Stockbridge High School Freshmen Advisement

1. Stockbridge High School Freshmen Advisement Information for Students and Parents

2. SHS Counseling Department Mission Statement • The mission of Stockbridge High School Guidance and Counseling is to help students succeed. We recognize that each student has the fundamental right of equal access to the knowledge and skill required to function successfully in a global society. Therefore, we designed a comprehensive guidance and counseling program that addresses, not only the academic needs of our students, but also environmental conditions such as poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and child abuse/neglect that affect a student’s ability to learn. SHS Guidance and Counseling focuses on the needs of the whole student by recognizing and responding to the social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral challenges facing students and families. Students will have the opportunity to acquire educational and social competencies necessary for growth toward lifelong success in becoming productive citizens.

3. This information affects your future!!!

4. Stockbridge High School Counseling Staff Students are assigned to counselors according to last name: Counselor Last Name Dr. Hodge A-G Mrs. Graham H-O Mrs. Rush P-Z Ms. M. Bell – Graduation Coach Mrs. Brown – Counseling Secretary

5. Graduation Requirements

6. Math Changes Students entering high school in 2012-2013 and subsequent years must take and pass four math classes: • Math I: CCGPS Coordinate Algebra • Math II: CCGPS Analytic Geometry • Math III: CCGPS Advanced Algebra • Math IV: CCGPS Pre-Calculus **Students must pass the designated prerequisite course before enrolling in the next level course.

7. Math Changes Or students must take and pass the following four Accelerated Math classes: • Accelerated CCGPS Coordinate Algebra/Analytic Geometric • Accelerated CCGPS Analytic Geometry • Accelerated Pre-Calculus • Advanced Placement Calculus and/or Advanced Placement Statistics **Students must pass the designated prerequisite course before enrolling in the next level course.

8. GHSGT/EOCT The process of eliminating the GHSGT began in 2011-2012. To earn a high school diploma, students entering 9th grade for the first time during the 2011-2012 school year and beyond will be required to pass the EOCT course. They must take the EOCT and it will count as 20% of the course grade.

9. GHSGT/EOCT Transition Students who enter 9th grade for the first time in 2011-2012 or after: • Must pass the GHSWT • Not required to take and/or pass the GHSGT • Required to pass courses with EOCT • Not required to pass EOCT

10. Units of Credit Units of Credit How many units of credit are required for promotion to 10th grade? 5 credits must be earned prior to the start of the next school year. **If a student does not have 5 credits, then the student will remain in 9th grade. How many units of credit are required to be in 11th grade? 11 units of credit are required prior to the start of your junior year for you to be in the 11th grade. How many units of credit are required to be in 12th grade? 17 units of credit are required prior to the start of your senior year for you to be in the 12th grade.

11. Honors and AP Points Honors and AP Points Which courses receive Honors and AP points? 5 additional points are added at the end of each semester to Honors courses. 10 additional points are added at the end of each semester to AP courses.

12. What happens if I fail a course?? Failed courses can be made up through: • Henry County Online Academy • If you fail more than two courses, you will not be promoted to the 10th grade and are in danger of not graduating with your class.

13. GPA Henry County calculates numeric averages by adding all grades and dividing by the total number of courses taken. The numeric average is on a 100 point scale. All grades include: passed, failed, summer school, and online grades….. Failed grades remain on your transcript even after retaking the course!!

14. Sample Transcript

15. GPA College GPA is different than the high school GPA. You should contact the college/university to find out how they calculate GPA Most colleges/universities use this scale: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, F = 0.0 Most colleges/universities only consider academic courses: English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages Some colleges/universities may give additional points for Honors and AP courses Some colleges/universities may remove additional points for Honors and AP courses

16. HOPE Scholarship Qualifications U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen Legal resident of Georgia Graduate of an eligible GA high School Valid Social Security Number Selective Service Males must register with Selective Service no later than 30 days prior to their 18th birthday. HOPE eligibility will be delayed until this requirement is met www.sss.gov.

17. HOPE A 3.0 GPA is required by averaging core courses, including failing grades on a 4.0 scale and pass at least 3 courses from a list of academically rigorous courses. Honors and AP points are removed and a ½ point is added back for AP courses only. Counselors are not responsible for calculating the HOPE GPA. A 2.99 GPA does not qualify for HOPE. All HOPE calculations are completed by Georgia Student Finance Commission www.gacollege411.org.

18. Zell Miller Scholarship • Student must meet all requirements for HOPE • Graduate from an eligible high school with a GPA of at least 3.7 as calculated by GSFC and received a score of at least 1200 combined critical reading and math on a single administration of the SAT or an ACT score of at least 26 • Graduated from an eligible high school as valedictorian or salutatorian

19. Advanced Placement (AP) • College-level courses • Receive recognition from more than 3600 colleges and universities that annually receive AP exam scores • Over 90% of 4 year colleges in the U.S. provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying score

20. 10th Grade Schedule Register for the highest level course in which you can earn A’s or B’s. Do not place yourself at academic risk by overreaching because it sounds and/or looks good. Be honest with yourself. Listen to teacher recommendations during registration. Protecting your GPA is most important during high school. Take a balanced schedule. World Literature Math II Physical Science or Physics World History World Language, CTAE, or Fine Art World Language, CTAE, or Fine Art Elective Course placement is based on meeting grade and/or pre-requisite requirements. Courses are year-long!!

21. College Admission Standards GPA – Typically average academic core on a 4.0 (English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language) Course Selection – Selective colleges/universities are looking at the strength or rigor of your courses throughout high school, including senior year Test Scores (SAT/ACT) – Plan to take during 11th grade Class Rank – Based on overall numeric weighted average Extracurricular Activities – Leadership and participation in clubs, service organizations, and athletics can be particularly important to colleges/universities College Application Essays – Required essays on the college application are important because they demonstrate your writing ability Letters of Recommendation – Usually two letters from teachers and one from your counselor is required Resume – Contains academic information, honors and awards, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experience

22. Resume

23. NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse • If you are planning on participating in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution you must register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • When taking the SAT/ACT, enter 999 for scores to be sent to the NCAA • Students and parents are responsible for determining NCAA eligibility to Division I and Division II schools Counselors are not responsible for determining eligibility. The NCAA may or may not approve courses taken through a non-traditional format such as online, distance learning, correspondence, and/or credit recovery.

24. Freshman Success • Be organized • Do your homework daily • Make studying everyday a priority • Attend tutoring regularly • Ask your teacher for assistance if your grade is below 75 • Every grade counts……

25. How and When to See Counselor • To see your counselor, please stop by the Counseling Office to fill out an appointment request slip • Reasons to see a counselor - Struggling academically - Questions about college/career planning - Questions about four year plan for graduation - Guidance on academic issues - Guidance on personal issues

26. How and When to See Counselor SHS COUNSELOR APPOINTMENT REQUEST Print Legibly Legal Name: ________________________________________________________________ Grade: _________ Email Address: _________________________________________________ Date: ____________________ I would like to make an appointment with (check): About (check all that apply): • Dr. N. Hodge (A-G) ○ Class Schedule • Mrs. L. Graham (H-O) ○ Academic Concerns • Mrs. O. Rush (P-Z) ○ College/Career Concerns • Mrs. J. Tyler (Social Worker) ○ Summer School ○ Other _______________ ****Emergency: Do not complete if you are a danger to self or others or someone else is in danger. Please see a member of SHS Staff immediately.

27. How and When to see a Counselor • We are here to help you • Stop by the Counseling Office before school, during lunch, or after school to schedule an appointment • Emergency – Danger to self, others or someone else is in danger. See a SHS Staff immediately. Do not complete a Counselor Appointment Form

28. Questions