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Welcome to Solon High School

#WeAre

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Welcome to Solon High School

8th Grade Orientation

THE SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

Ariel Watts A-C 349-6242 arielwatts@solonboe.org

Rick Nowak D-Ho 349-6243 ricknowak@solonboe.org

Ann Trocchio, Director Hp-Mc 349-7407 anntrocchio@solonboe.org

Kathleen Kinney Md-See 349-7307 kathleenkinney@solonboe.org

Brad Sims Sef-Z 349-6241 bradsims@solonboe.org

Jodi Lurie Student Facilitator 349-7382 jodilurie@solonboe.org

Crissy Owens SAY Social Worker 349-7296 crissyowens@solonboe.org

Jen Rooney Secretary 349-7304 jenniferrooney@solonboe.org

https://sites.google.com/solonschools.net/shsschoolcounseling/home

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SHS Department Chairs

English Laura Fitch laurafitch@solonboe.org

Math Damien Kopkas damienkopkas@solonboe.org

Science Jeff Grimm jeffreygrimm@solonboe.org

Social

Studies Sean Fisher seanfisher@solonboe.org

World

Language Betsy Beveridge betsybeveridge@solonboe.org

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SHS PROFILE

3-time National Blue Ribbon School Award winner

One of the top schools in Ohio and the nation according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings

100 National Merit Scholars and Recognition Award Winners for 2025, among the highest in Ohio and the nation: 23 National Merit Semi- Finalists, 29 National Merit Commended Scholars and an additional 48 are National Recognition Award Winners

453 SHS students and recent graduates named AP Scholars by the College Board in 2025.

1,929 AP examinations taken across 31 subject areas in 2025 with a 92 percent passage rate, qualifying Solon students for potential college credit

10 SHS seniors named 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates

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SHS Post-Secondary Selections

Four-year College &

Two-year College 95%

Business, Technical School,

Military, or Work 5%

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NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS

29% of the CLASS OF 2026
One of the highest numbers in the state

23 Semi-Finalists

29 Commended

48 National Recognition

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SHS Four-Year Advising Plan

9^th	10^th	11^th	12^th
Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation	Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation	Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation	Monitor academic progress Review course selections and credits toward graduation
PreACT AP Exams State Testing	PSAT Practice Testing PreACT AP Exams State Testing	PSAT ACT SAT AP Exams State Testing	ACT SAT AP Exams State Testing
Meet with students in the Freshman Mentoring Program. Classroom counseling. SchooLinks onboarding and career investigation.	Assist students in updating resume. Introduce EXCEL TECC. Classroom counseling. SchooLinks investigation of colleges and careers.	Assist students in completing resume. Continue career and college planning. Classroom counseling. SchooLinks use for college preparation.	Implement the college and post-SHS planning process. Applications, essays, and scholarship information. Classroom counseling.
Individual meetings to create college, career, and academic success plans.	Individual meetings to create college, career, and academic success plans.	Individual meetings to create college, career, and academic success plans.	Individual meetings to finalize college, career, and academic success plans. Transition support.

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Academic Supports

Solon High School is proud to offer academic supports and interventions to all students:

Classroom-based interventions
Peer Leaders
Peer tutoring
Guided Study Hall
Academic Labs
Academic coaching by counselors/social workers/administrators/psychologists

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�

SHS Social Emotional Learning Supports

Personal Safety Training

Mindful and Stress Reduction Training

Leadership Training

Prevention and Education Skills Small Groups

Welcome SHS (New Student Mentor Program)

Wellness Center/Mindful Room Access

Mindful Lunchroom Access

School Counseling Services and Programming

Social Worker Services

School Psychologist Services

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Requirements for all students

Complete 21

course credits

Earn competency scores on the Algebra I and ELA II exams

Earn two of twelve possible diploma seals

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Our District’s Course Requirements	Units Required
English Language Arts	4 Units
Mathematics	4 Units
Science	3 Units
Social Studies	3 Units
Financial Literacy	.5 Unit
Health	.5 Unit
Physical Education	.5 Unit
Fine Arts	1 Unit
Electives	4.5 Units

Complete 21 course credits

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English II (10)

(Competency Required)

2. Algebra 1

(Competency Required)

3. Geometry

4. Biology

5. U.S. History

6. U.S. Government

Take six required state tests

REQUIRED STATE TESTS

Changes to state tests are one of the most important new parts of earning a high school diploma in Ohio.
Beginning with the Class of 2018 – or those who become 9th graders on or after July 1, 2014, the Ohio Graduation Tests will not be required.
Instead, you will take a state test at the end of seven of your courses. That’s why we call them “end of course” tests.
The courses are algebra 1, geometry (or integrated math I and math II), biology, American history, American government, English I and English II.
These tests will give us a much clearer picture of whether we are giving you the skills and knowledge you need to be college or career ready when you graduate.
If you look at all the courses you will take in high school, you’ll find that in almost all of them you will have a final test.
In the seven courses where you take a state end-of-course test, your teachers MAY decide to use the state test to replace the usual final test for the class. The purpose is to avoid making you take more tests than you really have to.
Students studying state-approved Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or college-level courses in biology, American history or American government may take special tests for those courses in place of the end-of-course tests. Again, that’s so we can avoid having you take more than one test.
Here’s the last thing you need to know about tests: All of you, when you reach 11^th grade, will take a nationally recognized college admission test (such as the ACT or SAT). The state of Ohio will pay for you to take that test, so your parents do not have to. Taking this test will tell you and our district if you are ready for college and what you still might need to do to become ready, if you see college as an option for you.

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State Seals

Ohio Means Jobs Readiness
Industry-Recognized Credential
College-Ready
Military Enlistment
Citizenship
Science
Honors Diploma
State Seal of Biliteracy
Technology

Local Seals

Community Service
Fine & Performing Arts
Student Engagement

Earn Two Seals

REQUIRED STATE TESTS

Changes to state tests are one of the most important new parts of earning a high school diploma in Ohio.
Beginning with the Class of 2018 – or those who become 9th graders on or after July 1, 2014, the Ohio Graduation Tests will not be required.
Instead, you will take a state test at the end of seven of your courses. That’s why we call them “end of course” tests.
The courses are algebra 1, geometry (or integrated math I and math II), biology, American history, American government, English I and English II.
These tests will give us a much clearer picture of whether we are giving you the skills and knowledge you need to be college or career ready when you graduate.
If you look at all the courses you will take in high school, you’ll find that in almost all of them you will have a final test.
In the seven courses where you take a state end-of-course test, your teachers MAY decide to use the state test to replace the usual final test for the class. The purpose is to avoid making you take more tests than you really have to.
Students studying state-approved Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or college-level courses in biology, American history or American government may take special tests for those courses in place of the end-of-course tests. Again, that’s so we can avoid having you take more than one test.
Here’s the last thing you need to know about tests: All of you, when you reach 11^th grade, will take a nationally recognized college admission test (such as the ACT or SAT). The state of Ohio will pay for you to take that test, so your parents do not have to. Taking this test will tell you and our district if you are ready for college and what you still might need to do to become ready, if you see college as an option for you.

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College Entrance Recommendations�(Minimum)

4 years of English
4 years of Math

(including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry)

3 - 4 years of Science

(including Biology, Chemistry, Physics [depending

on the college] or advanced science)

3 - 4 years of Social Studies
2 - 3 years of World Language
1 year of fine, applied or performing arts

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Academic Honors Diploma�

4 credits of Math (Alg I, Geo, Alg II, and higher)
4 credits of Science (One additional unit Advanced Science)
4 credits of Social Studies
3 credits of World Language OR 2 credits each of two World Languages
3.5 GPA on 4.0 un-weighted scale (through the end of senior year)
27 ACT OR 1280 SAT (SAT combined ERW/M scores)
Earn two additional diploma seals, not including Honors Diploma Seal
Field Experience, OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal*, Portfolio or Work-Based Learning

* This is one of six Ohio Honors Diplomas. Students must meet all but one of the required criteria. Consult the Ohio Department of Education for additional information.

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Athletic Eligibility for Incoming Ninth Graders

Bylaw 4-4-4: A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of four of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled.

Bylaw 4-4-7: Summer school and other educational options may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic standards specified in Bylaw 4 during the last grading period of the school year.

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EXAMPLE OF DETERMINING ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

GRADES 9-12

Passing grades must have been earned in a minimum of five one-credit courses, or equivalent, in the grading period immediately preceding the sport. PE classes do not count toward eligibility.

Subject Grade Credit &Duration Factor Credits

English 9 A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00

Spanish 1 C 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00

P.E. P 0.50 YEAR 0 0.00

Algebra 1 B 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00

World Hist B 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00

Band A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00

Science A 1.00 YEAR 1 1.00

Total Credit 6.50 6.00 = eligible for athletics

*Must carry at least 5 classes both semesters.

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Honors & AP Courses

SHS offers 8 honors courses and 30 Advanced Placement courses.

Courses available to ninth graders include Honors English 9, Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry, Honors Biology and AP World History.

Ninth grade recommendations are made by eighth grade teachers.

CONTACT SMS teachers/school counselors for questions about grade 8 recommendations.

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WEIGHTED GRADES

GRADES FOR COURSES ARE WEIGHTED AT TWO LEVELS:

REGULAR

COURSE WEIGHT

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

COURSE WEIGHT

HONOR

COURSE WEIGHT

A = 4

B = 3

C = 2

D = 1

F = 0

A = 4.5

B = 3.375

C = 2.25

D = 1.0

F = 0

A = 5.0

B = 3.75

C = 2.5

D = 1.0

F = 0

Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam for each course in May. Many colleges award college credit and/or advancement based on AP scores upon college enrollment.

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GRADES AND GRADE REPORTS

Grades are accessible on Power School throughout the quarter to monitor student progress

End of quarter grades are accessible via PowerSchool

The same parent code and student codes from SMS will be used at SHS

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Important Scheduling Considerations

Students should choose courses that fit their academic goals and interests.

Students should follow teacher recommendations but also consider time management and aim for a healthy balance.

Students do NOT have to take honors or AP courses to be admitted to colleges and universities. Finding the right individual academic balance is most important.

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Enter the hours you plan to spend on each activity to determine how much of a course load you may be able to realistically manage.

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EXAMPLE #1 EXAMPLE #2 EXAMPLE #3 EXAMPLE #4 EXAMPLE #5

English 9 English 9 English 9 Honors English 9 English 9 Honors

Biology Biology Honors Biology Biology Biology

Algebra I Alg. 1 Conn. Honors Geometry Algebra I Honors Algebra II

World History Alg. 1 Conn. AP World History World History World History

PE/Health World History PE/Financial Lit. PE/Health PE/Financial Lit. Spanish 2 PE/PE Band or Choir Spanish I Spanish 2

Study Hall Study Hall French 2 SH/Elective Study Hall

9^th Grade Course Planning

There are seven periods in the school day. Ninth graders take at least FIVE classes each semester including a combination of Physical Education/Health/Financial Literacy.
It is highly recommended that students complete Physical Education, Health, a Social Studies elective, and Financial Literacy by the end of sophomore year.
Students must pass five classes for athletic eligibility (excluding Phys Ed).
Study Hall is recommended for ninth graders.
Course recommendations are from SMS.

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What if my child does not get the particular Physical Education class requested?

Students may take the two semester Physical Education classes at ANY TIME during their four years at SHS.

Students may choose zero period Physical Education or Health which adds a class period to the day.

Students may request a particular Physical Education class; however, scheduling constraints may dictate an alternate placement.

Alternative course selections must be submitted through the Google Form.

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�What if my child is NOT recommended for a course he or she wants to take?�

If your student decides to take a non-recommended course, you must complete the Scheduling Risk Form.

A withdrawal (WD or WF) will be denoted on the transcript if the student chooses to drop the course. Refer to the Scheduling Risk Form for more information.

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Where can I find more information or answers to my specific questions?

For questions about class recommendations contact SMS teachers/SMS school counselor.

See the Program of Studies for general questions about courses, requirements, and academic programming.

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Welcome to SHS

Meet SC, Connect to SC,

Succeed at SC and

BE SC

Class of 2030