2. HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING and ORIENTATION Douglas County High School 8705 Campbellton St. Douglasville, GA 30134 Tim Scott, Principal www.dctigers.com

3. Topics Covered Block Schedule Freshman Classes HonorsClasses Extra Support 9 th Grade Counts Graduation EOCT Parent involvement Extracurricular Activities Eligibility Questions

4. Douglas County High Schools Alexander Cougars Chapel Hill Panthers Douglas County Tigers Lithia Springs Lions New Manchester Jaguars Each unique…..but all have the same graduation requirements

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) * Specific Sequence of Course Requirements Graduation Rule

6. BLOCK SCHEDULE Students take 8 classes per year. Students take four classes one day and four classes the next day. –B–Blue=1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 th Period –G–Gold=5 th, 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th Period Each class is 90 minutes. Each class counts as 1 unit/credit. Health & Personal Fitness are.5 units/credits. Students may earn up to 8 units/credits per year. – Must pass 6 units to be a Sophomore – at least 1 English & 1 Math. Most students will have two core/academic classes per semester and 2 electives per semester.

7. FRESHMEN CLASSES Academically, high school can be a difficult adjustment. Some classes can cause a struggle because EVERYTHING COUNTS! Even in the first year….

8. FRESHMAN COURSE REQUIREMENTS ALL 9 th graders take: *9 th Lit/Comp American Government *Math I Math I Lab Biology I Health/PEI (IB Only) 4 electives

9. FOREIGN LANGUAGE Students planning to attend a two or four year post- secondary school must take 2 foreign language classes in the same language. All DCSS high schools offer Spanish and French. 9 th graders are typically unable to take foreign language classes due to upper class scheduling. If a student completed two years of a foreign language in middle school he/she is automatically placed in the second year of that language during 9 th grade. A student who has not taken a foreign language may take the 1 st Year of a course, or double up and take the 1 st and 2 nd Year of a course this year!

10. CTAE PATHWAYS Cosmetology Education as a Profession Business Education / Computer Science – Financial Management Accounting & Service – Marketing & Management – Computer Media – Small Business Management Nutrition & Food Science Human Growth & Development Military ( Army JROTC) Health Care Science (Therapeutic Services Medical) Law & Justice Plant/Animal Horticulture

11. 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 taking 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.

12. Honors Pointers 1.Challenge yourself, but don’t drown! 2.It is O.K. to take Honors in some academic areas and not in others. 3.If you do well your first year, you may be eligible to take AP classes as a sophomore.

13. EXTRA SUPPORT IS HERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED HELP, ASK!! Classroom Teachers Math I Support Lab 9 th Literature & Reading Lab Bridges and CHAMPS Tutoring Special Education SST

14. BRIDGES Building Rigor in Douglas to Graduate Every Student Smaller Learning Communities Grant Freshman Summer Camp Freshman Fiesta Freshman Academy Mentors & Buddies Freshman Parent Night Freshman Enrichment Trip Advisement After School & Saturday Tutoring Freshman Newsletter Freshman of the Month College Field Trips Job Shadow Day (Upperclassmen Only)

15. 9 th GRADE IS IMPORTANT! 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 6 units) – no more “placement” in the next grade. You MUST earn units to go to next grade level. While possible, it is difficult to recover from failing grades! Bring your “A GAME” everyday! Your future depends on it!

16. End of Course Tests: Your students will be taking several state mandated End of Course Tests (EOCT) throughout their high school experience. The EOCT counts for 20% of the final semester grade. Students must pass the EOCT course to fulfill Georgia High School Graduation Requirements. The following courses have an EOCT. * 9 th Grade Literature American Literature *Biology Physical Science *Math I Math II EconomicsUS History

17. Student Involvement:Activities Step Team Drama Club Art Club Beta Club Newspaper Model UN FTA Thespian Society FBLAFCCLAFirst Priority French Club HOSAChess Club Art Honor Society NHSPhoto Club Spanish Club One-Act Play BandDebateMath Team Mock Trial Team Dance Team Student Council GCSAKEY Club KnittingReading Bowl Literary Meet

18. 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

19. Sports: FALLWINTERSPRING FootballWrestlingBaseball SoftballBasketballTrack Cross CountrySwimmingTennis CheerleadingGolf VolleyballSoccer

20. Keep in Mind High School still has a dress code. Poor attendance will negatively affect your student’s academic progress. Discipline issues can make your child miss classes and fall behind in work

21. FRESHMAN REGISTRATION/EXPO Come see: The school The academic programs The extracurricular activities – clubs, sports, etc. Registration MARCH 27 6:00 – 8:00 (DCHS)

22. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? For additional information, please contact: Erika Cooper Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction Erika.Cooper@douglas.k12.ga.us 770.651.6573 Michal Sims Assistant Principal of 9 th Grade Academy 770.651.6519 www.dctigers.com