How to be Successful in 10 th Grade and Prepare for the Future

Graduation Requirements  English- 4 credits (English I, II, III, IV)  Math- 4 credits (Math I, II, III, and a higher level math)  Science- 3 credits (Earth Environmental, Biology, a physical science)  Social Studies- 4 credits (World History, Civics, American History I and II)  Health and PE- 1 credit  2 units of a World Language if 4 year college bound  Required elective credits- 2 (Arts education or CTE or World Languages)  Other required electives- 10  Total credits needed to graduate- 28  **These are minimum graduation requirements, students are encouraged to select elective and academic courses that align with their future plans.**

10 th Grade College Planning Timeline   Fall/Winter  Take the PSAT (optional) and the PLAN (mandatory)  Attend college fairs. The LCS college fair has passed, but the Charlotte National College Fair will be held on March 20, 2016 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Make a note to attend the LCS college fair junior and senior year.  Speak with Mrs. Lackey about Summer Ventures, which is a 4 week summer residential program located at various North Carolina college campuses that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math.  Meet with Mrs. Lackey to begin college planning discussions and to start working on a high school resume.

10 th Grade College Planning Timeline  Spring/Summer  Review the LCS registration guide, and prepare a list of courses that align with future plans for 11 th grade coursework. Meet with Mrs. Lackey for suggestions and help.  Get a summer job, volunteer, or participate in summer academic programs. Colleges like to see students keep busy while they are not in school. Working, volunteering, and summer programs shows maturity, motivation, and dependability.  If you’re on a summer road trip, stop by the local college to acquaint yourself with what college campus/life is all about!

Workforce/Military Planning  Sign up for challenging courses that relate to the career pathway or military career of your choosing. Check out the variety of CTE courses ELHS has to offer and speak with Mrs. Lackey or Mrs. Smith about how to prepare for the area you are seeking employment in.  See Mrs. Lackey about Gaston College CTE classes. Many of these courses will provide a pathway to certifications in select career areas. They are also transferrable to other community colleges.  Search for internship/job shadowing opportunities. These will provide insight to the career field you are interested in.

Workforce/Military Planning  Research 2 year community colleges and technical schools. They provide hands on, and in some cases on the job training for students who are interested in furthering their educations, but not at a 4 year college.  Attend career and college fairs, you may find that the career you want requires training/education beyond high school.  Speak with a military recruiter for the branch you are interested in joining. ELHS hosts recruiters from all branches who are happy to provide information to interested students.  Start researching the ASVAB, which is the career inventory and aptitude assessment potential recruits take. Most students take the ASVAB as seniors, but it can be taken any time in high school. ELHS is a testing site this December.

PSAT  9 th, 10 th, and 11 th grade students encouraged to sign up.  Students are tested on English, math, and reading comprehension. All tests sections are timed.  Benefits: SAT practice test, provides prerequisite scores for AP and Gaston College classes, students may sign up to receive information from colleges and scholarship organizations.  PSAT score from the junior year is used to determine National Merit finalists (top 5% of scores in the nation are reviewed for recognition and scholarships).  Junior year score is also used for the National Hispanic Recognition program, National Scholarship Search Service, and the Telluride Association.

SAT  The SAT is given throughout Lincoln County each month. ELHS hosts the SAT in October and March.  The new version of the SAT will roll out in March.  The SAT is super scored, which means that colleges will combine the highest scores achieved on each section of test (if taken multiple times).  NOTE: The current version of the SAT will not be super scored with the new version since they are different tests.

SAT  College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to provide FREE SAT practice materials for test takers.  Students will have an opportunity to get to know the redesigned SAT, see personalized practice recommendations and questions, take four practice SAT exams with immediate feedback, stay on top of important SAT dates and news, and practice anytime, anywhere, at no cost. 

PLAN  All 10 th graders are required to take the PLAN.  PLAN is the pre-ACT test, which will help prepare for the ACT that all students will take in March of their junior year.  PLAN scores can be used to satisfy prerequisites for Gaston College and AP courses.  PLAN differs from PSAT in that it tests English, math, reading, and science.  Students should receive score reports in 4-6 weeks.

ACT  ACT is given to all Juniors.  ACT is used as part of the school’s accountability model as required by the state of North Carolina.  ACT is a FREE college entrance exam. If students prepare and score high enough to satisfy college admissions testing requirements, they will not have to take the ACT or SAT again (although many choose to take both tests multiple times).  ACT is a timed test, it differs from the SAT in that the highest score possible is a 36. Students are tested in English, math, science, reading comprehension, and writing.  Start preparing for the ACT by reviewing your PLAN scores with Mrs. Lackey

Career and Technical Education (CTE)  Mrs. Smith- Career Development Coordinator  Internships, job shadowing, LCST opportunities  Nursing Pathway- need Health Science I, II, and Nursing Fundamentals (12 th )  Business Law and Entrepreneurship- need Principals of Business or Marketing  Game Art Design- must take Sci & Tech Visual I first  Automotive Pathway- need Intro to Auto (11 th ), Auto Service I (11 th ), Auto Service II and III (12 th )  Construction- need Core and Sustainable, Carpentry I and II

Summer Ventures  A cost-free, state-funded residential summer program for academically talented North Carolina residents who have demonstrated interest in science and mathematics and aspire to a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The program brings rising juniors and seniors together in a residential setting for research and intensive study. Applications are due January 31,  Campuses where Summer Ventures is held include: East Carolina, Appalachian State, and UNC Charlotte  Summer Ventures is an excellent resume builder and is a stepping stone to Governor’s School, which students can apply for their junior year. 

North Carolina School of Science and Math  North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is the nation’s first public residential high school specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math. NCSSM accepts talented high school juniors and seniors from across North Carolina through a residential program in Durham.  Students apply for NCSSM in between October and January of their 10 th grade year.  Mr. Funchess graduated from NCSSM 

Gaston College Career and College Promise (CCP)  Tuition free dual enrollment program for juniors and seniors (students are required to pay for books, supplies, and activity fee).  Students may take college level courses through Gaston online or in the Afternoon College format.  Afternoon College is a hybrid format- 2 days/week students will attend class face to face during 4 th period, the other days students will work on their courses online from home or at ELHS.  Two pathways to choose from: College Transfer Pathway and Career/Technical Education Pathway  College Transfer Pathway has minimum GPA and test score requirements.  College transfer courses will be accepted at 4 year public colleges in North Carolina. 

Upcoming Events  Thursday, 12/10- ASVAB administered at ELHS (sign up with Mrs. Smith)  Sunday, 1/31/16- applications due for Summer Ventures  March 20, National College Fair at the Charlotte Convention Center

Resources  (PSAT, SAT, Advanced Placement information)  (ACT information for parents and students)  (College Foundation of North Carolina)  (Governor’s School information)  (Summer Ventures information)  (North Carolina School of Science and Math information)  (CCP information)  (10th grade college planning timeline)  (11th grade college planning timeline) 