1. 8 th Grade Orientation To Gulf Shores High School 2010-2011

2. THE RULES CHANGE

3. Block Scheduling A year is divided into two terms. A year is divided into two terms. Each term has four blocks. Each term has four blocks. Each block last about 90 minutes. Each block last about 90 minutes. Term 1 lasts from August to December. The four classes taken, end in December. Term 1 lasts from August to December. The four classes taken, end in December. Term 2 lasts from January to May. Four new courses start in January and end in May. Term 2 lasts from January to May. Four new courses start in January and end in May. You will register for both terms at once. You will register for both terms at once.

4. Choosing a Diploma Standard/Advanced College Prep CP+Distinction Average Ability Above Average Ability in all core subjects Excellent Ability in all core subjects Stanines 4-6 Stanines 5-9 Stanines 7-9 Good Student Does schoolwork Average & works hard OR Above average & does schoolwork Superior ability & works hard

5. English 9Algebra IWorld History Biology English 10GeometryUS History I A Physical Science English 11________US History II +2 credits (Marine, English 12________Gov’t & Econ Earth, Environmental) Health*PE/LIFEFine Arts Computer 5.5 Electives Marching Band and JROTC counts as Physical Education Must pass all five parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam Standard Diploma 24 credits to graduate

6. English 9Algebra IWorld History Biology English 10GeometryUS History I A Physical Science English 11Algebra II/TrigUS History II +2 credits (Marine, English 12________Gov’t & Econ Earth, Environmental) Health*PE/LIFEFine Arts Computer French/Spanish IFrench/Spanish II 3.5 Electives Marching Band and JROTC counts as Physical Education Must pass all five parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam Advanced Diploma 24 credits to graduate

7. College Prep Diploma 28 credits to graduate Hon English 9 Algebra I Hon World History Hon Biology Hon English 10 Geometry Hon US History I Chem I or Physics Hon English 11 Alg II/Trig Hon US History I Human Anat, Hon Hon English 12 PreCal or Gov’t & Econ Marine Sci, Chem II AP Stat (choose 2) Health *PE/LIFE Fine Arts Computer French/Spanish IFrench/Spanish II 7.5 electives Marching Band and JROTC counts as Physical Education Must pass all five parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam

8. CP + Distinction Diploma 30 credits to graduate Hon English 9 Algebra I Hon World HistoryHon Biology Hon English 10 Geometry Hon US History IChemistry I AP English 11 Alg II/Trig US History II APPhysics AP English 12 Precalculus Gov’t & Econ AP HumAnat, Hon AP Calculus or Marine Sci, Chem II AP Statistics (choose 1) Health *PE/LIFEFine ArtsComputer French/Spanish IFrench/Spanish II 8.5 Electives Marching Band and JROTC counts as Physical Education Must pass all five parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam

9. Additional Programs Early College Enrollment Program with Faulkner State Community College Early College Enrollment Program with Faulkner State Community College Dual Enrollment with Faulkner State Community College Dual Enrollment with Faulkner State Community College High School Early Exit High School Early Exit Senior Early Release Program Senior Early Release Program Community and Workforce Development Community and Workforce Development Advanced Placement (AP) Courses Advanced Placement (AP) Courses International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

10. Destinations after GSHS College or University - 4 yrs; Bachelor’s Degree; need HS diploma, ACT/SAT scores & GPA to be accepted, GED with minimum ACT score College or University - 4 yrs; Bachelor’s Degree; need HS diploma, ACT/SAT scores & GPA to be accepted, GED with minimum ACT score Junior or Community College - 2 yrs; Associate’s Degree; must have HS diploma or GED Junior or Community College - 2 yrs; Associate’s Degree; must have HS diploma or GED Technical or Trade School - 2 yrs or less; Associate Degree or Certificate; must have HS diploma or GED Technical or Trade School - 2 yrs or less; Associate Degree or Certificate; must have HS diploma or GED Military – Academy? - Highly competitive; ROTC - Can go to school first; Enlisted - must have HS diploma Military – Academy? - Highly competitive; ROTC - Can go to school first; Enlisted - must have HS diploma Work - Employers looking for good attendance and clean discipline record; most want HS diploma Work - Employers looking for good attendance and clean discipline record; most want HS diploma Everyone is ultimately training for a career! Everyone is ultimately training for a career!

11. How do you get there from here?... Earn your credits each year! CREDITS - 32 Possible in 4 yrs Must have 24-30 to graduate (according to diploma type) 7 credit min.  10th grade 14 credit min.  11th grade 21 credit min.  12th grade What happens if you loose credits?

12. You must PAY $$$$$$$$ Make-up credits are costly: Make-up credits are costly: Summer School $150 per term $300 per credit Summer School $150 per term $300 per credit Correspondence Courses - $$ varies; must be approved by principal Correspondence Courses - $$ varies; must be approved by principal

13. G rade P oint A verage All courses count ! An ‘A’ in PE gives you the same number of quality points as an ‘A’ in Physics - however An ‘A’ in PE gives you the same number of quality points as an ‘A’ in Physics - however Colleges may look at both your overall GPA & your core GPA. Colleges may look at both your overall GPA & your core GPA. Scholarships have a minimum GPA. Scholarships have a minimum GPA. Valedictorian/Salutatorian (CP+Distinction only) will be determined by the unweighted GPA. Your GPA at the end of your Junior year will be important!

14. GPA Worksheet Let’s say you make 2 A’s, 1 B, & an F. Let’s say you make 2 A’s, 1 B, & an F. Here’s the math. Here’s the math. A - 2 x 4 pts = 8 B - 1 x 3 pts = 3 F - 1 x O pts = 0 11 ÷ 4= 11 ÷ 4= 2.7 or C 2.7 or C The longer you are in school, the harder it is to bring up a GPA.

15. Alabama High School Graduation Exam Reading Reading Language Language Math (9 th gr. If finish Alg I in Dec. or finish Alg for Mastery by test date) Math (9 th gr. If finish Alg I in Dec. or finish Alg for Mastery by test date) Science (9 th if finish biology in Dec.) Science (9 th if finish biology in Dec.) Social Studies Social Studies (All 1oth graders take all parts not passed in spring.) Keep your grades above 75% for your best chance at passing. You will have at least 5 chances to pass before graduation. Pass it the first time…..you will never have to retake it!!!!!!

16. Scholarship Applications are looking for: Challenging courses Challenging courses Good grades Good grades Participation in extra-curricular activities: band, clubs, service organizations, sports, work, etc. Participation in extra-curricular activities: band, clubs, service organizations, sports, work, etc. Leadership qualities Leadership qualities Scholarships are based on GPA’s and test scores. Scholarships are based on GPA’s and test scores. Certain scholarships are guaranteed based on ACT or SAT scores. Certain scholarships are guaranteed based on ACT or SAT scores. If you prepare yourself academically, there is no reason why you could not go to college.

17. Accept Your Responsibilities Take responsibility for your education Take responsibility for your education Make sure your schedule is balanced Make sure your schedule is balanced Pay attention in class Pay attention in class Complete assignments & study for tests Complete assignments & study for tests Attend school regularly – Good Attendance brings success Attend school regularly – Good Attendance brings success Earn your credits each year Earn your credits each year Plan ahead Plan ahead Get involved in school & or community activities Get involved in school & or community activities

18. High School Is… Challenging both academically & socially. Challenging both academically & socially. Very different from elementary or middle school. Very different from elementary or middle school. The beginning of the end of your childhood. The beginning of the end of your childhood. Take advantage of all the opportunities. Only you can.

19. Susan Harrell 251-968-4747sharrell@bcbe.org