Grade 9 Information Packet
College and AP Courses Offered in High School
PIne Bush High School List of Approved NCAA Courses
NCAA College-Bound Student-Athlete Guide
9th Grade Timeline
Did You Know?
College graduates earn substantially more than high school graduates. Here is a breakdown of the median earnings by college degree:
| Level of education completed | Mean (average) earnings in 2014 |
| Less than a high school diploma | $30,108 |
| High school graduate, no college | $43,056 |
| Some college, no degree | $48,984 |
| Associate degree | $52,364 |
| Bachelor’s degree | $74,308 |
| Master’s degree | $88,036 |
| Doctoral degree ( e.g., Ph.D.) | $105,456 |
| Professional degree (e.g., M.D., J.D.) | $124,904 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Current Population Survey, unpublished tables, 2015, via studentaid.ed.gov.
The courses you take in high school are important.
Whether you plan to attend a four-year college or community college, take at least five academic classes every semester in high school to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening and reasoning.
Colleges are looking for a solid foundation of learning that you can build upon. Keep in mind that even though they may not be required for high school graduation, most colleges prefer the following:
- 4 years of English
- 4 years of math (including integrated algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/trigonometry)
- 3 years of social studies
- 3 years of laboratory science
- 2-3 years of the same foreign language
- courses in fine arts and computer science
Many states have diploma options available to students, such as the New York State Regents Diploma, and options frequently require additional high school coursework. Your counselor can help you make the right class choices.
Take academics seriously and keep your grades up.
Your high school grades are important and the difficulty of your courses may be a factor in a college’s decision to offer you admission. College admission officers will pay close attention to your grade point average (GPA), class rank, Advanced Placement (AP), and other honors-level courses, as well as your scores on standardized tests and state exams – such as the Regents in New York State. So, challenge yourself by taking tougher courses and maintaining good grades. Not only will this help prepare you for standardized tests (such as the PSAT, SAT and ACT), but it will also determine your eligibility for some colleges.
Get to know your teachers, counselor and principal.
Show them that you are both serious about learning and a hard worker. When you begin applying to college in a couple of years, you will have people who know you well. Those who know you well will write the strongest recommendation letters.
Get involved.
Find something you like and stick to it! Colleges pay close attention to your life outside of the classroom and value these types of experiences. It is not the quantity but the quality and longevity of involvement in activities or organizations that matter. For example, if, as a 9th grader, you join the school newspaper and are a club reporter and then in 10th grade become a sports reporter, in 11th, a sports editor and in 12th, the editor-in-chief, it demonstrates growth in leadership. In community service, the same applies. It is not a sign of commitment if you simply participate in a charity walk once a year for four years. Rather, you should find something in which you have an avid interest. Whether it is an animal shelter, a nursing home, or a soup kitchen, the idea is that you stay and put in significant time.
Make the most of your summer.
Keep busy by doing something meaningful such as finding a summer job, identifying a volunteer experience in a career field that interests you, learning or perfecting a skill or hobby, going to summer school to get ahead or catch up, attending a summer program or camp, or catching up on your reading.
Get a head start by creating your activities resume now. An activities resume is a great way to highlight your strengths and to inform colleges about your out-of-class accomplishments and special talents.
Additional ideas include the following:
- Find a community service project and commit significant hours.
- Attend a summer camp and hone your testing skills, athletic skills, or a hobby such as music.
- Find a summer college program where you can master subject areas of interest or leadership training.
- Go to summer school to advance or to repeat a subject that was failed.
- Utilize the 10th grade reading lists for English, social studies, etc. to complete assignments and free up time during the beginning of the school year.
Here are a couple of helpful resources to get you started:
- College Board’s 5 Ways to Stay on Track in Summer
- Summer programs at teenlife.com
Pine Bush High School Summer Enrichment Academies
Pine Bush High School offers summer enrichment academies each year. These academies provide a focused, in-depth study of a particular subject. They are funded through grants, donations and student tuition fees. They run approximately two weeks
Depending on enrollment, the academies offered are:
- Leadership and Law Academy
- College Level Leadership and Law Academy
- Aviation Academy
- Fine Art Academy
- STEM Academy
- Medical Academy
- Advanced Manufacturing Academy
Read more about the summer enrichment academies here.
Start saving for college
It’s not too early to begin saving for college. Learn about 529 plans through the College Savings Plan Network and Upromise to earn points when you shop.
COLLEGE AND AP COURSES OFFERED IN HIGH SCHOOL
DOMINICAN COLLEGE:
- COLLEGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE-(school yr)- Prior to 22-23 CJ113, 3 crds
- COLLEGE PSYCHOLOGY- Prior to 22-23 PS102, 3 crds
SUNY SULLIVAN:
- COLLEGE BUSINESS MATH-BUS 1101, 3 crds
- COLLEGE MICROECONOMICS – ECO 1402, 3 crds
- COLLEGE PRE-CALCULUS-MAT 1206, 4 crds
- COLLEGE CALCULUS 1-starting 21/22 – MAT 1301, 4 crds
- COLLEGE CALCULUS 2-starting 21/22 – MAT 2301, 4 crds
- COLLEGE ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY 1- SCI 2124, 4 crds
- PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY 1-SCI 1124, 4 crds
- PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY 2-SCI 2152, 4 crds
- INTRO TO METEOROLOGY – SCI 1020, 4 crds
- INTRO TO ASTRONOMY – SCI 1028, 4 crds
- COLLEGE SPANISH IV-starting 20/21- FLA 2246, 3 crds
- COLLEGE SPANISH V-starting 20/21-FLA 2247, 3 crds
- COLLEGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE-(L&L/School Yr.)- starting Summer 2021 and Fall 2022 – CRJ 1115, 3 crds
- GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY-starting 22/23 – PSY 1500, 3 crds
- COLLEGE DIGITAL PHOTO 1 & 2 – PHO 1406, 3 crds and PHO 2406, 3 crds
ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
- COLLEGE ACCOUNTING- ACC153, 4 crds
- COLLEGE CALCULUS 1 Prior to 21/22 – MAT 205,4 creds
- COLLEGE CALCULUS 1(½ year) Prior to 21/22 – MAT205, 4 crds
- COLLEGE CALCULUS 2(½ year) Prior to 21/22 – MAT206, 4 crds
- COLLEGE ALGEBRA – MAT121, 3 crds
- COLLEGE TRIGONOMETRY- MAT122, 3 crds
- COLLEGE ENGLISH 101 – ENG101, 3 crds
- COLLEGE ENGLISH 102 – ENG102, 3 crds
- COLLEGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE-(L&L)2020 and prior – CJR101, 3 crds
- INTRO TO ENGINEERING- EGR101, 3 crds
- COLLEGE FIELD BIOLOGY- BIO210, 3 crds
- INTRODUCTION TO CADD- CAD101, 3 crds
SUNY ALBANY:
- COLLEGE SPANISH IV-prior to 20/21
- COLLEGE SPANISH V-prior to 20/21
- COLLEGE AMERICAN HISTORY 1- AHIS 100 Amr Poltcl and Social His I, 3 crds
- COLLEGE AMERICAN HISTORY 2 – AHIS 101 Amr Poltcl and Social His II, 3 crds
SUNY NEW PALTZ
- MULTIPLE VOICES – SPE106, 3 crds
AP COURSES:
- AP ENGLISH 11
- AP ENGLISH 12
- AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
- AP US HISTORY
- AP GOVERNMENT/POLITICS
- AP STUDIO ART
- AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES
*If you took a College class at Pine Bush High School you must go to that college’s website and request that an official transcript be sent to the college that you are planning on attending in the fall.
*If you took an Advanced Placement class at Pine Bush High School you must log into the www.collegeboard.org website and request that your AP scores be sent to the college that you are planning on attending in the fall.
This is the only way the college you are attending can possibly give you credit. If you have questions please see your School Counselor.
NYS DIPLOMA TYPES
| Subject Area | Regents Diploma | Advanced Regents Diploma |
| English | 4 credits and 1 exam: (ELA) after English 11 | 4 credits and 1 exam: (ELA) after English 11 |
| Social Studies | 4 credits and 2 exams: Global History (2credits) and exam; US History (1 credit) and exam; Economics (.5 credit); Government (.5 credit) |
4 credits and 2 exams: Global History (2credits) and exam; US History (1 credit) and exam; Economics (.5 credit); Government (.5 credit) |
| Mathematics | 3 credits and 1 exam in either: Algebra 1, Geometry or Algebra 2 | 3 credits and 3 exams in all: Algebra 1, Geometry or Algebra 2 |
| Science |
3 credits and 1 exam: Life Science (1 credit); |
3 credits and 2 exams: Life Science (1 credit); Physical Science (1 credit); Life or Physical Science (1 credit) |
| Foreign Language | 1 credit* | 3 credits and 1 exam: Checkpoint B after 3rd level language |
| The Arts | 1 credit of Art or Music | 1 credit of Art or Music |
| Physical Education | 2 credits | 2 credits |
| Health | .5 credits | .5 credits |
| Electives | 3.5 credits | 1.5 credits |
| Total Credits to Graduate | 22 credits | 22 credits |
| Total Regents Exams | 5 exams | 9 exams |
*Students with disabilities may be excused from the 1 credit language requirement.
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High School Timeline – NCAA
9th Grade
- Start planning now! Take the right courses and earn the best grades possible
- Find your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses at eligibilitycenter.org/courselist.
- Sign up for a free Profile Page account at eligibilitycenter.org for information on NCAA requirements.
10th Grade
- If you fall behind academically, ask your counselor for help finding approved courses you can take.
- Register for a Profile Page or Certification account with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org.
- Monitor your Eligibility Center account or next steps.
- At the end of the year, ask your counselor at each high school or program you attended to upload your official transcript to your Eligibility Center account.
11th Grade
- Check with your counselor to make sure you are on track to complete the required number of NCAA-approved courses and graduate on time with your class.
- Take the SAT/ACT and submit your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center using code 9999.
- Ensure your sports participation information is correct in your Eligibility Center account.
- At the end of the year, ask your counselor at each high school or program you attended to upload your official transcript to your Eligibility Center account.
12th Grade
- Complete your final NCAA-approved core courses as your prepare for graduation.
- Take the SAT/ACT again, if necessary, and submit your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center using code 9999.
- Request your final amateurism certification beginning April 1 (fall enrollees) or Oct. 1 (winter/spring enrollees) in your Eligibility Center account.
- Reminder: Only students on an NCAA Division I or II school’s institutional request list will receive a certification.
How to plan your high school courses to meet the 16-core-course requirement: 4 x 4 = 16
- 9th grade: 1 English, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social Science and/or additional = 4 Core Courses
- 10th grade: 1 English, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social Science and/or additional = 4 Core Courses
- 11th grade: 1 English, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social Science and/or additional = 4 Core Courses
- 12th grade: 1 English, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social Science and/or additional = 4 Core Courses
Search Frequently Asked Questions: ncaa.org/studentfaq
Pine Bush High School List of Approved NCAA Courses
English
- =English10 SC
- =English11 SC
- =English12 SC
- =English9 SC
- AP English 11
- British Literature
- College English I
- College English II
- Creative Writing
- English 10
- English 10/H
- English 11
- English 12 (AP)
- English 9
- English 9/H
- Public Speaking
- Myth, Magic and Make Believe
Math
- =Algebra I Common Core ASC0.5
- =Algebra I Common Core BSC0.5
- Algebra I CC Year 2
- Algebra I
- Algebra I Common Core
- Algebra II
- Algebra II Common Core
- AP Computer Science Principles
- Calculus I
- Calculus II
- College Algebra
- College Pre-Calculus
- College Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Geometry Common Core
Science
- =Living Environment SC
- =Forensics SC
- Topics in Physical Science SC
- AP Environmental Science
- Chemistry
- Chemistry/AP
- College Anatomy & Physiology
- Concepts of Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Forensics
- Living Environment
- Marine Biology and Oceanography
- Topics in Physical Science
- College Meteorology/Astronomy
- Meteorology/Astronomy
- Physics
- College Biology 1/2
- College Field Biology
Social Studies
- =SS 10 SC
- =SS 11 SC
- =SS 12 SC
- =SS 9 SC
- American Govt/AP
- American History/Coll 1 & 2
- College Microeconomics
- College Macroeconomics
- College Criminal Justice
- College Psychology 1
- European/AP
- Genocide
- History of Hip Hop
- Modern Issues
- Modern World Issues
- Social Studies 10
- Social Studies 10/H
- Social Studies 11
- Social Studies 12 Economics
- Social Studies 12 Gov’t
- Social Studies 9
- Social Studies 9/H
- Street Law
Other
- Spanish 1
- Spanish 1/2
- Spanish 2
- Spanish 3
- College Spanish 4
- College Spanish 5