Incoming 9th Grade Students
Highlands High School
Parents Scheduling Meeting
Mrs. Trinity Walsh
9/10 Counselor
A tradition of excellence!!
• 116th
Highlands graduating class in June of 2010
• 2007 NCLB Blue Ribbon School (only public HS in
Kentucky since education reform)
• High Schools That Work-Gold Award (16 in nation)
• Newsweek Top 600 schools in U.S.
• U.S. News and World Report-one of only 8 in Kentucky
to receive Silver Medal
• Exceeding ACT college benchmarks in every subject area
• 41% 2009 seniors earned AP credit while at HHS
• 70+ AP Scholars
A tradition of Excellence
• Over
30 National Merit Scholars in last 5 years
(scholars and commended)-largest number in Northern
Ky.
• Mock Trial/ We the People State Champions (national
competitors)
• Wide variety of extra-curricular options
• State Champion Football (19th)/ 3rd in nation
• Back to Back State Champion Girls’ Track
• 2008 Boys and Girls Soccer state runner up
• High Quality Performing Arts Program
• Nationally recognized teaching staff
• State of the art renovated space
Capstone Program
Mass Communications
• Unique Program beginning in 2010-2011
• Pg. 27-28
•
Pillars of the Programs
Cohort approach
University partnership
Applied Learning
Capstone experience
Want more information? Please remain following the
main presentation.
Scheduling Packet
Introduction Letter
 Recommendation Sheet SAMPLE
 Electives Sheet
 4-Year Academic Plan SAMPLE
 Course Catalog
 Extracurricular Guide

Basic Graduation Requirements
English – 4 credits
 Math – 4 credits
 Science – 3 credits
 Social Studies – 3 credits
 Fine Arts – 1 credit
 Health – ½ credit
 Physical Education – ½ credit
 Electives – 6 credits

Student Classification
Freshman  Sophomore = 5 credits
 Sophomore  Junior = 10 credits
 Junior  Senior – 16 credits
 Senior  GRADUATION = 22 credits

Class Rank & GPA
Your Grade Point Average, or GPA, is simply the
average of your cumulative grades at then end of
each semester of school. Some courses have
more “weight” based upon the level of course.
Your class rank is your standing in relation to ALL
of the other students in your grade.
Refer to PAGE 8 in the Course Catalog for
specifics.
This starts right away !!!
At the beginning of your
FRESHMAN YEAR!!!
Exam Exemptions

Refer to PAGE 11 in the Course Catalog
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Earn 95 or higher in 2nd Semester
Earn 85 or higher in 1st Semester
6 or fewer absences
Must be in attendance even if exempt
Must take at least 2 final exams, 1 must be in
Core Content Area
Eligibility
Students can not be failing more than one
course to eligible for extracurricular
activities (this includes: sports, music
groups, clubs, school sponsored groups,
AND school dances)
 College Athletic Eligibility (NCAA)

◦ www.eligibiltycenter.org
◦ Students interesting playing college athletics
should let their counselor know as soon as
they can.
Special Diploma Considerations
Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum
 The Commonwealth Diploma
 Highlands High School Advanced
Curriculum
 HHS Major of Intensive Study
 CAPSTONE Program

Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum


English – 4 credits
Math – 4 credits
◦ Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Elective

Science – 3 credits
◦ Life, Earth, or Physical Science

Social Studies – 3 credits
◦ World Civ., US History, Government

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Health – ½ credit
Physical Education – ½ credit
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Foreign Language – 2 credits
Electives – 5 credits
The Commonwealth Diploma
22 Credits
 Course Requirements
 English – 4 credits
 Math – 4 credits

◦Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Elective

Science – 3 credits
◦Life, Earth, Physical Science

Social Studies – 3 credits
◦World Civ., US History, Government

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Health – ½ credit
Physical Education – ½ credit
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Foreign Language – 2 credits
Electives – 5 credits
◦3 rigorous courses
◦Recommended strongly: 1 or more courses that develop Computer Literacy
AP Courses
• 4 AP courses with minimum grade of “C”
• English, Science, Foreign Language, Elective
 AP Exams
• Successful Completion of AP Exams

HHS Advanced Curriculum
Completion of Kentucky’s Pre-College
Curriculum
 Completion of 10 “Advanced” Courses

◦ “AP” Courses can be substituted for
“Advanced” Courses
Completion of 2 “AP” Courses
 Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.75
 Awarded Seal on Diploma and Noted in
Graduation Program

HHS Major of Intensive Study
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Completion of a presentation and defense of
a Senior Thesis Project.
Completion of “Senior Seminar” Course
Completion of at least 4 courses in the
intended research area with a minimum
average of “B” (85).
Completion of Kentucky’s Pre-College
Curriculum
Students wear Honor Cord at graduation
and Noted on Diploma and Final Transcript
CAPSTONE Program

Mass Communications
◦ Specialized program for students interested in
one of the many Mass Communications fields.
◦ Page 27 of Course Catalog
◦ If interested, students need to indicate this on
the 4-Year Academic Plan
9th Grade Courses
REQUIRED COURSES – 4 periods
 English – full year
 Math – full year
 Science – full year
 Health - semester
 Physical Education - semester
ELECTIVE COURSES – 2 periods
 Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Family & Consumer Science,
Business, Technology, Mass Communications
EARLY BIRD COURSE
 Early Start (Phys. Ed./Health) – full year
 7:00am – 8:00am
 Enables students to take an additional course (7 period day)
Scheduling Steps
Scheduling Recommendations given out at the
PARENT MEETING on January 19th at 7:00PM.
 Review recommendations for English, Math, Science
 Select Electives

◦ Use the Electives Sheet
Select Alternates – 2 for each course. Alternates
CAN be the same for each course.
 Write the course number and course title on
Recommendation/Scheduling Sheet
 Complete the 4-Year Academic Plan

◦ Use the Course Catalog and Electives Sheet

Meet with counselor to review choices and plans
AP Courses
What is AP?
 What AP Courses can I take as a
freshman?
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◦ AP Human Geography
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What is the benefit?
Early Bird
What are Early Bird Courses?
 What Early Bird Courses can I take?
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Freshmen – Early Start (Phys. Ed./Health)
Sophomore – EB AP World History
Junior – EB AP American Language & Comp.
Senior – EB AP American Literature & Comp.
What is the benefit?
Summer Activities

Freshmen Transitions Day
◦ Approximately 1 week before school starts

Summer Reading
◦ Will be given book before the end of the
school year
◦ Study Guide needs to be completed before
the first day of school
Meeting with Your Counselor

Can email or call anytime
◦ Trinity.Walsh@fortthomas.kyschools.us
◦ 859.815.2605

During School Year
◦ Open Door Policy