Why Freshman Academy?
We are excited that you will be a freshman at Overton High School! We have designed the Freshman Academy as a web of support for our 9th graders as they make the transition to high school. We recognize that 9th grade is an important and challenging year, and we want all of our students to succeed at Overton. Our Freshman Academy is one part of our Small Learning Communities, and the Freshman Academy provides an opportunity for 9th graders to learn about our career academies for grades 10-12. Some details of the Freshman Academy include:
Structure: Students will spend three periods in their academy classes on the Freshman Academy hallway.
Teams: Three teachers will work with a common group of ninth graders to provide guidance, additional assistance, and close monitoring to be sure they feel safe, well supported, and given extra help as needed. These teachers will plan together and determine what is needed to make sure every freshman succeeds.
Support: All freshmen will meet weekly in an advisory session with a caring adult who will provide support and information to help them do well in ninth grade and beyond. Advisory period provides students a forum for addressing concerns and discussing pressing issues of the day.
Strategies: Teachers and administrators will be studying academic and behavioral data to determine how and when intervention is needed to make sure every freshman is ready for the tenth grade.
Freshman Academy Administrative Team
Mr. T-shaka Coverson Freshman Academy Principal
Mr. Donna Bailey Freshman Academy Secretary
Ms. Gini Pupo-Walker Small Learning Communities Site Coach
Mr. Steve Van Driest Freshman Counselor
Freshman Academy Courses
ENGLISH I
This course encompasses a correlated study of reading, language development, literature, composition, listening, and speaking.
ENGLISH I HONORS
Honors course for highly motivated English students.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Introductory chemistry and physics, this course covers some of the fundamental concepts such as force, speed, acceleration, gravity, energy, light, electricity, atoms, compounds, etc. The student learns the relationship between science and technology and how science affects all life.
BIOLOGY
This is a basic introductory course to the world of living things. It involves the learning of basic life process such as those associated with the cell, genetics, and an introduction to the plants, animals and their environment.
BIOLOGY I HONORS
This course deals more extensively with the abstract concepts of biology and incorporates a more extensive practice of higher level thinking skills and science process skills.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
A basic course in Geography in which students study people, places, and environments at local, regional, national, and international levels from the spatial and ecological perspectives of geography.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY HONORS
A course designed especially for ninth graders who want to pursue the AP curriculum in 11th and 12th grades.
FRESHMEN SEMINAR
A transition course to help freshmen with the move to high school that focuses on developing strong study skills, time management, and career exploration. Guidance will be provided for selecting which Career/Thematic Academy to enroll in for their sophomore year.
Freshmen are also required to take math and physical education. The student’s math course will be determined during the registration process in middle school.
Our destination is Graduation! |
