Welcome to JUNIOR year! SCHOOL COUNSELORS Mr. Rolong: A-Cas Mrs. Rivera: Cat-Ga Mrs. Hyman: GE-K Mrs. Dykes: L-Os Ms. Jessup: Ot-San Ms. Johnson: Sar-Z

Why is Junior year important? Last year to help raise your GPA? Colleges only see 9th, 10th & 11th year grades Senior year grades are not included Great time to begin exploring or researching career options Time to begin formulating post-secondary plans (college, work, military)

Graduation Requirements Advance Diploma 4 credits in English 4 credits in Math 4 credits in Science 4 credits in History Foreign Language (3 credits of ONE language OR 2 credits of TWO different languages 1 credit of Fine or Practical art 1 credit Economics and Personal finance 2 credits of PE (HPE I & HPE II) 3 Elective credits Standard Diploma 4 credits in English 3 credits in Math 3 credits in Science 3 credits in History 1 credit in Economics & Personal Finance 2 credits in PE (HPE I & HPE II) 2 credits of Fine art & Career & Technical Education (CTE) 4 Elective credits (TWO of which must be sequential (Art I & Art II, ROTC I & ROTC II)

Testing Graduation Requirements Advance Diploma (9 verified SOL credits) 2 English Reading & Writing 2 Math Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 2 History WH 1, WH 2, US/VA History 2 Science Earth Sci., Biology, Chemistry 1 Other Student Selected CTE Workplace Readiness, W!SE Standard Diploma (6 verified SOL credits) 2 English Reading & Writing 1 Math Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 1 History WH 1, WH 2, US/VA History 1 Science Earth Sci., Biology, Chemistry 1 Other Student Selected CTE Workplace Readiness, W!SE

Grades & Grade Point Average (GPA) Your GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) is the #1 indicator of what college choices you have. Every GRADE you earn in high school IMPACTS your GPA A = 4 points B+ = 3.4 POINTS B = 3 POINTS C+ = 2.4 POINTS C = 2.0 POINTS D+ = 1.7 POINTS D = 1.0 POINTS F = 0 POINTS The higher your GPA the better chances you have in getting in College!

Why is GPA important? *Colleges that may CONSIDER GPA 2.5 -2.9 Radford University (2.86 average GPA) Old Dominion University (2.96 average GPA) Norfolk State University (2.5 average GPA) Virginia State University (2.5 average GPA) University of Virginia’s College at Wise (2.9 average GPA) Marymount University (2.8 average GPA) Virginia Union University (2.3 average GPA) Liberty College (2.8 average GPA) Ferrum College (2.4 average GPA) *Colleges that PREFER a GPA 3.0 higher College of William & Mary Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) University of Virginia (UVA) George Mason University (GMU) Christopher Newport University (CNU) Virginia Tech Hampton University Howard University James Madison University (JMU) University of Mary Washington

Academic and Career Plan Use as a check list for all graduation requirements Reviewing and Devising a plan of action for high school and beyond Log in to your academic plan by going to this link: https://pwcs.edu/cms/one.aspx?portalId=340225&pageId=774487

Academic and Career Plan Step 1: At the top of the Academic and Career Plan select a Career Cluster that interests you from the drop down list Step 2: Select a Career Pathway and then a Career Goal from the drop down lists Step 3: Select a Diploma Type and Post Secondary Goal Step 4: Select the core classes you have taken during 9th & 10th grade and be sure to type in your electives too Step 5: Select the core classes you PLAN to take your 12th grade year and type electives you would like to take Step 6: Be sure to add any extracurricular actives you are currently involved in this year. This may include, clubs, organizations and/or athletics. Step 7: At the very bottom type in your name as your signature **You are not locked into taking the courses you inputted for your 12th grade year. We will revisit this plan during senior year and make changes and updates**

Naviance Family Connection Another useful tool when it comes to planning for the future How to access Naviance Step 1: Go to Freedom HS homepage Step 2: Select Our School  School Counseling  Naviance/Family Connection Step 3: At the top of the page select Click here for Freedom Family Connection to log in Username: Student ID Number Password: mmddyyyy

What’s Next? Log in to Naviance Update email address (click on About me tab, scroll down to “profile”- enter email address. What is Naviance? Career Interest Survey Great tool to help guide you in making decisions about majors/career options Information about careers Explore colleges that offers majors in these careers Information on how much education is needed for specific careers College Information School size GPA requirements Majors offered Tuition costs Locate careers of interest list in Naviance Find postsecondary options that align with careers of interest

Naviance: Careers Tab Take the Career Interest Profiler Provide potential career options Provide personality type Help you chose a career or college major Other career interest surveys you can use: www.VaWizard.org www.davidmarkly.com/personality/letters.htm

Tips: -Take your time -Answer the questions the best you can -There is no right/wrong answer -The more accurately you answer each question, the more helpful the feed back will be

Your results are in! NOW WHAT? USE THIS INFORMATION TO HELP YOU: Choose college options explore career options explore military branch options

My Career Interest Profiler

Career Interest Profiler Occupations

Explore Careers and Colleges Go to “favorite careers and clusters” Naviance list Find postsecondary institutions that match with you careers of interest Update: Colleges I am thinking about list Postsecondary Plan

Considering College? This is a time to create a list of potential colleges you may/want to apply to Make a list of entrance requirements (Do you fit the criteria?) Begin College Visits & Request Information Attend college and career fairs Explore college information using Naviance and College Board BIG future websites Plan to take the SAT and or the ACT in the spring (April/May/June 2017) Begin researching scholarships & grant opportunities Talk with your parents about college plans & finances Complete the FAFSA4caster (help you determine how much you can afford). This will help narrow down your list of college options

Considering enlisting in the Military? Begin to research/explore all military branches US Army US Marine Corps US Airforce US Navy US Coast Guard Contact Recruiters for more information Sign up for ASVAB testing Research how the military can help pay for college

Considering the workforce? Many students choose to go straight to work upon graduating from colleges. Many students earn a certifications in various career fields and are able to obtain employment right after high school. Such certifications may include: Cosmetology HVAC Services Computer Systems Auto Tech Begin looking for summer jobs that can offer you experience in your desired field of work Grab a RU College & Career Ready book in school counseling for more help in career planning, work place learning options, Entrepreneurship options and more information on ways to pay for education and career clusters profiles.

WHY GO TO COLLEGE?? TO GET A GOOD JOB Level of Education Median Weekly Unemployment Earnings in 2015 Rate in 2015 Some High School, No Diploma $493 8 % High School Graduate $678 5.4 % Some College, No Degree $738 5.0 % Associate Degree $798 3.8 % Bachelor’s Degree $1,137 2.8 % Master’s Degree $1,341 2.4 % Doctoral Degree $1,623 1.7 %   Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey

Let’s RE-Cap…What should you be doing as a Junior? As a junior this is a time to make post-secondary plans College Options Explore 2 year/4 year college Make college Visits Plan to take the SAT/ACT in Spring (April, May or June) Career Options Use career Interest survey results Explore potential careers Average wages Education required for job Military Options Explore military branches & talk with recruiters