Transitioning to High School and PWCS Specialty Programs

Transitioning to High School and PWCS Specialty Programs What is my path?

Get to know your Professional School Counselor It is EXTREMELY important for you to know who your school counselor is and what the school counseling office has to offer. Ask about: • Scholarships • After school programs • Clubs and activities • Community activities • Help with organization and time management Counselors are here to HELP YOU!

Use Your Resources Available resources to enhance success: üStudent Agenda üParent Portal üSchool Messenger üAfter-School Tutoring üParents üTeachers üCounselors

Graduation Requirements The state of Virginia offers two types of diplomas to regular education* students: STANDARD DIPLOMA ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA Note: You will receive a “Carnegie” unit course credit when you pass a class. The credit is considered verified when you pass the end of course Standards of Learning Test. *Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive an “Applied Studies” diploma.

Standard Diploma STANDARDS CREDITS - 22 VERIFIED CREDITS - 5 Subject Credits Needed English 4 English 2 Math 3 Math 1 Science 3 Science 1 Social Studies 3 Social Studies 1 Health/PE 2 Other Graduation Requirements World Lang/Fine Arts/CTE 2 Industry Credential of One Advanced Class Econ/Finance 1 Virtual Experience Electives 4* CPR Training *Courses to satisfy this requirement must include 2 sequential electives

Advanced Studies Diploma STANDARDS CREDITS - 26 VERIFIED CREDITS - 5 Subject Credits Needed English 4 English 2 Math 4 Math 1 Science 4 Science 1 Social Studies 4 Social Studies 1 Health/PE 2 World Lang 2+2 or 3 Econ/Finance 1 Electives 3 or 4* Other Graduation Requirements Industry Credential or One Advanced Class Virtual Experience CPR Training *Courses to satisfy this requirement must include 1 Fine Arts or CTE credit and two sequential electives

Standards of Learning Tests (SOL) Advanced Diploma Verified Credit Requirement Standard Diploma Verified Credit Requirement SOL Subjects SOL Courses English 11 Reading & Writing 2 2 Mathematics Algebra I Geometry Algebra II 1 1 Science Biology I Earth Science Chemistry 1 1 World History II US/VA History 1 1 5 5 Total

Transcripts • A transcript is a resume for life after high school • The information on transcripts includes course history, credits earned, GPA, and class rank • Freshman year is as important as any other year

Promotion Requirements 9 th Grade Successful completion of eighth grade 10 th Grade Five credits, three of which must be in required courses 11 th Grade Eleven credits, six of which must be in required courses 12 th Grade Sixteen credits, nine of which must be in required courses

High School Specialty Programs Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty Program The Biotechnology Center The Cambridge Programme Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Center for International Studies and Languages Center for Information Technology International Baccalaureate Programme Pre-Governor’s School @ Osbourn Park

Specialty Program Application Deadline FEBRUARY 1, 2020

County-Wide Specialty Program Information Sessions • October 21, 2019, 7 -9 pm at Gar-Field High School • October 22, 2019, 7 -9 pm at Stonewall Jackson High School Information will be available about a range of programs. Check the HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES guide for more information.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have two attendance options: Transfer and Transport

Transfer Participation in the following programs requires a full-time transfer to the school: • Agriculture: Brentsville HS • • Automotive Technology: Hylton HS, • Osbourn Park HS • Biomedical Sciences: Osbourn Park HS • • Building Trades: Patriot HS • • Cabinetmaking: Hylton HS • Cybersecurity: Potomac HS • Electricity: Stonewall Jackson HS Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning: Freedom HS Plumbing: Gar-Field HS Television Production: Hylton HS Welding: Potomac HS The transfer program application deadline is February 1, 2020.

Transport Participation in the following programs requires transportation by bus from your base school to attend required classes at the program location: • Cosmetology: Stonewall Jackson HS or Woodbridge HS (you will not use the transport option if you are already attending Stonewall Jackson HS or Woodbridge HS) • Stonewall Jackson HS application deadline = March 16, 2020 • Woodbridge HS application deadline = March 16, 2020 • Culinary Arts: Patriot HS or Potomac HS • Patriot HS application deadline = March 16, 2020 • Potomac HS application deadline = March 31, 2020 • Practical Nursing: Osbourn Park HS • application deadline = March 15, 2020

School Information Nights Battlefield HS November 20, 2019 and January 9, 2020 7: 00 pm Program: • Center for Applied Sciences, Interactive, and Information Technology • Criminal Justice • Air Force JROTC

School Information Nights Brentsville District High School November 13, 2019 January 16, 2020 7: 00 pm Program(s): • Cambridge Programme • Agriculture/Horticulture

School Information Nights C. D. Hylton High School November 13, 2019 and January 13, 2020 7: 00 pm Program(s): • Center for International Studies and Languages • Auto Technology • Cabinetmaking • Television Production • Air Force JROTC

School Information Nights Colgan High School October 28, 2019 6: 30 pm Program(s): • Center for Fine and Performing Arts *Application deadline is December 9, 2019. • 2. Computer Gaming • 3. Criminal Justice

School Information Nights Forest Park High School November 7, 2019 January 9, 2020 7: 00 pm Program: • Center for Information and Technology • Army JROTC

School Information Nights Freedom High School November 4, 2019 and January 16, 2020 6: 00 pm Program(s): • Center for Environmental and Natural Science • Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning • Air Force JROTC • Criminal Justice • *1 New Program to be Approved in 2019

School Information Nights Gar-Field High School October 29, 2019 November 14, 2019 7: 00 pm Program(s): • International Baccalaureate Programme • Plumbing

School Information Nights Osbourn Park High School December 4, 2019 and January 8, 2020 6: 30 pm Program(s): • • The Center for Biotechnology and Engineering The Pre-Governor’s School Auto Technology PLTW Biomedical Sciences Practical Nursing (only rising seniors may apply) Navy JROTC Computer Integrated Manufacturing *1 New Program to be Approved in 2019

School Information Nights Patriot High School October 29, 2019 7: 00 pm and January 15, 2020 6: 00 pm Program(s): • Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty Program • Building Trades (limited transfer) • Culinary Arts (transport)

School Information Nights Potomac High School November 14, 2019 7: 00 pm Program(s): • Cambridge Programme • Culinary Arts (transport) • Cybersecurity • Welding • Navy JROTC • Criminal Justice

School Information Nights Stonewall Jackson High School November 14, 2019 and January 9, 2020 7: 00 pm Program(s): • International Baccalaureate Programme • Cosmetology (transport) • Electricity • Air Force JROTC • *2 New Programs to be Approved in 2019

School Information Nights Woodbridge High School November 21, 2019 and January 22, 2020 6: 30 pm Program(s): • Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty Program • Cosmetology (transport) • Air Force JROTC

JROTC Programs • All high schools, with the exception of Brentsville, Colgan and Patriot, have a JROTC program. Information may be available at the information night programs. • Brentsville, Colgan and Patriot students have the following options for transfer based on application and available space: Base School Transfer Location Brentsville Stonewall Jackson Patriot Battlefield or Stonewall Jackson Colgan Osbourn Park

Governor’s School @ Innovation Park • To prepare for Governor’s School students may wish to apply to the Pre-Governor’s School program at Osbourn Park. However, students from any Prince William County High School may apply to the program. • Students must complete Algebra I prior to entering high school to be eligible for the program. It is recommended students complete Geometry before high school as well.

What does all this mean for me? Take careful thought when applying for a specialty program: 1. Will I follow the program until the end? 2. Do I meet the qualifications for the program? 3. Can I manage my time wisely to complete this program successfully? 4. Will this program better prepare me for my next steps in life? 5. Will my decision to transfer schools effect my eligibility to play sports? Every high school in PWCS will provide you with a World Class education!