommended course: 1. To move up to a higher level course, cross off the recommended course and write in the new course. Parent/guardian signature must be on the card. 2. To move down, complete form and secure change of level signatures. On your registration card, your first semester teachers have offered course recommendations. If you would like to choose a different course than is recommended, please follow these steps: To move up to a higher level course, cross off the recommended course and write in the new course. Parent/guardian signature is needed on your registration card. 6

Course Change Form If you would like to move down in a course level, please obtain this form from the counseling office and complete each step in order. To move down, complete the “Change of Level” form and secure appropriate signatures. After getting your teacher, parent, and resource teacher’s signature, turn in the completed form to your Administrator in the main office no later than June 1st. It is important to speak to your teachers and/or counselor to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding recommendations. 7

Graduation Requirements  22 Credits  75 Student Service Learning Hours  State Testing Requirements (English, Algebra 1, Gov’t and Science) When determining what courses to take, you should first consider fulfilling your specific graduation requirements. Most students have room in their schedules to pick up a few electives credits every school year. In order to earn your high school diploma, students must earn 22 credits, complete 75 students service learning hours, and complete the requirements for state testing in English, Algebra, Government, and Science. 8

Specific Credit Requirements 4 credits of English 3 credits of NGSS Science (1 Physical and 1 Biology) 4 credits of Math (1 Algebra and 1 Geometry) **MSDE requires math every year of high school** 3 credits of Social Studies (USH, NSL, MWH) 1 credit of Fine Art 1 credit of Physical Education 1 credit of Basic Technology .5 credit of Health 2.5 credits of Electives Program Completer Requirement: 2 credits of World Language OR 2 credits of Advanced Technology OR 4-9 credits of a Career Development Program Now let’s review the 22 credits needed for graduation and how to meet them in specific classes or subject areas. We will review each subject area and discuss suggestions for courses to take in Grade 10. Please make notes on your registration card as we go through each subject area. 9

English  English 10  Honors English 10 First, we will look at your English class options. All students will need 4 credits of English in order to graduate. To meet English requirements, students should sign up to take either on‐ level English 10, Honors English 10, or the appropriate level ESOL class. Please see your registration card for the recommended level course. 10

Math Next, 4 math credits are required for graduation and must include one credit in algebra and one credit in geometry. It is also a state requirement to be enrolled in a math course every semester while in high school. After completing geometry, students should register for an algebra 2 class. After completing algebra 2 many students take a precalculus course, followed by a calculus course. There are many different pathways in math to best meet your specific needs. Please look at your registration card to see your teacher’s recommendation for your next math course. 11

Science Next, all students will need 3 credits of NGSS science in order to graduate. Students should plan to take biology, chemistry, and physics or an AP science class. Biology is a required class needed for graduation that most students complete in 9 th grade. If you took biology in 9 th grade, you should plan on registering for honors chemistry in 10 th grade. If you took physics in 9 th grade, it is suggested you take honors biology and honors chemistry in 10 th Grade. 12

Social Studies Students are required to take 3 specific social studies courses in order to fulfill their high school graduation requirements. These courses are US History, NSL gov’t, and Modern World History. Students who took on‐level US History in 9 th grade will most often take Honors Gov’t in 10 th grade. Students who took Honors US History in 9 th grade will choose between Honors Gov’t or AP Gov’t in 10 th grade. Students who took AP Gov’t in 9 th grade will most often take AP US History in 10 th grade. 13

Fine Art/Technology/Phys.Ed. Required for graduation: 1 credit in Art 1 credit in Physical Education 1 credit in Technology Fulfill these requirements by the end of 10 th Grade. Now that we have covered your core academic classes, let’s move on to options for meeting your other specific graduation requirements. Students will need to complete 1 credit in fine art, 1 credit in physical education, and 1 credit in technology for graduation. Please think about what requirement you may have completed as a 9 th grader and what you have remaining for 10 th grade. For example, if you have taken PE and art in 9 th grade, it is strongly recommend that you sign up for your technology class in 10 th grade. Completing your fine art, physical education and technology credits in 9 th and 10 th grade will allow you room in your schedule in 11 th and 12 th grade to choose from variety of elective, internship, and dual enrollment options. There are many different course options to fulfill these requirements‐ please see the back of your registration card. 14