Incoming Freshman - Valor Christian High School

Welcome to the Nest!

Zonya Hamilton, 9th Grade Academic and College Counselor

Welcome fellow Eagles, we’re glad you’re here! Our nest is now your home. I’m Zonya Hamilton, and my role is to help you navigate your first year at Valor, helping you with course selection, academic guidance and other support that you may need. As a mom of two Valor alumni, I've been in your shoes and freshmen students have a special place in my heart. Please feel free to email me or call me at 303.471.3380 with any academic-related questions or concerns. Here is some important information including upcoming freshman events, summer offerings, academic support and general course information that will be helpful as you begin your journey at Valor. Blessings for a wonderful 9th grade school year!

Course Information

Course Registration

Please watch this video recording of the Incoming 9th Grade Course Planning Session. This informative presentation will help guide you with course registration and academic planning and answer many questions.

After you have watched the Course Planning session, please complete this Course Request Form to request classes for the 2023-24 school year.

Placement Testing is required for Math above Algebra I and World Language above Novice I. See the next Placement Testing section for Math practice tests. There are no practice tests for World Language.

PSAT scores determine Honors level placement eligibility. Elective course requests are not guaranteed, pending availability.

Course lists will be emailed in June with a course number needed to purchase books, which may be ordered through BNC Direct online bookstore. Final course schedules will be available at the new parent and student Orientation and BBQ on August 14.

Placement Testing

Students interested in taking Math above Algebra I or World Language above Novice I level are required to take a Placement Test.

For Placement Testing during the summer, please register here.

Practice Placement Test 1: Regular and Honors Geometry
Practice Placement Test 2: Regular and Honors Algebra II/Trig
Practice Placement Test 3: Regular and DC (Dual Credit) Pre Calculus

There are no Practice Placement Tests for World Language.

Course Descriptions, Electives, and Course Fees

Selection of Course Levels

Class levels are determined by PSAT scores and Placement Testing. Course levels include College Prep (CP) which is the basic curriculum, Honors (H), Dual Credit (DC), and Advanced Placement (AP). DC and AP courses are not available in 9th grade.

An English PSAT score of 85% or higher is required for Honors English 9 or Honors Humanities I.

An English PSAT score of 80% or higher is required for Honors Biology or Honors World and the West.

A Composite PSAT score of 80% or higher is required to take the Summer 9th Grade Seminar Course. Otherwise, 9th grade students will take the year-long Seminar Course.

Placement Testing is required to qualify for Math higher than Algebra I and World Language higher than Novice I.

Students who begin in non-honors courses still have the opportunity to take higher-level courses after 9th grade, pending an "A" grade and a teacher recommendation.

Conservatory for the Arts Information

Academic Support: Summer School, Tutoring and Accommodations

For academic support and summer school registration questions, please email Will Ostransky, Academic Support Lead.

To schedule tutoring for the fall or spring semester, please email AcademicSupport@ValorChristian.com. Faculty tutors are $75 per session. Peer tutors are $25 per session.

For questions about accommodations, please email Vicki Munderloh, Accommodations Coordinator.

Summer Assignments

Summer Sessions

For academic support and summer school registration questions, please email Will Ostransky, Academic Support Lead.

Welcome Class of 2027! We believe in utilizing the summer to review and prepare for the upcoming year. To that end, we’re excited to offer multiple summer school opportunities to help our incoming freshmen students in their transition to Valor. Read about our course offerings below, and register using the link provided. We can’t wait to get started with your student soon!

Sign Up for a Class

IXL Math

IXL – Math

Valor students with all learning styles have a place here. Valor partners with IXL to provide a curriculum that is personalized to help each student bridge the gap in English and Math. Students begin by taking a diagnostic test. Based on the questions missed, the software creates a learning path that prepares students for 9th grade.

Price:

Single Subject / $125
Dual Subject / $175

IXL English

Summer Strategy for Success

9th Grade Seminar

June 5-22 (10:00 am - 1:00 pm or 1:30 - 4:30 pm)
July 10-27 (10:00 am - 1:00 pm or 1:30 - 4:30 pm)

The Summer 9th Grade Seminar is designed for students who have a passion for the Performing or Visual Arts Conservatory or those who desire to engage in other distinctive course offerings or programming.

To be eligible for enrollment in the class, students must demonstrate strong academic standing, as evidenced by a PSAT 8/9 composite score of 80th percentile or higher, and a positive track record of academic and behavioral performance in 8th grade. Students who face challenges in managing their time, staying organized, and staying motivated are highly encouraged to enroll in the full-year 9th Grade Seminar course, as it offers ongoing support throughout the entire year in these areas.

In the event that a student does not meet the aforementioned prerequisite criteria, Valor reserves the right to withdraw the student from the Summer Seminar course.

If you would like to discuss whether the course is the right fit for your student, please contact Zonya Hamilton (or Will Ostransky during the summer). This course is worth half a credit.

Price: $495

*Please note, Valor reserves the right to place students in a year-long Seminar class (even if they completed a Summer course) at any time during the 9th grade school year if they begin experiencing academic, behavioral, or social-emotional challenges where additional support is beneficial for the student. Adding a year-long Seminar course could cause the movement of other core classes to different sections and/or the removal of an elective class.

Rising 9th Grade - Algebra I Jumpstart

June 5-22 (10:00 - 11:30 am)
July 10-27 (12:00 - 1:30 pm)

The session is ideal for students who tested between the 40-65th percentile on the Math portion of their PSAT entrance exam and want to review key Pre-Algebra concepts prior to starting Algebra I at Valor. The session will cover concepts taught the first few weeks of school giving students a chance to get comfortable with the structure and teaching style prior to the first day of school.

Price: $395

Rising 9th Grade - English Jumpstart

June 5-22 (12:00 - 1:30 PM)
July 10-27 (10:00 - 11:30 AM)

This session is ideal for students who scored between the 45-65th percentile on the English portion of their PSAT entrance exam and who want to get a jump-start on freshman English. Students will learn about Valor’s expectations in grammar, vocabulary, and writing. Students take this session can expect to be more successful during the first few months of school because they will be familiar with the rhythm and expectations of English 9 before it starts.

Price: $395

Rising 9th Grade - English Intensive

June 5-22 (10:00 - 11:30 am)
July 10-22 (12:00 - 1:30 pm)

This session is for students who traditionally struggle in English and scored below the 45th percentile on the English portion of their PSAT entrance exam. The session is designed to complete the summer reading assignment as well as prepare students for challenging text, vocabulary, and grammar that they will encounter during English 9.

Price: $395

Rising 9th Grade - Algebra I Intensive

June 5-22 (12:00 - 1:30 pm)
July 10-27 (10:00 - 11:30 am)

This session is for students who traditionally struggle in Math and scored below the 40th percentile on the Math portion of their PSAT entrance exam. The session is designed to identify and remediate gaps to increase preparedness for Algebra I.

Price: $395

Additional Information and Resources

School Supplies and Books

Attendance / Leaving early or arriving late

Student ID Cards

Computer Recommendations / IT Help Desk

Stay in the Know

Parents, Get Involved!

2023–2024 Important Dates

Students, Get Plugged In!

We encourage students to get involved and explore new opportunities. For information on getting involved in Arts, Athletics, Student Clubs, Student Leadership, STEM, or Discovery experiences, this information may be found on the Valor website. View each respective department or learn about more student experience opportunities here.

Social and Emotional Support

We have licensed counselors on staff to assist with social and emotional support needs-David Milton, Social and Emotional Services Coordinator, or Jessica Keith, Social and Emotional Services Interventionist. Sources of Strength is a life-giving opportunity for students to get involved in peer mentorship groups, with meetings throughout the year.

School Calendar

The calendar is a great resources to view all the fun events and activities going on at Valor Christian High School. All school events can be found by clicking on the calendar button at the top of the Valor website or the link above. Whether you are looking for a sporting event to attend, a student activity, an arts or academic night, look at our calendar.