2026-2027

9th Grade Course Selection

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MCHS �Class of 2030

Course Selection Timeline

Course Selection Presentations in Science Classes

Select Courses/Complete 4 Year Plan in School Links

Individual Meetings during Science Classes

Check your Schoolinks messages often!!!

Feb 9 - Feb 27

Parent/Student Verifications on Schoolinks

Feb 2-6

More Info:

Today’s Agenda

Endorsements

4 Year Plans

Graduation Requirements

9th Grade Courses

YOUR TOOLKIT

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Course Selection Sheet

4 Year Plan WS

Course Selection PowerPoint

Course Catalog

Online Resources

Online Resources

• Course Selection Sheet
• This presentation
• Links to important resources
• Elective and athletics information

26 Credits

Pass 5 EOC Tests

Complete Endorsement

Graduation Requirements

Pass and earn credit for 26 classes.

English 1, English 2, Algebra 1, Biology, US History

Complete elective courses that fall into a certain endorsement category.

FHSP + Endorsement

You are required to earn 26 credits in specific contents, including English, math, science, social studies, fine arts, language and others.

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You have a lot of choices, but you must select carefully so that the classes you request will complete the requirements.

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Classifications by Credits

FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

SENIOR

5.5 – 11.5

Grade Point Average

What is a GPA?

• Indicates how well you did in your courses on average.
• You’ll earn a grade in each course you take. The GPA is an average of all those grades.

• Your endorsement will help decide which classes and electives you take.
• Your classes/electives and interests will help decide your endorsement.

STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math

• Advanced maths
• Advanced sciences
• Engineering
• Computer science

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

• Debate, journalism
• Manufacturing
• Agriculture
• Animal science
• Arts, audio & video, multimedia
• Marketing, accounting, business, sales
• Hospitality
• Culinary arts
• Digital communications
• Architecture

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PUBLIC SERVICES

• Education, counseling
• Health science (nursing, doctor, EMT)
• Dentistry
• Law, criminal justice, public safety
• JROTC
• Cosmetology
• Human services (nutrition, communication, child development)

ARTS & HUMANITIES

• Advanced social studies
• Advanced English
• Psychology, sociology
• 4 years of LOTE
• Fine arts (band, choir, orchestra, art, theatre)
• Dance

MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

• 4 credits in each of the core content areas of math, English, science and social studies

Graduation Requirements

Did you know?

An endorsement = a theme for your high school classes.

It’s like picking a path that matches what you enjoy—science, art, technology, or helping people.

Foundation High School Program- 22 CREDITS

English Language Arts - 4 credits (English I, II, III & 1 advanced English credit)

Math - 3 credits (Algebra I, Geometry & 1 additional Math credit)

Science - 3 credits (Biology, 1 lab-based science & 1 advanced science credit)

Social Studies - 3 credits (US History, Government/Economics & World Geography or World History)

Languages other than English - 2 credits (2 levels of the same language)

Physical Education - 1 credit

Fine Arts - 1 credit

Electives - 5 credits (credits not satisfying a specific course requirement)

Foundation High School Program PLUS Endorsements - 26 CREDITS

To earn an endorsement a student must meet the requirements for the FHSP, earn 4 Math credits, 4 Science credits, and complete course requirements specific to the endorsement area.

STEM

+Algebra 2,Chemistry, Physics

1: CTE Completer

2: 5 Math credits

3: 5 Science credits

4: 4 Math credits & 4 Science credits

Business & Industry

1: CTE Completer

2: English

Public Services

1: CTE Completer

2: 4 NJROTC credits

Arts & Humanities

1: 4 English elective credits

2:Fine Arts(4:4/2:2:4)

3: 5 Social Studies

credits

4: 4 LOTE(2:2/4ASL)

Multi-disciplinary

1: 4x4 core credits

2: 4 AP/DC credits

3: Combo of 4+ advanced courses

Step 1: COURSE SELECTION SHEET/4 YEAR PLAN SHEET

• These are TOOLS. You will use the information on the course selection sheet to submit your course selection on SchooLinks!
• You will receive a copy today and it is available on the website.

9th Grade Courses

• As a freshman you will take seven classes.
• You will take your four core subjects.
• You will have three additional classes that you get to choose.

Academic

KAP

Academic or KAP?

Select Academic if you are currently in academic and the course is really a struggle for you.

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Select KAP if you are currently in Academic and making an A, or if you’re making at least a B in KAP.

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Benefits to taking KAP:

• Courses prepare you for AP classes later.
• AP courses can earn you college credit.
• Courses are worth more GPA points.

You are required 1 credit of PE to graduate. ��If you want to play sports, select your fall sport. ��Consider continuing past one year.

CHOOSING YOUR OTHER 3 COURSES

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You are required 2 credits of a language to graduate.

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Do you want to start or continue your language?

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There are several options available.

You are required 1 fine arts credit to graduate.

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Do you want to start or continue your current fine art?

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Consider continuing past one year if you enjoy the activity.

Tips for Selecting Classes

• Band, color guard and dance will count for PE and/or fine arts.
• AP Human Geography allows you to earn college credit through the AP exam. The course requires extensive reading and studying.

What do you WANT to do?

• Don’t be afraid to try something new!
• It’s okay if you don’t know!
• One of the most important things is to GET INVOLVED!

Four Year Plans

• A 4 Year Plan is an individualized graduation plan that includes the number of courses required to graduate, along with the required number of credits. Developing a 4 Year Plan helps you decide which courses to take each year.
• Map out your plan to graduate
• What endorsement did you select?
• What classes do you think you might take to fulfill graduation requirements?
• Are there any sports, fine art, or activities you would like to participate?
• Each year you will revisit the four-year plan with your counselor.

Pro Tips

• Use your student guide to 4-year course planning in SchooLinks to help guide you

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• Explore the SchooLinks Online Course Catalog to learn about course, pathways, and programs of study

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Do your best!

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It’s okay to make changes later.

• Plan each year with 7 classes.
• Don’t worry about KAP/ACA level
• Include your 2 LOTE, 1 fine art, 1 PE and 4.5 elective credits

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Algebra II

Physics

Course Selection/4 Year Plan Sheet

Let’s take a moment to review your course selection sheet.

Step 2: Schoolinks

• Schoolinks is available on MyKatyCloud
• Schoolinks is the official record of your 9th grade course selection and 4 Year Plan.
• You will select your endorsement on SchooLinks as well.
• It is extremely important that you remember this step. This year, you will fill out the sheet, write all over it if you need to. Then you will use Schoolinks to officially submit all your requests. You will turn in the course selection/4year plan sheet to your Science teacher. If you need help with any of these steps, I am here for that.

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Find my Course Planner and Personalized Plan in SchooLinks

• Access tile in MyKaty Cloud
• Find Course Planner and Personalized Plan
1. By clicking on the plan icon on the yellow toolbar on the left

or

• Listed in your SchooLinks to-do list

Plan Icon: Course Planner and Personalized Plan

• Click on Plan icon that looks like a map
• A pop-up menu appears and you can click in to access your plan

To Do List: Course Planner and Personalized Plan

• If they are not showing up, click on Show remaining To Dos

• Click on the grey filled circle with down arrow
• Click go to feature

High School Students - Use Course Planner for Course Selection

Select a pathway that matches your future career interests. This will help you plan for an endorsement.

Choose courses for each subject including your alternate courses.

Check to make sure you have met requirements for your chosen courses.

Programs of Study

English

Math

Social Studies

Science

Health

Languages Other than English

Speech

Physical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Fine Arts

Summary

Alternates

Electives

High School Students - Choose courses in all subject areas and build a 4 year plan

High School Students - Select/View a Program of Study in Course Planner

Click the drop down arrow to view all programs and pathways and view the related endorsements

Find a pathway that matches your career focus and select it to add it to your plan.

**Only 8th graders planning for high school can select a pathway. Current 9th - 11th graders can have their counselor change their pathway if needed**

Student View- English

High School Student- Course Planner - Math

Graduation requirements listed here

Choose a sequence based on courses previously taken

Choose more courses to fulfill requirements

SchooLinks Process🡪Simple Steps to Success

• Login to SchooLinks
• Add Courses to your 4-year plan
• Click SUBMIT to save your choices
• Meet with your counselor to check your plan
• Counselor APPROVES your plan
• Ask your Parent/Guardian to APPROVES your plan – final step!

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Part-Time Supplemental Virtual Course Offerings

• Offered by Legacy Virtual High School
• Stay enrolled at your home campus
• Additional Learning Opportunities
• Flexible fee-based courses
• Earn original credit or catch up if needed
• Register by adding courses to your course planner in SchooLinks

Visit Legacy Virtual High School’s Webpage for a list of courses

Due Dates!

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SchooLinks Completed – February 6

Course Selection Sheet/4 Year Plans due to SCIENCE teacher February 6.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

You Got This!