high school, here i come! transitioning from 8th grade to high school brad craycroft, asst....
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High School, Here I Come!Transitioning from 8th Grade to High School
Brad Craycroft, Asst. Principal of GuidanceBrenda Stone, Academic Counselor
The World of High School Bigger
– More teachers, students and classes
Tons of options– Class choices, clubs, sports and more
Adult responsibilities– Their decisions affect their future
High School Diploma!!!– More jobs, money & options (like college)
Options: Academic Programs Advanced Placement (AP)
– college-level courses and exams that can potentially earn a student college credit
Speech & Debate (consistently ranked of the best teams in the country)– Students of all levels compete in interpretive,
improvisational, creative and debate based events
Project Lead the Way– Hands on, project based engineering courses
On campus community college courses– Japanese, Sign Language, Differential Equations
Course Catalog
www.sjusd.org/pdf/student/hs_english.pdf
Options: Extra Curriculars
Robotics– Student run organization devoted to
promoting science and technology http://www.604robotics.com/
Athletics– http://www.sjusd.org/leland/athletics.html
Clubs– http://www.sjusd.org/leland/clublist.pdf
Options: Services Homework Center
– Monday-Thursday after school in the ITC Peer Tutoring
– Apply on Tues & Thurs in Room K-10 College & Career Center
– Resources and guidance on colleges and careers Academic Counselor
– Provide academic counseling to students anytime and by appointment to parents
Almaden Valley Counseling Services– Provide service to students in need of social
emotional support
Discussion
Besides yourself and your family, what other people and things influence your child?
How do you think you can positively affect the influences outside your home?
How can you protect your child from outside negative influences?
What are some important things you can do to keep the lines of communication open with your child during this period of transition and beyond?
Break-out Groups
Select one person to take notes. Select another person to read the
questions one at a time. Take turns discussing your thoughts. Brainstorm ideas and possible ways to
answer the question
Middle School - vs - High School
Teachers call home
about poor grades or
behavior
Teachers take late
work all semester
Teachers help with
organization
– Lots of reminders
Teachers expect
students to be
responsible for their
own grades
Teachers rarely accept
late work
Teachers do not tell
students how to be
organized
Biggest Difference:
Graduation Requirements!!!
Myth: 9th grade doesn’t count
Students must pass all 9th grade classes
to earn enough credits to graduate on time
Every class prepares students for the next
and classes fulfill the a-g requirements* – *Required classes for a four year college or university
How well a student does in 9th grade will
directly affect their course sequence
To earn a high school diploma from SJUSD, a student MUST…
Complete 240 credits
Pass the CAHSEE (both parts)
– California High School Exit Exam
Complete First Aid, Drivers Education
and an Algebra and Health Certificate
Complete 40 community service hours
Graduate: Pass the CAHSEE
Must pass this test to earn a diploma!
Two parts: English & Math– Multiple choice & two essays
Take it in March of 10th grade
Get six chances to pass– Support classes available
Do the ‘240 Credits’ Math…
5 credits per semester class (x)
6 classes a semester (=)
30 credits a semester (x)
2 semesters a year (=)
60 credits a year (x)
4 years of high school (=)
240 total credits needed to graduate
What does it all mean?
Graduate: Complete 240 Creditspass all of the following (a-g) classes with a D or better (C or better if
student wants to be eligible for a 4 year university)
English– 4 years
Math (at least Algebra 2)
– 3 years
Science– 3 years (2 lab)
Social Science (a.k.a. social studies)
– 3 years
Physical Education– 2 years
Language Other Than English– 2 years
Visual/Perform Art– 2 years
Electives– 5 years
If you fail a class…You must retake that class in order
to earn enough credits to graduate on time!– Summer school, 0 or 7th period, if
available
– Community College
– Online classes
Note: Students do not retake a class during the regular school day. They take care of it on THEIR time.
Note: Students do not retake a class during the regular school day. They take care of it on THEIR time.
Understanding Different Courses College Prep
– The majority of academic courses at Leland are college prep and are accepted by 4 year universities.
Accelerated– These courses are more accelerated than college prep and
prepare students for even more rigorous courses. Honors
– These courses are more accelerated than college prep and will often give students an extra GPA point, i.e. a 3.0 a B becomes a 4.0 an A.
Advanced Placement (AP)– AP courses are more accelerated than college prep and they give
students an extra GPA point and possibly college credit.
Understanding the Impact of Grades
If you were to look at your student’s middle school transcript . . .
Count the number of ‘F’ grades– If they were in high school, that is the number of
classes they would have to retake in order to graduate
Count the number of ‘D’ grades– That is the number they would have to retake if
they wanted to go to a four year college immediately after high school
If your student falls behind in high school, meet with the counselor
immediatelyOther options for graduation are available
California Standards Test (CST)
CST measures what a student learned all year
CST scores impact student course sequence
Can show if student is ready to pass the CAHSEE
In Order for Students To Be Prepared For High School They
Must . . .
Be responsible Get involved Ask for help Give themselves enough time for
homework Set a goal for after high school
High School Graduationthe First Step for Success
College After High School
C or better grades, aim for As & Bs
Take challenging courses– Honors, AP, community college classes
– Extra year math, science, world language
Study for SAT/ACT college exams
Meet with counselor by 10th grade
Questions?
