HIGH SCHOOL 101 What every student needs to know about high school

“Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll understand.” ~ Chinese proverbs

Graduation Requirements English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits (must include Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and one upper level math) Social Studies – 3 ½ credits (World History or World Geography, U.S. History, Economics/Government and ½ credit of Personal Finance) Science – 3 credits (must include Biology, Chemistry I and another lab science) Lifetime Wellness – 1 credit

Graduation Requirements P.E. – ½ credit (may waive if playing a sport) Computer Applications – 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits (must be in the same foreign language) Fine Arts – 1 credit Focused Program of Study – 3 credits (must be in a related field) 26 total credits required for graduation

Programs of Study Business Technology Carpentry Welding Project Lead the Way Health Science Education ◦Focus on Nursing Education Family and Consumer Sciences ◦Focus on Teacher Preparation and Social Services

Programs of Study Collision Repair ◦Offered at MCHS Manufacturing and Machining ◦Offered at MCHS Academic Program of Study ◦Must include 3 courses beyond what is required for graduation  Fine Arts  Humanities  Math/Science

Honors Diploma Requirements Students must score at or above each of the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT. The readiness benchmark scores for the ACT are: English 18 Mathematics 22 Reading 21 Science 24

Tennessee Scholars English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and 1 upper level math) Science – 3 credits (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Biology II or Chemistry II) Social Studies – 3 ½ credits Wellness and P.E. – 1 ½ credits Fine Arts – 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits CTE Courses or Dual Enrollment Courses – 2 credits ◦80 hours of community service ◦Overall “C” average in TN Scholars classes ◦95% attendance throughout high school ◦No out-of-school suspensions **Application must be on file in Counseling Office prior to graduation**

Seal of Excellence Requires 10 or more honors classes with a grade of “B” or better Must have a 3.2 GPA or higher Allows the student to be ranked ahead of other students and eligible for Valedictorian or Salutatorian

Connections Connect with the school ◦Facebook ◦Twitter Connect with the teachers ◦Edmodo ◦Nicenet Connect with the students ◦Extra curricular activities Connect with the community ◦ Community Service

Connections with School Facebook ◦South Pittsburg High School ◦South Pittsburg High School Quarterback Club Twitter ◦sphspirates1 Website ◦

Connections with Teachers Edmodo ◦  Secure Social Learning Network for Teachers and Students  Code to join Guidance/Counseling group – odvc1z Nicenet ◦  An internet classroom assistant

Connections with Students Get involved in something!!!! Colleges and scholarship committees look for this – they want to see a well-rounded person Makes high school more enjoyable

Connections with Community Required for TN Scholars ◦80 hours required College scholarships available based on number of hours of community service Looks good on college applications and resume`s ◦Again, colleges want someone well-rounded Start keeping up with this now and put on a resume`

Testing Requirements End-of-Course tests in: ◦ English I, English II, English III, Algebra I, Algebra II, Biology I and U.S. History  Test grade counts 25% of final grade in class ACT Plan test in 10 th grade ACT test in 11 th grade ◦Math subscore determines math placement in senior year

ACT Required for math placement in senior year Required for Honors Diplomas Required for college admissions Scholarships are based on this

Ways to Improve ACT Take as much math as possible Take the ACT Prep class in high school Attend ACT workshop offered here Read every day!!!! ◦Time magazine ◦Newsweek ◦Sports Illustrated

Hope Lottery/Financial Aid Hope Lottery ◦3.0 GPA or a 21 ACT  Changes may be coming – will update as we know more ◦$4000 per year General Assembly Merit Scholarship ◦3.75 GPA and a 29 ACT ◦$1000 per year extra Aspire Award ◦Must meet Hope Lottery criteria and have financial need ◦$1500 per year extra

Hope Lottery/Financial Aid Hope Access Grant ◦ GPA and 18, 19, 20 ACT ◦Must have adjusted gross income of $36,000 ◦$2750 for one year only Wilder Naifeh Technical Skills Grant ◦Must be attending a TN Technology Center ◦$2000 per year Other financial aid is either based on academics, community service or financial need. Please follow us on Facebook and our website for more scholarship information. FAFSA is completed in January of the senior year.

Resume` Start one now!!! Include: ◦Community service ◦Awards/honors – both academic and athletics ◦Clubs/organizations ◦Athletics ◦Work experience – paid and unpaid

Grading Scale A = 93 – 100 = 4 points B = 85 – 92 = 3 points C = 75 – 84 = 2 points D = 70 – 74 = 1 point F = 0 – 69 = 0 points

G.P.A. This is your Grade Point Average Calculated based on the letter grade you earn in a class Total points divided by number of classes attempted pacalculator/

Tips from Students 9 th and 11 th grades are the most difficult Don’t ever take a class for granted – you always have to study Keep a flashdrive with you at all times Don’t be afraid to ask questions Read the signs in the hallways Start strong and stay strong in academics Get involved in something

Your Future We can do nothing to change the past, but we have enormous power to shape the future.

QUESTIONS ????????

Contact Information Thank you for coming. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Lynn M. Hale, M.Ed. School Counselor school cell