Incoming 9th Grade Students

Daily Schedule

Your daily schedule will be broken up into 7 separate class periods. Each period will be a different class and there will be 5 minutes between classes.

Yearly Schedule

• Courses will either be a semester or year long.
• A semester course with either be 1st or 2nd semester.
• A year long course will meet both 1st and 2nd semester.

Excel Hour

Excel Hour is a roughly 25 minute block of time between 3rd and 4th hour.

This block of time is used for students to meet with specific teachers to make up missing tests, complete missing work, or gain extra support with concepts.

What is a Credit

• A credit is what is earned upon successful completion of a course.
• Courses are worth 0.5 or 1.0 credits.
• 0.5 credits will be earned for completing a semester course.
• 1.0 credit will be earned when completing a year long course.

How Many Credits Are Needed for Graduation?

Total: 23 Credits

• English - 4 Credits
• Math - 3 Credits
• Science - 3 Credits
• Social Studies - 3 Credits
• PhyEd - 1.5 Credits
• Health - 0.5 Credits
• Financial Lit - 0.5 Credits
• Electives - 7.5 Credits

Electives

An elective is a course you choose. They are not required. Electives can come from all departments.

Electives help students explore their interests, experience different areas of education, and increase your skills and knowledge!

As you progress through high school, more and more electives will be available.

Alternates

Alternates are courses you select when scheduling that IF a course you requested does NOT run or does NOT fit in your schedule you can still take a course you would like.

When selecting courses for the following year, it is important to also select alternates. 

English 1

The vast majority of freshmen will take English 1 to meet the freshmen requirement.

English 1 is a foundational course designed to meet the needs of most of the freshmen students.

Unless your current English teacher recommends you take English 1 Honors, English 1 will be your selection.

English 1 Honors

English 1 Honors focuses on all of the skills listed in the English 1 course description, but students can expect a faster pace with more challenging texts and rigorous expectations. Honors courses are specifically focused on preparing students for post secondary academic expectations.

Algebra

Algebra is the correct course for the vast majority of freshmen. 

If math is an area of concern, there are options to support your math skill such as math lab. Math lab cannot be requested during scheduling but may be recommended during freshmen year.

Geometry

Geometry is only offered to students who are currently in 8th grade Algebra. Geometry is for students who have mastered Algebra skills in 8th grade. In order to take Geometry as a freshman, you must have a recommendation from your current Math teacher.

Physical Science

Physical Science will be the correct placement for the vast majority of freshmen students. Physical science is a foundational course in which skills must be mastered for upper level science courses.

Taking Physical Science does not eliminate the possibility of taking upper level science courses later.

Biology

Biology is offered for students who are strong in their science skills and for those seeking advanced level science courses later in their high school career. 

If you wish to take Biology as a freshman, please speak with your current science teacher to evaluate your skills and get their recommendation for the course. 

World Cultures

World Cultures is the course that will be best suited for the vast majority of freshmen. The pacing and content of the course helps students understand the global nature of our times.
Emphasis is on the development of various regions of the world.

AP World History

AP World History is a college level course with college level pacing. The course is rigorous and fast paced. AP World History prepares students to take the AP examination at the end of the year.

If you are interested in taking AP World History during freshman year, please speak with your current Social Studies teacher to get their recommendation.

**You will automatically be scheduled into Health for your freshman year**

If you are planning on taking health during the summer, your counselor will adjust your schedule after summer school is completed. Once you have passed during summer, Health will be removed from your schedule and an alternate will be put in its place.

Health during the academic year

Health is a required course for freshmen and meets a graduation requirement. Most freshmen will take health during the academic year.

Health during the summer

Taking health during the summer between 8th grade and freshmen year is a popular choice among many students. This allows for more flexibility with courses your freshmen year.

Please Note: registration for summer school health is on a first come first serve basis and fills up quickly. Information on summer school registration will be provided during the Spring semester.