CHARLES J. COLGAN, SR. HIGH SCHOOL

THE COLGAN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

• Overview of the School Programs

• Advanced Courses

• Graduation Requirements

• How High School Works

• Course Selection Process

• Preparing Your Student for Life

After High School

FUTURE TRANSITION EVENTS

April 10 EMBARK WITH THE SHARKS EVENT

Rising 9th Grade Families - 7 PM

August 22 9th Grade Orientation

1st Day of School is August 26th

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS• Full Comprehensive High School Course Selection

• PreAP and AP Courses

• CFPA

• Science Opportunity/Partnership with Department of Public Works

• Project Lead the Way

• Criminal Justice

• Game Design & Development

A/B block schedule (7 periods)

Even (Blue) Days – Periods 1, 2, 4, 6

Odd (Gray) Days – Periods 1, 3, 5, 7

Lunch occurs during 4th/5th period

WHAT DOES A COLGAN DAY LOOK LIKE

SAMPLE 9TH GRADE SCHEDULE

English

English 9

PreAP English 9

Social Studies

World History 1

PreAP World History 1

Math

Algebra 1

PreAP Algebra 1

Geometry

PreAP Geometry

HPE

HPE 9

Science

Biology

PreAP Biology

Earth Science

Adv Earth Science

2 Electives

World Language

Spanish

French

German

American Sign Language

Elective

Students will choose 7 courses plus 3 alternates

Note: Math courseplacement may help guideScience course placement.

Some students taking Algebra 1 in 9th grade may

have higher success in Earth Science.

PreAP COURSES• PreAP and AP courses are not required for students to earn

an Advanced Studies diploma.

• Considerations when selecting PreAP classes:

✓Student Motivation

✓Grades

✓Attendance

✓SOL Scores

✓Teacher Recommendations

✓Interest in Subject Area

✓Career Goals

✓Extracurriculars/Balance

Middle School teachers will be making recommendations

WHY TAKE A PreAP COURSE?

• Prepare and expose students to college level work while in high school

• Enhances skills with time management, collaboration, initiative, and self-advocacy

• Help students improve writing skills, learn problem-solving techniques, and develop strong study habits

• A rigorous course load is one factor considered during the college application process

ElectivesBusiness

Principles of Business/Marketing

Digital Applications

Design Multimedia & Web Technologies

CIS – Computer Information Systems

+AP Computer Science Principles

Technology Education

Construction Technology

Production Systems

Graphic Communication Systems

Communication Systems

PLTW Intro to Engineering Design

Family and Consumer Science

Independent Living

Nutrition and Wellness

Child Development/Parenting

Fine Arts

Intro to Theater

Theatre Production

Art I

Men’s Choir

Women’s Chorale

Concert Band

Percussion Ensemble

Concert Orchestra

Marching Band – after school (.5 credit)

English

Journalism I

Creative Writing I

ALTERNATE ELECTIVES

• All students are asked to select 3 alternate electives when selecting courses for their freshman year.

• Students should be prepared to do this during the scheduling session and are encouraged to discuss this with their parents.

• If a course is cancelled or there is a conflict in your student’s schedule, an alternate elective will automatically replace the first choice elective.

9th GRADE COURSE

SELECTION SHEET

• Students will receive this

sample course selection

form at their schools.

• You can also find a sample

copy on our counseling

webpage under the

ACADEMIC ADVISING TAB.

ACADEMIC ADVISING TIMELINE

❖ January 30 Saunders MS

❖ February 5 Beville MS

❖ February 7 Lake Ridge MS

❖February 12 Woodbridge MS

❖ February 13 Benton MS

❖ TBD Graham Park, Pennington, Porter

❖March 8 All course selection sheets need to be signed by parent/guardian and returned to the middle schools

❖ June 7 Last day to request a course selection change

BEFORE ACADEMIC ADVISING

• Review the course selection form and course descriptions• Colgan counseling website/PWCS Course Catalog

• Choose a diploma type (Advanced or Standard)

• Have an idea of the 7 courses desired to take and 3 alternate electives

PWCPS 2019-20 COURSE CATALOGAVAILABLE ON COUNTY WEBSITE

• Graduation Requirements & Diploma Options

• “Ready to Go” Checklists

• Post-Secondary Planning Timelines

• Eligibility Requirements (Extracurricular

Activities)

• General College Admission Information

• Specialty Programs

• Courses & Descriptions

• Weighted Courses

• Sequential Electives

DAY OF ACADEMIC ADVISING

Students will:

✓meet individually with a counselor

✓ review middle school transcript and teacher recommendations

✓ select 7 courses and 3 alternate electives

✓will bring home 2 copies of the student’s course requests, one to be returned to the middle school.

AFTER ACADEMIC ADVISING

• Upon acceptance into the CFPA Specialty Program, students will receive a CFPA course selection form in their acceptance package, to be returned to Colgan HS along with the intent form.

• A copy of your student’s course requests along with a selection change form will be mailed to you at the end of May for a final review.

• By June 7, 2019, requests for course changes will be honored on a space available basis.

• After June 7, 2019, course changes will be made only to resolve conflicts, to accommodate graduation requirements, and/or because a student has failed to meet prerequisites.

Math and Science placements may change over the summer due to 8th gr SOL scores

SAMPLE TRANSCRIPT

Student Info

GRADE POINT AVERAGE

• Grade point averages are cumulative; every final grade in a high school credit course counts.

• Only year-end grades reside on the official transcript until the student’s senior year.

A = 4.0

B+ = 3.4

B = 3.0

C+ = 2.4

C = 2.0

D+ = 1.4

D = 1.0

F = 0.0

Add together &

divide by number

of credits

WEIGHTED CREDIT

• Weighted credit refers to grade point values assigned to Advanced Placement, certain Career and Technical Education Courses, dual enrollment courses, and designated prerequisite courses.

• All weighted courses are listed on p.157-159 in the Course Catalog.

EXPUNGING A GRADE FOR A HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT TAKEN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Any student taking a high school credit course in middle school may request the grade be omitted from his/her transcript before the end of 9th grade.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

• Understand graduation requirements and create a 4-year plan.

• Take a variety of courses to include as many AP and PreAPclasses that are appropriate for your student.

• Be involved in extracurricular activities both at school and in the community.

• Seek out leadership opportunities.

COLGAN HIGH SCHOOLATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES

GET INVOLVED!

Every student has the

opportunity to play an

integral part in building the

community at

Colgan High School.

FALL SPORTS

Marching Band – August 5

Fall practice begins

August 1:➢Golf

➢Football

August 5:➢Field Hockey

➢Cross Country

➢Cheer

➢Volleyball

➢Dance

WINTER SPORTS

▪ Boys/Girls Basketball

▪ Wrestling

▪ Indoor Track

▪ Swim & Dive

SPRING SPORTS

• Baseball

• Softball

• Boys/Girls Soccer

• Boys/Girls Lacrosse

• Boys/Girls Track

• Boys/Girls Tennis

• Crew

A World of Difference

American Sign Language

Audio Visual Club

Chess Club*

Colgan Acapella “Sharks & Flats”

Colgan Siren Literacy Magazine

Colgan Theatre

Cyber Patriot Team

Dance Team

Debate Team

EDGE Club*

Fashion Design Club

FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America

FCCLA - Family Career & Community

Leadership of America

Fellowship of Christian Athletes*

FIN Friends

French Club

Clubs & ActivitiesFrench Honor Society

Freshman Class

German Club

GSA Alliance*

Healthy Communities Healthy

Youth

Humane Society Club*

International Heritage Club

Junior Class

Key Club

Kpop & Anime Club*

Math Honor Society

Model United Nations

Military Appreciation Club*

Music Production Club

National Art Honor Society

National English Honor Society

National Honor Society

Quill & Scroll Club

Robotics

Rubik’s Cube Club*

SCA – Student Council

Association

Scholastic Bowl

Science Club

Senior Class

Shark Tales

Sophomore Class

Spanish Club

Spanish Honor Society

Step Team

The Current (Newspaper)

Tri-M Music

Yearbook

Follow us @ColganHS

@ColganCounselor@ColganAthletics

on Twitter

Colgan Counseling Newsletterhttps://www.smore.com/smb4u-colgan-counseling-newsletter