9 th & 10 th Grade Students Highlands High School Parents Scheduling Meeting Mrs. Trinity Walsh 9/10 Counselor

Scheduling Packet Received TODAY at school ◦ Recommendation Sheet ◦ Electives Sheet ◦ 4-Year Academic Plan Received last week ◦ Course Catalog ◦ AP Course Information Sessions

Basic Graduation Requirements English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits Science – 3 credits Social Studies – 3 credits Fine Arts – 1 credit Health – ½ credit Physical Education – ½ credit Electives – 6 credits

Student Classification Freshman  Sophomore = 5 credits Sophomore  Junior = 10 credits Junior  Senior = 16 credits Senior  GRADUATION = 22 credits

Class Rank & GPA Your Grade Point Average, or GPA, is simply the average of your cumulative grades at then end of each semester of school. Some courses have more “weight” based upon the level of course. Your class rank is your standing in relation to ALL of the other students in your grade. Refer to PAGE 8 in the Course Catalog for specifics. This starts right away !!! At the beginning of your FRESHMAN YEAR!!!

Exam Exemptions Refer to PAGE 11 in the Course Catalog ◦ Earn 95 or higher in 2 nd Semester ◦ Earn 85 or higher in 1 st Semester ◦ 6 or fewer absences ◦ Must be in attendance even if exempt ◦ Must take at least 2 final exams, 1 must be in Core Content Area

Eligibility Students can not be failing more than one course to eligible for extracurricular activities (this includes: sports, music groups, clubs, school sponsored groups, AND school dances) College Athletic Eligibility (NCAA) ◦ ◦ Students interesting playing college athletics should let their counselor know as soon as they can.

Special Diploma Considerations Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum The Commonwealth Diploma Highlands High School Advanced Curriculum HHS Major of Intensive Study

Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits ◦ Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Elective Science – 3 credits ◦ Life, Earth, or Physical Science Social Studies – 3 credits ◦ World Civ., US History, Government Health – ½ credit Physical Education – ½ credit Fine Arts – 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits Electives – 5 credits

The Commonwealth Diploma  22 Credits  Course Requirements English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits ◦ Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Elective Science – 3 credits ◦ Life, Earth, Physical Science Social Studies – 3 credits ◦ World Civ., US History, Government Health – ½ credit Physical Education – ½ credit Fine Arts – 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits Electives – 5 credits ◦ 3 rigorous courses ◦ Recommended strongly: 1 or more courses that develop Computer Literacy  AP Courses 4 AP courses with minimum grade of “C” English, Science, Foreign Language, Elective  AP Exams Successful Completion of AP Exams

HHS Advanced Curriculum Completion of Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum Completion of 10 “Advanced” Courses ◦ “AP” Courses can be substituted for “Advanced” Courses Completion of 2 “AP” Courses Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.75 Awarded Seal on Diploma and Noted in Graduation Program

HHS Major of Intensive Study Completion of a presentation and defense of a Senior Thesis Project. Completion of “Senior Seminar” Course Completion of at least 4 courses in the intended research area with a minimum average of “B” (85). Completion of Kentucky’s Pre-College Curriculum Students wear Honor Cord at graduation and Noted on Diploma and Final Transcript

Early Bird English BUT No Foreign Language???

10 th & 11 th Grade Courses REQUIRED COURSES – 4 periods English – full year Math – full year Science – full year Social Studies – full year Sophomores – World Civilization Juniors – US History ELECTIVE COURSES – 2 periods/ 3 periods Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Family & Consumer Science, Business, Technology, Mass Communications EARLY BIRD COURSE Sophomores – AP World History – full year Juniors – AP English Language & Composition – full year 7:00am – 8:00am Enables students to take an additional course (7 period day)

Scheduling Steps Scheduling Recommendations given out at the PARENT MEETING on January 21 st at 7:00PM. Review recommendations for English, Math, Science Select Electives ◦ Use the Electives Sheet Select Alternates – 2 for each course. Alternates CAN be the same for each course. Write the course number and course title on Recommendation/Scheduling Sheet Complete the 4-Year Academic Plan ◦ Use the Course Catalog and Electives Sheet Meet with counselor to review choices and plans if needed. Scheduling paperwork DUE FEBRUARY 9! Schedule choices are final.

AP Courses What is AP? What AP Courses can I take? ◦ AP World History - Sophomore ◦ AP American History – Junior ◦ AP Electives What is the benefit?

Early Bird What are Early Bird Courses? What Early Bird Courses can I take? ◦ Sophomore – EB AP World History ◦ Junior – EB AP American Language & Comp. ◦ Senior – EB AP American Literature & Comp. What is the benefit?

College Planning Know yourself….. ◦ What are your strengths? ◦ What do you like to do? ◦ What are your reasons for attending college?

Set parameters for the type of school you are looking for. Size Location (rural vs. urban) ◦ Distance from home. Majors Activities Campus housing Food! Make-up of student population Additional learning experiences (internships, exchange programs) What about the cost???

Research, Research, Research Visit the Guidance Office Review the information you receive in the mail. Research colleges, careers, scholarships, and financial aid via the internet, library, phone calls, etc. Sign up to attend one of the College Representative Visits in the Guidance Office during the school day Attend a college fair

College Search engines on the Internet Highlands Guidance Website ◦ ◦ PrepHQ  Sophomores created username and password this year. At the beginning of next year, students will receive a refresher course and update on using PrepHQ. Juniors can sign up on their own.

Admission Policies Almost all colleges and universities have requirements regarding admission ◦ Application Process ◦ Essay Materials ◦ Certain Grade Point Averages ◦ Certain Classes Taken ◦ Entrance Tests Taken / Test Scores

What do I do with ALL of that information? Organize the information/pamphlets you receive in the mail into three groups: ◦ Really Interested ◦ Somewhat Interested ◦ Not at all Interested – “Pitch Pile” Maintain a file of all the schools you are interested in and have visited, listing the pros and cons of each.

Make a Visit Plan to make visits to the colleges themselves ◦ Colleges and Universities can ALL look beautiful, educational and entertaining, in a catalogue, but until you actually step-foot on the campus you may not know what the school is “really” like. Visit all types of schools, even if they do not meet all of your parameters ◦ You will always learn more about the school by visiting the campus, whether they are in session or not. Visit on DAYS OFF (Holidays, Teacher In-Service, Summer, etc.)

Entrance Tests and Scores Almost all colleges and universities have requirements when it comes to taking some sort of entrance test. ◦ These tests are usually the ACT or SAT. ◦ Many schools will take one or the other, but we suggest that you take BOTH tests. ◦ Cincinnati State has their own entrance test – COMPASS. ◦ Gateway Community & Technical College will accept ACT or SAT or you can take the COMPASS test upon arrival.

Scholarships & Financial Aid Work Hard! All universities will have a listing of their scholarships. These “In-House” awards may have special applications, deadlines and criteria. Your research of the college should give you these answers. “Outside” scholarships are those awards not directly affiliated with a college. These scholarships are announced at school and posted on our website, when we are made aware of them.

Meeting with Your Counselor Can or call anytime ◦ ◦  9/10 Counselor ◦ ◦  11/12 Counselor