1. Presented by: Taffey Cunnien & Kelly Parkin
High School Planning
Presented by: Taffey Cunnien
& Kelly Parkin

2. Graduation Areas of Study Units Required English/Language Arts* 4
Mathematics*
Science*
Social Studies (3)
CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Foreign Language 3
Health and Physical Education
Electives
Total Units (Minimum)
* Required Courses and/or Core Courses

3. High School Schedule Eight classes per year
Alexander High School: Eight classes per day
Other Douglas County high schools have four classes per day, odd/even schedule.
Student must pass five units to be promoted to 10th grade, including 1 Math and 1 English.

4. Freshman Core Classes 9th Lit/Comp (H) American Government (H, AP)
Most 9th grade students take:
9th Lit/Comp (H)
American Government (H, AP)
Algebra (accelerated*)
Biology (H)
*must begin in accelerated Algebra in 9th to take chemistry in 10th.

5. Declared Pathways
In compliance with House Bill 186, all incoming 9th graders must declare a pathway.
The four pathways are:
CTAE (Career, Technical & Agricultural Education)
Advanced Academic in either English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies
Fine Arts
World Language
Space is provided on the 8th Grade Registration Card for students to declare their chosen pathway. This declaration is up for revision each year.

6. CTAE Pathways Forestry/Natural Resources Systems Plant Systems
Architectural Drawing and Design
Audio & Video Technology & Film
Graphic Communications
Administrative support
Small Business Development
Early Childhood Care and Education
Teaching as a profession
Advanced Accounting
Business Accounting
JROTC ARMY, Marines, Navy
Automotive Maintenance Light Repair Pathway
Therapeutic Services: Allied Health, Physical Medicine, Sports Medicine, Emergency Medical Responder
Biotechnology Research & Development
Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Nutrition and Food Science Pathway
Cosmetology
Web & Digital Design
Programming
Information and support and Services
Law Enforcement Pathway
Marketing and Management
Engineering and Technology
Engineering Drafting and Design

7. Foreign Language
Students planning to attend a four year post- secondary school must pass two units of Foreign Language in the same language.
If student has two foreign language credits from MCMS: French 2/Spanish 2 (if recommended)
2 credits of Foreign MCMS will transfer to 1 High School Foreign Language credit.
Foreign Language is not a requirement to graduate high school.

8. 9th Grade Counts Hope Scholarship Freshman Index (college admission)
Superintendent Scholar Award
(3.5 GPA Freshman Year, no grade below a “B”)
Promotion to 10th grade (must earn 5 units/credits –Promotion to the next grade level is based on earned units/credits.)
Graduation

9. High School Magnet Programs
Students must apply and be admitted to the magnet programs.
Liberal Arts College Prep (AP Capstone) | Alexander
Advanced Placement (AP) | Chapel Hill
International Baccalaureate (IB) | Douglas County
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) | Lithia Springs
Fine Arts (FAME) | New Manchester
College & Career Institute Academy (CCI) | West Georgia Technical College

10. AP Vs. IB
The Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are both high school programs that offer college-level courses and the opportunity to earn college credit.
IB was developed in Switzerland to be an internationally recognized diploma. To earn the diploma, students must take a certain amount of courses in a range of subjects. 
IB has more emphasis on writing and developing critical thinking skills – and not just on the exams themselves. The IB diploma also requires extracurricular commitments.
Student must be enrolled in IB course to take the IB exam.
The AP program was developed in the US to help high school students prepare for college by taking advanced courses, with no set program of courses.
AP is focused on teaching students specific content and testing their knowledge on the exams.
Students take an AP Exam without being enrolled in an AP class.
Colleges want to see the student taken the most challenging course load available to them.

11. HOPE Scholarship Eligibility
Current eligibility standards for rising 9th graders are as follows:
Residency in the state of Georgia
Graduate from a high school in Georgia with a 3.0 grade point average on all academic coursework attempted.
Successfully complete at least four courses that meet the rigor requirements established by the legislature.
_______________________________________________________________
Courses that satisfy the rigor requirement include, but are not limited to the following:
Core AP courses | Any Foreign Language past Level 2 | Advanced Algebra | Pre-Calculus | Chemistry | Anatomy

12. Important to Remember High School still has a dress code
Poor attendance negatively impacts student’s academic progress
Students will not be given agendas by the high school
Stay involved with your student’s education and connected with the high school!

13. Questions