HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING and ORIENTATION

1. HIGH SCHOOL PLANNINGand ORIENTATION Douglas County High School 8705 Campbellton St. Douglasville, GA 30134 Tim Scott, Principal www.dctigers.com

2. Block Schedule Freshman Classes HonorsClasses Extra Support 9th Grade Counts Graduation EOCT Parent involvement Extracurricular Activities Eligibility Questions Topics Covered

3. Douglas County High Schools Each unique…..but all have the same graduation requirements

4. Graduation Rule Areas of Study: Units Required English/Language Arts * 4 Mathematics* 4 Science* 4 Social Studies* 4 (3) CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Foreign Lang. 3 Health and Physical Education* 1 Electives 4 Total Units (Minimum) 24 (23) * Specific Sequence of Course Requirements

5. BLOCK SCHEDULE • Students may earn up to 8 units/credits per year. • Must pass 6 units to be a Sophomore – at least 1 English & 1 Math. • Most students will have two core/academic classes per semester and 2 electives per semester. • Students take 8 classes per year. • Students take four classes one day and four classes the next day. • Blue=1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Period • Gold=5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Period • Each class is 90 minutes. • Each class counts as 1 unit/credit. Health & Personal Fitness are .5 units/credits.

6. FRESHMEN CLASSES Academically, high school can be a difficult adjustment. Some classes can cause a struggle because EVERYTHING COUNTS! Even in the first year….

7. FRESHMAN COURSE REQUIREMENTS ALL 9th graders take: • *9th Lit/Comp • American Government • *Math I • Math I Lab • Biology I • Health/PEI (IB Only) • 4 electives

8. FOREIGN LANGUAGE • Students planning to attend a two or four year post-secondary school must take 2 foreign language classes in the same language. • All DCSS high schools offer Spanish and French. • 9th graders are typically unable to take foreign language classes due to upper class scheduling. • If a student completed two years of a foreign language in middle school he/she is automatically placed in the second year of that language during 9th grade. • A student who has not taken a foreign language may take the 1st Year of a course, or double up and take the 1st and 2nd Year of a course this year!

9. CTAE PATHWAYS • Cosmetology • Education as a Profession • Business Education / Computer Science • Financial Management Accounting & Service • Marketing & Management • Computer Media • Small Business Management • Nutrition & Food Science • Human Growth & Development • Military ( Army JROTC) • Health Care Science (Therapeutic Services Medical) • Law & Justice • Plant/Animal Horticulture

10. Why Honors Classes ? • 45% of students who have taken one AP course and 61% of students who have taken two or more AP courses are completing their bachelor’s degrees in four years or less. • Only 29% of students who enroll in colleges without taking AP are completing their bachelor’s degrees on schedule. • 60% of all recent high school graduates entering a community college last year needed to take at least one remedial course.

11. Honors Pointers • Challenge yourself, but don’t drown! • It is O.K. to take Honors in some academic areas and not in others. • If you do well your first year, you may be eligible to take AP classes as a sophomore.

12. EXTRA SUPPORT IS HERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED HELP, ASK!! • Classroom Teachers • Math I Support Lab • 9th Literature & Reading Lab • Bridges and CHAMPS Tutoring • Special Education • SST

13. BRIDGESBuilding Rigor in Douglas to Graduate Every StudentSmaller Learning Communities Grant • Freshman Summer Camp • Freshman Fiesta • Freshman Academy • Mentors & Buddies • Freshman Parent Night • Freshman Enrichment Trip • Advisement • After School & Saturday Tutoring • Freshman Newsletter • Freshman of the Month • College Field Trips • Job Shadow Day (Upperclassmen Only)

14. 9th GRADE IS IMPORTANT! Bring your “A GAME” everyday! Your future depends on it! • HOPE scholarship • Freshman Index (College Admissions) • Superintendent Scholar Award (3.5 GPA first semester, no grade below “B”) • For promotion to 10th grade (have to earn 6 units) – no more “placement” in the next grade. You MUST earn units to go to next grade level. • While possible, it is difficult to recover from failing grades!

15. End of Course Tests: • Your students will be taking several state mandated End of Course Tests (EOCT) throughout their high school experience. • The EOCT counts for 20% of the final semester grade. • Students must pass the EOCT course to fulfill Georgia High School Graduation Requirements. • The following courses have an EOCT. *9th Grade Literature American Literature *Biology Physical Science *Math I Math II Economics US History

16. Student Involvement:Activities

17. ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY:For Competitive Activities • ALL 1st time 9th graders are eligible • After 1st semester: • Meet GHSA criteria • Pass 3 out of 4 classes • Be on “track” • Obtain 4 units by 10th grade • Obtain 10 units by 11th grade • Obtain 16 units by 12th grade

18. Sports:

19. Keep in Mind • High School still has a dress code. • Poor attendance will negatively affect your student’s academic progress. • Discipline issues can make your child miss classes and fall behind in work

20. FRESHMAN REGISTRATION/EXPO Come see: • The school • The academic programs • The extracurricular activities – clubs, sports, etc. • Registration MARCH 27 6:00 – 8:00 (DCHS)

21. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? For additional information, please contact: Erika Cooper Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction Erika.Cooper@douglas.k12.ga.us 770.651.6573 Michal Sims Assistant Principal of 9th Grade Academy 770.651.6519 www.dctigers.com