Unlocking the Door to Success at Jackson High School Sonja Pugh, 9 th -10 th Counselor Crystal Stabler, 11 th -12 th Counselor (251)

The Keys to Success  Realize four years go fast and have important results –Job Readiness –College Entrance –Scholarship Eligibility  Realize it all starts DAY ONE at JHS! A right start makes a strong finish!

PLAN 2020  All students entering high school beginning with the 9 th grade class of will automatically pursue the New Alabama High School Diploma  This one approach to the Alabama High School Diploma removes the need for endorsements or the Alabama Occupational Diploma.  The focus will be on the coursework taken that necessitates a clearly articulated and individualized four –year high school plan built for each student based on the results from the Explore academic and career interest assessment and middle school coursework.

1. New Alabama High School Diploma –Has endorsements that can be added Advanced Academic Endorsement (First Choice) No Endorsement (Regular/Standard Diploma) Career and Technical Endorsement Advanced Career and Technical endorsements  Other endorsements are available for those students who pursue a more rigorous curriculum in comparison to requirements for First Choice advanced diploma. Please visit Clarke County BOE website and view board policy. DIPLOMA OPTIONS

2. Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD) –Designed for students who are not going to college but are going straight to work –AOD is only accepted in certified college programs. Most colleges require a 16 on ACT. –Available only to special education students as determined by IEP team decision –Must earn required classes –270 hours of paid work is required DIPLOMA OPTIONS

Diploma Requirements  4 Math: Algebra1, Geometry, and Algebra 11 w/Trig or Algebra II, or their equivalent. Additional course(s) to complete the four credits in mathematics must be chosen from the Alabama Course of Study: Mathematics or *CTE/AP/IB/postsecondary equivalent courses.  4 Science: Biology and a Physical Science : The third and fourth science credits may be used to meet both the science and *CTE course requirement and must be chosen from the Alabama Course of Study: Science or CTE/AP/IB/postsecondary equivalent courses  4 History: World Hy, 2 US HY, Gov/Econ or AP/IB/postsecondary equivalent courses  4 English: 9 th, 10 th, 11 th, 12 th or any AP/IB/postsecondary equivalent option of these courses  1 PE, 0.5 Health  1 Career Preparedness Course(Career and Academic Planning, Computer Applications, Financial Literacy)  Elective credits to equal total 28 credits  3 CTE and/or Foreign Language and/or Arts Education : Students choosing CTE, Arts Education, and/or Foreign Language are encouraged to complete two courses in sequence.

Promotion Policy  Credits needed to move to 10 th Grade-7  Credits needed to move to 11 th Grade-14  Credits needed to move to 12 th Grade-20  Carnegie Units required to graduate-28 PLAN 2020 Vision Every Child a Graduate-Every Graduate Prepared for College/Work/Adulthood in the 21 st Century

Attendance! Attendance! Attendance!  3 unexcused absences- Counselor and/or Principal will met with the student to discuss attendance concern  5 unexcused absences- Principal will met with the student and parent/guardian to discuss attendance concerns. ***If you miss more than five (5) days per semester, you have jeopardized your chances of earning credit and have placed yourself in danger of being taken to court.  7 unexcused absences-Referral sent to the Clarke County Board of Education Attendance Committee

COLLEGE INFO  Scholarships are based on ACT score, GPA, and extra-curricular activities.  ACT is given September, October, December, February, April, June.  Juniors/Seniors may get 2 free tests if they are: Free/Reduced Lunch status In Project Quest/Talent Search  Juniors/Seniors may also request up to four waivers of college application fees. See counselor for more info.

College Info continued…  FAFSA is available on-line in January of senior year. –Mostly done online now. 1 st step in obtaining financial aid from most institutions. –Needs to be filed by March 1. –Includes eligibility for Pell Grants, Work Study, and student loans.  Local scholarships usually are not available until Spring of Senior Year.

 University of Alabama and Auburn University are requiring that students take the ACT with Writing. More universities/colleges are now requiring ACT with Writing. The sooner you research the requirements of the college of your choice, the better you’ll be prepared by your sr. year.

JHS Information  Web Site is a great place for Aggie Info

ATHLETICS  Students have to earn their eligibility for sports, cheerleading, and band. Students have to pass 4 core classes per year, pass 2 electives (PE can only count once), and have an overall 70 average.  Students desiring to play college sports have to be eligible under the NCAA standards which are much more rigorous than the Alabama State Athletic Association.

Get Involved! ! !!  Athletics  Arts: Band, Chorus  Service Organizations  Academic Organizations  Clubs  (Research shows that the more involved students are in school, the less likely their chances are of getting into trouble with the law and/or dropping out of school.  It takes more than good grades to be competitive for scholarships. Get involved in your school and community!

Have a Safe but Great Summer and We Will See You in the Fall!!!