WREN HIGH SCHOOL

FRESHMAN ACADEMY

RISING 9TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

INTRODUCTIONSFreshman Academy Staff

Freshman Guidance Counselor- Mrs. Dillard

Director of Freshman Academy- Mr. Young

Principal- Mrs. Boseman

Freshman Academy Building2 halls (3 teams of teachers)AtriumAuxiliary gymCar Circle

WHAT IS HIGH SCHOOL ALL ABOUT? What is a Carnegie unit?

Do elective units count?

What is a GPA and how is it calculated?

What is my class rank?

Graduation requirements vs. college admissions

NumericalAverage

LetterGrade

College Prep Honors AP/Dual Enrollment

100 A 4.875 5.375 5.87599 A 4.750 5.250 5.75098 A 4.625 5.125 5.62597 A 4.500 5.000 5.50096 A 4.375 4.875 5.37595 A 4.250 4.750 5.25094 A 4.125 4.625 5.12593 A 4.000 4.500 5.00092 B 3.875 4.375 4.87591 B 3.750 4.250 4.75090 B 3.625 4.125 4.62589 B 3.500 4.000 4.50088 B 3.375 3.875 4.37587 B 3.250 3.750 4.25086 B 3.125 3.625 4.12585 B 3.000 3.500 4.00084 C 2.875 3.375 3.87583 C 2.750 3.250 3.75082 C 2.625 3.125 3.62581 C 2.500 3.000 3.50080 C 2.375 2.875 3.37579 C 2.250 2.750 3.25078 C 2.125 2.625 3.12577 C 2.000 2.500 3.00076 D 1.875 2.375 2.87575 D 1.750 2.250 2.75074 D 1.625 2.125 2.62573 D 1.500 2.000 2.50072 D 1.375 1.875 2.37571 D 1.250 1.750 2.25070 D 1.125 1.625 2.125

FRESHMAN ACADEMY Divided into three teams Each team has a math, science, social

studies, and English teacher.

Academic Classes: Taught 45 minutes each day English, math, science, social studies Recommendations made by teachers

FRESHMAN ACADEMY MISSION

Smooth Transition from Middle School to High School

Commitment to High School Graduation

Rigorous Academics

Preparation for 10th-12th Grades and Life after WHS

CORE ACADEMICS English, Science, Social Studies, Math Prerequisites 45 minutes daily Teams Homework/Lunch Detentions Study habits, motivation,

determination Teacher Expectations

ELECTIVE CLASSES Elective courses are taught 90 minutes every

other day. Freshmen earn 8 units in the school year, and may choose 1.5 units of electives. We are on an A/B Block Schedule.

A sample schedule is listed below:A Day: AE English Global Math Science Computer

90 mins. 45 mins 45 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 90 mins.

B Day: ROTC English Global Math Science Band

90 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 90 mins.

ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT Required course for ALL ninth grade students. All Freshman Academy academic teachers have

Academic Enhancement with their students. Students have the opportunity to be tutored

and make up tests during this class period. In addition, a curriculum is incorporated into

this class that includes: Organizational skills Digital Citizenship Unit on Bullying Unit on College/Career Readiness Tutorials Career and Technology Center tours Variety of speakers WorkKeys Prep Comprehensive Health Education

PE OR ROTC All students must take 1 unit of PE or ROTC in

order to receive a high school diploma. Students should choose only one.

ROTC is an excellent program that teaches you about naval science, government, and physical fitness. Required to wear a uniform once a week in ROTC. This is a year-long course. Opportunities for students to participate in

competitions PE consists of a yearlong course.

Students must dress out each class period Follows State/National standards for physical fitness

KEYBOARDING/DIGITAL LITERACY

Students must complete a full unit of Computer Science in order to graduate. Students will take one of the following during their ninth grade year.

Keyboarding Course is ½ credit toward Computer Science Requirement Prelude to Digital Literacy. Teaches the necessary keyboarding skills to be successful on

the computer.   Digital Literacy

Course is ½ credit toward Computer Science Requirement Students must be proficient in keyboarding in order to take

Digital Literacy

Project Lead the Way can fulfill Computer Science requirement

CAREER GUIDE/ELECTIVESFriday—Feb 6

Meet with 8th grade students Career Guide will be emailed to 8th

grade students at Wren Middle Career Guide contains course

descriptions Students will bring home sample

Registration Forms

COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS

Fine Art requirement Four year colleges are requiring one full unit

of a fine art (Drama, Band, Strings, Chorus, Art) in order to be admitted.

If you are planning to attend a four year college, you should choose .5 of the fine art unit your freshman year if possible.

NCAA (College Athletics) does not accept Math Foundations for

eligibility.

OTHER ELECTIVESRemaining 1.5 electives are chosen by

the student

The list of elective courses that are available to freshmen are on the back of the registration form These are the ONLY courses that freshmen may

choose at this time. Please read the course descriptions to find out more

information on each course. Pay close attention to the unit value of each course since

you can only choose 1.5 units. Please note that courses like Photography ($20) and

Industrial Tech ($15) require additional fees. Ex. Drama I…p. 31, Family Life…p. 37

OTHER ELECTIVES, CONT.Advanced Art Courses If you would like to apply for an advanced art

course, please see Mrs. Dierks to get portfolio deadlines and requirements.

These courses are usually not available to freshmen due to scheduling conflicts.

Yearbook If you wish to take Yearbook, please pick up

an application from Mrs. Craig.

Show Chorus, Concert Chorus, and Jazz Band are not available to 9th Graders.

OTHER ELECTIVES, CONT. Once you have chosen your 1.5 units of

electives that you would like to take, you should put a check beside the course name. These are your first choice of electives, however, they are only course requests, not your official school schedule.

VERY IMPORTANT!

Students MUST write in 3 alternate electives on the bottom of their registration form.

HAVE GOALS

ACADEMICSHORT TERM

Complete all Assignments Complete Summer Reading Pass the test/Make A on Test Make A’s and B’s on report card

LONG TERM Pass 9th Grade Graduate from High School Go to College (Clemson, South Carolina, Tri-County, etc) Join Military/Get a JOB

FOR FEBRUARY 12 CAPS MEETING Please take home the letter to your

parents, white registration sheet, and blue curriculum guide. Go over the courses and choose 1.5 units of electives and 3 alternates.

Bring registration sheet and blue curriculum guide back for February 12th CAPS meeting.

Please go over your choices with your parents as they will have the final say at the CAPS Conference.