Presented by: Taffey Cunnien & Kelly Parkin High School Planning Presented by: Taffey Cunnien & Kelly Parkin

Graduation Areas of Study Units Required English/Language Arts* 4 Mathematics* 4 Science* 4 Social Studies 4 (3) CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Foreign Language 3 Health and Physical Education 1 Electives 4 Total Units (Minimum) 23 * Required Courses and/or Core Courses

High School Schedule Eight classes per year Alexander High School: Eight classes per day Other Douglas County high schools have four classes per day, odd/even schedule. Student must pass five units to be promoted to 10th grade, including 1 Math and 1 English.

Freshman Core Classes 9th Lit/Comp (H) American Government (H, AP) Most 9th grade students take: 9th Lit/Comp (H) American Government (H, AP) Algebra (accelerated*) Biology (H) *must begin in accelerated Algebra in 9th to take chemistry in 10th.

Declared Pathways In compliance with House Bill 186, all incoming 9th graders must declare a pathway. The four pathways are: CTAE (Career, Technical & Agricultural Education) Advanced Academic in either English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies Fine Arts World Language Space is provided on the 8th Grade Registration Card for students to declare their chosen pathway. This declaration is up for revision each year.

CTAE Pathways Forestry/Natural Resources Systems Plant Systems Architectural Drawing and Design Audio & Video Technology & Film Graphic Communications Administrative support Small Business Development Early Childhood Care and Education Teaching as a profession Advanced Accounting Business Accounting JROTC ARMY, Marines, Navy Automotive Maintenance Light Repair Pathway Therapeutic Services: Allied Health, Physical Medicine, Sports Medicine, Emergency Medical Responder Biotechnology Research & Development Sports & Entertainment Marketing Nutrition and Food Science Pathway Cosmetology Web & Digital Design Programming Information and support and Services Law Enforcement Pathway Marketing and Management Engineering and Technology Engineering Drafting and Design

Foreign Language Students planning to attend a four year post- secondary school must pass two units of Foreign Language in the same language. If student has two foreign language credits from MCMS: French 2/Spanish 2 (if recommended) 2 credits of Foreign Language @ MCMS will transfer to 1 High School Foreign Language credit. Foreign Language is not a requirement to graduate high school.

9th Grade Counts Hope Scholarship Freshman Index (college admission) Superintendent Scholar Award (3.5 GPA Freshman Year, no grade below a “B”) Promotion to 10th grade (must earn 5 units/credits –Promotion to the next grade level is based on earned units/credits.) Graduation

High School Magnet Programs Students must apply and be admitted to the magnet programs. Liberal Arts College Prep (AP Capstone) | Alexander Advanced Placement (AP) | Chapel Hill International Baccalaureate (IB) | Douglas County Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) | Lithia Springs Fine Arts (FAME) | New Manchester College & Career Institute Academy (CCI) | West Georgia Technical College

AP Vs. IB The Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are both high school programs that offer college-level courses and the opportunity to earn college credit. IB was developed in Switzerland to be an internationally recognized diploma. To earn the diploma, students must take a certain amount of courses in a range of subjects.  IB has more emphasis on writing and developing critical thinking skills – and not just on the exams themselves. The IB diploma also requires extracurricular commitments. Student must be enrolled in IB course to take the IB exam. The AP program was developed in the US to help high school students prepare for college by taking advanced courses, with no set program of courses. AP is focused on teaching students specific content and testing their knowledge on the exams. Students take an AP Exam without being enrolled in an AP class. Colleges want to see the student taken the most challenging course load available to them.

HOPE Scholarship Eligibility Current eligibility standards for rising 9th graders are as follows: Residency in the state of Georgia Graduate from a high school in Georgia with a 3.0 grade point average on all academic coursework attempted. Successfully complete at least four courses that meet the rigor requirements established by the legislature. _______________________________________________________________ Courses that satisfy the rigor requirement include, but are not limited to the following: Core AP courses | Any Foreign Language past Level 2 | Advanced Algebra | Pre-Calculus | Chemistry | Anatomy

Important to Remember High School still has a dress code Poor attendance negatively impacts student’s academic progress Students will not be given agendas by the high school Stay involved with your student’s education and connected with the high school!

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