Everything “counts”
Permanent record
Post-secondary planning
Autonomy
Opportunities
Freedom
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN HIGH SCHOOL:
Read
Study
Get organized
Pay attention to timelines
& deadlines
Communicate with your
teachers
Take Responsibility
Do your work & turn it in—all the time, every time!
PROGRAM OF STUDIES FOR 2015-2016
Description of all our classes
Graduation requirements
SOL requirements
Special programs and opportunities
Can be found on the BWHS website under the School Counseling
link
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
There are two types of diplomas you can earn:
Standard Diploma
Advanced Studies Diploma
Standard Diploma
Academic Areas
Credits
SOL Verified Credits
English
4
2
Social Studies
3
1
Mathematics
3
1
Science
3
1
Health/Physical Education
2
Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or Career &
Technical Education
2
Economics and Personal Finance
1
Electives
4
Student Selected Verified Credit
Total
1
22
6
Advanced Studies Diploma
Academic Areas
Credits
SOL Verified Credits
English
4
2
Social Studies
4
2
Mathematics
4
2
Science
4
2
Foreign Language
3
Health/Physical Education
2
Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education
1
Economics and Personal Finance
1
Electives
3
Student Selected Verified Credit
Total
1
26
9
DIPLOMAS – REVIEW
STA N DA R D D I P LO M A
ADVANCED STUDIES
22 credits and 6 SOL’s
26 credits and 9 SOL’s
Core subjects = 3 required in
each subject
Core subjects = 4 required in
each subject
No specific foreign language
requirement
Foreign language requirement: 3
year of one language: or 2 years
of 2 different languages
2 credits in fine arts, CTE, or
foreign language
1 credit in fine arts or CTE
SOL COURSES
Reading (Eng. 11)
Earth Science
Writing (Eng. 11)
Biology
Chemistry
Algebra 1
World History 1
Geometry
World History 2
Algebra 2
US History
COURSE LEVELS FOR ENGLISH, SOCIAL
STUDIES, AND SCIENCE
Academic
Course content and expected student performance require
additional reading and writing at a rigorous level.
Academic is a “college-bound” level.
Honors and Pre-Advanced Placement
Course content is rapidly paced with additional depth.
Lessons are often designed to be complex, abstract, and
open-ended.
HONORS CLASSES:
 English 9 Honors
 English 10 Honors
 English 11 Honors
 Spanish 4
 Spanish 5
 French 4
 French 5
 Pre-AP World History
 German 4
 Research Earth Science Honors  German 5
 Research Biology Honors
 Latin 4
 Latin 5
 Algebra 2 w/Trig
 Math Analysis
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Advanced Placement classes are challenging college-level
courses that 10th, 11th and 12th grade student may take
while in high school.
Anyone who meets the prerequisites and is willing to do the work
can enroll in an Advanced Placement course.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
English Literature
English Language
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Computer Science A
Statistics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Studio Art
Psychology
Human Geography
Economics
World History
United States History
Government
French
Latin
German
Spanish
EVERY FRESHMAN WILL TAKE:
English 9:
World History:
Science:
Math:
Honors or Academic
Pre-AP or Academic (WH/Geog. 1)
Usually Earth Science, Honors or Academic
Next class in sequence
Health & Physical Education 9
Elective:
Elective:
Maybe a foreign language
Your choice
MATH PROGRESSION
1.
Algebra 1
2.
Geometry
3.
Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 w/ Trig
4.
Advanced Algebra/Pre-calculus or Math Analysis
Earth Science
Honors
Academic
Biology
Honors
FRESHMAN SCIENCE
Earth Science Honors vs. Biology Honors
 Biology is a tenth grade course. A small percentage of
freshmen opt to take this course.
 Honors Biology has a research component which is covered in
Earth Science Honors
 Students who “skip” the freshman Earth Science will miss
important science content
 Skipping Earth Science is not recommended by LCPS or BWHS
for any student
 AOS students receive Earth Science instruction and take the
Earth Science SOL
 Students need three different sciences for the ASD
Full-Year Electives (does not cover all courses available to freshmen)
Technical Drawing & Design: This class provides students the fundamental knowledge to create
illustrations, models, & prototypes virtually using computer aided design software. Students
interested in engineering should consider taking this course. (Formerly CADD 1)
Materials & Processes: Students focus on industrial/technical materials & processes to
fabricate usable products while learning the safe use of tools & equipment related to analysis,
testing, & processing of metals, plastics, woods, ceramics & composite materials. (Formerly
Tech. Ed. 1)
Technology Foundations: This course is designed as an Introduction to Engineering that
includes interactive learning & Design Brief activities. Content Areas may include CNC
Machining, Engineering Structures, Video Game Design & Robotics.(Formerly Applied Tech 1)
Computer Information Systems 1: Students will learn how to use Word, Excel, Access, and
PowerPoint. They will also have an opportunity to earn Microsoft industry certifications in each
application – MOS. The course also provides opportunities for FBLA competitive events.
Intro. To Business and Marketing: Students will be introduced to the fields of business and
marketing. This class is a pre-requisite for the Sports, Entertainment and Rec. marketing class.
Journalism: Students learn about the history of the American media, legal & ethical issues
surrounding today's media, how to discern various types of media & sources. Students will also
write a variety of stories that will expose them to different ideas while enhancing their writing
skills.
Music Appreciation: A fun and interesting class in which all types of music and performing
arts are studied. Areas of curriculum include, classical, jazz, broadway, motion picture
soundtracks, rock n’ roll and modern rock.
Art 1: A survey of different visual art forms including drawing, painting, sculpture,
printmaking, ceramics, photography, and computer graphics. This class is a prerequisite for
Photography, Sculpture, and Drawing & Painting which students take in the 10th, 11th, & 12th
grades.
Guitar: Four levels (different classes) of guitar are offered from Beginning Guitar to Artist
Guitar. Placement is assigned by the instructor. Auditions will be held in the Spring at ERMS.
Orchestral Strings: Four levels of strings are offered from Beginning Orchestra to Artist
Orchestra. Placement is assigned by the instructor. Auditions will be held in the Spring at
ERMS.
Band/Performance Ensemble: All rising 9th grade band students are placed in Ensemble 1.
Individual auditions in the Spring will decide their final placement.
Theater Arts: Students are exposed to the major elements of theater including performance
and production. Improvisation, mime, basic acting, theater history, settings, costuming, makeup, and lighting are covered.
Chorus: Student may choose to participate in a “non-auditioned” section of orchestra, or they
may audition for a “select” orchestra. Auditions will be held in the Spring at ERMS.
Semester Electives (this list does not include all electives offered to freshmen)
Independent Living: Learn life skills that will help you manage your individual, family,
and work lives.
Choices: Investigate teen issues and learn to apply critical thinking and problem solving
skills. This class is specifically for 9th and 10th grade students.
Gourmet Foods: Learn to create nutritious and delicious foods. (and eat!)
Human Development: Study the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development
of humans. Great for students interested in working with children.
Leadership Development: Effective communication, public speaking, positive public
relations skills, teamwork, resolving conflict and conducting meetings.
Fashion Design: Identify and explore careers within the fashion design, manufacturing, and
merchandising industry.
Intro to Housing and Interior Design: Floor plans, home furnishing, design of living areas,
home furnishings, and equipment.
8 Periods:
7 classes
plus a
Study Hall
“A”
Period 1
9:00 – 10:32
“B”
Period 5
Spanish
Period 2
10:38 – 12:07
Geometry
Period 6
Study Hall
Period 3
12:13 – 2:13
2:19 – 3:48
World History
10:38 – 12:07
Health & PE
Period 7
Earth Science
Period 4
9:00 – 10:32
12:13 – 2:13
English
Period 8
2:19- 3:48
Tech Ed
Today you will pick your classes
using a worksheet and Family
Connection
Your parents will have access to
your requests and can make
changes
The deadline to make changes is
June 19th
PICKING YOUR CLASSES FOR NEXT YEAR
You will select seven classes
 4 core classes
 1 Health and PE class
 2 Electives – one is usually a foreign language
Overwhelmed? Relax – you have until June 19th to change your
mind! (that’s five months)
CLASSES FOR NEXT YEAR
Step 1:
 Select your seven classes “on paper” using the worksheets
Step 2:
 Transfer your selections to Family Connection
 Pick an alternate elective (as a back-up)
Step 3:
 Your parents will access Family Connection te review your choices and make
changes as necessary
2015-2016 GRADE 9 COURSE SELECTION WORKSHEET
ENGLISH COURSE
English 9 Academic (140300)
English 9 Honors (140200)
SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES
World History/Geography I, Academic (740300)
Pre-Advanced Placement World History/Geography I, Honors (740900)
MATH COURSES
Algebra I (540000)
Geometry (550000)
Functions, Algebra and Data Analysis (565000) - Does not meet NCAA requirements for Division 1 or Division 2 college sports
Algebra II (560000)
Algebra II and Trigonometry (571000)
* Other math classes: Students who will complete “Algebra II” or “Algebra II and Trigonometry” in the 8 th grade should work
with their math teacher and counselor to select the most appropriate math course for next year
SCIENCE COURSES
Earth Science Academic 640300
Research Earth Science Honors (640200)
Research Biology Honors (650200)
HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Health & Physical Education 9 (440000)
ELECTIVES – Students must choose one of the following elective combinations:
(A) two year-long electives,
(B) one year-long plus two half-year electives, or
(C) four half-year electives
Year-Long (1 credit) Electives
French I (340000)
French II (342000)
French III (343000)
Spanish I (360000)
Spanish II (362000)
Spanish III (363000)
German I (370000)
German II (372000)
German III (373000)
Latin I (350000)
Latin II (352000)
Latin III (353000)
Mandarin Chinese 1 (321000)
American Sign Language I (380000)
Technical Drawing & Design (853000)
Materials & Processes (852000)
Technology Foundations (856000)
Intro Business & Marketing (821000
Computer Info Systems (828001)
Theater Arts 1 (250000)
Technical Theater (254000)
Journalism (187000)
Music Theory/History (262000)
Music Appreciation (260000)
Art 1 (240000)
Guitar (293000) 
Orchestral Strings (275003) 
Band/Performance Ens. (272000) 
Color Guard/Inst. Methods (270000) 
Chorus Non-Auditioned (280000)
Advanced Chorus Program (282000) 
Naval Science I (848000) *This course
requires a transfer to Loudoun
County High School. See your
counselor for more information.
Semester (half-year, ½ credit)
Electives
Independent Living (840700)
Choices (841700)
Gourmet Foods (845700)
Human Development (846000)
Leadership Development (820700)
Fashion Design (846700)
Intro House/Interior Design (847700)
Art & Architecture 1 (247700)
Art & Architecture 2 (248700)
Creative Writing (160700)
Log onto Family
Connection
Your student ID will
be your username
and password
SCHEDULING YOUR CLASSES
Go to the “About Me” tab
“BWHS Rising Freshmen Requests for 2015-2016” link on left
Transfer your seven course choices from your worksheet
Click on “update” at the bottom of the page
Click on the “about me” tab
FRESHMEN – FAMILY CONNECTION
• Click on the “BWHS Rising Freshman – Alternate Elective Choice”
survey
• Check mark at least one full-year alternate elective; or at least
two semester electives
• Click on “update” at the bottom of the page
• Click on the “sign out”
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Fall Sports:
 Cheerleading
 Cross Country
 Football
 Golf
 Volleyball
STARTING DATES FOR FALL ACTIVITIES:
Marching Band begins on August 1, 2015
Fall sports begin on August 4, 2015
There will be a parent sports meeting later this year
Music teachers will come to Eagle Ridge for auditions this spring.
ATHLETICS:
Winter Sports:
 Basketball
 Gymnastics
 Swimming
 Wrestling
 Cheerleading
Spring Sports:
 Softball
 Soccer
 Lacrosse
 Tennis
 Track
 Baseball
CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
 Literary Arts Magazine
 Anime Club
 Outdoorsmen Club
 Hockey Club
 Keep Loudoun Beautiful
 Recycling Club
 Bible Club
 Peer Tutoring
 Key Club
 Habitat for Humanity
 Dance Team
 Debate
 Academic Competition
Team
 Battle of the Books
 Library Club
 Student Council Association
 International Club
 Spanish Club
 Latin Club
 French Club
 German Club
 National Honor Society
 Future Educators
 FBLA
 DECA
 Art Club
What questions do
you have about:
Academics
Briar Woods High
School
Activities
What else???