William T. Dwyer High School - Incoming 9th Grade Presentation April, 2021

William T. Dwyer High School
   Incoming 9th Grade Presentation
             April, 2021

Graduation Requirements
1) 24 Specified Course Credits.
    - One course must be completed through online learning.

2) 2.0 Unweighted Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).

3) Proficient Scores on State Assessments:
    - Grade 10 FSA-ELA.
    - Algebra 1 End-of-Course Exam (EOC).

4) 20 Community Service Hours (100 hours required for Bright Futures).

Note: EOCs for Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology, and US History will
   constitute 30% of the courses’ final grades.

Required 24 Course Credits
COURSE                 CREDITS
                                                    - At least 1 of the required courses must be completed through
English                     4                          online learning (Edgenuity, FLVS, PBVS, etc).
Algebra 1                   1
Geometry                    1                       - College-bound students are encouraged to take course courses
Math Electives              2                          beyond these minimum requirements. Such as
Physical Science            1                         additional Math, Science, and World Language classes.
Biology                     1
Science Elective            1                       - IB Academy Students: As long as students complete the IB curriculum,
World History               1                         certain state graduation requirements are waived. If a student
U.S. History                1                         withdraws for the IB program, standard diploma requirements take
U.S. Government             .5                        effect.
Economics                   .5
Fine Arts/Practical Arts    1
Physical Ed.                1 (includes .5 Personal Fitness)
Electives                   8

Online Course Requirement
- Florida Virtual School (FLVS) offers a number of .5 credit courses which will satisfy the online
 graduation requirement at no cost.

- Students who choose to take an online course which is comprised of 2 segments (semesters) must
  complete both segments of the course online to satisfy the online course requirement.

- Florida Virtual School is available anytime, anywhere using computers with internet access.

- To create a free FLVS account and register for a course, go to www.flvs.net

- If you have questions, please see your School Counselor.

-If you have a existing account it is important to change your school to Dwyer at
 the end of the year.

Grade Point Average (GPA)
- 2.0 minimum unweighted cumulative GPA is required for graduation.

- Your cumulative GPA is unweighted, and comprised of all courses completed for high school credit.

- Unweighted GPA is based on a 4.0 scale:
         A = 4.0      B = 3.0        C = 2.0       D = 1.0        F=0

- Weighted GPA (HPA) is your GPA which has been weighted by Honors, AP, AICE, IB, and/or Dual
  Enrollment courses:

    - Honors courses:
         A = 4.5      B = 3.375      C = 2.25     D = 1.125      F=0

    - AP, AICE, IB, and Dual Enrollment:
           A = 6.0      B = 4.5       C = 3.0      D = 1.5       F=0

Accelerated/Advanced Course Opportunities
- Cambridge Assessment International Education (AICE)
- College Board Advanced Placement (AP)
- Dual Enrollment (PBSC)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)

- Weighted Grade Point Average:
    A = 6.0
    B = 4.5
    C = 3.0
    D = 1.5
- Accelerated/Advanced Exams: April, May and June.

Virtual Accelerated Night

      April 13, 2021 at 6 pm - 7 pm
           ●   AICE Diploma and IB Diplomas
           ●   More Details of Accelerated Courses in High School

        Google Meet Code: https://meet.google.com/oxc-cuui-xdd

Accelerated Electives
Accelerated Electives: These electives will give our students the opportunity to earn
a college credit if they pass the Cambridge or College Board exam or earn a industry
certifications.

AICE Thinking Skills
AICE Law
AP Human Geography
AP Art History

Digital Design
Digital Video (TV Production)
Digital Art Imaging 1

AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination
 - AVID is an elective class that is focused on college and career readiness for students in
   the academic middle.

 - AVID students are those who want to take rigorous courses (Honors, AICE, AP, Dual
   Enrollment) in order to be competitive with their peers when applying to college, but
   may need additional support.

 - AVID students are supported by learning note-taking skills, study skills, critical thinking
   skills, cooperative learning, tutorials, and becoming independent learners.

 -AVID students maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average

AVID-Advancement Via Individual Determination
For more information or to APPLY visit https://wtdh.palmbeachschools.org/school_info/our_programs/a_v_i_d

AVID Eligibility
- 2.0 – 3.5 GPA
- Level 2 or 3 on the FSA (ELA and/or Math).
- Desire to go to college.
- May be the first in the family to go to college.
- Historically underrepresented in 4-year colleges.
- Ability to maintain enrollment in college prep courses (Honors, AICE, AP, and/or Dual
  Enrollment).
- Hard working and eager to learn and grow as a student.

For more information, contact Kristin Samartino, AVID Coordinator:
   - Kristin.Samartino@palmbeachschools.org
   - Office phone: (561) 691-1042

Student Government Association (SGA)
  Are you a leader? Do you have school spirit? Want to make a
                          difference?
●    SGA is a leadership class offered for students
●    Students plan, coordinate and execute projects for the school
●    Monthly community service projects
●    Executive Board officers & Committee Chairs lead
●    Compete at the district and state level
Application is due on or before April 15, 2021
https://forms.gle/wRithbbKYo8QPuYn9
Email advisor Ronda.Gagnon@palmbeachschools.org with any questions

Dwyer Academies
- Choice Academies: Application process is required, and completed through the school district’s Choice and
 Career Options Department.
    - Academy of Finance
    - Early Childhood Teacher Education Academy
    - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

- In-House Academies : Open to all Dwyer students. If interested, students may select the course of choice
on
 their Course Selection Sheet.
    - Army JROTC Academy
    - Construction Academy
    - Culinary Arts Academy

- Additional information is available on the Dwyer website in the School Info > Programs section.
- If you have questions, contact Emily Ferris, Dwyer Choice Coordinator:
      - Emily.Ferris@palmbeachschools.org
      - Office phone: (561) 625-7897

Industry Certification Opportunities
Academy of Finance:
    - Microsoft Office Specialist Certifications (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
    - QuickBooks Certification
Construction:
    - Home Builders Institute (HBI) Pre-Apprenticeship
Culinary:
    - ServSafe Certified Professional Food Manager
Digital Design and Digital Art:
    - Adobe Certified Associate (Photoshop, InDesign)
    - Adobe Certified Expert
Early Childhood Teacher Education:
    - Early Childhood Professional Certificate (FL Dept. of Education)
    - National Child Development Associate (CDA)
TV Production:
    - Adobe Premiere Pro

Course Selection
- Course Selection Process:
    1) Students will select their courses based on the 9th grade progression
    2) Student will choose 4 elective courses, and number them in order of preference
       (with #1 being their top choice)
    3) Students and their parents will review the courses selected on SIS.

- Visit our School Counseling Department’s page on the William T. Dwyer website for:
     - Incoming Student Presentation
     -2021-2022 Curriculum Guide
     - Testing Resources, Financial Aid Info, College/Career Info, and more!

9th Grade Progression
English: (Select one)             Accelerated Elective: 1 Required
Pre-AICE English Language         AICE Thinking Skills         AICE Law
AICE General Papers               AP Art History               AP Human Geography
                                  Digital Design 1             Digital Video (TV Production)
Math: (Select one)                Digital Art Imaging
Algebra I Regular/Honors
Geometry Regular/Honors           Physical Education Elective: Both Required
Algebra II Regular/Honors         Personal Fitness & Team Sports
Science: (Select one)             2 Additional Electives: See Course Selection Guide
Physical Science Regular/Honors   Select 4 and rank them.
Biology          Regular/Honors
Chemistry        Regular/Honors   World Language: 2 years in the same language is required
                                  for a 4 year college.

Schedule Change Request Procedures
Schedule Change Procedures and Deadline:
Schedule request will be considered for specific reasons, and by a designated date. This is
usually during the 1st week school starts. A google schedule request form will be provided to
students via email and our school counseling website.

    Schedule Change request may be                  Schedule change request will not be
    permitted for the following reasons:            permitted for the following reasons:
                                                    -Desire for a new teacher
    - Incorrect course sequence
    -Prerequisite not met                           -change your lunch period
    -Previously earned credit for course            -Failure to submit courses on SIS
    -Course is required for graduation
                                                    -Failure to select a minimum of 4
                                                    elective course

Additional Information / Stay Informed
9th Grade School Counselors:                Online / Social Media:
Mr. Overbaugh-                              - Dwyer Website: wtdh.palmbeachschools.org
Jason.Overbaugh@palmbeachschools.org         -   : @DwyerHighSchool
Ms. Little-                                 -     : @DwyerHighSchool
Towanda.Little@palmbeachschools.org
                                            -     : @DwyerHS, @DwyerAVID, @Dwyer_Guidance
Mrs. Rounds- School Counselor Coordinator           @DwyerAthletics, @DwyerAcademies
Laura.Rounds@palmbeachschools.org
                                            - Download the Dwyer HS App (available on Apple and
                                              Android devices).
Assistant Principal of Curriculum:
- Ms. Farrell
Shannon.Farrell@palmbeachschools.org