Introduction to Mercer
Island High School
Today’s Activities
Review Registration Materials
 Review Important Dates
 Discuss Course Requirements
 Consider Elective Options
 Develop a draft of 9th grade schedule

Materials Received
1.
Course Catalog – “Program of Studies”

2.
electronic version available on MIHS website
Registration Worksheet
Timeline
Thursday 2/10
 Thursday 2/17
 Friday
2/18

Presentation Day
Review and Q&A
Q&A with Parents
(IMS Library – 9:00a-10:30a)

February 10th – March 4th Registration Period

March 1st –3rd
Registration Open Lab
(Computer Lab 205)
Goal
To develop a meaningful daily life schedule
for high school that meets your academic
and personal needs.
Think about the courses you choose in
relation to the following:
•
•
•
Extracurricular Activity
Outside School Responsibilities
Personal Goals
Your High School Counselors
Susie Brown
Susan Sutherin
Deborah Kraft
Kathleen Stearns
A-D
E-K
L-R
S-Z
What’s in a 9th grade schedule?
1.
Minimum of Six (6) classes each semester


2.
3 required courses (English, Math and Science)
3 elective courses that match your interests and goals
One (1) open period
Optional
 Provides down-time to help adjust to high school
 Helps reduce stress
 Allows time during the day to talk to teachers and counselors

3.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Advisory Group

Assigned randomly to multi-grade groups
Key Facts About The Daily Schedule

8:00am – 3:00pm


Except Early Dismissal Mondays (8:00a - 1:30p)
7 period schedule
 Each
class meets 4x per week
 Each class has one 105 minute “block period”
per week

B.R.I.D.G.E.S. meet once a week
Honors Classes
Curriculum is covered with more depth
 Challenging Coursework






In-Depth Analysis
Comfortable with abstract concepts
Ability to make connections and “leaps of logic”
Able to draw conclusions from facts
More Independent Homework

Students are expected to find answers and
solutions on their own
3 Parts To An Honors Student

1/3 Intellect or Brain Power

1/3 Motivation

1/3 Self Discipline & Time Management Skills
Characteristics of an Honors Student






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Intellectual and highly capable
Passionate about subject
Self-Motivated
 Looks for academic challenges outside of class
 Diligent homework habits
 Able to complete more independent work outside class
Critical Thinking & Analysis
 Demonstrates strong ability to comprehend complex materials
 Able to relate and expand ideas & concept
 Able to apply abstract ideas to new situations
Strong Reading and Writing Skills
Well-Developed Organizational and Time Management Skills
Strong Self-Advocate
English

Regular
1. English 9/Applied Technology (2 periods)
1
2.
English Credit and 1 CTE Credit
English 9 (1 period)
1

(p. 14)
English Credit
Honors
1. English 9 Honors/Applied Tech. (2 periods)
1
2.
English Credit and 1 CTE Credit
English 9 Honors (1 period)
1
English Credit
Math
(p.29)
(Talk to your current math teacher for recommendation)
Current IMS Course 9th Grade Options
Math 8
Algebra 1
Algebra P1 (extended)
Algebra
Algebra 1
Geometry
Geometry Honors
Geometry
Geometry Honors
Algebra 2 Honors
Algebra 2
Science

Chemistry 1 Options
1.
2.

Regular
Honors – Completion of Algebra 1 highly
recommended
Physics 1 Options
1.
2.

(p.34)
Regular
Honors – Completion of Algebra 1 highly
recommended
The computer randomly chooses which
science is taken first.
Why Take Electives?
Intellectual Curiosity
 Connection to Personal Interest
 Academic Schedule with Rigor
 College Entrance Requirement
 Graduation Requirement

Social Studies

(p.22)
Global History (0.5)/Global Studies (1.0)
-Elective credit only
-Either course meets the one semester prerequisite for the 10th grade Honors World History
course

Washington State History/Government
(PNW)
-Take only if you have not already taken this at IMS
-If you passed 7th grade Soc Studies, then you’ve met
this requirement.
World Language
(p.39)

MIHS offers 3 languages:
French
Mandarin Chinese
Spanish

2 years of middle school Spanish allows
you to enroll in Spanish 2
Other 9th Grade Electives

Academic Elective



Journalism 1, Debate
Fine Arts – Visual & Performing (2 sem. P.55)

Visual Arts – Ceramics, Photography, Drawing & Painting
Before taking a visual art class, must complete either:
Introduction to Art
OR
3 trimesters of Art I, II and III at IMS

Performing Arts – Band, Choir and Drama
Career & Technical Ed - CTE (2 sem p. 45)

Accounting, Multi-Media, Computers, Radio, Gas-Engine Repair
Other 9th Grade Electives (cont.)

Family & Consumer Science (1 semester)(p.48)


“Image” is the name of the health class for freshm
Physical Education (3 semesters)(p.65)

A semester of PE Core is required before taking any PE class

Special Education Classes

Non-Departmental Classes

Leadership, Teacher’s Assistant
CTE Classes That Offer
Community College Credit
“Tech Prep Program”

Accounting 1
Video Arts
Adobe Photoshop
Engineering Technology 1 & 2
Computer Programming 1 & 2
Web Multimedia

Note: MUST GET A “B” OR BETTER

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In Summary….

You received:
 Information on how to create your 9th grade
schedule
 A Program of Studies (course catalog)
 A blank registration worksheet

You created a first draft of your 9th grade
schedule for next year.

This PowerPoint presentation will be available on
the MIHS website after February 10th.
What Happens Now?

Review this information with your parents

Formulate questions for next week’s Q&A

Get advice from:
 Your parents, teachers, counselors, siblings
and MIHS students

Finalize your course selections and identify
alternative electives
Dates to Remember
Thursday 2/17
 Friday
2/18

Review and Q&A
Q&A with Parents
(IMS Library – 9:00a-10:30a)

February 10th – March 4th Registration Period

March 1st –3rd
Registration Open Lab
(Computer Lab 205)
Q & A Session

How to register for classes on Skyward.

Questions???
Reminders…..

Sign up for:



3 required classes (English, Math, Science)
3 elective classes
Register by 3pm, March 4th