Presented by the HSTCounseling Department

Dr. Kevin Pressley & Mr. Mathieu Chapman

August 20, 2019

Welcome to High School!Welcome to High School! HST Counseling Department HST Administration & Staff Attendance NC Graduation Requirements NC High School Exit Standards NC Academic Scholars Program HST Requirements High School Expectations GPA / Class Rank / Grades Testing – Final Exams, PSAT, PLAN, ACT, SAT, AP, WorkKeys UNC System Public Universities HST Sports NCAA Athletic Eligibility Helpful Tips for Freshmen Highland Website & Counseling Website Advice from Student Body

HST Counseling DepartmentHST Counseling DepartmentDr. Kevin Pressley

School Counselorkjpressley@gaston.k12.nc.us

Allied Health

Medical Science

Dental Science

Business/Legal

Mathieu ChapmanSchool Counselor

mlchapman@gaston.k12.nc.us

Computer Engineering

Graphics

Mfg./Engineering

Lori HammPowerSchool Data Manager

lghamm@gaston.k12.nc.us

Report Cards

Transcripts

Attendance

Courtney ClintonOnline Facilitator

cwclinton@gaston.k12.nc.us

Career & College PromiseCCP/ NCVPS/GO! Facilitator

HST Administration & StaffHST Administration & Staff

Elizabeth LeonardAssistant Principal

Officer MayResource Officer

Forshee BlairBus Coordinator / Office

Darryl ThompsonAcademy Coordinator

GraphicsMfg./Engineering

Rachel MartinAcademy Coordinator

Business/LegalComputer Engineering

Waheeba al-UqdahAcademy Coordinator

Allied HealthMedical ScienceDental Science

Curtis MitchamAthletic Director

James MontgomeryPrincipal

Students are expected to be in each class each school day. Students may only have ten (10) absences in a semester course, including excused and unexcused absences.

In order for students to be counted present in a course, they must be in attendance at least seventy-five (75) minutes of the ninety (90) minute class period.

For students who exceed (10) absences in a course and are passing the course, an appeal must be filed to be eligible for course credit.

In order to be recorded present for a whole school day, a student must be present at least one-half of the school day.

Following any absence(s), a student is required to present a written document from the parent/guardian or physician stating the reason for the absence; after the tenth (10th) absence a medical excuse may be required by the school.

All absences will be coded unexcused in the computer until a written note is received from the parent or guardian.

Written documentation must be presented to Ms. Hamm within three (3) school days after the student returns to school; otherwise, the absence(s) will be recorded as unexcused.

Upon the student’s return to school, arrangements for make-up for excused or unexcused absences shall be made within two (2) school days. Due dates for make-up work will be at the discretion of the teacher.

Make-up work is the responsibility of the student to initiate and complete outside of the regular class period. Many teachers post classwork/homework on their website.

Since we do not want to interrupt a class session, please makeevery attempt to pick up your student at the end of a class period.

AttendanceAttendance

NC Graduation RequirementsNC Graduation RequirementsContent Area Future Ready

English 4 Credits

Math 4 Credits (Math I, Math II, Math III and one of the following - AFM, Pre Cal, AP Cal, AP Stat) * Students must take 4 math credits at Highland.

Science 3 Credits (Earth/Env. Science, Biology, and Physical Science or Chemistry)

Social Studies4 Credits (World History, Civics/Economics, American History I and II or (AP US History and one Social Studies elective)

Second Language Elective (2 Credits Required to meet UNC application requirements)

Health & PE 1 Credit

Required Electives 6 Credits (CTE, Arts, Second Language, and Academic)

Additional Electives 6 CreditsTotal 28 Credits

NC High School Exit StandardsNC High School Exit StandardsStudents must pass 3 end-of-course (EOC) examsMath I (8th or 9th Grade)English II (10th Grade)Biology (10th Grade)

Students must complete a Senior Project (Highland)8-10 page research paper (11th Grade)An Advanced Studies or Clinical Class (12th Grade) A digital portfolio that covers their time at Highland.An internship or school based project related to their

pathway.A presentation about their internship and senior project.

Pass = level 3 or higher on EOC’s

NC Academic Scholars ProgramNC Academic Scholars Program Must have 3.5 Unweighted GPA

4 English

4 Math (Math I, Math II, Math III and AFM, Pre Cal, AP Cal, AP Stat)

3 Science (Biology, Earth/Environmental, Chemistry or Physics)

4 Social Studies (World History, Civics/Economics, and American History I and II or (AP US History and one Social Studies elective)

2 Foreign Language

4 CTE, Arts Education, Foreign Language (beyond the first two) or other subject area

1 Health and PE

3 Advanced level courses taken in 11th or 12th

Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while at Highland. If student falls below the 2.0 GPA he/she will be placed on probation and must acquire at least a 2.0 during the probationary semester.

Maintain 94% attendance

Maintain satisfactory progress in academic areas.

Maintain satisfactory behavior.

HST RequirementsHST Requirements

Teachers have higher expectations in the classroom. Grades are based on quality of work not completeness.

Parents and students should set realistic grade expectations. Everyone will not be able to make all A’s.

Everyone at Highland is talented. You must work hard to be successful.

Students will have more homework than Middle School. High School moves at a faster pace than Middle School.

Students have four 90 min. classes each semester. Missing one day of High School is like missing 2 days in Middle School.

Students are allowed to Reteach and Retest on major tests. Students have more responsibility. ie. Makeup work, Reteach/Retest

Students should always be prepared. Organization is very important to be successful.

High School ExpectationsHigh School Expectations

Class Rank and Grade Point Average (GPA) are calculated at the end of each semester by using the weighted 4.0 scale.

GPA / Class Rank / GradesGPA / Class Rank / Grades

Weighted GPA Grading System

Regular Courses

Honors, AP Prep Courses

AP & College Courses

A = 4B = 3C = 2D = 1F = 0

A = 4.5B = 3.5C = 2.5D = 1.5F = 0

A = 5B = 4C = 3D = 2F = 0

Add points and divide by the number of courses

taken to get GPA

Grading Scale

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = Below 60

GCS Grading

Tests – 60%

Quizzes – 20%

Homework – 20%

All Exams at the end of each semester will count 20% of the student’s final grade. End-of-Course Test (EOC)Math I, English II, Biology, Math IIIStudents must take the EOC to receive credit for the course

NC Final Exam – Academic classesCareer and Technical Education EOC – CTE CoursesTeacher made exams - Electives

PSAT - preliminary test for the SAT (All 10th and 11th graders)

SAT - college admissions test (All 11th and 12th graders)Pre-ACT– preliminary test for the ACT (All 10th graders)ACT - college admissions test (All 11th graders)WorkKeys – job skills assessment (All 12th graders)Advanced Placement Exams (AP)

High School TestingHigh School Testing

To enroll in any of the 16 public universities in NC students must meet the Future Ready core plus the following UNC Minimum Admissions Requirements.

A minimum combined SAT score of 880 (Math and EBRW) or a minimum ACT composite score of 17.

A minimum cumulative high school weighted GPA of 2.5.

UNC System SchoolsUNC System Schools

University Average SAT (M+CR) Average GPA

Appalachian State 1290 3.94-4.48

East Carolina 1110 3.8

North Carolina State 1344 4.57

North Carolina A&T 1023 3.512

UNC Chapel Hill 1370 4.63

UNC Charlotte 1156 3.8-4.5

UNC Greensboro 1120 3.83

UNC Pembroke 1045 3.25

UNC Wilmington 1260 3.8-4.4

Western Carolina 1149 3.92

Duke 1440– 1570 4.0+

Class of 2019 – 93% Continuing Education76% - Four Year College, 17% -Two Year College, 1% -Trade School, 3% - Military, 3% - Employment

HST SportsHST Sports Must have a current sports physical when you tryout for any team. Must make up any work missed due to a game.

Fall Sports Winter Sports Spring SportsFootball Basketball Baseball

Volleyball Swimming SoftballCross Country TrackMen’s Soccer Women’s Soccer

Women’s Tennis Men’s TennisWomen’s Golf Men’s Golf

Home Volleyball Game – Aug. 21, 4:30pm vs. Mt. Island Charter School

Cross Country Meet – Aug. 27 at Forestview– See Coach Boyles

Home Football Game – Aug. 30, 7:30pm vs. Commonwealth “Freshmen Night”

Home Men’s Soccer Game – Sept. 9, 5:00pm vs. Bessemer City

HST Homecoming– Oct. 4, 7:30pm vs. Bessemer City

Women’s Golf – See Coach Hutchins

Girls Tennis – See Coach Drummond

To play sports in college you must meet the NCAA’s college freshman Eligibility Standards

Eligibility is based on your Core GPA and SAT or ACT scores.

NCAA Athletic EligibilityNCAA Athletic Eligibility

16 Core-Course Rule

4 English

3 Math

2 Science

1 Additional Eng/Math/Sci

2 Social Studies

4 Additional courses from above or foreign language

Minimum Initial-Eligibility Standards DI DII

Min. Core GPA 2.3 2.2

Total Core Credits Required 16 16

Credits Required Prior to Sr. Year 10 n/a

Eng, Math, Sci, Prior to Sr. Year 7 n/a

Min. GPA - SAT (Sliding Scale) 980 920

Min. GPA - ACT (Sliding Scale) 75 70+

Preparation for college begins the day students enter 9th grade. All colleges consider the entire high school record as they make admissions decisions.

Take challenging courses and try to earn A’s and B’s in all your classes. Focus on your classwork and homework to develop the skills you will need to succeed in college.

Parents and students should monitor academic progress and student performance through Parent/Student Portal in Powerschool.

Students should complete all classwork/homework and turn it in on time. Missing assignments have a major effect on student grades.

Parents and students should visit the HST Counseling Website often and be aware of student opportunities and activities through announcements.

Become involved in extracurricular activities.

Create a high school activities file.

Investigate your interests and skills and think about possible career choices.

Helpful Tips for FreshmenHelpful Tips for Freshmen

Find information about colleges and universities that you might be interested in attending.

Consider taking the PSAT. The PSAT will be given at HST on October 16, 2019. The cost is $17.00

Look for scholarships in the HST Scholarship Newsletter and online.

Consider applying for Commissioners’ School of Excellence. Applying to CSEis competitive and based on grades, teacher recommendations, extracurricular activities and an essay. Applications available in February.

Attend Parent Conferences and informational sessions given by HST Counselors.

Take advantage of after school help with teachers.

Set realistic goals and expectations.

Highland’s Official Service Team (RAM HOST) will wear shirts 1st day of school.

Ask for help if you need it! (Administration, Counselors, Academy Coordinators, Teachers, Faculty)

Helpful Tips for Freshmen (cont.)Helpful Tips for Freshmen (cont.)

http://bit.ly/hstcounseling

HST Counseling WebsiteHST Counseling Website

HST WebsiteHST Websitehttp://www.highlandtech.us

Advice from the Student BodyAdvice from the Student Body

“Be friendly and try to meet new people.”

“Communicate with teachers. They will help you if you reach out for help.”

“Be prepared and keep everything organized.”

“Everyone is just as nervous as you are.”

“Join clubs and tryout for sports. You meet a lot of new people and

get involved.”

“Work hard and don’t worry because you will make friends.”

“STAY FOCUSED”

“Don’t be afraid to be yourself and talk to new people. There’s a place for everyone here. All the students and teachers work really hard to ensure that everyone is happy.”

“Everyone is SO nice and they’re here to help

you succeed.”

“Never procrastinate”

“Stay on top of your work and study.”

“Be Nice”