A Presentation for 8th Grade

Students and their Parents/Guardians

Scheduling Timeline 8th grade parent meeting Class presentations in 8th English classes Parent(s)/Guardians discuss course

selections with students Course Request forms (with parent signature) due

May 6th to Mrs. Prizio Individual/small group scheduling meetings

with Mrs. Prizio to finalize schedule

Your student will bring home… Eighth Grade Planning Guide Grade 9 Course Selection Instructions Course Selection Sheet and Teacher

Recommendations—Please sign and return by May 6th to Mrs. Prizio

New QRHS Initiatives College entrance requirements NEW Graduation Requirements 9th Grade Course Choices How will my choices impact my future? Scheduling Process

Advisory LINK Crew Mentors

High School ScheduleHigh School ScheduleOdd Day Even Day Start End

Homeroom

Homeroom

0715 0720

Block 1 Block 2 0725 0850

Block 2 Block 1 0855 1020

Block 3+Lunch

Block 4+Lunch

1025 1220

Block 4 Block 3 1225 1350

1st Lunch: 1020-1050 2nd Lunch: 1050-1120 3rd Lunch: 1120-1150

Minimum Admission RequirementsTo 4-Year State Colleges

Weighted Courses

• AP Courses• Honors Courses

• 4 Years of English

• 3 Years of Math• 2 Years of the

SAME World Language• 3 Years of Science

• 2 Years of Social Studies

• 2 Years of College-level electives

• 4 Years of English• 4 Years of Math• 3 Years of Science• 3 Years of Social

Studies

• 1 Year of the Arts

• 2 Phys. Ed; 2 Health

• 140 Credits to graduate

• 4 Years of English• 3 Years of Math

• 2 Years of the SAME World Language

• 3 Years of Science• 2 Years of Social Studies

• 2 Years of College-level electives

State College Minimum Req’sQuabbin Req.

Pass MCAS: Math, English and Science

• 2 Years of the SAME World Language

• Senior Capstone• Proficiency in accessing on-line

coursework

Highly Selective Colleges may Require…

Weighted Courses

• AP Courses• Honors Courses They check the

numberoffered against howmany you take

Get INVOLVED!Take summer

programs!

• 4 Years of English

• 4 Years of Math• 3-4 Years of the

SAME World Language• 4 Years of Science

• 2-4 Years of Social Studies

• 2 Years of College-level electives

MCAS Graduation Requirement

Discipline Subject Test Options Scheduled Administration Passing Score Required

English English Language Arts March of grade 10 240or

220 with an EPP

Math Math May of grade 10 240or

220 with an EPP

Science

You only need to take and pass one science MCAS test.

Introduction to Physics June, Grades 9-12 220

Technology/Engineering June, Grade 9-12 220

Biology February and June of year student took Biology (retests available)

220

Chemistry June of year student took Chemistry

220

Social Studies

U.S. History June of year student took US History II (typically grade 11)

Not currently testing.

Course Levels Unphased: Not a college preparatory class

Phase 3: College Prep Courses

Phase 4: College Prep 2 Courses

Phase 5: Honors

Phase 6: Advanced Placement (AP)

(AP Courses mandate that you take the AP Exam)

Weighted 4.0 GPA: This is a cumulative Grade Point Average, giving a heavier weight to higher level courses.

Your class percentile is based on your weighted GPA.

Only Levels 3, 4, 5 & 6 are counted in a student’s GPA.

Alpha Numeric College Prep 2 College Prep 1 Honors AP

Grade Grade Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6

A+ 97-100 4.00 4.33 4.83 5.33

A 93-96 3.66 4.00 4.50 5.00

A- 90-92 3.33 3.66 4.16 4.66

B+ 87-89 3.00 3.33 3.83 4.33

B 83-86 2.66 3.00 3.50 4.00

B- 80-82 2.33 2.66 3.16 3.66

C+ 77-79 2.00 2.33 2.83 3.33

C 73-76 1.66 2.00 2.50 3.00

C- 70-72 1.33 1.66 2.16 2.66

D+ 67-69 1.00 1.33 1.83 2.33

D 63-66 0.66 1.00 1.50 2.00

D- 60-62 0.33 0.66 1.16 1.66

F 0-59 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Minimum GPA/SAT Requirements for State Schools

GPA SAT - UMass (ACT) SAT - State (ACT)

3.0 N/A N/A

2.51-2.99 950 (20) 920 (19)

2.41-2.50 990 (21) 960 (20)

2.31-2.40 1030 (22) 1000 (21)

2.21-2.30 1070 (23) 1040 (22)

2.11-2.20 1110 (24) 1080 (23)

2.00-2.10 1150 (25) 1120 (24)

Why should I take the highest level courses I can?To better prepare myself for school or work.To have more options when I graduate.Because colleges & employers care that I

challenge myself.It improves my grade point average, increasing

my chances of getting accepted to my college of choice and possibly getting more financial aid.

All of the above.

Semester 1 Semester 2Phys. Ed. and

Health(Required)

English 9(Required)

World History(Required)

Intro. to Phys. Science (Required)

Math Semester 1(Required)

Math Semester 2(Required)

Elective Course 1 Elective Course 2

Typical 9th Grade ScheduleEach Block 5 credits & 85 minutes of instruction Students can earn 20 credits/semester; 40/year

Promote to Grade

Credit Requireme

nt

Additional Requirements

10 35 •Pass English 9•Pass 10 credits in high school Algebra

11 70

12 105

Graduation

140 Graduation Requirements outlined in Academic Guide

Course Choices for: ________________________

Level Course #

English 9

Algebra 1 / Algebra 2 (2 blocks) (circle 1)

Introduction to Physical Sciences

World History

Health 1PE 1

3Unphased

734701

Elective 1: ______________________

Elective 2: _______________________Alt. Elective 1: __________________Alt. Elective 2: __________________

Alt. Elective 3: __________________Alt. Elective 4: __________________

No. Level Grade

Course Title

014 4 9 English 9 Phase 4

015 5 9 English 9 Honors

English 9 Course SelectionsEnglish Requirements: English 9, English 10 and 2 Literature Electives

No. Phase Grade Course Title Credits

109/110

Un-phased

9 Algebra 1 (Teacher Rec. Required)

10

112/113

3 9 Algebra 1 Phase 3

10

114/115

4 9 Algebra 1 Phase 4

10

125/126

5 9 Algebra 2 Honors

10

Grade 9 Math CoursesMath Requirements: 10 Algebra Credits, Geometry, & at least 1 Math Elective

Please Note: We rely heavily on 8th Grade math teacher recommendations as placement depends on each student’s content knowledge. Students with knowledge gaps will have difficulty succeeding in higher level math courses and students with ability but lack of effort need to be placed in a class that challenges appropriately.

Math

No. Phase Grade

Course Title

214 4 9-10 Intro. to Physical Science, Phase 4

215 5 9-10 Intro. to Physical Science, Honors

Grade 9 Science

Science Requirements: IPS, Biology, 1 other lab science

Science

No. Phase Grade

Course Title

394 4 9 World History Phase 4

395 5 9 World History Honors

Grade 9 World History

Social Studies Requirements: World History, US History I & US History II

Social Studies

No. Phase Grade Course Title

734 3 9 Health 1

701 Un-phased 9 Physical Education 1

PE 1 and Health 1 Course Requirements

PE/Health Requirements: PE 1, PE 2, Health 1, Health 2

Health & Phys. Ed.

Additional Requirements Possible for Grade 9 Schedule You may be required to take some courses

that would take up some of the elective slots. If your child has special needs, we will assign any

special education classes according to his/her Individual Education Plan

Foundations in English may be required for students with significant gaps in their English language, reading and/or writing skills. This class takes up one elective course in the freshman year.

In four years students take 160 credits/32 blocks Total requirements: 100 credits/20 blocks Total electives: 60 credits/12 blocks

If you enjoy playing music or really want to be in NJROTC, take it in your freshman year too!

Do you plan to take AP/Honors courses in science or World Language? If so, planning is important.

# Course Phase Prerequisites

461

French 1 4

462

French 2* 4 French 1

471

Spanish 1 4

472

Spanish 2* 4 Spanish 1

451

Chinese 1 4

452

Chinese 2* 4 Chinese 1

Electives in World Language

Grad Requirement: 2 Years of the SAME World Language

# Course phase

Prerequisite

566 Jazz Choir 4

553 Concert Chorus 4

570 Quabbin Singers

4 Audition

575 Concert Band 4 Have 1 year of instrumental lessons

587 Jazz Lab Band 4

569 Orchestra 4 Bow Stringed instrumentalist with 1 year of lessons

# Course # Prerequisite

511 Art 1 4517 Art 2* 4 Art 1520 Ceramics 1* 3 Art 1529 3-D Design

1*3 Art 1

# Course Phase Prerequisites

971 NJROTC 4

674 Intro to Engineering 4

652 Advanced Technical Drawing*

4 Intro to Tech

644 Accounting I 4

640 Math for Business Applications

Unphased

Navy Junior

Reserve Officer

Training Corps

Lifelong friends Advocates Free SAT Prep Course Interactive Learning

Environment Peer Tutoring Structure & Organization Physical Fitness/Wellness Once in lifetime opportunities (Field

Trips)

Drill Team & Color Guard: Student run. Teaches discipline, attention to detail, most importantly - - loads of fun

Academic Team: Participate in knowledge competitions with other JROTC schools from across the nation.

Rifle Team: Teaches importance of patience and precision. Shoot from three positions: Standing, Kneeling, and Prone.

Leadership Skills and Applications Self Confidence Communication Skills Development Team Building Critical Thinking Problem Solving

Orientation Basic Leadership Training Leadership Academy/Sail Training Newport RI/Two Weeks

Extensive Leadership TrainingSmall Sail Boat QualificationSilver Cord

Field Trips: Norfolk/Virginia Beach, CIA/Washington D.C., USCG/Boston, Maine/White Water Rafting

Six Flags!

Scheduling Timeline 8th grade parent meeting (tonight) Class presentations in 8th grade science

classes (next 2 weeks) Individual/small group scheduling meetings (to

be completed by mid-April)

Your student will bring home… Eighth Grade Planning Guide Grade 9 Course Selection Instructions Course Selection Sheet and Teacher

Recommendations—Please sign and return by May 6th to Mrs. Prizio

College Study

2004 study by Jerry Trust and Claudia Hutchinson

Data from 1988-2000 included 5,257 people over 12 years

The strongest effects (on bachelor degree completion) were from the academically intensive science and math courses that participants took in high school.

Other influences included: Good attendance Participation in extra curricular activities Parental involvement

For the full report go to:

www.umass.edu/schoolcounseling/PDFs/ResearchBrief2.1.pdf

Teacher Recommendations If you have a question about an 8th

grade teacher’s recommendation or about which course phase your child should take, please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Prizio.

Subject/Content Questions English: Ms. Vasseur: cvasseur@qrsd.org Math: Mr. Guertin: fguertin@qrsd.org Social Studies: Ms. Varin, kvarin@qrsd.org Science/Tech: Mr. Kolesnik: rkolesnik@qrsd.org World Language: Dr. Fisher, mfisher@qrsd.org Art: Ms. Adams, cadams@qrsd.org Music: Ms. Brown, tbrown@qrsd.org NJROTC: Capt. Brennock, dbrennock@qrsd.org Business: Mr. Kane, kkane@qrsd.org

Thank you for coming. General Questions?

Mark Pellegrino, High School Guidance Directormpellegrino@qrsd.org or call (978) 355-4651

Pamela Prizio, 8th Grade Guidance Counselorpprizio@qrsd.org or call (978) 355-5042