NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Hello Northwest High School Sophomores. - - PDF document
NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Hello Northwest High School Sophomores. Today we will be reviewing the Course Registration Process for the 20202021 school year and getting ready for Grade 11! Students please look at the registration card in front of
Hello Northwest High School Sophomores. Today we will be reviewing the Course Registration Process for the 2020‐2021 school year and getting ready for Grade 11! Students please look at the registration card in front of you to make sure you received the correct card with your name listed. 1
Review the Northwest HS counselor caseloads. Review graduation requirements and course suggestions for your specific grade level. Review elective options. Plan for completing registration on paper and
We will review Northwest High School’s Counseling Department caseloads, review high school graduation requirements and course suggestions based on your specific grade level. We will review some elective options and plan for completing the registration process. 2
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MC2 Grade 10-12
There are 11 counselors at Northwest High School assigned to students by last name. Your counselors are here to help you with course registration and can provide information about course offerings and what courses may be the best fit for your interests and long term goals. Please write your counselor’s name on the upper left hand corner of your registration card. 3
Honors English 11 A Honors English 11 B Algebra 2A Algebra 2B Honors Physics A Honors Physics B AP MWH A AP MWH B Spanish 3A Ceramics 1A Spanish 3B
Literature as Film Ceramics 1B Digital Art A and B Photography A and B Honors Financial Planning
Registration Card
Use the back of the card as a reference for courses you may select. Recommendations are pre-printed for you.
Please take a look at your registration card front and back. Northwest High School has many different course offerings to choose from. On the front of the card there are some preprinted course recommendations. These course recommendations were made by your current teachers, but you are not limited to those recommendations! If you would like to try a more rigorous course or level, you are encouraged to seek more information on that course and discuss your thoughts with your current teacher and counselor. I will share the process for registering for a different course than the recommendation in the following
please talk with your teacher and/or counselor to determine the best fit for you if you need help selecting a course. 4
11th Grade Recommended Course Offerings
On the back of your registration card you will see a list of recommended course offerings available for Grade 11. If you would like to learn more about a course, you can find course descriptions listed in the online High School Course Bulletin. Look for the link to the MCPS High School Course Bulletin on the Northwest website. You can search by course name or
weighted credit, and if there are any prerequisites for taking that course. Your teachers are also a good source to ask questions about course content and typical workload. 5
something other then a recommended course:
recommended course and write in the new
the card.
change of level signatures.
On your registration card, your first semester teachers have offered course recommendations. If you would like to choose a different course than is recommended, please follow these steps: To move up to a higher level course, cross off the recommended course and write in the new course. Parent/guardian signature is needed on your registration card. 6
If you would like to move down in a course level, please obtain this form from the counseling
complete each step in order.
To move down, complete the “Change of Level” form and secure appropriate signatures. After getting your teacher, parent, and resource teacher’s signature, turn in the completed form to your Administrator in the main office no later than June 1st. It is important to speak to your teachers and/or counselor to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding recommendations. 7
Gov’t and Science)
When determining what courses to take, you should first consider fulfilling your specific graduation requirements. Most students have room in their schedules to pick up a few electives credits every school year. In order to earn your high school diploma, students must earn 22 credits, complete 75 students service learning hours, and complete the requirements for state testing in English, Algebra, Government, and Science. 8
4 credits of English 3 credits of NGSS Science (1 Physical and 1 Biology) 4 credits of Math (1 Algebra and 1 Geometry) **MSDE requires math every year of high school** 3 credits of Social Studies (USH, NSL, MWH) 1 credit of Fine Art 1 credit of Physical Education 1 credit of Basic Technology .5 credit of Health 2.5 credits of Electives Program Completer Requirement: 2 credits of World Language
OR
2 credits of Advanced Technology
OR
4-9 credits of a Career Development Program
Now let’s review the 22 credits needed for graduation and how to meet them in specific classes or subject areas. We will review each subject area and discuss suggestions for courses to take in Grade 11. Please make notes on your registration card as we go through each subject area. 9
Composition
First, we will look at your English class options. All students will need 4 credits of English in
Honors English 11, AP Language and Composition, or the appropriate level ESOL class. Please see your registration card for the recommended level course. 10
Next, 4 math credits are required for graduation and must include one credit in algebra and
semester while in high school. After completing geometry, students should register for an algebra 2 class. After completing algebra 2 many students take a precalculus course, followed by a calculus or statistics course. There are many different pathways in math to best meet your specific needs. Please look at your registration card to see your teacher’s recommendation for your next math course. 11
Next, all students will need 3 credits of NGSS science in order to graduate. Students should plan to take biology, chemistry, and physics or an AP science class. Students who took Honors Chemistry in 10th grade should sign up to take Honors Physics, AP Physics, or an AP Science Elective in 11th grade. 12
Students are required to take 3 specific social studies courses in order to fulfill their high school graduation requirements. These courses are US History, NSL gov’t, and Modern World History. Your 11th grade social studies class should be Honors World History or AP World History. 13
Required for graduation: 1 credit in Art 1 credit in Physical Education 1 credit in Technology .5 Health Program Completer
Or
Technology Or
Development Program
Next, please make sure to sign up for any requirements you may have not yet completed. All students will need to earn 1 credit in Art, 1 credit in Physical Education, 1 credit in Technology, .5 credit in Health and have a Program Completer. Program Completers can be done by earning 2 credits in world language, earning 2 credits in advanced technology, or earning 4 credits in a career development program. 14
Students have the ability to complete career development programs at Northwest High School and at off campus locations, such as Seneca Valley HS, Gaithersburg High School, or the Fire Science Academy. At Northwest we offer career development completer programs including the Academy of Finance, Biotechnology, Business Management, Computer Science, College Career Research and Development and Early Child Development. If you are interested in these programs, please speak with your counselor about the specific courses required for these pathways. 15
There are a variety of off site courses and programs students may participate in. Completion of the programs often comes with earning valuable certificates and licensures. Students who participate in these programs typically have 3‐4 classes at Northwest High School and spend the rest of the day at the partnering school. Students who are interested need to fill out an application on the MCPS website. Gaithersburg High School offers cosmetology and auto body/auto technology. Students can also participate in ROTC as a single period elective option at Seneca Valley High School. The Round 2 deadline to apply to these program is 12/13/19. If you missed this deadline and please see you counselor as soon as possible to let them know about your interest. 16
Academy of Finance ACES
World Language Scholar
Academy of Biotechnology Academy of Fine Art
After registering for your graduation requirements, it is likely you will have space to pick up
electives that align with your future career interests and/or what classes will best help prepare you for college. We encourage you to have conversations with your parents, teachers, and counselor to explore a variety of course options. One big decision you may consider as a junior is if you would like to be part of one of Northwest High School’s Smaller Learning Communities. Northwest High School offers a few different academies that offer a specific course program in a specialized area. Students who have a strong interest in science may consider the ACES program or the Academy of
Academy of Finance. Student who are taking higher level world language classes should consider earning the World Language Scholar distinction. Details about the specific requirements and course sequences can be found on the Northwest website under academies. 17
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Hon US His A
Please spend time carefully considering your course options and completing your registration card. All students should complete the paper registration card and also enter their course selections online. For the paper registration card, circle recommended classes to confirm you wish to register for that class or follow the procedures for moving up or down a level. Fill in the blank boxes with course names and numbers of other classes so that you have selected 7 classes 1st and 2nd semester. Finally, don’t forget to write down alternate electives in the bottom section. These are your back up choices in case we run into a scheduling conflict. 19
Log into myMCPS Portal & enter courses online Paper instructions Video instruction posted on NWHS website
After completely filling out your registration card, please have a parent or guardian sign the
process you have done in the past. You have been given an instruction sheet that outlines the steps to enter your course selections online. If you need additional instruction, there is a video posted on the Northwest website that reviews the process. Registration is only complete when you have entered your courses online and have turned in your registration card to your counselor on the designated day for your social studies class. 20
December 12th - January 12th
social studies class the week of January 13th to turn in their registration cards and confirm their online selections.
Registration windows and deadlines. The registration window for current grade 10 students is December 12th – January 12th. Students must fill out their registration form, with parent signatures and enter courses online no later than January 12th . Students will be visiting the Counseling office via social studies classes to turn in registration cards. Counselors will briefly review selections with students individually. If you have detailed questions about registration or what courses may be best for you, please schedule a time to meet with your counselor PRIOR to January 12th. 21
course selections in the Portal.
Northwest by June 1st if you want to make any changes to your schedule for the 2020-2021 school year.
In May, we will ask that you review your course selections in the Portal. If you need to make any changes, please notify your counselor no later than June 1st. If you have any additional questions about registration, please email or stop by to see your counselor. 22