9th GRADERS

NOW IS THE TIME….

Freshman Presentation• Graduation Requirements• SOL Requirements• Grade-level Credit

Requirements• Calculating Grade Point

Averages• Average College Entrance

GPAs• Extracurricular Activities• Work Permits/Tutoring

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSADVANCED DIPLOMA = 26

CREDITS: 4 Credits of English ( 9, 10, 11, 12)

4 Credits of Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra Functions and

Data Analysis, and Algebra II) or (Alg I, Geometry, Alg II and

ANY Math above Alg II)

4 Credits of Science (E. Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics)

4 Credits of Social Science (W. History 1, W. History II, U.S. & VA History, and U.S. & VA Government) 3 Credits of one Foreign Language or (2 Credits of two different languages) 1 Credit of Fine or Practical Art

1 Economics and Personal Finance 2 Credits of P.E.

3 Electives

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSSTANDARD DIPLOMA = 22 CREDITS: 4 Credits of English (9,10,11,12)

3 Credits of Math (Alg I, Geometry, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis or other higher mathematic courses)

3 Credits of Science (E. Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics- NEED AT LEAST TWO OF THE ABOVE COURSES)

3 Credits of Social Science (W. History, US &VA History and US & VA Government)

1 Credit of Economics and Personal Finance

2 Credits of P.E.

2 Foreign Language, Fine arts or Career and Technical Education

4 Electives (two of which must be sequential) EX. ART 1 & ART II, ROTC 1 & ROTC II

SOL REQUIREMENTS

For Graduating Classes of 2011 and Beyond:• STANDARD = TOTAL of 6

– 2 English Reading & Writing – 1 MATH– 1 SCIENCE– 1 HISTORY– 1 MORE IN ANY AREA

Ex: English Reading, Writing, Algebra 1, Biology, World History 1, and US History

• ADVANCED= TOTAL of 9 – 2 in each core area ( MATH, SCIENCE,

HISTORY, & ENGLISH)– 1 MORE IN ANY AREA

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

• 9TH GRADE: Less than 5

• 10TH GRADE: 5 w/ three

required classes

• 11TH GRADE: 11 w/ six

required classes

• 12TH GRADE: 16 w/ nine

required classes

YOU NEED TO KNOW WHO YOUR COUNSELOR IS:

(based on student’s last name)

• Mrs. Bryson: A-Ch• Ms. ApplebaumCi-Hal• Mrs. Deal: Ham-McC• Mr. Williams: McD-

Sal• Ms. Williamson: Sam-Z

YOUR GRADES ARE YOUR TOOLS TO SUCCESS:

YOUR GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) IS THE #1 INDICATOR OF WHAT COLLEGES

YOU CAN GET INTO! EVERY GRADE YOU EARN IN HIGH SCHOOL IMPACTS

YOUR GPA!A = 4 points

B+ = 3.4 pointsB = 3 points

C+ = 2.4 pointsC = 2 points

D+ = 1.4 pointsD = 1 pointF = 0 points

THE HIGHER YOUR GPA THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES…

TO CALCULATE A GPA:ITS EASY:1. Add the points awarded for each class

together2. Divide that number by the # of classes you

haveEx: STEP 1 STEP 2Algebra 1 C = 2 TOTAL # OF

English 9 B = 3 CLASSES = 7

World History A = 4 14 / 7 = 2

Biology C = 2 2.0 = “C” GPAPE F = 0

Spanish C = 2

Art 1 D = 1

TOTAL = 14

Your Turn: Student 1• Eng 9 A • Algebra 1 B• World History C• Biology A• PE 1 B• Spanish A• Art 1 A

WHAT DOES THE GPA =?

A = 4 pointsB+ = 3.4 points

B = 3 pointsC+ = 2.4 points

C = 2 pointsD+ = 1.4 points

D = 1 pointF = 0 points

CALCULATE YOUR GPAClass 1 _________Class 2 _________Class 3 _________Class 4 _________Class 5 _________Class 6 _________Class 7 _________Total = _______# of Classes: / ____

GPA = _____

A = 4 pointsB+ = 3.4 points

B = 3 pointsC+ = 2.4 points

C = 2 pointsD+ = 1.4 points

D = 1 pointF = 0 points

WHY IS A GPA IMPORTANT???Average College Freshman GPA:

• WILLIAM AND MARY 99% have above a 3.0

• UVA 99% have above a 3.0

• VIRGINIA TECH 98% have above a 3.0

• CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 98% have above a 3.0

• JAMES MADISON (JMU) 99% have above a 3.0

• GEORGE MASON (GMU) 98% have above a 3.0

• MARY WASHINGTON 92% have above a 3.0

• VCU 88% have above a 3.0

• OLD DOMINION (ODU)78% have above a 3.0

• HOWARD 73% have above a 3.0

WHY GO TO COLLEGE??TO GET A GOOD JOB

Level of Education Median Weekly Unemployment

Earnings in 2014 Rate in 2014

Some High School, No Diploma $488 9 %

High School Graduate $668 6 %

Some College, No Degree $741 6 %

Associate Degree $792 4.5 %

Bachelor’s Degree $1,101 3.5 %

Master’s Degree $1,326 2.8 %

Doctoral Degree $1,591 2.1 %  

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey

GET INVOLVED:

Join a club or sports team

www.potomacpanthers.org

Click on Parent/Student ActivitiesThen: Click On ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS!!

IMPORTANT 9TH GRADE INFORMATION:

• WORK PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.DOLI.VIRGINIA.GOV

• 5 OR MORE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN AN ATTENDANCE CONTRACT…

• NHS TUTORING EVERY THURS FOR HELP IN ANY SUBJECT SIGN UP NHSSAVEMYGPA@gmail.com!

SEE YOUR COUNSELOR OR TALK TO A TEACHER IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND…!