INFORMATION FOR INCOMING 9TH GRADERS
CLASS of 2023
WHS Freshman Academy
Directed by Dr. Todd Novak
Students will be part of a team
Study/Lunches are with team teachers
Two Primary Goals:
1. Students pass all of their classes
2. Each student will become involved in high school student life (activities, sports, fine arts, clubs, events, etc)
Terms That New Students Should Know
Credit: The value given to a course. 1.0 or .5
Required Course: A course you MUST take and complete to graduate from high school. Remember to sign up for both sections of a year-long course (A & B)
Elective: A course you select that interests you or can prepare for future learning and career aspirations.
Selective: A series of courses in a content area that satisfy graduation requirements. English Example: Advanced Placement (AP), Creative Writing, British Literature, Mod. Literature, Advanced Composition, etc
Pre-requisite: A course you take before another; example: Drawing or Exploring Visual Art before 3D Design... Spanish IA before Spanish IB
Middle School Credit
Students who have taken high school courses in 8th grade and passed will receive high school credit.
The credit will appear on your college transcript.
If a student takes a semester's worth of health in middle school, it will satisfy the high school health requirement.
Important Numbers For Freshman To Know
5.0 credits = Sophomore
11.0 credits = Junior
16.0 credits = Senior
22.0 credits = Graduation
Graduation Requirements
English- 4 credits
Social Studies- 3 credits
Math- 3 credits
Science- 3 credits
Fine Arts- 1 credit
Physical Education- .5 credit
Health Requirement- taken either in middle school or .5 credit in high school
Economics/Personal Finance- .5 credit
World Language or CTE combination- 1 credit
Electives- 6 credits
Total Minimum- 22 credits
Example of Personal Learning Plan (PLP): 9th Grade Sample
English IA/ English IB
Algebra IA/ Algebra IB
Biology A/ Biology B
World Geography/ P.E.
Fine Art/ Elective or Health
World Language or CTE/ World Language or CTE
Example of Personal Learning Plan (PLP) :10th Grade Sample
English IIA/ English IIB
Geometry A/ Geometry B
Chemistry A/ Chemistry B
World History/ Speech or Debate
World Language or CTE/ World Language or CTE
Elective/ Elective
Example of Personal Learning Plan (PLP) :11th Grade Sample
American Literature/ Composition
Algebra IIA/ Algebra IIB
Physics A/ Physics B
United States History A/ United States History B
Elective/ Elective
Elective/ Elective
Example of Personal Learning Plan (PLP) :12th Grade Sample
English Selective/ Government
Social Studies Selective/ Economics or Personal Finance
Additional Math/ Additional Math
Additional Science/ Additional Science
Elective/ Elective
Elective/ Elective
Summer Opportunities
Connections Class
•10 days in the summer at WHS (Pick one)
•Study Skills and all kinds of activities
•Walk into high school on that first day ready for the jump to high school!
•Talk to your Middle School Counselor for information
•Cost: $150; earn .5 credit
Summer School
•Located at CTE Academy (I-29 & West Madison Street)
•Attendance is mandatory
•Responsible for own transportation
•More information in the counseling office and on the SFSD website.
•Cost: $150 per ½ credit; $110 for reduced; $75 for free lunch
