Getting Ready for High School

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• Getting Ready for High School
• Important tips for Middle School students

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Overview of Presentation

• Vocabulary
• Whos who?
• Academic/Graduation
• Community Service Requirements
• High School Options
• Extracurricular Activities
• Rights and Responsibilities

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Key Academic Vocabulary

• Carnegie unit/credit 1 credit 1 year of study
  with a passing grade (if you pass a class it may
  not be repeated for credit)
• Letter of Understandingofficial credit count for
  graduation
• Requirement a class you MUST take
• Prerequisite-an introductory class you must take
  before a more advanced class
• Elective any class that is NOT specifically
  required
• Advance Placement (AP) classes that may give
  college credit
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• G.P.A.- Grade Point Average

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High SchoolTranscript

• A transcript is the written record of all the
  classes you took for graduation credit (in
  chronological order) and the final grade you
  received. Transcripts usually begin with grade
  9, the first year that you begin accumulating
  Carnegie Units (but may include some 7th and 8th
  grade classes).

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Whos who?

• 9th grade-----freshmen
• 10th grade---sophomore
• 11th grade---junior
• 12th grade---senior

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Graduation Requirements

• Subject Number of credits
• English 4
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 4
• Mathematics 4
• Science 4
• Health and Physical Ed 1.5
• Art 0.5
• Music 0.5
• Career/College level 2
• Electives 1.5
• 100 hours of community service
• A culminating composition or project to be
  formally presented in your senior year

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Total Carnegie Units Required for a high school
diploma in DC Public Schools

• A minimum of
• 24
• Most colleges require more.For exampleat least
  3 years of a foreign language.
• Also keep in mind your life and career goals when
  choosing classes.

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Community Service

• Mission To develop character and involve
  students in the community. Students are required
  to complete a minimum of 100 hours of service to
  the community. Keep copies of you community
  service hours.
• For example, hospitals, libraries, any
  non-profit organizations.

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High School Options

• Boundary school
• Out of Boundary
• Charter
• Private-day or boarding

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Dont know what your boundary school is?

• Go to www.k12.dc.us
• Click on schools
• Scroll down and click on Find your neighborhood
  school
• Type in your address

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You can also visit..

• www.fightforchildren.org
• This site has information on all the DC schools
  as well as Charter and Private schools in the
  area.

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Steps to take

• Determine your boundary school
• Decide the schools to which you will be applying.
  Then proceed to get information about the
  schools application processes and be certain to
  attend their open houses.

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Letters of Recommendation

• Yes, most likely you will need to ask your
  teachers and counselor for a letter of
  recommendation.
• Have your resume ready
• How should you approach a staff member for a
  recommendation?

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People to Know

• Counselors
• Administrators
• DC Cap Office
• School to Careers

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Extracurricular Activities-Get involved

• Team Sports
• School Newspaper
• Chess Club
• Drama Club
• Math Club
• Ski Club
• Marching Band
• Art Club
• Teen Women in Action

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Rights and Responsibilities

• To get an education
• To be respected
• To ask questions
• To express yourself

• To attend school everyday
• To arrive on time to all classes and events
• To do schoolwork and make up work
• To know what is expected of you at all times
• To be respectful

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How you can be successful

• Ask questions-know what is expected of you
• Stay on task/focused-do not procrastinate
• Think ahead-anticipate the future
• Read, research and pay attention
• See the Big Picture
• I dont know is not an excuse-you are expected
  to knowso make sure you find out!!!
• Keep a positive attitude

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More Keys to Success

• Show Up on time
• Mind your Manners - always
• Network meet and greet
• Accept Responsibility for your Actions - honesty
  IS the best policy!
• Stay Optimistic - a positive, problem solving
  attitude wins the race!
• Speak clearly and in full sentences
• Consider others
• Keep your word!

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You have the POWER-Use it!

• You are responsible for the direction of your
  life.
• Ask yourself Where do I want to go?
• Make clear, achievable goalswork daily towards
  your dreams!
• College? Military? Employment?
  Ministry?

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What ever you do may seem insignificant, but it
is very important that you do it. Mahatma Ghandi
(1869-1948)

• Every moment counts- do not waste time
• Your efforts will be rewarded.