FOR RISING FRESHMEN ONLY!!

There's no doubt about it, starting high school is a big event which can be stressful and exciting at the same time. This page is designed for YOU, to give you some answers to your questions, and hopefully help you make a smooth transition.

Here's what Westfield student's say about freshman year…

How is high school different from middle school?

• "More homework."
• "More crowded."
• "Block scheduling."
• "In HS, there are a lot more people, which means you could have a lot more friends. You also get a lot more options for classes in high school."
• "More time between classes."
• "More freedom."
• "More choices, opportunities."
• "People are more mature."
• "Teachers expect more."
• "You don't have teams in high school."
• "You're more on your own."

What were your biggest fears about going to high school and how did you deal with them?

"I was afraid of being isolated and of change. But in the end everything was okay."

" I thought it would be hard to make friends because I came from another country. But I made good friends and the classes weren't too hard. They just needed input from the student."

"Getting lost in school, but I got used to the building the first week."

"Meeting new people. I thought people would hate me, but I just acted like myself and everything was fine!"

"I was worried about the older kids. But they really don't have any interest in freshmen."

What would have helped you be more prepared for high school?

"Checking out the school before I went there."

"Being more outgoing."

"Knowing ahead of time that it was going to require a lot more effort."

"Knowing more about credits and courses that are offered."

"Knowing about block scheduling."

"To be more calm and confident that I was going to do o.k."

"Wish I was more attentive in middle school and had made better study habits for myself."

What advice do you have for next year's rising 9th graders?

"Get involved! Join a sport or activity after school."

"Do your homework."

"Schoolwork first."

"Do not slack off freshman and sophomore year. When you are a senior you will regret it!"

"Eat breakfast!"

"You'll find someone that you'll like."

"Relax! All the horrible things that are said to happen to freshmen never really do."

"Don't make a bad reputation, because it will stick with you."

"Be yourself and don't change for other people. Change for yourself."

"Don't be afraid of change. You'll get challenges along the way. When you finish middle school you'll go on to high school. When you finish high school, you go to college. You always start over, so when the time comes just accept it and accept the challenge."

"Don't stress, it's only high school."

Electives Offered to Freshmen:

Fine and Performing Arts:
Art 1
Photo 1
Band
Chorus
Guitar 1
Orchestra
Theatre Arts 1

Business/Marketing:
Info Systems
Office Administration
Intro to Marketing
Principles of Business
Information Technology Fundamentals

English:
Journalism 1
Journalism 1 (Calliope - Literary Magazine)
Speech Communications/ Debate

Foreign Language:
American Sign Language
French
German
Japanese
Latin
Spanish
Spanish for Fluent Speakers

General:
Leadership (by application/interview only)
Peer Mediation (by application/interview only)

Industrial Technology:
Design and Technology
Basic Technical Drawing
Aerospace Science

Typical Freshman Course Schedule

English 9 (regular or Honors)
World History and Geography I (regular or Honors)
Math (Algebra I Part I, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, or Geometry Honors)
Biology (regular or Honors)
Foreign Language or other elective
Health and P.E. 9
Elective

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