This document provides information for rising 9th grade students at Sequoyah High School about class scheduling and requirements for the upcoming school year. It explains that core classes (Math, English, Science) will be determined by middle school performance and grades. It provides a sample 9th grade schedule and outlines graduation requirements. It also discusses elective options, extracurricular activities, and some of the differences between middle and high school academics and policies. The document aims to help students prepare for the transition to high school.

1. Sequoyah High School
Rising 9th Grade Student Advisement
Class of 2026

2. Welcome, Introduction,
Purpose

3. Graduation Requirements

4. Your grades in middle school matter!
Work hard to keep those grades up!
How does the high school decide
what core classes you will take?
(Math, English, Science)
• Milestone scores from 7th
grade
• Current level of classes
• Current grades
• Lexile Scores

5. Do the classes you are in right now matter? Yes! The classes you are in now determine
which classes you can take in the 9th grade. Courses are offered in a specific sequence.
Students will have additional opportunities
to take Honors (and AP) courses as they
progress through high school.

8. Social Studies is not required for 9th
graders.
However, those students who enjoy social studies and do well in Advanced SS 8 are encouraged to take
advantage of two of the only Honors/AP opportunities for 9th graders!

9. Sample
9th Grade
Schedule
• 9th Lit/Comp
• Algebra 1, Geometry or ACCEL Math
• Environmental Science or Biology
• Lunch
• Health (1/2 year), Personal Fitness (1/2 year)
• Elective (You will request this class.)
• Elective (You will request this class.)
“Connections” classes will be called “Electives” in
high school.
Check out our electives video on our web site
located under Student Services, then Class
Information!

10. Based on a student’s Career plan these units may
be all in one area, one in each area, or a
combination.
*Students planning to enter or transfer into a 4
year college/ university must take 2 years of the
same world language
CTAE/Fine Arts/World Language*
3 Elective Units Required

11. Elective
Requirements
4 units
Academic courses that are not a part of the core
requirements will count as electives.
Additional PE classes, fine arts, career tech, etc.

12. What is a high school transcript and why
should I care?

13. What are some of the biggest differences between
middle school and high school?
Academics….Freedom & Responsibility…Promotion/Retention Policy…Extracurricular
Activities…Lunches…Lockers…Attendance…TAA (Teachers as Advisors) - Homeroom

14. Academics
• All grades count!
• Failed classes must be recovered
(taken AGAIN).
Freedom & Responsibility
• More freedom = more responsibility
Promotion/Retention
• You must earn 5 units (including
Math, English, & Science) to move
from 9th to 10 grade
• GA Milestone exams (in May) count
as 20% of your final grade in the 2nd
semester “B” portion of the course
Extracurricular Activities
• Get involved!
• Clubs, sports, community service,
etc.

15. Lunch
• An hour-long lunch/two
cafeterias/sit wherever you want/NO
leaving campus
Lockers
• YES (no fee)
Attendance
• Credit is not awarded after 6
absences in a class period
• Tardies count toward your absences
TAA (Teachers as Advisors) - Homeroom
• Assigned by grade level
• Meet once a week (Wednesdays
between 1st and 2nd period)
• Participate in activities, disseminate
information, earn .5-unit elective
credit

18. Takeaways
1. English, Math, Science - based on
student performance
2. Personal Fitness/Health – graduation
requirements
3. Two electives – Students rank top four
choices
4. Find a place to plug in
5. BALANCE is KEY
Check out our extracurricular activities at
Sequoyah by visiting the Extracurricular link
located on the SHS website, under Student
Services, then Class Information.

19. Course Request Timeline
Monday, 1/24 – Rising 9th grade advisement in 8th grade
SS classes
Wednesday, 1/26 – CANCELLED –
Evening Elective Fair at SHS, 6:30-7:30
(Due to Covid restrictions)
Wednesday, 2/2 – Additional Parent Info Mtg at SHS –
CANCELLED – Optional online Q & A session with high
school counselors from 6:30-7:30.
Tuesday, 2/8 – Arena Registration at DRMS
Late March/early April: Course Recommendation
Request forms sent home for parent/student review
Students: click below to complete a
Class of 2026 Survey.
A link to this survey will be located on
the Upcoming Freshman Information
site (located under Student Services,
then Class Information).

20. Go Chiefs!!!
Let the journey begin!
We can’t wait to accompany
you on your new adventure as
a high school student!