1. Godley Station School 8th Grade Parent Night
High School 101
Godley Station School
8th Grade Parent Night

2. We Will Cover…
What grade 8 students have been doing to prepare for High School transition.
What is an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP)?
What do students need to do to graduate from High School?
What is the difference between AP, IB and dual enrollment classes and how will they benefit my child
What is a Pathway, and how do students choose one?

3. When We Leave…
Parents will have an understanding of what students need to do to graduate.
Parents will have reviewed the Individual Graduation Plan (IGP).
Parents will have signed a Pathway Selection Form and the 9th grade course recommendation forms.

4. Individual Graduation Plans
Each grade 8 student has reviewed the graduation requirements with their 8th grade counselor.
This plan is called the Individual Grad. Plan.
Parents can review and discuss this plan with their 8th grade student.
The plan is a reflection of the GA. graduation requirements and pathway options that we will discuss.
Show plan example
Plans were completed using GCIS. Georgia Career Information System. Generic log ons available. Info on colleges, careers and scholarships

5. How to I get a HS diploma? Students need 24 units to graduate.
Credits need to be earned in specific subject areas.
Students are required to complete 20 hours of community service by the completion of junior year (the 11th grade).

6. Graduation Requirements
 Required Areas of  Study
Units Required
  English/Language Arts 4
  Mathematics
 Science
Social Studies 3
  Health and Physical Education 1
World Language
3 for 4 year university (4 years preferred)
OR 1 CTAE Pathway (2 preferred)   
CTAE (Career Technical Agricultural Education)
4 CTAE Pathway only
  Electives
Round out credits after academic and foreign language courses are earned
Total Minimum Units 24

7. Core Academic Courses CORE English Science Social Studies World
Languages
Math
Core Academic Courses 7

8. English 9th Literature & Composition 10th Literature & Composition
11th American Literature & Composition
12th grade British Literature & Composition
*Honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment course equivalents may be used 8

9. Math OR Mathematics 10th - Geometry 11th - Advanced Algebra
9th - Algebra I
10th - Geometry
11th - Advanced Algebra
12th - Pre-Calculus or Approved 4th Option OR
9th - Accelerated Algebra I/ Geometry A
10th - Accelerated Geometry B/Advanced Algebra
11th - Accelerated Pre-Calculus
12th - AP Calculus, AP Statistics, Advanced level Mathematics course or Approved 4th Option 9

10. SCIENCE Biology Physical Science
Environmental Science, Chemistry, or another GA DOE approved Science
Physics or another GA DOE approved Science
*Honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment course equivalents may be used 10

11. Social Studies World History American Government United States History
Economics
*Honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment course equivalents may be used 11

12. World Language College sequence
3 units required (of the same language)
4 recommended
CTAE sequence
1 unit required
2 units recommended
* While the GA Department of Education no longer requires students to complete two units of foreign language for high school graduation, the University System of GA does require the completion of two years of the same foreign language.

13. Additional Courses Health (.5) Personal Fitness (.5)
Electives to add to a minimum of 24 total units
A graduation pathway helps provide cohesion to the additional electives and allows students to explore in depth an area that interests them.
While the hope is that the pathway sparks a college or career interest, at a minimum students gain valuable knowledge by exploring at least one area in depth as opposed to bouncing around intro level electives in multiple areas with only surface understanding.

14. What is HOPE? State funded merit based scholarship
Covers the cost of tuition at eligible public and private Georgia postsecondary institutions.
minimum overall 3.0 HOPE GPA
At least 4 classes must meet rigor requirements
Rigor usually means a course that is AP, IB or Dual enrollment

15. What is an AP Class? AP stands for advanced placement.
very rigorous HIGH SCHOOL courses for motivated students.
Students receive high school credit for the course.
AP Exam with passing score could result in college credit (depending on what scores the college accepts for credit)
35 courses in 22 subject areas

16. What is a Dual Enrollment Class?
A dual enrollment class is a college class taken for BOTH high school and college credit
Most costs of dual enrollment are covered by the state for up to 15 hours per term through the MOWR program.

17. What is IB? International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
Students study 6 subjects over 2 years
Theory of knowledge project

18. Graduation Pathways
Advanced Academic – Pathway may be completed with an AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment level course in any one of the following content areas: English, mathematics, science, or social studies.
World Language – Pathway may be completed with 3 units of credit in any of the language areas found in the state list of approved courses.
Fine Arts – Pathway consists of sequential courses in any of the following areas: journalism, music, theater, and visual arts. (Dance, SAA only).
CTAE – Pathway is completed with a cluster of specific courses in a CTAE-approved pathway.

19. Advanced Academic Pathway
Student may choose: English, mathematics, science, or social studies.
Student must complete 4 required units in the core area AND
Student must earn a minimum of two credits in the same world language AND
Course history must also include at least one AP, IB, or dual enrollment credit in the core subject area.

20. Fine Arts Pathway
Students must complete 3 sequential credits in one Fine Arts Subject.
Theater
Visual Arts
Music (band or chorus)
Journalism
Dance (Savannah Arts Only)

21. World Language Pathway
Students must earn 3 sequential credits in the same World Language.
Students may choose from any state approved world language.
The third course may be high school credit, or reflect AP, IB, or dual enrollment credit in the selected world language.

22. CTAE Pathway
Pathway is completed with a cluster of specific courses in a CTAE-approved pathway.
Specific pathways are offered at each high school. (listed on back of pathway selection form)
Additional CTAE pathway options are available at Woodville Tompkins.
Students selecting a Woodville Tomkins pathway will take Intro to Business & Technology at their home high school then travel to WT in 10th grade for their additional pathway classes. (Students who are NOT in the specialty program located full time at WT).

23. GMAS Testing
GMAS exams counts as 20% of a student’s final grade in a EOC course.
English 9 – Literature/Composition
English 11 –American Literature
Algebra I
Geometry
Biology
Physical Science
United States History
Economics 23

24. Community Service
Students are required to do a minimum of 20 hours of Community Service at a non profit organization of their choosing, by the end of the 11th grade year.
Community Service logs are available in the Counseling Office at the high school.
Must be submitted to Advisors or Counselors and include a 3 paragraph essay outlining their experience.

25. Important upcoming Dates
Rising Freshman Night at NHHS - April 18 6:30- 7:30
Registration for Choice School Programs CLOSES on March 31!
8th Grade Bridging Ceremony – Thursday, May 18 time?

26. Summary We have reviewed high school requirements.
We have reviewed what students have been doing to prepare for those requirements.
We need you to review your child’s IGP and sign your child’s Pathway Selection Form before leaving.

27. Contact your Counselor
Contact your Counselor ! Please make an appointment if you have additional questions.
Phone: ext

28. Please move to your student’s homeroom class to review and sign forms
Please move to your student’s homeroom class to review and sign forms. If you are not sure whose homeroom your student is in, check with the table at the end of the middle school hallway.