NEEDHAM HIGH SCHOOL
AGENDA:
• Minuteman High School (Jack Dillon)
• Introduction to NHS Curriculum
• Course Selection Nuts & Bolts
• Freshman Seminar
• Announcements
NHS Curriculum – The Basics
• 92 credits required to graduate
• Subject Area Requirements
• 16 credits (4 years) English
• 12 credits (3 years) Laboratory Science
• 12 credits (3 years) Mathematics
• 12 credits (3 years) History/Social Studies
• 8 credits (2 years) World Language
• 8 credits (4 semesters) Fine and Performing Arts
• 8 credits (4 semesters) Health/Physical Education
• 2 credits (60 hours) Community Classroom
• Pass MCAS: Eng, Math, Science
Needham High School
Four Year Academic Planner
GRADE 9
STUDENT: ________________________________________________YOG: __________
GRADE 10
GRADE 11
GRADE 12
1. English 9 ______
4 cr.
1. English 10______
4 cr.
1. English 11______
4 cr.
1. English 12______ 4 cr.
2. Math _________
4 cr.
2. Math _________
4 cr.
2. Math _________
4 cr.
2a. Health/PE 12
3. World Hist. ___
4 cr.
3. W/Am. Hist. __
4 cr.
3. US Hist. ______
4 cr.
ELECTIVES
4. Biology _______
4 cr.
4. Physics _______
4 cr.
4. Chemistry_____
4 cr.
2b. _____________ ___cr.
5. Language:
__________
4 cr.
5. Language:
__________
4 cr.
5. Language:
__________
4 cr.
6a. Health/PE 9
2 cr.
6a. Health/PE 10
2 cr.
6a. Health/PE 11
2 cr.
ELECTIVES
ELECTIVES
3. ______________
2 cr.
___cr.
4. ______________ ___cr.
5a. _____________ ___cr.
ELECTIVES
5b. _____________ ___cr.
6b. _____________
___cr.
6b. _____________
___cr.
6b. _____________
___cr.
6a. _____________ ___cr.
7a. _____________ ___cr.
7a. _____________ ___cr.
7a. _____________ ___cr.
7b. _____________ ___cr.
7b. _____________ ___cr.
7b. _____________ ___cr.
6b. _____________
___cr.
7a. _____________ ___cr.
Other or Com. Service :
________________________
________________________
Grade 9 Credits: ________
Other or Com. Service:
________________________
________________________
Grade 10 Cr:___ Total: ___
Other or Com. Service:
________________________
________________________
Grade 11 Cr:___ Total: ___
7b. _____________ ___cr.
Other or Com. Service:
_______________________
Grade 12 Cr:___ Total: ___
Core Requirements:
(minimum)
English 16 credits
Math 12 credits
Science 12 credits
Total credits needed for graduation: 92
Social St udies 12 credits
Health/PE 8 credits
World Lang.
8 credits
Com. Class 2 credits
Art (vis./perf.) 8 credits
Electives 14 credits
9TH GRADE
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English
Science (Biology)
World History
Math – Algebra I, Algebra II
World Language – Spanish I or II, French I or II,
Mandarin I, Latin I
Directed Study- Freshman Seminar (Fall)
Health/PE (Spring)
Elective(s) (4 credits)
Skill Center (if your student is on an IEP)
COURSE LEVELS
• Basic
• Standard
• Honors
• Accelerated
COURSE SELECTION PROCESS
• Teacher recommendations in PowerSchool
• Students choose electives (though not assured of
getting them)
• Parent review via PowerSchool
• See 8th grade Timeline
COURSE SELECTION TIMELINE: 20142015
DATE
EVENT & DESCRIPTION
Week of February 3rd
NHS Counselors visit 8th Graders at Pollard
Tuesday, February 4th
School Committee approves 2015 Program of Studies
Wednesday, February 5th
8th grade Curriculum Night- NHS Auditorium 7:00-8:30pm (Snow Date:
Thursday, February 27th)
Thursday, February 13th
Special Education Information Night- NHS Library 7:00-8:30pm (Snow
Date: Thursday, March 6th)
February 10th- February 14th
March 3rd-7th
Teachers input course level recommendations into PowerTeacher. All
recommendations are due by Friday, February 14th.
Student input week. Students input elective choices into PowerSchool
by March 7th. Students who miss the deadline will be assigned to
elective courses by Guidance. Students without PowerSchool access
should go to the Grade Level Office. Students seeking to override a
teacher recommendation must complete the “Recommendation
Override” form found on the NHS Website.
March 10th-14th
Parents review student courses via PowerSchool parent access.
Friday, March 14th
Override Forms Due!
Monday, August 25th
Guidance counselors return from summer break;
2014-2015 student schedules available on PowerSchool.
Please remember…
• Teacher Recommendations
• Override with caution
• Student & Parent sign the override form Deadline is
Friday, March 14th, 2014.
• Only a very small percentage of students successfully
navigate all accelerated classes (approximately 7%)
• Due to increased enrollment and schedule constraints,
changing course levels later may not be possible.
• Encourage your children to get involved
Course Overrides…
FRESHMAN SEMINARS
• 1 small group meeting with a School
Counselors during their study, discussing
topics related to course selection and
graduation requirements
• In addition, freshmen meet individually with
their School Counselors before the semester
break
RESOURCES TO HELP
• Your child’s current
teachers and counselor
• High school
department chairs
• High school School
Counselors
• NHS Website – Course
Selection Page:
http://nhs.needham.k1
2.ma.us/guidance/Cour
seSelection
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• Special Education Course Selection- parents and
students do not chose Skills or PLC- it is assigned
(Special Education Curriculum Night Thursday,
February 13th 7-8:30pm).
• Fall Sports Start Before School Starts (Starting
Dates for 9th Graders between 8/18 - 8/25)
• Sports Seasons run through all 3 School Vacations
NHS ATHLETICS Announcements and
SPRING ‘SAVE THE DATES’
The Needham High School Athletic Department is excited to offer the following Spring
events for 8th graders and their families:
8th Grade Student-Athlete Step-Up Day
@ Needham High School
Tuesday, June 3rd (early release day)
Program open for all 8th graders to tour NHS, hear from NHS athletes, coaches & teachers, and experience
interactive Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) athlete workshop.
NHS ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES FAIR
for rising 9th graders and parents/guardians
Wednesday, June 4 at 6:00pm
Orientation session in NHS Auditorium
• Fall Sports Start Before School Starts (Starting Dates for 9th Graders between
8/18 - 8/25)
• Sports Seasons run through all 3 School Vacations
CLUB SPORT OFFERINGS
& 2014-15 Proposed Options
CLUB SPORTS PROGRAM
Club Cheer
Fall & Winter
Club Dance
Fall & Winter
Club Sailing
Fall & Spring
Boys Ultimate Frisbee - Spring
Girls Ultimate Frisbee - Spring
2014-15 Proposed Club Options
Club Bowling
Winter
Club Squash
Winter
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUED:
• METCO Night
• Auditions for …FPA
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!
Questions?