Incoming Freshmen

Getting Started (Course selection is for in-district LLMS 8th graders only)

• Other students interested in enrolling at LLHS will need to complete transfer enrollment over the summer

• LLMS students currently on out-of-district-transfer status will need
  to complete transfer enrollment and be accepted before course selection.

• YOU SHOULD HAVE:

  1. Blue Freshmen Course Selection Card. (write name & ID)

  2. Freshmen Elective Course Descriptions.

  3. LLHS CTE Programs of Study Sheet

• In this presentation, we will reference the LLS 2024-2025 Course Description Book, which you can find on the Los Lunas Schools website.

High School Days

All students will be enrolled in 7 Classes + Tiger Time (advisory) once a week

• 4 core classes: English, Math, Social Studies & Science
• 1 PE Class
  • (PE, JROTC, or Marching Band)
• 2 Electives

Students will have a 5-minute passing period.

Lunch is 30 minutes (A or B lunch - based on 5th period teacher)

Credits

• Students must earn credits in order to graduate
• Don't get behind on credits
• It is easier to stay on track than to get back on track

Grades

Students must pass each course with a 60% (D-) or better to earn a credit.

Each course is worth 0.5 credit per semester.

Totals: 7 classes each school year = 7 credits

Remember - you need 24 total credits to graduate

Graduation Requirements

Credits Required:

• English 4
• Mathematics 4
• Science 3
• Health 0.5
• NM History 0.5
• World History 1
• US History 1
• Government 0.5
• Economics 0.5
• PE 1
• Electives 8

Total: 24 credits

Additional Requirements

• One of the above credits must be in a Pre-AP, AP, DC or DL course
• One of the above credits must be in a career cluster course, workplace readiness or language other than English
• NMPED Graduation Requirements

College Preparation

Some colleges require more classes or higher level courses for admissions than are required for high school graduation.

Examples:

• 4th year Science Course
• Fine Arts or Visual Arts Class
• 2 years of Foreign Language

Goal:

Maximize your options in high school by choosing courses to challenge yourself

Examples:

• Take Pre-AP, AP or Dual Credit Courses
• Select Electives related to your future career or diversify your current skill set
  • Ex: business, art, engineering, agriculture

Pre-AP & AP

• Pre-AP & AP classes enhance your preparation for college level placement tests and coursework
• Every Pre-AP & AP course requires additional hours of study
• AP classes grant an extra point toward your GPA, IF you receive an A, B, or C & take the AP Exam
• Summer reading is required for English Pre-AP & AP courses and sometimes Social Studies AP courses

If you are planning to take a Pre-AP or AP course you and your parent/guardian MUST complete the Pre-AP/AP Contract AND attend the mandatory AP meeting night to be held Spring 2024. Exact date TBD. Contract MUST BE turned in with your course selection card.

1. Pre-AP and AP courses offer college level rigor while fulfilling the graduation requirement of taking at least one credit of AP, DC, or DL courses
2. Earn college credit: more colleges than ever before accept AP Exam scores of a 3 or higher for credit, saving you time and money
3. Get a GPA Boost. Successful passing of AP courses offers an additional weighted point to your overall GPA. These courses help you stand out on your college applications by reflecting rigor, motivation to succeed, and ability to pass college level work.

Dual Credit

• A dual credit class isa class taken at LLHS through UNM-Valencia. The student will receive both high school and college credit.

• Students must meet the pre-requisites for any specific course including GPA, accuplacer etc.

• Must complete college dual credit application in order to receive dual credit. (Asks for personal information such as your Social Security Number)

• Must receive a C or higher to count for college credit.

Any grade earned in a dual credit class will reflect on BOTH the high school and college transcript – even if the grade is an F, W (withdrawal), or I (incomplete). Dual credit grades can affect future eligibility for financial aid and scholarships.

Benefits of Dual Credit:

• Dual Credit Courses allow students to take college-level courses accredited through UNM-Valencia campus while earning both high school and college credit.

• Dual Credit courses are focused on academics or career and technical courses (CTE).

• GPA Requirement and/or placement testing required.

Dual Credit courses offer college level rigor while fulfilling the graduation requirement of taking at least one credit of AP, DC, or DL courses.

Earn college credit: successful passing of the course with a grade of 75%, C or better earns a minimum of 3 college credits and 1
high school credit.

These courses help you stand out on your college applications by reflecting rigor, motivation to succeed, and ability to pass college
level work.

Your class schedule will be determined based on your course selections.

• Pick courses carefully, in terms of rigor, interests, and goals (not because your friends picked it).
• You will NOT be permitted to change your course requests after they are submitted. CHOOSE WISELY!
• Adequate schedule planning for students, teachers, and classroom space can be completed only when school officials can consider students’ schedule requests to be final and binding.
• Make sure your Alternate Electives are courses you are willing to take. Changes will NOT be made if an Alternate is on your schedule.
• Pay close attention to course fees and course prerequisites.

NOTE: This is NOT your final schedule. Schedules will be released in July 2024.

• Every LLMS 8th grader will be required to turn in their iPad to the middle school at the end of the school year in May.
• Students will ONLY be issued a MacBook at LLHS if the iPad has been returned.
• Students will receive their MacBook before the first day of school.
  • $45 Technology Lab Fee
  • Insurance for technology is available
• Students will be given the option to purchase their MacBook when they graduate.
• View Technology Handbook for more information.

Course Selection Forms are due Thursday, February 15, 2024. 

Turn in completed and signed forms to your LLMS Social Studies Teacher.

ALL required signatures are due by this date.

Course Selection Form:

• Due to Social Studies Teachers Thursday, February 15, 2024
  • *If you don’t turn it in, we get to pick your classes for you!
• Explore our electives and pick four that you are interested in
• Choose two elective choices and two alternates (they need to be different)

Communication:

• Talk to your English and Math teachers about what class to sign up for
• They must sign your Course Selection Card in order for you to take Pre-AP courses

Save the Date:

• Course Selection Card due to Social Studies Teachers on February 15, 2024
• Entering of Course Selection Requests will take place on February 15, 2024

Explore Colleges & Careers:

• Although you are just starting your high school journey...
• Parent/Guardian: Talk to your student about their plans after high school
• Explore colleges, careers and scholarships together

Stay Connected:

• Follow LLHS on Instagram @llhstigersofficial and Facebook @LLHS Tigers Official
• Parents/Guardian(s) make sure you are signed up for Parent Portal, Remind AND Canvas to follow and support your students academic journey