1. 9 th GRADERS NOW IS THE TIME….

2. Freshman Presentation Graduation Requirements SOL Requirements Grade-level Credit Requirements Calculating Grade Point Averages Average College Entrance GPAs Extracurricular Activities Work Permits/Tutoring

3. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ADVANCED DIPLOMA = 26 CREDITS : 4 Credits of English ( 9, 10, 11, 12) 4 Credits of Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis, and Algebra II) or (Alg I, Geometry, Alg II and ANY Math above Alg II) 4 Credits of Science (E. Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics) 4 Credits of Social Science (W. History 1, W. History II, U.S. & VA History, and U.S. & VA Government) 3 Credits of one Foreign Language or (2 Credits of two different languages) 1 Credit of Fine or Practical Art 1 Economics and Personal Finance 2 Credits of P.E. 3 Electives

4. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS STANDARD DIPLOMA = 22 CREDITS : 4 Credits of English (9,10,11,12) 3 Credits of Math (Alg I, Geometry, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis or other higher mathematic courses) 3 Credits of Science (E. Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics- NEED AT LEAST TWO OF THE ABOVE COURSES) 3 Credits of Social Science (W. History, US &VA History and US & VA Government) 1 Credit of Economics and Personal Finance 2 Credits of P.E. 2 Foreign Language, Fine arts or Career and Technical Education 4 Electives (two of which must be sequential) EX. ART 1 & ART II, ROTC 1 & ROTC II

5. SOL REQUIREMENTS For Graduating Classes of 2011 and Beyond: STANDARD = TOTAL of 6 –2 English Reading & Writing –1 MATH –1 SCIENCE –1 HISTORY –1 MORE IN ANY AREA Ex: English Reading, Writing, Algebra 1, Biology, World History 1, and US History ADVANCED= TOTAL of 9 –2 in each core area ( MATH, SCIENCE, HISTORY, & ENGLISH) –1 MORE IN ANY AREA

6. CREDIT REQUIREMENTS 9 TH GRADE: Less than 5 10 TH GRADE: 5 w/ three required classes 11 TH GRADE: 11 w/ six required classes 12 TH GRADE: 16 w/ nine required classes

7. YOU NEED TO KNOW WHO YOUR COUNSELOR IS: ( based on student’s last name ) Mrs. Bryson:A-Ch Ms. ApplebaumCi-Hal Mrs. Deal: Ham-McC Mr. Williams: McD-Sal Ms. Williamson: Sam-Z

8. YOUR GRADES ARE YOUR TOOLS TO SUCCESS:  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…

9. TO CALCULATE A GPA: ITS EASY: 1. Add the points awarded for each class together 2. Divide that number by the # of classes you have Ex:STEP 1 STEP 2 Algebra 1C = 2 TOTAL # OF English 9B = 3 CLASSES = 7 World HistoryA = 4 14 / 7 = 2 BiologyC = 2 2.0 = “C” GPA PEF = 0 SpanishC = 2 Art 1D = 1 TOTAL=14

10. Your Turn: Student 1 Eng 9A Algebra 1B World HistoryC BiologyA PE 1B SpanishA Art 1A 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

11. CALCULATE YOUR GPA Class 1 _________ Class 2 _________ Class 3 _________ Class 4 _________ Class 5 _________ Class 6 _________ Class 7 _________ Total = _______ # of Classes: / ____ 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

12. WHY IS A GPA IMPORTANT??? Average College Freshman GPA: WILLIAM AND MARY99% have above a 3.0 UVA99% have above a 3.0 VIRGINIA TECH98% have above a 3.0 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 98% have above a 3.0 JAMES MADISON (JMU)99% have above a 3.0 GEORGE MASON (GMU)98% have above a 3.0 MARY WASHINGTON 92% have above a 3.0 VCU88% have above a 3.0 OLD DOMINION (ODU)78% have above a 3.0 HOWARD73% have above a 3.0

13. WHY GO TO COLLEGE?? TO GET A GOOD JOB Level of Education Median Weekly Unemployment Earnings in 2014 Rate in 2014 Some High School, No Diploma $488 9 % High School Graduate $668 6 % Some College, No Degree $741 6 % Associate Degree $792 4.5 % Bachelor’s Degree $1,101 3.5 % Master’s Degree$1,326 2.8 % Doctoral Degree $1,591 2.1 % Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey

14. GET INVOLVED: Join a club or sports team www.potomacpanthers.org Click on Parent/Student Activities Then: Click On ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS!!

15. IMPORTANT 9 TH GRADE INFORMATION: WORK PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.DOLI.VIRGINIA.GOV 5 OR MORE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN AN ATTENDANCE CONTRACT…  NHS TUTORING EVERY THURS FOR HELP IN ANY SUBJECT SIGN UP NHSSAVEMYGPA@gmail.com! SEE YOUR COUNSELOR OR TALK TO A TEACHER IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND…!