Course SelectionCourse SelectionGrade 9Grade 9

2013-20142013-2014(Class of 2017)(Class of 2017)

Spring Grove Area High SchoolSpring Grove Area High School

February 21, 2013February 21, 2013

AdministratorsAdministrators

Dr. Cugliari – Principal Dr. Cugliari – Principal Mr. Frank – Assistant Principal (Student Mr. Frank – Assistant Principal (Student

last names A-G)last names A-G) Mr. Jones – Assistant Principal (Student Mr. Jones – Assistant Principal (Student

last names H-Q)last names H-Q) Mr. Dietrich – Assistant Principal (Student Mr. Dietrich – Assistant Principal (Student

last names R-Z)last names R-Z)

CounselorsCounselors

Mr. Bischof – Student last names A-GMr. Bischof – Student last names A-G Mrs. Mummert – Student last names H-QMrs. Mummert – Student last names H-Q Mrs. Schmoyer – Student last names R-ZMrs. Schmoyer – Student last names R-Z

Guidance Office Support Staff – Ms. Guidance Office Support Staff – Ms. Heilig, Mrs. Piety, and Mrs. LeeseHeilig, Mrs. Piety, and Mrs. Leese

Career CenterCareer Center

Ms. Shutter – Career CoordinatorMs. Shutter – Career Coordinator Ms. Sterner – Career Center Support StaffMs. Sterner – Career Center Support Staff

Resources for post high school planning.Resources for post high school planning.

HS Schedule & Course SelectionHS Schedule & Course Selection

HS ScheduleHS Schedule• 8 Instructional Periods8 Instructional Periods• 43 Minute Classes43 Minute Classes• Some classes meet double Some classes meet double

periods periods • Semester and Year classesSemester and Year classes

Course SelectionCourse Selection Course Selection Sheet Course Selection Sheet

due due March 1stMarch 1st Class Choice Verification Class Choice Verification

given to students at the given to students at the beginning of Maybeginning of May

Drop / Add by May 31stDrop / Add by May 31st Final student schedule Final student schedule

sent by mail in the sent by mail in the beginning of Augustbeginning of August

Student/Parent Orientation Student/Parent Orientation Wednesday, August 14Wednesday, August 14thth at at 6:30pm6:30pm

Keystone ExamsKeystone Exams The class of 2017 is required to score a The class of 2017 is required to score a

proficient or advanced score on the proficient or advanced score on the Algebra I Keystone Exam, Literature Algebra I Keystone Exam, Literature Keystone Exam, and Biology I Keystone Keystone Exam, and Biology I Keystone Exam to earn a high school diploma. Exam to earn a high school diploma. (State mandated)(State mandated)

State assessment to replace the PSSA at State assessment to replace the PSSA at the HS levelthe HS level

Algebra I Keystone and Biology I Keystone Algebra I Keystone and Biology I Keystone will be first taken at the end of the will be first taken at the end of the respective course. respective course.

Keystone ExamsKeystone Exams Some students may have taken the Some students may have taken the

Algebra I Keystone in Middle School.Algebra I Keystone in Middle School. Literature Keystone will be first taken Literature Keystone will be first taken

during the winter of the 10during the winter of the 10thth grade year. grade year. The current exam windows include a week The current exam windows include a week

in December, January, and Mayin December, January, and May Students can retake the Keystone Exams Students can retake the Keystone Exams

multiple times until May of their 11multiple times until May of their 11thth grade grade year (3year (3rdrd year in HS) year in HS)

Keystone ExamsKeystone Exams

Annual Yearly Progress will be generated for the Annual Yearly Progress will be generated for the graduating class at the end of the 11graduating class at the end of the 11 thth grade grade yearyear

Students who did not score proficiency or Students who did not score proficiency or advanced on the Keystone will need to take a advanced on the Keystone will need to take a project based assessment in that subject during project based assessment in that subject during their 12their 12thth grade year grade year

Graduation RequirementsGraduation Requirements

Students must earn at least 25 credits.Students must earn at least 25 credits.

English – 4 credits/coursesEnglish – 4 credits/courses Social Studies – 4 credits/courses (including Social Studies – 4 credits/courses (including

American Society)American Society) Mathematics – 3 credits/courses (including Mathematics – 3 credits/courses (including

Alg. I, Geo., Alg. II)Alg. I, Geo., Alg. II) Science – 3 credits/coursesScience – 3 credits/courses

Graduation RequirementsGraduation Requirements Physical Education / Health Ed. – Pass 2 credits Physical Education / Health Ed. – Pass 2 credits

in health wellness (including Introduction in health wellness (including Introduction to to Sports & Fitness and Health Education) Sports & Fitness and Health Education)

Arts & Humanities – Pass 2 courses (Art, Music, Arts & Humanities – Pass 2 courses (Art, Music, World Language)World Language)

Practical Arts – Pass 2 courses (Technology Practical Arts – Pass 2 courses (Technology Ed., Family & Consumer Science, Business) Ed., Family & Consumer Science, Business)

* Career Skills=Required* Career Skills=Required Electives – Additional credits chosen by the Electives – Additional credits chosen by the

studentstudent

Major Change Major Change

**Students in the Class of 2017 are not **Students in the Class of 2017 are not required to complete a Graduation Project required to complete a Graduation Project

as a requirement for a high school as a requirement for a high school diploma.**diploma.**

(Change in state mandate)(Change in state mandate)

Grade 9 Grade 10

Comp English 9 or Comp English 9 Honors Comp English 10 or Comp English 10 Honors US History I or US History I Honors US History 2 or AP US History 2 Algebra 1 or Algebra 2 (Regular or Honors) Algebra 2 or Geometry (Regular or Honors) Biology I (General, Regular or Honors) Physical Science, Physics I (Regular or Honors) World Language Level I or II World Language Level II or III (2 years minimum) Elective(s) Elective(s) – Career Skills (required)

Grade 11 Grade 12 Comp English 11 or Comp English 11 Honors Comp English 12 , CHS English, AP English Global Studies or Global Studies Honors American Society (Reg. or Honors), CHS National

Geometry or Trigonometry (Reg./Honors Political SystemsEnvironmental or Chemistry (Reg./Honors) Trigonometry, Stats, AP Stats, AP Calculus AB, AP World Language Level III or IV Calculus BCAcademic Elective(s AP Physics, AP Chemistry, or AP Biology IElectives World Language Level IV or V

Academic Elective(s) Elective(s) AP / Dual Enrollment / College in the High School

Recommended Course of StudyRecommended Course of Study

Grade 9 Course SelectionGrade 9 Course Selection Communication Arts

English 9 (9 per/cycle) – 1.5 credits/yr (students that scored below proficient on 8th grade PSSA)

Comp English 9 (1 cr/yr) Comp Eng. 9 Honors (1 cr/yr) Creative Writing (.5 cr/sem)-Elective Drama (.5 cr/sem)-Elective Journalism (.5 cr/sem)

Social Studies • US History I• US History I Honors

Grade 9 Course SelectionGrade 9 Course Selection MathematicsMathematics

Algebra I Concepts (9per/cycle) – (1.5 cr/yr) (students that Algebra I Concepts (9per/cycle) – (1.5 cr/yr) (students that scored below proficient on 8scored below proficient on 8thth grade PSSA) grade PSSA)

Algebra I (9 per/cycle) – (1.5 cr/yr)Algebra I (9 per/cycle) – (1.5 cr/yr) Algebra I Honors (9 per/cycle)– (1.5 cr/yr)Algebra I Honors (9 per/cycle)– (1.5 cr/yr) Algebra 2 (1 cr/yr)Algebra 2 (1 cr/yr) Algebra 2 Honors (1 cr/yr)Algebra 2 Honors (1 cr/yr)** Inclusion class offerings except honors level.**** Inclusion class offerings except honors level.**

ScienceScience General Biology (9per/cycle) -1.5 cr/yrGeneral Biology (9per/cycle) -1.5 cr/yr

• Not proficient on 8Not proficient on 8thth gr. Science PSSA gr. Science PSSA Biology I – (9 per/cycle) – 1.5cr/yrBiology I – (9 per/cycle) – 1.5cr/yr Biology I HonorsBiology I Honors (9 per/cycle) – 1.5 cr/yr(9 per/cycle) – 1.5 cr/yr

Grade 9 Course SelectionGrade 9 Course Selection ArtArt

Cultural Art I (.25 cr/ sem) Cultural Art I (.25 cr/ sem) ($)($)

Cultural Art II (.5 cr/sem) Cultural Art II (.5 cr/sem) ($)($)

Art I (1 cr/yr)Art I (1 cr/yr)

Fam/Consumer SciFam/Consumer Sci FCS Survey 9 ($) (1 cr/yr)FCS Survey 9 ($) (1 cr/yr) Child Care (.25 cr/sem)Child Care (.25 cr/sem) Intro Creative Foods (.25 Intro Creative Foods (.25

cr/sem)cr/sem) Stitchery Crafts (.25 Stitchery Crafts (.25

cr/sem)cr/sem) Clothing I ($) – (.5 cr/sem)Clothing I ($) – (.5 cr/sem) Clothing II ($) – (.5 cr/sem)Clothing II ($) – (.5 cr/sem)

Business EducationBusiness Education• Computer Apps I - (.5 Computer Apps I - (.5

cr./sem)cr./sem)• Computer Apps II - (.5 Computer Apps II - (.5

cr./sem)cr./sem)• Business I - (.5cr/sem)Business I - (.5cr/sem)• Keyboard Tech/Comp – (.5 Keyboard Tech/Comp – (.5

cr/sem)cr/sem)• Special Marketing Special Marketing

/Sports/Entertainment– (.5 /Sports/Entertainment– (.5 cr/sem) –cr/sem) – take w/ Business take w/ Business I or afterI or after

• Web 2.0 - (.5 cr./sem)Web 2.0 - (.5 cr./sem)• Entrepreneurship – (.5 Entrepreneurship – (.5

cr./sem)cr./sem)

Grade 9 Course SelectionGrade 9 Course Selection

Technology EdTechnology Ed Intro Technology ($)Intro Technology ($)

World LanguageWorld Language• French IFrench I• French IIFrench II• German IGerman I• German IIGerman II• Spanish ISpanish I• Spanish IISpanish II

Music Music Chorus (& sectional) – (.7 Chorus (& sectional) – (.7

cr/yr)cr/yr) Concert Choir (& sectional) – Concert Choir (& sectional) –

(.7 cr/yr)(.7 cr/yr) Jazz Ensemble (.35 cr/yr)Jazz Ensemble (.35 cr/yr) Stage Band (.35 cr/yr)Stage Band (.35 cr/yr) Symphonic Band (& sec.) (.7 Symphonic Band (& sec.) (.7

cr/yr)cr/yr) String Orch. (& sec.) (.7 cr/yr)String Orch. (& sec.) (.7 cr/yr) Hist. Amer. Pop(.25cr/sem)Hist. Amer. Pop(.25cr/sem) Intro. Broadway (.25cr/sem)Intro. Broadway (.25cr/sem) Intro. Music Tech. (.25 Intro. Music Tech. (.25

cr/sem)cr/sem)

Course OfferingsCourse Offerings

A requirement of 25 interested students A requirement of 25 interested students must be met in order to offer a course in the must be met in order to offer a course in the 2013-14 school year. Therefore, some 2013-14 school year. Therefore, some courses in the course selection guide may courses in the course selection guide may not be offered. Exceptions may be made by not be offered. Exceptions may be made by the building principal.the building principal.

(p.9 of Course Selection Guide)(p.9 of Course Selection Guide)

Requesting CoursesRequesting Courses Students should use the web worksheet distributed by Students should use the web worksheet distributed by

the counselors as a guide to select courses. the counselors as a guide to select courses. Students will register courses online in the computer lab Students will register courses online in the computer lab

with counselors.with counselors. Students will print out verification sheets in the computer Students will print out verification sheets in the computer

lab and have a parent sign their sheet and return to their lab and have a parent sign their sheet and return to their homeroom teacher by March 1, 2013.homeroom teacher by March 1, 2013.

Students should select at least 3 alternative courses. Students should select at least 3 alternative courses. Electives should be numbered by priority.Electives should be numbered by priority.

Changes to the course selection sheet will be accepted Changes to the course selection sheet will be accepted until May 31until May 31stst..

(p. 9 of Course Selection Guide)(p. 9 of Course Selection Guide)

Dropping / Adding CoursesDropping / Adding Courses Final student schedule will be mailed in August.Final student schedule will be mailed in August. Changes (after schedule distribution) will only be made Changes (after schedule distribution) will only be made

in the events of:in the events of: Conflicts or missing courses (students should set up Conflicts or missing courses (students should set up

an appointment with their counselor prior to the an appointment with their counselor prior to the beginning of the school year). beginning of the school year).

Student / parent generated requests to drop or Student / parent generated requests to drop or change classes during the school year will not be change classes during the school year will not be permitted.permitted.

Why is this?Why is this?

Balancing classes, the ability to offer courses, Balancing classes, the ability to offer courses, appropriate use of teacher resources, and fairness to appropriate use of teacher resources, and fairness to other students.other students.

(p. 9 of Course Selection Guide)(p. 9 of Course Selection Guide)

Promotion PolicyPromotion Policy The following totals represent the The following totals represent the

minimum earned requirements necessary minimum earned requirements necessary for promotion to the next grade:for promotion to the next grade: Grade 9: 5 creditsGrade 9: 5 credits Grade 10: 12 creditsGrade 10: 12 credits Grade 11: 18 creditsGrade 11: 18 credits Grade 12: 25 creditsGrade 12: 25 credits

Note: All students will have until their 3Note: All students will have until their 3 rdrd year in year in high school to pass the Keystone Exams.high school to pass the Keystone Exams.

WEIGHTED COURSES/CLASS RANK/GRADE POINT AVERAGECourses are assigned a value or weight according to the degree of difficulty of the course content.

Ranking of students within their graduating class begins in ninth grade. Class rank is based on cumulative weighted averages and calculated twice each school year. The weighted grade point average is determined by computing the product of the grade, weight, and credit for each course and dividing the sum of the products

by the total number of credits. The course weighting system is as follows:

Level Zero: .9 - Courses that cover learning at the basic level or are worth .25 credit

Level One: 1.0 - Courses that meet on a semester or yearly basis that cover information at a comprehensive level.

Level Two: 1.05 -Courses that meet on a semester or yearly basis that cover college preparatory information.

Level Three: 1.1 - Courses that meet on a semester or yearly basis that cover honors information.

Level Four: 1.15 – Courses that meet on a semester or yearly basis that cover college level information. (AP, College in the HS, Dual Enrollment)

Students also receive a cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.0 scale [i.e. A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1; F=0]. The unweighted GPA is calculated by converting the letter/percentage grade for

each course to the 4.0 scale and dividing the sum of all of the courses by the total number of credits.

Some things to consider when Some things to consider when choosing courses…choosing courses…

Taking classes that will support what the student Taking classes that will support what the student wants to do when they graduate.wants to do when they graduate.

Students may not repeat a course and receive Students may not repeat a course and receive credit.credit.

Prerequisites (listed after course descriptions in Prerequisites (listed after course descriptions in Course Selection Guide)Course Selection Guide)

Weighting of courses (p. 13 & p.22 of Course Weighting of courses (p. 13 & p.22 of Course Selection Guide)Selection Guide)

Honors Courses / AP Courses / College in the Honors Courses / AP Courses / College in the HS / Dual Enrollment (p. 13 – 14 of the Course HS / Dual Enrollment (p. 13 – 14 of the Course Selection Guide)Selection Guide)

Recommended Prerequisites for HONORS COURSES / COLLEGE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL / AP Courses

Honors courses are offered in grades nine through twelve. To select Honors program courses students must meet specific criteria.

A. To enter the program, the student should meet at least one of the following criteria*:1. Be identified as a gifted student;

2. Have attained a final grade of at least 93% in the subject for the year immediately preceding the Honors course placement (91% in Advanced Communication Arts);

3. Have attained a final grade of 90-92% in the subject for the year immediately preceding the Honors course placement with recommendations from two teachers (88-90% in Advanced CA).4. Have a written parental request for the honors course(s).

B. To remain in the program, the student should meet at least one of the following criteria:1. Be identified as a gifted student;2. Have earned a final grade of at least 86% in the subject for the year immediately

preceding in the program;3. Have recommendations from the sending and receiving teacher in that subject for the student who has attained 85% or lower.4. Have a written parental request for the honor course(s).

C. At the conclusion of each school year, the performance of each student will be reviewed to determine if the student is recommended to advance to the next level.

D. Placement tests are required for English College in the High School classes.

E. Exceptions to the honors requirement must be approved by the building principal.

PLANNING FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

A student's high school academic record is the most important component that will be considered in the college application process because it is an indicator of success in college. Specific courses and the grades the student earned are aspects of the record that will be appraised. Special attention will be given to the number of challenging courses the applicant has successfully completed. Overall grade point average will also be considered.

An applicant's class rank shows the level of competition the student has

encountered and how he/she achieved relative to the competition. Most colleges will expect the applicant to rank (at the very least) in the top half of the class. More selective colleges may expect the student to rank in the top quarter or even the top 10% of the class.

The progression of major courses listed below is suggested for any students who are considering post-secondary education. Students should carefully review course descriptions and prerequisites for these courses. It is also recommended that students meet with their school counselor to ensure that their high school program of studies will meet the requirements for specific college majors.

OpportunitiesOpportunities Cooperative Education (Y.E.S) / Work Release (Grade Cooperative Education (Y.E.S) / Work Release (Grade

12 only)12 only) Mentor Programs During the School Day (p.10) –Mentor Programs During the School Day (p.10) –

Certified Nurse Program, Empire Beauty, Police Certified Nurse Program, Empire Beauty, Police Mentoring Program (Gr. 11 & 12)Mentoring Program (Gr. 11 & 12)

Mentor Programs After School Hours (p.11) – Mentor Programs After School Hours (p.11) – Accounting, Architecture, Arts, Culinary, Accounting, Architecture, Arts, Culinary, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality, Legal (Gr.11 & 12)Entrepreneurship, Hospitality, Legal (Gr.11 & 12)

Senior Release (p.17 of Course Selection Guide) (Gr.12)Senior Release (p.17 of Course Selection Guide) (Gr.12)

Testing for College AdmissionsTesting for College Admissions

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) / National Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test – 10Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test – 10thth grade (October) grade (October)

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – 11Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – 11th th (October and (October and March) and 12March) and 12thth grade (October) grade (October)

American College Test (ACT) – 11American College Test (ACT) – 11thth and 12 and 12thth grade grade (September)(September)

SAT prep course (0.5 credits) - (Gr. 10 & 11)SAT prep course (0.5 credits) - (Gr. 10 & 11) SAT after-school prep course ($)SAT after-school prep course ($)

NCAA ClearinghouseNCAA Clearinghouse

Make sure students take the required Make sure students take the required college preparatory classes!college preparatory classes!

( ( www.eligibilitycenter.org))

Mr. Scott Govern – Athletic DirectorMr. Scott Govern – Athletic Director

Clubs / Activities / SportsClubs / Activities / Sports

Why get involved?Why get involved? Connection to SGAHSConnection to SGAHS Explore InterestsExplore Interests Meet like-minded studentsMeet like-minded students Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation College application / Job resumeCollege application / Job resume