High School Planning Calendar


  WALNUT HILLS ACADEMIC COURSE SELECTION GRID    
         
Department 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
  English 9 English 10 English 11 English 12AA
ENGLISH English 9AA/9H English 10AA English 11AA English Literature AP
  Composition (.5)(9-10)   English Language AP  
4 years required Creative Writing(.5)(9-12)   World Views1(.5)(11-12)  
      World Views 11(.5)(11-2)  
         
MATHEMATICS Algebra 1 /1AA Geometry /AA Algebra 2 /2AA Pre-Calculus/AA
        Probability
Algebra 1,       Discrete Math
Geometry &       Statistics AP
         
Algebra 2 Geometry/AA Algebra 2/2AA Pre-Calculus/AA Calculus
& 1 additional       Calculus AP-AB
expected       Calculus AP-BC
      Computer Sci. AP (11-12) Intro to Engineering AA
      Probability (11-12)  
      Statistics AP (11-12)  
         
  Algebra 2/2AA Pre Calculus/AA Calculus Calc. Based Stat. AP
      Intro to Eng AA(11-12) Calculus AP-BCD
      Calculus AP-AB  
      Calculus AP-BC  
         
FOREIGN Latin 3 Latin IV Latin V    
LANGUAGE Latin  3-H Latin IV AP(Vergil) (10-11) Modern Language 1/1AA  
    Latin V AP(Ovid) (10-11)    
  Modern Language 1/1AA Modern Language 1/1AA Modern Langauge 2/2AA Modern Language 3/AP
3 years of Latin,   Modern Language 2/2AA Modern Language 3/AP Modern Language 4 /AP
required if enter        
in grades 7 or 8        
2-3 mod. Required        
         
SOCIAL Modern History(9) US History (10-11) Economics AP(11-12) Psychology AP
STUDIES Modern History H American History AP(10-11) Sociology (11-12) Comparative Gov AP
    Anthropology (.5)(10-12)) Human Geog. AP(11-12) Comparative Gov  
    Archaeology (.5)(10-12) Philosophy (.5)(11-12)  
Modern History,   World History AP(10-12) Economics(.5)(11-12)    
US History,   Art History AP(10-12) Ethnic Studies(11-12)  
& l -2 additional   European History AP(10-12)    
required        
         
         
         
         
         
SCIENCE Biology /AA(9) Chemistry/AA(10-11) Physics (11-12) Anatomy&Physiology
    Envir. Science/Man(.5) Physics AP-AB(11-12) Physics AP-BC
Biology, Chemistry   Envir. Science/Bot(.5) Chemistry AP(11-12)  
& l -2 additional     Biology AP (11-12)  
required     Intro to Eng AA(11-12)  
      Meteorology (.5)(11-12)  
      Env Sc AP(11-12)  
      Zoology (11-12)  
      Geology (.5)(11-12)  
         
Students must also take two semesters of physical education, one semester of Health, one semester of Time
to Speak and at least one year of fine arts.    
    Revised 12/03 (LG)  

EIGHTH | FRESHMAN  | SOPHOMORE  |  JUNIOR  | SENIOR

Eighth Grade Year

  • Attend transition to high school meeting the first week in January prior to optioning.
  • Develop academic four-year plan prior to optioning.

Freshman Year

  • Take challenging academic courses, i.e. AA courses.
  • Get involved in extra-curricular activities.
  • Commit to a volunteer project.
  • Meet with guidance counselor to review academic plan prior to optioning.
  • Attend meeting about building a high school transcript, the importance of extra-curricular activities and the impact of entrance tests (usually the first week of April).
  • Consider taking SAT Subject Tests in Latin and Math Level I after Algebra II.
  • Plan worthwhile summer activities, i.e. programs at colleges, volunteer work.

Sophomore Year

  • Continue taking challenging academic courses, i.e. AA and AP courses.
  • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities.
  • Take the PSAT in October.
  • Attend meeting about advanced course selection and paying for college (Potluck Supper in October).
  • Take the PLAN in November.
  • Attend academic review sessions after receiving the PSAT and PLAN results (usually in early February).
  • Become familiar with resources provided by the guidance counselors, the College Information Center and the library.
  • Begin to build a college file, gathering materials about colleges of interest. Use school vacations to visit college campuses.
  • Develop personal resume recording activities and achievements.
  • Write two introspective essays, both to be critiqued by an English teacher. Select topics from list of college essays to be provided.
  • Take AP Exams as appropriate.
  • After completing the related coursework, consider taking SAT Subject Tests in Latin, United States History and/or Math Level I and II.
  • Plan worthwhile summer activities i.e. programs at colleges, volunteer work.

Junior Year

  • Continue taking challenging academic courses, i.e. AA and AP courses.
  • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities.
  • Accept leadership roles.
  • Continue to add activities, awards and achievements to your personal resume.
  • Visit the College Information Center to develop a list of colleges, including “stretch” and “sure bet” schools. Think about what you seek in college: location/size/specific major/competitiveness.
  • Take the PSAT in October. This test determines National Merit Scholarship qualifiers. Attend academic review sessions after receiving the PSAT results (usually in January)
  • Attend college-entrance information session with guidance counselors in January. Review sample FAFSA form and sign up for individual meeting with guidance counselor to be held in February and March.
  • Think about which teachers you will ask to write recommendations.
  • If you intend to seek an athletic scholarship, start contacting coaches at the schools that most interest you.
  • Take sample SAT and ACT tests. Consider attending SAT and/or ACT preparation courses.
  • Take SAT Reasoning test, ACT and appropriate SAT Subject Tests.
  • Ask colleges of interest to let you know when a representative will be in town; attend their presentations.
  • Visit colleges when and if possible. Students are permitted two (2) excused absences during junior and senior year for college visitation.
  • Write a response to the common application essay. Submit to English teacher for editing.
  • Parents and student may schedule an individual meeting with their guidance counselor in the spring for college planning and graduation requirements.
  • Note any early action or early decision deadlines at colleges of choice.
  • Develop a timeline for college and scholarship application deadlines.
  • Research scholarship opportunities.
  • Take AP Exams as appropriate.
  • Plan worthwhile summer activities i.e. programs at colleges, volunteer work.

Senior Year - Fall

  • Continue taking challenging academic courses, i.e. AA and AP courses.
  • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities.
  • Visit the College Information Center for college catalogs, applications, scholarship information and essay assistance. Research scholarship options and track deadlines.
  • Meet individually with guidance counselor to narrow list of colleges and discuss financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
  • Students attend meeting with counselors to learn how to complete common application and parents attend meeting to hear parents’ perspectives of the college application process. (mid September)
  • Student athletes should complete and mail the NCAA Clearinghouse application.
  • Note any early action or early decision deadlines at colleges of choice.
  • Visit colleges of major interest. Plan an overnight in a dorm if possible.
  • Ask colleges of interest to let you know when a representative will be in town; attend their presentations.
  • Investigate scholarship opportunities and internships listed in the College Guidance Bulletin.
  • Complete the College Manager Form, a timeline for college and scholarship application deadlines, which is available in the College Information Center.
  • Take any additionally needed SAT or ACT tests in October or early November.
  • Ask for recommendations from faculty well in advance of deadlines. Include stamped, pre-addressed envelopes for sending the recommendations to colleges.
  • Submit drafts of application essays to at least one adult reviewer for editing.
  • Submit all applications to your counselor between Halloween and Thanksgiving.
  • Send supplemental information to colleges as it becomes available, i.e., awards.

    Senior Year - Winter

  • Complete official FASFA (financial aid form) available in Counselors’ Office or on the Internet. If required, complete the CSS/Financial Aid Profile.
  • Attend a Walnut Hills Financial Aid information session (early December)

    Senior Year - Spring

  • Meet Acceptance Reply Date. Write to inform and thank colleges whose offers you did not accept.
  • Write thank-you notes to teachers who wrote letters of recommendation.
  • Take any remaining AP exams.
  • Complete the Future Plans/ Final Transcript request form.
  • Create a college budget and begin applying for additional student loans, if necessary.