1. 11 TH GRADE…. What to know in order to have a successful year.

2. THE BASICS…HOW TO ACCESS RESOURCES TO BE SUCCESSFUL  The ELHS Guidance Department is here to help! We provide…  Academic assistance, career/college planning, brief counseling sessions for issues that are getting in the way of students’ success, credit recovery solutions, applying for accommodations for SAT and AP exams; if you can think of it, we can help with it!  Guidance has partnerships with organizations outside of school that we can refer students to which include…  Holiday assistance, mental health agencies, pregnancy centers, clothes closet (located at ELHS), Kiwanis Club (for students in need of shoes), and social services.

3. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS  English- 4 credits (English I, II, III, IV)  Math- 4 credits (Math I, II, III, and a higher level math)  Science- 3 credits (Earth Environmental, Biology, a physical science)  Social Studies- 4 credits (World History, Civics, American History I and II)  Health and PE- 1 credit  2 units of a World Language if 4 year college bound  Required elective credits- 2 (Arts education or CTE or World Languages)  Other required electives- 10  Total credits needed to graduate- 28  **These are minimum graduation requirements, students are encouraged to select elective and academic courses that align with their future plans.**

4. WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL A COURSE?  If the course is a graduation requirement, it must be taken again either in 5 th period, summer school, Success 101, or APEX.  It is not recommended to sit through the class again; a repeated class takes the place of an elective credit needed to graduate.  Failing 2 or more classes per year puts students at the risk of not graduating on time.  Talk to a teacher, counselor, or administrator if you are falling behind in your classes, we can help!

5. HOW TO GET ACADEMIC HELP  If you feel behind in a class or don’t get what is being taught, let your teacher or counselor know.  Teachers stay after school and want to help. Schedule a time with your teacher for before or after school tutoring, retaking tests or quizzes, or to ask questions about material you don’t understand.  Don’t wait to ask for help until the end of the 9 weeks, by that time it may be too late.  Check PowerSchool daily for updated grades and missing assignments. Students log in through their rapid identity log in, parents can log in from home via the parent portal.

6. SAT  The redesigned SAT will launch in March 2016. Students who took the PSAT got a preview of what the new SAT will be like.  The redesigned SAT does not take points off for wrong answers; if you don’t know the answer, take an educated guess.  The essay portion will be optional- contact the colleges where you plan to apply to find out if they require the essay.  Scoring will change, instead of being based on 2400 points (800- English, 800- Math, 800- Essay), the redesigned SAT will be based on 1600 points (800-English, 800- Math, and the essay will be scored separately).  Get FREE personalized SAT study materials online by visiting https://www.khanacademy.org/sat https://www.khanacademy.org/sat  Learn more about the redesigned SAT by visiting https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat?navid=gh-nsat https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat?navid=gh-nsat

7. ACT  All juniors will take the ACT on March 1, 2016  This is a FREE college entrance exam. Make sure to have your scores sent to colleges you plan to apply at.  Take advantage of FREE study materials by visiting http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/ http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/  Subjects tested are English, Math, Science, Reading, and Writing  Test scores range from 1-36  Talk with a counselor about your ACT- PLAN scores (from 10 th grade), this report will give you an idea of what areas to study in order to prepare for the ACT.

8. TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS  Testing accommodations are available for PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP Exams.  If you have a 504 plan or an IEP and would like to apply for accommodations, see a counselor who will initiate the process.  It can take 6-8 weeks for the College Board to approve accommodation requests, make sure to notify a counselor EARLY.  We will automatically apply for accommodations for the upcoming ACT, you will be given an application form that needs to be signed by a parent/guardian.

9. CAREER AND COLLEGE PROMISE  Tuition free dual enrollment program for juniors and seniors (students are required to pay for books, supplies, and activity fee).  Students may take college level courses through Gaston online or in the Afternoon College format.  Afternoon College is a hybrid format- 2 days/week students will attend class face to face during 4 th period, the other days students will work on their courses online from home or at ELHS.  Two pathways to choose from: College Transfer Pathway and Career/Technical Education Pathway  College Transfer Pathway has minimum GPA and test score requirements.  College transfer courses will be accepted at 4 year public colleges in North Carolina.  www.gaston.edu/career-college-promise/ www.gaston.edu/career-college-promise/

10. COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE  Fall/Winter  Take the PSAT- this is the year that scores count toward National Merit Scholars recognition.  Attend college fairs. The LCS college fair has passed, but the Charlotte National College Fair will be held on March 20, 2016 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Make a note to attend the LCS college fair as a senior.  If interested in playing Division I or II college sports, make sure to sign up with NCAA Clearinghouse.  Meet with Mrs. Lackey to discuss future plans and to make sure you are on the right track.  Prepare for the ACT (mandatory for all juniors) and the SAT. There are multitudes of study materials on the internet and in print form. See Mrs. Lackey for assistance.  Juniors are allowed to miss one day of school to tour a college. In order for the college visit to be excused, you must complete a college day form in guidance and bring proof that you visited.

11. COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE  Spring/Summer  Pick a rigorous schedule for senior year with the assistance of Mrs. Lackey. Colleges want to see applicants that challenge themselves all through high school.  Continue building the high school resume; this is the document teachers/other adults will use when they write letters of recommendation. It needs to be as thorough as possible. See Mrs. Lackey for assistance.  Start researching colleges you would like to tour and set up appointments for summer vacation.  Prepare a list of which teachers/adults you are planning to ask to write letters of recommendation. Continue adding to the high school resume.

12. WORKFORCE/MILITARY PLANNING  Sign up for challenging courses that relate to the career pathway or military career of your choosing.  See Mrs. Lackey about Gaston College CTE classes. Many of these courses will provide a pathway to certifications in select career areas. They are also transferrable to other community colleges.  Search for internship/job shadowing opportunities. These will provide insight to the career field you are interested in. See Mrs. Smith for information.

13. WORKFORCE/MILITARY PLANNING  Research 2 year community colleges and technical schools. They provide hands on, and in some cases on the job training for students who are interested in furthering their educations, but not at a 4 year college.  Attend career and college fairs, you may find that the career you want requires training/education beyond high school.  Speak with a military recruiter for the branch you are interested in joining.  Start researching the ASVAB, which is the career inventory and aptitude assessment potential recruits take. Most students take the ASVAB as seniors, but it can be taken any time in high school. ELHS is a testing site in December.

14. WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE BEGINNING OF SENIOR YEAR  Visit colleges and complete applications- make sure to check deadlines and have all materials submitted by the due date. Seniors are allowed 2 college visits.  Ask for letters of recommendation from adults who knows you well and will say positive things about you. Make sure to give them at least 2 weeks notice and provide them with an information sheet of what you are involved in (the high school resume works well).  Take the SAT or ACT again.  Meet with Mrs. Matthews for assistance with college and scholarship essays and to make sure your senior courses are rigorous.  Attend the LCS college fair in September.  Attend the LCS Financial Aid workshop in December.

15. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER  PSAT results will be back in December/January. Meet with Mrs. Lackey to discuss your results. Taking the PSAT as a junior qualifies students to be considered for National Merit awards. If you did not take the PSAT and would like to be considered, see a counselor.  ASVAB exam December 10- sign up with Mrs. Smith  January 31, 2016- Summer Ventures Applications due  March 2016- all Juniors take the ACT  March 20, 2016- National College Fair at the Charlotte Convention Center