9 th and 10 th Grade Parent Information Night Monday, September 21

Freshman Year Timeline Transition to high school COMPASS (January) Student Led Conferences: October 22-23, March Individual Graduation Plan Conferences: February End-of-Course Tests (Algebra 1, English 1, Biology): May 2016

Sophomore Year Timeline COMPASS (November 2-13): Student must sign up with Guidance (B1) PSAT: October 14 Student Led Conferences: October 22-23, March Individual Graduation Plan Conferences: February End-of-Course Tests (Biology): May 2016

High School Requirements High School Requirements English: 4 units Math: 4 units Science: 3 units Social Studies: 1 unit Government:.5 unit Economics:.5 unit US History: 1 unit Physical Education: 1 unit Computer Science: 1 unit Foreign Language: 2 units Senior Project: 1 unit Electives: 5 units Total: 24 units

College Course Trade Options HIS 201 AND HIS 202 for US History PSC 201 for government ENG 101 AND ENG 102 for English 4 All other college courses will count in the elective category

End-of-Course Tests Exams taken at the end of Algebra 1, English 1, Biology, and U.S. History Count 20% of final grade Administered in May

GPA (Grade Point Average) GPA is calculated by averaging all classes that are taken for high school credit (including college classes and high school classes taken in 7 th /8 th grade) Students earn points per grade based on the Uniform Grading scale See Uniform Grading Scale handout

GPA 80% in every class= GPA

College Grades to GPA Students receive letter grades from GTC A (90-100)=96 B (80-89) =88 C (70-79)=80 D (60-69)=73 F(0-59)=65

Why does GPA matter? How does it connect to college admissions? Admissions GPA Test Scores Essay/ Recom.

GPA for College Admissions The GPA that colleges use for the initial admissions process is based on: 9 th,10 th and 11 th grade Any classes taken in 7 th or 8 th grade for high school credit

GPA Ranges for SC Clemson 4.28 University of South Carolina College of Charleston North Greenville University 3.8

LIFE 2 of 3 criteria – Top 30% of graduating class 3.0 GPA cumulative GPA – 1100 SAT or 24 ACT – BASED ON CLASS RANK AND GPA at the END OF THE SENIOR YEAR of high school AWARD AMOUNT $5,000 per year $20,000 over 4 years

Palmetto Fellows Recipients Score at least 1200 SAT or 27 ACT by November test, 3.5+GPA, top 6% of class at end of 10 th or 11 th OR Score SAT or 32 ACT and 4.0 GPA AWARD AMOUNT Up to $6,700 per year for freshman year Up to $7,500 per year for sophomore, junior and senior year $29,200

Greenville Technical College  13 th Year Program  Covers cost of tuition if not LIFE eligible

Eligibility Guidelines College Classes GPACOMPASS Recommendations

GPA For current freshmen, end-of-year GPA must be 3.5+ to take college classes next year. (89+ overall average) For current sophomores, end-of-year GPA must be 3.0+ to take college classes next year (85+ overall average)

COMPASS Greenville Tech placement test taken on GMC computers Freshmen: January Sophomores: November 2-13 Compass scores and class eligibility will be reviewed during class with all 9 th graders. Most students will begin taking college classes their 10 th grade year.

COMPASS Students can prepare for the test by doing practice problems, which can be found under Student>>COMPASS Test on our website

Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) Conferences : 9 th and 10 th Grade IGPs held in February GMC classes, graduation progress, college classes, and career development will be discussed Information on how to schedule will come out via Blazer News in January

College Admissions: Parent Action Plans Schedule college visits! Set academic goals and monitor student progress! Make a college wish list

PSAT (10 th and 11 th only) College readiness practice test for sophomores and juniors October 14 (1A and 2A) 10 th graders will take it for free! The fee for 11 th graders is $14. Results available in December College instructors will be notified, but students are responsible for informing instructors as well.

Parent Portal Please see Mrs. Clark in B22 during school hours. You must show ID and sign for the password.

Questions?

Contact Whitney Looper (Sophomore and Freshman) – – ext 1058 Vickie McCammon (Junior and Senior) – – ext 1052