February 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians of 8th Grade Students:

We are pleased to let you know that we are in the beginning stages of preparing your child for the ninth grade. Throughout high school, your child will have many opportunities to take elective courses starting as early as next year. On February 8th, school counselors from North High will visit your child’s English class to begin the high school registration process. At the conclusion of this presentation, your child will be given a link to the list of Freshman Elective Offerings and Google Form through which they will rank their top five choices. Links to both are below:

 North High School Freshman Elective Offerings

North High School Freshman Elective Google Form

Please review the above Freshman Elective Offerings and Google form with your child as your approval is required. Once selections are made, your child will need to submit the form by February 17, 2023.

The North High School course catalog includes full course descriptions and can be found at:

https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/page/8882

Our teachers are in the process of making course recommendations for high school placement. These recommendations will be finalized at the end of the year. In an effort to better inform you of this process, requirements for Honors Placement in North High School are as follows:

Math: Placement in Geometry Honors requires a minimum course grade of 90% in Algebra I and a teacher recommendation.

English: English 9 Honors is not offered as a separate course. Ninth grade students enrolled in an English 9 Regents class have the opportunity to pursue honors level study and credit by achievement. English 9 Regents teachers will explain the criteria for an English Honors designation early in the school year.

Social Studies: Ninth grade students enrolled in a Social Studies 9 Global Regents class will be given the opportunity to earn honors credit within their Social Studies class. Social Studies 9 Regents teachers will explain the criteria for a Social Studies Honors designation early in the school year.

Science: Eighth grade Algebra students will be considered for Physics 9 Honors placement at North High School. Placement in this course is dependent upon a student’s Quarter 1 and 2 combined average in Honors Algebra I and Earth Science in 8th grade, as well as teacher recommendations. Space in this course is limited, and so only a select number of students will be considered.

North High also offers academic support programs.  Descriptions of these classes are as follows:

Math: Students designated by their Math 8 teachers as needing additional instruction to master the concepts and skills of Algebra I will take Algebra I with a Lab, a course that provides an extra period of math on alternate days for support.

Study Skills: The Study Skills Center offers students help in English and Social Studies with an emphasis on reading comprehension of materials in all curriculum areas. Mini-lessons will be presented on a wide variety of instructional skills and strategies. The study skills course is designed to improve students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary, organization, test-taking, time management and study skills as well as to present those skills that are necessary for success in science, social studies and math classes. Eighth grade teachers will recommend students for placement in study skills based on their performance in eighth grade.

If you have any questions, please contact either the subject area teachers or your child’s school counselor, Ms. Heather Blasi at  hblasi@greatneck.k12.ny.us or 516-441-4523 or Dr. Tracey Segal at tsegal@greatneck.k12.ny.us or 516-441-4521. 

We hope that you find this information useful.

Best regards,

Gerald Cozine, Ed. D.

Principal