2011-2012 School Year

Requests VS SchedulesNeeds for graduation

Number of student requestsBudgetStaffing

Schedules are not available until the end of August at the “Back to School Event.” Anything you might see on the portal prior to that is NOT final.

Making Careful ChoicesCourses, once selected, cannot be dropped.

This includes AP and year-long classes.We will hold you to your commitment to your

courses.PSEO students: choose a full schedule at

South, as IF you weren’t going to do PSEO. We will help you at the end of the summer adjust your schedule at South.

Consult your parents and current teachers about your selections.

Completing the Course Selection FormBe sure your name and ID, program and

grade NEXT YEAR are all on the form. Please include a phone number where we can

reach you if we have questions.Number the elective classes with #1 being

the one you want MOST. World Language (year 1) and English electives need to be numbered the same way.

INPUT into the computer(when we go into the computer lab)Have a counselor highlight your card. The

highlighted classes are your “primary” choices and the others checked or numbered are your alternate classes.

These primary choices must add up to a COMPLETE schedule for next year.

You MUST provide “backup” or alternate classes. Some classes might not be offered or might conflict with the rest of your schedule. If you don’t INPUT the alternates, we will select for you and you may have no option to change

English and Social Studies9th and 10th grade students take the

appropriate class for their program (Humanities 1 or 2; English 9 or 10)

11th and 12th grade students should take rigorous courses that prepare them for college success. Consult with your current teacher and your family.

ScienceGraduation years 2012-2014 need to take:

biology, environmental/earth science, physics AND chem (or physical science) OR can substitute an AP or higher level course for environmental/earth science. You may take honors courses where offered; if you are unsure about whether your are prepared for honors, consult your current science teacher.

MathTake the next level, as is appropriate. General

sequencing is:Algebra 1GeometryAlgebra 2Pre-CalculusCalculus 1Calculus 2 (Jr/Sr Review, Data Analysis, or AP Statistics may also be

appropriate, depending on your needs. Ask your current math teacher.)

World LanguagesTwo-year minimum for Liberal Arts diploma. Most colleges want at least 2 years of the

SAME World Language; competitive colleges look for 3, 4, or more)

If you read, write, and speak a second language, colleges may waive the requirement to take a World Language in high school.

Fine ArtsOne year is requiredMusic, visual arts, and graphic/digital

photography classes countHalf the value of PLTW classes count

Physical Education and HealthNeed Phy Ed 1 AND Phy Ed 2 (1 semester of

each)Need Health 1 AND Health 2 (1 semester of

each)

SOME students take these classes through MPS Online; space is limited and there is NO guarantee that this will be available for you.

GATEGuthrie Active Teen EnsembleEnglish CreditActive classGreat if you are curious about theater

V.O.I.C.E.S.For seniors only2-hour block of English and Social StudiesA good fit if you are self-motivated and want

to be creative in your work

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)Year-long college level Engineering coursesFor students “at or above” grade level in

math and scienceTeaches problem-solving and creativity in a

computer-based settingHalf of the PLTW credit counts toward Fine

Arts

AVIDAdvancement Via Individual DeterminationIs a program, not just a courseIs for students in the “academic middle” who

want to go to collegeHistorically underrepresented at

college/university

Need ApplicationsNewspaperYearbookVOICESGATEAVID

Next StepsBe sure to consult with your current teachers

and your family. Counselors are available to answer your questions as well.

Complete any applications and get signatures where required.

We will see you in the computer labs!