Transitioning to
Urbana High School
The Transition to High School
• Studies show that 8th graders:
– Are both excited and concerned about HS
– Look forward to more freedom, choice,
and opportunities.
– Are nervous about older students’
teasing, getting lost, bad grades.
– Fear that teachers will be more strict and
there will be more and harder work than
in MS
The Transition to High School
• However, those students found that:
– High school was “different”
– Older students might tease, but were also
friendly and helpful.
– They didn’t get lost in the building.
– They were concerned about the difficulty
of classes and how to manage time with
classes and extracurricular activities
Friendships
• Friendships and social interactions are an
important “grounding” force for young
adolescents.
• The transition from MS to HS often disrupts
friendship networks.
• Involvement in activities can be an
excellent way to expand the student’s
network.
What can parents do?
• Become familiar with HS programs and
procedures.
• Be actively involved in student’s transition
to HS. (Curriculum Night, reviewing course
selections, find classes together in August)
• Remain involved at the HS level.
• Be supportive for your student while
cultivating responsibility and independence.
UHS Graduation Requirements
45 credits including (in semesters)
• 2 Composition 9 (English)
• 2 World Studies-Eng
• 1 American Gov't
• 2 Am Studies-Eng,
2 World Studies-Soc St
• 6 Mathematics
2 Am Studies-Soc St
• 1 Health
• 4 Science (2 physical, 2 life)
• 7 Physical Education
• 2 Senior English
• 1 Consumer Ed equivalent
• 2 from Art / Foreign Language / Music / Vocational Educ.
Earning Credits
• Each passing grade equals 1 credit per
semester
• Students with fewer than 10 credits are
classified as freshmen regardless of age or
number of years in high school.
• Freshmen typically earn 14 credits during
the year.
• Failed requirements must be made up.
Classification of Students
• Freshman:
0 - 9 credits
• Sophomore: 10 - 20 credits and have
completed 2 semesters of high school
• Junior:
21 - 30 credits and have
completed 4 semesters of h.s. by August or
5 semesters by January.
• Senior:
31 or more credits and have
completed 6 semesters of high school.
Other Credit Opportunities
(outside the regular school day/year)
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•
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Summer School
Credit Recovery (APEX, Recapture)
Dual Credit at Parkland
Concurrent Enrollment at UI
A fee is required for all options except credit recovery
Minimum Requirements for
4 - year Colleges*
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•
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•
•
4 years of English
3 years of Math (Algebra 1 and above)
3 years of Science (Biology and above)
2 to 3 years of Social Studies
2 years of electives (usually a Foreign
Language)
*Requirements do change and vary from year to year,
major to major, and college to college.
“What do 9th graders usually take?”
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•
•
2 semesters of English
2 semesters of Math
2 semesters of Science
1 semester of PE, 1 semester of Health
Lunch
2 semesters of elective(s) (Foreign
Lang/Vocational Ed/Arts) or ALS
• 4 semesters of elective(s)
This example makes an 8 period (8:00 to 3:16) day.
"What about Study Support/Lunch?"
• 4th or 5th hour
• Closed Campus for 9th and 10th graders
• Study Support for 25 minutes/Lunch for 25
minutes
• This is an excellent time to get individual or
small-group help from teachers or peers
“What is Academic Learning
Support (ALS)?”
• Required for some students, but also an
elective.
• 25 minutes of math help, 25 minutes of
English/literacy help.
• Graded, credited course.
• Students may be moved into ALS if they
have failing math/Eng grades at progress
checks.
“Teams at UHS?”
• Yes, the high school has “teams” for all
9th graders and 10th graders.
• Unlike UMS teams, teamed students do not
travel from class to class as a group.
• UHS teams are groups of teachers who have
students in common.
• This allows for more individualized
attention to and academic monitoring of our
younger students.
“When do I get Driver Ed?”
• PE 10 is the course for Driver Education.
• This course is taken in 10th grade IF the
student has passed 8 classes in the
preceding 2 semesters and is 15 years old.
• Some students choose to take Dr. Ed
through Champaign Unit 4 summer school
or from a private driving school.
“How long is the school day?”
•The school day at UHS has 8 class periods of
50 minutes each, with one being the student’s
study support/lunch period.
•A student may take 7 class periods (6 classes +
lunch) or 8 class periods (7 classes + lunch).
The 8 class period day is strongly encouraged.
•Everyone starts at 8:00 AM, out by 3:16 PM.
Counselors
•Students are assigned to counselors according to
student’s last name.
•Students remain with the same counselor
throughout high school.
•Office is on 2nd floor, Room 2116.
Phone 384-3511
• Neffi Dambo
• Samuel Furrer
• Jiwon Lee
• Kevin Floress
A-E
F-J
K–Q
R-Z
Future Planning
• Have an idea of where you’re headed.
• Explore opportunities and options related to
your career interests.
• Take a variety of coursework in high
school.
• Involve yourself in activities in the school
and community.
• Develop yourself as a positive leader.
• Do your best.
What’s ahead after UHS?
•Internet based inventories are quick and
provide extensive feedback. Look for these on
the UHS Guidance and Counseling Web Page.
•Talk to people about their careers.
•Take advantage of any opportunities to do a
job shadow experience.
•Try to get a job related to your career interest.
(Interest Inventories tell which careers match a student’s
interests: not what they “should be” or “are good at.”)
Sources of Career and College
Information
• UHS Counselors’ offices each have many
general resource books
• UHS Library has an extensive collection of
career and college materials
• UHS Guidance and Counseling Dept. web
page has links to college, career, financial
aid, job, and other information. Check it out!
• Public Library, book stores, colleges
• Friends, Family, etc.
Activities
• We have a wide variety of activities available to
UHS students. Many more exist in the
community.
• Participation helps broaden and enrich the
student’s school experience, develops leadership
skills, and provides service to others.
Class Activities
Art Club
Band, Orchestra, Choir
Sports
Key Club
Chess
Publications (Yearbook, Newspaper)
Drama, Thespians
Foreign Language Clubs
Student Senate
Social Justice Committee
Science Club
Math Team
Green Tigers
Interact
Multi-Cultural Club
Eligibility for high school sports
• Every freshman begins high school with a
clean slate regarding eligibility.
• Students must pass 5 classes each week to
remain eligible. Eligibility is checked
weekly.
• If 5 classes are not passed for a semester,
the student is ineligible the following
semester.
Pass/Fail Option
• Each semester, one course may be taken
Pass/Fail. (There are restrictions on which
courses.)
• A form signed by the parent must be received in
the guidance office during the first four weeks
of each semester.
• Students may request removal of a pass/fail
after the first progress reports.
• Pass/Fail does impact Grade Point Average
(GPA).
Grade/Honor Point Scale
UHS uses a 5 point scale to represent grade point average (GPA).
Many of our courses are weighted or may be taken with the
weighted option. Weighted courses are more challenging and
involve more work on the part of the student. The honor points
used in computing GPA are higher for the weighted grades,
producing GPA’s above 5.0 for some students.
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CF
Unweighted Points
5.00
4.75
4.25
4.00
3.75
3.25
3.00
2.75
1.00
Weighted Points
6.00
5.75
5.25
5.00
4.75
4.25
4.00
3.75
1.00
Grade Weighting
• When figuring GPA, an additional honor point is given for
grades of C- and better.
• Weighted courses cannot be taken "Pass/Fail."
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Non-weighted Points
5.00
4.75
4.25
4.00
3.75
3.25
3.00
2.75
2.25
2.00
1.75
1.00
Weighted Points
6.00
5.75
5.25
5.00
4.75
4.25
4.00
3.75
Honor Roll
• Honor Roll is figured at the end of each semester.
• Semester GPA of 4.20 or above with no D’s or F’s.
Academic Monogram
• 4.0 GPA achieved during both semesters of the year
• Awards ceremony is held in the fall of the next school
year
Cooperative Training Programs*
• WECEP--for students age 14 through 15
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–
–
–
students have a work skills class
work during the school day (mostly foodservice)
receive credit for class and work, plus pay $
Does NOT jeopardize on -time graduation or the
option of going to college.
• Coop--for students age 16 and older
• STEP--for students who have an IEP
*these fulfill the consumer ed requirement
Support Services for Students
• Study Support for all 9th and 10th graders
• ALS class focuses on Math/English
• Minority Enrichment Program (MEP)-provides support for minority students in
enriched courses, after-school tutoring
• Peer Tutoring by National Honor Society
(NHS) students
• Special Education placement through IEP;
credit classes and support
Your Dean
• Deans are responsible for attendance and
behavior issues.
• Your dean works with a section of the
alphabet.
• Ms. Franklin
• Ms. Price-Hammond
• Mr. Morrow
Support Personnel for Students
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Counselors
Deans
Social Workers
School Psychologist
Minority Enrichment Program
Coordinator
• Outreach Worker
• School Nurse
Your experience at Urbana High School will be what
you make it. Strive to do your very best in all
classes, have regular attendance, and steer clear of
discipline problems. When you do have concerns,
promptly take them to the appropriate school
personnel. We want your time here to be an
enjoyable, academically and socially enriching
experience!
www.usd116.org/uhs
End
www.usd116.org/uhs/guidance