8th Grade Course Requests

Thanks for meeting our course request deadline even with all of the weather interruptions. On or around January 31st, students and their parents/guardians will get an email with their course requests. At that time, we'll make a form available should parents/guardians wish to make changes to their students' requests.

The deadline for students to complete the course request form (sent to them directly by Ms. Q last Friday) is January 24th at 3 PM.

The deadline to submit the Health and Personal Fitness Alternate plan form (info in this newsletter) is January 31st at 4 PM.

Information about course requests is now available for current 8th graders for their transition to Decatur High School. We need your support in facilitating requests students will be making for their 8th grade upcoming school year. Use the information provided to support your child in this process to enable and empower them in making informed requests for English, Math, World Language, and their electives.

In January, 8th grade students will choose their courses for the 25-26 school year at Decatur High School. At DHS, 9th grade students take 8 classes:

1. Math
   

2. Science (Physics)
   

3. Social Studies (American Government and Economics)
   

4. English

5. World Language

6. Tools for Success/WIN Time

7. Health and Personal Fitness

8. An Elective of Their Choice

DHS teachers and students will be visiting BHMS on the morning of January 14th and on the morning of January 16th to introduce our electives offerings and to explain math and ELA choices to students. In these meetings, students will be able to meet DHS teachers and ask questions about their classes. We will also release a recorded presentation parents on the evening of the January 13th that will cover registration requirements and answer some frequently asked questions.

Once selections have been made by students, guardians will be able to view their child's selections, and a final copy will be sent home with a time frame for corrections.

For course descriptions for electives, please use the course descriptions found below.

Please click below to view our ten-minute course

• Students should choose one elective and three alternates.
  
• Students in 8th grade math may choose between Algebra: Concepts and Connections and Algebra: Concepts and Connections Honors.
• Students in Enhanced Algebra Concepts and Connections should choose between Geometry and Geometry Honors. All gifted students will be placed in the honors course. An opt out form will be available for those gifted students who do not want to take honors. Any students who would like to repeat Algebra in high school should reach out to Ms. McFaddin (jmcfaddin@csdecatur.net).
• Students currently in Geometry will be placed in Enhanced Advanced Algebra/AP Precalculus.
  

• 9th grade has two ELA options: Literature and Composition I and Literature and Composition I Honors. All gifted students will be placed in the honors course. An opt out form will be available for those gifted students who do not want to take honors.

• Students currently in a world language class (French, Spanish, German) should select the next course in that sequence. For example, students in Spanish III should select Spanish IV. Students who want to take a different language in 9th grade must reach out to Mr. Hatfield (whatfield@csdecatur.net). Students who would like to repeat their 8th grade language level in high school should reach out to Ms. McFaddin (jmcfaddin@csdecatur.net) to keep their current world language class off of their high school transcript.
  

• Enhanced Algebra and world language courses taken in 8th grade will appear on a student's high school transcript. Students who do not want one or more of these credits on their high school transcript should reach out to Ms. McFaddin (jmcfaddin@csdecatur.net).
• Fine Arts courses available for 9th graders are: Acting, Band, Chorus, Musical Theater, Music Technology, Orchestra, and Visual Arts
  
• PE/Health courses available for 9th graders are Health and Personal Fitness
• Career Academy courses available for 9th graders are Architecture, Audio/Video/TV/Film, Fine Furniture and Cabinet Making, Graphic Design, JROTC, Software Technology, and Teaching as a Profession.
• Gifted Directed Study is also available as an elective choice for 9th graders.
• Questions? Please fill out this form so we can direct your question to the appropriate person.