2. Who are we? Mrs. Amy Eversole – School Counselor A-G Mrs. Amy Helfenberger – School Counselor H-O Ms. Sarah Wilson – School Counselor P-Z Mrs. Melissa Overbay – College and Career Counselor (here every Wednesday)

3. Review Graduation Requirements ALL students must take and pass the following: – English: 4 credits - I, II, III, IV (one per year) – Math: 4 credits - Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and one upper level course (one per year) – Science: 3 credits – Biology, Physics/Chemistry, one science of your choice – Social Studies: 3 credits – World Geography/History, U.S. History, U.S. Government

4. Review Graduation Requirements Economics/Personal Finance - 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits Fine Arts – 1 credit Wellness and Physical Education 1.5 credits Electives – 6-10 credits Program of Study – at least 3 credits

5. Review Graduation Requirements What is a “Program of Study?” A concentration of classes in a certain area taken by the student Contains a minimum of 3 classes Can either be artistically, academically, or technically based Please talk with the school counselors to determine what program of study is best fit for you

6. Examples of some Programs of Study Advanced Placement Fine Arts Math & Science Automotive Technology Engineering Pre-Law Health Professions Pre-Education Interior Design Therapeutic Services

7. How do I GRADUATE? 28 CREDITS ALL You must earn 28 CREDITS by the end of your senior year, passing ALL required courses. CREDIT, In order to earn a CREDIT, you must pass your class with the grade of a D or higher – Number of credits define your grade level and determines your eligibility to graduate.

8. What is an EOC? It is an End of Course Exam These are taken after a required class is finished (core classes) REMEMBER – You do not have to pass an EOC in order to graduate… *HOWEVER* – EOC’s count as 20% of your final grade!!!

9. What happens if I fail? If you fail a required class, you will have to either re-taking the class – Earn that credit back by either re-taking the class *or* Credit Recovery Program – Participate in the Credit Recovery Program

10. Credit Recovery Program – Students use a special computer software program either before or after school (also available in the summer). – Not all courses are available; however most academic classes are (i.e. math, science, social studies, English, etc.). – A $50 fee is required each time a student signs up for the program. Also, to be eligible, a student must have at least a 50 semester average in their failed class. – A student can only use the program to recover 4 credits throughout high school and can only work on recovering 1 credit per semester. – The maximum grade a student may earn is 70

11. Online Offerings Check with your school counselors to see what courses are being offered online through the Niswonger Foundation. These courses could enhance student learning by offering courses that aren’t offered at the home school. www.niswongerlearningcenter.org (you must register through your counselor). www.niswongerlearningcenter.org

12. What’s next? Post-Secondary? Technology Center/Community College/College/University Job/Career/Military

13. What is a “post-secondary” school? Any schooling that takes place after graduation from high school. – Examples of this may be: 4-year college or university 2-year community college Technology/Vocational Center Military Beauty School

14. How do I get there? Excel in classes early on Get involved in clubs at school Take AP/ Dual Enrollment Courses!!! Prepare and study for ACT Be aware of local scholarships early on!!! GRADUATE in GOOD STANDING!!!

15. What is Dual Enrollment? earn college credit Classes you can take your junior and senior years to earn college credit through Walters State Community College Check with School Counselors to see what is being offered HOPE Scholarship money can pay for the courses.

16. What is Advanced Placement? Advanced classes offered at the high schools (as well as online) to potentially earn college credit. Take the AP exam at the end of the course to determine whether or not college credit will be given. Most colleges give credit with a 3, 4 or 5.

17. Tennessee Scholar’s Program* – Additional academic high school requirements: 3 Science requirements must be Biology & Chemistry + one other lab science, Physics preferred. 2 Career Technical Education (CTE) courses—one must be in keyboarding OR 2 Additional AP courses 1 higher level math above Algebra II – Additional Expectations: 80 hours of Community Service Overall “C” average in all TN Scholars Courses (no D’s or F’s for any final grade) 95% Attendance (not over 9 days absent/year) No Out-of-School Suspension * Requirements subject to change

18. HOPE Scholarship (Lottery Scholarship) Requirements: 3.0 grade point average – Have a 3.0 grade point average at the end of all 4 years of high school *OR* 21 on the ACT – Make at least a composite score of 21 on the ACT exam

19. Benefits of post-secondary options Higher Salary Career Opportunities Job Satisfaction Work Versatility More opportunities to move up in your career

20. College & Career Resources www.collegefortn.org www.actstudent.org http://tcids.tbr.edu/