1. Ben Eielson Middle/High School
Welcome, Freshmen!
Class of 2021
Are you Ready to Soar, Ravens?

2. things we’ll cover Today:
Freshman Expectations Grades & Credits – do they really matter? GPA & Graduation Requirements

3. meet the counseling team
Mrs. Luddington
Counseling Technician
Ms. Beck
High School
Counselor

4. what do we do? How do we do it?
Provide support for all students in the following areas:
Personal/Social
Academic
Career/College Planning
How do we do it?
Referrals
Small Groups
Classroom Lessons
One-on-One Advising & Counseling Services

5. Concerns that students may seek assistance for may include:
 Depression
Anxiety
 Grief/Loss
 Substance Abuse
 Family Problems
 Social Skills
 Abuse/Neglect
 Self-Esteem
 Crisis Intervention
 Anger Management

6. Our office is in the main hall by the nurse.
How can you meet with us?
Stop By!
during lunch or passing time –
or ask your teacher for a pass to come down.
Our office is in the main hall by the nurse.

7. Grades & Credits do they really matter?
The bottom line is: YES

8. to Graduate from High School you must complete:
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
PE/Health
Electives
4 credits
3 credits
3.5 credits
1.5 credits
.5 credits
7 credits
22.5 Credits Required
NOTICE:
2 years of a foreign language is NOT
required for graduation though
MANY colleges may require 2 years of
foreign language for admission!

9. But what does it mean to “complete” a class?
Students receive credit for classes
they earn a D or better letter grade in.

10. NOPE “So what happens if I earn an F in a class?” SUMMER SCHOOL
Earning F’s in classes will bring down your GPA
If you earn an F in a class you will NOT receive credit for the class
You will have to MAKE UP the class either through summer school or credit recovery
NOPE
SUMMER SCHOOL

11. You might be thinking “Wow – that looks like a lot of work.”
let’s break it down:
Each class you take is a chance to earn .5 credit/semester
You will take 2 semesters of 9th grade Language Arts
By the end of Freshmen year, you can earn 1.0 credit towards your L.A. graduation requirement
(as long as you earn a D or better both semesters)

12. The Grading Scale A 90-100% 4.0 B 80-89% 3.0 C 70-79% 2.0 D 60-69% 1.0
F less than 60% 0.0 (no credit)

13. GPA – Grade Point Average
Why does GPA matter?
Colleges have different GPA requirements
Scholarships have different GPA requirements
Your freshmen year GPA will average with your GPA from all other semesters to determine your cumulative GPA – slack off now, you’ll have to work harder in the future to bring your GPA up!

14. Examples of College GPA Requirements for High School Students
University of Alaska
University of Washington
Graduation from high school with GPA of at least 2.5 and 
the SAT, ACT or a UA-approved test
(High school graduates with GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 can be admitted on probation.)
Graduation from high school with passing grades:
English: 4 credits
Math: 3 credits
Social Studies: 3 credits
Science: 2 credits
World language: 2 credits
Performing or Fine Arts: .5 credits
Math based quantitative: 1 credit

15. Examples of College GPA Requirements for High School Students
Air Force Academy
Naval Academy
Graduation from high school with passing grades:
English: 4 credits
Math: 4 credits
Social Studies: 3 credits
Science: 4 credits
World language: 2 credits
Computer studies: 1 credit
SAT/ACT scores
Class ranking
Graduation from high school with passing grades:
English: 4 credits
Math: 4 credits
Science: 4 credits
World language: 2 credits
Computer studies: 1 credit
SAT/ACT scores
Class ranking

16. We will work with you to put together a 4 year plan designed to help you achieve your goals.
*if you don’t have career goals in mind – that’s okay!
Your counselors will help you use AKCIS to figure that stuff out throughout your high school career.
(AKCIS = Alaska Career Information System)

17. Hmm… what could my 4 year plan look like?
Course
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
English (4 credits)
English 9
English 10
American Lit/English 11
British Lit/English 12
Math (3 credits)
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Science (3 credits)
Physical Science
Biological Science
Chem Tech
Social Studies (3.5 credits)
Alaska Studies
World History
US History
Government
Economics
PE/Health (2 credits)
Health PE
Electives (7 credits)
JROTC
Nutrition
Art
Digital Photography
6 credits
5 credits

18. Hmm… what could my 4 year plan look like?
Course
Freshman
Sophmore
Junior
Senior
English (4 credits)
English 9 Honors
English 10 Honors
AP Literature/Composition
AP Language/Composition
Math (3 credits)
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Func/Analysis & Trig
Science (3 credits)
Physical Science
Biological Science
Chemistry
Anatomy/Biology
Social Studies (3.5 credits)
Alaska Studies
World History
AP US History
Government
Economics
PE/Health (2 credits)
Health PE
PE Waived for Intramural
Electives (7 credits)
Band
Digital Photography
Elearning: AP Class
Nutrition
Psychology
Prof in HC
Yearbook
6 credits

19. You can check your Graduation Progress on PowerSchool
Sample Senior Year
Sample Freshmen Year

20. You can check your Graduation Progress on PowerSchoOL
Sample Freshmen Year

21. You can check your Graduation Progress on PowerSchoOL

22. Sample End of Junior Year

23. Sample End of Junior Year

24. Sample End of Junior Year

25. Bottom lines Take school seriously, even as a freshmen.
You’ve got a big job ahead of you.
Take school seriously, even as a freshmen.
You also have tons of support available here to help you along the way:
Your family
Your teachers
Your counseling team
After school resources
You are laying the foundation for your future.
Your GPA counts!
Start thinking about your goals – what do you want to do & achieve?

26. Get involved. Ask for help. Bottom lines
Students who are involved have a more positive school experience overall.
Start keeping track of your community service hours. This can help you to win BIG scholarship money down the road!
We are here for you!
Reach out to us when you need to.