Welcome to Solon High School We Are SC

Welcome to Solon High School #We. Are. SC

WELCOME TO SOLON HIGH SCHOOL TONIGHT’S EXPLORATION PROCEDURE ü There are 3 exploration student groups 1. Athletics – Gym 2. Clubs – Old Gym 3. Music/Drama – Band room ü There are 3 different colored tickets 1. Blue 2. Yellow 3. White

IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION 1. Color 2. Perforation 3. Bags On Tables (What are you interested in? ) BLUE – MRS. KOSIOREK - Athletics YELLOW – MRS. RODENBUCHER – Clubs WHITE – MR. FRAZIER – Music/Drama

Welcome to Solon High School Ninth Grade Orientation Mrs. Cynthia Russell Solon High School Counseling Department A-C 349 -6242 cynthiarussell@solonboe. org Mr. Rick Nowak D-Ho 349 -6243 ricknowak@solonboe. org Mrs. Ann Trocchio, Director Hp-Mc 349 -7407 anntrocchio@solonboe. org Mrs. Kathleen Kinney kathleenkinney@solonboe. org Md-See Mr. Brad Sims Sef-Z 349 -6241 Mrs. Jen Rooney Secretary 349 -7304 349 -7307 bradsims@solonboe. org jenniferrooney@solonboe. org Solon High School Counseling Webpage: https: //www. solonschools. org/Page/2912 Introduction of Academic Department Chairs

SHS PROFILE • Solon earned the state of Ohio’s #1 school report card for student achievement for the third year in row • The Solon Schools earned a 2018 Ohio Overall A Award from the Ohio Department of Education, recognizing the academic achievement and growth of all Solon students • Solon High School received a 2018 Overall A Award AND was one of only two Ohio high schools to receive an All A Award from ODE for 2018 • National Blue Ribbon School • Top-ranked Ohio high school, receiving a U. S. News Best Schools Gold Medal

SHS Post-Secondary Selections • Four-year College & Two-year College 95% • Business, Technical School, Military, or Work 5%

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS • Nearly 10% of the CLASS OF 2019 • One of the highest numbers in the state 15 Semi-Finalists 24 Commended

SAT RESULTS ERW + Math SHS Class of 2018 ERW Math 647 666

ACT RESULTS Composite Scores • National Average • SHS Class of 2018 • SHS Top 10% 20. 8 25. 7 34. 7

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM • In 2018, 50% of our Solon High School students took 1, 860 AP exams • 87% received college credit for their scores

SHS Four-Year Advising Plan 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation Pre. ACT AP Exams State Testing PSAT Practice Testing Pre. ACT AP Exams State Testing PSAT ACT SAT AP Exams State Testing Meet with students in the Freshman Mentoring Program. Classroom counseling. Naviance registration and Career Interest Profiler. Assist students in updating resume. Introduce EXCEL TECC. Classroom counseling. Naviance investigation of colleges and careers. Assist students in completing resume. Continue career and college planning. Classroom counseling. Naviance use for college preparation. Implement the college and post-SHS planning process. Applications, essays, and scholarship information. Classroom counseling. Individual meetings to create college, career, and academic success plans. Individual meetings to finalize college, career, and academic success plans. Transition support.

Complete 21 course credits Our District’s Course Requirements Units Required English Language Arts 4 Units Mathematics 4 Units Science 3 Units Social Studies 3 Units Health . 5 Units Physical Education . 5 Units Fine Arts 1 Units Electives 5 Units

Requirements for all students Complete 21 course credits Take seven required state tests Earn diploma through one of three options

Take seven required state tests 1. 2. 3. 4. English I (9) English II (10) Algebra 1 Geometry 5. Biology 6. American History 7. American Government

4 Earn a minimum of four points in English tests 4 Earn a minimum of four points in math tests 6 Earn a minimum of six points in science and social studies tests *Students need 18 points. Each test has a max value of 5 points.

College Entrance Recommendations (Minimum) • 4 years of English • 4 years of Math (including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry) • 3 - 4 years of Science (including Biology, Chemistry, advanced science) • 3 - 4 years of Social Studies • 2 - 3 years of World Language • 1 year of fine, applied or performing arts

Academic Honors Diploma This is one of six Ohio Honors Diplomas Must meet all but one of the required criteria • 4 credits of English • 4 credits of Math (Alg I, II, Geom and higher) • 4 credits of Science (including two units of advanced science) • 4 credits of Social Studies • 3 credits of World Language OR 2 credits each of two World Languages • 1 credit of Fine Arts • 3. 5 GPA on 4. 0 un-weighted scale (through the end of senior year) • 27 ACT OR 1280 SAT (SAT combined ERW/M scores) *See “Handouts” on the School Counseling webpage for the full list of Ohio Honor Diploma options.

Athletic Eligibility for Incoming Ninth Graders Ø Bylaw 4 -4 -4: A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of five of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled. ØBylaw 4 -4 -7: Summer school and other educational options may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic standards specified in Bylaw 4 during the last grading period of the school year.

EXAMPLE OF DETERMINING ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY GRADES 9 -12 Passing grades must have been earned in a minimum of five onecredit courses, or equivalent, in the grading period immediately preceding the sport. PE classes do not count toward eligibility. Subject English 9 Spanish 1 P. E. Algebra 1 World Hist Band Science Total Credit Grade A C P B B A A Credit &Duration 1. 00 YEAR 0. 50 YEAR 1. 00 YEAR 6. 50 *Must carry at least 5 classes both semesters. Factor 1 1 0 1 1 Credits 1. 00 0. 00 1. 00 6. 00 = eligible for athletics

Honors & AP Courses • SHS offers 8 honors courses and 28 Advanced Placement courses. • Courses available to ninth graders include Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry, Honors Biology and AP World History. • Ninth grade recommendations are made by eighth grade teachers. • CONTACT SMS teachers/school counselors for questions about grade 8 recommendations.

WEIGHTED GRADES FOR COURSES ARE WEIGHTED AT TWO LEVELS: REGULAR COURSE WEIGHT A=4 B=3 C=2 D=1 F=0 HONOR COURSE WEIGHT A= B= C= D= F= 4. 5 3. 375 2. 25 1. 0 0 ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSE WEIGHT A= B= C= D= F= 5. 0 3. 75 2. 5 1. 0 0 Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam for each course in May. Many colleges award college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores upon college enrollment.

GRADES AND GRADE REPORTS • Grades are accessible on Power School throughout the quarter to monitor student progress • End of quarter grades are accessible via Power School • The same parent code and student codes from SMS will be used at SHS

Academic Supports Solon High School is proud to offer academic supports and interventions to all students: • Classroom-based interventions • Peer tutoring • Academic Labs/Resource Center • Opportunity for Peer Study Groups • Academic coaching by counselors/administrators/psychologists

Important Scheduling Considerations ØStudents should choose courses that fit their academic goals and interests. ØStudents should follow teacher recommendations but also consider time management, and aim for a healthy balance. ØStudents do NOT have to take honors or AP courses to be admitted to colleges and universities. Finding the right individual academic balance is most important.

Enter the hours you plan to spend on each activity to determine how much of a course load you may be able to realistically manage.

9 th Grade Course Planning • There are seven periods in the school day. Ninth graders take at least FIVE classes each semester and often Physical Education/Health. • Students must pass five classes for athletic eligibility (excluding Phys Ed). • Ninth grade courses: English, Math, Science, World History, Phys Ed, Health, Elective(s) • Study Hall is recommended for ninth graders. • Course recommendations are from SMS. EXAMPLE #1 English 9 CP Biology Algebra I World History PE/Health Spanish 2 Study Hall EXAMPLE #2 English 9 CP Biology Pre Algebra & Algebra I World History PE/Health Study Hall EXAMPLE #3 English 9 Honors Biology Honors Geometry AP World History PE/Health Band or Choir French 2 EXAMPLE #4 English 9 CP Biology Algebra I World History PE/Health Spanish I Study Hall/Elective EXAMPLE #5 English 9 Honors Biology Honors Algebra II World History PE/Health Spanish 2 Study Hall

What if my child does not get the particular Physical Education class requested? ØStudents may take the two semester Physical Education classes at ANY TIME during their four years at SHS. Physical Education is proven to play a role in stress management. ØStudents may choose zero period Physical Education or Health which adds a class period to the day. ØStudents may request a particular Physical Education class; however, scheduling constraints may dictate an alternate placement.

What if my child is NOT recommended for a course he or she wants to take? Ø If your student decides to take a nonrecommended course, you must complete the Scheduling Risk Form (available online at https: //www. solonschools. org/Page/2922, High School, School Counseling or in SMS School Counseling Office). Ø The form states that if the student chooses to drop this course during the school year, it will be noted on the transcript as a WF (Withdrawal Failing).

Where can I find more information or answers to my specific questions? Ø For questions about class recommendations contact SMS teachers/SMS school counselor. Ø For general questions about courses, requirements, and academic programming see the Program of Studies available on the Solon High School webpage.

Welcome to SHS Meet SC, Connect to SC, Succeed at SC and BE SC Class of 2023