Welcome to the Ridgway Area High School

 

In a few short months you will begin your four final years of required schooling. As incoming freshmen you will have to be aware of the difference between high school and middle school and the increased importance of working to your ability level in all subjects. Let's first discuss scheduling.

With the help of your parents and based on your future academic goals and influenced by your past academic performance, you will have to choose between one of two academic tracks offered by the Ridgway School District. College Prep, as the title implies will prepare you for the academics you will face when attending a four year college/university (bachelors degree) after graduation or Tech Prep, will prepare you for entrance and possible advanced placement in a technical school (associates degree) or for seeking employment after graduation.

A 9th grade College Prep schedule will consist of the following:

 

1. Advanced English 9

2. American Cultures 

3. Biology

4. Algebra 1, Algebra 11 or Algebra 11 and Geometry (you will
            need a teacher recommendation to double on math,* a
            second math becomes your first elective) 

5. Physical Education 9 Block ( 2 gym, I health, I art )

6. Spanish I or French I (a minimum of two consecutive credits
            of foreign language is required for most college admissions)

7 & 8. Elective choices to complete an 8 total course schedule

 

        A 9th grade Tech Prep schedule will consist of the following:

            1.  Applied English 1
            2.  American Cultures I (tech prep)
            3.  Bio/ Chem I (applied biology)
            4.  Applied Math 1
            5.  Physical Education 9 Block ( 2 gym, 1 health, 1 art )
            6.  Intro to Tech Prep or Typing 1
            7&8 Elective choices to complete an 8 total course schedule

       

         Elective Choices for everyone in the 9th grade are:

Intro to Tech Prep

Typing I

Spanish I or French I

Art I or Craft I

Consumer Science 9 (home ec.)

Computer (2 choices)

Word Processing/PowerPoint presentation 

Spreadsheet/Internet research skills

Band or Choir

Creative Writing 9 (teacher recommendation needed)


You can expect to be treated differently once becoming a high school student. No longer will you be escorted from class to class or to and from the cafeteria. These are the most visible differences. The more subtle changes will be in the added expectation for you to take on more responsibility for your own life by both the teachers and your parents. You will expected to meet deadlines, complete assignments, and study for exams more and more on your own.

In order to graduate from Ridgway High School you will have
        to successfully complete a minimum of 28 credits of approved
        study by the end of your senior year.

English - 4 credits

Math - 4

Science - 4

Social Studies - 4

Physical Education -4

Art/Humanities - 1

Electives - 7

Summer school is not an option to make up failing grades.

1. Any failed, required course, must be made up

 2. Any elective failed does not need to be made up but enough credits must be earned to meet the requirements for graduation

 3. Pre-requisites in courses must be met in order to advance in that discipline
i.e. successful completion of Algebra I is required before the student can take Algebra 11.

 

Ninth grade is the beginning of your transcript years. Course choices and their accompanying grades taken during the four years of high schedule will be requested and reviewed for entrance into College, Technical School, and employment for the remainder of your life. Once earned these do not change so always give your best effort. Make sure your transcript reflects your true abilities. Ranking of students within their grade begins in the freshman year and continues through graduation. It is based on a cumulative average of your earned grades in each year of high school. Your 9th grade final average will initially place you in rank order with others in your class. Beginning in the 2000- 2000 school year courses will be weighted, that is a higher value will be placed on the more difficult academic classes. Attendance is also part of your transcript and is extremely critical when seeking employment whether it is for a part time position or permanent. Plan on attending school regularly. Standardized test scores are reported within your transcript. These tests carry a lot of importance since they compare your ability with others across the state or nation who take the same test. This gives the person reviewing your transcript whether it is a college admissions officer or a possible employer something to judge your abilities against someone else. Always try your hardest on these tests, make sure the score results truly reflect your ability.

In Ninth grade you will be taking the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test in October. Be aware of its importance and long term influence on your future as part of your transcript. As long as you have done your best you will have no regrets about your scores.

 

A Senior Project is also required for graduation. The student may choose from a wide range of courses and the associated goals to expand upon for this requirement. Notification of this requirement is made in the 9h grade. During the10th grade students will be given a list of course and goal possibilities that can be selected for expansion into a senior project . In the 11th grade students must turn in their Senior Project forms signed by both the student and their parent/guardian. A student may begin or even complete the project in the Junior year. Before graduation all Seniors must have their completed project on file with the signature of the advising teacher certifying satisfactory work.

Your High School Years can and should be some of the best times of your life. Being a young adult is a very exciting time. During next year and the following years of high school you will be constantly making decisions both small and large that will determine your course through life. Understand that no one will make all the right decisions all of the time and you are bound by just being human to choose wrong somewhere, sometime. Hopefully your wrong choices will have minor consequences and become nothing more than one of life's learning experiences. However, be very aware that some of the choices you will have to make have the potential to be life altering and in the worst scenario, life ending, not just for you but for others around. you. You will not always have the luxury of time to carefully consider all possible outcomes of your choices before making a decision and will have to rely on your own instinct. Generally this means that if you feel that it's wrong, it probably is, no matter what anyone else is telling you at the time. If you do have the luxury of time to make a decision, weigh all the possible consequences carefully before choosing. In all instances please consider how your decisions may effect people other than yourself. If necessary and or possible, seek advice from someone you trust and could count on to give you truthful information. This could be a parent, friend, teacher, counselor or any other person(s) you feel you could rely on. In all cases use your mature intelligence and be in control of your choices. Don't let your choices be in control of you. You can still have a great time without putting yourself or someone else at risk.