Milton High School Sophomore Parent Night 2/7/2012 Class of 2014 Graduation Requirements Course Options for Next Year College Admissions Overview
Grad. Requirements - Testing All students must pass the Georgia High School Writing Test (Fall of 11 th Grade) In addition, every student must pass one of the three tests listed for each of the following subject areas: English: 9 th Lit. EOCT, GHSGT, 11 th /American Lit. EOCT Math: Math 1 EOCT, Math 2 EOCT, GHSGT Science: Biology EOCT, Physical Science EOCT, GHSGT Social Studies: GHSGT, U.S. Hist. EOCT, Econ. EOCT GHSGT Subject Tests first offered Spring of 11 th Grade
23.0 Total Credits Needed For Graduation 1 semester class = 0.5 credits English 4.0 credits Math 4.0 credits Science 4.0 credits Social Studies 3.0 credits Health / Personal Fitness 1.0 credit World Lang./Career Tech./Fine Arts 3.0 credits Electives 4.0 credits
Course Options for 11 th Grade English This Year Next Year 10 th Lit./Comp. American Lit./Comp. (on-level) (on-level) 10 th Lit. Honors American Lit. Honors or AP Lang./Amer. Lit.
Course Options for 11 th Grade Math This Year GPS Geometry GPS Accelerated Geometry Honors Next Year GPS Advanced Algebra GPS Accelerated Pre-Calculus Honors *If your student is currently taking a math class not listed here, please check with the teacher re: the math course for next year. **Please note that we are not able to accept Course Waivers in math.
Course Options for 11 th Grade Science This Year Physical Science (on-level) Physical Science Honors Next Year Environmental Science or Chemistry Chemistry or Chemistry Honors *Although Chemistry is not required for high school graduation, many colleges and universities require a year of high school Chemistry for admission. **Chemistry is also a pre-requisite for many of Milton s upper-level Science classes.
Course Options for 11 th Grade Science This Year Chemistry or Chemistry Honors Next Year Physics or AP Physics B *If your student is taking Chemistry this year, he/she will have to take Physics in order to meet graduation requirements. **Other Science Options: Astronomy, AP Environmental Science, Human Anatomy & Physiology Honors, AP Chemistry, AP Biology.
Course Options for 11 th Grade Social Studies This Year World History (on-level) AP World History Next Year U.S. History (on-level) AP U.S. History *Other Social Studies Electives that may be available: Sociology, AP European History, International Affairs. AP Psychology,
Course Options for 11 th Grade World Language Not specifically required for High School Graduation However, most 4 year colleges require at least 2 years of the same language (more competitive colleges often require 3 or more) If your student has not started a World Language yet, plan on starting next year.
Typical Junior Schedule 1. Amer. Lit. (on-level, Honors or AP Lang.) 2. GPS Adv. Alg. (or Accelerated Pre-Cal H) 3. Chemistry, Physics or other Science 4. United States History (on-level or AP) 5. Elective (e.g., World Language) 6. Two Semester-Long Electives or 1 Year-Long Elective
What if You Fail a Class? Retention Policy 5.0 credits to be promoted to the 10th grade 11.0 credits to be promoted to the 11th grade 17.0 credits to be promoted to the 12th grade Making Up Failed Classes Summer School (info around Spring Break) On-line (must have counselor permission!) Fulton Virtual Campus http://portal.fultonschools.org/departments/instruction/su pport_services/pages/virtualcampus.aspx Georgia Virtual School www.gavirtualschool.org Plato See Mrs. Hannah Kim in the Media Center If a student fails a class and later retakes the same class, the new grade does not replace the failing grade (grades for all attempted classes are shown on the transcript).
What Colleges Are Looking For 1. Grades (GPA) 2. SAT / ACT 3. Rigorous High School Courses 4. Co-Curricular Activities Leadership Activities Community Service 5. Registered Campus Visits
Grades / GPA The #1 factor in most college admissions decisions Extremely important to maximize performance: Stay in close contact with teachers Complete all assignments Attend help sessions Monitor progress in Home Access Center Spending time each night on academics Good attendance Being on-time and prepared for class Peer Tutoring
Grades / GPA GPA (Grade Point Average) Fulton County uses Numeric Average Basis for Class Rank also important Most Colleges (and HOPE) use GPA Many variations on GPA Core vs. Cumulative Weighted vs. Unweighted
Estimating GPA Grades / GPA For each final grade on the transcript, assign the following point values: A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 F = 0 Add up all points and divide by number of classes Important to move borderline grades up into higher letter grade range
HOPE Scholarship GPA HOPE GPA Calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission Milton cannot provide you with HOPE GPA GSFC will not round up HOPE GPA calculations GSFC also runs www.gacollege411.org Can find official HOPE GPA there
HOPE Scholarship GPA Must finish with a minimum 3.0 GPA in academic courses (English, Math, Science, Social Studies & World Language). Middle School Grades do not Count for HOPE HOPE subtracts the 7 Honors points we add to Honors/AP Then add 0.5 weight to AP classes only (not Honors) Academic electives not required for graduation still count towards HOPE (e.g., Spanish 3, AP Psych., etc.) Grades for all attempted academic classes included (even F s) Zell Miller Scholarship Need a 3.7 GPA in core academic courses Need one of the following qualifying test scores: At least 1200 on SAT (Critical Reading + Math) in one sitting Composite ACT score of at least 26 in one sitting
SAT / ACT Start taking around Spring of Junior Year Both very widely accepted by colleges Plan on attempting both tests Very different tests - some students do much better on one than the other Prepare even for 1 st attempt Tests are only offered 6-7 times per year each Lots of good test prep materials out there Registration is about 6 weeks before test date plan ahead!
Rigorous High School Courses How many Honors / AP classes taken? Colleges really want to see students challenge themselves As/more important than SAT/ACT for some colleges Balancing Act grades are still most important Check admissions sites for classes required above and beyond those required for graduation Example - World Languages, Chemistry, certain number of AP classes, etc.
Co-Curricular Activities Many colleges will consider these when making admissions decisions Do not have to be Milton-sponsored Colleges particularly like to see: Leadership (club officer, team captain, organizer of event, etc.) Community Service
Registered Campus Visits Next year, plan to start visiting schools (starting around Spring Break) Make sure schools know you re coming contact Office of Admissions Schools will keep a record of registered visits Shows a true interest in the school Take an official tour get a feel for the school
What to do Now Focus on getting good grades Explore possible career/major options www.gacollege411.org - Career surveys ASVAB next December Further Develop Co-Curricular Activities Particularly Leadership & Community Service Keep a record of activities (student profile, resume, or GA College 411 account)
What to do Now Research College Admissions Requirements GPA SAT/ACT Courses above and beyond those required for High School Graduation
Researching College Admissions Requirements GA College 411 GCIS- Georgia Career Information System All U.S. Schools Username: miltonhs Password: gcis407
Researching College Admissions Requirements Milton College and Career Center Located in Media Center College Admissions, Scholarship, & Summer Program Information Facilitates College Rep. Visits to Milton Juniors can sign up for up to 7 sessions Sign up online and pick up pass from Career Ctr. SAT Word of the Day Program
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