1. Class of 2021 On the road to Excellence!
Falcon Freshman
Class of 2021
On the road to Excellence!

2. AGENDA Importance of Academics How to read my HS transcript & GPA
Academic goals
How to write a SMART goal
Family Connection activity

3. What is my GPA Why do I care about my GPA now?
It’s on average of all of you grades
Give an overall picture of learning
It’s a common measure used in High Schools
Colleges use it for admissions

4. Grades & Quality Points
Numeric Value
Letter Grade
Quality Points (before weighting)
98-100
  A+
4.3
93-97 A
4.0
90-92
 A-
3.7
87-89
  B+
3.3
83-86 B
3.0
80-82
 B-
2.7
77-79
  C+
2.3
73-76 C
2.0
70-72
 C-
1.7
67-69
  D+
1.3
63-66 D
1.0
60-62
 D-
0.7
0-59 F
0.0

5. What is my Q1 GPA?
Convert you grades to quality points (ex: B+ = 3.3) Add .5 for Honors classes (B= for Honors) Add all quality points Divide for number of classes

6. What is a transcript? Your official record
Proof you graduated from High School
The document sent to colleges

7. This is a senior transcript showing all courses during high school

8. Any high school credit courses you took in middle school are listed on your transcript
Work in progress shows that classes that you are currently taking
At the end of year final grades are shown
The bottom of your transcript shows your total credits earned and your cumulative GPA

9. Student Example 1 – Johnny Latestarter
Grade 9: Grade 10:
English C English B 3
History C History A 4
Math D Math C 2
Science D Science B 3
HPE B HPE A 4
Elective C Elective A 4
Cumulative GPA = Cumulative GPA = 2.64
Grade 11: Grade 12:
English B English A 4
History B History A 4
Math B Math B 3
Science B Science B 3
HPE A HPE A 4
Elective A Elective A 4
Cumulative GPA = Cumulative GPA = 2.89

10. Student Example 2 – Sara Studyhard
Grade 9: Grade 10:
English B English B 3
History B History A 4
Math B Math C 2
Science C Science B 3
HPE A HPE A 4
Elective A Elective A 4
Cumulative GPA = Cumulative GPA = 3.36
Grade 11: Grade 12:
English B English A 4
Math B Math B 3
Science B Science B 3
Cumulative GPA = Cumulative GPA = 3.46

11. Academic Resources
Phoenix – Make sure you know how to access your StudentVue account – it’s your school computer login
This is how you can check on your grades and assignments
Briar Woods Resources: Did you know…. ?
The Science department has before and after school opportunities for help – Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science help is available (specific hours are on the webpage)
The Math Resource Center (MRC) is available during every block – get a pass from your math teacher to go to the MRC during study hall
The Spanish Honor Society offers tutoring – speak with your Spanish teacher about getting a tutor for before or after school
Talk to your teacher – they are often available if you need help outside of class

12. Setting Academic Goals
Are you happy with the academic start of 9th grade?
Setting a goal is like giving yourself a plan and a roadmap for a trip
Setting goals helps you get where you want to be
S.M.A.R.T goals = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely
Use Family Connection to enter your goal for this year – you can update it each year with new goals

13. Freshmen – Family Connection
Log in to Family Connection using the BWHS School Counseling link
Use your student ID as your username and your 6 digit Date of Birth as your password
You will use Family Connection throughout High School

14. In About Me, click on goals and enter your S.M.A.R.T goal

16. Freshmen – Family Connection
About Me
Official things – check/change/enter an address – this is important! We send information throughout the year using this address
Assessments – We encourage 9th graders to complete the StrengthsExplorer and the career interest profiler

17. Freshman year – What’s next?
Scheduling – We will start scheduling activities for next year in February! Make sure you are informed – picking classes that are right for you will contribute to your Academic Success!
Classroom Presentations – we will see 9th graders in March to follow up on Academic goals and help with study skills and time management