Freshman Orientation 2015-16

⦿ Each year has: 2 semesters and 4 termsFirst Semester = Term 1 and 2Second Semester = Term 3 and 4*Each term is 9 weeks

⦿ The school year is similar to a football gameFirst Half = 1st and 2nd QuarterSecond Half = 3rd and 4th Quarter

Area of Study Number of Credits

English 4

Science 4

Math 4

Social Studies 3

CTAE/Fine Arts/ Foreign Language 3

Electives 4

Health/Personal Fitness 1

Total 23

⦿ Classes meet 1 period each day and earn ½ credit per semester▪ You must make a 70 or higher to earn credit▪ If a student does not pass the class, they must retake the

courseExample: A student is taking 9th grade Lit/Comp.9th Grade Lit/Comp. A –1st semester – 809th Grade Lit/Comp. B –2nd semester – 60

⦿ Each student MUST take 7 classes per semester⦿ Students can earn 3.5 credits per semester with a

total of 7 credits per year⦿ Students are promoted to the next grade level by

number of credits earned

Numeric Grade Letter Grade Quality Points

90-100 A 4.0

80-89 B 3.0

70-79 C 2.0

Below 70 F 0.0

Calculating GPA: Take all 7 classes and assign each letter grade the appropriate quality point. Add the points together and divide by 7.

Note: GPA for HOPE purposes is calculated using only academic core classes and foreign language.

⦿ Higher course rigor

⦿ Gifted students are required to take at least 1 honors class per semester

⦿ Earn college credit with AP classes – must pass AP exam

⦿ Students planning to apply to competitive colleges are strongly encouraged to take AP classes

Period 1st Semester 2nd Semester

1 9th Grade Lit/Comp A 9th Grade Lit/Comp B

2 Coordinate Algebra A Coordinate Algebra B

3 Health Personal Fitness

4 Physical Science A Physical Science B

5 World History A World History B

6 Elective (CTAE/Fine Arts/ Foreign Language)

Elective (CTAE/Fine Arts/ Foreign Language)

7 Elective (CTAE/Fine Arts/ Foreign Language)

Elective (CTAE/Fine Arts/ Foreign Language)

⦿ Each class period is approximately 55 minutes⦿ Most academic classes are on the Academy hall⦿ Elective and Health/PF are located throughout

the campus⦿ Students have 5 minutes to transition between

classes⦿ All 9th grade students eat lunch with their 4th

period class ⦿ They receive 25 minutes for lunch each day⦿ Students check in and out in the attendance

office and all excuses are also turned in here

What is a Career Pathway?A career pathway outlines the sequence of

courses students should take to prepare them for careers in defined areas of interest. ALL students are encouraged to complete a pathway. Pathway completers will receive a Pathway Endorsement Seal on their diploma.

Why do we have Career Pathways?Career pathways were developed in an effort

to maximize student awareness of opportunities in career fields and to prepare students for the workforce and postsecondary education.

❖ Business & Technology ❖ Air Force JROTC

❖ Finance ❖ Visual Arts

❖ Agriscience ❖ Performing Arts

❖ Agricultural Mechanics ❖ Modern Language

❖ Academic Pathway

⦿ Automotive Service Technology

⦿ Culinary Arts⦿ Early Childhood

Education⦿ Engineering, Design

and Drawing⦿ Graphic Design⦿ Broadcast/Video

Production

⦿ Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC)

⦿ Healthcare Science & Emergency Services

⦿ Information Technology

⦿ Marketing⦿ Engineering & Robotics

Note: Must be classified as a Sophomore and have 1 credit in English and Math to participate.

Dual EnrollmentUniversity of West GeorgiaWest Georgia Technical College⦿ Earn college credit⦿ Attend class on college campus

12 For Life⦿ Retention Assistance Program

Work Based Learning⦿ Earn high school credit, work experience, and

money at the same time

⦿ Students entering 9th grade in 2011-2012 or later are no longer required to take the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT)

⦿ Students are no longer required to take the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT)

⦿ Students are required to take an End of Course test (EOC) for the following classes that will be a % of their class grade:

9th Grade Lit/Comp American LitCoordinate Algebra Analytic GeometryPhysical Science BiologyUS History Economics

Athletics

Athletic Directors: Mr. Wes Shiver & Mr. Rico Zackery

Baseball Soccer

Basketball Softball

Cheerleading Tennis

Cross Country Track

Football Volleyball

Golf Wrestling

Students must meet eligibility requirements

and have a current physical to participate.

Swimming

Organizations/Clubs⦿ Academic Team ⦿ National Honor Society

⦿ Beta Club ⦿ Science Club

⦿ Book Club ⦿ Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica

⦿ FCCLA ⦿ Spanish Club

⦿ FCA/FCS ⦿ Student Council

⦿ FBLA ⦿ SADD

⦿ Key Club ⦿ Visual Arts Club

Student participation is voluntary.Clubs meet monthly.

⦿ Thank you for attending this evening’s event.

⦿ Please make sure that you have an information folder and have provided your proof of residence.

⦿ At this time, we will conduct an optional tour for any parent that would like a guided view of our campus.