AGENDAAGENDA

1. Graduation Requirements2. Course Planning3. Programs for next year’s 9th, 10th,

11th & 12th graders4. College admissions information

5. Questions

Graduation Requirements for Classes of 2016 - 2019

1. Minimum of 140 total credits (1class= 5credits with a few exceptions)

2. 5 credits in Financial Literacy3. Pass PARCC assessments4. Specific course requirements

2016-19Graduation

RequirementsHS Grad 2 yr college 4 yr college

English 20 credits 20 credits 20 credits

Social Studies 15 credits 15 credits 15 credits +

Math 15 credits 15 credits 15 credits +

Science 15 credits 15 credits 15 credits +

PE 15 credits 15 credits 15 credits

Fine Art/ Performing Art 5 credits 5 credits 5 credits

Health 5 credits 5 credits 5 credits

Computer 5 credits 5 credits 5 credits

Foreign Language 5 credits 5 credits 10 credits, 15-20 preferred

vs. College Requirements

Meeting Credit Requirements

• The Course Guide is available online & answers most questions. Click on Program Planning Guide on the high school website in the guidance section.

• Parents/Guardians need to look closely at their student’s graduation requirements.

Course Planning

Course selection due in guidance : February 13th.

• Tip for incoming 9th grade students –Plan all 4 years together – not one year in isolation.

•Student and parent signature as well as pertinent contact information is required.•Choose alternates for elective.

Scheduling PrioritiesEach student must register for eight classes,

keeping in mind the following priorities:

Graduation Requirements  (See Course Guide)

Future Plans

College

Vocational training

Military

Employment options

Interests and Abilities

When students sign up for courses, they are committing to staying in the class. Changing electives may not be an option.

Sample Course Selection Sheet

English Offerings.

Gr. 9 English LA 1 English 1 Honors English 1

Gr. 10 English LA 2 English 2 Honors English 2

Gr. 11 English 3 Honors English 3

Gr. 12 English 4 AP LiteratureAP Comp

Additional English electives can be found in the Planning Guide.

History Offerings.

Gr. 9 World History Honors World History

Gr. 10 US 1 Hon. US 1 AP US 1

Gr. 11 US 2 Hon. US 2 AP US 2

Gr. 12 ( Gr. 11&12) Electives

Math Offerings.

Gr. 9 Integrated Alg 1 Alg.1 Alg. 2 Hon. Alg. 2

Gr. 10 Integrated Alg 2 Alg. 2 Geo. Hon. Geometry

Gr. 11 Integrated Geo. Geo. Pre-Calc Hon. Geo. Hon. Pre-Calc.

Gr. 12 Alg.2 Pre-Calc Calc/ AP Calc/ AP Stat Hon. Alg. 2

Science Offerings.

Gr. 9 Biology/ Honors Biology

Gr. 10 Conceptual Physics/Contemporary Science

Gr. 11 Chemistry/Honors Chemistry/AP Chem.

Gr. 12 Honors Physics/ Human Anatomy/AP Biology-ELECTIVES

Honors Courses

• Honors classes are offered in grades 9-12

• Designed for students who want a challenge and possess high level academic skills.

• Subjects include:– English 9, 10,11– World History, US History, World Language

levels 3 & 4, Science, Math, Early Childhood

Electives

• Electives are available in each of the major disciplines.

• For example:

Social Studies electives include: Sociology, Psychology,

African American History,

Law and Government

Other ELECTIVES can be found in the Program Planning Guide under:

BUSINESSART

MUSICTECHNOLOGY

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Advanced Placement• AP Classes – national curriculum, highly challenging,

require much more work than regular courses

• AP Exam• given on national date for all students (fee)• grades of 3-5 may earn college credit (varies by college)

AP Offerings at G.H.S. – AP Comp AP Euro AP Biology AP Calculus (AB and BC)

AP Literature AP History 1& 2 AP Statistics AP Chemistry

Students should think carefully about committing to multiple AP courses…

Honors and Advanced Placement

Why?• Greater depth of studies• Intellectually exciting class discussions• Develop self-directed learning skills• Prepare for college-level course work• Improved Writing Skills• Show academic rigor for college apps• Potentially earn college credit

What our students are saying about Honors and AP…

• “You must be disciplined.”• “You cannot procrastinate.”• “Be prepared if you weren’t in honors last year to receive lower

grades. It’s a huge jump in the amount of work and the level of difficulty” (this came from a student in general English last year).

• “Be willing to get teacher help early on.” • “Time management is crucial.”• “Not one night assignments anymore—have to have a

schedule and plan” (you have a month where you are working on several projects at once).

• “Don’t take it just to have it look good on your transcript—you have to want it.”

Honors and Advanced Placement

Successful AP & Honors students…• Pay close attention to detail• Have strong listening, reading & writing skills• Are strong test takers• Good independent analytical essay writers

under time pressure • Willingly take on the risk & challenge• Participate actively in class discussions• Enjoy the analytical process• Manage time well & show initiative

College InformationCollege Information

4-Year College/University Admissions ProcessCriteria on which students are reviewed:

1. GPA Calculated at the end of junior year

2. SAT/ACT test scores3. Core Course entrance requirements 4. Rigor of Coursework: including

senior year!5. Co-Curricular Activities/Special

Considerations6. Essays/Personal Statements

College Applications & GHS Counselors

Most college applications include a form for school counselors to fill out. We may have to rank your student against the average applicant on:

• Rigor of course selection• Academic achievement• Extracurricular accomplishments• Personal qualities & character• Potential for growth• Initiative• Creativity• Respect from peers &/or faculty• Etc.

College Placement Exams

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT) Fall of Soph./Jr. YearACT (through Algebra 2) Spring of Jr. Year( latest)

SAT Reasoning Test (thru Alg. 2) Spring of Jr. Year (latest)SAT Subject Tests (only a few select colleges require this.

AP classes are great preparation for SAT Subject test)

Students are responsible for knowing when & how to sign up, pay the fees, and for sending & managing their score reports.  

www.collegeboard.orgwww.act.org

Guidance Department Contacts

Questions?