The grade point average, more commonly known as the GPA, is calculated for all students in two different ways:

Unweighted and Weighted

GPA

Unweighted GPA

An unweighted GPA is calculated for every student beginning with the first high school course a student takes, including those taken in middle school, and is calculated on a traditional 4.0 scale.

Scale90 – 100 = 4.080 – 89 = 3.0 70 – 79 = 2.0 0 – 69 = 0.0

The unweigheted GPA is calculated using ALL high school courses, no matter what the subject.

Weighted GPAA weighted GPA is calculated for all students based on a scale which gives a higher weight to upper level courses, and it is used for class ranking.

ScaleAP Courses = up to 7 points

Pre-AP Courses = up to 6 pointsRegular courses = up to 5 points

* The weighted GPA is calculated using only courses in the following subject areas: English, Math, Science, Social Studies (including Economics), and Foreign language.

ANY course which falls under these subject areas, (ex. Communication Applications, Psychology, Debate, yearbook, etc.) and grades earned in these courses during middle school, WILL also be included in the weighted GPA, and therefore will affect the class rank.

Importance of GPA

It is a quick indicator to colleges of your academic stamina.

It is one of the main criteria looked at on college applications.

It is a snapshot encompassing your time in high school in one element.

It is a quick indicator to employers and military of your potential as a member of their organization.

A student should select the mostrigorous courses he/she is capable of completing.

Colleges will look for rigor.

(However, beware of overloading your student in the 9th grade year)

Rigorous Coursework

Aids in college admission at selective institutions

AP classes can help you earn college credits through AP Exams (AP Exam taken at end of year. Score must be at a certain level, which is determined by each individual institution, to receive credit)

Weighted at the highest level, which can help increase class rank

PreAP and AP What are the Benefits?

Dual Credit What are the Benefits?

Introduction to college courses while in the high school setting

Helps get a head start on college credits (College credit guaranteed at all Texas

public colleges by earning a “B” (80 or

better) in the course)

Earn high school and college credit at the same time

Weighted at the PreAP level, which can help increase class rank

What is Success?

Self Management Skills

Self awareness Emotion management

Self-confidence Stress management

Resilience Skills to forgive and forget

Persistence and Perseverance Patience

People Skills

Communication skills Presentation skills

Influence / persuasion skills Team work skills Leadership skills

Skills in dealing with difficult personalities and difficult situations

Ability to think / communicate on your feet (under pressure

Interpersonal relationship skills Organizing skills

High School Success

Regular attendance

Take advantage of extra opportunities

Attentive in class

Talk directly to their teachers about grades and work with them during tutorials

Turn in all assignments

Take pride in work

High School Success

Participating in fine arts and athletics

Taking challenging classes

Finding a great group of friends

Working with a clear set of goals for college, career, and beyond

Participating in extracurricular activities

Community Service and Extracurricular Activities

Community service and extracurricular activities play an important role with colleges and scholarship committees.

Become involved in school and community activities now – don’t wait until your senior year

Seek activities and opportunities relative to your future career plans

Visit the Northwest High School Counseling website for volunteer and community service activities

Start an activities record including all school and community activities, leadership positions, honors, awards, uniques educational experiences, employment, and volunteer work.

THE BIG EVENT! April 5, 2014◦ Be sure to update this record at least once a year.

To Do List for College Admissions 9th Grade

• Study: grades are reported on your permanent transcript

• Select challenges classes• Explore extracurricular interests and volunteer

work• Start an activities record listing honors, awards,

and activities• Take the PSAT• Start a college savings account• Visit college websites and campuses• Research college information

- Visit the NHS Counseling website for helpful resources

Common Mistakes

1. My 9th grade year doesn’t count; I have plenty of time to make it up.

2. I chose this class because my friend is taking it.3. I skipped 4th period because it won’t hurt to miss one

day of that class.4. I don’t feel like doing my homework, so I’ll just do well on

the test.5. I don’t have time to join school clubs because I have to

spend my free time studying.6. Everyone else understood the teacher’s explanation but

me; I am too embarrassed to ask the teacher for more help.

7. I am afraid to tell the teacher about the problems I am having with this class.

8. I want to take blow off classes during my senior year.

Graduation Programs

The Recommended Program:◦ 26 Credits

4 English 4 Math 4 Science 4 Social Studies 2 World Languages (same language)

Spanish, French, or German

1 Physical Education 1 Fine Art

Art, Choir, Dance, Theatre Arts, and more

½ Credit of Communication Applications (Speech) 5 ½ Elective

Graduation Programs, cont.

The Distinguished Program:◦ Designed for students who want to achieve

beyond the state recommended graduation requirements

◦ Criteria for the Distinguished Achievement Program Meet all requirements of the Recommended

Graduation Program Requires 3 credits of a World Language Obtain a combination of 4 of the following

advanced measures or through independent research project AP classes with scores of 3 or higher on the AP Exam National Merit Commendation (PSAT) College courses must earn a B or higher

Tips for choosing classes

4 years to take 2-3 years of foreign language

12 elective spots—Fine Arts, PE, 1 semester of speech

The courses you take now give you more room!!

Being PreAP ready—look at strengths, choose 2(discuss balance with 3-4)

Mapping Out the Next 4 Years

Counselors from your high school will come in the spring

Look at ALL 4 YEARS—make sure you have room

Fun vs. balance vs. rigor