1. Welcome to Sandy Creek High School
Freshman Advisement

2. How Does High School Work?
FALL SEMESTER
(1st Semester )
18 weeks long
7 classes
3 progress reports and a final REPORT CARD
SPRING SEMESTER
(2nd Semester)
18 weeks long
7 classes
3 progress reports and a final REPORT CARD

4. High School Credits Each semester class is worth .5 (1/2) credit.
Passing both semesters of the same subject gives 1.0 credit in that subject.
Each semester stands alone.
Not passing a class in the Fall semester but passing the same subject in the Spring semester does NOT mean passing the whole year of that subject like middle school.
You have to make up any required class you do not pass, whichever semester it is. To graduate, you need 23 total credits.

5. Grade Reports Progress reports every 4 ½ weeks
Only a snapshot of where the grade was on the day that the grading window ended
Infinite Campus has the most updated information
The final report card each semester is the grade recorded on the transcript

6. Grade Point Average (GPA)
The mathematical average of your grades each semester will give you a grade point average
Average of grades = GPA
Academic GPA is different! 88 95
GPA 86 79 82

7. Promotion to the next grade is based upon CREDITS EARNED
(Students are no longer PLACED like in middle school)
Sophomore Year: You need at least 5.5 credits
Junior Year: You need at least 11.5 credits
Senior Year: You need at least 17 credits
Credit is earned when a minimum passing grade of 70 is achieved at the end of the semester.
A semester lasts 18 weeks.

9. TESTING, TESTING… Georgia Milestones Testing for 9th grade
9th Grade Lit
GSE Algebra
Biology
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (P.S.A.T.)
October 15, 2016

10. for freshmen and juniors
PSAT - Preliminary SAT
Students may take it in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades
Excellent practice for SAT and ACT
Used for National Merit Scholarship Program(11th only)
$20 test fee
for freshmen and juniors
Register in Guidance

11. Georgia Student Finance Commission
Georgia Student Finance Commission
Calculates the HOPE Scholarship eligibility
Information for all post-secondary schools in the state of Georgia (including universities, colleges, technical colleges, etc.) and many out of state schools
Information on financial aid
Student planner for accomplishments, extracurricular activity, community service, etc.- Resume builder
Student interest and job matching survey

12. Georgia’s HOPE ScholarshipProgram HOPE Grant Scholarship
GPA of 3.0 Core Credits (all attempts)
Calculated by the GSFC
Tuition is paid a percentage amount, which will vary yearly
Zell Miller Scholarship
GPA of 3.7 AND 1200 SAT (Math and Critical Reading) or 26 ACT
100% Tuition paid
HOPE Grant Scholarship
GPA- no requirement
Technical Colleges

13. HOPE Rigor Requirements for Graduating Class of 2019
Students graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2017, must receive at least 4 credits in courses from the following categories, prior to graduating from high school:
Advanced math, such as Advanced Algebra, Pre-calculus, or an equivalent or higher course
Advanced science, such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology II, or an equivalent or higher course
Advanced Placement courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language)
International Baccalaureate courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies and foreign language)
Move On When Ready courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies and foreign language) where such courses are not remedial and developmental courses
Advanced foreign language courses
HOPE Rigor Requirements for Graduating Class of 2019

14. Move on When Ready- Dual Enrollment
Fall, Spring and Summer (2016)
Part time or Full time at multiple institutions
No residency requirement
9th-12th grade students are eligible
(must meet college’s admissions requirements)
Advisement meeting between counselor, parent, student
too many different programs with different regulations/ guidelines/funding sources/ etc.
•Eliminate the confusion for counselors, parents, students, and administrators
•A need for equal funding for all dual students no matter what college course they were taking
•A need to simplify and speed up the payment process for students and colleges
•Too many different dual enrollment course listings

15. Freshman Success! What can WE do? Personally Academically
What can YOU do?
Personally
Take care of your health-come to school every day!
Stay away from “drama”
Look for ways to relax and have fun
Limit your social media interactions
Develop your talents and interests by joining clubs and teams
Think about graduation- what’s next?
Academically
Use an assignment book or agenda
Do all assignments (homework too!)
See your teachers for extra help
Study old, corrected tests
Form study groups or get a study partner
Make a habit of studying every night
What can WE do?
Personally
Help when you have a personal issue
Help you start looking into careers and colleges
Suggest study skills or ways to help you get organized
Help you with choosing a pathway in high school
Academically
Help find a peer tutor
Look at your grades and progress
Assist you with next year’s classes
Talk about PSAT, SAT, ACT
Arrange for conferences with your teachers

16. If you need help….
SCHS teachers (mornings and afternoons- talk to your teachers!)
Math Lab- room 222
Peer Tutors
Class websites
Edmodo accounts
Communicate with teachers through s, phone calls
Infinite Campus grading website
Conferences through the counselors

17. KAHOOT.IT

18. Sandy Creek High Guidance Office 770-969-2840
Ms. Fagan * A-DI Mrs. Dunn * DO-J Mrs. Sanford * K-P
Mrs. DeBraisha Hale -(9th)
Mrs. Vivan Dunn – (10th)
Ms. Janet Fagan – (11th)
Mr. Michael Roache – (12th)