2. Help your child be successful in high school by: Encouraging good study habits. Helping them learn & use time management and organizational skills. Knowing important requirements and making sure they take needed courses. (NOTE: 2/3 of students say they are going to attend college; only 1/3 take college preparatory classes.) Getting them involved in school activities. Promoting career and college exploration and preparation. Working together to help them keep their options open.

3. Graduation Requirements: 4 English 3 Social Studies (1 Am. Hst. & ½ Govt.) 3 Math 3 Science 1 Fine Art 1 Practical Art 1 Physical Education ½ Health ½ Computer Literacy ½ Personal Finance 7 ½ Electives 25 Total Credits

4. Core Curriculum (required for MO 4-year public colleges) 4 English 3 Math (Algebra I and higher) 2 Science (Biology I and higher) 3 Social Studies 1 PE 1 Fine Art 3 Foreign Language and/or Additional Core Electives* NOTE: It is important to check the requirements of each college to determine if its requirements exceed those shown above—for example: * University of MO =4 Math, 3 Science, 2 Foreign Language

5. College Preparatory Studies Certificate: awarded to students pursuing a rigorous course of studies  25 Credits  4 English  4 Math (Algebra I & Higher)  3 Social Studies  3 Science (Biology I & Higher)  ½ Health & ½ Personal Finance  1 Fine Art, 1 Practical Art, 1 Physical Education  Specified Core Electives—at least 3 units selected from foreign language, and/or combinations from two or more of the following course areas—English, Math, Social Studies, Science and Fine Arts  Earn at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 Scale in the combined subject areas of English, Math, Social Studies & Science  Score at or above the national average on a college entrance test—ACT  Maintain a 9-12 attendance rate of 95%

6. A+ Option: Students who graduate from a designated A+ high school may qualify for a state-paid financial incentive to attend any public community college or career/technical school in Missouri if the students successfully meet the following requirements: Enter into a written agreement with the high school prior to graduation. Attend a designated school for three consecutive years immediately prior to graduation. Graduate with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or a 6.8 on an 11 point scale. Have an overall attendance rate of at least 95 percent for grades 9-12. Perform 50 hours of district-supervised, unpaid tutoring or mentoring. Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the use of drugs and alcohol.

7. Dallas County Career Center Students may elect to attend DCCC to receive vocational training in one of the following areas: Automotive Technology Collision Repair Building Trades Computer Information Systems Health Occupations Welding Technology Graphic Arts Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Other DCCC Info  Student’s credits must be on track to attend.  Good attendance 9 th & 10 th grade years important consideration  1 English and 1 Math embedded credit also earned at DCCC  2 year program

8. 4-Year Planning Outlines classes students plans to take during their four years of high school Hourly order Helps avoids conflicts Rechecked every year Parent signature required Personal Career Plan of Study Links Post-Secondary and Career Goals to High School Courses and Activities Individualized to Meet Each Student’s Educational and Career Goals Missouri Connections: www.missouriconnections.orgwww.missouriconnections.org 16 Career Clusters

9. Required Testing: End of Course Exams Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II Biology English I, English II American History, Government (also must pass MO and US Constitution Tests)

10. College Entrance Preparation and Testing  8 th Grade: Explore (ACT Prep)  10 th Grade: Plan (ACT Prep)  11 th /12 th Grade: ACT (Achievement test that measures what a student has learned in school.)  English  Mathematics  Reading  Science  Writing Test (optional) 4-year colleges require ACT  SAT also an option—more of an aptitude test that tests reasoning and verbal abilities.

11. Dual Credit Opportunities Students may earn college credit while attending high school. Southwest Baptist University: Algebra Biology Psychology Missouri State University Animal Science Crop Science Ag Sales & Marketing Ag Econ & Management Ag Power I Ag Power II Horticulture Conservation & Natural Resources Ag Construction Ag Structures

12. Student & Parent Resources  www.missouriconnections.org www.missouriconnections.org  HORNET PLAN Book—new each year  School Counselor  Counselor Link on School Website Good Luck! Enjoy the next four years... time will fly!