1. Why are the counselors here today? To assist you in finishing high school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial postsecondary options, including college

2. A-CDawson-Hardy D-GFisher H-LRives M-RHuntzinger S-ZClark RegistrarConley ReceptionistFournier

3. Part One: The Basics of High School Transcript & GPA Facts Graduation Requirements

4. HIGH SCHOOL: The Basics What is a Transcript? A transcript is a cumulative permanent record listing all courses taken in high school and the grade received. Colleges and employers will use your transcript to help determine what kind of college student or employee you will be. Your transcript includes your GPA and class rank. Freshman year grades are part of the GPA. Class rank is determined by GPA. Grades from middle school do not appear on your transcript… you have a fresh start!

5. GRADING SYSTEM A 90-100 B80-89 C74-79 D70-73 F69 &below If you fail a course, you may have to repeat that course with lower grade level students or go to summer school to catch up. A failing grade will appear on your transcript forever. It will not be removed even if you repeat the course and receive a passing grade.

6. GRADE POINT AVERAGE Your GPA is the numeric average of all your grades calculated on a 4.0 scale GPA scale: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0 The higher your grades, the higher your GPA Failing a course or getting a low grade will lower your GPA… study hard!

7. HOW TO EARN CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL LHS is currently on a traditional schedule. You will earn 1/2 unit of credit for each course that you pass in high school per semester. Each semester at LHS you can earn 3 units of credit. By the end of this school year at LHS, you can earn a total of 6 units of credit.

8. How many credits do I need to earn to stay on track for graduation? By the end of your 1 st year in high school, you need to earn at least 5 credits 1 credit must be in Math 1 credit must be in Science 1 credit must be in English Students must also pass a full credit in English, Math and Science in order to be promoted to the next grade level

9. On Track the be a sophomore By the end of your 2 nd year in high school, you need to earn at least 10 credits 2 credits in Math 2 credits in Science 2 credits in English

10. On Track to be a junior By the end of your 3 rd year in high school, you need to earn at least 16 credits 3 credits in Math 3 credits in Science 3 credits in English

11. On Track to be a senior By the end of your 3 rd year in high school, you need to earn at least 16 credits 4 credits in Math 4 credits in Science 4 credits in English

12. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 23 credits in all Must include 9 th Lit and American Lit English 4 Units Required

13. Mathematics: 4 units required

14. SCIENCE 4 Units Required Biology Physics Chemistry or Earth Systems One Additional Science Credit

15. Social Studies 3 Units Required World History U.S. History Economics/ Government All 9 th grade students are encouraged to take World Geography.

16. Health/Personal Fitness ½ credit Personal Fitness & ½ credit Health

17. ELECTIVES 4 units required

18. 3 units required in one or a combination of the following Foreign Language Fine Arts Career/Technology

19. Foreign Language At least 2 courses in the same foreign language are required for college admissions. Many colleges require or recommend 3 courses in foreign language.

20. Georgia High School Graduation Tests You must pass all 5 sections of the GHSGT in order to receive a diploma. The 5 sections include Writing, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. These tests are taken in 11th grade. You will have 5 opportunities to pass each test.

21. Part Two: Success in High School Honors & AP Courses HOPE Scholarship & Grant PSAT What is important to colleges? Get help when you need it

22. Honors & AP Courses Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered at LHS in each academic subject area and fine arts. We recommend that students with strong grades challenge themselves by taking Honors and AP level courses. Research shows that students who are successful in college have typically taken rigorous and challenging coursework in high school (like the coursework offered in Honors and AP classes). If you plan to take an AP course, be prepared for rigorous college-level coursework.

23. Honors & AP Courses It is highly recommended that students who wish to obtain admission to a selective 4- year college take Honors and AP level courses in high school. An AP course is the highest level course that a student in the college prep program can take in high school. AP courses are taught at the college level. Students in AP courses have the opportunity to take an AP exam at the end of the course which can earn them college credit.

24. AP Course Offerings AP English Literature AP Statistics AP Calculus AP Computer Science AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics AP U.S. Government AP Microeconomics AP U.S. History AP European History AP World History AP Human Geography AP Psychology AP Spanish AP French AP Studio Art AP Music Theory

25. What is the HOPE Scholarship? Earn $$ for college for getting good grades! Students who receive the HOPE Scholarship can get their college tuition completely paid for! Students must graduate with a 3.0 GPA in all core curriculum subjects to receive this scholarship. Core curriculum subjects: English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language All coursework in these subjects is used in computing the HOPE GPA.

26. HOPE Grant The HOPE Grant is available to students who attend a Technical College in Georgia to pursue a diploma or certificate regardless of GPA or numeric average.

27. What?A practice test for the SAT When?October for all 9 th and 10 th Why?Prepare for the SAT Get a higher score on the SAT College exploration & planning A chance to earn $$ for college PSAT The PSAT is an important test… take it seriously and it can be quite beneficial in planning for your future!

28. Memorize the directions DO NOT blind guess! –Leave an answer blank if you are completely unsure PSAT Tips The math section is divided by level of difficulty Easy ?’s are at beginning Hard ?’s are at end Get easy questions right!

29. 1. Grades 2. Academic GPA 3. Course selection What do colleges consider in order of importance? 4. ACT or SAT scores 5. Class rank 6. Essay 7. Recommendations 8. Activities

30. Many people at LHS can help you be successful… Teachers can help with academic issues and class problems. Tutoring is available. Counselors can help you with planning courses, personal issues, academic issues, and college & career planning. Administrators can help you handle conflicts with students or teachers. The social worker is here to help you utilize school and community resources when faced with personal and economic challenges. The graduation coach helps you stay in school and graduate if you are at-risk of dropping out.

31. Do you have ideas about where you want to do after high school? Job Technical college 2-year colleges 4-year colleges Military Internships

32. Visit the LHS CAREER CENTER Come on in during your lunch or before/after school! You can research: –4-year colleges & 2-year colleges –Technical schools –Financial Aid & Scholarships –Summer programs –Careers

33. Career Get online with GA College 411 www.gacollege411.org www.gacollege411.org and www.careercruising.comwww.careercruising.com Career Cruising to match colleges & careers with your interests and needs