NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Hello Northwest High School Juniors. Today - - PDF document
NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Hello Northwest High School Juniors. Today we will be reviewing the Course Registration Process for the 20202021 school year and getting ready for Grade 12! Students please look at the registration card in front of you
Hello Northwest High School Juniors. Today we will be reviewing the Course Registration Process for the 2020‐2021 school year and getting ready for Grade 12! 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 9
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 12 A Honors English 12 B Calc w/App A Calc w/App B
Registration Card
Use the back of the card as a reference for courses you may select. Recommendations are pre-printed for you.
Digital Art A/B AP Psychology A/B Journalism A/B
All seniors will need to register for 7 classes. If you are participating in a special program (ex. internship, dual enrollment), please *** star the classes you wish to drop once you are accepted.
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
12th Grade Recommended Course Offerings
On the back of your registration card you will see a list of recommended course offerings available for Grade 12. 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 12. Please make notes on your registration card as we go through each subject area. 9
Composition
Composition
First, we will look at your English class options. All students will need 4 credits of English in
Honors English 12, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature 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. All seniors must register for a math course senior year even if you have already completed 4 credits. 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 in Grade 12 often take a science elective course. 12
Students are required to take 3 specific social studies courses in order to fulfill their high school graduation requirements. Please confirm you have already completed US History, NSL gov’t, and Modern World History. Grade 12 students often take a social studies elective. 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. Most of these programs are designed to be completed over 2 years, however, some programs may allow for seniors to participate as an elective option. 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. Please speak with your counselor to learn more about application procedures if you are interested in these options. 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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Internship:
Interns work during the school day in a mentored paid or unpaid position and participate in a bi-weekly seminar. Students work approximately 4 hours a week for every credit of internship on their high school schedule. See Mr. Ostry in Room 306 if you missed the internship information meeting at lunch on Dec. 10 & 12th. Turn in your completed application to Mr. Ostry asap to ensure your space in the internship program.
Career Seminar and Site-Based Work Experience:
Must register for Career Seminar Must find and maintain employment Must work at least 8 hours a week
After scheduling your graduation requirements, you may find that you have room in your schedule to participate in a special half‐day option such as internship, working part‐time, or taking college classes. Students who would like to get real world experience in a future career can apply to participate in NWHS’s Internship Program. Internships give students exposure to a professional work environment of an area of interest. Students who plan to work a part time job during their senior year and would like a half day schedule, may be eligible through the College Career Development Program. Students must plan to take a Career Seminar and Site Based Work Experience courses in order to participate. 19
Earning college credit while in high school with Montgomery College For a successful MC experience, rising high school seniors should:
junior year
Things to consider:
curriculum offered at Northwest? Colleges place a great deal of importance on the course content taken at the high school level.
getting to campus? Transportation is the responsibility of the student.
be eligible for a reduction in cost but cost and payment may still be a deciding factor.
Interested? Ask for the interest form when you meet with your counselor during the week of February 3rd.
Another option open to rising seniors is taking coursework at Montgomery College through the dual enrollment program. Students who have a minimum 2.75 GPA at the end of junior year and have qualifying test scores or meet criteria through AGPA may be able to choose from a variety of college classes on the MC campus. This is a great opportunity for students to start earning college credit at a reduced rate. If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the dual enrollment interest form when you turn in your registration materials to your counselor. 20
Applications are available in the counseling office and should be turned in when you hand in your registration card the week of February 3rd. Requirements: 2.75 cumulative GPA at the end of first semester of your junior year No attendance issues No behavioral issues Differences: Student Aides will be placed in offices (counseling office, main
Instructional Aides will work directly with students in a classroom and will earn .5 elective credit or SSL hours. Interested rising seniors must complete an application to be either a student aide or instructional aide.
Students who are interested in being an aide for one period of their day can apply to be a student aide or instructional aide. Student aides are placed in the counseling office, main
directly with students in a classroom and will earn .5 elective credit or SSL hours. Applications will be available during individual meetings with your counselor when you turn in your registration card the week of February 3rd. 21
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. 22
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. 23
December 12th – February 2nd
social studies class the week of February 3rd to turn in their registration cards and confirm their online selections.
Registration windows and deadlines. The registration window for current grade 11 students is December 12th – February 2nd. Students must fill out their registration form, with parent signatures and enter courses online no later than February 2nd. 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 February 2nd. 24
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. 25