HIGH SCHOOL 101

What every student needs to know about high school

“Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll understand.” ~Chinese proverbs

Graduation Requirements

English – 4 creditsMath – 4 credits (must include Algebra I,

Geometry, Algebra II and one upper level math)

Social Studies – 3 ½ credits (World History or World Geography, U.S. History, Economics/Government and ½ credit of Personal Finance)

Science – 3 credits (must include Biology, Chemistry I and another lab science)

Lifetime Wellness – 1 credit

Graduation Requirements

P.E. – ½ credit (may waive if playing a sport)Computer Applications – 1 creditForeign Language – 2 credits (must be in the

same foreign language)Fine Arts – 1 creditFocused Program of Study – 3 credits (must

be in a related field)

26 total credits required for graduation

Programs of Study

Business TechnologyCarpentryWeldingProject Lead the WayHealth Science Education

◦Focus on Nursing EducationFamily and Consumer Sciences

◦Focus on Teacher Preparation and Social Services

Programs of Study

Collision Repair ◦Offered at MCHS

Manufacturing and Machining◦Offered at MCHS

Academic Program of Study◦Must include 3 courses beyond what is required

for graduation Fine Arts Humanities Math/Science

Honors Diploma Requirements

Students must score at or above each of the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT. The readiness benchmark scores for the ACT are:

English 18 Mathematics 22 Reading 21 Science 24

Tennessee Scholars

English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and 1 upper level

math) Science – 3 credits (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Biology II or

Chemistry II) Social Studies – 3 ½ credits Wellness and P.E. – 1 ½ credits Fine Arts – 1 credit Foreign Language – 2 credits CTE Courses or Dual Enrollment Courses – 2 credits

◦ 80 hours of community service◦ Overall “C” average in TN Scholars classes◦ 95% attendance throughout high school◦ No out-of-school suspensions

**Application must be on file in Counseling Office prior to graduation**

Seal of Excellence

Requires 10 or more honors classes with a grade of “B” or better

Must have a 3.2 GPA or higherAllows the student to be ranked ahead of

other students and eligible for Valedictorian or Salutatorian

Connections

Connect with the school◦Facebook◦Twitter

Connect with the teachers◦Edmodo◦Nicenet

Connect with the students◦Extra curricular activities

Connect with the community◦ Community Service

Connections with School

Facebook ◦South Pittsburg High School ◦South Pittsburg High School Quarterback Club

Twitter ◦sphspirates1

Website ◦www.southpittsburghigh.org

Connections with Teachers

Edmodo◦www.edmodo.com

Secure Social Learning Network for Teachers and Students

Code to join Guidance/Counseling group – odvc1zNicenet

◦www.nicenet.org An internet classroom assistant

Connections with Students

Get involved in something!!!!

Colleges and scholarship committees look for this – they want to see a well-rounded person

Makes high school more enjoyable

Connections with Community

Required for TN Scholars◦80 hours required

College scholarships available based on number of hours of community service

Looks good on college applications and resume`s◦Again, colleges want someone well-rounded

Start keeping up with this now and put on a resume`

Testing Requirements

End-of-Course tests in:◦ English I, English II, English III, Algebra I,

Algebra II, Biology I and U.S. History Test grade counts 25% of final grade in class

ACT Plan test in 10th gradeACT test in 11th grade

◦Math subscore determines math placement in senior year

ACT

Required for math placement in senior year

Required for Honors DiplomasRequired for college admissionsScholarships are based on this

Ways to Improve ACT

Take as much math as possibleTake the ACT Prep class in high schoolAttend ACT workshop offered hereRead every day!!!!

◦Time magazine◦Newsweek◦Sports Illustrated

Hope Lottery/Financial Aid

Hope Lottery◦ 3.0 GPA or a 21 ACT

Changes may be coming – will update as we know more◦ $4000 per year

General Assembly Merit Scholarship◦ 3.75 GPA and a 29 ACT◦ $1000 per year extra

Aspire Award◦ Must meet Hope Lottery criteria and have financial need◦ $1500 per year extra

Hope Lottery/Financial Aid

Hope Access Grant◦2.75 -2.99 GPA and 18, 19, 20 ACT◦Must have adjusted gross income of $36,000◦$2750 for one year only

Wilder Naifeh Technical Skills Grant◦Must be attending a TN Technology Center◦$2000 per year

Other financial aid is either based on academics, community service or financial need.

Please follow us on Facebook and our website for more scholarship information.

FAFSA is completed in January of the senior year.

Resume`

Start one now!!!Include:

◦Community service◦Awards/honors – both academic and athletics◦Clubs/organizations◦Athletics◦Work experience – paid and unpaid

Grading Scale

A = 93 – 100 = 4 points B = 85 – 92 = 3 points

C = 75 – 84 = 2 points

D = 70 – 74 = 1 pointF = 0 – 69 = 0 points

G.P.A.

This is your Grade Point AverageCalculated based on the letter grade you

earn in a classTotal points divided by number of classes

attempted

http://www.ithaca.edu/rhp/parkadvising/docs/gpacalculator/

Tips from Students

9th and 11th grades are the most difficultDon’t ever take a class for granted – you

always have to studyKeep a flashdrive with you at all timesDon’t be afraid to ask questionsRead the signs in the hallwaysStart strong and stay strong in academicsGet involved in something

Your Future

We can do nothing to change the past, but we have enormous power to shape the future.

QUESTIONS????????

Contact Information

Thank you for coming. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any

time.

Lynn M. Hale, M.Ed.School Counselor837-7561 school667-5566 celllhale@mctns.net