Parent Advocacy Handbook: High School Grades 9-12

High school is a time of academic and career choices for teens. They must decide whether to take regular, Honors, Academy, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. They must seriously begin investigating their options after high school. High school also is a time of increased involvement in extracurricular activities, whether it is a school club or activity, athletics, community service, or outside employment. It, therefore, is important for parents to have a basic understanding of these course options and where to go for assistance to help their teen make decisions.

High School - What is it all About?

• The school day in most FCPS high schools begins between 8:00 and 8:10 a.m. and ends between 2:45 and 2:55 p.m. The school day includes time for classes in core subjects and electives, lunch, and embedded remediation and enrichment, which often is named using the school’s mascot as an identifier (e.g., “Jaguar Time”).
• Most high school classes do not meet every day. Instead, they meet every other day in a block schedule that allows for longer instruction time on the days the specific class meets. Block schedules identify when classes meet by an Odd Day-Even Day schedule system-wide. Individual schools usually designate these days by their school colors. (Note: If you have students at more than one high school at the same time, pay attention to the Odd/Even designation and not the color, especially if their schools have the same color or colors.)
• High school students take classes in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health (including Family Life Education and Drivers’ Education), and physical education, to meet the graduation requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition, students may take elective courses in fine arts, career and technical education, and world language. Students choose high school courses in late winter/early spring before 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Grades.
• Academics are more rigorous in high school. High school students have various options for advanced study, including Advanced Placement courses; International Baccalaureate courses; and Dual Enrollment courses.
• Many high school students participate in extra-curricular activities (e.g., school clubs and academic teams; sports teams; etc.) at school and in their communities. Many high school students also have paid employment outside of the school day. Organization and careful planning are essential skills for all high school students.
• High school can be overwhelming to teens as they are faced with academic, social, and emotional challenges not experienced in middle school. Although the typical teenager increasingly holds their parents at arms-length to show their independence, this is a time for parents to be watchful and to discreetly be engaged in the personal and social life of the student. Parents, therefore, must learn how to provide guidance and assistance to their students as their teens take on increased independence and personal responsibility both in and outside of the school building.

High School - Who is in the Building?

Be an Advocate

At Home

• Talk to your child. Check in every day and ask them to tell you about their day. Sometimes it helps to ask them one thing that interested them during the day.
• Help your teen develop consistent study habits during the early high school years by ensuring that homework assignments and special projects are completed on time. Check Course Information in FCPS 24-7 Learning: Parent View regularly. Make sure that the teacher is posting their syllabus and other materials so that not only the student can access but the parents can stay on top of this. This will be helpful prior to grades coming out so that you can make sure your child takes advantage of the teacher’s open hours to meet.
• Help your child with planning and time management. Ask your teen how they keep track of class assignments. Many schools issue paper planners (or agendas) to their students. Does your teen use a planner (either a paper planner or a calendar app)?  Ensure that your student is developing strong study skills by checking that class assignments are entered into their planner and that all assignment have been completed.
• Talk to your student about balancing academics and extracurricular activities. If your teen also has a job, after school and/or on weekends, discuss your expectations regarding work hours and giving priority to school work.
• Help your student plan for homework. When will your student do their homework? (Same time every day or does it need to change because of after-school activities?) Where will your student do their homework? (Establish a clean space with no distractions, e.g., desk, table, community room, library.) How long for homework? (Know each teacher’s expectations for homework. What is minimum amount of time teacher expects be spent on homework?)
• Do your parent homework! Mark important school dates and all school holidays in your personal calendar or planner. Keep a copy of your child’s schedule handy, so that you know who their teachers are, what period each class meets, and where each class is located. Some questions to ask yourself:  Do I know my school’s bell schedule? What are the school’s colors for odd and even day scheduling? (If you have children in different middle and high schools at the same time, the colors may not be the same.) 
• At the beginning of every school year, discuss with your child FCPS’s Student Rights and Responsibilities. Students will talk about this important document in school but also need to hear from you about your expectations regarding their rights and their behavior in school. Speak with your child as well about your desire to be told about any social cruelty (teasing, bullying, etc.)
• Monitor school and class attendance. Absences from school may be a sign that your student is losing interest in school, or is struggling with school work, or is dealing with conflicts or other social situations with classmates, or is simply tired or overwhelmed balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and other commitments. Speak with your high school staff if you need help.
• Establish rules and boundaries for use of electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, and computers) early on in high school, and check in regularly with your child regarding screen time.  You may need to limit screen time (e.g., television, video games, and movies, etc.), especially during the school week. Continue to monitor and moderate your child’s use of social media (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and any increased need to electronic communications.
• Monitor your student’s progress report (report card). If your child is at risk of failing and not meeting the graduation requirements, you should meet with your child’s teacher and counselor to see that a focused remediation plan is established. If your child is struggling in a class, encourage them to get help (e.g., during their daily embedded remediation and enrichment period; after school through teacher meetings or peer tutoring; etc.).
• Pay attention to graduation requirements. Know what the graduation requirements for your child. (If you have more than one student in high school, the graduation requirements may be slightly different.)  Monitor your child’s progress to make sure he or she is on track to graduate. Encourage your child to speak with his/her counselor to discuss their progress towards meeting graduation requirements. Schedule an appointment with the counselor for yourself if you have questions.
• Encourage your child’s development of special interests and talents outside of school, including activities that include the child in social circles (e.g., with groups of friends and peers in non-academic activities, on outside sports teams, in activities at their personal place of worship, etc.). Your local community center, recreation center, library, house of worship, etc., may provide options.  
• Discuss the importance of getting enough sleep at night (9 – 9 ½ hours per night, recommended) and starting the day with a healthy breakfast. Studies show that the majority of teenagers do not get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can contribute to an inability to concentrate, poor grades, anxiety, and depression. (If your child drives to school, and drives others to school, sleep is critical.)
• Set expectations regarding social life. Do you have a curfew? Can your child ride with a student driver? Can your student driver give rides to others? What are your consequences if you find that your teen is using alcohol or drugs?

At School

• Stay in touch with teachers and make sure that they are communicating with you about your child. This lets the teachers know that you care and will be involved as a parent. This communication may be by emails, phone conversations, and/or periodic face-to-face meetings. Let the teacher know your preferred method of communication.
• If the teacher contacts you about your child – please respond to the teacher within 24 hours, if possible.
• Work with your teen and your child’s school counselor to create an Academic and Career Plan, including successful course sequencing, for your student. Make sure that your child is on track to graduate.  If your child is college-bound, you want to make sure that your student takes the appropriate college preparation classes.
• Hold regular meetings with your child’s Counselor and your student. Let the counselor know that you are going to be actively involved in insuring that your child has a successful high school experience. This communication can help to get the most out of the counselor, as well as keep you involved with the school so things do not slip. 
• Take advantage of opportunities your school offers to learn more about planning for life beyond high school. Attend college planning programs, college fairs, etc. Learn about the various opportunities available to students who wish to pursue an apprenticeship or employment directly from high school.

High School Programs

All high schools provide the following services to students who require them:

• Special Education. FCPS provides specialized services for students with disabilities.
• ESOL Services. ESOL helps children who speak other languages learn to read and understand English so they can succeed in school.
• Honors Classes. Honors classes offer additional academic rigor for high school students. They are open to all students who request them in Math, English, Science, and Social Studies.

In addition, high schools may offer the following academic programs and services.

• Advanced Placement (AP): AP courses can provide college-level credit for work performed in high school. They are more advanced than regular high school courses in the same subjects. For college admissions, good performance on AP exams can help your child significantly. AP classes receive a weight of +1.0 when calculating grade point average.
  AP Students may be eligible to participate in AP Capstone, a diploma program based on two year-long AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. In the Capstone program, students study a variety of topics across multiple disciplines, and have the ability to choose topics that are of particular interest to them. Students work on mastering skills in critical thinking, research, and presentation.
• International Baccalaureate Program (IB): The International Baccalaureate (IB) program, offers a rigorous academic curriculum for 11th and 12th grade students. Students can earn a full IB diploma that consists of external examinations in six subjects, participation in community service activities, and completion of a 4,000-word extended essay. Students who do not want to complete a full IB diploma may earn a separate IB certificate for each IB course completed. Any student enrolled in an IB course is required to take the end-of-course examination. IB classes receive a weight of +1.0 when calculating grade point average. IB is offered only at Annandale, Edison, Lee, Marshall, Mount Vernon, South Lakes, and Justice High Schools and Robinson Secondary School, but is open to all students through pupil placement. IB courses are recognized for advanced course placement or college credit by many universities in the United States.
• International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP): High School students in grades 9 and 10 may participate in the IMMYP program, which “encourages students to embrace and understand connections between traditional subjects and the real world and become critical and reflective thinkers.” MYP is offered at four FCPS high schools. Students can earn an MYP Certificate at the end of 10th grade.
• Dual Enrollment: Dual enrollment courses are courses offered to high school students (generally seniors) where they can earn high school and college credits at their high school. These college level courses are taught at their high school by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) faculty and students pay reduced tuition rates. Upon completion of dual enrollment courses, students may receive college credit.
• Career & Technical Education (CTE) Programs:  Professional Technical Studies courses in the following areas are offered in the comprehensive high schools: business, industrial technology, marketing, trade and industrial, and work and family studies.
• Academies: A high school academy is a center within an existing school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that successfully integrate career and academic preparation. Six FCPS high schools have Academies. Courses in health occupations are available to all high school juniors and seniors at Chantilly, Edison, Falls Church, and West Potomac High Schools, and school bus transportation is provided. Programs for students with special interests are available at community-based locations and at single school sites. For further information, speak with your student’s school counselor or call the Office of Professional Technical Studies at (703) 208-7796.
• College Success Program: The College Success Program prepares high school students for success in higher education. Some (but not all) of the programs are for students who will be the first in their family to attend college and who do not have the financial means to attend college without significant financial support. The four FCPS College Success Programs are:
  • Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID). AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID is an elective course that teaches students study skills, and offers motivational activities and the opportunity to explore college and career options. AVID students learn how to navigate the college admissions process. They are given opportunities to visit college campuses and attend college information fairs with their AVID class, and may receive college application fee waivers and earn specialized scholarships. Students who wish to take AVID go through a screening process. For more information, contact the AVID coordinator at your high school.
  • College Partnership Program (CPP). CPP assists high school students from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education learn how to navigate the college admissions process through monthly, after-school sessions and workshops. Some middle schools offer the CPP’s College and Career Exploration Club (CCE) as an after-school program.
  • Early Identification Program (EIP). EIP is a cooperative program between George Mason University and FCPS that offers a multi-year college preparation program to students who will be the first in their families to attend college.
  • Pathway to the Baccalaureate/ Pathway Connection. The Pathway program is a cooperative program with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) that offers structured support for high school seniors as they transition to and through NOVA, and later transfer to George Mason University or another university that participates in the guaranteed admission program (where NOVA students who complete an associate degree are insured admission to a participating four-year college to complete their bachelor’s degree). Seniors must apply to, and be enrolled in, Pathway in the fall of 12th grade to participate in this program beyond high school.
    Pathway Connection is a related program for 10th and 11th grade students. A pilot program in FCPS is ongoing.
• Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). JROTC offers courses that focus on academic preparation, citizenship, leadership, character development, and the scope and nature of a particular branch of U.S. military service. Students in grades 9-12 may participate in JROTC. The program is offered at some FCPS schools. Students who do not attend those schools also may enroll in JROTC through pupil placement. 

Resources for High School Parents

• Parent-Teacher-Student Associations/Organizations. Many high schools have a PTSA/PTSO that includes students as members, to work with their schools to ensure students receive a high-quality education and the necessary supports to grow academically. Some PTSA/PTSO are run by parents and provide educational and financial assistance to schools. The PTSA/PTSO is a great resource for parents. You can learn a lot about what is going on at your high school through your PTSA/PTSO .
• Booster Clubs. Many high school athletic and academic teams, and other extracurricular clubs, have Booster Clubs for parents to support their students in their extracurricular activities. Booster Clubs offer volunteers for school events, raise funds to support teams and clubs, and attend events and competitions to support their students.
• Parent Resource Center. The Parent Resource Center library offers parents and professional’s  books, journals, periodicals, and videos to assist them in better understanding children with special needs, family interaction, education, and roles and responsibilities in the special education process.  
• College and Career Center: Every high school has a College and Career Center that offers current college and career resource materials. The College and Career Specialist can assist your student with investigating colleges and/or career and technical opportunities and training, financial aid/scholarships/grants. College and Career Specialists host college visits, military recruiters, and representatives from apprenticeship and training programs.
• School Library/Media Center: Your school’s Library/Media Center can provide books, journals, periodicals and videos for your student. The School Library staff can assist students in doing research for their classes, offer suggestions of books for independent reading, and provide workshops and presentations on various subjects that may be of interest to your high school student. The library also has desktop computers available for students to use during the school day. In addition, the school librarian can help students borrow MiFi hotspot devices to use at home. 

 Common Questions