High School, Here I Come!
Transitioning from 8th Grade to High School
Brad Craycroft, Asst. Principal of Guidance
Brenda Stone, Academic Counselor
The World of High School

Bigger
– More teachers, students and classes

Tons of options
– Class choices, clubs, sports and more

Adult responsibilities
– Their decisions affect their future

High School Diploma!!!
– More jobs, money & options (like college)
Options: Academic Programs

Advanced Placement (AP)
– college-level courses and exams that can
potentially earn a student college credit

Speech & Debate (consistently ranked of the
best teams in the country)
– Students of all levels compete in interpretive,
improvisational, creative and debate based
events

Project Lead the Way
– Hands on, project based engineering courses

On campus community college courses
– Japanese, Sign Language, Differential Equations
Course Catalog

www.sjusd.org/pdf/student/hs_english.
pdf
Options: Extra Curriculars

Robotics
– Student run organization devoted to
promoting science and technology
http://www.604robotics.com/

Athletics
– http://www.sjusd.org/leland/athletics.html

Clubs
– http://www.sjusd.org/leland/clublist.pdf
Options: Services

Homework Center
– Monday-Thursday after school in the ITC

Peer Tutoring
– Apply on Tues & Thurs in Room K-10

College & Career Center
– Resources and guidance on colleges and
careers

Academic Counselor
– Provide academic counseling to students
anytime and by appointment to parents

Almaden Valley Counseling Services
– Provide service to students in need of social
emotional support
Discussion




Besides yourself and your family, what other
people and things influence your child?
How do you think you can positively affect
the influences outside your home?
How can you protect your child from outside
negative influences?
What are some important things you can do
to keep the lines of communication open
with your child during this period of transition
and beyond?
Break-out Groups




Select one person to take notes.
Select another person to read the
questions one at a time.
Take turns discussing your thoughts.
Brainstorm ideas and possible ways to
answer the question
Middle School - vs - High School


Teachers call home
students to be
about poor grades or
responsible for their
behavior

Teachers take late
own grades

work all semester

Teachers help with
organization
– Lots of reminders
Teachers expect
Teachers rarely accept
late work

Teachers do not tell
students how to be
organized
Biggest Difference:
Graduation Requirements!!!
Myth: 9th grade doesn’t count

Students must pass all 9th grade classes
to earn enough credits to graduate on time

Every class prepares students for the next
and classes fulfill the a-g requirements*
– *Required classes for a four year college or university

How well a student does in 9th grade will
directly affect their course sequence
To earn a high school diploma
from SJUSD, a student MUST…

Complete 240 credits

Pass the CAHSEE (both parts)
– California High School Exit Exam

Complete First Aid, Drivers Education
and an Algebra and Health Certificate

Complete 40 community service hours
Graduate: Pass the CAHSEE

Must pass this test to earn a diploma!

Two parts: English & Math
– Multiple choice & two essays

Take it in March of 10th grade

Get six chances to pass
– Support classes available
Do the ‘240 Credits’ Math…
What does it all mean?

5 credits per semester class (x)

6 classes a semester (=)

30 credits a semester (x)

2 semesters a year (=)

60 credits a year (x)

4 years of high school (=)

240 total credits needed to graduate
Graduate: Complete 240 Credits
pass all of the following (a-g) classes with a D or better (C or better if
student wants to be eligible for a 4 year university)

English

– 2 years
– 4 years

Math (at least Algebra 2)

– 3 years

Science
– 3 years (2 lab)

Social Science
(a.k.a. social studies)
– 3 years
Physical Education
Language Other
Than English
– 2 years

Visual/Perform Art
– 2 years

Electives
– 5 years
If you fail a class…

You must retake that class in order
to earn enough credits to graduate
on time!
– Summer school, 0 or 7th period, if
available
– Community College
– Online classes
Note: Students do not retake a class during
the regular school day. They take care of
it on THEIR time.
Understanding Different Courses

College Prep
– The majority of academic courses at Leland are college prep and
are accepted by 4 year universities.

Accelerated
– These courses are more accelerated than college prep and
prepare students for even more rigorous courses.

Honors
– These courses are more accelerated than college prep and will
often give students an extra GPA point, i.e. a 3.0 a B becomes a
4.0 an A.

Advanced Placement (AP)
– AP courses are more accelerated than college prep and they give
students an extra GPA point and possibly college credit.
Understanding the Impact of
Grades

If you were to look at your student’s middle
school transcript . . .

Count the number of ‘F’ grades
– If they were in high school, that is the number of
classes they would have to retake in order to
graduate

Count the number of ‘D’ grades
– That is the number they would have to retake if
they wanted to go to a four year college
immediately after high school
If your student falls behind in high
school, meet with the counselor
immediately
Other options for graduation are available
California Standards Test
(CST)
 CST measures what a
student learned all year
 CST scores impact student
course sequence
 Can show if student is ready
to pass the CAHSEE
In Order for Students To Be
Prepared For High School They
Must . . .





Be responsible
Get involved
Ask for help
Give themselves enough time for
homework
Set a goal for after high school
High School Graduation
the First Step for Success
College After High School

C or better grades, aim for As & Bs

Take challenging courses
– Honors, AP, community college classes
– Extra year math, science, world language

Study for SAT/ACT college exams

Meet with counselor by 10th grade
Questions?
Brenda Stone
Academic Counselor
Brenda_Stone@sjusd.org
408-535-6290