Welcome to �Shrewsbury High School

8th Grade Curriculum Night

Incoming Class of 2029

February 11, 2025

Agenda

1. Welcome
2. Introductions of Leadership Team
3. Purpose of the Event

​

Not attending Oak MS?

1. Students from other schools than Oak Middle-leave info in the main office with Director of School Counseling, Angie Flynn or aflynn@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

​

​

Special Education Services

1. Check in with SHS Director of Special Education, Meghan de Leon, in the main office, or mdeleon@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

​

Graduation Requirements

​

1. 105 credits
2. Attendance
3. Local Competency Determination

Typical Freshman Schedule:

​

• English 9 (Honors, A-Level)
• Mathematics

Algebra & Geometry I (A-Level)

Algebra & Geometry II (Honors, Research Methods or A-Level)

• Science

Introductory Physics (Honors, A-Level)

Biology (Honors, Research Methods)

• World Civilizations (A-Level)
• World Language

French, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin, Heritage Portuguese, Heritage

Spanish, or Linguistics

• Physical Education
• Health

• Elective (Visual or Performing Arts or Pathway)

Designing an appropriate program:

• Review the 2025-26 Program of Studies

• Discuss course offerings/opportunities

and ask questions

• Plan for next year and beyond

Innovation Career Pathways

Karen Ares

kares@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-1291

Career Pathways at SHS

What is PLTW - Project Lead the Way?

A nationally recognized STEM curriculum designated as “Advanced” by State of MA and some colleges

Pathways and PLTW courses

• Art Intro*

• Ceramics I *

• Ceramics II **

• Character Design and Intro to Animation

• Creative Sketchbooks*

• Introduction to Photoshop with Graphic Design

• iPad Art using Procreate**

• Mixed Media

• Sculpture & 3D Design

• Studio I **

​

*Prerequisite for **classes

​

~ Visual Art ~

Pamela LeBlanc, Director

pleblanc@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

​

Slide Presentation for Grade 9 Offerings

VA Program of Studies

Technology, Media, & Business

Shawna Powers, Director

smpowers@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

Course Offerings for Freshmen

​

• Intro to Computer Applications
• Intro to Web Design *
• Intro to TV Production & Film
• TV Production & Film 2
• Intro to Business

​

​

​

​

Additional Course Offerings

​

• TV Production & Film 3
• Advanced TV & Film Production * (FY)
• Broadcast Journalism & TV Production for Morning Announcements (FY)
• PLTW Cybersecurity (FY)
• PLTW Computer Science Principles (FY)
• PLTW Computer Science A (FY)
• Personal Finance
• Marketing
• Accounting

* Satisfies Fine or Performing Arts graduation requirement

Career Pathways:

Business, Computer Science, & TV Production & Film

Performing Arts

Tom O’Toole, Director

​

• Concert Orchestra—Full Year
• Concert Band—Full Year
• Freshmen Choir—Full Year
• Guitar 2 — sem. (with permission of instructor. This is not an introductory course.)

​

• Theatre Arts I—sem.
• Theatrical Design—sem.
• Voice in Acting—sem. (not offered next year)
• History of Rock and Roll—sem.
• Introduction to Guitar—sem.
• World Drumming—sem.
• Music Technology—sem.
• Music Theory—sem.

​

totoole@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

(508) 841-8826

To hear recordings of our groups

Click Here

Health, Physical Education and Family Consumer Sciences

Erica Pratt, Director

epratt@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

English Department Offerings

Liza Trombley

ltrombley@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8831

Grade 9

English 9 is required. It is offered at the A and Honors levels. Both grade 9 English levels offer the same core curriculum.

​

English 9A: Designed for the typically performing English student.

​

English 9H: Designed for the highly motivated English student; faster pace of instruction; more independent work is expected; mostly 4s, some 3.5s in ELA at Oak.

Future Years

All grade level English classes offer the same core curriculum. We do not track--students can change levels at the end of their freshman, sophomore, or junior year.

​

Grade 10

English 10A

Honors English 10

​

​

Grade 11

English 11A

Honors English 11

AP English Language

American Studies, English (A level & Honors level)

​

Grade 12

English 12A

English 12H

AP English Literature

​

Social Science Department Offerings

Jenn DiFrancesca

jdifrancesca@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8823

Grade 9 - World Civilizations

• All students take at the A-level
• World History from 1600s - 2000s
• Aligned with the MA History & Social Science Frameworks
• Current Events
• Opportunities to develop skills related to
• Critical reading, writing & thinking
• Research, evaluation & analysis of sources
• Current 9th graders comparing World Civ to 8th grade…
• faster paced… we learn about more topics
• more reading and writing
• more homework and deadlines

Future Years

10th grade:

• US History I A-level or Honors

​

11th grade:

• US History II A-level or Honors
• US History II: American Studies

A-level or Honors

• AP US History

​

12th grade:

• AP Human Geography
• AP Psychology
• AP Comparative Gov & Politics

Semester Courses: A or Honors

• American Government
• Economics
• Global Studies
• Law
• Psychology (12th only)
• Pop Culture
• Sociology (11th & 12th only)
• Sports in America
• World Religions
• World at War

World Languages

at SHS

​

​

​

​

​

​

Kenneth Almeida

Director of World Languages SPS

kalmeida@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us/508-841-8838

The World Language Program at the Shrewsbury Public Schools believes that all students are capable of learning a language. Our goals are to move students along the proficiency ladder in Modern Languages, and for our Classical Languages, students will be provided with the skills to interpret and develop an understanding and appreciation of Latin Literature while learning how Latin connects to Modern English.

Starting with the “WHY”

• Recognizes high levels of proficiency in English and another language.
• College and/or AP Credit for attainment of the Seal.
• Home Language and World Language can apply.

​

​

Pathways to Language Learning

• Beginning a (new) language
• Continuing a language
• Heritage language

Pathways to Language Learning

• Beginning a (new) language
• Continuing a language
• Heritage language

Grade 9 Offerings

Students that are beginning their language study may matriculate in the following courses:

• Foundations of Linguistics 1
• Latin 1
• Introductory Chinese 1
• Introductory French 1
• Introductory Spanish 1
• Heritage Languages

​

Grade 9 offerings (Cont.)

Students continuing language studied in middle school will be recommended for:

• Introductory French/Spanish 1 - students that began in eighth grade and currently not meeting standards (1)
• Introductory French/Spanish 2 - students that require an additional year of Novice-Level skills before being successful with intermediate language
• Intermediate Chinese, Intermediate French, Intermediate Spanish 2- students who have met all standards in a two year novice program
• Latin 2 - students who have met all standards in 2 year middle school Latin program

Grade 9 offerings (Cont.)

Heritage Language (Nivel de herencia/ Nível de herança) For students who come from homes where Portuguese or Spanish is spoken.

​

• Heritage Portuguese 1- Para os alunos de descendência portuguesa ou brasileira que falam português em casa. A cadeira visa desenvolver a alfabetização e letramento.

​

• Heritage Spanish 1- Para los alumnos de ascendencia hispana que hablan español en casa. El curso trabaja mejor el área de alfabetización.

​

Four Year Trajectory

Four Year Trajectory

Four Year Trajectory

Honors Level Courses

• Designed for highly motivated and independent learners who can follow instruction in the target language at a faster pace
• Designed for students with a high degree of grammatical accuracy and consistently score 3.5/4 at Oak

Science and Engineering Department Offerings

Dave Hruskoci

dhruskoci@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8836

Science Course Placements

Students going into Hon AG2

• Honors Bio
• Hon Bio Research Methods - Science Fair Required

​

Students going into A level AG2 or other math class

• Hon Intro physics
• A level Intro Physics
• Foundations of Biology - A two year Biology program

NOTE: Any student may participate in the Science Fair

All 9th grade students take a science MCAS test

Why is math a placement factor for Science?

Answer: When will student be ready for Chemistry?

Chemistry is NUMBER ONE science course students struggle with in HS and request to move down a level

​

Typical 4 year Sequences

Mathematics Department Offerings

Amy Prior

aprior@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8806

Grade 9 Courses

Algebra & Geometry I

​

Algebra & Geometry II

​

Algebra & Geometry II Honors

​

Research Methods Algebra & Geometry II Honors

​

​

Future Years-

Math Course Offerings and Possible Sequences

A Few Notes…

• All pathways allow students the opportunity to take advanced math courses.
• Students should take the course at the level that appropriately challenges them so they can build a solid foundation for success.
• Levels may vary in subsequent years as performance and interests change.

​

Questions?

Auditorium

• Science and Engineering
• Mathematics
• Health, PE, Family Consumer Sciences
• Career and Technical Ed

Largess Commons

• English
• Social Science
• World Languages
• Technology & Business
• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts

QR Code of Presentation