Kingwood High School Welcomes

The Class of 2014

What will Kingwood High School offer you?

• New opportunities• New responsibilities

• New challenges• New privileges• Mustang Spirit

How do you decide which classes to take?

• HISD Course Guide• Course Request Card • PowerPoint Presentation• Group Conference with KHS

Counselors• Individual Conferences with KHS

Counselor for 4 year plan & registration

Why are there 2 course sheets?

• White practice copy • “Official” blue card -Teachers recommend core class &

Spanish 2 (if you are in Spanish 1) levels- You choose other 3 classes

How do you complete your blue course sheet?

• Select 7 total credits • A combination of semester-long

&/or year-long courses• 2 alternate courses• Parent signature

Course Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

English – 4 credits English I English II English III English IV

Math – 4 credits        

Science – 4 credits        

Social Studies/Eco – 4 credits

World Geography World History U.S. History Government/Economics

Foreign Language-2 or 3 credits*

   

       

        

Credits2

.51.51.0.5

1.03.5

26.0TOTAL

Recommended Graduation ProgramCourse

Foreign LanguageHealthPhysical EducationTech. ApplicationComm. ApplicationFine ArtsElectives

Total:Credits Earned Prior to High SchoolCourses:

*The Distinguished Achievement Program requires a third year of foreign language and four advanced measures.

What is in the High School Course Guide?

• Graduation Requirements • Recommended Course Placement • Award of Credit• Grade Point Explanation • Policies & Procedures • Course Descriptions

What happens when? KHS Counselors work with you on 4-Year Plans @:• CMS: Feb. 3• RMS: Feb. 1

Course Selection Sheets Due:• CMS- Feb. 10• RMS- Feb. 10

Meet with KHS Counselors about course selections:• CMS Feb. 12• RMS Feb. 12

What classes do you need to graduate?

• 4 years each of: English, Math, Science & Social Studies

• 2 years of one Foreign Language• 1 semester of Communication Applications

(Speech)• 2 semesters of PE/Athletics/Substitute• 1 year of a Fine Art • 5.5 credits of electives

How do you earn credits?

• You earn a credit for each semester of a course that you pass.– Semester credit– Grade Averaging credit

What are GPA & Class Rank & why do they matter?

Colleges use your GPA & Rank in their admissions decisions. It counts as soon as you begin 9th grade!

• GPA = Grade Point AverageGrade points are assigned based on the level of your classes: honors, level, modified.

• Class rank comes from your GPA. Every grade is part of your GPA & your GPA determines your class rank.

NOTE: Classes taken in 8th grade for high school credit do not go into GPA or rank (Algebra 1 & Spanish 1)

Who can give you advice about choosing classes? Your:

•Parents•Teachers•Counselor•College Admissions Counselor

English

• English 1:– Level – PreAP – Gifted and Talented

Both PreAP & GT earn honors grade points.

Additional requirements: English 2 - 4

Math

• Requirements:– Algebra 1 – no Honors available– Geometry, Level or Honors– Algebra 2, Level or Honors– An additional upper level math like

Algebra 3, PreCalculus, AP Statistics, Calculus

Science• ALL freshmen take Biology (Level or

Honors)• Additional requirements for graduation:

– Chemistry– Physics – An additional 4th lab science

Social Studies• ALL freshmen take World Geography

(Level or Honors) • Additional requirements:

– World History, Level or Honors– US History, Level or AP– Government (.5 credit) Level, Honors or

AP– Economics (.5 credit) Level, Honors or AP

Languages Other Than English2 years of one Language are required

• Spanish 1 through 5• French 1 through 4• German 1 through 4• Latin 1 through 4• American Sign Language 1

through 3* DAP requires 3 years – not 2* Most offered as Level, Honors

& AP (2 – 5) & Dual Credit (3 – 5).

Fine ArtsOne year required

• Art• Theater Arts• Band• Choir• Orchestra• Dance

Electives 5.5 credits required

• any state credited courses not required for graduation: – Technology Applications– Business Management &

Admin. – Family & Consumer Science– Agriculture– Architecture & Construction– Additional courses in any

required subject area– And many more!

NJROTCNavy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps

• Navy Science 1 – 4 for freshman through senior year

• Focuses on: leadership, citizenship, maritime heritage

• Participate in: community service, drill competition, marksmanship & military training

AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination)

• prepare for college eligibility & success• take advanced classes• counts as elective & speech credit • must take 1 Honors course • open to incoming 9th graders

Why take Honors/AP classes?• think, read & write critically & analytically• college success• additional grade points• possible college credit

Who does well in Honors/Pre-AP classes?

Students who are:• Self-motivated, hard-working & who

enjoy academic challenge & rigor• Capable of success with challenging

material presented at a faster pace• Willing to take assignments beyond basic

requirements• Able to have time to devote & still be

kids!

Should you take Honors/Pre-AP classes?

• Yes, if you currently have at least 80 in Honors Classes 90 in Level Classes

• Honors to level & level to honors schedule changes happen only at: Three (3) weeks Six (6) weeks Semester May change your other classes

Is there a lot of homework?

• Level classes:– Approximately 30 minutes

per class every night

• Honors/AP classes:– Approximately 45 minutes

per class every night

What if I change my mind?

• Change requests:– Turn in to current

Counselor with parent signature.

• No changes will be made after the last day of school.

What Comes Next?• Lots of options!

– Dual Credit– International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Program– Special Courses

• There are many programs offered to you through HISD. Please review your High School Course Guide to begin planning what you will take in future years.