1. Sophomore Success!
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle

2. Student Services We’re here to help!
Ms. Smith- Last names A-E
Ms. Hoff- Last names F-Ll
Ms. Habjanic- Last names Lo-R
Ms. Navel- Last names S-Z
Ms. Miller- 504/ Graduation Coach

3. Promotion To be promoted to the next grade level…
To be a Junior=13 credits
To be a Senior=19 credits
Athletic Eligibility/Driver’s License…
You must pass 3 out of 4 classes during the previous semester to play a sport and keep your driver’s license/permit

4. Grading Scale Alpha Grade Numeric Grade GPA A 90-100 4.0 B 80-89 3.0 C
70-79
2.0 D
60-69
1.0 F
0-59

5. Honors and AP Courses…. Honors= .5 additional quality point
AP= 1 additional quality point
Example: Final Grade-88
Regular Level–3.0
Honors Level–3.5 (with .5 quality points added)
AP Level–4.0 (with 1 quality point added)

6. Transcript
A transcript is a four-year report card that includes EVERY final course grade for EVERY class you take in high school
It also contains:
Student Information
Credit History
Grade History
GPA (it is cumulative and is the average of quality points earned)
Class Rank (a number that tells you where you stand in
relation to your peers in your grade level)
EOC scores
Attendance

7. Career Clusters…
It is required that every student have a career cluster by the time they graduate
A career cluster has 4 classes in a specific area of interest
17 different career clusters:
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Hospitality and Tourism
Arts, Audio/Video Tech and Communication
Business Management and Administration
Science, Tech, Engineering, and Mathematics
Health Sciences
Finance
Human Services
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Architecture and Construction
Marketing
Fine Arts-Chorus, Drama, Visual Arts, Broadcasting, Band
World Languages

8. CFNC
CFNC is a great resource to use throughout high school and everyone should have an account. If you do not have an account, visit and click on “Create New Account”
This is the same account that you created in middle school. Just make sure you are now linked to Hickory Ridge High School
You can use CFNC to help you organize your activities as well as find a college/career that best matches your interests

9. SAT and ACT Fall of sophomore year:
PSAT (October 11th)-practice test for SAT for invited students (students invited to take this based on GPA) *Must bring back signed permission form
Pre-ACT (October 24th )-practice test for ACT for ALL sophomores
Colleges in this area accept BOTH the SAT and the ACT
You must register online to take either test on a Saturday during your junior year (ACT will be given at school to all juniors-no registration necessary)
Go to the test website (or CFNC) for practice tests: (SAT) (ACT)
You can test more than once on either test. Colleges will look at your highest scores when considering admission

10. Three Main Factors Colleges Use in Determining Acceptance:
GPA and class rank (2.5 minimum to go to a public 4-year university NC)
SAT/ACT Scores
Application/extracurricular activities
Get Involved!!

11. A glimpse of some colleges
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
7 of our seniors went to Carolina last year
Student
GPA
Class Rank
ACT Score 1
4.72
36 out of 407 31 2
4.73
35 out of 407 29 3
5.02
4 out of 407 34

12. Colleges (Continued) University of North Carolina at Charlotte
43 of our seniors went to UNCC
Student
GPA
Class Rank
ACT Score 1
3.63
191 out of 407 25 2
4.36
81 out of 407 24 3
4.68
42 out of 407

13. Colleges (Continued) Western Carolina
19 of our seniors went to Western 3
4.32
71 out of 360 20
Student
GPA
Class Rank
ACT Score 1
3.05
295 out of 407 21 2
3.58
203 out of 407 3
4.03
130 out of 407 24

14. Community College
Community Colleges require an application and transcript to apply. You can choose a degree seeking pathway or a college transfer pathway.
Some Community Colleges in our area include:
Rowan Cabarrus Community College (RCCC)
Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC)
Stanly Community College (SCC)

15. What can you work on this year?
Refine study habits AND use your Bull Time wisely! (study, type or rewrite notes, flashcards, etc)
Improve time management (use agenda, break down assignments, etc)
Continue extracurricular activities (both in school and the community)
Find a summer job or participate in a summer program (will help you for college)
Academic achievement (sign up for appropriate courses for you and your goals)
Remember your teachers are here to help so make sure you ask!

16. Let’s go have a SUCCESSFUL sophomore year!