Welcome OTMS to Ridgeland High School

1. Welcome OTMS to Ridgeland High School Home of the Titans

2. RHS Administrators and Counselors Principal Mr. T. Dowdy Assistant Principals Mr. B. Goodloe Mrs. K. Harness Mr. C. Zumbro School Website www.rhstitans.com Counselors Ms. Culliver Mrs. D. Cutrer Mrs. S. Hawkins Mrs. S. Henry

3. So what should you know about being a student at Ridgeland High School ?

4. What courses will you need to take next year at RHS?

5. Required courses for all 9th graders: Your first 5 class periods will be used to take: • English (English I or Accelerated English I) • Math (Foundations of Algebra, Algebra I, or Geometry) • Science (Foundations of Biology or Biology) • History (all 9th students will take World History and World Geography) • Technology (all 9th students take Freshman Focus) Then you select the remaining 3 class periods from • “Elective” course(s) • “Elective” course(s) • “Elective” course(s)

6. Freshman Focus Freshman Focus is a class designed to introduce 9th grade students to career pathways and career decision-making. The content areas that will be covered by this class include self-development, career clusters, career pathways, college planning, financial planning, and presentation and research skills. At the conclusion of this class, students will develop a 6-year plan that will guide them in making decisions about high school courses, college courses, and their future careers.

7. So, tell me about Career Academies 9th graders can choose from… • Orientation to Culinary Arts • Engineering Fundamentals

8. Academy of Engineering

9. Engineering Fundamentals Engineering Fundamentals is another RHS Career Academy program and is designed for those students that have an interest in the field of engineering and the careers associated with this field. Through this program, students will also learn the foundations and fundamentals of robotics, electronics, engineering and materials. To qualify to take this class, 8th grade students must: • Have completed STEM; • Have an overall “B” average and strong grade in Math; • Have no major discipline issues; • Complete an “application” to enroll in this class; • and be approved by selection committee for admission to the program

10. Academy of Culinary Arts

11. Orientation to Culinary Arts Orientation to Culinary Arts is part of the RHS Career Academy program and is designed for those students that have an interest in Culinary Arts (food preparation, restaurant management, hospitality & tourism, etc.) To qualify to take this class, 8th grade students must: • Have an overall “C” average; • Have no major discipline issues; • Complete an “application” to enroll in this class; • and be approved for admission to the program

12. What Are the Elective Choices?(a 1 credit course is a full year; a ½ credit course is one-semester only) Arts • Visual Art I ½ credit • Visual Art II ½ credit • Ceramics I ½ credit • Ceramics II ½ credit • Drawing I ½ credit • Photography I ½ credit • Theatre I ½ credit • Theatre II ½ credit • Choral Music 1 credit • General Music 1 credit • Band 1 credit Business • Graphic Design I ½ credit • Graphic Design II ½ credit • Personal Finance ½ credit • Business Fundamentals 1 credit Communications • Debate 1 credit • Oral Communication 1 credit Foreign Language • French I 1 credit • Latin I 1 credit • Spanish I 1 credit • Spanish II 1 credit

13. Elective Courses (continued) Health • Contemporary Health ½ credit Journalism • Foundations of Journalism 1 credit Military Science • JROTC I 1 credit PE & Personal Development • Child Development ½ credit • Drug Education ½ credit • Family Dynamics ½ credit • Nutrition & Wellness ½ credit • Resource Management ½ credit • Physical Education ½ or 1 credit (can take either one or both semesters) • Driver Education ½ credit Technology • STEM 1 credit Science • Environmental Science ½ credit Culinary • Orientation to Culinary Arts 1 credit Engineering • Engineering Fundamentals 1 credit Sports • 9th Grade Sports ½ or 1 credit (sports may be either one or both semesters)

14. RHS Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2022(24 credits total) • 4 credits of English • 4 credits of Mathematics • 4 credits of Social Studies • 4 credits of Science • ½ credit of Health • ½ credit of Physical Education • 1 ½ credit of Technology • 1 credit of Fine Arts • 4 ½ additional credits of Elective courses

15. College Entrance Requirements in Mississippi • For a 2-year Junior/ Community College • Any RHS student who earns his or her high school diploma and has taken the ACT is eligible for Freshman entrance into a 2-Year college in Mississippi. No specific ACT score is required. • To attend a 4-year College or University • Any RHS student who earns his or her high school diploma, has a minimum score of 18 or higher AND has taken 2.0 credits of additional “Required Electives” is eligible for entrance into a Mississippi 4-year college or University. The list of courses a student may choose to fulfill the “Required Electives” are as follows: • 1 credit must be taken from first year of a Foreign Language or Advanced World Geography • The remaining 1 credit must be from the second year of a Foreign Language, an additional credit of math above Algebra II, or an additional credit of Lab-based Science.

16. When completing your Pre-Registration Form • Please be neat and print legibly • Please fill out ALL Information • Including Alternate courses. • Please return form ON TIME • Due on Wednesday, January 31st. • Please choose your selections CAREFULLY • Talk with your parents about your choices. • Talk with your teachers and school counselors.

17. What else should I know about RHS? What type of clubs, activities or sports are available to me next year?

18. RHS Clubs and Organizations • Band • Choir • JROTC • Yearbook Staff • Newspaper Staff • Student Government Association • RHS School Ambassadors • RHS Junior Diplomats • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • RHS Newcomers Club • Academic Competition Team • Speech and Debate Team • Forensics Team • Anime Club • Art Club • Beta Club • Book Club • Chess Club • Multicultural Club • Drama Club • Photography Club • FCCLA

19. Clubs and Organizations (continued) • French Club • Future Business Leaders of America • Honoraries: • Mu Alpha Theta • National Honor Society • National Art Honor Society • Key Club • Latin Club • Spanish Club • Technology Student Association (TSA) • Titans Against Bullying (TAB) Club • Volunteer Club

20. RHS Athletics and Activities • Archery • Baseball • Basketball • Bowling • Cheerleading • Cross Country • Dance Team • Football • Golf • Power Lifting • Soccer • Softball Slow Pitch & Fast Pitch • Swimming • Tennis • Track • Volleyball

21. So there’s a LOT to look forward to at RHS next year, but first things first! Right now you should focus on: • Choosing the best courses for you to take next year as a 9th grader; • Working hard to learn and make the best grades you can now… so you will be prepared for taking your high school classes; and • Thinking about the clubs, organizations, and sports you might like to be involved with next year at Ridgeland High School!

22. So enjoy your tour of RHS and what we have to offer … and we’ll see you again (with your completed choice sheets)at OTMS on TOMORROW!!