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HYATTSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL�EIGHTH GRADE �HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS NIGHT�OCTOBER 17, 2024

Planning for High School

and Beyond

Felicia G. Meadows, M.Ed.

8^th Grade Counselor

Felicia.meadows@pgcps.org

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HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS*�

Effective with the Graduating Class of 2025 and beyond (entering freshman of Fall 2021), graduation requirements to earn a Maryland High School diploma are as follows:

4.0 Credits – English
4.0 Credits – Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, math credit)
3.0 Credits – Social Studies (US History, LSN Government, World History)
3.0 Credits – Biology and 2 other lab sciences
1.0 Credit – Fine arts
1.0 Credit – Computer Science, Engineering, or Technology Education
.5 Credit – Your Personal Fitness
.5 Credit – Health Issues

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HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (CONT.)

2 credits in a World Language or American Sign Language (must be same language)

2 credits in electives

Complete (4–9 credits) a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-Approved sequence of courses.

All students are required to complete 24 hours of direct service learning hours before high school graduation.

(75 total hours – 51 hours completed through Science

and Social Studies)

Attendance: 4 yrs. Beyond grade 8 (unless approved option)

*Middle school students can earn High School credit for

Math (Algebra and above) and Foreign Language (Level I and above)

Total 22 Credits

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MARYLAND COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS PROGRAM (MCAP)

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) includes an annual year-end test in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics in Grades 3-8 and high school. This is a test requirement of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. These tests are given in the spring of each year, usually in April and May. The first administration occurred in Spring 2022. According to MSDE’s Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance Reporting, students are required to participate in, but not required to pass, the assessments for Algebra 1, English 10, Life Science, and Government. As part of the Maryland Blueprint, the assessments for Algebra 1 and English 10 shall be used to determine College and Career Readiness. 13A.03.02.06 identifies Life Science and Government as having an End of Course (EOC) Exam requirement: In 2022, the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBOE) approved a waiver for the EOC Exam requirement for all courses in the 2022-2023 school year. The waiver states that the EOC Exams are to be counted as 20 percent of the final course grade (COMAR 13A.03.02.06.H). The MSBOE has determined that EOC exams will be implemented starting in the 2023-2024 school year. The MSDE is working to support the EOC Exams for Life Science and Government. COMAR 13A .03 .02 Graduation Requirements for Public High Schools and EOC Exam implementation are pending revisions. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all first-time 9th grade students will have the EOC Exam incorporated into their final course grades as required by 13A .03 .02 Graduation Requirements for High Schools in Maryland. Refer to the Assessment Requirements page and online to the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program website for updates regarding End of Course Exams

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SAMPLE 9^TH GRADE SCHEDULE

English 9
Algebra or Geometry*
Science – Integrating the Sciences or Biology
Social Studies – U.S. History
P.E. & Health, Fine Art or World Language

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 3 P’S�

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DREAMS AND REALITIES?

Planning
Preparation
Persistence

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WHY PLAN?�THE TIME TO START PLANNING IS NOW!!!

Middle School is the time for students to start exploring careers

Career Assessments (SchoolLinks)
Service Learning Opportunities
Elective Courses

High School is the time for students to start PLANNING and PREPARING by investigating ALL educational options that will prepare them for a career

College Tours (Minority Access)
Career and Technical Education Programs
Service Learning Opportunities
Internships/Apprenticeships
Academic Programs

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PREPARATION IS KEY�POST-SECONDARY PLANS MATTER

College/University

Prince George’s Community College, Howard University

Tech/Trade Programs

Cosmetology, Barbering

Military

Air Force, Army

Technical School

ITT Tech, Culinary Institute

Apprenticeship

Electrician, Automotive

Entry Level Jobs

Federal Government, Private Industry

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ACADEMIES AND PROGRAMS

Science and Technology Program

Oxon Hill, Flowers and Roosevelt

Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology Program

Duval

Academy of Health Sciences and Teacher Preparation Program

Prince George’s Community College (application)

3D Scholars Program (Cybersecurity, Business and Criminal Justice)

Flowers High School (application)

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Central, Crossland, Laurel, Parkdale, Suitland (application)

Visual Performing Arts (VPA)

Suitland, Northwestern (in boundary only)

International High Schools (TBA)

Langley Park, Largo

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TOP FEEDER HIGH SCHOOLS�PROGRAMS

Northwestern

Early Childhood Education/Child Development Associate (CDA)
Business and Finance
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) - Navy
PWLT (Project Lead the Way)

Bladensburg

Consumer Services
Global Studies
Graphic Arts
Biomedical Science: Project Lead the Way
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) - Army

Parkdale

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) - Army
Business and Finance
Homeland Security

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IMPORTANT DATES�SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

Specialty Programs

https://www.pgcps.org/about-pgcps/applications/high-school-specialty-programs-chart

Science and Technology –

There is no application for current 8th Grade PGCPS students as all 8th Grade PGCPS students are considered

Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Technology –

August 1, 2024-September 16, 2024

Academy of Health Science and Teacher Preparation @ Prince George’s Community College –

PGCPS 8th Graders - October 3, 2024-December 13, 2024

3D Scholars –