Welcome to Freshmen/Sophomore Night

1. Welcome to Freshmen/Sophomore Night

2. Nancy Kundinger 9th and 10th Grade Counselor Last Names A-K & Julie Staten 9th and 10th Grade Counselor Last Names L-Z

3. Course Selection for 2014-2015 School Year • February 10th students will be receiving their course selection sheet • Teachers will be recommending students for their classes based on their standardized test scores and their performance in their class this year • Parents are responsible to go over the course selection sheet with their child and sign the sheet once the final choices are made • February 21st is the Deadline for students to turn in their course selection sheet • Reminder that Re-Enrollment for next year begins on January 27th and is DUE on February 3rd

4. Things to Keep in Mind when Selecting Courses For Next Year • Rising Sophomores • All Sophomores take PE for both semesters • This will be your “lighter” load year so this is your time to really focus on your grades/GPA • You will be allowed to miss 2 extra days for College Visits, provided that you submit documentation from the college of the visit

5. Things to Keep in Mind when Selecting Courses For Next Year • Rising Juniors • This year tends to be your “harder” year • It’s not uncommon to have a Study Hall where students can do their homework, study, and get organized (especially if they are involved with a sport/extra-curricular activities) • This is also the year that students have the option to take SAT Prep as an elective. Students choose to take this semester course to help prepare for the SAT

6. Graduation Requirements Theology 4 English 4 Mathematics 4 Science 3 World Language (same) 2 U.S. History 1 U.S. Gov’t ½ Economics ½ World History 1 Computer 1 PE 1 Fine Arts 1 Elective 1 Total credits required............24 Some Colleges require 3 years of a Foreign Language Do your Research!

7. Importance of GPA • Your GPA begins your 9th Grade year so make it a great one • Colleges REcalculate students’ GPA based on grades in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language • A great article to read titled “What College Admission Officers Look For: Transcript, Academic Averages, Class Rank, Types of Courses Taken” • http://www.education.com/reference/article/roadmap-what-my-academic-average-class/

8. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship - $6,700 per YEAR • There are two ways to qualify: • Must meet ALL Three below • a. 1200 SAT or 27 ACT • b. 3.5 GPA on SCUGP through Junior year • c. Be in the top 6% from SCUGP • OR • 1400 SAT or 32 ACT and 4.0 GPA on SCUGP • Life Scholarship - $5,000 per YEAR • Must meet TWO of the Three Criteria: • a. 1100 SAT or 24 ACT • b. 3.0 GPA on SCUGP • c. Top 30% of the class from SCUGP College SC Lottery Scholarships

9. College SC Lottery Scholarships • Hope Scholarship - $2,800 per YEAR (for Freshman year only) • Must have a 3.0 on SCUGP • Enhancement for Math & Science Majors • Must complete 14 hours in math and science during the first year • in college. Students will be eligible beginning of their Sophomore • Year • Life Recipients: Possible $2,500 extra • PALMETTO Recipients: Possible $3,300 extra

10. Guidance Website & Scholarships College Representative Visits to BE College Planning Timelines Scholarships are updated on a weekly basis Summer Opportunities

11. PSAT/SAT • All Freshmen students take the PSAT in October here at BE during school hours • Scores were given back to your child in December • The average National PSAT Score for Sophomores in 2012 was: • 43 in Critical Reading • 44 in Mathematics • 42 Writing Skills • Note: The PSAT does not give average scores for Freshmen • All Juniors take the PSAT in October here at BE during school • Students are strongly advised to begin taking the SAT in the Spring of their JUNIOR year Difference between SAT & ACT : http://www.studypoint.com/ed/act-vs-sat/

12. PLAN/ACT • All Sophomores take the PLAN (pre ACT) in October during school hours • Plan results were given back to your child in November • Students are advised to begin taking ACT in the Spring of their JUNIOR year. Students register to take both the SAT & ACT online • SAT www.collegeboard.com • ACT www.act.org Difference between SAT & ACT : http://www.studypoint.com/ed/act-vs-sat/

13. Naviance • What is it? • A college and career readiness platform that helps connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals • How can I use it? • Career Planning: Interest Inventory and Cluster Finder Inventory • College Planning: College Search, Application Process, College Major Exploration, Scholarship/Financial Aid Resources • Where do I find it? • On the BE home page, under “Guidance”, click on “Naviance Family Connection” and then click on the link. • Use student Netclassroom ID and password. Letters are case sensitive

14. Career Day March 26 • Over 30 professionals in their fields will be speaking to our students during our annual Career Day

15. Meetings with your Counselor • We have met with all Freshman and Sophomore students at least once over the course of the first semester • Counselors will be calling Freshmen in again this second semester to check in on you and discuss grades, importance of GPA, make sure you know how to get onto Naviance, and talk about future college plans • Sophomore Parents and Students: We will be having “Sophomore Meetings” with parents and students. Meetings will begin in March. You will be receiving a letter in the mail reminding you to call or email your student’s Guidance Counselor to set up an appointment to meet. The meeting is optional, but it’s a great time to discuss future college plans, course selections, GPA, SAT/ACT, Scholarships, etc.

16. Extra Help • All teachers have scheduled extra help sessions • If you don’t know when each teacher has their help session, you can contact the teacher directly, look under the Parent tab on the BE website, or contact the guidance office • Many teachers will accommodate special requests if the student is unable to make it to a regularly scheduled help session

17. Juniors and Seniors will be split next year between Ms. Gastaldi and Ms. Salley • Ms. Gastaldi Last names A-K • Ms. Salley Last names L-Z

18. Questions?