2. HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING FOR STUDENTS Are you ready?

3. Topics Covered Block Schedule Freshman Classes Honors Classes Extra Support 9 th Grade Academy 9 th grade counts Graduation GHSGT Extracurricular Eligibility Questions

4. Douglas County High Schools

5. Areas of Study: Units Required English/Language Arts *4 Mathematics*4 Science*4 Social Studies*4 (3) CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Foreign Lang.3 Health and Physical Education*1 Electives4 Total Units (Minimum)24 (23) * Required Courses and/or Core Courses Graduation Rule

6. CTAE PATHWAYS Cosmetology Early Childhood Education Nutrition & Food Science Business Education Information Technology JROTC Health Care Science Law & Justice

7. BLOCK SCHEDULE STUDENTS TAKE 4 CLASSES PER SEMESTER. EACH CLASS IS 90 MINUTES. EACH CLASS COUNTS AS 1 UNIT.

8. BLOCK SCHEDULE con’t. STUDENTS TAKE 8 DIFFERENT CLASSES EACH YEAR. STUDENTS CAN EARN UP TO 8 UNITS EACH YEAR. – Have to pass 4 units to be a Sophomore IN SCHEDULING, WE TRY TO BALANCE TWO ACADEMICS AND TWO ELECTIVES EACH SEMESTER

9. Freshmen Classes All students will be enrolled in 8 classes. At least 4 classes are already designated for freshmen. Students will choose 4 electives.

10. FRESHMEN CLASSES Most all 9 th graders take: 9 th Lit/Comp American Government Math I Biology I

11. FRESHMEN CLASSES Students planning to attend a four year post-secondary school must take 2 foreign language classes in the same language Many 9 th graders go ahead and sign up for foreign language. All DCSS high schools offer Spanish and French.

12. FRESHMEN CLASSES Academically, high school can be a difficult adjustment. Some classes can cause a struggle.

13. FRESHMEN ELECTIVES vary from school to school French I-IIIComputer Applications Spanish I-IIILaw & Justice Visual Arts IJROTC Theatre ArtsIntro to Healthcare ChorusComputing in the Modern World Band Business Essentials Team SportsLifetime Sports CosmetologyFoundation of Interior Design Weight Training Aerobics Early Childhood Education Nutrition & Food Science

14. Why Honors Classes ? 45% of students who have taken one AP course and 61% of students who have taken two or more AP courses are completing their bachelor’s degrees in four years or less. Only 29% of students who enroll in colleges without having taken AP are completing their bachelor’s degrees on schedule. 60% of all recent high school graduates entering a community college last year needed to take at least one remedial course.

15. Honors/AP Classes A 1999 U.S. Department of Education study showed that a high school curriculum of “academic intensity and quality” such as is found in AP courses is a strong predictor towards the completion of a bachelor’s degree, particularly among African American and Hispanic/Latino students. - Clifford Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment (1999), U.S. Department of Education

16. Honors Classes Challenge Yourself But don’t drown It is O.K. to take Honors in some academic areas and not in others

17. EXTRA SUPPORT PLEASE!! Math I Support Lab Bridges Tutoring CCAE support Special education SST After School Program

18. 9 th GRADE COUNTS Important to try from the beginning of high school HOPE scholarship Freshman Index (college admissions) Superintendent Scholar Award (3.5 GPA first semester, no grade below “B”) For promotion to 10 th grade (have to earn 4 units) – no more “placement” have to earn units to go to next grade level. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…. GRADUATION

19. Pass 24 units EOCT Meet state and local requirements Pass GHSGT for a diploma (during junior year)

20. End of Course Tests: You will be taking end of course tests in some classes. The EOCT counts 15% of your total semester grade The following courses have an EOCT. 9 th Grade Literature American Literature BiologyPhysical Science Math I Math II US History Economics

21. GHSGT – have to pass for a DIPLOMA Writing Language Arts Math Science Social Studies Students take the tests their Junior Year.

22. Student Involvement:Activities Clubs DRAMA CLUB Art club Beta ClubSADDDECA Model UNScholar Bowl FBLAFCCLAFirst Priority French Club HOSAFuture Educators Art Honor Society NHSPhoto. Club Spanish Club One-Act Plays BandDebateMath Team Mock Trial Team Dance Team Student Council Tiger Tracks KEYKnitting Club National Thespians Literary Meet

23. Sports: FALLWINTERSPRING FootballWrestlingBaseball SoftballBasketballTrack Cross CountrySwimmingTennis CheerleadingGolf VolleyballSoccer

24. ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY: for competitive activities ALL 1 st time 9 th graders are eligible After 1 st semester: – Meet GHSA criteria – Pass 3 out of 4 classes – Be on “track” Obtain 4 units by 10 th grade Obtain 10 units by 11 th grade Obtain 16 units by 12 th grade

25. Keep in Mind High School still has a dress code Poor attendance will negatively affect your academic progress Discipline issues make you miss class

26. CONCLUSION The key word to high school success is “effort.” 50% of IQ is motivation. Never be hesitant to work hard. There is a lot of work, but also a lot of people who want to help.

27. DCHS FRESHMEN EXPO Come see: The school The academic programs The extracurricular activities – clubs, sports, etc. MARCH 11 6:00 – 8:00 Important Parent Meeting at 6:00 & 7:00 in the Theater

28. QUESTIONS???