Fort Walton Beach High School Guidance Department presents

Fort Walton Beach High School Guidance Department presents… Navigating Through High School

Guidance Office Staff Professional School Counselors Linda Dugan, students A-F Christy Simms, students G-L Susan Ver Steeg, all freshmen, and students M-O Lori Lipnicky, students P-Z Secretaries Kristi Evans and Cindy Lemasters Assistant Principal Merchelle Hixson-Wells

Graduation Requirements 4 credits English Language Arts 1 credit Algebra 1 1 credit Geometry 2 credits Additional math courses 1 credit Biology 2 credits Additional science courses 1 credit World History 1 credit United States History ½ credit United States Government ½ credit Economics with Financial Literacy 1 credit Fine and Performing Arts or Practical Arts 1 credit Physical Education, to include the integration of health 8 credits Electives 1 course Online learning (counts as one of the 24 credits)

Earn a passing score on the FSA ELA assessment Earn a passing score on the Algebra 1 EOC exam 2. 0 unweighted GPA Community service hours not required for graduation, but are for Bright Futures Foreign language not required for graduation, but is for Bright Futures

Honors Graduation Summa Cum Laude GPA 4. 25 and up Magna Cum Laude GPA 4. 0 - 4. 2499 Cum Laude GPA 3. 75 - 3. 9999 Configured at the end of the seventh semester of the senior year based on the CUMULATIVE WEIGHTED GRADE POINT AVERAGE

Do you know that by using floridashines. org you can monitor your transcript? Florida Shines also gives you access to: § § § § career choices and development graduation requirements college entrance requirements Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program academic planning graduation status help with how to pay for college

Assessments for Juniors & Seniors to Consider § ACT – www. actstudent. org § SAT – https: //collegereadiness. collegeboard. org/sat § PERT (Post Secondary Education Readiness Test) http: //www. nwfsc. edu/Students/Enrollment/Testing. Center/PERT /

Let’s take a look at a few of the universities and colleges Vikings choose to attend.

freshman profile: University of West Florida § Average GPA: 3. 8 § Average ACT score: 25 § Average SAT score: 1170 § Deadline to apply – rolling admissions uwf. edu

freshman profile: Florida State University § Average GPA: 4. 3 § Average ACT score: 30 § Average SAT score: 1345 § Deadline to apply: November 1 fsu. edu

freshman profile: University of Florida § Average GPA: 4. 4 § Average ACT score: 30 § Average SAT score: 1360 § Deadline to apply: November 1 uf. edu

freshman profile: University of Central Florida § Average GPA: 4. 0 § Average ACT score: 28 § Average SAT score: 1320 § Deadline to apply: May 1 ucf. edu

Northwest Florida State College www. nwfsc. edu Offers A. A. degrees, A. S. degrees, Certificates and Bachelor’s degrees Admission requirements: High school diploma A test score – either PERT, ACT or SAT The main campus is in Niceville, with satellite campuses located in FWB, Crestview, Defuniak Springs, South Walton, and on both military bases.

Looking for a different besides college? Consider one of the many adult programs at the CHOICE Technical College. Medical Administration Nursing Assistant Cosmetology Culinary Arts Electrical Technology Welding Licensed Practical Nursing Digital Cinema Creative Arts Automotive Technology Construction Technology, and more! FINANCIAL AID ACCEPTED 850. 833. 3500

Bright Futures Scholarships Award Categories Ø Florida Academic Scholars Ø Florida Medallion Scholars Ø Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars

Class SAT FAS SAT FMS ACT FAS ACT FMS Comm. Service hours FAS Comm. Service hours FMS GPA FAS GPA FMS 2020 2021 1170 1210 29 29 26 25 100 75 75 3. 0 1290 1330 FAS = Florida Academic Scholar FMS = Florida Medallion Scholar ***GPA for Bright Futures is based solely on core classes.

Gold Seal Requirements • Take at least three courses in the same Career and Technical Education program • Earn a 3. 5 gpa in the career/tech classes • Earn a 3. 0 gpa in the non-elective high school courses • Complete a minimum of 30 community service hours • Earn a minimum score on the ACT, SAT or PERT ACT English 17; Reading 19; Math 19 SAT Critical Reading 440; Math 440 PERT Reading 106; Writing 103, Math 114

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS q Forms available in the Guidance office q All Hours must be documented and signed q Return forms to Guidance office so hours are posted to transcript q Keep record of hours for scholarships q Community Service hours are REQUIRED for Bright Futures

Scholarship Opportunities Ms. Julie Smith runs the College and Career Center. Seniors should be visiting her NOW for important scholarship information. Visit the FWBHS scholarship page at http: //www. okaloosaschools. com/fwb/scholarship Other websites for scholarship opportunities: www. fastweb. com www. scholarships. com www. cappex. com www. raise. me

• Start researching colleges and postsecondary options • Start developing your Resume/Brag sheet • Know your graduation requirements and talk with teachers and your counselor about best courses to take each year • Plan college visits • Start preparing for ACT/SAT tests Freshmen and Sophomores • Continue working on grades for college entrance/athletic/extracurricular activities • Get involved with extra-curricular activities/athletics

What should SENIORS do now? üContinue to work hard. Grades are important! üGet the scores you want or need. Take and retake the ACT or SAT. üCreate an admissions calendar. Mark down all the important deadlines in your college application process. üBuild your Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR) if necessary. üApply for admission to your college(s) of choice on time. üApply for Bright Futures. The application window opens on October 1 of each year. üApply for financial aid. The FAFSA application opens on October 1 of each year. üTake care of business. Register for previews and orientations. Apply for housing. Pay deposits. What should JUNIORS do now? üGrades are key. Don’t lose your academic focus. üGet the scores you want or need. Take the ACT or SAT. üNarrow down your choices. Pick your favorites colleges and do your research. üThink about your senior schedule. Make sure you are on track to graduate. üSummer visitations. Visit as many of your top colleges as you can.

IMPORTANT! If a student has taken or will take an AICE or AP class or an ACT or SAT test, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure the college of your choice receives the test score. How is this done? • AICE has a special transcript request form that the student must mail directly to AICE. A transcript request form may be picked up in the guidance office. • AP and SAT test score requests can be made through collegeboard. com. • ACT test score requests can be made through www. actstudent. org

ü Know your deadlines! ü Apply early ü FWBHS is CLOSED for the WINTER and SPRING BREAK HOLIDAYS. Make all transcript requests early to meet your DEADLINES.