Now is the time…

Freshman presentation objectives Who to Know Graduation Requirements Standards of Learning (SOL) Requirements Grade Level Credit Requirements How to Calculate Grade Point Average (GPA) Average College Entrance GPAs Extracurricular Activities Work Permits/Tutoring

WHO IS MY SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

Counseling department Mrs. Bryson – A-Cer Ms. Thomas – Ces-Har Mrs. Deal – Harr-McFar Mr. Williams – McG-Sak Brandon Carter – Sal-Will Ms. Austin – Wilm-Z College & Career Counselor Ms. Wright – Director of School Counseling Counseling department

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW MY SCHOOL COUNSELOR? Academic Planning Track On-time Graduation Requirements Scheduling Classes Career and College Readiness Social/Emotional Support ACT/SAT Preparation Goal Setting & Time Management College Recommendation Letters Open-minded, great listeners, problem solvers, and advocates. Basically, your biggest supporters at school!

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

ADVANCED DIPLOMA = 26 CREDITS 4 Credits of English (9, 10, 11, 12) 4 Credits of Math For example: Algebra 1, Geometry, AFDA, and Algebra 2 or Algebra 1, Geometry, AFDA, and ANY math above Algebra 2 4 Credits of Science Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, or Physics, and 1 more Science 4 Credits of Social Science/History World History 1, World History 2, US & VA History, and US & VA Government 3 Credits of 1 Foreign Language (or 2 credits of 2 different languages) 1 Credit of a Fine Art 1 Credit for Economics and Personal Finance (Virtual Component) 2 Credits of P.E. CPR Training 3 Electives

STANDARD DIPLOMA = 22 CREDITS 4 Credits of English (9, 10, 11, 12) 3 Credits of Math Algebra 1, Geometry, and AFDA or Algebra 2. 3 Credits of Science Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, or Physics Must complete at least 2 of the above science courses. 3 Credits of Social Science/History World History, US & VA History, and US & VA Government 2 Credits of Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or Career & Technical Education 1 Credit for Economics and Personal Finance (Virtual Component) 2 Credits of P.E. CPR Training 4 Electives 2 credits must be sequential. EX: ART I & ART 2; ROTC 1 & ROTC 2 Pass 1 CTE Exam EX: Workplace Readiness (Econ/Fin), ServeSafe (Culinary), Welding Exam

SOL REQUIREMENTS

SOL REQUIREMENTS STANDARD DIPLOMA = 6 SOLS ADVANCED DIPLOMA = 9 SOLS 2 SOLS: Reading & Writing (English 11) 1 Math (EX: Algebra 1) 1 Science (EX: Biology) 1 Social Science (EX: World History 1) 1 SOL in the area of your choice! ADVANCED DIPLOMA = 9 SOLS 2 Math (EX: Algebra 1, Geometry) 2 Science (EX: Biology, Chemistry) 2 Social Science (EX: World History 1, US & VA History) PASSING SCORE = 400/600

GRADE LEVEL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

GRADE LEVEL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS 9TH GRADE LESS THAN 5 CREDITS 10TH GRADE AT LEAST 5 CREDITS (3 credits from required classes) 11TH GRADE AT LEAST 11 CREDITS (6 credits from required classes) 12TH GRADE AT LEAST 16 CREDITS (9 credits from required classes)

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)

Calculating grade point average YOUR GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) IS THE #1 INDICATOR OF WHAT COLLEGES YOU CAN GET INTO! 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 points D+ = 1.4 points D = 1 point F = 0 points THE HIGHER YOUR GPA… THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES…

How to calculate your gpa EXAMPLE Step 1 English 9 B = 3 Algebra 1 C = 2 World History 1 A = 4 Biology C = 2 P.E. F = 0 Spanish 1 C = 2 Art 1 D = 1 Step 2 Total # of Classes = 7 14/7=2 2.0 = “C” GPA ITS EASY: Add the points awarded for each class together 2. Divide that number by the # of classes you have

Your turn! Calculate this gpa Student 1 English 9 A Algebra 1 B World History C Biology A PE 1 B Spanish A Art 1 A WHAT DOES THE GPA = ? A = 4 points B+ = 3.4 points B = 3 points C+ = 2.4 points C = 2 points D+ = 1.4 points D = 1 point F = 0 points

Your turn! Calculate YOUR gpa Potomac Scholar English 9 _ Math _ World History _ Biology _ PE 1 _ Elective _ WHAT DOES YOUR GPA = ? A = 4 points B+ = 3.4 points B = 3 points C+ = 2.4 points C = 2 points D+ = 1.4 points D = 1 point F = 0 points

WHY IS GPA IMPORTANT? Average GPA Accepted: WILLIAM AND MARY 4.28 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 4.32 VIRGINIA TECH 4.16 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 3.8 JAMES MADISON (JMU) 3.98 GEORGE MASON (GMU) 3.85 MARY WASHINGTON 3.77 VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH (VCU) 3.72 OLD DOMINION (ODU) 3.33 HOWARD 3.71

WHERE did the class of 2017 go? These are the top 12 colleges our students decided to attend after graduation.   this graph does not include the entire class of 2017. WHERE did the class of 2017 go?

Why go to college High School Graduate $692 5.2 % Level of Education Median Weekly Unemployment Some High School, No Diploma $504 7.4 % High School Graduate $692 5.2 % Some college, no degree $756 4.4% Associate Degree $816 3.6 % Bachelor’s Degree $1,156 2.7 % Master’s Degree $1,380 2.4% Professional Degree $1745 1.6% Doctoral Degree $1,664 1.6 % Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2016

Extracurricular activities

Getting involved in the community offers students the opportunity to… VOLUNTEER | CLUBS | SPORTS Getting involved in the community offers students the opportunity to… meet and make new friends. learn leadership and team-building skills. help empower and support others. boost your resume! http://potomachs.pwcs.edu Student Tab Get Involved

A FEW MORE THINGS… WORK PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.DOLI.VIRGINIA.GOV ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY 5 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN AN ATTENDANCE REFERRAL  USE YOUR RESOURCES SCHEDULE TIME TO STAY AFTER SCHOOL WITH YOUR TEACHER NHS TUTORING EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY- HELP IN ANY SUBJECT SIGN UP @ NHSSAVEMYGPA@GMAIL.COM! ADVOCATE FOR YOUR EDUACTION TALK TO YOUR TEACHERS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE REACH OUT TO YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

“Develop a passion for learning “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” Anthony j. d’angelo