1. What you need to know NOW? CREDITS: 36 Possible (subject to change) Distinction Diploma – 30 credits AL High School Diploma – 24 credits Make-up credits can be costly : Summer School $350 ACCESS Credit Recovery – ACCESS Nearly ½ your class is failing a subject – make no mistake: THERE IS NO SAFETY IN NUMBERS!!! Last year, nearly 25% of the class was retained in 9 th grade – you decide whether that happens to you!

2. Alabama High School Diploma ENGLISHMATHHISTORYSCIENCE English 9 Algebra I or Algebra IA & IB World HistoryBiology English 10 Geometry OR Geometry Con. I & II US History IPhysical Science English 11 Algebra II US History II Choose 2: Environmental, Earth, Marine, or Any Advanced Science English 12At least 4 creditsUS Gov’t & Econ At least 4 credits Health(.5 cr)/Dr Ed PE/JROTC/MBand – 1 credit CTE/Fine Art/Foreign Language - 3 credits + 3-15 Elective Credits Dr Ed is NOT required but qualifies you for an insurance discount until adulthood. Also, you can take the driver’s test for your license at school and take your certificate to the DMV for your official license. Students may choose Honors or Regular level courses.

3. Grades and Credits: The Basics 60 is the minimum passing final average. For most courses, the school year is divided into two terms, each term has two quarters. 3 rd block (skinny) and ½ credit courses are exceptions. Term 1 Aug 19 – Jan 10 Quarter 1 Aug 19 – Oct 18 Quarter 2 Oct 21 – Jan 10 Term 2 Jan 13 – May 23 Quarter 3 Jan 13 – Mar 14 Quarter 4 Mar 17 – May 23 + 2 (Must total at least 120 pts to pass) + 2 = 60 avg = 1 credit DONE – not well, but DONE! = 55 avg = 0 credit; Course must be repeated online through ACCESS

4. Zeros are point suckers! Scenario 1: No work Test GradesAvg 100 /100 Great job! Perfect score! + 0/100 Didn’t turn in or take test 100 ÷ 2 = 50 (failing) Scenario 2: At least tried Test GradesAvg 100/100 Great job! Perfect score! +20/100 Turned in partial or did poorly BUT… 120 ÷ 2 = 60 (passing) A zero on a test grade or assignment turns each perfect score into a failing grade. Never fail to turn in work. Even a 20 can have a dramatic effect on your grade – the difference between passing or failing!

5. Category%ageWeight in the final grade EXAMPLE: Assessments/ Tests 50%Test average x 5 50 test avg x 5 = 250 Classwork10%CW average x 1 90 HW avg x 1 = 90 Homework20%HW avg x 2 70 HW avg x 2 = 140 Final Exam20%Exam x 2 60 exam grade x 2 = 120 600/10= 60

6. A Pictorial View of Categories Avg Assessments/Tests 50% CW 10% HW 20% Final Exam 20% 100 90 80 70 60 90 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Avg Assessments/Tests 50% CW 10% HW 20% Final Exam 20% 100 90 80 70 60 Whew! That was too close!! 50 40 30 20 10

7. Attendance Policy (Pertinent Points) All students in the state of Alabama are required to attend school until the age of 17. Students who dropout are subject to losing their driver’s license unless employed full time or attending GED classes. Reasons for excused absences are illness, death in the family, or principal permission. You have 3 school days to make up missed work for excused absences. You will receive zeroes for all work missed if the absence is unexcused. You must bring a written excuse for ANY absence: doctor’s slip, parent note, court appointment, etc. within 3 days of the absence. Parents may excuse up to 4 absences per class with a written note. A student may not exceed 5 UNEXcused absences in a class. 3 unexcused absences will start you on the path to an appearance in Juvenile Court. THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN ABSENCES, CLASS FAILURES AND DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL. Where are you on this chart?

8. Attendance affects your chances of graduating:

9. If your grades are not what you want them to be: Attend school unless sick. Pay attention in class, take notes & ask questions. Do ALL your assignments and turn them in – even if not complete. STUDY FOR ALL TESTS. Attend tutoring sessions for math Tues – Thurs 3:05 – 4:15 Room 701 – they are free! Use other internet resources for help after school hours. Set aside a study time & place at home – without distractions. Keep up with your grades through iNow home portal. Put everything you need for school in the same place each night.

10. MAKE your good luck! Remember: October 18 th is a DEADLINE That grade is the permanent first half of your courses. Have all makeup work done by that time. On Monday, October 21 st, you start over – think of it as having straight A’s!!