Rising 9th Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions for parents of rising 9th graders



Can my child take Health/PE 9 in summer school?


Yes, summer school information should be coming out March/April. Forest Middle School (FMS) will receive summer school information and you will register with FMS.  The health portion of the course will be online and the students will keep a log of their fitness activities for the PE portion.


What does my child need to do to take the College Pre-calculus class?


If students have below a 3.0 GPA they must take and pass the CVCC Math and English placement tests to take College Pre-calculus.


CVCC Placement tests are offered at CVCC’s Main Campus or CVCC’s Bedford Center.  You will need to bring a valid ID and your CVCC student ID number to take the test.  The tests are free and no appointment is necessary. CVCC/s Main Campus (Bedford Building-Library)-Placement testing hours are Mon-Thurs, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Friday, 8 a.m.- to 3 p.m. CVCC’s Bedford Center- Placement testing hours are Mon-Thurs, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Friday 8 a.m. to noon.

 

What are Honors classes?


Honors classes are meant to prepare students for the rigor of AP classes (college-level courses). Advanced Placement (AP) is a national program through CollegeBoard.  


Honors classes move at a faster pace and involve more rigor. Content will be studied in more depth and there will be more homework.


My child was recommended for 4 Honors classes next year, is that too many?


That would depend on your child, but for most 4 is too many.  Honors classes require more time and work outside of class time (homework).  They move through the content at a faster pace and in more depth.  You know your child’s temperament, stress levels, and extracurricular schedule better than anyone, so help your child consider those factors when deciding on Honors level classes.


How can I make sure my child is competitive for the Central Virginia Governor’s School or the Early College program?


Students should have completed Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, and Chemistry by the end of 10th grade. The rigor of their courses will be considered along with grades, PSAT, and SOL scores, teacher recommendations, and the student’s responses to application questions.


Can my child change a class?


Yes, if you wish to make a schedule change before school ends for the summer send in a note to FMS with your signature with the requested change. Once school begins, students will have 10 days to make a class change. After that time only class-level changes will be allowed (ex: Honors to Regular). If you have further questions please call or email a JFHS counselor.