th
8
Grade
Orientation
Class of 2020
High School…The Next Step!
Your Guidance Counselor
I have lived in Darke County my entire life (New Madison, Arcanum, Greenville)
I have been a Guidance Counselor since 2011.
I graduated from the University of Dayton with a Master’s in School Counseling.
My wife, Sarah, and I have been married for almost 8 years. We have a daughter,
Eleanor (3), a son, Henry (1) and a newborn daughter, Evelyn. Life is never
boring!
I love helping students navigate the choices that high school and college presents.
High School...what to expect?
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Chance to start fresh!
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More opportunities and fun!
(blank transcript)
(class options, MVCTC, CC+,
varsity sports, homecoming and prom, college visits)

More challenging...
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More personal responsibility...

High school is the next step to…anything!
Looking Forward to Graduation…
Credit Requirements
English
Math
4 credits
4 credits
(must include 1 unit of Algebra II or the equivalent of Algebra II)
Science
3 credits
World History
US History
Government
Physical Education
Health
Fine Art
1 credit
1 credit
1 credit
½ credit
½ credit
1 credit
Electives
7 credits
(1 Biology, 1 Physical and 1 unit of advanced science)
(requirement waived for MVCTC students)
23 CREDITS TOTAL
Ohio’s New Graduation
Requirements
Option 1-AIR Testing…
Getting to 18 Points
What you should know about AIR tests:
1.
They are not PARCC Tests!!! Yeah!
2.
In 2015-16, Ansonia HS students are taking AIR tests in a paper format. However,
students will be taking an online format of AIR tests, possibly as soon as next year.
3.
There are 7 AIR tests which high school students must take in order to graduate:
English 9 & 10, Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology, US History, and Government.
4.
Each test is taken when the student is nearly finished with the respective class.
5.
Each test is graded from 1 (limited performance) to 5 (advanced performance)
6.
To graduate using the testing option, students will have to earn at least 18 testing
points.
◦ …while also earning at least 4 points in English,
4 points in Math, and 6 points in Science & Social Studies
Other Options to Earn a Diploma
Option 2: Earn a “College Ready” score on a national admission test

ACT or SAT… yet to be determined by Ohio Dept. of Education

“College Ready” score… yet to be determined by the Ohio Dept. of Education

All juniors will take this test for FREE!

Score on ACT or SAT can be used for college admission.
Option 3: Earn an approved industry-recognized credential and a
“Workforce Readiness” score on WorkKeys

More information will be announced once the Ohio Dept. of Education releases it.

What this will probably look like: Students at Ansonia may be able to earn an industry-recognized
credential by completing an Ag class pathway or by attending and completing a program at
MVCTC.
Students using option 2 or 3 must still take all of the tests within
option 1.
Testing Resources
Helpful Links
Ohio Department of Education Testing Website
http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing
AIR Testing Website (Practice Tests Available)
http://oh.portal.airast.org/ocba/
Scheduling and Changes

Class scheduling for the next school year takes place in the Spring
(February-May).

Students will be given a scheduling paper and will go to the computer lab
to schedule classes.

Students can pick up their schedules at the Open House.

Schedule changes can be made before this school year ends, during the
open house, or within the first three days after the semester has
begun***.
 ***Schedules will not be changed the first day of each semester so that students have an
opportunity to experience the class.
Advanced/Accelerated Classes
vs.
Regular Classes

Advanced/Accelerated classes will move at a faster pace
and will cover more content by the end of the class.

From year to year, students can move from
advanced/accelerated to regular classes or vice versa if
their grades reflect that a change would be beneficial.

Regular classes still challenge students and can prepare
them for college.
Advanced/Accelerated Classes
vs.
Regular Classes
Example Schedules…
9th (Adv./Acc.)
Advanced English 9
Accelerated Algebra 1
Biology
World History
Health
Physical Education
Spanish 1
Art 1
Ag
9th (Regular)
English 9
Algebra 1
Biology
World History
Health
Physical Education
Art 1
Ag
Technology 101
•Possible but sometimes difficult to mix & match regular
classes with advanced/accelerated classes
(i.e. taking “Accelerated Algebra 1” and regular “English 9”)
Advanced and Accelerated
Classes
•
Students need to earn at least a C in 8th grade Language
Arts or Math to be eligible to take Advanced English 9,
Accelerated Algebra 1, or Spanish 1 during their freshman
year.
•
Teacher and parent input is important in choosing classes
for freshman year.
Special Need Students
•
Individualized Education Program (IEP) will follow these students
throughout high school or until IEP is no longer needed.
•
If appropriate, these students can take regular core classes and receive
help from intervention specialist teacher.
•
Special education teacher and parent input is important during the
scheduling process.
•
Testing accommodations (extended time, calculator, etc.) will be provided
as stated on the IEP.
Freshman Electives:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agriculture Classes
Art I
Spanish 1
Technology 101
Family and Consumer Science Classes
Band (year-long class)
Choir (year-long class)
•
All electives are worth one credit, except for Advanced PE
(junior/senior elective). This class is worth ½ credit.
•
Depending on class numbers, you may not always get the
(elective) class you choose.
All classes count!!!!!!!

Always do your best, AND do your homework!

If a student does not pass a core class (a class required for graduation), that
class must be retaken.
◦

Grades from failed classes remain on the transcript.
Elective classes are important as well because 7 electives are needed to meet
the credit requirements for graduation.

Throughout high school, final grades earned in each class will impact the
cumulative grade point average (GPA). This cumulative GPA is how class
ranking is determined. Also, scholarships for college are frequently based on
the cumulative GPA and ACT/SAT (college entrance exam) scores.
Your Transcript

Your transcript is a combination of ALL your final grades,
attendance, test scores, and grade point average (GPA).

Final grades (what is on the transcript) are the average of the
first nine weeks (40%), second nine weeks (40%), and the
final exam (20%) grades from each class.
◦ Students must pass 2 out of the 3 grading periods in order to earn a
passing grade for a class.
***Example Transcript***
Suggested Classes for
College Admission
•
•
•
•
•
•
English
Social Studies
Science
Math
Fine Arts
Foreign Language
4 credits
3+ credits
3+ credits
4+ credits
1+ credits
2+ credits
beginning with Algebra
(Art, Music, Band)
High School Academic
Diploma with Honors
Graduating Classes of 2011 and Beyond
Students need to fulfill only 7 of the following 8 criteria
1. English
2. Math
4 credits
4 credits
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or equivalent and another higher level course OR a four-year
sequence of courses that contain equivalent content
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Science
Social Studies
Foreign Language
Fine Arts
3.5 GPA
27 ACT or 1210 SAT
4
4
3
1
credits including Physics and Chemistry
credits
credits/units of one language
credit
***See Guidance website for Career Tech Honors Diploma***
High School Athletic Eligibility

In order for a high school student to maintain athletic eligibility, a
student must be passing 5 academic units per quarter. For Example,
if a student does not pass 5 academic units during the 2nd quarter,
that student will not be eligible to participate in athletics during the
3rd quarter.
A Block Scheduling Example:
Subject
English 9
Spanish 1
Band
Health
Grade
C
B
A
A
Credit/Duration
1-Semester
1-Semester
1-Year
.5-Quarter
Factor
Credit Equivalency (Must =5)
2
1x2= 2
2
1x2= 2
1
1x1= 1
4
.5x4=2
Total:
7
7 is more than 5; therefore, student is eligible to continue playing sports for the next quarter.
Miami Valley Career
Technology Center (MVCTC)
•
Eligible to apply in December of sophomore year
•
Sophomore tour/visitation
•
Will still graduate as an Ansonia student
•
Can still participate in Ansonia athletics and other activities
•
Transportation to and from MVCTC is provided
•
Programs are available for students of various academic
abilities.
College Credit Plus (CC+)
•
CC+, a new program that has replaced both PSEOP and Dual
Enrollment.
•
CC+ will allow eligible students to earn college credit while in high
school at no cost to parents.
•
Ansonia will be partnering with Edison Community College, and
college classes will be offered on Ansonia’s campus
• Composition 1 & 2
• Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2.
•
Great opportunity for students!
•
CC+ Meeting on February 25th at 7pm
Community Service and
Extracurricular Activities

Keep a log of all community service and extracurricular activities
throughout high school.

Good idea: track these hours using an electronic log (word
document) so that the log is less likely to be accidentally
discarded from year to year.

This log will be helpful when you apply to colleges or for
scholarships your senior year of high school.
◦ Colleges like to see active, leadership involvement in a few activities
rather than supporting roles in many different activities.
Guidance Office...
help with almost anything!
Things I can help you with in the Guidance Office:
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Scheduling classes
Graduation Eligibility
Social/Relational Issues
Study Habits
Career Search
College Search
Financial Aid Opportunities for College
Along with many things in-between!!!!
◦ Currently, there is a support group for students who have been bullied
or for students who would like to help those who have been bullied (or
anyone who would like to meet new friends). The group is called Bully
Revolution and meets every Thursday during lunch in room 322. New
members are always welcomed!
Conclusion
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Thanks for your time!

Questions???

Feel free to contact me in person or by
phone or email.
337-5591 ext. 2117
matt.sutter@ansoniaschools.org