Sophomore Registration News

SOPHOMORE REGISTRATION NEWS Registering for Junior Year 2017-2018

Return your registration form your counselor’s office or English teacher by Friday, December 16th. You will have an individual appointment with your counselor to review your course selections, credits, GPA and career plans. These appointments will occur throughout the month of January during your lunch period in the tutoring room off of the commons.

You must have 24 credits to be a Junior.

Required to enroll in: English 11 U.S. History 3rd year of Mathematics 3rd year of Science PE or eligible exemption (limited reasons to exempt) Pathway Elective (elective within your Academy) Completing other requirements: Are there any failed courses you need to make up? If you have failed a course that is a graduation requirement you should consider Night School or Summer School—See your counselor if you are interested in night school or summer school registration. Cost is $170 per course. Spring Night School registration deadline is January 12th. Data Portfolio Sheets: You have been provided with an individualized sheet of your test scores, grades, and teacher recommendations. Use this information to help you make good decisions about the courses you would like to take for next year. Advanced Placement (AP)  Each student receiving a passing grade in an AP class will be given an extra quality point for those classes for determination of GPA and class rank.  There are no longer Honors options if there is an AP option offered (English and US History).  AP courses are challenging courses. If you have never taken an Honors or AP course in high school, please carefully consider this option before signing up for the class. Discuss your choice with your teachers, counselor, and parents before choosing these courses.  Students enrolling in AP courses are required to take the AP Exam at the end of the school year in attempt to earn college credit.  Students signing up for an AP course should complete an AP agreement form (available from the counselor). Minimum Coursework Recommended for College Admission 4 years English 3 years math including Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 or College Algebra 3 years science 3 years social studies 2 years of the same foreign language (or art, music, theater, or CTE courses in some cases) Rigorous full course schedule

High School Planning Guide: The High School Planning Guide is a resource to help you select your classes. It includes Academy/Pathway information, Graduation Requirements, Dual Credit opportunities, NCAA eligibility information, and much more. All descriptions of courses, including prerequisites, are listed in the High School Planning Guide. You can access the guide on the Guilford home page or on the RPS website. Go to www.rps205.com. In the Resources for Students Section (lower left side of page), click “High School Planning Guide”. Pathway Electives vs. Other Electives: Pathway Elective: This is an elective that you will take within your academy. You must take a minimum of ONE pathway elective each year. For each year of high school, you will take an elective class within your Academy Pathway. This sequence of courses is designed to help make you more prepared for a specific career area. Elective: Any other elective you choose based on personal interest or preparation for beyond high school. Your global electives may be within your chosen Academy, but they can be outside too.

OFF CAMPUS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR JUNIORS THAT REQUIRE APPLICATIONS: **All programs require your own transportation.  Medical Science (Certified Nursing Assistant Program at Rockford Memorial Hospital): Two-hour class that combines classroom work with hands-on experience in hospital and nursing home settings. Test for state CNA licensure at the end of the program for employability. Students must have good attendance, strong academics (especially science and math), and teacher recommendations. Complete Medical Science application and return to counselor by Friday, December 16th. Interviews will be conducted in January.  Advance Now Career Training Programs through RVC. If you are interested in an Advance Now program (see bottom of the long white sheet of course offerings), o The first step is to complete the RVC application. Please submit the RVC application to your counselor with your course selection sheet by Friday, December 16th. o The 2nd step is to complete the Rock Valley College placement test. You should plan to complete these tests by Friday, January 27th. o The tuition for these programs is free. But, students would be responsible for various fees, textbooks and transportation. There is a contract that must be signed stating that you will be responsible for tuition fees if you withdraw from the program after April 2017.

Courses requiring permission to enroll: Some courses require a teacher’s or coach’s permission to enroll in the course. Some courses require an audition. Others require an application. These courses are listed with an asterisk (*) on the long white course selection sheet. For these options, please list a “back-up choice” for the course in case you are not selected for the class.

Athletic Eligibility (IHSA sport): Students must pass 5 classes the previous semester to participate in a sport. Students must be passing a minimum of 5 courses each week during the semester to remain eligible.

Request to Change your Academy: If you feel that you have made the wrong choice in Academy, you can apply to change Academies. The change would take place at the end of sophomore year (as you must finish the courses in your current schedule). To apply to change, you must complete the “Change of Academy Request Form” and get all the appropriate signatures. Please keep in mind that you may be behind in coursework for your new chosen pathway within the new Academy and may have to double-up on pathway coursework to finish the sequence of courses in your pathway.

A Note about Junior Year: Some people think junior year is the most difficult year of high school. Courses get more difficult...there is a heavy load of required coursework...stakes are higher as you become closer to the time of applying for college and your future. Please balance your responsibilities carefully when selecting your coursework for junior year, and work on establishing good study habits during sophomore year to make yourself ready for the next challenge!