This document provides an overview of the academic program at South Hadley Public Schools for parents of incoming students. It summarizes the mission statement, changes to graduation requirements, the Advanced Placement initiative, MCAS requirements, the course selection process, and updates from academic departments. Parents are encouraged to review course options and requirements and discuss their child's four-year academic plan with guidance counselors.

1. Welcome
Parents!
Academic Information
Evening
2012

2. Agenda
•Mission Statement
•Changes to Program of Studies
•AP Initiative Update
•MCAS Requirements Review
•Course Selection Process
• Academic Overview by Departments

3. Mission Statement
We pledge to create a challenging and
supportive academic community in which
each member strives to develop his/her
potential, to become a life long learner, and
to act as a responsible citizen in a diverse
and global society.

4. Advanced Placement Initiative
•Math, Science, and English are included in
MMSI Grant.
•Why AP?
2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012
# of Students Taking AP 92 178 211
Courses in Math, Science, and
English
# of AP Courses Offered 17 17 18
# of total AP Exams 153 244 276 (142)
Administered

5. Changes to Program of Studies
•Incoming 8th grade students will be required to take 4
years of English, 3 years of Science, 3 years of History, 4
years of Math, 1 year of Fine or Applied Art, and 2 years of
the same Foreign Language. 77% of current Seniors meet
this requirement.
•Grade reporting to parents will change from letter to
number grades.
•All teachers will use the iParent portal for online parental
access to student grades.

6. MCAS Requirements
•Beginning with the class of 2010, student must
score 220 or above in MCAS Science (Biology)
•Students must score 240 or above on Grade 10
ELA and Math
Or
•Students required to earn a minimum score of 220
on both ELA and Math and fulfill requirements of
an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP)

7. What is an EPP?
Educational Proficiency Plan
•
•Individualized plan focused on
strengthening a student’s English and Math
skills.
Process designed for students who have not met the proficient level (240) on either ELA or Math 10th
grade MCAS.

8. Course Selection Process
Specific Considerations
•Calendar of activities
•Graduation and College admission requirements
•Four Year Plan / Grade Highlights
•Special course/program options
•Parents’ role

9. Scheduling Activities
•Advising Day/ Teachers conference with
students regarding course levels & options.
•Academic Group Sessions/ Students
select preliminary course schedule with
guidance.
•Individual Guidance Conferences/
Course selection form reviewed.

10. 4 Year High School Plan
Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year
English English English English
Math Math Math Math / Elective
Science Science Science Science / Elective
Biology
Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies /
World History U.S. History Elective
Foreign Language Foreign Language Foreign Language / Foreign Language /
Elective Elective
Wellness/PE Phys Ed. + Elective Phys Ed. + Elective Phys Ed + Elective
+ Semester Elective
Art/Elective Art/Elective Art/Elective Art/Elective

11. Dual Enrollment
•State funded program
•Open to qualified 11th and 12th grade
students – UMass, Westfield SU, HCC,
STCC,GCC
•Application required – Spring
•Mt Holyoke College – special option for

12. VHS Courses
•Online courses available to 10th, 11th, and
12th grade students
•150 courses offered – 3 academic levels
•Application is required – April
•All courses available to students with the
exception of courses offered at SHHS
courses.

13. Parents’ Role
•Read the Course of Studies
•Review and discuss teacher recommendations
•Review the transcript
•Discuss career/college goals
•Scrutinize the proposed schedule
•Ask questions
•Sign and return CSF form.

14. Department Updates
•English
•Mathematics
•Science
•Social Studies
•Foreign Language
•Special Education
•Physical Education
•Fine & Applied Arts

15. English Course Flow Chart 2011-12
AP English Language AP English Literature and
and Composition Composition
Honors Honors
Honors English 11 Honors
English 12
English 9 English 10
College Prep College Prep College
Prep American College Prep World
English 9 English 10
Literature 11
Literature 12
•Ninth Grade Electives: Writing Workshop 9/10*, English
MCAS Prep

16. Mathematics
AP
Calculus
Honors Honors Honors
Geometry Algebra 2 Precalculus
AP
Statistics
CP CP
CP CP
Geometry Algebra 2
Algebra 1 Precalculus
Introduction
CP CP to Statistics
Algebra 1A Algebra 1B
Topics
in
Trigonometry
Math

17. Science
Grade Students potentially interestedStudents potentially interestedStudents potentially
in Engineering, Science, or in Nursing, Health, or a interested in Business, Law,
Medicine technical field or Art
Honors Biology College Prep Biology College Prep Biology
9 Honors Biology Honors Biology
Honors Chemistry College Prep Chemistry College Prep Chemistry
10
Honors Chemistry
Honors Chemistry
Honors Physics
and College Prep Physics College Prep Physics
AP Biology or AP Chemistry or elective and or
11 (Geology, Environmental Science,
Anatomy and Physiology)
Anatomy and Physiology Science elective (Geology,
Honors Physics Environmental Science, Anatomy and
Honors Physics Physiology)
AP Biology or AP Chemistry AP Biology
and and
12 Science elective (Geology, Environmental Science elective (Geology, Environmental Science elective (Geology,
Science, Anatomy and Physiology, and Science and forensics)
forensics)
Environmental Science,
Anatomy and Physiology
and forensics)

18. Social Studies Courses
9th Grade 10th Grade 11th and 12th Grade
•AP U. S. History
•AP U.S. Gov &
Politics
•Amer. Law & Trial
(Honors)
•Asian Studies
(CP or Honors)
World History •Economics
(CP or Honors) U.S. History
(CP or Honors)
(CP or Honors)
•Great Thinkers
(CP or Honors)
•Strategic Studies
(CP or Honors)
•20th Century Hist.
(CP or Honors)
•World Issues
(Honors)

19. Foreign Language Courses
Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
Spanish 3
Spanish 1
Spanish 4
Spanish 1 Spanish 2
Spanish 1 Spanish 5 AP
Spanish 2 Spanish 3
Spanish 2 Spanish 3 Spanish 4 French 1
French 1 French 2
French 1 French 1
French 2 French 3
French 2 French 2
French 4
French 3 French 3
Latin 1 French 5 AP
French 4
Latin 1
Latin 1
Latin 2 Latin 1
Latin 2
Latin 2
Latin 3
Latin 3
Latin 4
Latin 4 AP

20. Special Education Overview
•Special Ed Courses – Alt. Core English, Math,
and Reading Workshop
•Co-taught Classes – CP Biology, CP World
History, CP Alg. 1A, and CP US History
•Academic Support

21. Visual Art Options
Adv
Art 1 Art 2 Art 3
Portfolio
FOUNDATIONS
Semester Course
Pre-requisite for most
Clay & Clay &
Visual Art courses Sculpture Sculptur AP
1 e2 Studio
Art
Art History
Photography
Graphics 1 Graphics 2 Graphics 3

22. Technology Courses
Cabinetmaking I, II …….………..Full year
Wood Technology……………….....Full year
Special Projects in Wood Design …Full year
Architectural Design ………………Full year
Graphics I, II & III………………...Full year
Computer Aided Design I and II …Full year

23. Music Courses
Music Theory Fundamentals …………. ………… Semester
AP Music Theory…………………….Full year
Music History………………………… Semester
20th Century Music History ………. Semester
Electronic Music…………………………. Semester
Guitar I and II………………………. Semester
Theatre Arts ………………………….. Semester
Treble Choir…………………….……Full year – altos and sopranos
Concert Choir……………………..…Full year
Marching & Concert Band and Band Front……......Full year

24. Physical Education
• 9th grade Wellness/PE (required)
Health 2, Pers. Fitness
•10TH gradePE, Pers. Fitness
Health 2, Pers.Fitness 1 & 2
11th & 12th PE, Pers. Fitness 1&2,
Waiver Option

25. Family/Consumer Science
•Food & Nutrition – semester course
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, & 12
•Child Care/Nursery School Mt. – Full Year
Open to grades 11 & 12

26. Questions?

27. South Hadley Public Schools
“A tradition of
excellence”