Incoming 9Incoming 9thth Grade Grade StudentsStudentsHighlands High School Highlands High School Parents Scheduling Parents Scheduling MeetingMeeting

Mrs. Trinity Walsh9/10 Counselor

A tradition of A tradition of excellence!!excellence!!•116th Highlands graduating class in June of 2010•2007 NCLB Blue Ribbon School (only public HS in Kentucky since education reform)•High Schools That Work-Gold Award (16 in nation)•Newsweek Top 600 schools in U.S.•U.S. News and World Report-one of only 8 in Kentucky to receive Silver Medal•Exceeding ACT college benchmarks in every subject area•41% 2009 seniors earned AP credit while at HHS•70+ AP Scholars

A tradition of Excellence A tradition of Excellence •Over 30 National Merit Scholars in last 5 years (scholars and commended)-largest number in Northern Ky.•Mock Trial/ We the People State Champions (national competitors)•Wide variety of extra-curricular options•State Champion Football (19th)/ 3rd in nation•Back to Back State Champion Girls’ Track•2008 Boys and Girls Soccer state runner up•High Quality Performing Arts Program•Nationally recognized teaching staff•State of the art renovated space

Capstone ProgramCapstone Program• Mass Communications•Unique Program beginning in 2010-2011• Pg. 27-28

Pillars of the ProgramsCohort approachUniversity partnershipApplied LearningCapstone experience

Want more information? Please remain following the main presentation.

Scheduling PacketScheduling PacketIntroduction LetterRecommendation Sheet SAMPLEElectives Sheet4-Year Academic Plan SAMPLECourse CatalogExtracurricular Guide

Basic Graduation Basic Graduation RequirementsRequirementsEnglish – 4 creditsMath – 4 creditsScience – 3 creditsSocial Studies – 3 creditsFine Arts – 1 creditHealth – ½ creditPhysical Education – ½ creditElectives – 6 credits

Student ClassificationStudent ClassificationFreshman Sophomore = 5

creditsSophomore Junior = 10 creditsJunior Senior – 16 creditsSenior GRADUATION = 22

credits

Class Rank & GPAClass Rank & GPAYour Grade Point Average, or GPA, is simply the average of your cumulative grades at then end of each semester of

school. Some courses have more “weight” based upon the level of course.

Your class rank is your standing in relation to ALL of the other students in your

grade.

Refer to PAGE 8 in the Course Catalog for specifics.

This starts right away !!! At the beginning of your

FRESHMAN YEAR!!!

Exam ExemptionsExam ExemptionsRefer to PAGE 11 in the Course

Catalog◦Earn 95 or higher in 2nd Semester◦Earn 85 or higher in 1st Semester◦6 or fewer absences◦Must be in attendance even if

exempt◦Must take at least 2 final exams, 1

must be in Core Content Area

EligibilityEligibilityStudents can not be failing more

than one course to eligible for extracurricular activities (this includes: sports, music groups, clubs, school sponsored groups, AND school dances)

College Athletic Eligibility (NCAA)◦www.eligibiltycenter.org◦Students interesting playing college

athletics should let their counselor know as soon as they can.

Special Diploma Special Diploma ConsiderationsConsiderationsKentucky’s Pre-College

CurriculumThe Commonwealth DiplomaHighlands High School Advanced

CurriculumHHS Major of Intensive StudyCAPSTONE Program

Kentucky’s Pre-College Kentucky’s Pre-College CurriculumCurriculumEnglish – 4 creditsMath – 4 credits

◦ Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, ElectiveScience – 3 credits

◦ Life, Earth, or Physical ScienceSocial Studies – 3 credits

◦ World Civ., US History, GovernmentHealth – ½ creditPhysical Education – ½ creditFine Arts – 1 creditForeign Language – 2 creditsElectives – 5 credits

The Commonwealth The Commonwealth DiplomaDiploma

22 Credits Course Requirements English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits

◦Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Elective Science – 3 credits

◦Life, Earth, Physical Science Social Studies – 3 credits

◦World Civ., US History, Government Health – ½ credit Physical Education – ½ credit Fine Arts – 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits Electives – 5 credits

◦3 rigorous courses◦Recommended strongly: 1 or more courses that develop Computer Literacy

AP Courses•4 AP courses with minimum grade of “C”•English, Science, Foreign Language, Elective

AP Exams•Successful Completion of AP Exams

HHS Advanced CurriculumHHS Advanced CurriculumCompletion of Kentucky’s Pre-

College CurriculumCompletion of 10 “Advanced”

Courses◦“AP” Courses can be substituted for

“Advanced” Courses Completion of 2 “AP” CoursesMinimum Cumulative GPA of 3.75 Awarded Seal on Diploma and

Noted in Graduation Program

HHS Major of Intensive HHS Major of Intensive StudyStudyCompletion of a presentation and

defense of a Senior Thesis Project.Completion of “Senior Seminar” CourseCompletion of at least 4 courses in the

intended research area with a minimum average of “B” (85).

Completion of Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum

Students wear Honor Cord at graduation and Noted on Diploma and Final Transcript

CAPSTONE ProgramCAPSTONE ProgramMass Communications

◦Specialized program for students interested in one of the many Mass Communications fields.

◦Page 27 of Course Catalog◦If interested, students need to

indicate this on the 4-Year Academic Plan

99thth Grade Courses Grade CoursesREQUIRED COURSES – 4 periods English – full year Math – full year Science – full year Health - semester Physical Education - semesterELECTIVE COURSES – 2 periods Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Family & Consumer

Science, Business, Technology, Mass Communications

EARLY BIRD COURSE Early Start (Phys. Ed./Health) – full year 7:00am – 8:00am Enables students to take an additional course (7

period day)

Scheduling StepsScheduling StepsScheduling Recommendations given out at

the PARENT MEETING on January 19th at 7:00PM.

Review recommendations for English, Math, Science

Select Electives◦ Use the Electives Sheet

Select Alternates – 2 for each course. Alternates CAN be the same for each course.

Write the course number and course title on Recommendation/Scheduling Sheet

Complete the 4-Year Academic Plan◦ Use the Course Catalog and Electives Sheet

Meet with counselor to review choices and plans

AP CoursesAP CoursesWhat is AP?What AP Courses can I take as a

freshman?◦AP Human Geography

What is the benefit?

Early BirdEarly BirdWhat are Early Bird Courses?What Early Bird Courses can I take?

◦Freshmen – Early Start (Phys. Ed./Health)

◦Sophomore – EB AP World History◦Junior – EB AP American Language &

Comp.◦Senior – EB AP American Literature &

Comp.What is the benefit?

Summer ActivitiesSummer ActivitiesFreshmen Transitions Day

◦Approximately 1 week before school starts

Summer Reading◦Will be given book before the end of

the school year◦Study Guide needs to be completed

before the first day of school

Meeting with Your Meeting with Your CounselorCounselorCan email or call anytime

◦Trinity.Walsh@fortthomas.kyschools.us

◦859.815.2605During School Year

◦Open Door Policy