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Freshman Information Night Class of 2016

Our Agenda

I. Welcome from Principal of the High School

II. Overview of High School Graduation Requirements by Scott Smith, Director of Secondary Schools

III. Overview of the 2011-2012 course selection process

IV. Overview of signature pathways for freshmen

V. Breakout Sessions

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James Scott SmithDirector of Secondary Schools

and School Improvement

It’s all about the next four years….

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SMCPS Mission

Know the learner and the learning expecting excellence in both.

Accept NO excuses, educating ALL with rigor, relevance, respect, and positive relationships.

From our Middle Schools, we have grades, attendance, and teacher recommendations

From our Data Warehouse we have county benchmarks and end of course exams

From the MSDE, we have MSA reading and mathematics scores

What do we know about our learners?

Know the

Learner

Expecting Excellenc

e

Know the

Learning

We know that the pathway chosen must be of high interest and individualized

We know that students must choose a completer pathway to be successful

We know that students need to complete 21 credits to graduate

What do we know about the learning?

Know the

Learner

Expecting Excellence

Know the Learning

Choice is the single greatest factor in motivating students – if they feel they are directing their learning, they will be invested.

Engagement comes from authentic learning with the students believing in the relevance of their work

Excellence comes from engaged students in rigorous classes

How do we get to excellence?

Know the

Learner

Expecting Excellence

Know the Learning

5 Career Clusters

50 individual completer pathways

High School

STEM

A

cad

em

y

Acad

em

y

of

Fin

an

ce

Glo

bal &

In

tern

. S

tud

ies

Fairle

ad

9th grade

4 year program

To this end, we have pathways of excellence

4 year program

4 year program

1 year program

From the beginning.. Before being overwhelmed with

more than fifty pathways to high school completion, we must first look at the core graduation requirements of each.

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SMCPS Graduation Requirements To receive a High School Diploma in St. Mary's County, students

must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete a minimum of 21 credits, including:

English 4Social Studies 3Mathematics 3Science 3Physical Education/Health 1Technology Education 1Fine Arts 1

Core Credit Total 16

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Additionally Pass all the High School Assessments

or earn a passing combined score Take a math class each year Complete the student service-learning

component Compile a web-based career portfolio Complete a program sequence

Completer Programs

Maryland University System Entrance Sequence:Completer 16 core creditsComplete 4 credits in

Mathematics to include Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry (non-trivial Algebra minimum in senior year)

Complete 2 credits in a World Language

Career and Technology Completer Sequence:Complete the 16 core

credits Complete 4 credits in an

approved Career and Technology Program Sequence

There are two overall pathways a student can take in high school

Dual Completer Sequence:Complete both the

University of Maryland and CTE sequences

MD University Completer Grade 9

Department

Available Courses

1 English English 9 Honors or CM

2 U. S. History U. S. History CM

3 Mathematics Algebra II H, Geo H, or Algebra I CM

4 Science Biology Honors, or Concept Based Physics CM

5 Career Technology Education

Foundations of Technology

6 Physical Education/Health

Physical Education/Health

7 Fine Arts / World Language

Fine Arts / Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Latin, American Sign Language

Maryland University System Entrance Sequence:4 Mathematics

credits which must include Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry

2 World Language credits

CTE Completer Grade 9

Department

Available Courses

1 English English 9 CM or S

2 U. S. History U. S. History CM or S

3 Mathematics Algebra I CM, Algebra Comprehensive, Algebraic Foundations

4 Science Concept Based Physics CM or Explorations in Science

5 Career Technology Education

Foundations of Technology

6 Physical Education/Health

Physical Education/Health

7 Fine Arts Visual Arts, Crafts I

Career and Technology Completer Sequence:Complete the 16

core credits Complete 4 credits

in an approved Career and Technology Program Sequence

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Credit Requirements and Promotion Targets

Freshman

0-4 credits

Sophomore

5 credits

Junior

10 credits

Senior

15 credits

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Promotion Rate 2011

Freshman

92.5%

Sophomore

93.2%

Junior

96.3%

Senior

96.7%

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Retention rates for 2011

Freshman

7.5%100/1338

Sophomore6.8%

88/1300Junior3.7%

Senior3.3%

Data from www.MDREPORTCARD.org

How can Freshman success be ensured? Put forth one’s best effort in 8th grade – all

the way to the end of the year Visit HAC weekly and take responsibility for

grades Take advantage of high school informational

sessions coming in the spring (extra-curricular activities and athletics)

Work with teachers and counselors to make sure the most academically appropriate courses are selected (after MSA)

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Course requests Making the right choice Mathemati

cs

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Geometry Honors Algebra II Honors

Algebra Honors Geometry Honors

On Grade Level 8 Algebra I CM

Algebraic Foundations

Algebra Comprehensive

Course requests Making the right choice English

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Grade 8 RLA Honors

English 9 Honors

English 9 CM

English 9 CM

English 9

English 9/90

Grade 8 RLA OGL

Course requests Making the right choice

Science

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Grade 8 Science Biology Honors

Concept Based Physics CMExplorations in Science

Must have completed Algebra and/or Geometry

Course requests Making the right choice Social

Studies

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Grade 8 Social Studies United States History CM

United States History

Final Choices

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PE/ HealthFoundations of

Technology

World Language

JROTCFine Arts

Select one of the following:

Spanish

French

German

Latin

Chinese

ASL

Visual Arts

Crafts

Theater ArtsChorus

Band

Strings

Course Requests

New enhancements to our Student Information System allow a student’s current classroom teacher to make recommendations for their next year’s class.

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Counselors

Once teachers have made course recommendations, counselors will meet with 8th graders individually to review these and move them over to course requests.

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Printed course requests

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At the end of the session, counselors will print out a summary of each students’ course requests. This will go home to parents for review.

This process will ensure that each student has the appropriate grade level course requests. These requests will be entered in the student information system and available for review by both the middle school and high school counselors

Special Considerations

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Students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) will have their course requests reviewed and finalized during their spring transition meetings

Students who have struggled in middle school will have

their course selections audited to make sure they have enrolled in the most beneficial and appropriate

classes

Students accepted into one of the signature academies will be

hand scheduled by the hosting high school

What are the SIGNATURE ACADEMIES?

Where can I get more information?

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Visit www.smcps.org and click on the “Our Schools” tab.

www.smcps.org/ourschools.aspx

Check out the web pages for each of our signature academies

Check out the high school’s website for additional information

STEM Academy web page

Each academy website has valuable information including a PDF of their brochure, copies of informational power point presentations, frequently asked questions, and an on line application. The application form can be

accessed directly from the site and submitted electronically

Academy of Financeweb page

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The application form can be accessed directly from the site and submitted electronically

Each academy website has valuable information including a PDF of their brochure, copies of informational power point presentations, frequently asked questions, and an on line application.

Global and International Studies web page

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Each academy website has valuable information including a PDF of their brochure, copies of informational power point presentations, frequently asked questions, and an on line application.

The application form can be accessed directly from the site and submitted electronically

In the Auditorium….Ms. MontgomeryPrincipal LHS

The principal and selected staff will be available in the auditorium to answer any specific questions you may have

Email us We have set up

an email account for your questions and comments.

Please email your questions/ comments to:

classof2016@smcps.org

Breakout Sessions

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Room: E07Session #1 6:45 to 7:05Session #2 7:15 to 7:35Session #3 7:40 to 8:00

There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

STEM

Breakout Sessions

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AOF There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

Room: E11Session #1 6:45 to 7:05Session #2 7:15 to 7:35Session #3 7:40 to 8:00

Breakout Sessions

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GIS There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

Room: Media CenterSession #1 6:45 to 7:05Session #2 7:15 to 7:35Session #3 7:40 to 8:00

(if needed)

Breakout Sessions

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FairleadRoom: E09Session #1 6:45 to 7:05Session #2 7:15 to 7:35Session #3 7:40 to 8:00

(if needed)

There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

Breakout Sessions

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JAFCTCRoom: E14Session #1 6:45 to 7:05Session #2 7:15 to 7:35Session #3 7:40 to 8:00

(if needed)

There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

Thank you

Please remember to visit www.smcps.org to learn more about the exciting opportunities for the class of 2016

Email questions and comments to “classof2016@smcps.org”

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