CHARLES J. COLGAN, SR. HIGH SCHOOL
THE COLGAN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
• Overview of the School Programs
• Advanced Courses
• Graduation Requirements
• How High School Works
• Course Selection Process
• Preparing Your Student for Life
After High School
FUTURE TRANSITION EVENTS
April 10 EMBARK WITH THE SHARKS EVENT
Rising 9th Grade Families - 7 PM
August 22 9th Grade Orientation
1st Day of School is August 26th
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS• Full Comprehensive High School Course Selection
• PreAP and AP Courses
• CFPA
• Science Opportunity/Partnership with Department of Public Works
• Project Lead the Way
• Criminal Justice
• Game Design & Development
A/B block schedule (7 periods)
Even (Blue) Days – Periods 1, 2, 4, 6
Odd (Gray) Days – Periods 1, 3, 5, 7
Lunch occurs during 4th/5th period
WHAT DOES A COLGAN DAY LOOK LIKE
SAMPLE 9TH GRADE SCHEDULE
English
English 9
PreAP English 9
Social Studies
World History 1
PreAP World History 1
Math
Algebra 1
PreAP Algebra 1
Geometry
PreAP Geometry
HPE
HPE 9
Science
Biology
PreAP Biology
Earth Science
Adv Earth Science
2 Electives
World Language
Spanish
French
German
American Sign Language
Elective
Students will choose 7 courses plus 3 alternates
Note: Math courseplacement may help guideScience course placement.
Some students taking Algebra 1 in 9th grade may
have higher success in Earth Science.
PreAP COURSES• PreAP and AP courses are not required for students to earn
an Advanced Studies diploma.
• Considerations when selecting PreAP classes:
✓Student Motivation
✓Grades
✓Attendance
✓SOL Scores
✓Teacher Recommendations
✓Interest in Subject Area
✓Career Goals
✓Extracurriculars/Balance
Middle School teachers will be making recommendations
WHY TAKE A PreAP COURSE?
• Prepare and expose students to college level work while in high school
• Enhances skills with time management, collaboration, initiative, and self-advocacy
• Help students improve writing skills, learn problem-solving techniques, and develop strong study habits
• A rigorous course load is one factor considered during the college application process
ElectivesBusiness
Principles of Business/Marketing
Digital Applications
Design Multimedia & Web Technologies
CIS – Computer Information Systems
+AP Computer Science Principles
Technology Education
Construction Technology
Production Systems
Graphic Communication Systems
Communication Systems
PLTW Intro to Engineering Design
Family and Consumer Science
Independent Living
Nutrition and Wellness
Child Development/Parenting
Fine Arts
Intro to Theater
Theatre Production
Art I
Men’s Choir
Women’s Chorale
Concert Band
Percussion Ensemble
Concert Orchestra
Marching Band – after school (.5 credit)
English
Journalism I
Creative Writing I
ALTERNATE ELECTIVES
• All students are asked to select 3 alternate electives when selecting courses for their freshman year.
• Students should be prepared to do this during the scheduling session and are encouraged to discuss this with their parents.
• If a course is cancelled or there is a conflict in your student’s schedule, an alternate elective will automatically replace the first choice elective.
9th GRADE COURSE
SELECTION SHEET
• Students will receive this
sample course selection
form at their schools.
• You can also find a sample
copy on our counseling
webpage under the
ACADEMIC ADVISING TAB.
ACADEMIC ADVISING TIMELINE
❖ January 30 Saunders MS
❖ February 5 Beville MS
❖ February 7 Lake Ridge MS
❖February 12 Woodbridge MS
❖ February 13 Benton MS
❖ TBD Graham Park, Pennington, Porter
❖March 8 All course selection sheets need to be signed by parent/guardian and returned to the middle schools
❖ June 7 Last day to request a course selection change
BEFORE ACADEMIC ADVISING
• Review the course selection form and course descriptions• Colgan counseling website/PWCS Course Catalog
• Choose a diploma type (Advanced or Standard)
• Have an idea of the 7 courses desired to take and 3 alternate electives
PWCPS 2019-20 COURSE CATALOGAVAILABLE ON COUNTY WEBSITE
• Graduation Requirements & Diploma Options
• “Ready to Go” Checklists
• Post-Secondary Planning Timelines
• Eligibility Requirements (Extracurricular
Activities)
• General College Admission Information
• Specialty Programs
• Courses & Descriptions
• Weighted Courses
• Sequential Electives
DAY OF ACADEMIC ADVISING
Students will:
✓meet individually with a counselor
✓ review middle school transcript and teacher recommendations
✓ select 7 courses and 3 alternate electives
✓will bring home 2 copies of the student’s course requests, one to be returned to the middle school.
AFTER ACADEMIC ADVISING
• Upon acceptance into the CFPA Specialty Program, students will receive a CFPA course selection form in their acceptance package, to be returned to Colgan HS along with the intent form.
• A copy of your student’s course requests along with a selection change form will be mailed to you at the end of May for a final review.
• By June 7, 2019, requests for course changes will be honored on a space available basis.
• After June 7, 2019, course changes will be made only to resolve conflicts, to accommodate graduation requirements, and/or because a student has failed to meet prerequisites.
Math and Science placements may change over the summer due to 8th gr SOL scores
SAMPLE TRANSCRIPT
Student Info
GRADE POINT AVERAGE
• Grade point averages are cumulative; every final grade in a high school credit course counts.
• Only year-end grades reside on the official transcript until the student’s senior year.
A = 4.0
B+ = 3.4
B = 3.0
C+ = 2.4
C = 2.0
D+ = 1.4
D = 1.0
F = 0.0
Add together &
divide by number
of credits
WEIGHTED CREDIT
• Weighted credit refers to grade point values assigned to Advanced Placement, certain Career and Technical Education Courses, dual enrollment courses, and designated prerequisite courses.
• All weighted courses are listed on p.157-159 in the Course Catalog.
EXPUNGING A GRADE FOR A HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT TAKEN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Any student taking a high school credit course in middle school may request the grade be omitted from his/her transcript before the end of 9th grade.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
• Understand graduation requirements and create a 4-year plan.
• Take a variety of courses to include as many AP and PreAPclasses that are appropriate for your student.
• Be involved in extracurricular activities both at school and in the community.
• Seek out leadership opportunities.
COLGAN HIGH SCHOOLATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
GET INVOLVED!
Every student has the
opportunity to play an
integral part in building the
community at
Colgan High School.
FALL SPORTS
Marching Band – August 5
Fall practice begins
August 1:➢Golf
➢Football
August 5:➢Field Hockey
➢Cross Country
➢Cheer
➢Volleyball
➢Dance
WINTER SPORTS
▪ Boys/Girls Basketball
▪ Wrestling
▪ Indoor Track
▪ Swim & Dive
SPRING SPORTS
• Baseball
• Softball
• Boys/Girls Soccer
• Boys/Girls Lacrosse
• Boys/Girls Track
• Boys/Girls Tennis
• Crew
A World of Difference
American Sign Language
Audio Visual Club
Chess Club*
Colgan Acapella “Sharks & Flats”
Colgan Siren Literacy Magazine
Colgan Theatre
Cyber Patriot Team
Dance Team
Debate Team
EDGE Club*
Fashion Design Club
FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America
FCCLA - Family Career & Community
Leadership of America
Fellowship of Christian Athletes*
FIN Friends
French Club
Clubs & ActivitiesFrench Honor Society
Freshman Class
German Club
GSA Alliance*
Healthy Communities Healthy
Youth
Humane Society Club*
International Heritage Club
Junior Class
Key Club
Kpop & Anime Club*
Math Honor Society
Model United Nations
Military Appreciation Club*
Music Production Club
National Art Honor Society
National English Honor Society
National Honor Society
Quill & Scroll Club
Robotics
Rubik’s Cube Club*
SCA – Student Council
Association
Scholastic Bowl
Science Club
Senior Class
Shark Tales
Sophomore Class
Spanish Club
Spanish Honor Society
Step Team
The Current (Newspaper)
Tri-M Music
Yearbook
Follow us @ColganHS
@ColganCounselor@ColganAthletics
on Twitter
Colgan Counseling Newsletterhttps://www.smore.com/smb4u-colgan-counseling-newsletter