1. HIGH SCHOOL LIFE
Parent Survival Guide

2. Many End Points to Consider
Academic Success
Challenging courses according to abilities
Willing to try new courses
Will academic choices in high school support future academic goals
Career Goals
Is my student prepared for the work force after high school
Will my student find a job
Are career goals realistic
Willing to think out of box
Will my student need more training to be employable

3. Many end points to consider
Social Emotional Wellness
Is my student’s life in balance?
Balance between academic demands
Balance between family responsibilities and expectations
Balance with the social realities of life as a teenager

4. Academic Success What do I need to know? How is GPA computed
Graduation Requirements
Diploma Options
GPA
What is it
How is GPA computed
Why is it important
What is class rank
How is rank computed
What is a 4 year plan
Why is the plan important
What happens at scheduling
Why is class selection important

5. Academic Success Graduation Requirements-Diploma Options
ADVANCED
4 English
4 Math
4 History
4 Science
World Language
3years of 1 or 2 + 2
Economics/Finance
2 PE
1 Senior Project
1 Fine Art or CTE
1 On-Line Course*
1-2 Electives
Minimum: 26 Credits (9 SOLs)
STANDARD
4 English
3 Math
3 History
3 Science
1 Economics/Finance
2 PE
1 Senior Project
1 On-line Course*
2 Fine Art/Language or CTE
Industry Certification
3 Electives (include sequential)
Minimum: 22 Credits (6 SOLs)

6. Academic Success GPA: What and How
Grade % Quality Point AP A B B C C D D E

7. Academic Success GPA: Why
GRADE
GRADE
GRADE
GRADE
Final GPA 2.8
GPA is cumulative
Each year is weighted the same
Upwards trajectory is preferred
Middle school credit

8. Academic Success Class Rank??????
GPAs: Highest to lowest
GPA: = #1
Can have multiple number #1s
Class of 2015: 19 students ranked #1
Student with 3.99 is ranked #20
Colleges use for comparison within a school
A possible check for grade inflation
ParentVue: A useful resource

9. Academic Success 4 Year Plans: A Road Map
Dynamic document: Subject to change based on
Student’s interests
Student’s goals congruent with strengths and weaknesses
Student’s changing maturity
Willingness to try something new
9th grade: January/February
10th grade: April
11th grade: December

11. Academic Success Scheduling
Occurs during January and February
Yes, it’s very early but it’s a staffing issue
Ninth grade students
Workshop with counselor in their House
Course selection occurs, CRF brought home for signature
Student meets with counselor to finalize courses
10th grade students
Meet individually with counselor, CRFs brought home

13. CAREER GOALS Career and future occupational paths are developmental
Very few individuals know what they «want » to be from a young age
Jobs and career choice still appears to be stereotypical at young ages
By middle school, some students have some ideas
High school can be a time of exploring subjects that may be interesting
Do not need to « pick a major » before college

14. CAREER GOALS
Some students seem to focus on what they have experienced within their own families
Students from families with international experience may be interested in international careers
Students who have grown up on farms may only consider agricultural careers
Students who have family in law enforcement and the military may focus on the same
Students may decide to focus on something entirely different than their families

15. Career Goals
What can we do to help our students explore different fields, occupations, careers?
Exposure to different careers through
friends, family, people we meet
Encourage positive use of media
Encourage internships, part-time work, and volunteer experiences

16. CAREER GOALS: NAVIANCE
Ninth Grade: Orientation to NAVIANCE
Log In, Password, Overview of System
Students take the Career Interest Profiler and personality inventories
Tenth Grade: Three Part Career Development/Career Choice Workshop
Part 1: Making sure all 10th graders have NAVIANCE info and Career Interest Profile
Part 2: Career Workshop
Part 3: Career Speakers (Day) based on students expressed interests and workshop results

18. Social Emotional Wellness
COMMUNITY
FAMILY
SCHOOL
PEERS
WORK
MEDIA

19. Social Emotional Wellness
SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Do I know my student’s friends ?
Have I met my student’s friends?
Do I have contact numbers for friends?
Have I met the parents of my student’s friends?
Have I joined the PTA or Boosters?

20. Social Emotional Wellness
How does my student spend their time?
What are my student’s activities?
Are there too many or too few?
Is my student affiliated with any groups or activities within/without school
Interact Club
Best Buddies
Red Cross

21. Social Emotional Wellness
WHAT IS MY PARENTING STYLE?
Am I parent or a friend?
Am I able to set reasonable expections and limits?
Am I too rigid or too flexible?
Am I a helicopter parent?
Do we have an emergency situation understanding?
Am I willing to listen and consider my student’s point of view?
Am I able to recognize « red flags »?