NPHS Course Selection Presentation 2015-2016

(Sophomores)

The following presentation will guide you through the necessary steps to select your classes for the next school year. Please make sure that you pay close attention in order to ensure that you select not only the classes that you NEED but also the classes that you WANT!

The first thing you need to review, before you select any classes, is your TRANSCRIPT. Take a few moments to review the KEY COMPONENTS…

The INFORMATION box. In this section you will find your name, address, phone number, NPHS ID, State ID (SSID), date of birth, place of birth, and parent or guardian name(s). Make sure that all the information is correct!

The GPA SECTION. GPA is usually the FIRST thing most people look at on a transcript. To figure out how the number on your transcript got there, consider the following: “Cumulative” GPA includes EVERY course you have taken thus far at NPHS. A numerical value (below), is assigned to each course, and the sum of all the courses is divided by the total number of courses. A+, A-, A = 4 B+, B-, B = 3 C+, C-, C = 2 D+, D-, D = 1 F = 0 “Scholastic” GPA is the same as “Cumulative” GPA WITHOUT any PE or sports classes. “Weighted” GPA is the same as “Scholastic” GPA (no PE or sports classes), and, in addition to the numerical values shown above, the following numerical values are assigned to ALL honors, AP, and IB courses: A+, A-, A = 5 B+, B-, B = 4 C+, C-, C = 3 D+, D-, D = 1 F = 0

Your COURSE HISTORY. For each grading term, you will find a school name, course ID(s), course title(s), grade level, letter grade(s) earned, and credits earned.

The “Work in Progress” section. Here you will find course ID(s), course title(s), grade level, entry dates, and exit dates. Make sure that all the classes you are currently taking are indicated in this section!

Now for the MOST important part…the “Graduation Requirements” section. Here you will find (by subject) course titles, the number of credits that are still required to graduate, the total number of credits required to graduate, and the total number of credits that you have completed thus far towards graduation requirements. Please note that NPHS GRADUATION credit requirements are NOT the same as UC/CSU A-G requirements.

Now that you have an idea of the classes that you have thus far taken, and the classes that you still need to graduate, focus on your grade-level “Course Selection Contract.” Please note that, in order to get the classes you need and/or want for the next school year, you MUST do the following THREE things: 1. Select your classes (carefully)

2. Take the contract home and share your selections with

your parent or guardian

3. Bring the contract BACK…WITH SIGNATURES!

NO FORM = NO CLASSES

In the upper left corner of your contract, fill out the following sections…legibly!

Now review the directions and the guidelines, and keep them in mind as you select your classes.

1. Review the Course Catalog at www.nphs.org/counseling/. 2. Complete this contract and be sure to include signatures 3. Bring your signed and COMPLETED contract with you on the day you are assigned to meet with your counselor. Schedule changes will not be made to accommodate teacher requests, period requests, extracurricular or athletic activities. A required schedule change will be made for a student who failed a course or who completed a pre-approved summer school course. A requested schedule change will be made only if it improves the integrity of your schedule for graduation or college entrance requirements AND if there is space available. Schedule change requests can be addressed in August during Schedule Pick-Up Day.

If you are an athlete:

Athletics - If you play a NPHS team sport, you can earn 5 Physical Education credits each season toward your 20-credit requirement. For all grade levels, you will be placed in your sport as an elective after your name appears on a team roster. For Athletic information, visit: nphsathletics.com/ .

If you are planning to take an honors/AP/IB course:

Honors Placement - If you are CURRENTLY taking an honors/AP/IB course and you earning a B or higher, you may choose the next sequential honors/AP/IB course. If you are NOT currently taking an honors/AP/IB course, you must earn an A in a CP course AND pass a subject exam for the course in which you want to enroll. Until then, do NOT select an honors/AP/or IB course on this contract. A schedule change, if necessary, will take place prior to the first day of school. Exceptions include AP Art History and AP Human Geography. For information about the honors application process and test content, visit: http://www.nphs.org/counseling/placementtests.htm

If you are planning to take a course that has a pre-requisite:

· Prerequisites If a course requires a prerequisite or an audition, as indicated in the column next to the course title, make sure that you qualify BEFORE you select it. If you do not qualify, choose a different course! For more information about specific prerequisites and audition dates, visit: http://nphs.org/counseling/CourseSequences.htm .

In the upper-right corner of your contract, you will see the following: Course Selection Turn this form over and review the course offerings. Select a course for EACH section, including TWO alternates for your elective choice. Pay CLOSE attention to: “EACH SECTION” and the “TWO ALTERNATES!”

When you turn your form over, note the SUBJECT HEADINGS, the SUBJECT LEVELS, and the PREREQUISITES (if any):

SUBJECT HEADING

PREREQUISITE(S). BLANK = NO PREREQUISITES

SUBJECT LEVEL(S)

Turn your form over to the front and review the “REQUIRED COURSES” section.

Select an English class. Most sophomores will take English 10 CP.

The ONLY exceptions to English 10 CP are as follows: 1. If you have an IEP, your case manager will indicate the appropriate

English course that meets your goals.

2. If you are taking English 9 honors AND you want to stay in honors, you may select English 10 H. Keep in mind that you MUST earn a B as a final grade in English 9 H to remain eligible for English 10 H.

If you are NOT currently taking English 9 H, and you want to apply for English 10 H, select English 10 CP. If you earn an A in English 9 CP, and pass the honors placement test, your counselor will change your schedule prior to the first day of school.

Select an Math class. Many sophomores will take Geometry CP.

Your math class depends on two things: 1. The level of math in which you are currently enrolled (if you have an

IEP, your case manager will indicate the appropriate math course that meets your goals).

2. The final grade you earn at the end of your current math class If you are NOT currently taking an honors math class, and you want to apply for one, do NOT select it now (select CP instead). If you earn an A in your current class, and pass the honors placement test, your counselor will change your schedule prior to the first day of school.

Select a Science class. Most sophomores will take Biology CP.

The ONLY exceptions to Biology CP are as follows: 1. If you have an IEP, your case manager will indicate the appropriate

Science course that meets your goals.

2. If you are taking Chemistry H AND you want to stay in honors, you may select Biology H. Keep in mind that you MUST earn a B as a final grade Chemistry H to remain eligible for Biology H.

If you are NOT currently taking an honors science class, and you want to apply for Biology H, do NOT select it now (select Biology CP). If you earn an A in your current class, and pass the honors placement test, your counselor will change your schedule prior to the first day of school.

All sophomores must take a Social Science. Most sophomores will take World History CP.

The ONLY exceptions to World History CP are as follows: 1. If you have an IEP, your case manager will indicate the appropriate

Social Science course that meets your goals.

2. If you are taking English 9 honors AND you want to take AP European History, you may select it. Keep in mind that you MUST earn a B as a final grade in English 9 H to remain eligible for AP Euro.

If you are NOT currently taking English 9 H, and you want to apply for AP European History, select World History CP. If you earn an A in English 9 CP, and pass the honors placement test, your counselor will change your schedule prior to the first day of school.

All students must earn 20 credits of Physical Education. Although PE 10-12 is not required, if you do not play a sort it is highly recommended that you take it as a sophomore. If you do play a sport, PE 10-12 is an optional elective.

Do not use THIS box OR the ALTERNATE CHOICES lines UNLESS you are NOT taking PE 10-12.

Electives – CHOOSE TWO ALTERNATES! It is essential that you select two alternates that you would be thrilled to take if you do not get your first choice. Choose from the back of your form, and remember that you should NOT select ANY course, as your first choice OR your alternates, that requires an application OR an audition (those courses, AFTER the audition/application, will be added by your counselor).

Below is a sample of a student who wants to take a language as his or her elective:

Fill out the next section ONLY if you want to take either/both a 1st period and/or a 5th period.

In the example above, the student wants to take English 10 CP as a first period class. The “Preferred Term” boxes are NOT checked because the course lasts all year.

If you want to take a period 1 year-long class so that you can fit another elective in period 2, 3, or 4, list your additional first choice elective AND two alternates:

If you are not taking a 1st or 5th period skip this section.

SUMMER SCHOOL (if you do not intend to go to summer school skip this section) There are two types of summer school. One is for “accelerating” (taking a class so that you can get ahead in credits or move up a level), and the other is for “remediation” (repeating a class in which you earned a D or an F). For the purpose of completing your Course Contract, even if you do plan to attend summer school for acceleration or remediation, select your required and elective courses AS IF YOU ARE NOT ATTENDING SUMMER SCHOOL. AFTER your grades post from whatever summer school course(s) you successfully complete, your counselor will adjust your schedule accordingly.

The following example illustrates a “remediation” summer school plan. The student is failing Algebra 1, but wants to move on to Geometry (no alternates required):

You are almost finished…make sure that you take this Contract home and review it with your parents. Afterwards, make sure that both you and your parent or guardians signs the following section:

Finally, bring your completed form with you when you meet with your counselor. Make sure that it is signed and that you do not leave any blanks! Keep in mind that your counselor cannot make your elective decisions for you…so make sure that you review any classes you have questions about in the course catalog.

QUESTIONS?