Welcome to Solon High School
Ninth Grade Orientation
Solon High School Guidance Department
Mrs. Wendy Dingman
A-De
349-6242
wendydingman@solonboe.org
Mr. Rick Nowak
Df-Ho
349-6243
ricknowak@solonboe.org
Ms. Ann Bruce
Hp-Mc
349-7407
annbruce@solonboe.org
Mr. Cal Washington
Md-See
349-7307
calvinwashington@solonboe.org
Mrs. Anne Johns, Director
Sef-Z
349-6241
annejohns@solonboe.org
349-7304
carolrymaz@solonboe.org
Ms. Carol Rymaz
Secretary
Solon High School Guidance Webpage
www.solonschools.org/guidance
SHS Counselors Guiding Students
9th
10th
11th
12th
Monitor academic progress
Review course selections
and credits toward
graduation
Monitor academic progress
Review course selections
and credits toward
graduation
Monitor academic progress
Review course selections
and credits toward
graduation
Monitor academic progress
Review course selections
and credits toward
graduation
Administer the EXPLORE
career assessment and
review results with
student
Administer PLAN test
and review results
Administer AP exams
Administer PSAT, ACT
and SAT
Administer AP exams
Administer ACT/SAT
Administer AP exams
Meet with students monthly
in the Freshman Mentor
Program and register all
9th graders on Prep HQ
Assist students in updating
resume and four-year
plan on Prep HQ
Assist students in
completing resume and
continuing career and
college planning
Implement the college
process with planning,
applications, essays,
and scholarship info
Meet with each 9th grader
to create four-year plan
and discuss long-term
plans
Meet with each 10th grader
to provide information
about voc/tech programs
and discuss career plans
Meet with each 11th grader
to review post-SHS
plans including college
planning
Meet with each 12th grader
to finalize post-SHS
plans
Basic Graduation Requirements
English
Social Science
4
3
Credits
Credits
(including World History, US History, Government, Economics)
Mathematics (including Algebra 2)
Science
Physical Education
Health
Fine Arts
Electives_________________________
TOTAL
Minimum
4 Credits
3 Credits
.50 Credit
.50 Credit
1 Credit
5 Credits
21 Credits
Course Selection
(Minimum) College Entrance Recommendations
• 4 years of English
• 4 years of Math
(Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry)
• 3 - 4 years of Science
(Including Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• 3 - 4 years of Social Studies
• 2 - 3 years of Foreign Language
• 1 year of fine, applied or performing arts
Honors Diploma
Need SEVEN of these Eight Criteria
•
•
•
•
•
4 credits of English
4 credits of Math (Alg I, II, Geom and higher)
4 credits of Science (including Chemistry and Physics)
4 credits of Social Studies
3 credits of Foreign Language OR 2 credits
each of two Foreign Languages
• 1 credit of Fine Arts
• 3.5 GPA on 4.0 scale (through the end of the third
quarter of senior year)
• 27 ACT OR 1210 SAT
(SAT combined CR/M scores)
Honors & AP Courses
• SHS offers nine honors courses and twenty
Advanced Placement courses.
• Honors courses available to ninth graders
include Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II,
Honors Geometry and Honors Biology.
• Ninth grade recommendations are made by
eighth grade teachers. Contact SMS teachers
for questions about recommendations.
Academic Supports
Best Instructional Practices
What do we expect all students to learn?
How do we know if they have learned it?
How do we respond when they are NOT learning?
Solon High School is proud to offer academic supports and
interventions to all students in need of assistance:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Classroom-based interventions
Peer tutoring
Academic Labs/Resource Center
After-School Study Center
Before/After school help from student’s teachers
Academic coaching by counselors/administrators
GRADES AND GRADE REPORTS
1. Student report cards are distributed each nine
weeks reporting the record of achievement for the
student during that nine-week period of time
only. (Parent Viewer same as SMS to monitor grades.)
2. The nine-week grade is expressed in terms of a
letter grade for the purpose of figuring and reporting a
semester or yearly grade.
3. The SHS grading scale is as follows:
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
F = 0 – 59%
WEIGHTED GRADES
GRADES FOR COURSES ARE WEIGHTED AT TWO LEVELS:
REGULAR
COURSE WEIGHT
A=4
B=3
C=2
D=1
F=0
HONOR
COURSE WEIGHT
A = 4.5
B = 3.375
C = 2.25
D = 1.0
F= 0
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
COURSE WEIGHT
A = 5.0
B = 3.75
C = 2.5
D = 1.0
F= 0
Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the
AP exam for each course in May. Most colleges award
college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores
upon college enrollment.
EXAMPLES OF DETERMINING STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
GRADE 8
Passing grades must have been received in 75% of subjects in which enrolled in the
grading period immediately preceding the sport. All courses in which a student
receives a grade count toward 75% of eligibility requirement.
SUBJECT
GRADES
English
F
Math
B
Ohio History
A
Home Economics
B
Physical Ed
P
Computers
C
Music
C
Health
B
Credits Passed 7 of 8 classes
87.5 %= eligible for 2nd period
SUBJECT
GRADES
English
F
Math
D
Ohio History
F
Industrial Art
C
Music
B
Computer
B
Physical Ed
P
Credits Passed
5 of 7 classes
71.4%= ineligible for 1st grading
period in high school
EXAMPLES OF DETERMINING STUDENT
ELIGIBILITY GRADES 9-12
Passing grades must have been earned in a minimum of five onecredit courses, or equivalent, in the grading period immediately
preceding the sport. PE classes do not count toward eligibility.
Subject
English 9
Spanish 1
P.E.
Algebra 1
World Hist
Band
Science
Total Credit
Grade
C
D
P
D
C
A
C
Credit &Duration
1.00
YEAR
1.00
YEAR
0.50
YEAR
1.00
YEAR
1.00
YEAR
1.00
YEAR
1.00
YEAR
6.50
*Must carry at least 5 classes both semesters.
Factor
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
Credits
1.00
1.00
0.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
6.00 = eligible for
athletics
Excel TECC Programs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Auto Mechanics
Business Academy
CADD Engineering Tech
Computers, Networking
& Electronics
Construction Management
Construction Trades
Cosmetology
Culinary Arts
Early Childhood Education
Environmental Education
Hospitality/Food Services
• Information Technology
& Programming
• Interactive Media
• Marketing Tech (12th only)
• Medical Careers
• Medical Technologies
• Performing Arts Academy
• Public Safety and Service
• TV Broadcasting & Video
Production
• Visual Art and Design
Resume
• Plans after high school
• Volunteer experience
• Academic achievements • Work experience
• School activities/clubs
• Talents, skills, interests
• Athletics
• Career exploration:
• Music/Art/Drama
Job shadowing, internships
Visit www.solonschools.org/guidance and click on CONNECT, our
college/career planning website. Students create an account in
ninth grade to use all four years for information and guidance
regarding resume building, course planning, ACT/SAT/AP testing,
summer enrichment programs, college planning/research, college
application status, financial aid, and more.
9th Grade Course Planning
• There are seven periods in the school day. Ninth graders take at least FIVE classes
each semester AND Phys Ed.
• Students must pass five classes for athletic eligibility (excluding Phys Ed).
• Ninth grade courses: English, Math, Science, World History, Phys Ed., Elective(s)
• Study Hall is recommended for ninth graders.
• Course recommendations from SMS have been mailed to parents.
EXAMPLE #1
English 9 CP
Science Investigations
Algebra I
World History
Physical Education
Spanish 2
Study Hall
EXAMPLE #2
English 9 CP
Science Investigations
Trans Algebra AND
Algebra I block
World History
Physical Education
Study Hall (Interv)
EXAMPLE #3
English 9 Honors
Honors Biology
Honors Geometry
World History
Physical Education
Band or Choir
French 2
EXAMPLE #4
English 9 CP
Science Investigations
Algebra I
World History
Physical Education
French I
Study Hall/Elective
EXAMPLE #5
English 9 Honors
Science Investigations
Honors Algebra II
World History
Physical Education
Spanish 2
Study Hall
What if my child is NOT
recommended for a course he/she
wants to take?
 If you should decide to take a nonrecommended course, you must complete the
Scheduling Risk Form (available online at
www.solonschools.org/guidance or in SMS Guidance Office).
 The form states that if the student chooses to
drop this course during the school year, it will be
noted on the transcript as a WF (Withdraw
Failing).
Do colleges accept American Sign Language as a
fulfillment of the Foreign Language recommendation?
 There are currently over 200 colleges that
accept ASL as a foreign language. It is
suggested that you access the college
websites to determine their requirements for
foreign language. A list of the schools is
available in the high school Guidance
Office.
What if my child can’t fit Phys. Ed.
on his/her schedule?
There are three ways to address that situation:
 Take ½ year of P.E. sophomore year opposite
Health; take other ½ in 11th
 Take P.E. in Solon HS Summer School (forms
available from SHS main office in late May)
 Take P.E. through the PSEO Summer College
Program (after completion of ninth grade)
 Take the “zero period” PE at SHS
What if my child can’t fit a study hall on
his/her schedule?
If a student does not have a study hall, there
are still many ways to get support.
 Student makes appointment to meet with
teacher before or after school.
 Student requests peer tutor.
 Student attends After-School Study Center
which is open Mon -Thr 3-4:15 and staffed
by teachers.
Where can I find more information or
answers to my specific questions?
 For questions about class recommendations contact
SMS teachers.
 For general questions about courses, requirements,
and academic programming see the Program of
Studies booklet, which is also available online.
 For any questions about the high school, contact
your student’s high school counselor via email or
phone.
SHS Profile
• Ranked #1 in Ohio
• School of Distinction- Ohio
Department of Education
• 2008, 2009, 2010 ACT
Red Quill Award Winner
• National Blue Ribbon School
College Attendance
• Size of Class of 2010
433
• Four-year College & Two-Year
College
95%
• Business, Technical School, or
Military
5%
National Merit Scholars
•
FINALISTS
• COMMENDED
17
16
Presidential Scholars
1990, 1995, 2003, 2007, 2009
ACT Results - Composite
• National Average
• SHS Class of 2010
• SHS Top 10%
22.0
24.9
33.1
SAT Results – Verbal + Math
• National Average
1017
• SHS Class of 2010
1143
• Top 10%
1400-1600
Advanced Placement
Program
• In 2010, 624 students took
1,446 exams.
• Score Distribution:
- Score of 5: 411
- Score of 4: 434
- Score of 3: 333
Welcome to Solon High School
Ninth Grade Orientation
Solon High School Guidance Department
Mrs. Wendy Dingman
A-De
349-6242
wendydingman@solonboe.org
Mr. Rick Nowak
Df-Ho
349-6243
ricknowak@solonboe.org
Ms. Ann Bruce
Hp-Mc
349-7407
annbruce@solonboe.org
Mr. Cal Washington
Md-See
349-7307
calvinwashington@solonboe.org
Mrs. Anne Johns, Director
Sef-Z
349-6241
annejohns@solonboe.org
349-7304
carolrymaz@solonboe.org
Ms. Carol Rymaz
Secretary
Solon High School Guidance Webpage
www.solonschools.org/guidance