West High SchoolInternational Baccalaureate ,

Advanced Placement, and Honors Program

Full Diploma• 7 IB Courses in

junior and senior year

• Complete Biology, Chemistry, Algebra 1, 2 and Geometry, 2 year of World Language by end of 10th grade

• Honors and AP in 9th and 10th

• Apply in January of 10th grade

Certificate Courses

• Students choose courses in which they have an interest

• Must satisfy prerequisites

• Apply in January of 10th grade

Pre-IB Aim - PIB is a freshman full-year elective course designed to

target the skills students will need to prepare for the rigor of IB coursework.

The utilization of inquiry based standards to drive assignments and assessments will focus students’ efforts on the research and writing experience they need.

Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, & Think critically

Topics – Worldviews Christian Theism Marxism Islamic Theism Secular Humanism Postmodernism

Culminating in a final Ethnography Project designed to preview the requirements of the IB Extended Essay.

Reading and writing intensive course Focuses’ on improving students’ reading

skills, developing students’ writing proficiency, honing students’ knowledge of grammar, and enriching students’ vocabulary.

Topics- Summer Reading Assignment Novel Study (To Kill a Mockingbird, Tale of

Two Cities) Informational Texts Poetry Drama (Plays)

English I Honors

Freshman AP & Honors Social Studies

AP Human Geography Aim - to provide students with

a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college-level introductory human geography courses.

Topics – Population & Migration Cultural Patterns Political Organization of Space Agriculture and Rural Land Use Industrialization & Economic

Development Cities and Urban land Use

Honors World History Aim – to provide students

with a survey of World History and Geography from 17th century to modern era, provides students with a foundation to continue in US and European AP/IB classes

Topics- Absolutism Industrialism Nationalism and Imperialism World War I and Interwar

Years World War II and Cold War Modern Era

Two options:-Honors Algebra I-Honors Geometry

(Requires a credit in Algebra I)

Honors Math

Two options:-Honors Biology I-Honors Chemistry

(Requires a credit in Algebra I.)

Honors Science

IB Questions?For further questions regarding the

IB Program, please contact Sarah Bast, IB Coordinator

Sarah.Bast@knoxschools.org(865) 594-4492

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Rising 9th Grade Curriculum Night

February 19, 2009

February 26, 2014

West High SchoolWelcome Class of 2018

PLANNING FOR THE 2014/2015 SCHOOL YEAR

AND BEYOND

Registration CalendarCourse Selection and Sequencing

Graduation RequirementsFocused Plan of StudyDetermining Course Readiness

Student and Family Support

Topics

                                                                                                           

Registration Calendar• June: School Database down for upgrades – NO CHANGES

• July: Schedule rough draft mailing and adjustments

• August 8: Freshman Orientation

• August 11: 1st day of school

February 26th: Counselors visit Bearden Middle 9:45-11:15pmFebruary 26th: Counselors visit West Valley Middle 1-2pmMarch 7: Counselors visit Northwest Middle 8:30-10amCounselor Nights- March 4th and 5th from 5-7pmFor the parents of rising 9th graders and their students: you will have the opportunity to meet individually with a counselor to discuss course selection. Nights will be divided alphabetically as follows:

March 4: A-MMarch 5: N-Z

Private School Students may register beginning March 3rd.

April 11: 8th Grade Visit Day – 8:45-12 Sign up tonight and provide own transport if not being bused by BMS, NWMS, or WVMSJune: Our system will be down for upgrades – no changes until JulyJuly: Schedule adjustments – schedule concern forms will be available online and in person on Wednesday mornings throughout the summerAugust 8: Freshman Orientation ½ DayAugust 11: 1st day of school

Course Selection Sheet OverviewStudent Name: Welcome to West!Student ID #: 9th Grade Class of 2018Parent Cell Phone: West High School Parent E-Mail: Course Selection Form 2014-15

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (USE AS A PLANNING GUIDE)

ENGLISH: 4 credits SCIENCE: 3 credits MATH: 4 credits

English I Biology Algebra IEnglish II Chemisty or Physics Geometry

Engligh III 3rd Lab Science Algebra II *UNIVERSITY ADMISSION: English IV 4th/Higher Math *Wld Language: 2 creditsSOCIAL STUDIES: 3.5 credits WELLNESS: 1 credit *Fine Arts: 1 credit

1 in: World Hist or World Geog PE: 1/2 credit1 in US History 1/2 credit Econ; 1/2 credit Gov; 1/2 credit Pers Fin

# Computer Code Dept Course NameRecommended

LevelTeacher Signature

1 English

2Social

Studies

3 Math

4 Science

5 330300000 Elective WELLNESS

6 371800000 Elective COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

ELECTIVE FOCUS: 3 credits in one area. Circle your focus area of choice (Humanities) (Fine Arts) (AP/IB/DE) (ROTC) (Physical

Fitness) (Math & Science) (Human Services) (CTE)

*may be waived if not attending 4 year university

STEP 1: Carefully select 8 course offerings and 3 alternates from the back of this sheet.

(If Alg 1 is earned in 8th grade, then 4 beyond Alg 1 must be earned)

6 371800000 Elective COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

7 Elective

8 Elective

ALTERNATES

A1 Elective

A2 Elective

A3 Elective

STEP 2: If you agree with the teacher recommendations, skip to Step #3.If you disagree with the teacher recommendation, an academic release must be signed in the box below in order to override. Please read carefully.

ACADEMIC RELEASE

Date: _____________________ Parent/ Guardian Signature: __________________

Date: _____________________ Parent/ Guardian Signature: __________________

Note: Registration selections will not be entered into the computer without parental signatures.

STEP 4: Return your completed selection sheet to your Teacher or Counselor by MARCH 10.

STEP 3: Review your 4 YEAR FOCUSED PLAN OF STUDY and course selections with your parents and obtain their signature for your

Note: To enroll in a World Language class as a 9th grader, students MUST SCORE a minimum of 18 on the English section of the ACT Explore and have a TCAP English and Langauge score in the 80th percentile or above.

Academic data & performance records are used in placing students in the appropriate level of high school courses. Because these placements are believed to be the ones that will provide students with the greatest opportunity for academic success, requests for changes are strongly discouraged. If a parent or guardian wishes to override a placement, they must read and sign this statement. We, the undersigned parents/guardian of _________________________(student name) give permission for him/her to enroll in _____________________________________(course/courses) at WHS. We are aware of the educational implications of this decision which do not agree with the recommendations made by WHS Professional Staff. We take full responsibility for this decision and understand that our student will be required to remain in the class until the end of the school year.

I have read and agree with my student's course selections for next year and reviewed these selections with the requirements for graduation listed above. I am aware that any schedule change request must be made in writing prior to August 1. I understand there will be no schedule changes made after August 12, 2013. I approve the focused area listed above for my student.

CP World History and Geography

Honors World History and Geography

AP Human Geography

AP Government

and AP US History

Combined

AP European/IB European History (Year 1) Combined

IB European History (Year 2)

CombinedPLUS

Economics/ Personal Finance

US History CP

US History CP

Economics/ Personal Finance

AP Government and

AP US History Combined

AP European/IB European History

(Year 1) Combined

Social Studies Electives include: AP Psychology, IB Psychology, Film Studies, Pre-IB Elective

World Language Sequencing

                                                                                                           

Graduation Requirements

10 EOCs count 25% of course grade.

22 of 28 total credits are prescribed.

Sample Four Year Plan (Focused Plan of Study)

                                                             

Ask your counselorabout

NCAA Guidelines

9th Grade (8 credits)

10th Grade (8 credits)

11th Grade (8 credits)

12th Grade (8 credits)

English 9

English 10 English 11 English 12

Math:

Math: Math: Math :

Science:

Science: Science: Science OR Elective:

World History and Geography

US Government/ Test Prep

US History Economics/Personal Finance

Lifetime Wellness Elective: Elective: Elective:

Elective:

Elective: Elective: Elective:

Elective:

Elective: Elective: Elective:

Elective:

Elective: Elective: Elective:

Elective Focus Guidelines

                                                              

Determining Course Readiness

• Achievement DataThese types of data include TCAPs, Explore, PLAN, ACT, etc.

• Course gradesGrades achieved in previous courses are strong indicators of a students ability level.

• Teacher recommendationTeachers must recommend a student for the next level in course work. This is an extremely important factor because teachers can weigh extenuating circumstance, student behavior, motivation level, etc. This allows a teacher to recommend a level up or down from the student’s current level in a subject.

                                                              

1. Recommendations from middle

school/testing

2. High school review

3. Final placement decisions

4. Academic Release (on WHS

Course Selection Sheets)

Honors Placement

                                                              

Student Transition Support

• Freshman Academy, WISE, and Upper House• Free tutoring is available in every subject• Study and organizational skills are

incorporated into our standard teaching practices

• Parent communication: Parent Portal, Student Portal, School Messenger, 3 week marking periods

• Recognition wall: Success is celebrated! • Academy Achievers = Passing all classes• Dean’s List = All A’s and B’s from most

recent marking period• Your School Counselor is here to help

Next steps:• School Families Zoned for West High School:

• meet with us next Tuesday or Wednesday, March 4-5 from 5-7 with further questions in our front lobby and turn in your pink course selection sheets to us or your counselor by March 10th.

• Private School Families Zoned for West:• pick up a yellow course selection sheet and take it back to your

middle school to receive recommendations from teachers for math, English, science and social studies. You may enroll starting March 3rd for next year.

• IB Magnet Transfer Candidates:• you will be hearing back from the KCS transfer department

about your transfer status as soon as possible. Bring your acceptance letter to Ms. Harden in our Student Services Office any time starting March 3rd to enroll.

                                                 

Questions?

Lisa Roberts, M.S.S.W., Ed.S.Freshman Academy Counselor, West High School An International Baccalaureate World Schoollisa.roberts@knoxschools.org(865) 594-4492 - office(865) 594-4457 - fax

I can send you a copy of tonight’s presentation upon request.

Welcome to West!

For More Information, Contact: