On March 13, 2008, counselors from Westlake High School are scheduled to visit Colina Middle School through students' social science classes to give eighth graders material and information for high school registration. Students will receive a registration form, a CVUSD High School Course Directory, and information regarding sports, courses, and other items. Parents and students should read and study these materials carefully.

On March 13, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in Colina's auditorium, there will be a Parent Information Night, for parents of future 9th graders. The presentation will include all the information that was shared in the daytime with your student, the petition process, summer school, and our 8th grade welcome program. You are encouraged to make every effort to attend this evening so that your questions can be answered.

Parents and students must sign the registration form before students return it to their social science teachers (high school counselors will give due date).

Here is a preview of what eighth graders will hear:

As ninth graders, students are placed automatically in their academic classes according to the prerequisites listed in the CVUSD High School Course Directory. For example, the Course Directory explains that in order for students to move directly from Math 8CP to Math 1(CP), students must earn a grade of C, B, or A. Students who earn grades of C-, D, or F in Math 8CP are placed automatically in Math A, which is Standard level math.

If students wish to move up a level (example: from Standard to CP, or from CP to Honors) but do not meet the prerequisites for that higher level, they should obtain a petition from the Colina Counseling Office or from their prospective high school. High schools review petitions in August.

Most ninth graders will take English, math, science, PE, an elective, and health/careers. Many students who plan to take a foreign language as their elective (especially students planning to apply for student government) decide to take health in summer school so that they may take an additional elective during the school year. Summer school information will be available at Colina in May.

High school students must meet certain criteria in order to graduate. Please check the CVUSD High School Course Directory for more detailed information. The criteria include

Credits: Students must earn 230 credits to graduate. Each class a student passes earns five credits each semester, or ten credits for the year. If a student passes six classes in each of four years of high school, the credits earned will be 240.

Courses: Students must pass certain courses in order to graduate, including four years of English, one semester of health, two years of PE, etc. Please see the Course Directory.

High School Exit Exam: Students must pass this test of reading, writing, and mathematics. Students will have many opportunities to pass this test. For more information, contact a school counselor or visit the California Department of Education web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/index.asp

The high schools will hold their Future Freshmen Nights as follows. Parents and students should attend.

Questions with regard to high school registration should be directed to Ms. Boe in the Colina Counseling Office at 374-1168.