1. Welcome to Gulf Shores High School 8 th grade Parents and Students Interested in the A+ College Ready Initiative Joanna Mercer, AP Coordinator, Counselor

2. What to Expect Next year we will be on a 7/8 period day Students will attend 7 periods and 8 th will be a study hall for those remaining on campus We will begin a new A+ College Ready Initiative Students will be offered the opportunity to pursue a more rigorous curriculum for 4 years The first AP course will be AP World History in 9 th grade Students will have the same counselor for 4 years

3. Diploma and endorsement State of Alabama Diploma All students are pursuing this diploma. Can choose any level of course offered No foreign language requirement 24 credits required Baldwin County College Prep with Distinction Endorsement Students must elect to pursue this endorsement in the 9 th grade Must choose most rigorous level of courses offered in core areas Foreign Language required There will be no gpa requirement 28 credits required

5. 9 th grade Courses AP World History Pre AP English 9 Pre AP Biology Algebra I (if not taken in 8 th ) Pre AP Geometry Career Preparedness PE Life (May double up on math) May have one more elective to pick

6. Electives Oral Communication ( prerequisite for Theatre) Chorus I Dance I Concert Band Guitar (must have own guitar) Spanish I ROTC ROTC Drill Team Yearbook (application required) Peer Helper (application required)

7. Benefits of rigorous curriculum Better Prepared for ACT/SAT Weighted GPA Transcript reflects rigorous coursework College Ready Curriculum Taught to Think Critically T Focus on Academics Possible college credits through AP Exam scores

8. Career Cruising for Course Registration Students have their personal log in information https://www.careercruising.com/School/Login.aspx

9. Joanna Mercer jmercer@bcbe.org Thank you for coming