Freshmen News

"Must Know" Words for Freshmen Semester - A semester is 18 weeks long.  There are two semesters in the school year.  The first semester begins when school starts and ends before Christmas.  The second semester starts after Christmas and lasts until school is out in the spring. Course - A course is a 90 minute class that meets each school day during the semester.  You will register for four courses each semester--a total of 8 per year.  At the end of four years you will have taken 32 courses. Credit - A credit is what you earn when you pass a course with a 70 or above.  You must have a minimum of 28 credits to graduate. Required Courses - A required course is one you must take and pass with a 70 or above in order to receive a high school diploma.  Freshmen are required to take the following classes: English Earth and Environmental Science World History Health & PE Math Elective - Electives are courses you choose in addition to y our required courses.  The number of electives you take depends on which math course your math teacher recommends.  If your teacher recommends Algebra Part A first semester and Part B second semester, you will choose 2 electives.  If your teacher recommends one semester of math, you will choose 3 electives. Alternates - Alternates are 2 extra courses you may choose from the list of 9th grade electives in case your first choice elective classes are not available or will not fit into your schedule.  Only choose electives you really want to take. Prerequisite - A prerequisite is a class you must have passed before another class can be taken.  For example, English I is a prerequisite for English II. Freshman - A 9th grade student. Sophomore - A 10th grade student. Junior - An 11th grade student. Senior - A 12th grade student. Career Goal - Your career goal refers to the job or type of work you want to do as an adult--such as being a carpenter, landscaper, teacher, truck driver, architect, nurse, etc.

Course of Study (also called Diploma Track) There are four different diploma tracks from which you can choose: College/University - is for students who plan to go to a four-year college. College Tech Prep - is for students who plan to go to a two-year technical or community college such as Mayland Community College.  It is also for students who want to complete their first two years at a community college and then transfer to a four-year college. Career Prep - is for students who plan to go directly to work or the military after high school. Occupational Prep - must be approved by the Resource Department.

Career Pathways - For College Tech Prep and Career Prep Students Only Students who have chosen the College Tech Prep or Career Prep courses of study must choose one of the following Career Pathways that is the closest to their career goal: Agricultural & Natural Resources Technologies - involves farming, conservation of natural resources, forestry, horticulture and animals. Biological & Chemical Technologies - offers courses for those whose Career Goal is to be a chef, food scientist or nutrionist. Business Technologies - features careers in all areas of business such as accounting and finance, office management, starting and operating your own business, sales and marketing, and computers. Commercial & Artistic Production Technologies - includes careers in the fields of Interior, Architectural, and Computer Design. Construction Technologies - involves carpentry skills related to home-building and/or courses in blueprint reading of architectural designs. Health Sciences - for those planning to enter some area of the medical field--nurse, EMT, dental hygienist, etc. Public Services Technologies - for students who plan to be involved in early childhood education, cosmetology, or the food service industry. Transportation Systems Technologies - focuses on general repair and maintenance of today's vehicles. Additional Career Pathway choices for Career Prep Students Only Arts Education - requires completion of 4 courses in art, drama, band, chorus or strings. JROTC - requires completion of 4 courses in JROTC.

Required Courses for Freshmen Freshmen must choose ONE class from each category: English (Based on teacher recommendation) 101 English I 121 Honors English I* Science (Based on teacher recommendation) 3040 Earth/Environmental Science 3041 Honors Earth/Environmental Science* Social Studies (Based on teacher recommendation) 406 World History 406H Honors World History* Physical Education (Students may take only one PE per semester) 9011 Health & PE Math (Based on teacher recommendation) 207 Introduction to Math 201 Algebra I Part A and 202 Algebra I Part B 211 Algebra I 212 Algebra II (prerequisite is Algebra I) *Honors courses are recommended for students with a 93 or above average in 8th grade English, Science or Social Studies.  These courses are designed for students who are motivated and willing to do additional projects, outside reading and homework that the honors course requires.

Elective Courses for Freshmen Freshmen can choose from the following list of 9th grade electives.  If you are taking Algebra Part A & B, choose 2 electives.  If you are taking only 1 math, choose 3 electives.: 151 French I Students learn to speak, read and write in French. Unless you have a 93 or above in 8th grade Communication Skills, consider waiting until the 10th or 11th grade to take a foreign language. 160 Spanish I Students learn to speak, read and write in Spanish. Unless you have a 93 or above in 8th grade Communication Skills, consider waiting until the 10th or 11th grade to take a foreign language. 888 English as a Second Language For limited english speaking students and should be scheduled for both semesters.  This counts as 2 electives. 5051 Drama I Students develop vocabulary, voice and acting techniques.  Emphasis is on  improvisation and in-class performance of short plays along with some out-of-class performance of full-length plays. 631 Art I Students learn basic drawing and design, art history, lettering, pencil, pen and ink, pottery, pastels, print-making, sculpture and watercolors. 5230 Chorus I Students study vocal production, intonation, music reading skills and sight singing. 5013-I Band I  Prerequisite:  Middle School Band or teacher approval. It is strongly recommended that Band I be taken both semesters. (2 electives). 5019-I Strings I Prerequisite:  Middle School Strings or teacher approval. It is strongly recommended that Strings I be taken both semesters. (2 electives). 5012 Music Theory This class may be taken second semester if Band, Chorus or Strings is taken first semester OR by teacher approval.  Students will study intervals, scales, chords, ear training, analysis and composition. 6810 Agriscience Applications Focuses on integrating biological/physical sciences with technology as related to the environment, natural resources, food production, science and agribusiness. 6411 Computer Applications I Students learn skills in the areas of word processing, database management, spreadsheet, telecommunications, desktop publishing, and presentation applications.  Emphasis is on data communications, Internet and e-mail. 6200 Principles of Business and Personal Finance Students are introduced to the major principles and concepts that are the foundation for future study of business and management in addition to personal finance concepts. 7065 Parenting and Child Development Students learn responsible nursing and basic applications of child development theory.  Emphasis is on the parents' responsibilities and the influences they have on children while providing care and guidance.  Communication, resource management, and problem solving skills are reinforced. 9501 JROTC Introduces the student/cadet to the Army JROTC program, mission and curriculum. It is the goal of the JROTC program to instill responsibility, character, self-discipline, promote community involvement and provide leadership opportunities to high school students/cadets.  JROTC places a strong emphasis on graduating from high school.  Students/cadets enrolled in the JROTC program have no military obligation. 9502 JROTC II Prerequisite:  JROTC I. Offers immediate leadership development following the objectives of JROTC I. 9215 Weight Training Students participate in various athletic conditioning exercises with a high concentration in the area of weight training.

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