1. The Unofficial Guide to High School
04/15/08
What I wish I knew as a 9th grader
The Unofficial Guide to High School

2. Graduation Requirements
04/15/08
Graduation Requirements
All students must earn 26 credits to graduate.
Classification: 0 – 5 ½ Freshman
6 – 11 ½ Sophomore
12 – 18 ½ Junior
Senior
9th graders will not have a rank/GPA until their 9th grade year is complete.

3. Credits Students will have the opportunity to earn 8 credits per year.
04/15/08
Credits
Students will have the opportunity to earn 8 credits per year.
Students are given the opportunity to earn a total of 32 credits.
Students must earn 26 credits to graduate!

4. Foundation Plan with an Endorsement
04/15/08
Foundation Plan with an Endorsement
English – 4.0 Mathematics – 4.0 Science – 4.0 Social Studies – 3.0 Health – 0.5 Professional Communications– 0.5
Fine Arts – 1.0 Physical Education – 1.0 Foreign Language – 2.0 Endorsement– 4.0 Electives – 2.0 Total = 26 credits

5. STARR testing 5 STARR tests for graduation English 1 (9th)
Algebra 1 (9th)
Biology (9th)
English 2 (10th)
US History (11th)

6. Grading/Grade Point Average
All high school credits calculate in GPA, even credits from middle school. EVERYTHING COUNTS!!!
A failed grade never disappears from the transcript and is always part of your GPA calculation.
Courses taken virtually, by credit by exam or by correspondence also count in GPA.

7. Ways to Boost your GPA Make all A’s Take summer classes and make A’s
Take weighted classes (extra 10 points):
Pre-AP AP
Dual Credit

8. Sample GPA English 1 – 92 Biology – 87 Algebra 1 – 85
World Geography – 64
French – 88
Theater – 94
Health – 98
Athletics – 100
GPA – 88.75
PAP English (109)
PAP Biology – 97 (107)
Algebra 1 – 92
AP Human Geography-98 (108)
French- 95
Theater-98
Health-96
Athletics- 100
GPA

9. 04/15/08
Attendance
Students are allowed 4 absences (excused or unexcused) per class per semester . Parents must call or send a signed note when the student returns to school for it to be excused.
5 or more absences (excused or unexcused) in the same class will result in an absence failure.
Students are responsible for clearing absence failures with their assistant principal.
Students will have to attend tutoring or Saturday School sessions in order to regain credit.

10. Get Involved!!!!

11. 04/15/08
Clubs
High School will provide an opportunity for involvement in many clubs and organizations.
We highly encourage participation in extracurricular activities.
Studies show that students who are involved in extra-curricular activities make better grades and are better prepared for life during and after high school.

12. Study Skills/Tips
Get organized by using a planner, my homework app, calendar app, set reminders
Discover your learning style (visual, auditory, tactile) to maximize success.
Manage your time wisely by setting up time for study, time for breaks, time for social events to get everything done.
Have a comfortable, quiet place to study
Don’t procrastinate – refer to #1 and #3
Actively listen in class and take notes, make flash cards, copy notes or utilize other techniques to cement ideas/concepts.
Do all reading and homework, consider taking notes on reading to ensure you are comprehending the reading assignments
Consider forming study groups with other classmates to maximize understanding of ideas/concepts
Work on stress management techniques to not get overwhelmed

13. House Bill 5 Meetings
Starting in October, counselors will be reaching out for a 30 minute meeting with each 9th grader and family to sit down and write a 4-year plan.
This is not a set in stone plan, but rather a way to set goals and be aware of all the options available to your student during high school. Students will continue to complete a course selection sheet every spring for the following year’s classes.

14. Counselors
Kim Wilson (A-COF) – Lea Lester (COG-GREE) – Staci Ross (GREF-LOO) – Ashley Wann (LOP-PARK) – Margie Tyrone (PARL-STA) – Lisa Davis (STB-Z) – Lori Cook (Student Support) –

15. Remind 101 –Text @lrhsco to 817-768-6662
Stay Informed
Remind 101 –Text @lrhsco to