WELCOME to West Potomac!
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Rising 9th/Curriculum Night
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Tonight’s Agenda
• 6:00-6:50pm• Welcome• Overview of Academic Advising• Overview of Advanced Academics at WPHS
• 7:05 – 8:40pm• Curriculum Breakout Sessions – Quander Rooms• Electives Open House - Cafeteria
The Worlds Greatest High School!
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Welcome future Wolverines to
Worlds Greatest in all we do!
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Resource for Academic Advising
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• WPHS Student Services Website
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We messaged this to 8th graders last week!
C2G
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First thing we need to discuss…
Standard Diploma Requirements
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Advanced Studies Diploma
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Academic Advising 2017-18
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• What is it?• Process to select your 7 classes for 2017-18
• Why is it important?• Determines staffing at WPHS to ensure you get the
classes you select
• In September there are no class changes! So take time to make these important decisions
Expunging Middle School Grades
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• Students may take high school credit courses while in middle school
• Algebra 1, Geometry, World Language, ESOL
• Parents may request that grades for any high school credit-bearing course taken in the middle school be removed from the student’s high school transcript
• Student will not earn high school credit for the course or be eligible for a verified credit in the course
• The request to remove a course from the transcript must be made in writing to the high school the student will attend the following year, prior to the end of the first nine weeks. See current version of FCPS Regulation 2408
• Form available on WPHS Student Services Website
2017-2018 Schedule
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PE
Typical 9th Grade Schedule
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• English 9/English 9 HN• World History and Geography 1/WHG 1 HN• Math (see next slide)• Biology/Biology HN (9th grade Science Fair for HN)• Health and PE 9• World Language (see later slide) or Elective (see later slide)• Elective
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• Algebra 1 Part 1 and Algebra 1 (double-block)Algebra 1 Part 1 is an elective credit
• Algebra 1/Algebra 1 HN• Geometry/Geometry HN• Algebra 2/Algebra 2 HN
Teacher recommendation is very important!
Typical 9th Grade Schedule
Math Options for Rising 9th Graders
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• French• German• Latin• Spanish• Spanish for Fluent Speakers (class designed for
student with a background in Spanish or who speak Spanish at home).
Teacher Recommendation for upper levels!
World Languages
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Health and Physical
Education• PE 9
• 1 quarter of Health• 3 Quarters of Physical Education
• PE 9 is a PREREQUISITE for PE 10 (Drivers Ed)
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Special Education• Middle School Case Manager makes
recommendations based on the student’s IEP
• Support available as needed • Strategies for Success, Reading, Personal Development,
etc.)
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ESOL – English Speakers of other Languages• Middle School ESOL Dept. will determine each
student’s ESOL level for 2016-17• Courses determined by the ESOL level• WIDA testing this winter – prepare and do your
best!
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9th Grade Electives• English
Journalism/PhotoJournalism 1, Creative Writing, Film Study, Debate, Literacy Lab
• MathComputer Science (Co-requisite of Algebra 2)
• Social StudiesAP Human Geography
• BusinessEconomics & Personal Finance (required for graduation) Information Systems, Webpage Development, Programming Accounting, Business Law/Business Management
• MarketingMarketing
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9th Grade Electives• Technology Education
Design & Technology, Basic Technical Drawing, Electronics, Aerospace Science• Visual Arts
Studio Art 1, Digital Art and Design 1, Photography 1• Performing Arts
Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Percussion Ensemble, Piano, Chorus (recommendation/audition)• Theatre Arts
Theatre Arts 1, Technical Theatre 1• West Potomac Academy
Dance 1• General
Army JROTC 1, AVID, Leadership Training (interview)
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an elective option!
• Advancement Via Individual Determination• AVID is an academic program designed to increase the rigor of
coursework taken by West Potomac students. • Every AVID student is in at least one Honors/AP. • All AVID Students have the goal of going to college!• Over the last four years all AVID seniors who applied to a four
year college were accepted into at least one four year school!• Application required – see Ms. Caldwell for more information• Young Scholar? This is a great fit for you!
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How To Be Successful in High School?
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Things to do before selecting classes:• Talk with teachers both tonight and current
classroom teacher• Discuss student interest/motivation• Review overall workload of seven courses • Balance with other commitments (extra-curricular
activities, family time, leisure, etc.)• Time management and organizational skills are
important
AdvancedAcademics
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ENGAGED LEARNING
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DEEPENED CULTURE
Sara Veinbergs, Advanced Academics Coordinator
Programs?
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What are Advanced Academic Rigorous academic studies
Open access to all students
Academic exploration and knowledge beyond the standard course of study
Require dedication of time and individual effort beyond the school day
College preparatory (Honors) and college-level (AP) courses
BasicsThe
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ENGAGED LEARNING
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DEEPENED CULTURE
Courses
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Honors College preparatory courses offered to either prepare
students for AP Courses or where a comparable AP course does not exist.
Students who do well in Honors courses have a foundation for doing well in AP and college courses.
Have a +0.5 weighted grade overall.
Placement (AP)
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Advanced College-level courses offered in high school. AP courses
reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses
AP Exams—standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered college-level course work, taken in May. (Some also have an SOL.)
Have a +1.0 weighted grade overall (upon completion of the course and the exam.)
Of Taking Advanced Courses
Benefits
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ENGAGED LEARNING
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DEEPENED CULTURE
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Rigor of high school curriculum is linked to success in college
Expand a student’s ability to read, write, and think critically; analyze and solve problems; and build 21st century skills.
Advanced Academics courses can bolster a HS transcript and improve college acceptance.
Many colleges grant credit for courses in which students earn a qualifying score on AP examinations.
From Advanced Placement (AP)What to Expect
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ENGAGED LEARNING
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DEEPENED CULTURE
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Typically demand more of students than on-level or honors courses.
Tend to be faster-paced since more content material is covered.
Strong expectation for students to: think critically analyze and synthesize facts and data weigh competing perspectives write clearly and persuasively.
Supports
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ENGAGED LEARNING
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DEEPENED CULTURE
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West Potomac’s Strong Curriculum Team Culture: Working collaboratively, teachers can structure common activities, interventions, and instruction based on analysis of assessments.
Wolverine Time: Daily remediation/intervention period during which student can visit any of their teachers.
Mastery Learning Policies: Opportunities to relearn and show mastery of material already covered.
WICOR Strategies: WICOR strategies stem from AVID philosophy and are becoming a mainstay of West Potomac instructional culture
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You! (Parents/Guardians)Advanced Academics is for the PREPARED not the ELITE
Rigor ≠ More work…BALANCE is key
Play to strengths and interest areas when selecting courses
Support
Most Important
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IMPORTANT DATES• January 5: WP Counselors visit SMS
• January 9: Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and Curriculum Night
• March 10: Course Selections available on ParentVue
• Late April: Course Selection Verification mailed home for review
• June 3: Deadline for any updates/changes
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Action Items• BRING your course selection sheet/booklet to
counselor meeting.• Select seven courses and two alternate electives.• Seek out teacher recommendations (HN – expected
to stay in the course for the first nine weeks).• Work with your counselor• For more information, visit our website:www.fcps.edu/WestPotomacHS under “Student
Services” and “Academic Advising”
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What’s next??
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An exciting journey ahead!!
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Thank you and Go Wolverines!!