OHVA

Class of
2023

TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATIONAL GUIDE

A guide for incoming freshman and their 2019-2020 school year
learning coaches

Dear Families,

We cannot believe how fast we are approaching the 2019-2020

school year. Because of this, it is time to start the 8th grade
transition process. We are looking forward to working with the class
of 2023 and want your child to have a successful high school career.
A strong start is crucial to high school success.

The 8th grade transition process marks the start to your student’s high
school career. There are several challenges that accompany the
transition to high school for both parents and new high school Table of Contents:
students. The unfamiliar courses, platform differences, and new
Topic: Page:
opportunities can be overwhelming. We are committed to helping
both you and your student with this change. We want to make sure
Steps for Rising 8th 2-3
you have all the information needed to have a smooth transition. In
Graders
this document, we have provided some information to help you
navigate through this process. Please feel free to read through this to 8th Grade Transition 4
Calendar
help your student make informed decisions to start off on a path of
success. Graduation 5
Requirements
We believe Ohio Virtual Academy high school program’s award
Freshman 4 Year 6
winning curriculum and supportive, dedicated staff members will help Plan
your student reach his/her full potential. If you have any questions
Suggested Plan for 7
about high school, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s
College-bound
8th grade counselor, Mrs. Krista Boren, at 419-482-0948 Ext. 2106 or
Students
through e-mail at kboren@ohva.org . High school counselor
information will be provided in April. We look forward to working Honors Diploma 8
Requirements
with and getting to know your child in the upcoming months.
Frequently Ask 9
Sincerely, Questions

The OHVA School Counseling Team Elective Course 10,11,12

Descriptions
Registration 13 & 14
Steps for 8th Graders Enrolling in OHVA High School for 2019-2020 School Year
1. Attend High School Overview Session on February 5 th and mark your calendar for upcoming informational sessions.
We want you to feel that you have enough information to make the best decision for your child’s high school career.
We will be holding several informational sessions throughout March and April. Please see the calendar on page 6 for
a list of scheduled events.

2. Register for the 2019-2020 school year. Change your registration status to registering for the 2019-2020 school year.
You will be able to complete this step on or after March 7, 2019. More information on re-registering will be coming
from your students homeroom teacher closer to this date.

3. Attend a scheduling session on April 4th or April 5th . Information on scheduling sessions will be emailed in March.
We will go over how to build your schedule in these sessions. A link to the scheduling survey will also be shared.
Please make sure to attend one of the offered sessions so you are able to build your schedule. Scheduling sessions
will take place on Thursday, April 4th at 6:00PM and Friday, April 5th, 2019 at 12:00pm. Students only need to
attend one of these sessions. The session will be offered twice but the information will be the same at both
sessions. Please chose the one that works best for you and plan to attend.

4. Begin looking at the big picture. While it may seem premature to look at graduation before beginning high school,
we recommend you take some time to talk to your child to make a tentative four-year plan after attending the
scheduling session. On pages 10 and 11 you will see a four-year high school plan. Please note that by looking at this
now your child will gain a better concept of what is needed to reach the end goal of graduation. Remember you may
also edit or revise the plan as needed, and that this is a guide to help you select courses for 9th grade.

5. Math Placement. In order for your child to be on track, we need to make sure they are assigned to classes which
allow them to be successful. Students entering 9th grade in the 2019-2020 school year who have not taken a high
school credit bearing math course will be placed in Developmental Algebra. If students do not wish to take
Developmental Algebra, and would like to take Algebra I instead they must be recommended by their middle
school math teacher. The math department will use the student’s current math grade, class participation and
attendance to determine appropriate math course placement.

6. Start securing recommendations (if needed). After looking at your four-year plan, start thinking about classes for the
upcoming school year. If you are interested in classes that require a teacher recommendation, begin talking to your
student’s homeroom teacher in April to see if they believe the student is a good fit. You must secure
recommendations for:

a. Honors level courses in English, Math, Science or Social Studies

b. Please note: Your student will be scheduled for Developmental Algebra unless their current math teacher
recommends the student for Algebra I. If you would like to take Algebra I next school year, talk with your
student’s 8th grade math teacher to see if Algebra I would be a good fit.

Teachers cannot make recommendations until early April. Please initiate a conversation with your homeroom
teacher to discuss a recommendation AFTER the April 4th &5th scheduling meeting. Teachers must make
recommendations for these classes by Thursday, April 18, 2019. If interested in honors level courses or
Algebra I please be sure to reach out to your homeroom teacher/math teacher between April 4 th- April 18th.
7. Check out our electives. Course descriptions are included in this packet and recordings from the electives teachers
will be sent out during the scheduling session giving you more information about the classes we offer.

8. Build your schedule. We recommend that if you are still deciding on whether or not to attend OHVA for the 2019-
2020 school year that you build a tentative schedule just in case. You will be able to begin the scheduling process on
April 4th, 2019. Please make sure you have your scheduling survey submitted by 5:00 PM April 18, 2019. Students
who do not make their own schedules will be assigned classes by their assigned school counselor. We will assign
students to Summit/comprehensive level classes, unless we receive a recommendation for Honors level. We prefer
our students choose their classes, so that we know they will be interested and engaged in the classes selected.
 8th Grade Transition
Calendar
Date Time Event Location
High School Overview (first
Tuesday, 6:00PM session): An introduction to the Link will be on students CC
February 5, 2019 high school platform, expectations scheduler
of students and learning coaches,
and “meet your success team.”

Wednesday, 3:00-4:00PM Open office hours with Mrs. Boren Link will be on
February 6, 2019 for follow up questions from the students CC
High School Overview session scheduler

Tuesday, 3:30PM Career Technical Education (CTE) Link will be on

March 5, 2019 Opportunities in the High School students CC
Informational Session scheduler
Watch your email for link to this
Thursday,
6:00 PM Class Scheduling Selection session.
April 4, 2019
Session. Scheduling survey link to
OR
OR select 9th grade classes will be *Note: please pay close attention if
Friday,
available your student is 8th grade but has
April 5, 2019
12:00PM taken courses on the HS platform.
(only need to attend one session) They will attend a separate session

Friday, 2:00-3:00PM Open office hours for scheduling

Link will be on students CC scheduler
April 5, 2019 survey questions with Mrs. Boren

Thursday, 5:00PM Scheduling survey request due Link will be sent out at the
April 18, 2019 scheduling meeting

Thursday,
5:00 PM Honors recommendations due You must have a conversation
April 18, 2019
with your MS homeroom
teacher

Tuesday, 3:30PM Preparing for HS over the Summer Link will be on students CC
May 14, 2018 Counselor Corner Session scheduler
 Ohio Graduation Requirements
Credit Requirements
Ohio requires student to take an complete a
# of credits needed in each subject
minimum of 20 required credits
English Language Arts 4 credits
Mathematics 4 credits
(1 credit must be Algebra II)
Social Studies 4 credits
( ½ credit must be World History, ½ credit must be US
History and ½ credit must be Government)
Science 3 credits
(1 credit must be physical science, 1 credit must be life
science and 1 credit must be an advanced science course)
Physical Education ½ credit
Health ½ credit
Electives 5 credits
(1 credit must be Fine Art)
Financial Literacy ½ credit
* Please note: If you are a competitive athlete, OHVA's High School classes are not currently NCAA accredited and therefore will not count
towards NCAA eligibility.

In Addition to Credit Requirements, students must meet 1 of the following 3 requirements to

earn their diploma:
1. Ohio State Testing Requirements
Ohio’s State Tests
Students must earn at least 18 points on seven end-of-course state test. Students can score up to 5 points
on each test. Students must earn a minimum of 4 points in math, 4 points in English and 6 points across
science and social studies. The tests are: English I, English II, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, American
Government, American History
(*Students studying Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (ID) course in Biology, American
History or American Government may take and substitute test scores for end-of-course state exams to avoid
double testing. Students also may substitute grades from College Credit Plus courses in these subjects for end-
of course state exams)

2. Industry credential and workforce readiness

Students earn 12 points through a State Board of Education-approved, industry-recognized credential or
group of credentials in a single career friend and achieve a workforce readiness score on the WorkKeys
assessment.

3. College and career readiness test

Students earn a “remediation-free” scores in English language arts and mathematics on a nationally
recognized college admission exam. The state of Ohio will pay one time for all 11th grade students to take
the exam free of charge.
 Freshmen – Class of 2023
Suggested Four-Year Plan
In order to complete this plan, circle the courses and level for your core-subject area classes you are interested in
taking. Fill in the blanks for your elective classes. This is designed to help you understand the course progression and
may not be what your schedule looks like over the next four years.

9th Grade Year 2019-2020

English: English 9 or English 10 10th Grade Year 2020-2021
Level: Summit or Honors English: English 10 or English 11
Math: Developmental Algebra or Algebra I Level: Summit or Honors
Level: Summit or Honors Math: Algebra I or Geometry
Science: Physical Science Level: Summit or Honors
Social Studies: Modern World Studies Science: Biology
Level: Comprehensive or Honors Level: Comprehensive or Honors
PE/Health Social Studies: Modern US History
Elective Level: Comprehensive or Honors
First Semester: __________________ Elective:
Second Semester: ________________ First Semester: __________________
Second Semester: ________________
Elective:
First Semester: __________________
Second Semester: ________________
11th Grade Year 2021-2022 th
12 Grade Year 2022-2023
English: English 11 or British Lit English: British Lit or AP English
Level: Summit/Comprehensive or Honors Level: Comprehensive or Honors
Math: Geometry or Algebra II Math: Algebra II or Pre-Calculus or Practical Math
Level: Summit or Honors Level: Summit or Honors
Science: Earth Science or Chemistry or Electives:
Anatomy/Physiology First Semester: __________________
Level: Core or Comprehensive or Honors Second Semester: ________________
Social Studies: Electives:
First Semester: Economics First Semester: __________________
Second Semester: Government Second Semester: ________________
Elective Electives:
First Semester: __________________ First Semester: __________________
Second Semester: ________________ Second Semester: ________________
Elective Electives:
First Semester: __________________ First Semester: __________________
Second Semester: ________________ Second Semester: ________________
 Suggested 4 Year Plan for College-Bound Students

9th Grade Year 2019-2020 10th Grade Year 2020-2021

English: English 9 or English 10 English: English 10 or English 11
Level: Summit or Honors Level: Summit or Honors
Math: Developmental Algebra or Algebra I Math: Algebra I or Geometry
Level: Summit or Honors Level: Summit or Honors
Science: Physical Science Science: Biology
Social Studies: Modern World Studies Level: Comprehensive or Honors
Level: Comprehensive or Honors Social Studies: Modern US History
PE/Health Level: Comprehensive or Honors
Elective: World Language Elective: World Language
Elective:
First Semester: __________________
Second Semester: ________________

11th Grade Year 2021-2022 12th Grade Year 2022-2023

English: English 11 or British Lit English: British Lit or AP English
Level: Summit/Comprehensive or Honors Level: Comprehensive or Honors
Math: Geometry or Algebra II Math: Algebra II or Pre-Calculus or Practical Math
Level: Summit or Honors Level: Summit or Honors
Science: Chemistry or Anatomy/Physiology or Earth Science: Physics or Anatomy/Physiology
Science Level: Comprehensive or Honors
Level: Core or Comprehensive or Honors Social Studies Electives:
Social Studies: First Semester: __________________
First Semester: Economics Second Semester: ________________
Second Semester: Government Elective:
Elective: World Language First Semester: __________________
Elective: Second Semester: ________________
First Semester: __________________ Elective:
Second Semester: ________________ First Semester: __________________
Second Semester: ________________

**Please consult your choice college or university for admission criteria. Some schools require 3 years of the same
world language for admission
 Honors Diploma
The student who completes the OHVA high school academic curriculum shall meet at least seven of the following
eight criteria to be awarded the diploma with honors:

1. Earn four credits of English;

2. Earn at least four credits of mathematics which shall include Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and another
higher level course or a four-year sequence of courses which contains equivalent content;

3. Earn at least four credits of science including one unit of Chemistry and one unit of Physics or Anatomy &
Physiology.

4. Earn four credits of social studies;

5. Earn either three credits of one foreign language or two credits each of two foreign languages;

6. Earn one credit of fine arts;

7. Maintain an overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale up to the last grading
period of the senior year;

8. Obtain a composite score of 27 on the American college test's ACT assessment (excluding the optional writing
test) or a combined score of 1210 on the College Board's SAT verbal and mathematics sections (excluding the
required writing section).
 Frequently Asked Questions:

What classes will I take my 9th grade school year?

Most 9th grade students will be scheduled for the courses outlined in the sample schedule below. If a
student took high school classes in middle school or is recommended for honors level classes their scheduled
would vary and can be discussed in more detail with the school counselor.
Sample 9th Grade Schedule
1. English 9
2. Developmental Algebra (or Algebra I)
3. Modern World Studies
4. Physical Science
5. Physical Education & Health
6. Elective or World Language

How does a student earn credits in high school?

Students have the opportunity to earn ½ credit each semester for each course they take. In order to earn the ½
credit, students must receive a passing grade of a D- (60%) or higher along with completing all required course
assignments. For example, if a student is taking 6 classes each semester they have the opportunity to earn ½
credit for each class they pass. If they pass all 6 classes semester 1 then they would earn 3 credits semester 1.
Semester 2 they would take 6 more classes and have the opportunity to earn ½ credit for each class they pass
semester 2. If they pass all 6 classes semester 2 then the student would earn 3 more credits for a total of 6
credits for the school year.

Should I take a world language course?

The state of Ohio and Ohio Virtual Academy does not require student take a world language to earn their
diploma and graduate. A world language is not a graduation requirement. We do strongly recommend students
take at least 2 year of a world language though if they are college bound. College admissions offices will want to
see that the student has completed a minimum of 2 years of a world language. OHVA offers: Spanish I, Spanish
II, Spanish III, French I, French II, French III, German I and German II.

What electives can I take in 9th grade?

9th grade students will have room in their schedule to take one elective each semester. World language
electives are yearlong and would need to be taken each semester. If the student is not taking a world language
course then they will have room in their schedule to choose 2 semester electives. The student would take one
elective class semester 1 and the other class semester 2. Semester elective choices are: Personal Finance, Life
Skills, Computer Literacy, Green Design & Technology, Digital Photography, Computer Science, Business
Communications, Business & IT Explorations and Business & Marketing Explorations. Yearlong world language
elective choices are: Spanish, French or German. If the student chooses to take a world language course such as
Spanish, French or German that course will serve as their elective all year long and they will not have room in
their schedule for any other electives. Descriptions of each elective is listed on the next page.
 Elective Descriptions

Personal Finance
In this introductory finance course, students learn basic principles of economics and best practices for managing
their own finances. Students learn core skills in creating budgets, developing long-term financial plans to meet
their goals, and making responsible choices about income and expenses. They gain a deeper understanding of
capitalism and other systems so they can better understand their role in the economy of society. Students are
inspired by experiences of finance professionals and stories of everyday people and the choices they make to
manage their money.

Life Skills
This one-semester elective is designed to increase students' knowledge of and ability in using the skills necessary
for everyday living. Life Skills emphasizes defining personal values, goal-setting and planning, and solving
problems. Instructional material focuses on dealing with media and peer pressure, communication and
relationships, working with others, avoiding and/or resolving conflict, decision making, wellness and personal
safety, aspects of good citizenship, environmental awareness, and how students can contribute to their own
community. The course is organized in six units, which cover the following topics: course introduction, thinking
about yourself, thinking for yourself, taking care of yourself, caring for your relationships, and caring about your
world.

Computer Literacy
Students must be able to effectively use technology to research, organize, create, and evaluate information. In
this introductory course, students become familiar with the basic principles of a personal computer, including the
internal hardware, operating system, and software applications. Students gain practice in using key applications
such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, as well as understanding social and ethical
issues around the Internet, information, and security. In the first part of the course, the focus is on the
fundamentals: learning and using the applications, and understanding the basic roles and responsibilities of the
software, hardware, and operating system. In the second part, the focus is on gathering and analyzing data, and
using the right tools and methods to collect and present data.

Green Design and Technology

This course examines the impact of human activities on sustainability while exploring the basic principles and
technologies that support sustainable design. Students learn about the potential for emerging energy
technologies such as water, wind, and solar power. They find out how today's businesses are adapting to the
increased demand for sustainable products and services. In this course, students develop a comprehensive
understanding of this fast-growing field.

Digital Photography
In Digital Photography, students will learn the basics of photographic composition and lighting, the basics of using
a digital camera and the basics of preparing a digital darkroom. Students will also learn basic color theory and the
fundamentals of image processing. This course is designed for the student who has no background in photography.
A digital camera is required for this course (a cellphone or iPod is acceptable).
Business & IT Explorations
In this course students explore basic concepts in the broad areas of business and information technology, as
well as career options in each area. Business: How do business ideas become businesses? How are products
marketed? How do you know if a business is making or losing money? These are among the questions that
students explore in the business portion of this course. In addition to studying concepts of entrepreneurship,
accounting and marketing, students explore these concepts on scales that range from a single person to
nations. Information Technology: How do computers affect communication? How do computers work? How
do you make a website? Information technology provides the answers to questions such as these. This course
provides a comprehensive introduction to the essentials of Web design, from planning page layouts to
publishing a complete site to the Web. Students learn how to use HTML to design their own Web pages. The
course covers basic HTML tags for formatting text, as well as more advanced tags. Through real-world design
scenarios and hands-on projects, students create compelling, usable websites using the latest suite of free
tools.

Business & Marketing Explorations

In this course, students explore basic concepts in the broad areas of business and marketing, as well as career
options in each area. How do business ideas become businesses? How are products marketed? How do you
know if a business is making or losing money? These are among the questions that students explore in the
business portion of this course. In addition to studying concepts of entrepreneurship, accounting, and
marketing, students explore these concepts on scales that range from a single person to nations. After
exploring basic business and marketing concepts, students are then introduced to common industries within
the marketing field. Students explore the advertising, sports and entertainment, restaurant management,
and hospitality and tourism industries to examine their role in business in marketing.

Computer Science
This course introduces students to computer science concepts such as computer architecture, networks, and
the Internet. Students use object-oriented programming, event-driven processes, modular computer
programming, and data manipulation algorithms to produce finished software programs. They use the design
process to create many programs by determining specifications, designing the software, and testing and
improving the product until it meets the specifications. By the end of this course, students will have a solid
foundation for further study in this subject.

Business Communications
This course presents a streamlined approach to business communication, featuring coverage of current
technologies to prepare students for success in today's hyper-connected digital workplace. Exercises help
students build confidence as they review grammar, punctuation, and writing guidelines. Students learn basic
writing skills and apply them to e-mails, memos, letters, reports, and resumes. Model documents, exercises,
and activities introduce the latest business communication practices.
Spanish I
Students begin their introduction to Spanish by focusing on the four key areas of foreign language study:
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course represents an ideal blend of language learning pedagogy
and online learning. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening
comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, and interactive
activities and practices which reinforce vocabulary and grammar. There is a strong emphasis on providing
context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each unit. Students should expect
to be actively engaged in their own language learning, become familiar with common vocabulary terms and
phrases, comprehend a wide range of grammar patterns, participate in simple conversations and respond
appropriately to basic conversational prompts, analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and
perspectives of various Spanish-speaking countries, and take frequent assessments where their language
progression can be monitored. The course has been carefully aligned to national standards as set forth by
ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

French I
Students begin their introduction to French by focusing on the four key areas of foreign language study:
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course represents an ideal blend of language learning pedagogy
and online learning. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening
comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, and interactive
activities and practices which reinforce vocabulary and grammar. There is a strong emphasis on providing
context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each unit. Students should expect
to be actively engaged in their own language learning, become familiar with common vocabulary terms and
phrases, comprehend a wide range of grammar patterns, participate in simple conversations and respond
appropriately to basic conversational prompts, analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and
perspectives of various French-speaking countries, and take frequent assessments where their language
progression can be monitored. The course has been carefully aligned to national standards as set forth by
ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

German I
Students begin their introduction to German by focusing on the four key areas of foreign language study:
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course represents an ideal blend of language learning pedagogy
and online learning. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening
comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, and interactive
activities and practices which reinforce vocabulary and grammar. There is a strong emphasis on providing
context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each unit. Students should expect
to be actively engaged in their own language learning, become familiar with common vocabulary terms and
phrases, comprehend a wide range of grammar patterns, participate in simple conversations and respond
appropriately to basic conversational prompts, analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and
perspectives of various German-speaking countries, and take frequent assessments where their language
progression can be monitored. The course has been carefully aligned to national standards as set forth by
ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages)
 Re-Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year

In March, we ask our enrolled families to log in to the OLS and tell use their plans for the coming year.
Please follow these simple steps on or after March 7, 2019: