March 2024

Dear 8th Grade Parents/Guardians:

Watertown High School is preparing for the arrival of the class of 2028 in September, and with these preparations comes the start of the course selection process. This document is the first of several communications that we will share with 8th-grade students and families to assist with a successful transition from middle school to high school.

WHS Visits to WMS

Over the next several weeks, Watertown High School students, curriculum coordinators, administrators, and school counselors will be meeting with 8th-grade students to provide a general overview of life at WHS. During these visits, 8th graders will learn about core academic courses and electives, receive an overview of the high school schedule, hear about the course recommendation and selection process, and learn about extracurricular activities.

Course Recommendation Process

During this same time frame, 8th-grade teachers will be making course recommendations for your student's 9th-grade classes. We encourage you to explore the 2023-24 school year's Program of Studies for information about WHS's courses and the prerequisites for particular core courses (Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language). Once approved by the School Committee, the 2024-25 Program of Studies will be available on the WHS website as well.

We have included specific details on 9th-grade core academic classes at the end of this letter. Please note that some courses have co-requisites. These prerequisites and co-requisites, including a student's academic performance, class participation, and placement in other classes, serve as a guide for 8th-grade teachers during the recommendation process. As the year progresses and course recommendation conversations continue, teachers may update course recommendations in consultation with students, families, and curriculum coordinators. Students and families may request changes to recommendations through an appeals process. These requests and appeals are a natural part of the course selection process.

Elective Choices

While the 8th-grade teachers discuss core course recommendations with your student, the high school Guidance department will be providing information to the 8th-grade class about the opportunities available to them through our Career and Technical Education and Fine, Applied, and Performing Arts departments (most commonly referred to as electives). Descriptions of the electives will also be shared with students and posted online. Once this information is shared, students will complete a short form indicating their elective choices.

To assist students with the course selection process and to provide answers to student questions, WHS school counselors will visit students at WMS. Once the course recommendation process is complete, students and families will be able to review all course requests in PowerSchool. A copy of requests will also be sent home. You will be asked to review their requests and note any changes. Homeroom teachers will collect these forms in April.

9th Grade Courses

All incoming 9th-grade students will have recommendations for the following courses:

• English (unleveled)
• Math (typically Algebra I or Geometry/Honors Geometry)
• Social Studies (US History I/Honors US History I)
• Science (typically Conceptual Physics/Intro to Physics/Physics with Algebra/Honors Physics)
• Health & Wellness (1 semester), with the option to take a 2nd Wellness course (Personal Fitness)

This leaves students with space for additional courses of their choice. Some students will take a language (full-year course) or be enrolled in a support class, while others will opt for full or half-year electives in the Career and Technical Education or Fine, Applied, and Performing Arts departments.

Program of Studies Night

Please note that an in-person Program of Studies Night for 8th-grade families will be held on Wednesday, March 13 at 6:00 PM at Watertown Middle School. During this evening event, students and families will have an opportunity to hear more about the WHS curriculum and courses and ask the curriculum coordinators and administrators questions.

The transition to high school is an exciting time for many students and families, but it can also bring about questions and uneasiness for everyone. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Again, we look forward to working with you and your student in the coming months!

Sincerely,

Joel Giacobozzi, Principal

Adrienne Eaton, Interim Assistant Principal

All grade 9 students are enrolled in an unleveled English 9 course. This course is an introduction to the expectations of high school English. Students will build their skill set through critical thinking and reading, effective communication skills with peers, collaboration with peers and teachers through discussions and presentations, and much more!

Students requiring instruction in a substantially separate setting will be enrolled in equivalent grade 9 courses. Some students in our ESL program will be recommended for Transitional English or ESL courses. These recommendations are based on teacher feedback and language level.

Grade 9 students are enrolled in either Algebra I or Geometry. Generally, students who are currently taking Grade 8 Math will continue to Algebra I in 9th Grade. Students who have had challenges with the 8th Grade material often take a Geometry course in order to give them an extra year to get ready for Algebra I. Students who took Algebra I in 8th Grade will take Geometry. Most will take Honors Geometry, with some taking a 9th Grade version of the 10th Grade Geometry course. Teachers make each recommendation based on their knowledge of the student’s classroom experience, the student’s assessments, and the expectations of the high school courses.

Students requiring instruction in a substantially separate setting will be enrolled in equivalent grade 9 courses.

Most grade 9 students are enrolled in a Physics course. Students will explore a wide range of topics including constant accelerated motion, forces, energy, momentum, waves, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, matter, heat, and the atom including nuclear reactions and radioactive decay. Students enrolled in Physics will prepare to take the Science MCAS in June of 9th grade.

Students requiring instruction in a substantially separate setting will be enrolled in equivalent grade 9 courses.

Some students in our ESL program may be recommended for Foundations of Biology or Biology. These recommendations are based on teacher input and language level.

Eligibility for Conceptual Physics: Recommended for students who may need additional Math support than is given in Intro to Physics

Eligibility for Intro to Physics: Recommended for students enrolled in Algebra I in grade 9

Eligibility for Physics with Algebra: Recommended for students currently taking Algebra I and recommended for Geometry L1 in 9th grade OR currently earning an A in grade 8 Math

Eligibility for Honors Physics: Recommended for students currently taking Algebra I and recommended for Honors Geometry

All grade 9 students are enrolled in L1 or Honors US History. This course reviews the philosophy of democratic government and explores the development of the modern American governmental system (1215-1893). This year is primarily, but not exclusively, a political history, but it does include significant social concepts. Also, students will have the choice of continuing their middle school Civics Action Project or adopting another project to fulfill the state’s high school project requirement.

Students requiring instruction in a substantially separate setting will be enrolled in equivalent grade 9 courses.

Eligibility for Honors US History I: A recommendation from your Social Studies teacher based on your grades, willingness to go beyond the basic requirements, and your potential to achieve at a high level.

Many 9th-grade students enroll in a World Language. Some continue the language they began in middle school while others opt to begin a new language. Watertown High School offers Arabic, Armenian, Italian, and Spanish to incoming grade 9 students at the introductory and advanced levels. A Spanish class for heritage speakers will also be available to grade 9 students who meet specific criteria. Two years of a World Language is a graduation requirement for WHS students.

All 9th-grade students are enrolled in Health. In this course, students will gain an understanding of the relationship between physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Students will also identify the potential short and long-term effects on a person's lifestyle when unhealthy decisions are made. In addition to Health, 9th-grade students have the option of enrolling in Personal Fitness and Wellness. Health is a graduation requirement for WHS students.