PORTER RIDGE �HIGH SCHOOL’S

Rising 9^th Grade Welcome Voyage

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Porter Ridge High School

Core Values

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Rigor

Relevance

Relationships

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What to Expect for High School Students

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Career Exploration

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Learn to make good decisions

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Set personal & academic goals

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Contribute positively to school & community

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College Readiness

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Students transition to Independence

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Student choice in courses & levels

Student involvement in areas of passion & strength

Overview of Credits & Schedule

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• Four by Four Block
• Fall Semester (Aug. - Jan.) - 4 classes
• Spring Semester (Jan. - June) - 4 classes
• A/B day classes
• 85 minute class periods
• 30 minute Advisory on Tues. & Thurs.
• Final Exams in every class the last 5 days of each semester
• Final Grade is the average of the 3 six week report cards (25% each) and final exam grade (25% of total grade)
• GPA - Grade Point Average begins

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Athletics

PRHS competes in the SCC 4-A Conference

Athletics

• Upon entering high school, each student has 8 semesters of eligibility.
• To remain remain eligible:
• Must have a current physical and be approved on FamilyID
• Must pass at least 75% of classes in previous semester
• Cannot miss more than 15% of classes. This includes both excused and unexcused absences.

Band

Band of Pirates

• Marching Band
• Symphonic Band
• Jazz Band
• Color Guard
• Winter Guard
• Winds Ensemble

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A Community of over 200 Students

Host the Pirate Cove Classic with 30 Schools

Superior Ratings at State Performance Assessments

Domestic and International Travel

Collaborates with all Sports and After School Activities

Overview of Credits & Schedule

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• Attendance matters and students should be in school EVERY period EVERY day
• Attendance is taken every period: not on a daily basis
• In HS it is the student’s responsibility to talk to the teacher and get any work missed and meet the teacher’s makeup work timeline
• If a Student fails a course required for graduation, they have to repeat it and pass the course.
• Student-Athletes MUST maintain certain attendance requirements to stay eligible

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HS Graduation Requirements

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English I, II, III, IV

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Math I, II, III, 4th Math - Math IV, Discrete, AP Stats, or AP Pre-Calculus

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Earth Science, Biology, and a Physical Science - Chemistry, Physics, or Physical Science

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Health/PE

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NEW - Art Course

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World History, American History, Civics Literacy, and Economics and Personal Finance

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*World Language - 2 Levels could be needed to attend four year college or university.

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Maximum Potential

Four Years = 32 Credits - 4 = 28 Credits

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*22 Credit Option available

Overview of Credits & Schedule

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In High School Courses may be taught at different levels that result in different quality points in GPA

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College Prep (CP)

• these courses provide the basic skills and standards needed for college readiness

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Honors (HN)

• these courses provide increased rigor and cover topics more in depth

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Advanced Placement (AP)

• these courses are college level and require more independence, go into intensive depth, and require greater analytical skills

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Career & College Promise (CCP)

• most CCP classes are college credit, but some may be Honors, and a few may be College Prep

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Your Current 8th grade teachers will be asked to make a recommendation for the course and course level that they thought would both challenge you and that you have shown that you can be successful in. These courses are already pre-selected for you.

Over the next few slides we review the general patterns that appear to be successful for students.

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Over the next few slides we review the general patterns that appear to be successful for students. These are only patterns and you may make a different choice for your child.

If your child is currently in… We see most success in....

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English Options

Over the next few slides we review the general patterns that appear to be successful for students. These are only patterns and you may make a different choice for your child.

If your child is currently in… We see most success in....

Math Options

• Foundations of Math 1

& Math 1 CP

Pre-Algebra

(if Math is a weaker subject for your student)

• Math I CP

Pre-Algebra (A, B, or C) OR

Transitional Algebra (C or D)

Over the next few slides we review the general patterns that appear to be successful for students. These are only patterns and you may make a different choice for your child.

If your child is currently in… We see most success in....

Science Options

If your child is currently in… We see most success in....

Over the next few slides we review the general patterns that appear to be successful for students. These are only patterns and you may make a different choice for your child.

Social Studies Options

8th Grade SS

(and in 8th grade ELA)

A or B

8th Grade SS

(and in English 1)

• World History Honors

• Civics Literacy Honors

• Health/PE (Required)
• Electives
• Weightlifting
• Sports Medicine
• Lifetime Sports (yoga)

HEALTH AND PE

• Band
• Chorus
• Tech Theatre
• Theatre
• Visual Art

ARTS COURSE

World Language Electives

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• PRHS has created Career Pathways to help assist students in selecting courses throughout their high school years
• These 14 pathways are to help students prepare for their future studies and a career
• Each pathway includes careers students can explore and related courses offered at PRHS and in UCPS
• Careers listed vary in educational requirements
• To learn more about PRHS Career Pathways, please visit our PR website under the Academics tab or https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/domain/1990

Pathways of Interest Guide Student Elective Choices

PRHS has a host of career pathways that support students as they select their courses throughout their high school years. Each of these pathways includes careers students can explore and related courses offered at PR. These pathways assist students in choosing courses as they prepare for future studies and the workforce. Future studies may include four year college, community college, military, technical schools , or on the job training. Porter Ridge HS believes that providing options for focused areas of study in high school students can best prepare themselves for both college and career options.

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Career Pathways

ROTC

The AFJROTC mission is to develop citizens of character, dedicated to serving their nation and community. The goal of the program is to instill in high school cadets the values of: citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.

NC-955's goals are to instill core values to build good citizens, hard-working followers, and strong involved leaders who set the example for others.

PRHS students are a part of the AFJROTC program that serves both PRHS and PHS.

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Major Chadrick Richardson is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor (SASI), and teaches:

• Aviation History
• Science of Flight
• Exploration of Space
• Cultural Studies and Global Awareness
• Management of the Cadet Corps
• Drill and Ceremonies
• Physical Fitness

MSgt Catrina Colvin is the Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI), and teaches Leadership Education. Her courses include:

• Traditions, Wellness, and Foundations of Citizenship
• Communication, Awareness, and Leadership
• Life Skills and Career Opportunities
• Principles of Management
• Management of the Cadet Corps
• Drill and Ceremonies
• Physical Fitness

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Career Academies at PRHS

Culinary Arts

TeachUCPS

Porter Ridge High School

Teaching As a Profession Academy

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Course Sequence

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Sophomore - Child Development

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Junior Year - Teaching as a Profession I Honors

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Senior Year (2nd Semester) - Teaching as a Profession II & III Honors

New Career Academy at PRHS

Example of Ninth Grade Schedule

• Exceptional Children are served through an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). Transition meetings will be held at PRMS and a PRHS representative will be there. PRMS will contact you regarding these meetings.
• Outside of the traditional course of study, PRHS has two other programs - Occupational Course of Study, and Transition to Adulthood. Our Special Needs Administrator can provide more information about these programs.
• Students with 504 plans are served and our School Counselors serve as Case Managers
• Students who are Multi Language Learners receive services according to their ML plan.

Student Support in High School

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• PRHS has a Student Support Team (called PReSS) that uses data along with Teacher, Student, Counselor, and Parent feedback to support struggling students.
• School Counselors in HS are available for appointments with student struggling with social, academic, or family issues.
• PRHS has a Social Worker and Behavioral Health Therapist to support student needs.

Student Support in High School

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• All Students are assigned to an Advisor who will be with them all four years. Each advisor gets to know these approximately 25 students well during our twice a week Pirate Advisory. Students participate in weekly Advisory meetings that focus on study skills, Portrait of a Graduate skills, college preparation, career exploration, academic advising, resume building, social skills, emotional well-being, healthy choices, motivational sessions, communication with others, and much more. Advisory activities are differentiated by grade level.
• PRHS is the only Leadership High School in UCPS!

Student Support in High School

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• All Students participate in lessons revolving around Leadership. A Lead Team of both Staff and Students lead this effort to create interesting lessons that are appropriate to all student needs. PRHS utilizes the Leader in Me framework which focuses students on developing Effective Habits:
• Be Proactive
• Begin with the End in Mind
• Put 1st Things 1st
• Think Win-Win
• Seek First to Understand Then to Be Understood
• Synergize
• Sharpen the Saw
• Porter Ridge High School is in our seventh year of implementation. As students move through these studies, that all students participate in, they will have the opportunity to take an assessment prior to graduating that can lead to a Leadership Certification and all students will compile a Leadership Portfolio that they can use for College or Career.

PRHS is a Leadership High School

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Portrait of a Graduate

Students create a leadership portfolio during their HS years that showcases their graduate skills, activities, and goals.

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• All Teachers hold office hours to support students in their courses.
• All Teachers utilize Canvas as the online learning platform for resources and materials, in addition to in class and paper/pencil activities.
• All Students have access career exploration and/or college exploration tools.
• Student-Athletes are supported by the Coaches, AD, and one of our counselors, Mr. Bryan James, who supports student-athlete specific needs with NCAA.
• Student Clubs and Special Interest Activities provide opportunities for students to create relationships with others and foster interests and talents at school. Each group has a Faculty Advisor that supports the goals of the students in the groups.

Student Support in High School

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• College Prep (CP) - Standard level courses to prepare for college.
• Honors (HN) - These courses demand greater independence and contain more challenging material than College Prep Level courses.
• Advanced Placement (AP) – Course content, pace, and academic rigor are college-level as adopted by the College Board and prepare students to take the AP examinations which may lead to college credit. This course requires the highest level of independence.

Course Levels Available During HS

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What is it? AP Capstone™ is a diploma program from the College Board. It’s based on two year long AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.

Rather than teaching subject-specific content, these courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.

Students would be enrolled in a cohort in their Junior year at PRHS.

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PRHS is an AP Capstone School

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• College Transfer Pathway
• 11th and 12th Grade
• Unweighted GPA of 2.8 on high school courses or demonstrate college readiness in English, Reading, and Math on ACT, PreACT, PSAT, or SAT.
• Career and Technical Education Certificate
• Same as above but if not…
• Have recommendation of high school principal or designee
• And recommendation from SPCC Chief Academic Officer or Chief Student Development Administrator

Career and College Promise

South Piedmont Community College

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Students willing to do the work CAN earn their Associate’s Degree in HS…

• Career and Technical Education Certificate
• 9th and 10th grade
• Have recommendation of high school principal or designee and recommendation from SPCC Chief Academic Officer or Chief Student Development Administrator
• And Pass Math I with a grade of C or better
• And Score 3, 4, or 5 on EOC Assessment for Math I
• And Score 3, 4, or 5 on End of Grade ELA assessment
• And Enroll in Engineering, Industrial, Agriculture and Natural Resources, or Transportation Systems, Construction and Business Technologies Program (No College Transfer Pathway courses)

Career and College Promise

South Piedmont Community College

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Grade Point Average

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• Used to determine Class Rank
• Used by colleges for admission decisions
• Used to determine eligibility for Career and College Promise Program, scholarships, honor society membership, graduation honors, and athletic eligibility

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• Students may take 1 elective course pass/fail per year, however, ANY class required to graduate CAN NOT be taken as a Pass/Fail.
• This opportunity was created to allow students to try a course in an area they have not tried before without it negatively affecting gpa. Some students use this option to buffer their gpa if they take a course only offered at the CP level when the majority of their courses are at a higher level.
• In order to take a class Pass/Fail you MUST request it in the first 10 days of the semester. There are NO exceptions to this rule.
• The Program of Studies also provides information on other HS opportunities such as Grade Replacement and Suppression. While these are good opportunities for students should they fail a course or do more poorly than they should have, they also take the place of another course and they should be used only in certain circumstances and after you discuss with your counselor. This is not something you need now, but you should familiarize yourself with it.
• The Program of Studies is a book of course and program descriptions, but it also contains the rules and guidelines for HS courses and gpa. It is available on the website and parents/students should use it as a resource.

Pass/Fail Option

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• The English, Math, Science and Social Studies course recommended by your students teacher will already be on your child’s course card.
• Elective courses are processed by a computer system for placement, but give Seniors priority in choice, then Juniors, then Sophomores, then Freshmen. If we cannot give you an elective you asked for you will see “Please See Your Counselor” when schedules are finalized in mid-August. There will be times that you can speak with your counselor to see what is available and choose a different course. Virtually all HS students end up taking a course that was not their first or second choice, and sometimes they may even discover a new interest. HS is the time to try out different areas of study.

Course Selection Process for HS

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Clubs & Special Interests

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• Battle of the Books
• Beta Club
• Book Club
• Computer Sci Club
• Creative Writing
• Debate Club
• FBLA
• FCCLA
• FFA
• Film Club
• French Club
• Gaming Club
• GSA Club
• Gov’t Studies Club
• Graphic Design Club
• Growing Green
• HOSA
• Interact Club
• Knitting & Crocheting

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• Latin Club
• Mu Alpha Theta
• MHA-SAVES Club
• National Art Honor
• National English Honor
• National Honor Society
• National Science Honor
• Philosophy Club
• Pirates for Christ
• Rho Kappa (SS Honor)
• Ridge Rowdies
• Robotics Club
• Spanish Club
• Theatre Castaways
• Umoja
• Chorus
• Marching Band
• Color Guard

• Please visit club & special interest groups on our website.
• Students can sign up for Clubs at the start of Ninth Grade during our Club Fair

#WeRPR

#URPR

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Follow PRHS Instagram

• @porterridgehs
• @prhs.piratenation
• @prhs_athletics_
• @prhscounseling
• @prbandofpirates

Follow PRHS on

• PRHS Website
• PRHS Facebook
• PRHS Band Website
• Weekly Pirate Press

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#Committed

#InItTogether