1. 9 th Grade Counselor Presentation Class of 2019

2. Need to speak to your counselor? Academic and/or personal counseling You are welcome any time. You must report to class FIRST and request permission from your teacher to come see counselor. If counselor is not available: Complete counselor request form and turn in to the front desk or email. Counselor will call you down as soon as possible. For quick questions: stop by office before school, during your lunch or after school. You can always email.

3. WHO IS YOUR COUNSELOR ? Ms. Jimenez- Last Names: A-C & X-Z Location: Main Office Ms. Suarez- Last Names- D-K Location: 110B-1 Mrs. Alvarez Last Names- L-P Location: Office behind cafeteria Ms. Perez-Roura Last Names- Q-W Location: Office behind cafeteria Ms. Brito CAP Advisor Location: Main Office Ms. T. Sarduy Scholars Program Location: 110B-2

4. A letter must be submitted within 72 hours of an absence – Note must be given to the front desk (Elyse or Valentina) – Check your student portal to ensure absence has been excused Tardy to 1 st period will result in a lockout – Counts as unexcused absence to 1 st period – No make-up work provided – Lock out can be performed at any time of day After 5 early dismissals (picked up early) a doctor’s note will be required to excuse absence.

5. Attendance Policy The following are excused absences: – Student illness – Medical appointment with a doctor’s note – Death in the family – Observance of a religious holiday – School sponsored event

6. NO CREDIT POLICY Ten unexcused absences in an annual course will result in “No Credit”(e.g., Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies) – (Block classes count as 2 classes/ 2 Unexcused Absence) Five unexcused absences in a semester course will result in “No Credit” (e.g., Personal Fitness, Fine Arts)

7. Graduation Course Requirements 4 English 4 Mathematics (must include: Algebra I, Geometry) 3 Social Studies (World History, US History, US Gov’t/Economics) 3 Science (Must include Biology) ½ Physical Education ½ Personal Fitness 1 Performing/Fine Arts 8 Electives – One course must be taken ONLINE (VIRTUAL) – MUST HAVE A 2.0 UNWEIGHTED G.P.A. – Must complete minimum of 25 community service hours

8. What are the state assessment requirements for graduation?  Students must pass the following statewide assessments: – Grade 10 READING FSA (or ACT/SAT concordant score) – Algebra I end-of-course (EOC)  Students must participate in the EOC assessments and the results constitute 30 percent of the final course grade. These assessments are in the following subjects: – Algebra I – Biology I – Geometry – U.S. History – Algebra II (if enrolled )

9. Final Grade Calculation Final Grade: Add grade value for each grading period and divide by 4 – A=4, B=3, C=2, D= 1, F= 0 – Example: ABCB4 + 3+ 2 + 3= 3 B 4 Points: Must receive a total of 10 points to pass an annual course; 5 points needed to pass a semester course – Multiply grade point value by 2.5 for 1,2,3,4 quarter. (A=10, B=7.5, C=5, D= 2.5, F= 0) – **5 POINT RULE- Must receive at least 5 points in the 2 nd semester to pass a course – Example: BCCA 7.5+5+5+10=27.5 PASS ABDF 10+7.5+2.5+0=20 FAIL CCDD 5+5+2.5+2.5=15 PASS

10. What happens if you fail a class? If it is a CORE requirement, you CANNOT graduate. MUST make up the class AS SOON AS POSSIBLE Options to make up a class: – Adult Ed./Night School (attend local public school night or summer) – Somerset Virtual Academy (online; $239/.5 CREDIT) See your counselor for registration information.

11. Grade Forgiveness If you fail a class and retake it you must earn a C or higher for the F to be “forgiven”. Therefore, it will not get calculated in your final GPA. The original F will always appear in your transcript.

12. Grade Point Average G.P.A.- Cumulative calculation of grades Weighted: gives extra weight to Honors and Advanced Placement if grade is “C” or above – Weighted G.P.A. carries most weight for colleges because it reveals rigor of courses. Bright Futures GPA- all academic classes, foreign languages & academic electives 2.0 unweighted GPA is required to graduate – (“C” Average) *Colleges may recalculate their own GPA

13. Foreign Languages NECESSARY to enter 4-year universities & Bright Futures Scholarships – Must be same language for two years or second level foreign language – Some colleges/universities require three (3) credits

14. Volunteer Hours Must complete a total of 25 hours before high school graduation Florida Academic Scholars Award – Minimum of 100 hours needed. Florida Medallion Scholars Award – Minimum of 75 hours needed. Forms can be found on the school’s website Must be at a non-profit organization

15. Bright Futures cholarship Florida Academic Scholarship (FAS) Florida Medallion Scholarship (FMS) Approx. $100 per creditApprox. $77 per credit 3.5 weighted GPA3.0 weighted GPA SAT- 1290 Reading & Math ACT- 29 Composite SAT- 1170 Reading & Math ACT- 26 Composite 100 Volunteer Hours75 Volunteer Hours

16. Dual Enrollment Allows students to simultaneously earn high school and college credits Student must be a rising 10 th, 11 th, or 12 th grader to participate Dual Enrollment Programs – After school – Summer – Daytime – Scholars Must have a 3.0 unweighted G.P.A. minimum Show college-readiness by passing appropriate sections of the PSAT, PERT, FCAT, SAT or ACT Have written approval from high school and parents/legal guardian

17. Scholars Program Goal: Students graduate with their High School Diploma and an Associate Degree from Miami Dade College (MDC). How: Students earn the AA degree by taking a combination of Advanced Placement courses and Dual Enrollment courses at MDC throughout their sophomore, junior and senior years in high school. When do they start? The summer after their freshman year. Eligibility: Students must have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 and pass the PERT exam (College Placement Exam). College Classes: Once in the Scholars Program, students will be committed to taking two MDC dual enrollment classes every college semester, including summer B semesters. Transportation: Doral Academy will arrange transportation to MDC for sophomores and juniors. Seniors are responsible for providing their own transportation to any Miami Dade College campus. Schedule: A Scholar’s schedule will consist of five periods of high school courses and two periods of MDC dual enrollment classes. Grades: Scholars are encouraged to earn A’s and B’s in all college courses in order to improve their success with college admission

18. Student Portal Accessible 24/7 through the school website (student section) Allows students to monitor grades and attendance Must have username and password – Username : Student ID – Password : (birth month)(date of birth)(birth year)(first name initial)(last name initial) ex. Daniel Rodriguez DOB: August 25 th 2000 Password- 082500dr If you need to reset your password, please send an email requesting counselor to reset

19. Academic Support If you are struggling with a class: – Ask your teacher for help – Join a study group – Speak with your parents – Set appt. with your counselor Math Tutoring - Mondays- Room 111B – 2:40 PM- 4:00 PM Tue/Wed/Thr – Room 117A – 2:40 PM- 4:00 PM High School Reading Lab Days: Mondays & Wednesdays Time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm Location: 205B (Mrs. Acosta) & 220B (Mrs. DePaola) *Space is limited so get there early*

20. Questions???