Oxford High School Academic Planning Information Grady Lacher 10 th / 11 th Counselor

1. Oxford High School Academic Planning Information Grady Lacher 10th / 11th Counselor

2. My School Site • http://oxford.ocss.schoolinsites.com/

3. The Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Academic Endorsement • 24 credits • 4 core classes each year - including biology, a physical science, Algebra I (1A/1B), and Geometry (Geo A/B), Algebra II/Trig • 2 years of a foreign language and/or completion of a career tech endorsement • 1 credit PE • ½ credit health • ½ credit fine arts • ½ credit Computer Applications / Business Technology Applications • Pass all five parts of the AHSGE

4. Standard Diploma – Opt out of Adv. • Same as the Advanced, but with no requirement for Algebra II/Trig or foreign language. • Must pass all 5 parts of the AHSGE. • No one may be on this diploma option without a signed form from their parent or guardian.

5. College Prep Diploma • 24 credits / 80 overall average • CP or higher in English, science, and social studies all four years • Science must include chemistry • Algebra 1, Geometry, CP Algebraic Connections, Algebra II/Trig, Algebra III/Statistics, Advanced Math/Pre-Calculus, AP or DE Calculus, Dual Enrollment College Algebra • 3 or more AP / DE courses • 2 consecutive years of a foreign language • Required Electives • 1 credit PE • ½ credit health • ½ credit fine arts • ½ credit Computer Applications / Business Technology Applications • Pass all five parts of the AHSGE

6. Honors Diploma • 26 credits / 90 overall average • Honors or CP in English, science, and social studies all four years • Science must include biology and chemistry • Algebra 1, Geometry, CP Algebraic Connections, Algebra II/Trig, Pre-Calculus, Algebra III/Statistics, AP or DE Calculus, DE College Algebra – Honors students must complete one math course after Alg II/Trig • 5 or more AP and / or Dual Enrollment courses • 2 consecutive years of a foreign language • Required Electives • 1 credit PE • ½ credit health • ½ credit fine arts • ½ credit Computer Applications / Business Technology Applications • Pass all five parts of the AHSGE

7. Alabama High School Graduation Exam • All five sections of the AHSGE must be passed in order to receive an Honors, College Prep, Advanced, or Standard diploma. The AHSGE will be given the first week of March, 2012. Tenth-grade students who have already passed Algebra I and biology will take the math and science sections of the AHSGE in September 2010.

8. Credit-Based Diploma • Same as the Advanced or Standard in course requirements. • Must pass reading, math, and at least one more exam on the AHSGE

9. Career Tech Endorsements • Students who complete a minimum of three courses in a designated career area will receive a career tech endorsement on their diploma and a career tech cord to wear at graduation. This endorsement signifies that the student went beyond the basic requirements necessary to graduate high school and that he or she is well trained in a specific field. • Students following Advanced Diploma requirements may substitute a Career Tech Endorsement in place of the foreign language requirement.

10. Career Tech Endorsements • Computer Technology • Business Technology Essentials / Applications (BTE / BTA) • Advanced Business Technology Applications • Multimedia • Accounting • Business Technology Essentials / Applications (BTE / BTA) • Accounting I • Advanced Accounting • OR • Accounting I • Advanced Accounting • Personal Finance

11. Career Tech Endorsements • Collision Repair • Painting and Refinishing I (2 periods) • Painting and Refinishing II (2 periods) • Printing Technology • Graphic Arts Overview • Digital File Preparation • Advanced Digital File Preparation

12. Career Tech Endorsements • Engineering • Foundations of Engineering • Engineering Applications • Engineering Research and Design • Diagnostic Services (Health Care) • Foundations of Health Science • Health Science Internship (2 periods)

13. ACT PLAN • The ACT PLAN is a comprehensive program from ACT designed to help all tenth-grade students improve their post-secondary planning and preparation. The ACT PLAN is a “pre-ACT” test and is a powerful predictor of success on the actual ACT Assessment. The ACT PLAN will be given October 19, 2010, to ALL 10th grade students.

14. ACT / SAT • Most four-year colleges require the scores for either the ACT or the SAT as part of the student’s entrance application. Many colleges will accept scores from either test; however, some colleges require, or prefer, scores from one or the other. Most colleges in the South accept the ACT, and this is the test most of our students take. You should check the catalog of your college-of-choice for information regarding the test it requires. It is recommended for tenth-grade students to complete the academic year before taking the ACT or SAT.

15. College Planning Folder • Beginning this year you should create a folder where you keep copies of awards you have received, community activities that you are involved in, club activities, any special training, etc. Also in this folder begin to compile a list of the colleges that you are interested in and scholarship information. Most scholarships are only available to seniors, but it is wise to know about them well in advance. • Create an online profile at www.mycollegeoptions.org

16. NCAA Requirements Athletes must apply through the NCAA Eligibility Center if they want to play Division I or II college sports. Contact the NCAA website: http://eligibilitycenter.org/ Submit transcripts and test scores as required There are courses the NCAA does not except such as CP Algebraic Connections. For example, the NCAA requires three math courses. At a minimum these are Alg I, Geo, and Alg II. Alg 1A and 1B count as one course.

17. Your Transcript How do you earn credits? Enroll in 7 classes worth 1 credit each. 3 ½ Credits earned each semester ~Credits earned by making grades of A, B, C, or D ~Two 9 weeks & semester exam= ½ credit ~Attendance may have an effect on earning credits.

18. Tips to be successful Start Now Come to School (Attendance Policy /Exams) Stay Organized & Focused (Use your planner). Don’t let negative influences get to you. Study Daily! Get help when you need it right away. Communicate with parent, teacher, and your counselor

19. Tips for success Accept responsibility for your grades and actions. Get involved in your school! (Sports, Community Service, & Clubs) Study Daily! Do your homework daily! Read Ahead!