Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts Rising

Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts Rising Senior Course Advisement 2017 -2018

Objective: How students visit the counselor Preparing students for senior year Planning and preparing for college

How to see your Counselor ☐ Parent appointments are made by contacting Ms. Hallett the counseling department secretary (770)-472 -2838 ☐ Parent-Teacher conferences are made by contacting Ms. Hallett. These appointments are held on Wednesdays from {4 -4: 30} ☐ Student requests are made by going to the school website/counselor/counseling staff/follow the link ☐

Preparing for Senior Year What you should be INQUIRING about RIGHT NOW

Junior Status Checklist Credits/Course needed for graduation EOCT/GMAS needed for graduation How to start researching colleges (Gafurtures. org, college fairs, official college visits, emailing admissions, college board) How to search for scholarships and financial aid opportunities (Gafutures. org, schools website, financial aid page of college website, college board) Recommendation to take the SAT/ACT at least once in the junior year and up to three times. Recommendation to check to see if colleges you are applying to require SAT Subject Tests, how many, and in which subjects and to make proper arrangements to take them. HOPE Scholarship information/eligibility requirements.

Junior Status Checklist Checking the admission course requirements (making sure you have met all required courses for admission) How to get back on track if necessary: Credit Recovery Understanding the information on your high school transcript Starting an organizational notebook/electronic file to keep track of college research, GPA requirements, deadlines, applications, financial aid, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters, transcript/report card, community services log sheet, senior brag sheet Checking the counseling website, having a working email address in the counseling department’s distribution list to receive pertinent information

Junior Status Checklist Completing/Submitting all Dual Enrollment paper work NO Later than April 1, 2017 Meeting requirements to enroll in an AP course complete/submit an AP Parent Permission Slip/AP waiver in April 2017 Visiting with the school counselor to gather any additional information that you may need.

Let’s Get Started! What do you know about meeting graduation requirements? Clayton County website: www. clayton. k 12. ga. us Georgia Student Finance website: www. gafutures. org

Promotion to Senior Status 17 credits are required to be considered a senior 23 specific credits are required for graduation. Credits must be earned by the start of the new school year Do not fail any courses – but if you do they should be made up during afterschool credit recovery or during summer credit recovery opportunities.

High School Graduation Requirements Areas of Study Course Requirements English/Language Arts 4 units including: 1 unit of 9 th grade Lit/Comp 1 unit of American Lit/Comp Mathematics 4 units of math including: 1 unit of Math 1 1 unit of Math 2 1 unit of Math 3 1 additional Math unit chosen from of GPS/AP/IB designated courses Science 4 units of science including: 1 unit of Biology (can be AP/IB) 1 unit of Physical Science or Physics (AP/IB) 1 unit of Chemistry, Earth Systems, Environmental Science or an AP/IB course 1 unit of a 4 yr, including any AP/IB, academic science, or career tech science

High School Graduation Requirements Areas of Study Course Requirements Social Studies 3 units including: 1 unit of World History 1 unit of United States History ½ unit of American Government/Civics ½ unit of Economics Health and Physical Education 1 units is required ½ unit of Health ½ unit of Personal Fitness 3 units of JROTC may substitute for the Health/PE requirement Electives 7 units of electives required 3 units must be in: CTAE and/or; Foreign Language; and/or Fine Arts Students are encouraged to earn two units in the same language (required for entry into the University System of Georgia) Total Minimum 23 units

Junior Meetings Started in the September 2017; Individual meetings with each junior to complete the 2018 -2019 course selection form. Think about the type of courses that will benefit you most.

Transcript

Reading Your Transcript School Identification Student Information (your name should match what’s stated on your birth certificate) GPA Summary Attendance History Enrollment Summary Course History Standardized Test results (EOCT, GMAS) Credit Summary Grading Scale

What is Missing? New courses needed for 2018 -2019 Failed course to be remediated: Virtual Credit Recovery -afterschool -during the summer at a school near you Private options … Faith Academy

GPA What is your GPA? Why is your GPA important?

Grade point average (GPA) What is your GPA? Why is it important? How can you increase your GPA? How is GPA related to HOPE? How is GPA related to College Admission?

GPA- Grade Point Average What is your GPA? Why is your GPA important? It is an important factor when applying for admission to college and when applying for scholarships. How to increase your GPA? Taking more classes and doing well in the classes you take. Enrolling in course that offer extra quality points.

GPA continuation… Is your GPA where you need it to be? Compare your GPA to college requirements in which you are inquiring about.

Course Types: Honors/Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment (MOWR)

Honors/Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment (MOWR) Honors courses– Please consult your teacher for a recommendation AP courses– “College-level courses” Parent Permission Required – See your counselor for the permission form Dual Enrollment (MOWR)– Enrolled in college courses and earn high school credit (Counselor Approval Required)

Course Selections Get your teacher’s recommendation for higher level classes such as Honors and Advanced Placement. Your current grade in the AP subject matter you are considering should be a 90 or higher. One AP class can require 2 to 3 hours of additional study time.

Course Selections The HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships will not include any high school credit earned in middle school in the HOPE and Zell Miller GPA Calculations.

Course Selections cont’d HOPE rigor – you will be required to earn credit in four (4) rigorous classes as part of your 2019 graduation requirements. Rigorous courses include: AP classes; Advanced Algebra and higher math courses; Spanish II, French II; Chemistry, Physics

Course Selections Some colleges will require that you earn four (4) science or math credits while in grades 9 -12. They will not accept credits earned for high school courses taken in middle school.

Course Selections Your fine arts major courses are sequenced, review the Area Sequence list when choosing the appropriate fine arts courses. If you have already been accepted into a minor area, list your minor sequenced course as your third fine arts course.

Dual Enrollment Requirements: How to Apply 1. Contact the admissions office of the DE college to which you are applying and Inquire about their admission requirements 2. Take the SAT/ACT; the score needs to meet the requirements of your DE college in which you are applying 3. Complete the college DE application by the deadline 4. Complete the DE participation agreement application online by going to www. GAfutures. org (each semester enrolled in DE) and provide a signed copy to your high school counselor 5. When you receive your DE acceptance letter from your DE college, schedule an appointment to meet with your grade level counselor/college advisor to select your courses 6. You must provide your own transportation to your DE college The requirements listed above must be met prior to April 1.

DE Course Selections 1. Courses approved for Dual Enrollment will be courses that can be used to meet high school graduation requirements. 2. Students seeking to enroll full time in the DE program will have the opportunity to enroll in their zoned high school - otherwise MOWR courses must be able to fit into your school day schedule without removing your fine arts courses 3. Participating in the summer DE program is suggested for freshman, sophomores, and juniors who are interested in the MOWR/DE opportunities. 4. All grades earned in the college DE program are included in your overall high school GPA

Additional Information: Dual Enrollment During advisement: A copy of your DE college acceptance letter A copy of your DE participation agreement with your parent’s signature (each semester) A list of classes in which you are interested in enrolling (each semester) If changes to your classes occur during your academic advisement with your college DE advisor, it is your responsibility to get approval from your high school counselor for the change in classes prior to registering for the course. Classes that were not approved by your high school counselor can result in a delay of enrolling in the DE program/possible financial debt obligation owed to the DE college by the student

SAT and ACT Ø Start studying for your college admission test NOW. Ø On-line: www. collegeboard. com Ø On-line: www. actstudent. org Ø ON-line: www. gafutures. org If you take the SAT after the January 2016 test date you will be taking the new redesigned SAT assessment. Be certain you are using the SAT study material associated with the new redesigned SAT. If your are considering participating in MOWR take the SAT by January 2017 and the ACT by February 2017.

Diploma Seals Two types of Distinguished Seals: State Fine Arts Diploma Seal and International Skills Diploma Seal. (Seniors Only)

International Skills Diploma Seals Requirements: Submit an application 3 credits same world language/ESOL 4 credits in courses that have an international focus (i. e. world history) 4 extracurricular activities/experiences with global themes and/or in global contexts (e. g. exchange programs/travel abroad/international and language club) 20 hours of community service involving a global/crosscultural public service project Capstone presentation on knowledge gained in courses and activities listed above International Skills Diploma Seal Capstone projects-Due in February (Seniors Only)

State Fine Arts Diploma Seal Requirements A fine arts pathway which consists of a minimum of successfully completing three courses in one fine arts area (dance, music, theatre, and visual arts). Pathway completion denotes mastery in one art form. Complete a fourth fine arts course; and being involved in two fine arts related extracurricular activities OR having earned one credit in a CTAE course that provides a creative industry skill focus such as Journalism, Oral/Written Communication, or Economics/Business/Free Enterprise.

Requirements Continued: At least 20 hours of arts related community service and presenting a capstone presentation on your community service experiences. Arts Related Community Service Activities (not an inclusive list): Rehearsals for community service activities are considered arts community service Performing for School Board Member of your religious organization’s dance/praise team, choir Designing/maintaining a webpage for your religious organization Photographer at a community service event Singing/ playing an instrument at the senior citizen’s center

Auditioning for a Fine Arts Minor �Students can audition for a fine arts minor in the spring of their sophomore year. �Once accepted for a minor, the minor course sequence will be placed in your schedule for both the 11 th and 12 th grade school years- if space is available in your final schedule and in the course. �Academic requirements will be expected for both the major and minor courses. (Grades of “B” or higher, 2. 6 semester GPA. )

Preparing for College When can you start? Where can you start?

Great Sources of Information “Grade level” Counselor Clayton County Public Schools webpage: www. clayton. k 12. ga. us Click on departments Click on Guidance and Counseling Georgia Student Finance website: www. gafutures. org The College Board website: www. collegeboard. org ACT: www. actstudent. org SAT practice: www. Khanacademy. org

SAT/ACT Prep Sessions

Remind JR’s Only

Questions