8th Grade Parent Meeting
Welcome to ZCHS
Class of 2019
8th Grade Parent Meeting
You will learn about:
• Introduction to key staff/points of contact.
• Transitioning to high school
• Scheduling process for 2015-2016
• Diploma Options and Course Planning
• This presentation and a FAQ is posted on the
ZCHS web page
ZCS Mission Statement
Zionsville Community Schools provide
customized 21st century experiences that
ensure maximum student growth leading to
productive citizenship in the world
community.
High School Counselors
Counselor Assignments:
Last names :
A-Ch
Greg Kirkham (gkirkham@zcs.k12.in.us)
Ci-Go
Laura Weaver (lweaver@zcs.k12.in.us)
Gp-La Cassie Petrocelli (cpetrocelli@zcs.k12.in.us)
Lb-Pa
Steve Polivka (spolivka@zcs.k12.in.us)
Pb-Sn Kristen Stachura (kstachura@zcs.k12.in.us)
So-Zw Dana Nelson (dnelson@zcs.k12.in.us)
Administrators
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Tim East, Principal
Greg Hall, Assistant Principal
Greg McDaniel, Assistant Principal
Matt Walter, Assistant Principal
Erin Kay, Dean of Students
Greg Shellhase, Athletics Director
Transitions to High School
Building Transition
Social Transition
Academic Transition
Student Activities and Clubs
In Our Experience
• Start with an end goal, plan for this goal but
be prepared to revise.
• Parents can help students grow by discussing
long term goals and holding students
responsible for making progress toward and
revising these goals.
• Students have ample time to explore their
interests and meet requirements without
rushing.
Scheduling for 2014-2015
Middle school counselors meet with students to discuss
four year plans.
Middle school counselors meet with students to discuss
and plan individual course selections.
Parents provided opportunity for input on course
selections.
Students enter their own requests in Power School with
the help of middle school or high school counselors.
Scheduling for 2014-2015
 High School counselors will communicate with
Middle School counselors throughout spring 2014
re: scheduling for incoming 9th grade students in an
effort to finalize requests/schedules.
 8th to 9th grade enrollment window closes: March 6
 Official schedules released at Back to School Days
Rigorous Preparation
Core 40
with
Academic
Honors
Core 40
with
Technical
Honors
Core 40
Postsecondary
Success
College
Technical School
2-year School
Apprenticeship
Military
Workforce
Diploma Options
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Core 40 Diploma
Core 40 with Academic Honors
Core 40 with Technical Honors
General Diploma (only available
through opt-out process).
Core 40 Diploma
• Considered the default diploma for the State of Indiana.
• A college-prep diploma.
• Core 40 alone may not meet all of the admission
requirements at some schools. Be certain to check
individual school requirements.
Core 40 with Academic
Honors Diploma
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Most rigorous academic preparation
Best preparation for traditional university study
Required at some Universities in Indiana
Provides additional financial aid for families who qualify
Beyond Core 40
– Additional, specified coursework
– Minimum grade and grade point average requirements
– Challenging college readiness achievements/benchmarks
Core 40 with Technical
Honors Diploma
• Rigorous academic preparation with a focus on technical
studies.
• Beyond Core 40
– Additional, specified coursework
– Minimum grade and grade point average requirements
– Challenging college readiness achievements/benchmarks
• Students pursuing this diploma will do so through
participation in J. Everett Light Career Center (JEL)
programs.
J. Everett Light Career
Center (JEL)
• Offers vocational/ technical programs of study at
North Central High School site for juniors and
seniors. (www.jelcc.com)
• Hands on training in a wide variety of areas.
• Many programs offer dual credit and/or certification.
• Students can complete JEL programs and earn
academic honors.
• College –bound students can participate in JEL
programs as well.
• Some programs are competitive.
Course Designations:
Honors
• H = Honors. Courses with an honors designation are
considered more rigorous and advanced in nature.
• Honors coursework is NOT required for the Academic
Honors diploma.
• Not all honors courses are Advanced Placement (AP)
courses.
• Not all honors courses are dual credit courses.
Course Designations:
Advanced Placement
• AP = Advanced Placement. This designation is
approved/assigned by the College Board.
(www.collegeboard.com)
• AP courses are taught at a college level and are our
most rigorous offerings.
• Students have opportunity to receive college credit.
College credit is determined by scores on end of year
tests AND the college/university policies.
• Currently, all AP courses are considered honors
courses.
Course Designations:
Dual Credit
• Dual Credit/College Credit = courses that are taught
at ZCHS and satisfy requirements for college credits
from participating institutions.
• College Credit is determined by successful
completion of coursework.
• We currently offer courses that can result in credit
from Indiana University and Marian University.
• Currently, all dual credit courses are honors courses
Quality Point
• Most courses with an honors, AP, or dual credit
designation carry an honors/quality point.
• Courses carry 0, .5, or 1 quality point depending on
academic rigor and student workload.
• Information about which courses earn honors points
are available in our course description book
Scheduling Choices
Scheduling Choices: English
Required Courses
•English 9 or
•English 9H
English Honors/Early Placement
English 9 Honors
•Students currently in HA English 8 with a B or above
automatically qualify.
•English 9 Honors Objective Readiness Assessment
•ZMS: 1/21
•Zwest: 1/20
•English 9 H Essay Readiness Assessment
•ZMS: 1/28
•Zwest: 1/27
Scheduling Choices: English
Electives
Elective Courses
•Creative Writing
•Journalism I (Newsmagazine)
•Journalism II (Newsmagazine)
•Student Publications (Yearbook)
Scheduling Choices: Math
•Algebra I
•Algebra I with Algebra Enrichment
•Geometry
•Geometry H
•Algebra II H
Honors Math
Geometry Honors Placement
•Students currently in HA Algebra I with a B+ or above
automatically qualify.
•All others interested in Geometry Honors will be
reviewed for placement--testing/review will occur postQuarter 3 grading period.
Scheduling Choices: Physical
Education
•Physical Education I
•Physical Education II
•Health
•Other Electives
Scheduling Choices: Science
Integrated Chemistry/Physics
Biology
Chemistry, Physics, Electives
Upper Level Electives
Scheduling Choices: Science
•Integrated Chemistry/Physics
•Integrated Chemistry/Physics plus Biology
•Biology (Placement out of ICP)
•Chemistry plus Biology (Placement out of ICP)
•Physics plus Biology (Placement out of ICP)
Early Placement Science
Early Science Placement
• Students with an A or higher in HA Science 8 and a B
or better in HA Algebra I are automatically eligible for
Biology, Biology & Chemistry or Biology & Physics
• Students enrolled in HA Science 8 with a B and
students enrolled in 8th grade Science with an A may
seek placement through a review process.
• ZWMS :
2/3
ZMS: 2/4
Scheduling Choices: Art
•Introduction to 3 Dimensional Art
•Introduction to 2 Dimensional Art
•Art History
Scheduling Choices: Business
•Introduction to Business
•Preparing for College and Careers
•Computer Aps I/Digital Citizenship
•Computer Aps II/Interactive Media
Scheduling Choices: Music
•Beginning Chorus
•Dance Choreography
•Intermediate Concert Band
•Advanced Concert Band Percussion
•Cadet Orchestra
•Electronic Music I and II
Scheduling Choices: Social Studies
•World History
•World History AP
•Geography, History of the World
•Human Geography, AP
Scheduling Choices: World
Languages
•French I, II, or III
•Spanish I, II, or III
•Chinese I, II, or III
Summer School Options
• Currently, ZCHS students can take summer school courses at
another accredited Indiana high school or online.
• ZCHS accepts online course credit from:
– Indiana Online Academy (IOA)
www.indianaonlineacademy.org
• Information about IOA summer offerings and cost is typically
available after spring break.
– Indiana University High School
http://iuhighschool.iu.edu/
– Other online providers must be approved before
enrollment.
– ZCHS will accept up to 8 online credits toward diploma
requirements.
ISTEP+ Graduation Examination
• All students in the class of 2019 are required to pass
state level exams in math and English in order to
graduate.
• Students will have multiple opportunities to take the
assessments.
• Waiver options are available.
Educational & Career
Resources
• There are a number of opportunities available to students for
career and educational planning, including:
– Guidance counselors; class presentations, scheduling, etc.
– 10th grade English classes require an extensive career
research project in the spring.
– PSAT testing 9th, 10th, and 11th grade provides practice on
college entrance exams. Results come with a host of
resources related to college, career, and course planning.
– College visits and fairs here at ZCHS and locally.
– Resources abound online and in the community.
Online Resources
ZCHS Website and Guidance Office Website
http://cms.zcs.k12.in.us/zhs/?q=node/6
Indiana Department of Education www.doe.in.gov
College Search Resources
www.knowhow2go.org/ --a site dedicated to outlining the steps needed to go to college.
www.learnmoreindiana.org –a site developed for Indiana students that offers a wealth of
information about college and careers.
www.collegeboard.com -- a site dedicated to helping students prepare for college entrance
exams, search for colleges, and much more.
College Admissions Testing
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www.collegeboard.com –This site has information about the PSAT, SAT, and AP testing
programs. It also offers a wealth of resources related to the college search process.
www.princetonreview.com –Princeton Review offers test preparation services.
www.act.org –The official site for the ACT test.
www.benderandrocapeducationalservices.com –a locally owned test preparation company.