Austin High School Preparation for the future

Helpful information about transitioning successfully to AHS Registration requirements and planning process

January 2015

Credits for Graduation

2019 Graduates

4 credits of Language Arts

3 credits of Mathematics

3 credits of Science

4 credits of Social Studies

1 credit of Physical Education

.5 credit of Health

1 credit of Creative or Performing Arts

7.5 credits of Electives

9th Grade MATTERS…. This is the beginning of your class ranking and GPA. A

poor start in 9th grade will greatly impact future eligibility for:

National Honor Society (invited with a GPA of 3.6) PSEO/Concurrent Classes (GPA first looked at end of 9th) Distinction GPA3.6-3.899 (no rounding) High Distinction GPA 3.9 and above Eligibility for extra-curricular involvement

Get involved (Scarlett Cord recognition at graduation with 160 hours of community service)

You will continue to explore career and college goals

Start off strong

Electives are classes that allow you to explore various interests and other life skill areas.

Agriculture: Intro, Ag Leadership, Plant Science, Animal Science, Small Animals, Landscaping (FFA)

Art: drawing, painting, sculpture, photography (Art Club) (Austinian-yearbook)

Business: Intro. to Business&Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Accounting, Mentorship, Work Based Learning (DECA)

CATE: Career and Technical Education-woodworking, construction, metals, graphics, small engines (Skills USA)

FACS: Family and Consumer Science-Explorations, Foods, WWYC, Careers, Life Skills, Interior Design (Youth Leadership)

Electives

Music: Austinaires (mixed) and Choralaires (girls only)—must be in choir, audition; Vocal Jazz

Science: Anatomy & Physiology, Principles of Technology (Robotics) (Science Olympiad) (Math League)

Social Studies: Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, At Issue: Modern World Events (Diversity Club/GSA) (Student Council)

Electives continued…

Students taking AP classes are eligible to take AP testing in May. If scoring well enough, colleges may allow students to skip introductory level classes. Usually have 200 students elect to take these tests, primarily as juniors and seniors.

AHS offers: AP Biology, AP US History 1&2, AP English Literature, AP Human Geography, AP Government; AP Calculus and AP Stats

AP Testing

College Courses◦ Taken at AHS or Riverland Community College◦ Junior and/or Senior year

Qualifying GPA (first based off GPA’s at end of 9th and 10th grades)

◦ Top 1/3 of Junior class (or score in 70% or above on PLAN test)◦ Top 1/2 of class Senior class

Accuplacer Test must be taken and achieve cut scores PSEO classes and grades become a part of your college

transcript so consider wisely.

WE PAY FOR YOUR COLLEGE CLASSES while you finishing earning your high school credits.

Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO)

Concurrent classes are held onsite at AHS. We offer them as language arts and social studies options junior and/or senior year. ◦ RCC Humanities and RCC Freshman English (Junior year)

◦ RCC Fundamentals of Speech ◦ RCC Economics and RCC American Government (Senior year)

PSEO classes are held at Riverland Community College. Schedules are created by RCC staff in coordination with students high school credit needs.

Concurrent classes vs. PSEO

Language Arts path

Math pathways

Science pathways

Social Studies

Typical 9th grade plan…

4 years of planning

A world language (Spanish or French) is NOT needed for high school graduation, but is highly recommended if wanting to pursue a 4 year school. (usually 2-3 years of the same language desired).

Elective (2) Elective (2)

I want to take 2 musics and a world language (or vice versa).

◦ Typically this can be done, need to understand that health and PE will need to be taken at some time. Most often completed through summer school, or else add classes later on in their high school career.

◦ Credit for Learning is another option. Caution advised—it is not as easy as it sounds.

What if…..

Grade 10  

Semester 1 Semester 2

Language Arts 10Or Pre-AP Language Arts 10

Language Arts 10Or Pre-AP Language Arts 10

Geometry or Algebra II Geometry or Algebra II.

Biology or Pre-AP Biology or Pre-AP Chemistry Biology or Pre-AP Biology or Pre-AP Chemistry

US History I or AP US History I and Geography US History I or AP US History I and Geography

Elective (3) Elective (3)

Planning continued…

Do not be afraid to take rigorous classes, as they will help prepare you for post-secondary education and look good to future college. They will also help prepare you for your ACT. Start investigating options for post-secondary education. Using NAVIANCE is a great tool.

Junior year

If considering a four year college or university,, plan to take your ACT in April or June of your junior year. You may take ACT again early in your senior year if needed.

Senior year

Electives are a great way to explore potential career interests. Senior year provides additional opportunities such as Mentorship and OJT/Work Seminar, as well as being a student aide.

When you earn a grade/credit for a course, this grade counts toward your GPA

Grade Point Average (GPA)

GPA = 2.193

Must Pass Courses to Graduate◦ Credits are given for each course passed

Must Follow Attendance Guidelines to Graduate

Must take MCA III’s and ACT to Graduate

Passing Grades + Attendance + testing = Graduation

AHS Graduation

Correlates directly with earning credit ◦ If you don’t attend, may lose credit even if you

are passing the class AHS utilizes a different process

◦ Must Rely on documentation Written notes for absences from parent/guardian Notes from medical appointments Admit Slips for students Teachers and students working together

Attendance

Tardies◦ Lunch Detention

Eat in a separate auditorium Write an Essay – mailed to parents

Unexcused Absences◦ Interventions with Teachers, Administration,

Truancy through Correctional Services (Court) Excused Absences

◦ Meeting with Administration if exceed 9

Entire Policy located in Student Handbook

Attendance

10th – MCA III Reading 10th – MCA III Science 11th – MCA III Math

All juniors MUST take the ACT. This will be given in April at AHS.

MCA /ACT Testing

Academic Supports Behavior Expectation

◦ Act Respectfully, Act Responsibly, Act Safely Post-Secondary Readiness Career Focus

Academic and Career Readiness

Counselors – academic Counselors – social and chemical Success Coach Teachers Peers Administration

Academic Support

Team’s Philosophy◦Teachers will make a suggestion/invite – parents will be contacted

◦If falling behind, great way to get catch up!

◦In student’s best interest to attend◦Not meant as a punishment

Saturday School

Expectations Listening Language Respect Supplies Promptness Responsibility

Establish an environment that supports all students ability to succeed

Building Expectations and Life Skills

Respectful, responsible and safe behavior is expected on behalf of everyone at AHS

Utilize the Students Rights and Responsibilities Manual as a guideline for behavior and consequences◦ Different level of consequence ◦ Similar expectations◦ More freedoms if applicable

Building Behavior

Co-curricular activities ◦ Sports◦ Clubs

Art, Youth Leadership, Ping Pong, Debate, Go Green, etc.

Scarlett Cord—40 hours of community service per year (160 total) earns a Scarlett Cord to be worn at commencement.

Get Involved

College Applications

Job Applications

Letters of Recommendation

Car Insurance

Impact Beyond….