1. Now is the time…

2. Freshman presentation objectives
Who to Know
Graduation Requirements
Standards of Learning (SOL) Requirements
Grade Level Credit Requirements
How to Calculate Grade Point Average (GPA)
Average College Entrance GPAs
Extracurricular Activities
Work Permits/Tutoring

3. WHO IS MY SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

4. Counseling department
Mrs. Bryson – A-Cer Ms. Thomas – Ces-Har Mrs. Deal – Harr-McFar Mr. Williams – McG-Sak Brandon Carter – Sal-Will Ms. Austin – Wilm-Z College & Career Counselor Ms. Wright – Director of School Counseling
Counseling department

5. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW MY SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
Academic Planning
Track On-time Graduation Requirements
Scheduling Classes
Career and College Readiness
Social/Emotional Support
ACT/SAT Preparation
Goal Setting & Time Management
College Recommendation Letters
Open-minded, great listeners, problem solvers, and advocates.
Basically, your biggest supporters at school!

6. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

7. ADVANCED DIPLOMA = 26 CREDITS
4 Credits of English (9, 10, 11, 12)
4 Credits of Math
For example: Algebra 1, Geometry, AFDA, and Algebra 2 or Algebra 1, Geometry, AFDA, and ANY math above Algebra 2
4 Credits of Science
Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, or Physics, and 1 more Science
4 Credits of Social Science/History
World History 1, World History 2, US & VA History, and US & VA Government
3 Credits of 1 Foreign Language (or 2 credits of 2 different languages)
1 Credit of a Fine Art
1 Credit for Economics and Personal Finance (Virtual Component)
2 Credits of P.E.
CPR Training
3 Electives

8. STANDARD DIPLOMA = 22 CREDITS
4 Credits of English (9, 10, 11, 12)
3 Credits of Math
Algebra 1, Geometry, and AFDA or Algebra 2.
3 Credits of Science
Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Must complete at least 2 of the above science courses.
3 Credits of Social Science/History
World History, US & VA History, and US & VA Government
2 Credits of Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or Career & Technical Education
1 Credit for Economics and Personal Finance (Virtual Component)
2 Credits of P.E.
CPR Training
4 Electives
2 credits must be sequential. EX: ART I & ART 2; ROTC 1 & ROTC 2
Pass 1 CTE Exam
EX: Workplace Readiness (Econ/Fin), ServeSafe (Culinary), Welding Exam

9. SOL REQUIREMENTS

10. SOL REQUIREMENTS STANDARD DIPLOMA = 6 SOLS ADVANCED DIPLOMA = 9 SOLS
2 SOLS: Reading & Writing (English 11)
1 Math (EX: Algebra 1)
1 Science (EX: Biology)
1 Social Science (EX: World History 1)
1 SOL in the area of your choice!
ADVANCED DIPLOMA = 9 SOLS
2 Math (EX: Algebra 1, Geometry)
2 Science (EX: Biology, Chemistry)
2 Social Science (EX: World History 1, US & VA History)
PASSING SCORE = 400/600

11. GRADE LEVEL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

12. GRADE LEVEL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
9TH GRADE
LESS THAN 5 CREDITS
10TH GRADE
AT LEAST 5 CREDITS
(3 credits from required classes)
11TH GRADE
AT LEAST 11 CREDITS
(6 credits from required classes)
12TH GRADE
AT LEAST 16 CREDITS
(9 credits from required classes)

13. GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)

14. Calculating grade point average
YOUR GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) IS THE #1 INDICATOR OF WHAT COLLEGES YOU CAN GET INTO!
EVERY GRADE YOU EARN IN HIGH SCHOOL IMPACTS YOUR GPA!
A = 4 points
B+ = 3.4 points
B = 3 points
C+ = 2.4 points
C = 2 points
D+ = 1.4 points
D = 1 point
F = 0 points
THE HIGHER YOUR GPA…
THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES…

15. How to calculate your gpa
EXAMPLE
Step 1
English 9 B = 3
Algebra 1 C = 2
World History 1 A = 4
Biology C = 2
P.E. F = 0
Spanish 1 C = 2
Art 1 D = 1
Step 2
Total # of Classes = 7
14/7=2
2.0 = “C” GPA
ITS EASY:
Add the points awarded for each class together
2. Divide that number by the # of classes you have

16. Your turn! Calculate this gpa
Student 1
English 9 A
Algebra 1 B
World History C
Biology A
PE 1 B
Spanish A
Art 1 A
WHAT DOES THE GPA = ?
A = 4 points
B+ = 3.4 points
B = 3 points
C+ = 2.4 points
C = 2 points
D+ = 1.4 points
D = 1 point
F = 0 points

17. Your turn! Calculate YOUR gpa
Potomac Scholar
English 9 _
Math _
World History _
Biology _
PE 1 _
Elective _
WHAT DOES YOUR GPA = ?
A = 4 points
B+ = 3.4 points
B = 3 points
C+ = 2.4 points
C = 2 points
D+ = 1.4 points
D = 1 point
F = 0 points

18. WHY IS GPA IMPORTANT? Average GPA Accepted: WILLIAM AND MARY 4.28
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 4.32
VIRGINIA TECH 4.16
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 3.8
JAMES MADISON (JMU) 3.98
GEORGE MASON (GMU) 3.85
MARY WASHINGTON 3.77
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH (VCU) 3.72
OLD DOMINION (ODU) 3.33
HOWARD 3.71

19. WHERE did the class of 2017 go?
These are the top 12 colleges our students decided to attend after graduation.
  this graph does not include the entire class of 2017.
WHERE did the class of 2017 go?

20. Why go to college High School Graduate $692 5.2 %
Level of Education Median Weekly Unemployment
Some High School, No Diploma $ %
High School Graduate $ %
Some college, no degree $ %
Associate Degree $ %
Bachelor’s Degree $1, %
Master’s Degree $1, %
Professional Degree $ %
Doctoral Degree $1, %
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2016

21. Extracurricular activities

22. Getting involved in the community offers students the opportunity to…
VOLUNTEER | CLUBS | SPORTS
Getting involved in the community offers students the opportunity to…
meet and make new friends.
learn leadership and team-building skills.
help empower and support others.
boost your resume!
Student Tab
Get Involved

23. A FEW MORE THINGS… WORK PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY
5 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN AN ATTENDANCE REFERRAL 
USE YOUR RESOURCES
SCHEDULE TIME TO STAY AFTER SCHOOL WITH YOUR TEACHER
NHS TUTORING EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY- HELP IN ANY SUBJECT SIGN
ADVOCATE FOR YOUR EDUACTION
TALK TO YOUR TEACHERS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE
REACH OUT TO YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

24. “Develop a passion for learning
“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” Anthony j. d’angelo