11 th Grade….

1. 11th Grade…. What to know in order to have a successful year.

2. The ELHS Guidance Department is here to help! We provide… • Academic assistance, career/college planning, brief counseling sessions for issues that are getting in the way of students’ success, credit recovery solutions, applying for accommodations for SAT and AP exams; if you can think of it, we can help with it! • Guidance has partnerships with organizations outside of school that we can refer students to which include… • Holiday assistance, mental health agencies, pregnancy centers, clothes closet (located at ELHS), Kiwanis Club (for students in need of shoes), and social services. The basics…how to access resources to be successful

3. English- 4 credits (English I, II, III, IV) • Math- 4 credits (Math I, II, III, and a higher level math) • Science- 3 credits (Earth Environmental, Biology, a physical science) • Social Studies- 4 credits (World History, Civics, American History I and II) • Health and PE- 1 credit • 2 units of a World Language if 4 year college bound • Required elective credits- 2 (Arts education or CTE or World Languages) • Other required electives- 10 • Total credits needed to graduate- 28 • **These are minimum graduation requirements, students are encouraged to select elective and academic courses that align with their future plans.** Graduation requirements

4. If the course is a graduation requirement, it must be taken again either in 5th period, summer school, or APEX. • Failing 2 or more classes per year puts students at risk of not graduating on time. • If you plan to play a college sport, you must retake the course you failed. APEX/Credit Recovery do not count in this case. • Grade Suppression- if you took a course and failed it in 2015-2016 or later, you may re-take the SAME course you failed, and the original grade will be replaced on your transcript. • Talk to a teacher, counselor, or administrator if you are falling behind in your classes. What happens if I fail a course?

5. If you feel behind in a class or don’t get what is being taught, let your teacher or counselor know. • Take advantage of SMART Lunch and attend scholastic sessions for the classes you need help with or for enrichment opportunities. • Don’t wait to ask for help until the end of the 9 weeks, by that time it may be too late. • Check PowerSchool daily for updated grades and missing assignments. Students log in through their rapid identity log in, parents can log in from home via the parent portal. How to get academic help

6. October 19, 2016 • $15 to take the test, pay in guidance by check or cash. • Limited number of tests, so sign up ASAP. • Juniors taking the PSAT who score in the top 5% nationwide, may qualify for National Merit Scholar recognition. • Excellent practice for the SAT. • Scores used to determine Gaston College class options. PSAT

7. The redesigned SAT does not take points off for wrong answers; if you don’t know the answer, take an educated guess. • The essay portion will be optional- contact the colleges where you plan to apply to find out if they require the essay. • Get FREE personalized SAT study materials online by visiting https://www.khanacademy.org/sat • Learn more about the redesigned SAT by visiting https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat?navid=gh-nsat SAT

8. All juniors will take the ACT in March 2017 • This is a FREE college entrance exam. Make sure to have your scores sent to colleges you plan to apply at. • Take advantage of FREE study materials by visiting http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/ • Subjects tested are English, Math, Science, Reading, and Writing • Test scores range from 1-36 • Talk with a counselor about your ACT- PLAN scores (from 10th grade), this report will give you an idea of what areas to study in order to prepare for the ACT. act

9. Testing accommodations are available for PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP Exams. • If you have a 504 plan or an IEP and would like to apply for accommodations, see a counselor who will initiate the process. • It can take 6-8 weeks for the College Board to approve accommodation requests, make sure to notify a counselor EARLY. • We will automatically apply for accommodations for the upcoming ACT, you will be given an application form that needs to be signed by a parent/guardian. Testing Accommodations

10. Tuition free dual enrollment program for juniors and seniors (students are required to pay for books, supplies, and activity fee). • Students may take college level courses through Gaston online or in the Afternoon College format. • Afternoon College is a hybrid format- 2 days/week students will attend class face to face during 4th period, the other days students will work on their courses online from home or at ELHS. • Two pathways to choose from: College Transfer Pathway and Career/Technical Education Pathway • College Transfer Pathway has minimum GPA and test score requirements. • College transfer courses will be accepted at 4 year public colleges in North Carolina. • www.gaston.edu/career-college-promise/ Career and college promise

11. September 14- (11:05-11:55) ACT/SAT registration, room 203 • September 21- (11:05-11:55) ELHS Bullying Task Force meeting, room 202 • September 26- (6:00-7:30) Lincoln County College Fair at the Citizens Center • September 28- (11:05-11:55) PSAT information session w/Mrs. Lackey • October 19- PSAT • October 21- ASVAB testing- sign up with Mrs. Smith • March 2017- all Juniors take the ACT Important dates to remember