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
Mrs. Ann Trocchio
Hp-Mc
349-7407
anntrocchio@solonboe.org
Mrs. Kathleen Kinney
Md-See
349-7307
kathleenkinney@solonboe.org
Mrs. Anne Johns, Director
Sef-Z
349-6241
annejohns@solonboe.org
Mrs. Laura Gordon
Secretary 349-7304
Solon High School Guidance Webpage
lauragordon@solonboe.org
www.solonschools.org/guidance
SHS PROFILE
• Ranked #1 in Northeast Ohio
• School of DistinctionOhio Department of Education
• 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 ACT Red Quill Award
• 2012 ACT Red Quill Legacy Award
• National Blue Ribbon School
SHS Enrollment and Data
• Size of Class of 2015
412
• Four-year College &
Two-Year College
90%
• Business, Technical School,
Military, or Work
10%
• Minority Population
28%
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS
• CLASS OF 2014
- Finalists
- Commended
- National Achievement
20
17
3
• CLASS OF 2015
-Semi-Finalists
-Commended
-National Achievement
17
21
2
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1990
1995
2003
2007
2009
2010
2011
2012
ACT RESULTS
Composite Scores
• National Average
• SHS Class of 2014
• SHS Top 10%
21.0
25.3
33.8
SAT RESULTS
Verbal + Math
• National Average
1010
• SHS Class of 2014
1207
• Top 10%
1400-1600
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
PROGRAM
• In 2014, 718 students took
1,558 exams.
• Score Distribution:
- Score of 5: 650
- Score of 4: 478
- Score of 3: 313
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
Aspire Testing
PSAT Practice Testing
AP Exams
State Testing
Aspire Testing
PSAT Practice Testing
AP Exams
State Testing
PSAT
ACT
SAT
AP Exams
State Testing
ACT
SAT
AP Exams
State Testing
Meet with students monthly
in the Freshman Mentor
Program and register all
9th graders on Naviance
Assist students in updating
resume and four-year
plan on Naviance
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
Core Graduation Requirements
English 9, 10, 11, 12
Health
Mathematics (must include Algebra II)
Physical Education
Science (Physical Sci, Biology, Advanced Sci)
Social Studies (World, U.S., Gov, Econ)
Fine Arts
Electives
TOTAL
4
.50
4
.50
3
3
1
5
Credits
Credit
Credits
Credit
Credits
Credits
Credit
Credits
Minimum 21 Credits
College Entrance Recommendations
(Minimum)
• 4 years of English
• 4 years of Math
(including 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-four
Advanced Placement courses.
• Honors
include
Honors
History
courses available to ninth graders
Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II,
Geometry and Honors Biology. AP World
is also offered for ninth graders.
• 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 support 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. (Grade 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
HONOR
COURSE WEIGHT
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
COURSE WEIGHT
A=4
B=3
C=2
D=1
F=0
A = 4.5
B = 3.375
C = 2.25
D = 1.0
F= 0
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. Many colleges award
college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores
upon college enrollment.
Changes in Graduation Testing
For the Class of 2018 and beyond, Ohio has established
three pathways for students to meet state testing
requirements for graduation (subject to change due to pending
legislation):
1.
Earn a cumulative passing score on end-of-course exams: English 9 &
10, Algebra I, Geometry, US History, US Government, Biology.
(See page 7 in the Program of Study for more details.)
2.
Earn a “remediation free” score on a nationally recognized college
admission exams such as ACT or SAT.
3.
Earn a State Board of Education-approved, industry-recognized
credential or a state-issued license for practice in a career and achieve a
score that demonstrates workforce readiness and employability on a
job skills assessment.
Athletic Eligibility for Incoming Ninth Graders
 Bylaw 4-4-4: A student enrolled in the first grading period
after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a
minimum of five of all subjects carried the preceding grading
period in which the student was enrolled.
Bylaw 4-4-7: Summer school and other educational options
may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic
standards specified in Bylaw 4 during the last grading period of
the school year.
EXAMPLE OF DETERMINING ATHLETIC 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
A
C
P
B
B
A
A
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
• Arts and Communications:
Digital Arts and Technology, Performing Arts
Academy, Studio Art and Design
• Business and Administration:
• Construction Technologies:
• Education and Training:
Business Academy, Culinary Arts
Construction Trades
Early Childhood Education
• Engineering/Transportation:
Auto Mechanics, CADD Engineering Technology
• Environmental & Agricultural:
Floriculture and Gardening Operations,
Landscape and Turf Operations
• Health Sciences:
Medical Technologies
• Human Services:
Cosmetology, Fire/EMS Academy
• Information Technology:
Programming
Interactive Media, Information Technology and
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 Naviance, 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 often Physical Education.
• 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
EXAMPLE #2
EXAMPLE #3
EXAMPLE #4
EXAMPLE #5
English 9 CP
Physical Science
Algebra I
World History
Physical Education
Spanish 2
Study Hall
English 9 CP
Physical Science
Trans Algebra &
Algebra I block
World History
Physical Education
Study Hall (Interv)
English 9 Honors
Honors Biology
Honors Geometry
AP World History
Physical Education
Band or Choir
French 2
English 9 CP
Physical Science
Algebra I
World History
Physical Education
Spanish I
Study Hall/Elective
English 9 Honors
Physical Science
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).
What if my child can’t fit Phys. Ed.
on his/her schedule?
Students may take the two semester Physical
Education classes at any time during their four
years at SHS.
Students may choose zero period Physical
Education which adds a class period to the day.
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 3:15-4:00 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.
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
Mrs. Ann Trocchio
Hp-Mc
349-7407
anntrocchio@solonboe.org
Mrs. Kathleen Kinney
Md-See
349-7307
kathleenkinney@solonboe.org
Mrs. Anne Johns, Director
Sef-Z
349-6241
annejohns@solonboe.org
Mrs. Laura Gordon
Secretary 349-7304
Solon High School Guidance Webpage
lauragordon@solonboe.org
www.solonschools.org/guidance