• High School
  • Grade 8
COURSE SELECTION TIP SHEET...

COURSE SELECTION TIP SHEET

  • ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE 5.5 CREDITS minimum during the school day every year

  • A DAILY LUNCH PERIOD IS REQUIRED

  • TEACHER RECOMMENDATION IS NEEDED FOR LEVEL PLACEMENT

  • WORLD LANGUAGE is recommended for admission to many 4 year colleges. This is not a THS graduation requirement

 

GRADE 10 GUIDELINES

  • English 10

  • Math

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • PE 10

  • 1 -2 credits of electives

 

GRADE 11 GUIDELINES

  • English

  • Math

  • Science

  • Social Studies may be required for some students

  • PE 11

  • 2-3 credits of electives

 

GRADE 12 GUIDELINES

  • English (2 half year courses/one MUST be literature)

  • Social Studies

  • 3.5 – 4.5 credits of electives required

 

Many 4 year colleges recommend that students take the most competitive course load available to them and in which they can be successful.

There may be exceptions to course selections based on individual circumstances.

COURSE DESIGNATION KEY...

CP  (College Preparatory)   [Core Course Curriculum in alignment with college expectations]

ADV  (Advanced College Preparatory)  [Core Course Curriculum in alignment with college expectations, featuring faster pacing and deeper research and development of curriculum topics]

H (HONORS  designation for specific courses) (check Program of Studies) [program requiring advanced criteria and recommendation]

AP (Advanced Placement)   [prescribed course outline geared to the AP tests and possible awarding of college credit/placement upon successful completion of AP exam]

ECE   (UCONN Early College Experience)   (may be Honors or AP; check Program of Studies)   [EARN college credit based upon course requirements from UCONN]

CCP   (Housatonic College Career Pathways, Honors designation) [in alignment with HCC community college curriculum expectations]

What's the difference between The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program and The University of Connecticut’s Early College Experience?... (pdf)

 

Course Selection Process
Grades 9, 10, 11

The course selection process has been established to provide an opportunity for student and school goals to be achieved efficiently and effectively.

I. Program of Studies Booklet Distribution – January

  • Students and parents have an opportunity to review course offerings and requirements.

II. Teacher Recommendation Day – February

  • Students receive Course Selection Form in homeroom
  • Students use form to write out courses to be taken for following school year
  • Teachers can recommend or not recommend student for each course selected on form.
  • Recommendation is based on current student performance and student’s ability to handle challenges and set- backs.
  • Teachers have opportunity to review entire list of courses.
  • Student brings form home to discuss selection of courses. Parent signature is required on form.

III. Student Meetings with Guidance Counselor – February/ March

  • Guidance Counselor and student review Course Selection Form. - Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 - March

IV. Communication

  • Letter is sent home to parents in April, listing courses to be scheduled with an explanation of the protocol to be used for course changes.
  • Inquiries from students and parents can be directed via e-mail or phones calls to the classroom teacher, Department Chairperson, or Guidance Counselor throughout the process.

Madison Information | Hillcrest Information

Eighth to Ninth Grade Transition

January 11th, 2010 Eighth grade Parent Breakfast with the Ninth Grade THS Transition Counselors at Hillcrest (For students with last names A-K).

January 14th, 2010 Eighth grade Parent Breakfast with Ninth Grade THS Transition Counselors at Hillcrest (For students with last names L-Z).

January 29 meet with eighth grade students in small groups to begin transition process. This
includes:

  • Introduction to counselors
  • Review Grade 9 Academic Requirements
  • Discussion of electives for Grade 9
  • Discussion of student concerns regarding transition
  • Distribution of Program of Studies booklets

February 4 Alternate date for student small group meetings in the event of a delayed opening or snow day.

February 11, 2008 Ninth Grade Counselors meet with teachers to discuss:

  • Academic recommendations/prerequisites regarding courses
  • Teacher questions regarding course requirements
  • Changes to Program of Studies

February 9 – 12 Middle School Recommendation Days:

  • Teachers make recommendations regarding World Languages and other elective classes on Course Selection Elective Sheet

February 26 Students return Course Selection Elective Sheet with parent signature

TBD THS Peer Leaders meet with 8th grade students