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Preparing for High School:. Middle School Classes and the T ransition to AHS. MYTHS ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL : MYTH # 1 : It is not possible to move from standard to advanced classes . MYTH # 2 : If you take a World L anguage in 8 th grade, you cannot take any other electives.
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Preparing for High School: Middle School Classes and the Transition to AHS
MYTHS ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL: • MYTH # 1: It is not possible to move from standard to advanced classes. • MYTH # 2: If you take a World Language in 8th grade, you cannot take any other electives. • MYTH# 3: My child will automatically go on to Algebra I once finished with Advanced Math 7 or Honors Math 6. • MYTH # 4: If my child takes a high school level class, the grade they receive automatically gets transferred to the high school. • MYTH # 5: My child should plan on taking as many AP or DE credits as they possibly can.
MATH Items to consider for high school: It is hard to move up a level in math once you get past 7th grade. MESA requires students to have taken both Algebra I and Geometry. Algebra I at AHS is a double-blocked class.
World Languages Items to Consider: 7th and 8th grade World Language = 1 AHS credit. Exceptions made for students with language experience. 3 – 4 World Language classes are required for the college-bound diploma in high school. There is plenty of time to take a World Language in high school.
SMS Electives Priority in middle school is to find an area that interests you: • Workplace Technology 6 Technology Systems 7 Engineering (Good for MESA) • Keyboarding 6 Computer Solutions 7 Design, Write, Publish 8 (Good for Journalism) • Life Skills 6 Life Skills 7 Life Skills 8 or Entrepreneurship (Good for Business) • Art 6 Art 7 Art 8 + Digital Art • Drama 7 Drama 8 • Band 6 Band 7 Band 8 (double-blocked) • Strings 6 Strings 7 Strings 8 (double-blocked) • Chorus 6 Chorus 7 Chorus 8 (double-blocked)
High School Jargon: • Advanced Diploma / Standard Diploma: 2 diploma options available for all students. Level of class difficulty does not matter. • Credit:Received at the end of each class one takes and passes. Students must accumulate a specific number of credits to graduate (22 for Standard Diploma / 26 for Advanced Diploma). • Verified Credit: Received when a student takes and passes a state SOL test with a score of 400 or better (6for Standard Diploma / 9for Advanced Diploma). Why is this important now? Students taking Algebra I and Geometry at SMS will enter the high school with 1 or 2 credits and 1 or 2 verified credits. Students taking a World Language at SMS will enter AHS with at least one credit.
High School Jargon (Acronyms!): • AVID: The Advancement Via Individual Determination class mission is to prepare all students for college readiness and success in a global society. • CATEC: Charlottesville/Albemarle Technical Education Center. • MoHMSA:Monticello Health and Medical Sciences Academy. Open House December 4thfrom 5 – 7 PM. • Jr ROTC: Air Force academy located at Monticello High School. • MESA:Math, Engineering and Science Academy. Open House December 12th during the AHS Curriculum Fair from 6 – 8 PM. • MHS: Murray High School ~ Small setting. Good for non-traditional needs.
MESA – Math, Engineering, Science Academy What you need to know: • Applications available December 3rd online or in Guidance. • MESA Open House December 12th during the AHS Curriculum Fair (6 PM – 8 PM) • Applications due the first week of March. • Confirmation letters mailed home in the first week of April. What helps? • Students who finish Geometry in middle school • Grades • Extracurricular activities
Advice for the future: • Take the right classes – don’t get overwhelmed • Work on study habits now • Set a routine and figure how to balance that routine with being a kid: • Social needs increase • Sports / electives require more time commitments • Nightly homework amount increases • Be ready for the changes that come with high school: • Honors level classes are hard • Attendance counts • PE and Health are required and have homework • Lunch periods are no longer grade-specific • To play a sport, you must be eligible • 4-year plans are important
Important Dates for Transition 8th Grade Parent Information Meeting @ SMS: December 10th from 6:30 – 7:30 PM. Over Winter Break: Parent Portal opens for selection of AHS classes.