Transitioning to High School and PWCS Specialty Programs
What is my path? Get to know your Professional School Counselor It is EXTREMELY important for you to know who your school counselor is and what the school counseling office has to offer. Ask about: • Scholarships • After school programs • Clubs and activities • Community activities • Help with organization and time management Counselors are here to HELP YOU! Use Your Resources
Available resources to enhance success: ✓Student Agenda ✓Parent Vue ✓Canvas ✓After-School Tutoring ✓Parents ✓Teachers ✓Counselors Graduation Requirements
The state of Virginia offers two types of diplomas to general education* students:
STANDARD DIPLOMA
ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA
Note: You will receive a standard unit course credit when you pass a class. The credit is considered verified when you pass the end of course Standards of Learning Test. *Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive an “Applied Studies” diploma. Standard Diploma
STANDARDS CREDITS - 22 VERIFIED CREDITS - 5 Subject Credits Needed Subject Credits Needed English 4 English 2 Math 3 Math 1 Science 3 Science 1 Social Studies 3 Social Studies 1 Health/PE 2 Other Graduation Requirements World Lang/Fine Arts/CTE 2 **CTE Credentialing Exam or One Advanced Class Econ/Finance 1 Virtual Course (typically earned in Economics and Personal Finance) Electives 4* CPR/First Aid/AED requirement (can be earned in HPE I or HPE II)
*Courses to satisfy this requirement must include 2 sequential electives.
**CTE = Career and Technical Education Advanced Studies Diploma
STANDARDS CREDITS - 26 VERIFIED CREDITS - 5 Subject Credits Needed Subject Credits Needed English 4 English 2 Math 4 Math 1 Science 4 Science 1 Social Studies 4 Social Studies 1 Health/PE 2 Other Graduation Requirements World Lang 2+2 or 3 **CTE Credentialing Exam or One Advanced Class Econ/Finance 1 Virtual Course (typically earned in Economics and Personal Finance) Electives 3 or 4* CPR/First Aid/AED requirement (can be earned in HPE I or HPE II)
*Courses to satisfy this requirement must include 1 Fine Arts or CTE credit and two sequential electives.
**CTE = Career and Technical Education Standards of Learning Tests (SOL)
Advanced Diploma Standard Diploma SOL Subjects SOL Courses Verified Credit Verified Credit Requirement Requirement
English English 11 2 2 Reading & Writing
Mathematics Algebra I 1 1 Geometry Algebra II Science Biology I 1 1 Earth Science Chemistry World History World History I 1 1 World History II US/VA History
Total 5 5 Transcripts
• A transcript is an academic resume for life after high school. This is a long-term academic record that follows the student from school-to- school, county-to-county, state-to-state throughout the high school experience. • The information on transcripts includes course history, demonstrated rigor, credits earned, GPA, and class percentile. • Freshman year is as important as any other year. • Transcripts sometimes start in middle school with Algebra I and foreign language classes. Promotion Requirements
Entering 9th Grade Successful completion of eighth grade
Entering 10th Grade Five credits, three of which must be in required courses for graduation
Entering 11th Grade Eleven credits, six of which must be in required courses for graduation
Entering 12th Grade Sixteen credits, nine of which must be in required courses for graduation High School Specialty Programs
Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty Program The Cambridge Programme Center for Applied Sciences, Interactive, and Information Technology (CASIIT) Center for Biotechnology and Engineering Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Center for International Studies and Languages International Baccalaureate Programme Pre-Governor’s School @ Osbourn Park Specialty Program Application Deadline
FEBRUARY 1, 2021 County-Wide Specialty Program Information Sessions
• October 27- Virtual Session HS, 7:00 pm • October 29- Virtual Session HS, 7:00 pm • November 5 – Session for English Language Learners
Check the HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES guide for more information. Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers two types of programs:
Transfer and Transport Transfer Participation in the following programs requires a full-time transfer to the school:
• Agriculture: Brentsville HS • Medical Coding & Billing: Freedom • Automotive Technology: Hylton HS, HS Osbourn Park HS • Electricity: Unity Reed HS • Aviation Maintenance: Unity Reed • Plumbing: Gar-Field HS HS, Woodbridge HS • Television Production: Hylton HS • Biomedical Sciences/Project Lead the • Welding: Potomac HS (also transport Way: Osbourn Park HS for Eastern end of PWCS) • Building Trades: Patriot HS • Pharmacy Technician: TBD • Cabinetmaking: Hylton HS • Cybersecurity: Potomac HS
The transfer program application deadline is February 1, 2021. Transport
Participation in the following programs requires transportation by bus from your base school to attend required classes at the program location:
• Cosmetology: Stonewall Jackson HS or Woodbridge HS (you will not use the transport option if you are already attending Stonewall Jackson HS or Woodbridge HS) • Culinary Arts: Patriot HS or Potomac HS • Firefighting: Osbourn Park HS or Unity Reed HS • Practical Nursing: Osbourn Park HS
The transport program application deadlines are March 15, 2021. School Information Nights – no transfers for site-based courses
Battlefield HS
• CASIIT Information Nights: • Thursday, December 3rd, 7:00pm • Thursday, January 7th, 7:00pm
• Center for Applied Sciences, Interactive, and Information Technology (CASIIT)
Site-Based Courses • Course in Criminal Justice • Air Force JROTC School Information Nights –
Brentsville District High School
November 18, 2020 January 13, 2021 7:00 pm
• Center for Cambridge Programme • Agriculture/Horticulture Program School Information Nights –
C.D. Hylton High School
Information Night(s) TBD
• Center for International Studies and Languages (CISL) • Auto Technology Program • Cabinetmaking Program • Television Production Program
Site-Based Course • Air Force JROTC School Information Nights – Info nights are for CFPA only; no transfers for site-based courses Colgan High School
November 16, 2020 Virtual – Time and Link TBD
• Center for Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) *Application deadline is December 7, 2020.
Site-Based Courses • Course in Game Design and Development • Course in Criminal Justice School Information Nights –
Forest Park High School
November 16, 2020 January 11, 2021
• Information Technology Program
Site-Based Course • Army JROTC School Information Nights – no transfers for site-based courses Freedom High School
Information Night(s) TBD
• Center for Environmental and Natural Science • Medical Coding & Billing
Site-Based Courses • Air Force JROTC • Course in Criminal Justice School Information Nights –
Gar-Field High School Virtual Information Night(s) October 22nd (Thursday) 7:00-8:00pm November 17th (Tuesday) 7:00-8:00pm
• International Baccalaureate Programme • Law and Public Safety • Environmental Engineering • Plumbing Program
• Site-Based Course • Marine Corps JROTC School Information Nights – no transfers for site-based courses Osbourn Park High School
Information Night(s) TBD
• The Center for Biotechnology and Engineering • The Pre-Governor’s School • Auto Technology Program • Fire Fighting (transport) • PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program • Practical Nursing (only rising seniors may apply)
Site-Based Courses • Navy JROTC • Course in Computer Integrated Manufacturing School Information Nights –
Patriot High School
November 17, 2020 – Virtual, 6:00 pm January 12, 2021 – Auditorium (subject to change, virtual if needed)
• Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty Program • Building Trades Program • Culinary Arts Program (transport) School Information Nights – no transfers for site-based courses Potomac High School
November 2020 (date TBD)
• Cambridge Programme • Culinary Arts Program (transport) • Cybersecurity Program • Welding Program (transfer; transport available for eastern end of PWCS)
Site-Based Courses • Navy JROTC • Course in Criminal Justice School Information Nights –
Unity Reed High School
Wednesday, Nov. 18th @ 6:00 PM (Virtual) & Thursday, Jan. 7th @ 6:00 PM (Location TBD)
• International Baccalaureate Programme • Aviation Maintenance • Electricity • Cosmetology Program (transport) • Fire Fighting (transport)
Site-Based Courses • Air Force JROTC • PLTW Engineering • Student Leadership School Information Nights –
Woodbridge High School
November 19, 2020 and January 19, 2021 6:30-8 pm
• Advanced Placement Scholars Specialty Program (transfer) • Aviation Maintenance • Cosmetology (transport)
Site-Based Course • Army JROTC • Student Leadership JROTC Programs
• All high schools, with the exception of Brentsville, Colgan, Patriot, Gainesville HS, have a JROTC program. Information may be available at the information night programs. • Brentsville, Colgan, Patriot, and Gainesville HS students have the following options for transfer based on application and available space:
Base School Transfer Location Brentsville Unity Reed Patriot Battlefield or Unity Reed
Colgan Osbourn Park
Gainesville HS Unity Reed Governor’s School @ Innovation Park
• To prepare for Governor’s School students may wish to apply to the Pre- Governor’s School program at Osbourn Park. However, students from any Prince William County High School may apply to the program. • Students must complete Algebra I prior to entering high school to be eligible for the program. It is recommended students complete Geometry before high school as well. What does all this mean for me?
Take careful thought when applying for a specialty program: 1. Will I follow the program until the end? 2. Do I meet the qualifications for the program? 3. Can I manage my time wisely to complete this program successfully? 4. Will this program better prepare me for my next steps in life? 5. Will my decision to transfer schools effect my eligibility to play sports?
Every high school in PWCS will provide you with a World Class education!