This document provides information for parents and students about course selection and orientation for 9th grade at Valley Christian High School. It outlines the school's required and elective courses, explains the modified block schedule, and provides guidance on choosing courses to set students up for success in their freshman year.

1. For parents and students who are definitely planning to attend VCHS! Strategies for choosing courses! Maximizing the summer to prepare for high school! Welcome to the Class of 2012 9th Grade Parent’s Orientation

2. Guidance Counseling Scott Wessling and ? (9th), Jonathon Burton, Jennifer Griffin & Mark Lodewyk - ? (10 th - 12th) 4 - Year Plan ( Fall/Winter, Grade 9 ), PSAT, basic Family Connection software training (Spring, Grade 9), Career Interests 4 - Year Plan Update, PSAT, and additional career inventory (Grade 10) College Preparation, Grade 11 & 12 S.A.T. Preparation Family Connection College Search Weekly Lunch Seminars College Scholarships College Representatives on Campus College Applications Bootcamp Vocational College Track

3. Guidance Counseling Scott Wessling and ? (9th), Jonathon Burton, Jennifer Griffin & Mark Lodewyk - ? (10 th - 12th) VCHS’ unique Modified Block Schedule…

4. The 2009-2010 Schedule Our “Modified Block” Schedule

5. Our Schedule The A Day Schedule (Periods 1, 3, 5, 7) Period 1: 7:40 – 9:05 Break: 9:05 – 9:15 Period 3: 9:20 – 10:50 Break: 10:50 – 10:55 Period 5: 11:00 – 12:25 Lunch: 12:25 – 12:55 Period 7: 1:00 – 2:25 The B Day Schedule (Periods 2, 4, 6, 8) Period 2: 7:40 – 9:05 Break: 9:05 – 9:15 Period 4: 9:20 – 10:50 Break: 10:50 – 10:55 Period 6: 11:00 – 12:25 Lunch: 12:25 – 12:55 Period 8: 1:00 – 2:25

6. So Here Is A Normal 2 Weeks. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday A 1,3,5,7 B 2,4,6,8 A 1,3,5,7 A 1,3,5,7 B 2,4,6,8 Week One: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday A 1,3,5,7 A 1,3,5,7 B 2,4,6,8 B 2,4,6,8 B 2,4,6,8 Week Two:

7. What Happens With A Holiday? A A B B OFF Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday B A A B Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday A

8. Highlights Classes are typically 85 minutes long (75 minutes on chapel days) 4 period days are 7:40 – 2:25 3 period days start after 9:00 and end at 2:25

9. Highlights (cont’d) We have tutorials in the mornings for those students who have 3 classes that day. Classes always have at least a 10-minute break between them. Students in carpools may adjust their schedules to have the same open period.

10. Taking 8 Classes Students have the option of taking an 8 th class (and pay some extra tuition $$). We generally do not recommend taking an 8 th academic class, except for Music Conservatory students (COMP program), or students who would like to take a double subject.

11. The Academic Benefits Fewer classes a day allows for more focused and efficient student work: Fewer subjects each day for students to study More flexibility in managing workload (always have a day between classes) Built-in tutorial times allows for greater access to faculty

12. Our Schedule The A Day Schedule (Periods 1, 3, 5, 7) Period 1: 7:40 – 9:05 Break: 9:05 – 9:15 Period 3: 9:20 – 10:50 Period 5: 11:00 – 12:25 Lunch: 12:25 – 12:55 Period 7: 1:00 – 2:25 The B Day Schedule (Periods 2, 4, 6, 8) Period 2: 7:40 – 9:05 Break: 9:05 – 9:15 Period 4: 9:20 – 10:50 Period 6: 11:00 – 12:25 Lunch: 12:25 – 12:55 Period 8: 1:00 – 2:25 Half our students have 4 A-Day classes and 3 B-Day classes. Half our students have 3 A-Day classes and 4 B-Day classes. Students have Optional Tutorial either period 1 or period 2.

13. What Is The Optional Tutorial? You may come early for extra help. You may meet other students to work on group projects. Tutoring will be in assigned rooms by department (math, science, English, etc.). There is also the library to which you can go for quiet work, printing documents, etc.

14. Optional Tutorial Success! Students who use their Optional Tutorial time to their advantage typically: 1. raise their semester GPA by .5 – 1.0 points (such as a 2.7 to a 3.5!) 2. have better relationships with their teachers because their effort is evident

15. Optional Tutorial Disaster! Many students typically do not use their Optional Tutorial time to their advantage because: 1. They don’t need it in first week or two, then decide it’s not necessary. 2. They don’t see some friends not using it, then decide it’s not necessary.

16. Reminder: here is our first week of school: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday A 1,3,5,7 B 2,4,6,8 A 1,3,5,7 A 1,3,5,7 B 2,4,6,8

17. First General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9 Success Challenge

18. First General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9 Success Challenge

19. First General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9 Success Challenge

20. First General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9 Success Challenge

21. Second General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9 Every student is unique; your selections don’t have to be the same as others!

22. Third General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9 a. You have spent years watching your student struggle, watching them succeed—that results in wisdom ! Discuss this schedule with them, check with their current teachers, pray with them, and trust your wisdom as a starting point! b. Enter your schedule on the website with your best choices by the due date – you can always make some “tweaks” later on.

23. For detailed course descriptions, to www.vcs.net, “Academics— High School—2007-2008 Course Catalog”

24. The Basic Schedule: 5 Required Classes, 2 Electives Christianity In Our Culture/OT Global Studies 1 English Math P.E. or Strength & Conditioning Choose TWO from the following: ** Science ** Foreign Lang. ** Fine Art ** Technology ** General Elective

25. 5 Required Classes…

26. 1. Bible (4 year Grad. Reqr.) Nathan Smith, Bible Department Chair “ Christianity In Our Culture” (1 st Sem.) and “History of Israel” (2 nd Sem.) required for all 9 th graders. Variety of grade 11-12 Bible choices based on Bible grade in previous year and teacher recommendations. Required

27. 1. Bible (4 year Grad. Reqr.) Andy McIntyre, Bible Department Chair Two Levels of Bible Education for Grades 9 & 10: “ Bible Study”, for those with a strong background in the Bible (Christian schools, etc.). “ Bible Survey”, for those with limited Bible study experiences (or in Christian school now with C or less grade). Required

28. Bible : Community Service 25 hours required during 9 th grade, due December & May. May be served in the summer. Theme for 9 th graders is “Serving the Elderly and the Handicapped”, plus service through a local Christian church. Hours Verification Form available in your packet, the high school office or at: www.vcs.net--academics--high school.

29. 2. Social Science (4 year Grad. Reqr.) Gray Judge, History Department Chair 3 Choices For 9 th Graders: Global Studies I . Global Studies I – Honors . (based on English/History grades, placement tests) Music History . Conservatory students only. Note: Grade at end of the freshman year, teacher recommendation, and 9 th grade standardized test scores will determine 10th grade placement: Global Studies 2 or AP European History or AP Human Geography. Required

30. 3. English (4 year Grad. Reqr.) Judy Marc, English Department Chair 2 Levels of English for 9th Grade: College Prep English 9 English 9 - Honors You will notified early summer if we determine a different English placement is needed. If essay writing needs help, consider our summer seminar! Required

31. English: Summer Reading 1 Book ( The Princess Bride , William Golden) for all 9 th grade students. No book report, but there will be a test on content and themes of Summer Reading takes place the first week of school.

32. 4. Math (3 year Grad. Reqr.) Cathy Gengl, Math Department Chair 7 Levels of Math for 9th Grade: Algebra 1A (Pre-Alg/Alg A), then 1B (Alg. B) in 10 th grade Algebra 1 Geometry, Geometry Honors Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2 Math Placement Test. (VCJH will take their test April 28 & 29) Required

33. 4. Math (3 year Grad. Reqr.) Cathy Gengl, Math Department Chair Special math placement questions, summer on-line math options, etc. should be directed to: Cathy Gengl [email_address] Required

34. 2 Elective Choices… Choose from the following: ** Science ** Foreign Lang. ** Fine Art ** Technology ** General Elective ** Study Hall (no credit)

35. 3 Levels of Science for 9th Grade: Physical Science , which is an intro to chemistry & physics, Biology, Honors Biology (mostly 10th graders), Chemistry , Honors Chemistry (must have completed Biology) Science (2 year Grad. Reqr.) Scott Vander Veen, Science Department Chair Biology and Chemistry Placement Test. (VCJH students will take their test May 19 - 22) Elective

36. Foreign Language (No Grad. Reqr.) Mary Riley, Foreign Language Department Chair Spanish I, II, etc. French I, II, etc. Japanese I, II, etc. Mandarin I, II, etc. Latin I, II, etc. Sign Language I, II, etc. Elective !!

37. Foreign Language (No Grad. Reqr.) Mary Riley, For. Lang. Department Chair 2 years minimum for most 4 year colleges and universities. Rule of Thumb: 2 yrs JH (every day!) = 1 year HS. Elective 2 years need phrase-strong English grammar skills, good memory skills and work ethic to succeed in our foreign language classes in 9th grade. About 15 - 20% of freshman drop Foreign Language in 9 th grade due to low grades! !!

38. Fine Arts (1 year Grad. Reqr.) Chairs: Troy Gunter (Music), Autumn Mortenson (Dance) Music . 11 Choices for 9th Grade. Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra,, Jazz (2 levels), Percussion, String Ensemble, Piano, Choir (2 levels), Worship Band, Music Technology. Auditions for the Bands, Jazz Bands, Strings, Choirs and Worship Bands. Summer Program (Summer Band and Colorguard Camp in August). Art . Art 1, Advanced Art. Photography . Photographic Design 1 & 2. Dance . Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, level 1 or 2. Elective

39. valleychristianconservatory.org

40. Fine Arts (continued) For more info, phone 513-2415 Music Auditions: Contact the Music Department ASAP for audition info and to schedule an audition date. Other Music Dates: Marching Band and Colorguard Camp July 31. Colorguard workshops begin in mid-June. Colorguard Informational Meeting in the spring. Email Contact Info: [email_address]

41. Fine Arts (1 year Grad. Reqr.) Chairs: Troy Gunter (Music), Autumn Mortenson (Dance) Music . 11 Choices for 9th Grade. Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra,, Jazz (2 levels), Percussion, String Ensemble, Piano, Choir (2 levels), Worship Band, Music Technology. Auditions for the Bands, Jazz Bands, Strings, Choirs and Worship Bands. Summer Program (Summer Band and Colorguard Camp in August). Art . Art 1, Advanced Art. Photography . Photographic Design 1 & 2. Dance . Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, level 1 or 2. Elective

42. 2008 Spring Dance Show “ Beyond Limits” April 24 & 25 May 2 & 3

43. Fine Arts: Theatre Matthew DeMeritt, Director of Theatre 3 Choices for 9th Grade. Theatre I Acting For Film Technical Theatre I (actually either a technology or fine art course. This includes hands-on experience with various aspects of technical theatre) 3 Major After-School Productions. Student directed shows throughout the year. Summer Theatre, “Seussical”, June 16 thru July 12. April 20 application deadline. For info, call: 513-2444. Elective

44. Technology (2 year Grad. Reqr.) Chairs: D. Fugate, T. McElhatton, J. Wiebe Computer Studies Computer Software. (MS Office, Adobe, Corel, Macromedia products). Includes web design tools. This ON-LINE course is required for graduation , unless a student-- a. has taken Computer 1 at VCJH, or b. passes the MS Office Challenge Test, or c. takes an MS Office summer course. -------------------- Server Scripting/Beginning Progamming. (prerequisite: Computer Software). Robotics. Elective

45. Technology (2 year Grad. Reqr.) Chairs: D. Fugate, T. McElhatton, J. Wiebe Summer strategy: Consider the Challenge Tests; for more info: [email_address] Other Tech Electives: Journalism (should have strong English skills) Introduction to Radio Broadcasting Art of Filmmaking Introduction to Film/TV/Video Elective

46. General Electives Scriptwriting (developing scripts for film and television). Study Hall (no credit). Guided Study Hall ( credit). 8 th Class (a third elective choice; an additional one-seventh approximate tuition charge). Takes the place of the typical Optional Tutorial. Elective

47. The Basic Schedule: 5 Required Classes, 2 Electives Christianity In Our Culture/OT Global Studies 1 English Math P.E. or Strength & Conditioning Choose TWO from the following: ** Science ** Foreign Lang. ** Fine Art ** Technology ** General Elective

48. 5. P.E./Athletics (2 year Grad. Reqr.) Eric Scharrenberg, Vice-Pres. of Athletics P.E. is required* in 9th Grade through either of these two choices: Boy’s P.E., Girl’s P.E. (with Health). Strength/Conditioning (with Health). Prerequisite: participation in VCHS after school sports, VCHS Coach’s recommendation at the start of school. Preparing for Sports (note: VCHS offers physicals May 27, 6-9 pm, approx. $40. Call 513-2455 to sign up) Summer Sports Camps * Conservatory students in Marching Band are not required to take P.E.

49. 9th Grade Orientation, F.A.S.T. TRAK 9:00 am - 12:30 pm, August 13-14 Friendship Building Activities Presentations on High School Life (Staff & Student Leaders) Registration, Pictures, Lockers, Schedules, etc. Lunch!

50. Question & Answer Scott Wessling: 513-2409 or wessling@vcs.net